The UK Gambling Commission have been heavily active in the last few years and it seems they have a new target on the horizon. They’re supporting a project which aims to conduct research into irresponsible gambling and how it can be prevented. They’re aiming to be able to understand more about the condition in order to properly offer support.
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About Gala Bingo
There are few bingo sites out there that have as big a reputation as Gala Bingo. They’re known throughout the bingo sphere for having one of the most comprehensive sites about. Join us as we review this brand and find out if it’s really worth playing there.
If you’re looking for top notch advice and reviews on the latest bingo sites then you’re in the right place. Here at Bingo Paradise, we’re always searching for the headlines and information that bingo players want to know. Our site is filled with easy to read reviews and insider information about the game.
The Sites We Review
At Bingo Paradise, your safety and security is our top priority. As such we will only recommend sites to you that are:
Licenced for players within the UK
Fair play tested
Up front with their terms and conditions
Secure to disclose your information to
You can rest assured that if a site is featured here, you will be safe to play there. Of course, we also cast a critical eye over what exactly they offer in order to help you pick the best one for you. We know that there are so many sites to pick from so we aim to give you a helping hand to get the most for your money.
Online Bingo is Bigger than Ever
More players than ever want to get online with bingo sites and enjoy what they have to offer. This is such a popular industry as sites can offer a bit of excitement right from the palm of your hand. It’s taking the world by storm because:
Players are going Mobile
Mobile bingo is a massive draw for many players, as they’re not restricted as to where or when they get online. With a smartphone or tablet by your side, you can access a wide range of different sites and games. This has made bingo more accessible to everyone and it takes much less time to play.
Games to Suit Every Player
The varieties of games that you can play online are huge, there really is a game for every player. Whether you want to play for free or go in for the big jackpots, you can take your pick from so many games. On a lot of sites, we see bingo, slots, casino games and more for players to take for a spin.
Online Gambling is Safer Now
Gambling online has been around for decades now, but there are now more ways to protect yourself online. Sites are also seriously vetted by the UK Gambling Commission and held to strict advertising guidelines. This helps players to feel safer when they play online and reduces the instances of fraud.
We all Love Freebies
Part of the draw of online bingo is getting something for nothing, as we all love freebies. This is so common with online bingo, with deposit bonuses, no deposit bonuses, free spins, reloads and cashback available. Even free bingo games can allow you to win real cash or funds.
The Origin of the Bingo Game
Although we tend to associate bingo games with the UK, the game actually came as a spinoff of an Italian lotto game. This game came around hundreds of years ago and as it travelled around the world, it changed to resemble the game that we are familiar with today.
The game came to the UK and it was pretty much an instant hit. Of course, we British people added our own take on it, with bingo lingo and calls being added into the action. At the same time, US players were pioneering the 75 ball version, which would later become popular in the UK too.
Bingo games really started as a purely social activity, most often found in church halls and charitable events. It wasn’t until the mid-1900s that the UK got its first bingo hall, which was a converted cinema. Because of the introduction of the television, people simply weren’t going out to the movies and this industry was in decline.
Many cinema owners took the step to change their venues into bingo halls, which ended up being a huge success. Some of these independent cinema owners then turned to creating bingo hall chains, some of which are still in operation to this day. These halls handily sold food and drink along with entertainments, making a night at the bingo the hottest activity around.
In the 1990s, these operators adopted the internet as a new way to entice players. There are plenty of multi-channel operators that have a strong online presence, as well as an online option. In this day and age, bingo has become super innovative, with all sorts of games being created and released on an almost daily basis.
This has blossomed into an amazing online industry, with millions of players logging in and testing their luck.
Why is Bingo Popular?
Since bingo has reached our shores, it has always been popular with different generations. No longer seen as the pursuit of older ladies, the demographic of bingo today is super diverse. The different games and jackpots that are available to be won these days means that all types of players are catered to.
Bingo is a social and fun experience, whether you choose to play it online or in a local hall. This has helped it to stay current and relevant with even those that are younger. With online bingo, anyone can test the waters, without feeling like they don’t fit in with others. The chat rooms on sites can allow users to engage with others and have that social experience.
Then we have the jackpots, these incentives are always popular and give players a real reason to get online. The prospect of winning thousands for a relatively small buy in is always appealing, no matter what day and age you’re on. When sites add in additional incentives like free tickets and bonuses, there’s no end to the incentives that players can take advantage of.
As we’ve moved through the years, playing games online has went from quite a niche hobby to something that anyone can do. With the increased prevalence of technology, practically everyone has a device that they can get online with. This has tied in with big efforts from the bingo industry to encourage players to have a few games online. Online gaming is one of the most popular ways to play bingo, so a booming industry here means that the game is staying popular for sure.
We just need to turn on the telly to see adverts for a variety of sites. This helps to entice new players too, with catchy tunes and big bonus offers. Many sites even offer a cash out service in clubs or bonuses online if you play in a club, which helps to get more players back into their venues.
All in all, it’s clear to see that this game isn’t going anywhere. People will continue to be drawn to these games, regardless of their age. As it diversifies and becomes even better, there will just be no stopping this industry.
What’s Next for Bingo?
With all of the technological advancements that are going on these days, it’s no surprise to see that these are being undertaken by the bingo industry too. These operators know that if they want to keep up then they have to pay attention to upcoming trends like:
The Social Media Boom
On average, we’re spending more and more hours per day on social media. This makes this platform the perfect place for brands to interact with their customers, give them special deals and even provide them with customer support. A brand with a good social media following is generally one that’s offering some kind of added value through these channels.
We love brands that run competitions and bonus offers on these platforms, as it’s always useful to get a freebie here and there. When you like a brand on Facebook, you may even get a special bonus as an incentive.
HTML5 Tech
When you play on a mobile device and don’t need to download anything, you’re using HTML5. This way of making a site accessible to every player is massive in the industry right now. With multi-platform use comes more players and those that are more likely to play on the move.
This was a major update to the internet and had a knock on effect on a lot of sites. The way we use bingo sites has changed a lot since the start of the mobile boom and we’re sure this will continue over time.
Augmented and Virtual Reality
These are quite new technologies, though they are already proving popular. By using these in future, bingo sites could make you feel like you’re actually in a hall without having to move from your chair. Having this new way to play on our side would be pretty cool and we’d love to experience this lifelike action.
Slot Game Fun
Bingo players are increasingly being drawn to slot games and sister sites with slots. Networks like Dragonfish and 15 Network have a wide range of slot sites that aim to give their players good fun, just without the bingo. They have more slot promotions and bonuses, so there can be value to playing on these if you’re enjoying slot games.
Slot games in general have become a lot more popular with bingo players. With games like Fluffy Favourites and Starburst leading the pack, colourful jackpot games seem to be at the top of the agenda for bingo players.
New Games and Jackpots
As bingo sites struggle to stand out from the crowd they look for exclusive ways to incentivise their players. This could be with a new game or perhaps a jackpot game that they can’t play elsewhere. This need for innovation is great for players, as they get to choose from a wide range of sites that are attempting to offer something new.
All of these elements of marketing to players and reaching new ones are important for the sites that wish to remain relevant. Without staying ahead of the game, they’ll quickly get left behind.
Staying Safe when you Play Online
Accessing the latest bingo games is a lot of fun, however you should take care that you are playing safely. Aside from playing with reputable sites, you should also take some steps to safeguard yourself. Our top tips are:
Use an Alternate Payment Method
Where possible, consider using an alternate payment method to protect your account. Services like PayPal and Paysafecard prevent anyone else from seeing your card details. Although sites will usually have their own stringent security, it’s worth adding your own security in there too.
Secure your Account
Although there is some security on a site, you don’t want to rely solely on this. Simply using practical tips like keeping your password under wraps and popping a lock on the account that you use to access these sites with. That way, if anything were to happen to the device your credentials will still be secure.
Keep your Personal Details Private
While chatting to other players in a room, you may end up talking a bit about yourself. While this is all well and good, you don’t want to disclose too much of your personal information.
Small things like the names of your pets or where you live can be part of a password and by learning this other roomies may be able to guess how to get into your account. Don’t share these details with others and your account will remain secure.
Connect Securely
If you’re accustomed to playing on the move then you can use your mobile data or even a public Wi-Fi connection. Where possible you should aim to use a private connection, as this is better for keeping your information secure. This is just an added precaution you can take to stay safe.
Payment Methods for Bingo
When playing bingo online, you’ll have a few different payment methods that you can pick from. Some users just like to use their credit or debit card, which isn’t quite as secure. If you’re confident that the site you’re playing on is secure and safe then this shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Opting to use a service like PayPal is really popular for players, as they can input their card details to PayPal instead of to the site directly. This means that PayPal act as a middle man and prevent your card details from being seen by the merchant.
If you prefer not to use your card online at all then there are still options out there for you. This includes vouchers like Paysafecard. When you use these, you will be able to buy a voucher at a local store, you can even use cash, and then you use a pin to redeem it online. This allows you to stay totally anonymous and not have to use or store your card details online.
As the years go on, the alternate payment methods industry is always getting bigger. With new innovations come new payment methods, like paying by mobile or even with a cryptocurrency. This helps this industry appeal to users that may not otherwise want to join in on the action.
Going Mobile
If you want to access your favourite bingo games on the go then there are a few ways that you can go about doing this. One is to use an app and the other is to use the browser that’s already on your device. They both have their merits, but the most important part is that they both allow you to play online with ease.
When you download an app from a bingo site, you will need to make sure that it is compatible with your device. This can be harder for those with older devices and apps can be hard to come by on certain phones. Apple phones are particularly good for finding compatible apps as there are less different devices to be optimised for.
If you use an Android device instead then you may find it a little harder to find an app that suits you. These come in a wider range of shapes and sizes, so it’s a bit more difficult to make an app that works on all of them. This can mean that Android players are left in the dust and may choose to use a mobile site instead.
Not every site is able or willing to add the funds that it takes to develop an app, so you’ll have more luck when you choose to use a site. This is particularly good if you don’t like to download things either, as you don’t need to put anything onto your device to play.
This is preferable to players that perhaps don’t know about downloading software or simply don’t want this stuff clogging up their device. With so many apps and devices having limited amounts of space, this can end up being a bit of a hassle for players.
Conversely, mobile sites aren’t always the most user friendly, as they can have some trouble with compatibility too. This can include how games load up and play, as well as the general navigation of the site. Some games may even be unable to be played on your mobile unfortunately, so do bear this in mind.
Both tablets and smartphones can be used to play online. Generally, bingo players use tablets at home in front of the telly and smartphones when they’re on the move. Most people these days have at least one of these devices and they can make playing bingo much more convenient.
Bingo Bonuses
We love to make the most of all the funds and bonuses that there are online. Within these sites you can usually find:
No Deposit Bonuses
These are yours as soon as you sign up to a site, as a gift for you to try out their wares. These are great ways to try before you buy with a site and to get playing bingo for free. These aren’t always common on certain networks, though you can usually come across a few different sites offering them. On bingo sites, no deposit bonuses tend to range from £2 to £20, so make sure you shop around.
One thing that can put players off claiming these is that you need to provide card details, but you can read more about this on our no deposit bonuses page.
Deposit Bonuses
For those that wish to make the most of a site and become a funded player, you can add money to your account for even more bonuses. These usually range from 100% to 700% on a lot of sites, so be sure to make the most of these. They all come with T&Cs too, so just have a read through to ensure you don’t get caught out.
Loyalty Perks
Playing on new sites is a lot of fun but you’ll also get some perks for sticking around with a site. These come in the form of loyalty and VIP bonuses, which will be given to you when you play on a site often. These can even get you access into exclusive rooms and promotions, how cool is that?
Different networks approach loyalty in different ways, some don’t put as much emphasis on it than others. This can sometimes be a bit frustrating for players, as they want to be given incentives to stick around.
Networks tend to have many of the same promotions across the board, which means you’ll find similar offerings across their sites. There’s nothing really wrong with this as such, it can just mean that players find things a bit boring, as they already know what to expect. It’s often best to find sites that mix up their promotions, perhaps with a few staple offers that you can rely on and then with an extra few exclusive ones.
As you can see, we know everything there is to know about this game! Feel free to bookmark us and explore our various pages to touch on subjects further in depth. We’re always updating our site too, so pop back for more when you fancy a bingo fix.
