Online Bingo
Bingo has evolved and does not seem to stop anytime soon. It started out as a game with friends and has now become one of the biggest online games you can find. Once you head on to any online Bingo site, you would find a variety of types you can choose from. Thanks to modern technology, you can even connect with other players at the table and have fun like a real Bingo game. Read on to find out much more about the thrills and excitement of playing Bingo online below.
- What is Bingo?
- Choosing the Best Online Bingo Sites
- How to Play Online Bingo
- Types of Online Bingo Games
- Online Bingo Bonuses
- Real Money Online Bingo Vs. Free Bingo
- Is Online Bingo Legal in Ireland
- Bingo Halls Vs. Online Bingo
- Payment Methods Available at Online Bingo Sites
- Top Bingo Software Providers in Ireland
- How Popular is Bingo?
- Conclusion
What is Bingo?
Bingo is a fun game that you can play with friends. There are several variants of the game, but they usually operate within the same principles. It is a game of probability where you are to mark off numbers on the card as the caller calls them. The main objective of the game is to call out Bingo when you win. You have to be the first person to mark off all the numbers on their card. However, winning depends on the variant you are playing.
Generally, winning requires you to cover a specific pattern of numbers before anyone else. The common patterns are horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. But sometimes, a different pattern can be agreed upon by the participants. The numbers called can be done by a caller or dispensed electronically depending on how you want to play the game. Today, a lot of players enjoy playing the online version of the game. This is because it offers more convenience and it is easier to learn from. Some sites even allow you to communicate with other players and form bonds in the open communities they create.
Choosing the Best Online Bingo Sites
Bingo is a fun game that you can pass some time with and make real money from. Playing it online makes it more convenient for all players and takes the gaming experience to another level. This is why you have to find only the best online Bingo sites to be a part of. But it can be a very daunting task to find the right one. Have a look at some of the best things to look out for when choosing the best Bingo site.
- Games: for a Bingo site to be ranked as one of the best, it must contain many variants for its players to choose from. You should find variants like the 90-ball, 75-ball, 80-ball, and social Bingo, at least on these sites. They must also be free from lag and glitches to produce a smooth gaming experience. No player would enjoy a game that lags or has poor graphics. This is why the top sites work with the best gaming providers to make games that would be immersive and appealing to their players’ eyes.
- UI and UX: the importance of a good user interface cannot be overemphasized. The Bingo site must arrange the interface appropriately, and it must be easy to navigate by all Irish players. The graphics must also be top-quality to boost the realism and experience of punters. The signup process should be simple. Communicating on the community forums and chat rooms should be smooth and must run on good servers. This makes online Bingo gaming as fun as it can be, regardless of the level of the players.
- Bonuses: now that there are several Bingo sites to choose from, it is easier to find the ones with reasonable offers. Always be on the lookout for sites with good bonus offerings. Most times, the new sites come with fantastic and mouthwatering bonuses to draw the attention of players to their platform. However, the top sites usually have something in store for their players from time to time. They give out VIP bonuses and Loyalty bonuses as a sign of appreciation to their existing customers. Bonuses always come in handy regardless of whether you expect them or not. All you need to do is carry out the necessary research to check if your Bingo platform offers some, and you are good to go.
- Community: the online community and chat rooms on the Bingo site are the essential parts that make online gaming more realistic. It creates a social ambience that makes it seem like you are at a real-life hall with other players. When playing online, the environment needs to be fun and welcoming by allowing players to socialize peacefully with each other. The best online Bingo sites understand this need and offer better communication services in these communities. However, it takes time and a lot of effort to build and maintain. Regardless, it is a necessary part that makes online gaming worthwhile.
- Support: players always have a question or two during gaming. It is a normal part of the gaming process, and the gaming provider must be available to provide answers to these questions. However, it only becomes cumbersome to reach out to support when you sign up on Bingo sites that do not have licenses to operate. Always make sure that you only play games on licensed online Bingo sites. These sites should also have the best encryption technology to protect your data. This would reduce the need for you to ask too many questions in fear of your safety and that of your funds. Good and licensed casinos usually have a lot of methods for you to contact their support team. These include phone calls, live chat, text messaging, and email, which are available 24/7.
How to Play Online Bingo
Bingo is arguably one of the simplest games you can ever play. You can try it with friends and family to have a good time or make friendly wagers. Today, there are online versions of the game. This online version is also not different from the land-based version either. All you have to do is to cross off numbers from your ticket while the numbers are called. The faster your cross off numbers, the better. You win by crossing off all the numbers before any other player present at the game. The amount of numbers you have to cross off on your ticket now depends on the variant of Bingo you play. For instance, the 90-ball Bingo variant requires you to match all 15 numbers before anyone else at the table. More minor variants like that 30-ball require much fewer numbers for you to match.
Usually, the numbers present on your ticket will match the numbers that are likely to be called. These numbers are generally printed on balls in land-based Bingo games. On online Bingo, the balls and your card are virtual. All you have to worry about is crossing off the right numbers as they are called. It might seem simple, but this is the part that separates the winners from the losers.
Types of Online Bingo Games
Bingo has evolved over the years. What started as a parlour game between friends has become a popular game with lots of variants. These variants have different gameplay, length, and much more. All you need to do is figure out the variant that works best for you, and you would be having fun in no time. You should take a look at the popular variants of online Bingo below.
- 90-Ball Bingo: This is a very popular variant of the game. It is arguably the second most popular in the world. You will find it on every online Bingo site since it is the traditional version of the game. It is longer than other variants and uses more balls. The tickets in this game are in a nine by three grid containing 15 numbers ranging from 1 to 90. When you win, there are three prize options you can get. They include Two lines and a full house. The full house is believed to be the easiest, and it requires you to match all 15 numbers before other players can.
- 80-Ball Bingo: This variant is not as popular as one might expect. However, you would find it on a handful of online Bingo sites. It is a faster alternative to the 90-ball variant. The gameplay, on the other hand, is quite similar to the other variants. It comes with a four by four grid containing 16 numbers that range from 1 to 80. You only have a single prize option when you win, but the prize here is bigger than the other variants. All you have to do is to match all 16 numbers on your card before any other player. Once you do that, you can rest assured of getting your prize.
- 75-Ball Bingo: The popular name for this variant is The American Bingo. It is a very popular one and is believed to be the simplest. The game is set on a five by five grid with numbers ranging from 1 to 75. It is utterly similar to all other versions of Bingo and requires that you match a pattern on your card. You have to match the pattern before other players can before you can win. The patterns in the game include the diagonal, vertical and horizontal. However, the required pattern that you can use to win would be announced before the game starts.
- 30-Ball Bingo: This is a much smaller variant of the game. It is simply the faster type of the online version and has earned the name “speed Bingo”. Its gameplay is no different from the rest, and it still requires a card. There would be nine tickets in a grid on the card, and they contain numbers ranging from 1 to 30. It is very easy to learn and does not take long to complete. You may not find it in land-based Bingo halls because it is too small. However, you would find it on online sites.
- Social Bingo: This version adds a twist to the game. You can find it on most top online Bingo sites. They create social rooms that players can chat and socialize on like they would in person. In these rooms, players are free to communicate and even form bonds as they enjoy a friendly game with each other. It adds the realism of real-life Bingo to online gaming. It also enhances the gaming experience and makes the game more fun. Luckily, several online sites in Ireland offer social Bingo to their players. Just make sure to do some research to know the variants available on the casino site that you are on.
Online Bingo Bonuses
The number of online Bingo sites vying for your attention has risen dramatically recently. To stand out from the crowd, most of them compete to offer the best bonuses they can. You have the freedom to either pick your favourite bonus or open accounts at multiple sites to take advantage of multiple bonuses. A Welcome Bonus is usually offered when you sign up. This is a new customer signup offer, and it usually comes in the form of free tickets or a deposit bonus.
Many online Bingo sites also run online casinos, and they come with hundreds of exciting slots. This also means that their bonuses are just like an online casino would offer. You would find that some online sites offer bonus credits, no deposit bonuses and much more. These bonuses usually have rollover requirements. It means you must use the credit within a certain time frame before withdrawing it. Checking out the terms and conditions of a bonus before accepting it is the best thing to do.
Some of the best online Bingo sites also value their long-term and loyal players. They offer these players mouthwatering bonuses in their loyalty and VIP programs. As you play, you earn loyalty points that you can exchange for free tickets and other bonuses. The rewards improve as you progress up the ladder. Once you become a VIP, you will get exclusive bonuses and often receive excellent personal customer service.
Real Money Online Bingo Vs. Free Bingo
One of the joys of Irish players is the ability to win real money from playing games online. The joy of winning in itself is a huge thrill for most players, even if it does not involve real money. However, it is also important to mention that some punters love the option to play the games for free. This allows them to build some confidence before playing with real money. Let us look at some of the differences between real money online Bingo and the free version of the game.
- In real money Bingo, you can win real money. This is simply because you play with real money. Free Bingo does not give the chance to win real money. However, there are instances where players were given cash prizes.
- The low risk involved when playing for free is second to none. Here you can play for as long as you like without depositing any money. All you have to do is play and learn about the game before venturing into the real money version.
- In some cases, some sites only allow the free version for a limited time. These sites use it as a way to welcome new players to their platform. Once the player has found a way around the game, then real money Bingo would be introduced.
The differences between real money and free Bingo are clear. Each one comes with its advantages. However, these advantages depend on the interest and level of the player at the moment. New players usually use the free games most, and it is clear why they do. All in all, the experience they gain from the free games should be enough to help them win real money.
Is Online Bingo Legal in Ireland
For years, the Irish Government focused on making laws that would regulate gambling in the country. The 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act was set up to control gambling in casino houses. However, a lot of casinos found a way around this, and the law had to be changed. The new law would prevent underage gambling and only allow licensed casinos to operate in the country. This led to the 2015 Amendment Act that ensures only licensed casinos operate fully in the country.
Today, gambling is fully legal in Ireland. The law allows both native and non-native casinos to function in the country. However, casinos need to get licenses from top regulatory bodies before they can fully operate. The common licenses to look out for include the UKGC, MGA, and GGC. Casinos with these licenses are regulated and frequently assessed to ensure their games are safe and fair.
Bingo Halls Vs. Online Bingo
When it comes to Bingo, playing in a land-based hall and playing online are very similar in many ways. One thing that makes them different is that you do not need to keep a huge number of paper tickets when you play online. On the online game, all of your tickets are digital. You also do not have to keep up with the number calling because you do not have to mark your tickets when you play online. Let us take a look at the table below.
| Bingo Halls | Online Bingo |
|---|---|
| You have to keep track of the numbers called. | You do not have to worry about the numbers called. |
| You are to mark off your tickets. | Ticket marking would be taken care of by the software. |
| You can only play during scheduled games. | It is available around the clock. |
Payment Methods Available at Online Bingo Sites
Online Bingo sites are getting popular each day, and the number of players is increasing exponentially. Since many players are trying to deposit and withdraw, there should be various methods for deposits and withdrawals. Thankfully, the best online sites understand this need for their players. They do their best to offer their players a handful of methods for financial transactions. On these sites, you would find methods like Skrill and Neteller.
It is no news that the UKGC does not permit credit cards. Online Bingo sites with the UKGC license understand this and offer the debit card payment method. However, they also offer methods like Paysafecard, Trustly and Boku. These methods are quite popular and reliable. Some sites even allow the use of cheques and bank transfers. This makes it easy for all their players in Ireland to deposit and withdraw as they please.
Regardless of the various withdrawal methods present, one other important thing to note is their waiting times and limits. The waiting time depends on the method used and usually does not exceed 3 to 5 days. The limits, however, are strictly dependent on the method used. Just try to do some extra research before you select a method. You should also contact customer support if you need more clarification.
Top Bingo Software Providers in Ireland
Just like other casino games, online Bingo games are created by a software provider. These software providers do their best to produce the best games they can in the industry. Every year they go the extra mile just to give their players the best they possibly can. It clearly explains why they are at the top. Have a look at some of them.
| PlayTech | They are known to be one of the top gaming providers in the industry. Now they are also known as one of the best Bingo suppliers. The graphics they use, along with other features, makes them stand out easily from the crowd. |
| CozyGames | This is another reputable game provider in the industry. It is fully licensed to provide games to Irish players. You would find several top-quality games in its catalogue. |
| IGT | They have a wide range of Bingo variants to offer their players. You would find several ball types and even the social version of the game. Their reputation for providing top casino games speaks for itself here. |
| Dragonfish | The 888 holdings run this impressive brand, among their other brands. They have a reputation for providing top-quality Bingo games for most sites. They are even well-known for providing quality casino games. |
How Popular is Bingo?
The vast strides made by Bingo in the online gaming world over the years has been remarkable. Apart from letting you play live games with other players all over the world, online Bingo has a handful of features in store for its players. For instance, did you know that you can order virtual and printable Bingo cards online? This is the most shocking news any Bingo lover would hear about their favourite game. All you need to do is log on to an online Bingo generator website or an online Bingo maker. You would find a host of printable and virtual cards that you can use to have a good time with your friends online.
Have you heard of Bingo loco? This is a game that is more than just a Bingo game. It is a festival packed with fun and a lot of activities for all players to enjoy. The guests are given a Bingo loco book to fill. You can print and edit this book while sitting at home. You play the game with the other guests like a normal game. Then once you are done marking the book, you do not yell Bingo – there is no way they can hear you. You signify by sending a screenshot of your winning book, and you would be given your prize. It is that simple and that exciting. Just make sure not to get too hyped by the other performances at the festival.
Conclusion
Online Bingo sites have been impressive over the years. They have recreated the immersive gaming experience of Bingo and brought it to the comfort of your home. They even have a very powerful and beautiful interface that is easy to navigate. Some of the top online sites even come with mobile apps that allow you to carry the fun everywhere you go. The sky is the limit with online Bingo sites.