Bingo has long been popular, but in the last few years, online bingo has taken off. One of the many traditions for which the UK is noted, for instance, is its love of bingo. Online versions of bingo have become especially in the last few years. This is particularly the case with people between the age of 25 and 34, according to research from YouGov. 

The research also suggests that young women are fond of the game, which is why some bingo providers such as 888 ladies bingo have created their bingo games predominantly at females. 

And so the competition heats up

Online bingo exploded partly thanks to savvy entrepreneurs quick to harness the power of the internet. They’d observed the success online casinos were having and wasted no time in exploring the possibilities the internet offered for them to operate bingo online and emulate this success. 

Soon, other operators realised there was business to be had and, today, players are spoiled for choice. The market has become highly competitive, with lots of providers all wanting to get a slice of the action. This has led them to keep as up to date with technology as much as possible, in a bid to stay ahead of the competition. Even a small advantage can generate big money.

The importance of choosing the right bingo site

Of course, the proliferation of operators out there means you have to be a little bit more careful when choosing a site on which to play. Some sites, unfortunately, won’t be legitimate operators. All of this makes it important to do some research on sites and check a site is secure before using it. 

It’s perfectly possible to play bingo completely safely without sacrificing your enjoyment. Below is a look at some of the things to look for, so that you can choose the right site and enjoy the best of both worlds. 

Licensing

Responsible operators will state details about their licence. This shows players they’re legitimate operators and that they’re accountable to a regulating authority such as a gambling commission. 

Customer support

Gaming operators in general know the importance of good customer support. If you’re looking for information and need to ask a question, a responsible operator will provide a live chat service so that they can attend to your query as quickly as possible. They’ll also make it easy to find other important contact details such as an email address. 

Responsible bingo providers will provide contact details for customers to get in touch should they have any queries.

Encryption

Online gaming operators are conscious of the need for the highest security possible. They use sophisticated encryption technology to keep transactions and data secure. Looks for the code ‘https://’ in the website URL. This indicates the website is secure. If it’s not there, beware.

Good reviews

Players may be happy to return to a website or they may not, but either way, they’ll be happy to tell others about their experiences. Note that some players may just be disgruntled, rather than have a genuine grievance, and leave a good site a bad review. Look for a mixture of reviews and see if the majority veer to the positive side or the negative to get a better reflection of whether the site is any good.

Variety of games

Operators understand that, due to all the competition out there, players can easily find another website on which to play bingo if they get bored, which is why a good site will operate different variations of the game. Those who want something different can play variations such as 75-ball bingo, 80-ball bingo and the fast-paced 30-ball speed bingo, games of this latter variation lasting as little as three minutes.

Bonuses and rewards

Operators want to attract players through their online doors and, to do it, they’ll run a range of promotions and offers, including bonuses. Respectable operators offer generous bonuses, including bonuses such as sign-up bonuses or bonuses for making your first deposit in your account. 

At the same time, they retain existing players by gifting them with bonuses only available if you already hold an account with the operator. Players who spend a lot of money on the site may also receive VIP bonuses.

Many bingo providers offer various bonuses and promotions to their customers. 


Accessibility on devices

This is a huge factor in deciding whether to play on a site or not. The popularity of mobile gaming means that operators have adapted their websites and offering so that players can access them on mobile devices. Many have also created apps. In other words, you should be able to play your online bingo on the go. 

Ease of usage

Just as importantly, using a bingo site or app should be as easy as pie. Within minutes, you should be able to understand how to start a game, how to play, how to tell when it has ended, how to calculate your winnings and how to access your winnings. Again, operators know that if players have difficulties in using their online bingo facilities, the players will just find a website that’s easier to use.

The arrival of mobile bingo has catapulted the growth and popularity of online bingo. Operators understand the importance of an excellent user experience to keep players returning for bingo on their sites. There will always be another operator happy to move in and help themselves to some of their competitors’ share of the market. They know that only too well.