Choosing a UK Online Bingo Site

We’ve managed to find a combination of bingo sites that everyone in the UK, from England and Wales to Scotland and Ireland can enjoy. Indeed, when you look through our list of top 10 bingo sites, you’ll find that we’ve answered “yes” to the following questions:

  • Does it come from an established brand or operator?
  • Is it fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission?
  • Does it comply with fairness and safety protocols, and does it have the relevant certification?
  • How good is the bonus offer for new players?
  • Is there a good range of games and ticket prices?
  • Can you play free bingo and claim an ongoing selection of bonuses?
  • Are there slots and progressive jackpots?
  • Is there a fun, good natured community and chat rooms?
  • Can you play via your mobile?
  • Does it offer live casino games and slots?
  • Can you connect with other players on social media?

Online Bingo vs Bingo Halls

There will always be a place in our hearts for our local bingo hall, but we think there’s a good reason that so many bingo fans prefer online games these days. The truth is that online bingo is much more convenient and it is still possible to enjoy that social aspect thanks to the chatrooms and the introduction of social media to this industry.

Bingo Bonuses

There’s no escaping it, bingo bonus offers are a large part of the appeal of the online game. A concept borrowed from the older and even more competitive online casino industry, bingo sites fight for new players’ affections with generous promotions that offer bonus credit of up to 3-4 times their first deposit. Since competition is less fierce in bricks-and-mortar bingo, the offers aren’t quite as good.

Bingo bonuses come in all shapes and forms with deposit offers, free bingo tickets and so much more on offer. There are strict rules with each bonus and so this isn’t something which would typically work as well in a bingo hall. 

Game Choice

The fact of the matter is that if you’re looking for a new bingo hall to play at in your local area your choices are going to be limited. Many are of the local bingo halls in the UK are run by the two major operators Mecca Bingo. However, over the past few years, many of these clubs have been closing down due to a lack of attendance in favour of online casinos. This is something that took a further dip over the course of 2020 and into 2021.

Online, the scene is quite different. There are hundreds of sites – big and small – competing for your business. Each site is designed for a different type of player so there truly is something for everyone online. Within the range of our complete bingo reviews list you can find:

  • Bingo partners of betting sites like Paddy Power Bingo or Sky Bingo
  • Bingo sites of iconic UK brands like Heart Bingo and Sun Bingo
  • Specialist online bingo rooms like Dove Bingo and Bingo Diamond
  • New bingo sites like Lit Wins or New Spins

All this competition fuels better promotions, innovation and continual product improvement.

Play On The Go

It’s never been a better time to be a bingo player! You can grab your phone from the side table and play a game first thing in the morning or while away from your commute with a quick session on the bus. Almost every online bingo operator offers mobile friendly bingo and apps for iOS and Android, with games running every few minutes throughout the day. It really is easy.

In addition to that, you can easily play most of the games on your mobile browser. This means that you don’t need to download anything to your device as you can just pop on the URL and join in on the fun. All of the games are optimised and the site design makes it easy for you to find what you are looking for.

Mobile bingo is one of the key reasons why online bingo has become so much more popular. This kind of bingo is much more convenient than having to visit a local bingo hall at a certain time of the week. Bingo has never been more accessible in 2021. 

More Games

Not only do games start constantly on the big online bingo networks, but you get much more variety than you could ever hope to expect at high street bingo hall, where space is limited. A typical bingo site will offer multiple types of bingo games, including specially developed themed bingo games that extend far beyond the UK-standard 90-ball game (e.g., Deal or No Deal bingo). Expect speed bingo, 40-ball, 50-ball, 75-ball and 80-ball bingo. 

In 2021, most bingo sites also offer dozens, or even hundreds of slots and casino games, which means more game variety for players. Live casino games and poker have really become popular over the past few years so this is something to consider in between bingo games. You can feel as though you are really there with a live dealer who plays along with you. It’s worth checking out some of the newer games that have been developed and released more recently.

UK Online Bingo: Best In the World

The UK online bingo scene has flourished over the last decade via a combination of innovation, offers and most importantly regulation. Following the UK Gambling Act 1968, bookmakers, casinos and bingo halls flourished. Buoyed by the oversight and regulation of the government, operators were able to offer safe and secure bingo games both on a local basis and, latterly, on a national basis.

By 2005, the 1968 act was replaced and this was the first time online gambling was taken into account. With the Gambling Act 2005 also setting up the Gambling Commission, UK operators were gradually required to improve their services to ensure the protection of all players.

Eventually, in 2014, the Gambling Commission introduced new licensing rules that meant every operator needed to have a recognised license to serve players in the UK. Since this time, UK bingo sites have not only become more secure, but the local industry has become a benchmark for excellence around the world.  

Today, the Commission regulates everything from the way your funds are managed to how sites offer bonuses, which means you’re always getting the best service. In 2020, a review of the Gambling Act resulted in a variety of changes to the existing laws. This included the change of the minimum age for National Lottery participation from 16 to 18 years old. Additionally, further limits were placed on slot games and advertising guidelines for sports sponsorship and the targeting of minors were approved.

We only work with bingo sites that have the Commission’s seal of approval, you can follow any of our links and be 100% confident you’ll have a safe and fun online bingo experience.

Some Stats

OK, so UK bingo rooms online are the best in the world and our top 10 providers are the best of the best, but who actually plays online bingo? Well, according to the stats, 75% of bingo players prefer to play online. 78% of players also play once per week. 

Moreover, online bingo is the only part of the iGaming industry where women dominate. Although certain reports differ, certain industry reports show that women account for 78% of the Internet bingo player base. Interestingly, 80% of online bingo players are between the ages of 35-64. 

Of course, you don’t have to be female to play online bingo. In fact, if you stick with us, we’ll not only tell you why online bingo is a great game for everyone, but how you can join the action. Did you know that Tombola Bingo is now considered ‘Britain’s Biggest Bingo Site’? 

Next Steps

As you click around the site, we’ll give you tips and advice on how to join your first bingo site, where to find the best bingo bonuses, making your first deposit and how to play the game itself.

If you’re interested in trying out some of the new bingo sites on the market and getting a no deposit bingo bonus, our always-up-to-date rankings will help you make a better choice. Our recommendations are based on our in-depth reviews, which you can dig into in our bingo reviews section. Our bingo comparison page will enable you to do a side by side check of the most popular bingo sites

If you are worried about sharing your credit card details, visit our no card details page to get to know free no deposit no card details bingo sites. If you want to try out online bingo and get a chance to win real money without busting your bankroll, check out our 5 pound deposit bingo page. Have a PayPal account and want to use it when playing bingo, visit our PayPal bingo sites comparison page. Want to try out the best bingo software, see our Virtue Fusion bingo sites guide.

Our Academy section is where you will find our bingo glossary – handy for deciphering all that bingo lingo – and a guide to the most common forms of bingo games the game. Whatever your experience level or preferences, we’ve got everything you need to know in our complete online bingo guide.

Wherever you are in your online bingo journey Playright has got you covered. And because we are one of the few UK portals to cover all the verticals when you’re ready to dip into online casinospoker or online betting we’ve got all the information you need for those too.

FAQs

Yes! Online bingo is 100% legal in the U.K both for players and for online bingo sites which have a valid license from the UK Gambling Commission.
The U.K via the UKGC has created the foremost online gaming regime in the world, creating both a safe and exciting place for both players and operators.
You will need to be 18+. If you are under 18 you may succeed in opening an account and even playing, but you won't be able to verify your account and withdraw any winnings.
Our top list on this page will guide you as to the best overall online bingo sites. We have specific pages for different types of bingo, e.g., best no deposit bingo sites, best no card required bingo sites etc.
Yes, you can get no deposit bingo bonuses. Increasingly though these are now in the form of 'free play' or 'free games' bonuses rather than the 'free money' bonuses that were available in the past.
A wagering requirement is a multiplier that represents the number of times you have to play through a bonus before you are able to withdraw any winnings. For example, a x3 wagering demand on a £30 bonus, means that you will need to buy £90 worth of bingo tickets before your bonus is cleared.