When a bingo site is linked to a wider network or software provider, they then have to follow the formula of that particular company. The site design, gaming interface, bingo rooms and even the promotions will all follow a familiar pattern, and therefore all the sites that run on that network will feel quite similar.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing however, and some of the biggest online bingo sites are powered by much larger software companies that run several sites at a time. Nevertheless it is quite refreshing to come across a site that is totally unique and powered completely independently.
Independent bingo sites run everything themselves, so they have full control over every element of the brand. They aren’t really on a network at all if they are a singular brand, because only players on that one site will have access to their bingo games.
Since everything has been exclusively designed for one specific brand, independent sites can then offer players something much more bespoke. Most of the games and promotions won’t be found anywhere else online (the slots might, but not the bingo games), and they can offer up their own home grown promotions to take on the bigger brands.
As the independent networks generally only power one or two sites, it also means all of their attention is focused on a smaller more compact cohort of customers. This can offer players a real sense of exclusivity, and also the knowledge that the company aren’t spread too thin. It can also mean the sites benefit from slightly better graphics, layout and interfaces, as the designers will only be working on one or two sites so invest more time on them.
List Of Independent Bingo Sites
| Bingo Site | Launch Date | Bonus (T&Cs Apply) | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2018 | £20 Bingo Bonus & 30 Free Spins |
T&Cs apply, 18+
|
| First deposit only. Min deposit & spend £10. £20 bingo bonus valid on Dab & Disco Bingo Room at 20p per ticket. 20 Tickets issued per game for first 5 games immediately after spend requirement is met. Max 30 spins on Fishin Frenzy Jackpot King at 10p per spin. Spins credited upon spend of £10. 18+ Full T&Cs apply. New Customers Only. 18+. T&Cs Apply #ad | |||
|
1999 | Deposit £10 Play With £30 |
T&Cs apply, 18+
|
| You have to be 18+ to register. New Customers Only. Bonus T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org. Once you have registered and opted in to this offer, you will receive a 200% Bonus up to £20 on your first deposit of £10 or more. The maximum bonus amount given is £20. Wagering x2 times for Bingo. #ad | |||
|
2016 | Deposit £10, play with £30 |
T&Cs apply, 18+
|
| New customers only. 18+, BeGambleaware.org Minimum deposit £10, maximum bonus £20. You must wager your bonus 40x to make it withdrawable. Free Spins are credited on Starburst in batches of 10 over the next four working days and carry a 15x wagering requirement. Bonus will expire after 7 days of opt-in. T&C's Apply. #ad | |||
Tombola – NOT RECOMMENDED
Tombola are the ultimate example of a thriving independent bingo site. Or at least, they used to be.
That said, I am NOT RECOMMENDING USING TOMBOLA.
Tombola sold out to Flutter in 2021, and are no longer the site they used to be. For example, one of the first things they did was cut the number of people working in the customer experience team, which tells you everything you need to know. Most importantly, Tombola are no longer truly independent.
If you would like to see a list the online bingo sites that I do recommend, please click here to check them out.
The Network
Tombola still runs on the independent network it was famous for, and is still Britain’s biggest bingo site. Despite now being owned by Flutter, none of their other brands have been integrated onto the network, so on the surface it seems like the same independent site it always was.
Every single bingo game that appears on the software has been exclusively designed for the Tombola brand, although some of the newer content since Flutter took over is not as good.
The main bingo games found on the software are:
90-ball bingo- 5 line Cinco bingo
- 80-ball bingo
- Bingo roulette
- 75-ball bingo
- 60-ball bingo
- 50-ball bingo
While things still look great, behind the scenes the brand has taken a tumble.
As I mentioned, customer service is not what it was, and although the design team are creating games that are distinct from other Flutter brands, they are doing so under Flutter’s instructions. This just means there is more focus on cost savings and increasing profits and less on user enjoyment.
So Tombola is still run as an independent network, but is actually owned and influenced by a much bigger company pulling the strings.
Why Tombola Did So Well
Tombola was a family run business, beginning way back in the 1950’s printing bingo tickets for bingo halls up and down the UK. Fast forward to 2006, and Tombola was one most of the most well known online bingo companies out there. Perfectly placed to take advantage of the online bingo revolution.
The team are still mainly based in Sunderland in the North East of England, and the core values of the company have always been to create a site that focuses solely on its players. They encouraged low stake play rather than influence greater spending, and they also put a lot of work into making the site a nice, friendly and social place to play.
Customers loved this, which is why they grew to be the biggest bingo site in Britain – quite an achievement for an independent.
I think this friendly customer centric approach has already begun to change. Tombola wouldn’t be the first brand to be stripped of all character and personality after being taken over by a bigger fish. Only time will tell which path they continue to go down.
Closed Independent Sites
It’s perhaps not a great sign for independent bingo sites that some of the most well known have closed down as the years have gone on.
That said, times change, and when a company doesn’t keep up with the times they are doomed to fail. The following sites didn’t close because they were independent. They closed due to mismanagement or an inability to adapt.
Intouch Games Ltd – Closed 2023
Intouch Games Ltd first launched back in 2007, and the company were based in the West Midlands in the UK. They were known for their innovative mobile gaming application software, and at their height they ran eight different gambling brands:
- mFortune
- Pocket Win
- Mr Spin
- Dr Slot
- Jammy Moneky
- Cashmo
- Casino2020
- Bonus Boss
These were mainly marketed as casino sites but they offered bingo too, including their own independent bingo network.
Their flagship site, mFortune was their most popular, but in 2023 the UKGC suspended their gambling license and the company shut down. It’s a shame because they were a great addition to the bingo world, but they were not behaving themselves behind the scenes.
B-Livegaming – Closed 2023
The B-Livegaming software company originated in the Netherlands in 2009, and they entered the UK market to much success in 2011.
They were the first company to pioneer the use of a live webcam feature to the world of online bingo. Their first and only website, Bingocams encouraged people to play on camera and celebrate like crazy when they won.
They even gave out additional prizes for the best reactions.
It was a great idea for the time, clearly aiming to capture some of the social aspects of bingo that people enjoy when playing in real life.
However, people became more reluctant to use their cameras so the site lost its USP, and after many years of treading water without changing their approach, they finally and inevitably closed in 2023. Since BingoCams was B-Livegaming’s only brand, that was the end of the network too.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Independent Bingo Sites
There are pros and cons to all online bingo sites and the software companies they partner with. At the end of the day though, it will always come down to personal preference as to which site you choose.
Here’s a list of differences between the small independently run sites and the much larger bingo networks out there:
| Independent Online Bingo Software | Larger Branded Online Bingo Software |
|---|---|
| Small and intimate network with a handful of sites. Some independent companies may even only operate a single online bingo site. | Larger software companies tend to run between 10 and 200 sites, and may also power casino, sports and slots sites too. |
| The software will be completely unique to one or two brands. A more engaging experience for players. | Lots of different brands use the exact same software and website templates. Less interesting. |
| Games tend to be exclusive to the brand so you won’t find their titles anywhere else. This also means well known games may be missing. | Bingo rooms will be shared across the entire network, and you will find a larger better known selection of games. |
| Fewer players means a stronger community and more chance to win, but can also mean slightly smaller prizes. | Players come from lots of different sites, therefore the pay outs tend to be larger but it’s harder to win. |
| Smaller companies focus solely on just one or two sites improving overall quality. | Larger software companies can power up to 200 online bingo sites at a time, using a one size fits all approach. |
| It may be easier to reach the company should a problem arise, and you will be speaking to a better informed employee. | While support may be easily accessible, the staff usually work across the entire network and aren’t generally as helpful. |
| Graphics, design and layout of the sites will be unique and exclusive to the brand. | Sites that are powered by a big software brand will all look and feel similar in style. |
Conclusion
Choosing to play online bingo on a smaller independent network provides a very different experience to the big networks. The sites stand alone and offer players that one of a kind experience.
You will find bingo and games that have been designed and developed exclusively for the brand you are using, and the sites themselves will feel higher quality and have unique designs, interfaces, layout and graphics.
Here is a summary of what makes independent online bingo networks stand out from the crowd:
- Exclusive online bingo and casino games that won’t be found anywhere else online
- Top quality graphics and excellent user experience
- Much more personal feel throughout the site
- Excellent connections with social media and chat room activity
- Unique selection of bonuses and promotions
- Much more attentive and qualified customer service team
- Jackpots that won’t be shared with other sites on other networks
My experience of independent brands and networks has been largely positive, but they are all different, so just because one works for you it doesn’t mean that another will.
I tend to feel more valued as a customer on an independent site, and I enjoy playing games that are new to me rather than carbon copies of what I have played millions of times before. If that sounds like something you would appreciate, maybe an independent bingo site is for you too.