Bingo is one of those classic games that has stood the test of time. Created in Italy in the 1500’s as a lottery game, it became a boxed game that was available for purchase across Europe in the 1880’s and 1890’s. Since then, the game has thrived, however for a while it became a game that was associated with older people and was held in local bingo halls.
All this changed when bingo venues were revamped in the late 20th century and bingo became a game that began to appeal to young people and males too. These bingo halls were redesigned to create a whole evening experience where there is live music, live entertainment acts, a bar that serves elaborate cocktails and exciting hosts that make the game lively and all the more fun.
It wasn’t until bingo became mainstream online that things really changed though. Up until this point, bingo had made waves but was still stigmatised as a game for women. However, now that bingo is available on casino and designated bingo sites online, it is more accessible and a lot more fun and interactive too.
Below, we’ll take a look at how online bingo is different from traditional bingo and cover everything you need to know about how to play bingo online.
How to play bingo online
Playing bingo for the first time can seem an overwhelming task. However, fear not as when you are playing online, it’s just you and the screen and you can’t make a fool of yourself for shouting ‘House’ and being mistaken.
One thing to know is that there are different versions of bingo games available, although they all work pretty much the same way. Some games have 90 balls, while others are only 80, 75 or even 35. The numbers will be chosen at random, the same way they are in physical bingo games, only an RNG (Random Number Generator) will be picking the numbers rather than a human, making the game fairer for everyone involved.
If you get a line or a house, don’t worry about not getting it right or not being able to keep up as many games automatically monitor this for you and will automatically deposit the prize money into your account if you win.
Choosing a reputable bingo site
There are so many bingo sites available today that choosing the best one for you can be a difficult task. There are a few important things to keep in mind when it comes to finding your online bingo home.
Licensed site – Ensuring the website you are using is essential as it protects you as a player and ensures a high standards of dealings too. The site doesn’t have to be licensed by the country you are in, as long as it is licensed by an official licensing authority. Many sites today are licensed in Gibraltar.
Read reviews – A site is only as good as the experience it offers so be sure to see what people are saying before you commit. Ensure that there is a good customer service support line, that people feel they are treated fairly, and that the site generally has good reviews.
Lots of options – One of the great things about playing bingo online is that the game is unique and can feature many individual quirks and even themes. Be sure to find an online bingo site that caters to your interests and offers different options so you don’t lose interest quickly.
Payment methods – Finally, it is so important that you choose a site with secure and flexible payment methods. Most online gaming sites now offer many options like e-wallets such as Venmo and PayPal as well as traditional debit card method.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses and promotions are part of what makes online bingo so exciting. New players are at a particular advantage here as many online bingo sites offer an enticing array of bonuses and promotions for new players, in order to encourage them to join.
One of the best promotions for new players is no deposit bingo. No deposit games enables new players to try out a site without having to part with their money and commit to the site before they know if it is right for them. Be sure to look out for these deals when finding your new online bingo home.
Overall, trying out bingo for the first time can be daunting as it’s such a fast paced and sociable game. However, when playing online you can go at your own pace and play in complete privacy. Whether you mingle with other players or not is completely down to you. So, what are you waiting for, it’s time to try out online bingo.
