ABC Bingo’s Expert Review of the Online Bingo Scene in the UK
With around 4 million Brits choosing to spin in the digital bingo room each year and an increasing number of bingo operators setting up shop in the UK, domestic bingo lovers have never had more choices.
However, with such a diverse range of gaming options, it can be difficult for players to identify which bingo sites are worth their valuable time and wagers. If you’re looking for the best online bingo bonuses and want to spend your playing time at the most popular bingo sites in the UK, the ABC bingo team has your back.
We aim to provide an expert analysis of the hottest bingo sites in the UK that can assist you in finding the best playing platform for you based on your bingo game type of choice, preferred bonus offers, and desired bingo ticket/stake value. Get to grips with the British bingo scene today with ABCbingo!
Top-Rated Online Bingo Platforms: Where to Play and Win Big in the UK
Brand | Bingo Offer | Min Deposit | Wagering Requirements | Game |
---|---|---|---|---|
Betfred | 100 Free Spins plus £10 Bingo Bonus | £10 | 1x | Selected Slots & Bingo Rooms |
Foxy Bingo | £60 Bingo Bonus | £10 | 4x | Selected Online Bingo Games |
Mint Bingo | £10 Bingo Bonus, 5 Free Bingo Tickets & 20 Free Spins | £10 | 4x | Selected Slots and Online Bingo Rooms |
PlayOJO | 50 free tickets, 10 free spins & 5 days of free bingo | £10 | None | 9 Selected Online Bingo Rooms / Fishin’ Frenzy slot |
The Sun Bingo | £20 Bingo Bonus & 20 Free Spins | £5 | 4x Bingo Bonus / 30x Free Spins | Selected Online Bingo Games |
Robin Hood Bingo | 50 Free Spins plus 400% Deposit Bonus to £100 | £10 | 4x | Selected Online Bingo Games / Enchanted Prince slot |
Kitty Bingo | £25 Bingo Welcome Bonus | £5 | 3x | Selected Online Bingo Games |
Paddy Power Bingo | 40 Free Spins plus £40 Bingo/Slots Bonus | £10 | 1x Bingo / 40x Slots | Mystery Reels Megaways Slot / Selected Online Bingo Games |
Moon Bingo | 50 Free Spins plus 200% Deposit Bonus to £100 | £10 | 4x Bingo / 35x Free Spins | Starburst slot / Selected Online Bingo Games |
Boyle Sports Casino | £50 Casino Bonus | £10 | 40x | Casino & Selected Online Bingo Games |
Tracing the Roots of Bingo in the UK
The game of bingo originated in Italy as the historic lotto-style format Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia, before evolving in France under the title Le Lotto. Despite its continental beginnings, the game of bingo that we all know and love today made its way into Great Britain and wider Europe in the 18th century. Whereas the early Italian and French variations of the game were generally reserved for the upper classes, bingo in its modern form is famed for its accessibility, with players of every inclination and background getting in on the action and taking their chances with the bingo balls. Over time, British players have come to cherish the game perhaps more than any other nation, with the UK creating its iconic bingo calls (such as ‘two fat ladies’ and ‘legs eleven’) and developing an identifiable culture based on the social aspect of playing in traditional land-based bingo halls. In recent years, we’ve seen mass closures of physical bingo halls and a huge increase n the UK’s iGaming platforms and bingo sites. Although hundreds of land-based venues are still in operation, many gamers now prefer to enjoy online sessions rather than taking the trip to their nearest bingo hall.
Comparing Traditional Bingo with Online Bingo: Key Differences
While some purists may still swear by traditional bingo played in a physical venue, there’s no denying that the growth of the iGaming market and the convergence of online casinos and bingo sites has led to a renaissance for the game. Whereas the stereotypical demographic of a traditional bingo hall was largely made up of older people and retirees, gaming sites tend to attract a much wider base of players of every age and background. But what are the key differences between the two, and which could be preferable for you as a player? Let’s take a closer look at some key advantages of playing online bingo as identified by the expert ABCBingo team:
- Diverse Bingo Game Selection – One of the main benefits of playing online is enjoying much greater (and near-instant) access to a more diverse range of bingo variations. Whether you prefer to play Slingo, speed bingo, 75-ball bingo, 80-ball bingo, or 90-ball bingo, the best UK bingo sites have covered you with an exceptional selection of game types that you can mix, match and switch between quickly and easily; whenever you see fit.
- Casino Accessibility – Another key benefit of playing online bingo rather than the traditional game is that players can enjoy a wider selection of bingo games and dip their toes into the world of online casino gaming at no extra cost. Because many of the new bingo platforms on the web also offer casino options, you could find yourself picking up casino-centric rewards as part of your bingo bonus package. Using the best bingo bonuses, you could even enjoy classic casino games like slots, blackjack, and baccarat for free.
- Bonuses and Promotions – If you decide to play with a reputable platform, potentially lucrative bonus promotions boost your playing balance when you sign up as a new member. This includes everything from welcome packages (which usually include handy perks like no deposit bonuses, deposit boosters, deposit match bonuses, and free spins for slot machine games) to reloads, top-ups, and cashback rewards for existing long-term players. In short, UK gamers could expect to reap transformative rewards and generate substantial cash winnings when playing with online bingo platforms in the country. You can find more details about bonus schemes for new and existing players on this page, and all reviews by the experienced ABC Bingo team.
- Quick and Easy Transactions – Because the vast majority of premium bingo platforms in the UK support a wide range of payment methods, it can be much quicker and easier to make deposits and withdrawals on the web that suit you and your pocket. Whether you decide to make your payments using an electronic payment processing service like PayPal, a traditional bank wire transfer using fiat currency, or even a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, you could find the whole process surprisingly fast and painless. As well as cutting out payment processing times and saving you the hassle of inputting your bank details or handing over a physical debit or credit card each time you want to play, playing bingo online also provides extra security when it comes to your finances, playing funds, and personal data.
- 24/7 Bingo Gameplay – Generally speaking, playing online affords you much more freedom than when playing at a traditional venue. The best example is that you can enjoy round-the-clock access to your favorite bingo games whenever and wherever you see fit. This means that you won’t be subject to a venue’s opening and closing hours, and the good news is you’ll be able to enjoy a premium experience at any time of day or night.
- Customer Support – Because most modern bingo platforms provide comprehensive customer support services, including 24/7 live chat, automatic player alerts, chatbots, and in-depth help centers, you could find that any issues or disputes you face while playing could be resolved much more quickly and easily than if you had been playing at a physical venue. Depending on the platform you decide to play with, you could benefit from instant customer support to solve any problems and deal with your queries, whether related to gameplay, bonuses, payments, or withdrawals.
Bingo Bonus Types You Should Consider for Hefty Wins According to ABC Bingo:
Bingo bonuses can serve various purposes, from trying out new games and websites for free to boost your experience level, diversifying your skill set, and improving your overall gaming experience. But with such a wide array of bingo bonuses, it can be tricky for new users to gauge which promotions and bonus packages hold the highest potential value. Luckily, the ABC Bingo team has completed a deep dive into the UK bingo bonus system and trawled the web to locate the most valuable bonuses and promotions available to British players. Let’s take a closer look at some potentially lucrative types of bingo bonuses that could help you to substantially supplement or boost your playing balance and even generate real money winnings in the process:
Bingo Bonus Cash
Bingo bonus cash offers have become increasingly common in the UK, and the ABC Bingo team have found many active promotions being offered this year. If you’re awarded a bingo cash bonus, you’ll essentially be given free real money, which should be deposited into your account balance once you’ve qualified for bonus eligibility. You’ll then be able to spend this cash reward on either a range of bingo games or a limited number of specified titles, potentially boosting your balance even further in the process!
Welcome Offers
Like most online casinos and sportsbook betting platforms, the vast majority of UK bingo sites now emphasize providing competitive welcome offers to attract and retain new players. Welcome offers (also known as welcome bonuses or sign-up bonuses) are designed to appeal to prospective players and reward those who decide to get on board with a new platform. To qualify for a welcome bonus, you’ll usually need to sign up with a platform, input your details, and wait for identity verification to go through. Sometimes, you may be required to give the cashier a bonus code to unlock the welcome bonus. Welcome offers are always different; you must check the terms and conditions before signing up. Most commonly, they include a combination of no deposit bonuses, deposit match bonuses, deposit booster bonuses and free spins for popular slot machine games.
No Deposits
No deposit bonuses are amongst the most valuable online bingo offers because they enable UK players to enter real money games, test out new titles, give prospective sites free trials, and even win real money without making any cash deposits. Although no deposit bonuses are a regular fixture for many iGaming sites and bingo platforms and can be used by players of every level, they’re most commonly awarded as part of a welcome bonus. This could be fantastic news for inexperienced players who wish to try out games and hone their skills without taking any financial risk. While no deposit bonuses can work wonders for your game and playing balance, it’s worth pointing out that you’ll usually be expected to complete wagering requirements to unlock and withdraw any cash winnings achieved using your no deposit offer.
Free Tickets
Another common and potentially lucrative bonus available to players, both old and new, is the free bingo tickets bonus, which essentially enables you to participate in a free bingo game against live competitors on the house. Always check bonus terms to see whether or not real money withdrawals are possible with your free bonus tickets before signing up.
Loyalty Rewards or Redeposit Bingo Bonus
Whereas it may seem like most bingo bonuses are tailored towards new or inexperienced players, plenty of top offers are available for existing long-term members. Two examples of valuable bonuses for established players are redeposit bingo bonuses and loyalty reward schemes. These days, most bingo sites in the UK provide their members with access to a VIP loyalty reward scheme, wherein points are accumulated based on how many wagers you make and how long you’ve been signed up as a member. The more VIP points you collect, the greater your access to rewards and bonuses will be. Redeposit bonuses (or reload bonuses) are somewhat less common but still pretty prominent around UK bingo sites. Essentially, redeposit bonuses work like the first deposit bonuses typically awarded in welcome offers. The main difference is that redeposits generate a lower percentage of ‘boost’ on top of your initial wager.
No Wager Bonuses
No wager bonuses are sought-after offers that enable players to take home their winnings in their entirety rather than navigating wager requirements to unlock or withdraw their real money prize. Depending on the conditions of your bonus, your winnings may either be converted into withdrawable cash or a further non-withdrawable bonus, such as a playing balance booster. Because excessive wagering requirements remain a thorn in the side for many iGamers and bingo lovers, no wager bonuses are amongst the most popular online. Here at ABC Bingo, we would advise players at every level to always check up on the bonus terms ahead of time to avoid being disappointed by non-withdrawable winnings or hidden wagering/playthrough requirements.
Daily Free Prizes
As you might expect, daily free prizes are dished out by online bingo and casino platforms daily, either as a reward for loyal players or as part of a jackpot or lottery draw system. Depending on your playing site of choice, you could be entitled to a wide array of regular perks and benefits, whether that be free spins, free bets, free bingo tickets, or an unexpected no deposit bonus on the house to brighten up your day.
Free Spins
The online world of bingo has long been interconnected with that of online casinos and iGaming. Still, in recent years we’ve seen much more convergence as bingo and casino providers join forces to provide a diversified service. As a result, you’ll find that numerous free spins bonuses are awarded as an element of bingo bonuses. Just like a regular free spins bonus with a casino, you can spin the reels of a slot game for free, whether that’s a specified slot title or a wider selection of slot games within your playing platform’s library.
Top Payment Methods for Bingo Players
These days, it’s possible for bingo lovers to make real money transactions at UK bingo sites using a dizzying array of flexible payment methods. Whether you prefer to keep it ‘old school’ with fiat bank wire transfers or you’d prefer a more modern mix of electronic payment systems, cryptocurrency, or e-wallet-enabled transactions, you should be able to easily find a platform that can accommodate your payment method of choice. But which payment methods do ABCBingo recommend for iGamers and bingo lovers?
PayPal
Providing a previously unparalleled combination of near-instant payment processing, easy international transactions, secure payment systems, and minimal processing fees, it’s no surprise that PayPal remains the market leader in e-wallets and electronic payment systems. PayPal is perfectly suited to those who enjoy playing bingo games on the net due to the service’s speed, efficiency, privacy and safety.
Skrill
Currently operating across 40 currencies in 131 countries, Skrill is a digital wallet provider established in 2001. Because it’s possible to make instant ‘one tap’ payments, buy and sell crypto and easily place various deposits with the service, Skrill has proven to be an increasingly popular choice amongst British online bingo lovers.
Neteller
Although Skrill imposes apparently lower fees when it comes to making deposits, the versatility of this shopping-focused e-money transfer service has led many bingo gamers to use Neteller when playing online. The benefits of using Neteller to make transactions include high consumer control, an inherent variety of payment method options, and up-to-date anti-fraud and security measures.
Paysafecard
First founded in 2000, this voucher/pin-based prepaid online payment method has been adopted by many iGamers and online bingo enthusiasts to make fast and secure transactions with their chosen playing platforms. Due to the fact that Paysafecard provides a secure and relatively anonymous way to make online cash transactions, it’s become a firm favorite with bingo lovers and online casino gamers.
Credit/Debit Card Payments
Due to legislative changes outlawing the use of credit cards for some forms of gambling, we’ve seen a spike in the number of iGamers choosing to make payments and withdrawals using their Visas and debit cards. The benefits of this include the fact that UK bingo sites universally accept debit cards, so you’ll never have to worry about finding an alternative payment method. Other pro points include the fact that many casinos and bingo platforms have now scrapped the traditional 3-5 working day processing period, which means you could benefit from quick and easy payments directly to and from your Visa.
Bank Transfers
Many gamers based in the UK continue to favor a good old-fashioned bank transfer when it comes to making bingo transactions. This is likely due to the familiarity and security of making payments through your domestic bank. The traceability nature of bank transfers also ensures you’re likely to avoid losing out to an unscrupulous bingo or iGaming operator. Despite the presence of often faster electronic alternatives, many gamers prefer the oldies but goodies. After all, if it isn’t broken, why fix it?
Cryptocurrencies
The recent boom of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum has led to a marked renaissance in the iGaming industry, which has already responded with the creation of some exclusive crypto casinos and the widespread adoption of crypto as a supported payment method for online gaming of every variety.
Anticipating New Bingo Sites in 2023: Which Brands Will be Entering the Market?
If you’re an online bingo enthusiast based in the UK, you can expect to come across a wide selection of brand-new quality iGaming sites as they’re released this year. In May 2023, there has already been a flurry of activity from budding operators, including brands like Blast Off Bingo, Heart Bingo, and Peachy Games. If you choose to sign up with these soon-to-be-large platforms this year, you could get your hands on competitive welcome bonuses, including a 200% first deposit bonus plus 20 free spins or a 100% up to £50 bonus plus 20 free spins for the popular Play’n GO slot Book of Dead respectively. Remember to check up with the ABCBingo site regularly to keep up with the latest and greatest emerging bingo brands.
FAQ
Can I win real money playing online bingo games in demo mode?
Unfortunately, it’s not usually possible to trigger real money payouts when you’re enjoying a new game in demo mode at bingo sites for players in the UK. Always read up on any bonus terms before committing to check whether or not cash winnings and withdrawals will be permitted.
Which is the best bonus type for online bingo
Whichever bonus is best for you depends on various factors, including your budget, motivation, game of choice, and experience level. However, generally speaking, the best bonuses for bingo players include no deposit bonuses, first deposit bonuses, no wagering bonuses, and free bingo ticket bonuses.
Do I get to keep winnings when using a no deposit bonus?
Whether or not you can withdraw cash winnings earned using your no deposit bonus will depend wholly on the online gaming provider you choose to play with and the terms and conditions of your specific bonus. Read up on this ahead of time to avoid potential disappointment when you’re ready to ‘cash out.’
Which UK site is best for playing real-money bingo games?
Again, which UK site is best for you will depend entirely upon your own taste, preferred bingo game type, budget, and bonus expectations. However, it’s worth noting that the most popular sites in the UK include Mecca Bingo, Foxy Bingo, Jackpot Joy, and PlayOJO. Don’t be afraid to give these sites a test drive to get a feel for the brands and games on offer before making a decision.
How can I increase my chances of bingo winning?
Bingo is a game of chance and probability. Still, you can increase your chances of cementing a win by familiarizing yourself with different game types and making the most of lucrative bonuses when they become available. Take advantage of the AbcBingo team’s tips and see you in the bingo room!