The game of Online Bingo may not hold much appeal for gamers who consider themselves serious gamers but this game of chance is incredibly easy to learn and play. This ultimate social game that is often played in church halls and at county fairs attracts young and old from all over the world because of the vibe created, high entertainment value and approachability. In fact, the game of bingo is so easy to play, even a child can grasp the rules within a matter of minutes as they mark off numbers and shout, “Bingo” in delight.
A fun and exciting casino game that can be traced back to 1530, Italians still today play the game every Saturday. France took the game in the 1700s and entitled it, “Le Lotto” which was enjoyed by a wide range of gamblers. Germany then took the game and made it into a child-friendly learning tool where school children could learn math, spelling and history as they used the numbered cards to play an interactive game.
The United States turned the game into something fit for a county fair where numbers were drawn from a cigar box and players covered the numbers on their cards using beans. The winner called out “Beano” once the player has successfully completed a line.
Since the creation of the game, a myriad of tweaks and variations have been added to entice new players. While the game has gained popularity in retirement homes and churches, there is much more to it than what first meets the eye.
What is the history of online bingo?
Sign up to play Bingo at your local recreation centre and receive a ticket featuring a numbered grid in exchange for your entry fee. These tickets have serial numbers to ensure that each grid is unique and won’t be duplicated in that game.
Players take their seats and wait for the Caller to start the game. Numbers are usually drawn from a single source, much like a lottery game and can take the form of balls or strips of paper.
As each number comes up, the board near the play area has it noted down to assist players in keeping track. Speed and accuracy are key as you’ll carefully listen to the Caller in order to complete your line as quickly as possible.
Are there different types of online bingo?
In order to keep the game appealing, organizers have offered a variation of the rules in the Bingo games offered. With variations that include the pattern made to link numbers, like X-Pattern, Coverall or 4 Corners, or the inclusion of Wild numbers like numbers ending with 1, gamers are able to win more frequently.
75 Ball
The 75 ball variation of the land-based Bingo game, often called American Bingo, requires you to cover all the numbers on your ticket to win a prize. Played with multiple tickets that feature a 5×5 grid, this game can take a bit longer than the 90 Ball counterpart.
90 Ball
The 90 ball game is called British Bingo and is known for its zany calls of Lucky Legs Eleven and Two Ducks as the Caller uses playful sales patter to add pace and entertainment to the game.
Simply complete 1 or 2 lines in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal fashion to call out “Bingo” first.
Charity Bingo and other fundraising events tend to offer food or gift tokens as prizes instead of cash simply in order to stay within the necessary gambling license to host such games. High-value prizes have a more stringent reporting requirement as each jurisdiction errs on the side of caution when it comes to games of chance.
Electronic Bingo
Found in land-based casinos, bars and convenience stores, electronic Bingo machines make it as easy as purchasing a lottery ticket to match numbers on a digital ticket. Winners receive cash prizes or store vouchers for games where the numbers are drawn match the ticket they have received.
The touchscreen display offers an interactive experience while the random number generator ensures a fair outcome.
Bingo characters
Purchase your ticket at the door and find your seat before the game begins. The Caller shoulders a large portion of responsibility as they not only oversee the drawing of the numbers but also listen out for calls of “Bingo” to establish the winner.
In larger or lengthier games, the Caller may be assisted by an attractive helper who handles the drawing of the numbers and another assistant who logs the numbers that have been selected.
Can I play bingo online?
Enjoy total convenience by buying into an online Bingo game at a reputable online casino. Once the online casino issues you with a ticket, you may have the option of drawing an alternative ticket.
Online casino Bingo makes this even easier by automating the process for your convenience. Once you have completed a line, the game software calculates your winnings and adds them to your balance.
As you are able to purchase a new card every few minutes, players get to ensure games of chance that move swiftly and require the speedy daubing of numbers before all the numbers have been called. Once all the numbers have been drawn, the game ends so any lines that have not been completed become inactive.
Online bingo tips, tricks and techniques
Depending on the complexity of the game, you will receive a ticket filled with numbers. As you click start, the numbers are drawn and logged on a table where any missed numbers can be confirmed.
Players keep track of the numbers and click on those which appear in an effort to line up the numbers. While the land-based version of the game specifies both a letter and a number, like B-4, the online version keeps things simple in a more lottery drawing style of play.
With the wide range of options available, each with its own particular quirks, new games are launched on a regular basis to the delight of players who enjoy both free casino games and playing for real money.
Is keno similar to bingo?
Keno and Bingo have a number of characteristics in common. While both require numbers to be called and checked off, players choose their numbers in Keno.
As players have influence on their win by strategically selecting numbers they feel may come up frequently, Keno is the more skills-based game of the two.
What “bingo lingo” should I know?
The British Bingo game is known for its rhyme-friendly phrasing as numbers are called in a creative manner. A few numbers, like Kelly’s Eye, for the number 1 have historical significance that either relates to Ned Kelly’s helmet that resembled the number 1 or Kelly’s Amulet from the Valiant cartoon.
Number 10 may be called “Boris’ Den” right now but the name changes in accordance with the most recent Prime Minister to reside at 10 Downing Street.
Never Been Kissed and Dancing Queen both have musical themes as the former relates to the song, “Sweet 16 and Never Been Kissed”, while the latter relates to the Abba classic that mentions the number 17 in the lyrics.
Lucky Legs Eleven is so named due to the digits resembling the legs of a chicken to which players often wolf whistle in response.
How to play live dealer bingo online
Live Dealer Bingo offers all the excitement of a real-life Bingo game with none of the inconvenience. Join a room and receive a card to start playing against others who place bets of similar values as you race to complete your card as quickly as possible.
As online Bingo makes use of a random number generator, this is a game of chance in the truest sense of the word. Depending on the grid you receive and the numbers called, you stand the chance to win a healthy cash prize.
The price of your ticket indicates the size of potential wins so take care to use your bankroll wisely.
How to get started with online bingo
Online Bingo is available in a wide range of options. From multiple tickets to playing against other players, you will find a myriad of games available to suit your needs.
Step 1 – Check out our reviews and visit your choice of reputable online casinos recommended
Step 2 – Create an account and take up the welcome bonus that appeals to you
Step 3 – Click to play a game of Online Bingo
Step 4 – Choose to play for real money
Step 5 – Purchase casino credit using a safe banking method
Step 6 – Play Bingo for cash and win
Step 7 – Cash-out your winnings in a safe and secure manner
What about progressive jackpot bingo?
Online casinos encourage players to play Bingo games for a chance to win a share of the prize pool. As each ticket is purchased, a portion of that ticket is added to the pool and grows progressively until one player wins the lion’s share.
Simple online bingo rules you need to know
Bingo is truly one of the simplest games to play. Just follow these steps as you listen out for numbers and mark them off as required:
- Place your bet and receive your ticket
- Watch the numbers being drawn and mark them off accordingly
- Match the numbers drawn and create a complete line to be a winner
Real-life games require that you listen to the Caller carefully and shout “Bingo!” before the next number is called. With the online version, most of this is done automatically.
How to select a safe bingo online casino
Moving from playing Bingo in a church hall to playing the game for real money online can seem daunting at first, however, once you know what to look out for, you will be well equipped to choose a reputable casino to suit your needs.
Licensing – All reputable online casinos have at least one gambling license from a well-known gaming authority. Popular gaming licenses for off-shore casinos include:
- United Kingdom Gaming Commission
- Malta Gaming Authority
- Curacao Gaming Authority
Audited – Online casinos are audited by an independent 3rd party agency which verifies that the business is run fairly and payouts have been made to the right people.
- Look out for the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) badge as a symbol of quality.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption – Transacting in a secure manner should be your first priority when playing for real money. This badge confirms that the online casino is using bank-level encryption for your protection.
Secure Banking
Transacting in a safe and secure manner while purchasing casino credit from a licensed online casino is the key to success as you play and win. Many online casinos offer a wealth of payment options for your convenience as you add funds to your gaming account which we cover in detail on our Banking Page.
Gamble Responsibly
Games of chance can be a great deal of fun and an excellent form of entertainment and relaxation. Visit out Responsible Gambling page to find out more information about the responsible gambling tools available at all reputable online casinos.
Top Bingo FAQs
How old should I be to play Bingo?
While charity Bingo games can be offered on a social level at schools and churches, players need to be 18 years or older to play the game for real money.
How many numbers do you need to match in order to win?
It depends on the type of Bingo, however, finding out the rules just takes a quick visit to the paytable. Whether you need to cover all the numbers or just 5 in a row can be all that is necessary to play the game.
Is Bingo a skills-based game?
Bingo is a game of chance as the numbers on both the ticket and those which are called are random.
Do I need a big bankroll to play Bingo?
Games start from as little as $0.25 so Bingo is the ideal game for players who are looking to play for a long time.
Is Bingo the same as Keno?
In Keno, players have the opportunity to select the numbers on their ticket. The game plays in a very similar manner.