Bingo

Play Online Bingo for Money: Tips & Tricks

Online bingo is the internet version of the popular game of chance of bingo available for play using real money at gambling sites. Since the birth of internet gambling in around 1996, bingo has found a great home online, making it one of the most familiar and popular online casino games.

Online bingo’s allure lies in the fact that it offers the classic appeal of bingo halls found throughout the US, plus the convenience and speed of the World Wide Web.

Our online bingo ultimate guide helps you take your game to the next level, whether you’re a rookie player or a veteran looking to hold a few more tricks up your sleeve.

Here, you’ll discover how to get started and find out how different bingo settings influence the jackpot size, cost of play, speed, and much more. Wondering which online casinos offer the best bingo games? If yes, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve done extensive research so you can easily find safe and reputable online bingo casinos offering lucrative bonuses. With a plethora of new online casinos frequently springing up too, we also help you stay on the bingo ball! Consider this complete online bingo guide your handbook and best friend when it comes to maximizing your bingo enjoyment and profitability.

Benefits of Playing Bingo Online

The introduction of the internet has forever changed the game for the world of gambling, and bingo is no different. Online bingo is one of the ever-increasing collections of virtual games and gambling products now widely available in internet casinos.

Online bingo boasts all the amazing features of the original game but in digital form for convenience, allowing players to enjoy it from the comfort of their own homes.

Today, bingo players have a wide range of choices. But to understand the true benefits of online bingo, you have to contrast and compare it with the physical game played in land-based casinos and bingo halls.

Speed: At the very core, online bingo was built for convenience and speed, unlike original bingo that’s built for interaction. When you go to a land-based bingo hall, you expect to engage, interact, and socialize with other players, which is why speed is of no merit.

However, when you play online bingo, you’re after money-making opportunities, adding an element of urgency to the game. After all, the faster the game, the more money you’ll rake in.

It’s hard to make comparisons bearing in mind their stylistic dissimilarities, but it’s generally considered that online bingo is 3x faster than its standard land-based counterpart.

Online bingo also employs random number generators, so expect the pace of number call-outs to be consistent. Human bingo callers, on the other hand, are prone to distractions, hence the inconsistent rate of calls. Additionally, when you play online, wins are verified and paid out automatically, saving oodles of time.

Variety: More often than not, traditional bingo halls feature two game formats: 75-ball bingo, 90-ball bingo, or both. Some land-based casinos also carry 30-ball bingo, speed bingo, passing bingo and other specialty variants.

As far as online bingo goes, variety is the name of the game. Online casinos curate their libraries of bingo games from several different software providers.

Online players can expect a boatload of bingo variants from top-tier providers like Playtech, Dragonfish, Microgaming, Jumpman Gaming, and Evolution Gaming. If you’re an adventurous type, you may also want to sample fresh games from medium-tier and low-tier providers such as Cozy Games, Gamesys, and 1X2gaming.

The beauty of it all is that online bingo provides a variety of innovative features. Games come in all shapes and sizes, also offering variants in the cost of play, speed, bonus features, gameplay, and much more. You’ll definitely be spoilt for choice.

Setting: The traditional bingo game is played at a bingo hall, games arcade, community center, senior center, social hall, or brick-and-mortar casinos. Every land-based bingo hall is characterized by at least three elements: the caller, the gambling floor, and the cashier’s lobby.

Online bingo, on the other hand, is virtual, meaning you can play it anytime, wherever you may be. Thanks to the internet, you can play it at home, on your commute, and anywhere in between.  Play it on a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device.

Gaming developers have created robust bingo software featuring the same gameplay and hallmarks of the traditional game. Most often, this software can be accessed online via a web browser, downloaded as a web client, or installed as a mobile application – there’s something for every type of player.

Cost Advantage: When you visit a conventional bingo hall, the cost of drinks, food, and tickets will set you back between $20 and $200. That’s pretty expensive before you can even dream of a win.

Online bingo casinos don’t need to worry about staffing and space costs. With this reduction in overhead, expect online bingo games to be dirt cheap. In fact, most have a minimum bet as low as $0.01.

Online Bingo Bonuses: How Do They Work?

Online bingo is an increasingly popular gambling game thanks to its easy gameplay, straightforward rules, and simple structure. With fast and reliable software, lucrative casino bonuses and lots of exciting features, you can win fantastic payouts online in a matter of seconds instead of waiting for hours in a bingo hall.

Getting started with online bingo is easy, and all begins with finding a gambling site best matching your needs as a player. For US players, for instance, it’s crucial to locate a bingo provider that allows price betting in USD, supports English, and is regulated.

In addition to having a valid gambling license, the site should offer US-friendly payment options, such as e-checks, Visa, MasterCard, and e-wallets such as PayPal. Given the numerous providers available, players have the opportunity to choose the bingo formats and variants that work best for them.

It’s important to do due diligence. Not all providers are trustworthy; some are out there to make a quick buck. That’s why you should always read credible online reviews, check player ratings, and ask for recommendations from other bingo lovers.

Also, don’t forget they’re not all created equal, which is why you should do a little research on their games variety, banking options, software quality, restricted countries, customer service, and more. Some sites offer bingo software you’ll need to download, while others don’t require it.

Today, the vast majority of sites also have mobile-friendly platforms or downloadable apps, so you can play your favorite bingo game on the go.

Once you’ve found a reliable and reputable bingo website, the next sensible step is to sign up for an account. At this point, you’ll enter your personal details, choose secure login credentials, and verify your identity.

Having created an account, you can play either real money or free bingo games to sharpen your winning skills and get a feel for the site. The first choice is more suitable for seasoned players who know the site is trustworthy.

Free bingo games, on the other hand, allow you to try them without putting your hard-earned dollars at risk. For this reason, they’re a great way to get introduced into the world of internet bingo.

If you do decide to jump directly to playing real-money bingo games, you’ll have to fund your account and a broad range of payment methods is on offer. For offshore sites, however, you won’t be able to use debit and credit cards, which means prepaid cards, e-wallets, and money wires do the trick.

After making a deposit, then select the right bingo game and the cost of the cards you want to play. The higher the card cost, the higher the amount you can potentially win, so it’s best to play max-costing cards if your budget allows. To increase your odds of snagging big payouts, buy several cards.

The ultimate beauty of playing internet bingo is that you can take advantage of casino bonuses. And they come in a huge variety, including welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, first deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, free tickets, and much more.

Playing Bingo Online for Money in the US

As an avid gambler, the first question that comes to mind is whether online bingo is legal or not in your state. Unlike most countries that have welcomed online gambling with open arms, the US federal government isn’t keen on legalizing it.

Online bingo is primarily legal in New Jersey, which makes it illegal in the vast majority of US states, the only exception being when the specific bingo game is being organized for charitable purposes. As such, New Jersey is the best state for online bingo players.

It’s worth noting that bingo can only be offered legally as part of an online casino that is registered, licensed, and regulated by the state of New Jersey. Besides the Garden State, Delaware and Nevada are the other jurisdictions providing US players with legal access to online bingo.

Apart from Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey, no other state in the United States run its own internet bingo hall. That means players in those states should get some action on offshore, US-friendly bingo sites.

The good news is that there’s a burgeoning number of trustworthy US-friendly gambling sites allowing American players to deposit and play bingo online. The trick is to make sure the site is reputable and duly licensed by a trusted gambling authority or jurisdiction.

Bingo Games You Can Play Online

Although there is a myriad of bingo variants, here are the four most common types:

30-Ball (Speed) Bingo

This bingo game goes by the name 30-ball bingo or speed bingo depending on where you are playing. It’s exactly what the name suggests – a bingo variant in which numbers are called and the balls are drawn at a much quicker pace than usual.

Speed bingo is incredibly entertaining, fast-rewarding, and keeps players on the edge of their seats. Fun, fast and fabulous, 30-ball bingo games are often drawn after every 2-3 minutes at sites, and the players can place bets as small as $0.01 per draw.

The best part is that you can garner real money prizes much quicker, and if you miss an opportunity, you don’t have to wait too long to get in on the following draw. By comparison, the wait between draws can be as long as 3-5 hours in most traditional bingo halls.

Just as the name hints, in speed bingo, 30 balls are drawn. The gameplay and rules are also easy to understand, the bingo card being a 3-by-3 squares grid with 9 numbers occupying each square, and the player has to mark off the numbers as they’re called out.

The first player to successfully mark off all of the nine squares on their bingo card wins the draw. It’s that easy and hassle-free. Despite this, speed bingo is actually not a player-favored type in the online bingo scene.

75-Ball Bingo

75-ball bingo is hands-down the most popular type of game, and the darling of US bingo players, both at online casinos and bingo sites. As you might expect, this bingo game makes use of only 75 balls drawn at random.

The gameplay is also familiar. Every card you buy is a 5-by-5 square grid, which means it’s a lattice populated by 25 squares. However, the player can, in reality, mark off only 24 out of the 25 squares, the middle square being blank.

The letters B-I-N-G-O are printed in bold on the top column. The B segment comprises the numbers 1 through 15, while 16 through 30 appear in the I section. 31~45, 46~60, and 61~75 appear in the N, G, and O sections respectively.

The winner must first check 5 numbers in consecutive order, plus a corner to a corner or a section. The mark-off line can be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, but some casinos and bingo sites accept other patterns.

80-Ball Bingo

80-ball bingo has become widely available in online casinos and gaming sites. Boasting a 4 x 4 square grid, the bingo game card is designed so that each square is occupied by only one number.

In saying that, only 16 numbers are playable. The first column of the lattice features numbers in the range 1~20, while numbers 21~40 show up in the second section, and the same pattern follows for the other 3 columns.

Using 80 balls, the rules of this bingo game often vary from casino to casino. The fact remains that you have to be the first to mark off all of the casino-specified numbers. The most popular patterns are a vertical line, horizontal line, four corners, or all-single-digit numbers.

90-Ball Bingo

While not as popular in the US, this type of bingo is reasonably loved in the internet gambling space, and it’s so-called because exactly 90 numbers appear on the game card.

The card comprises nine columns extended across three rows. Tickets are usually bought in 6 strips whereby each strip bears 15 numbers. Each line of the box, on the other hand, has 5 numbers.

Playing 90-ball bingo is simple, as it pretty much plays like the traditional 75-ball bingo, in which the player has to mark off as they are called out. The first player to successfully mark off 5 numbers in one ticket will be the winner.

Some variants of 90-ball bingo are played in rounds. For instance, the first player to mark off the first strip will be the winner of the first round. The first person to mark off the 2nd strip will be the winner of the second leg.

Quick Tips for Playing Bingo Online

Pick the Best Online Bingo Provider

Not all online bingo casinos are cut from the same cloth. Some casinos will promise you heaven, and deliver hell. As we’ve mentioned, tread carefully when choosing the right bingo site for your needs.

The decision may boil down to a number of considerations, including player-friendliness, bonuses on offer, bingo games variety, payment options, safety, and payout speed.

Practice, Practice, Practice

This might sound like a cliché, but it’s never been truer. The first time you play an elaborate game like 90-ball bingo, you may feel overwhelmed. Because it takes some time to find your sweet spot and learn the ins and outs of the game, it’s best to take advantage of free bingo games.

Set Your Bingo Budget – and Stick to It

Like everything else in the gambling arena, a good bankroll management strategy is absolutely important. Whether you are a casual player or a bingo aficionado, it’s crucial that you set a budget, win limit, and loss limit.

These limits are not meant to be broken. So, when you have hit your win limit, be sure to log off your bingo account and do something else. The same goes for when you have reached your loss limit; don’t chase your losses!

Bingo Promos and Casino Bonuses are Your BFF

Casino bingo bonuses are literally your best friend. Most bingo providers reward players with amazing bonuses to encourage sign-ups, deposits and reloads. These bonuses will help you build a bigger bankroll and increase your chances of winning that humongous jackpot.

Most bingo bonuses are available on a time-limited basis, with the vast majority expiring in a day or so. Make sure to set your alerts so you can take advantage of these freebies before they go puff into thin air.

Join in-Game Chats

Just like online forums, chat-room bingo games are free, and you’ll get loads of free advice from experienced gamblers. They are also the hub where you can learn about additional bonuses and how to increase your odds of winning.

How to Choose an Online Bingo Provider

Licensing: The last thing you want to do is entrust your money and sensitive information into the hands of fly-by-nights and con websites. To avoid this, pick a bingo site that’s licensed and regulated by a renowned gambling authority.

Fairness: Choose an online bingo casino that’s known to offer fair games. It should also promote responsible and safe gambling.

Bonuses: Pick a bingo website that provides players with amazing promotions and bonuses.

Reviews and Credibility: Credible websites are available that compare and rate online bingo providers. Make sure you read full reviews on credible online casino sites like this to see if potential providers have good or bad reviews. Be sure the review site is independent; if it rates a wide spectrum of providers and gives varied reviews (good and bad) then you’re onto a winner.

Payment Options: You can’t play bingo online if you cannot deposit money or withdraw your winnings hassle-free. Sign up with a site that accepts multiple banking options, including e-checks, bank wires, bank cards, and popular e-wallets.

Reputation & Experience: While it’s not a hard rule, it’s always best to register with an online bingo website that’s been established more than three years.

Payout Speeds: A good bingo provider makes timely payouts and offers a breadth of withdrawal options.

Safety: Look for the latest security features like SSL encryption and anti-DDoS capability to bolster protection for your data and privacy online.

Customer Support:  Many things can go wrong when you’re gambling, from unprocessed deposits to bonus issues. Play at a casino or bingo site offering 24/7 support through an array of channels.

What’s the Legal Age to Play Bingo Online for Money?

The age limits for playing bingo online are the same as those set by the respective states for their bingo halls and physical casinos. In the vast majority of states, you must be at least 18 to legally play online bingo.

Montana, Maryland, and Maine are the only states allowing 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds to play bingo.

Most states are debating whether to raise the legal age limit for playing bingo from 18 to 21. A few, including Alaska, Nevada, and North Dakota, have already shifted to 21.

Note also that online bingo platforms run by Indian tribes have been given the freedom to set their own minimum age limits. Currently, 11 out of 15 tribes have agreed to up their age limits from 18 to 21.

A Quick History of Bingo

Bingo has a long, storied and colorful history dating back to Italy in the 1530s. According to gambling scholars, the first rudimentary version was called Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia, which translates to “Italy’s game of lotto.”

16th Century – Lo Giuoco Del Lotto D'Italia

This lottery became a big pastime on Sundays in Italy. The gameplay was similar to today’s lottery and the numbers were drawn randomly from a pot or drum. Whoever got the most numbers became the winner.

The game went through rapid evolution, some variations emerging in other European countries like Germany and France during the 17th century.

17th Century – Le Lotto

In 1778, aristocrats combined the organized nature of Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia and other lottery games existing in the 17th century with the versatility of game cards. The result was Le Lotto.

19th Century – Inclusion in German Education

In 1880, German scholars and educators started using bingo as an educational tool after they noticed the game was famous among French academia. They used the game to help students improve their math and spelling skills. This made bingo a huge hit in Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries.

20th Century – Arrival in the American Carnival Scene

In a bid to bolster revenue, US carnival operators like Hugh J. Ward introduced a variant of bingo. It had all the appealing features of Le Lotto but used dried beans as markers.

Post-World-War-II Bingo

By the mid-1930s, bingo had become a massive hit in the United States, with roughly 10,000 games being played weekly. This level of popularity made bingo a goldmine for riverboat casinos, with charities and churches using it to raise funds.

By 1942, the game of bingo was considered less of an educational tool as it had been in 18th-century Germany; by the time WWII ended in 1945, it was viewed by local councils, churches, and charities as a great--and much-needed--revenue generator.

1950-2000

During the period between the late 1950s and early 2000s, bingo saw an influx like no other gambling game in terms of play-time, revenue, and popularity. Between the 1970s and 1980s, bingo halls attracted hundreds of thousands of people, ranking among the biggest employers in the US.

The Digital Age of Bingo

When online casino gambling was introduced back in 1996, bingo followed suit. Today, more and more bingo providers are setting up shop online.