Bingo is now one of the most popular games to play within the gambling sector. Millions of players enjoy the game everyday and whilst the lure has definitely subsided somewhat over the last decade or so, it’s still plays a huge roll for most gaming companies.
There are actually many more bingo sites that you would probably expect. Whilst the high street bingo halls are limited in number (and closing at a rapid pace) online bingo is the opposite. There are hundreds of sites offering thousands of games around the clock.
In this next section we’ll take a look at some of the best bingo sites the internet has to offer.
How Does Online Bingo Work?
Online bingo is the same game that you play when playing in any bingo hall, with a few tweaks to make it work online. The first part is that you don’t need to physically mark off your card as the games software will be able to recognise which numbers have come out and then cross them off accordingly from your cards.
The next difference is that you don’t have a caller for the game as the numbers are produced by a random number generator. So, essentially you just see the numbers appear on screen and then they get crossed off your card accordingly.
It is worth noting that some sites will allow you to dab off your number manually if you wish, but the majority of players simply select ‘auto-dab’, which means you will never miss a number. Also, there is no need to shout ‘house’ if you have won, as the program will recognise this and then stop the game accordingly, paying winnings along the way.
The balls are selected by an RNG or a Random Number Generator as they are often referred to. This RNG allows a completely random set of balls to be drawn at any one time, which keeps the games not only fairly, but completely random. The software that is used will vary between each bingo site, but all manufactures must adhere to strict gaming laws regarding how they work, so they are all essentially the same.
Often people state that online bingo games are rigged, but this simply isn’t the case. They RNG that is used ensures this and as mentioned above, the Gambling Commission, who are independent body set up to make sure casino and bingo games are completely fair, oversee all software so they wouldn’t be published if they weren’t completely fair.
Bingo Networks
One of the biggest misconceptions with online bingo games is that the bingo sites create their own games. For the most part, this isn’t true and the majority use bingo networks and game developers to create their bingo games.
The main reason that they utilise these networks is so that they are able to outsource the design process, meaning that there is one less thing for them to worry about. If the bingo room was going to make their own games then they would need a whole division of people to run, maintain and improve them over time. Outsourcing means that they are likely going to get better games and also save money in development costs.
A lot of the games are run over networks as well. So, whilst you might be playing on a bingo game at Coral Bingo, a different player could be playing the same game on bet365 Bingo as that game is actually running on the Virtue Fusion network. This means that not only are games busier, but they are able to pay out higher prizes, working particularly well with jackpot games.
Bingo Games
As with all games in the gambling industry, over the years the range and number of games has developed at quite the pace. Below we have listed some of the more common bingo variants:
- 90 ball bingo – The 90 ball game is probably the most popular. The game includes 90 balls, numbered from 1 to 90. Each players ticket has 3 lines with 5 numbers on each line. You need to mark all the numbers on 1 line to be a winner, but the first person to mark all the numbers on their card wins an additional prize.
- 80 ball bingo – This game requires just 80 balls in total and instead of have 3 5-number lines like the 90 ball game, you get 4 4-number lines. Again, you need to mark of numbers in a line and then all numbers for a house.
- 75 ball bingo – The 75-ball variant works a little different to the other two games. For this you get 75 balls in the bag and to win you need complete the balls in a shape. The shapes vary from the letter A to number shapes. The numbers that need to be marked off are generally in a different colour, so it should be pretty obvious to see what you need to tick off to get going.
- Deal or no deal bingo – The Deal or No deal game includes the standard 90 or 75 ball features, but with it you get 22 boxes surrounding your bingo card of which you can land on should win the regular game. You then get to choose a box and behind it will be a cash prize. These games are often network run, so the prizes can become extremely lucrative.
- Pulse bingo – Pulse bingo is one of the more interactive bingo games that you can play. For this you get 12 numbers that you need to mark off and as they float around the screen the bubbles will burst as you hit that number. It’s often a progressive game which means that the more players that are playing the game, the higher the prizes on offer.
Exclusive Bingo Games
Many of the larger casinos have been able to get brand deals to create some exclusive games to their casino. Gala bingo is one of the best for these game types, but there are plenty to choose from in the industry if you target the bigger brands.
Coronation Street is probably our favourite game to choose from. If you are a fan of the TV series then you are going to love this game. It’s one of the most popular in the industry and with it you are able to earn some huge prizes. In fact, game start from as little as 5p a card, with the average payout for each game being £48. Also, in between games you are treated to over 100 clips from the TV show, which is another great touch.
The Chase has become one of the most popular quiz shows on TV and with it, one of the most popular bingo games. It allows winners of their 90-ball game to go straight through to the final Chase where you will try and beat one o the five chasers to win a cash prize. It’s another game that is about as interactive as you will find and has been a huge success for brands lucky enough to have the rights to it.
Finally, we wanted to draw your attention to that of Coconut Island. The game is a 50-ball variant, which is unique in itself, but it also allows you to play one of the best looking bingo games in the industry. It’s all very tropical, as you would expect, but the as you see the coconuts fall and then crack to reveal the numbers, it certainly adds another layer of fun to the games. If you manage to get a house then you move into the Golden Stand where you get to thrown at the coconuts, knocking them off to reveal your prize.
Online Bingo With Webcams
The bingo is industry is one that has continuingly evolved and with it, so has the webcam sector. This allows users to be even more integrative within games and allows you to actually see the players you are playing with.
The process is simple in that you just set up your webcam or built in camera for your PC or laptop and then other players can see you whilst you are at the table. You are able to choose who you play with or who can see your camera if you like, but don’t forget that you are also going to be able to see other players who are also using their camera as well.
You don’t have to use this feature if you don’t want to and some people will prefer playing from the privacy of their own home, anonymously. But, bingo games are built around communities, more than any other form of gambling, so the interaction for these games has been popular. Often casinos will offer larger prizes and jackpots to try and encourage people to use these games, so it’s well worth taking a look if only for this.