Online Bingo in the UK

Bingo has been a UK pastime for decades, but you don’t have to go down to the local bingo hall to play.

The big-name UK online casinos and bingo sites have bingo rooms that offer everything from speed bingo to 90-ball bingo. You can buy tickets and play for a share of the room’s prize pool.

Learn how to play bingo online with this guide. We cover everything from game types to features, how the gameplay works, and how to play responsibly.

What We Like About Playing Bingo At UK Online Casinos

  • Easy access to many bingo variations and other online casino games
  • New players can get free tickets for signing up
  • Regular free tickets for existing players
  • Added convenience as you don’t have to travel to a bingo hall

What We Don’t Like About Playing Bingo At UK Online Casinos

  • Most casino promos are only available on slots and table games
  • Many casinos prioritise other casino games over bingo
  • Compared to game categories like slots, bingo tends to have fewer variants/games
  • Some bingo promos tend to have higher wagering requirements

Different Types of Online Bingo Games

When playing online, there are a few different types of bingo games you can find. Some of them are:

90-Ball Bingo

Probably the most popular format in the UK. Your bingo card has 15 numbers on it, with three rows of five. When the numbers are called, you mark off the numbers on your card. If you get a line, two lines, or a full house, you get a win!

75-Ball Bingo

More popular in the US, this type has a 5×5 grid with 24 numbers and a free center space. You can win by marking off horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines. Occasionally, other special shapes can count as well, depending on the bingo site.

80-Ball Bingo

If you want a slightly quicker game, 80-ball bingo is a great option. You get a 4×4 grid of 16 numbers, and you win by marking out lines, columns, or a full house.

30-Ball Bingo (Speed Bingo)

This version flies by, which is ideal if you’re pressed for time or just want a quick game. It’s played on a 3×3 grid with nine numbers, and the first player to achieve a full house wins.

What UK Online Bingo Sites Offer

Make sure you familiarize yourself with these features before you start playing at an online bingo site.

  • Welcome Bonuses: Some sites will offer you free bingo tickets for signing up. Read carefully which bingo rooms they’re for and other terms and conditions before claiming them.
  • Bingo Rooms: Pretty obvious to start with, there are going to be different bingo rooms to choose from at any site. Different rooms can have different bingo games, and varying ticket prices and prize pools.
  • Chat Rooms: Bingo games will almost always have chat rooms for players to interact with each other, and with the host. This adds a social element to the game.
  • Pre-Buy Options: You can buy tickets in advance for upcoming games so you ensure your place in the room without needing to rush last minute.
  • Auto-Daub: Marks your cards for you as soon as the numbers are called, so you don’t have to worry about missing a call and losing out while you make that cup of tea.
  • Jackpot Games: These games often feature progressive prizes that can grow to pretty large amounts, giving added excitement to the game.
  • Side Games: Many sites have additional games like slots, scratch cards, or instant wins so you can mix things up and keep the excitement going between bingo rounds.
  • Mobile Compatibility: Most online bingo sites work great on your phone or tablet, ideal if you want to play bingo during a long journey.
  • Wagering Requirements: Understand any wagering requirements you might need to complete before cashing out a bingo prize.

How To Sign Up and Play Online Bingo

Online bingo platforms make signing up and getting started pretty easy. Here’s a general overview of how it works:

  1. Sign Up: You create and manage your account, which typically involves registration, verification, and secure handling of funds.
  2. Choose a Room or Game: Bingo sites display available bingo rooms and games, with information on ticket prices, prize pools, and start times. You can browse and choose a game that fits your preferences.
  3. Buy Tickets: You buy bingo tickets for a game of your choice. The number of tickets purchased is up to you, within any limits set by the site.
  4. Get Daubing: Once the game begins, numbers are drawn randomly. The platform automatically marks off (daubs) matching numbers on your tickets. You can usually choose to manually daub as well.
  5. Find Winning Patterns: The site recognizes and announces when a player achieves a winning pattern (line, two lines, full house, etc.). The specific winning patterns depend on the bingo variant being played.
  6. Earn Prizes: Prizes are awarded to players who achieve the designated winning patterns. The prize amounts are predetermined and displayed before the game starts. If you win, you will get a notification and usually some form of confetti on the screen.

Key Bingo Terms

If you’re a beginner player, refer to our bingo terminology key below:

  • Caller: The person or system that announces the drawn numbers.
  • Daubing: Marking off numbers on your bingo card.
  • Full House: Matching all the numbers on your bingo card.
  • Lines: Matching a horizontal line of numbers on your card.
  • Two Lines: Matching two horizontal lines of numbers on your card.
  • Pattern: In some bingo variants, a specific shape or arrangement of numbers that must be matched to win.
  • Prize Pool: The total amount of money available to be won in a game.
  • Ticket Price: The cost of a single bingo ticket.

Responsible Gambling

Remember to gamble responsibly. Online bingo is a form of entertainment, and you shouldn’t see it just as a way to make money.

Set a budget, stick to it, and ask for help if you feel your gambling is becoming a problem.

Resources like GamCare and GambleAware are there for support if you feel you need it.