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Part 6 - Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

1) Are my personal details that the sites request in safe hands?

While we can't guarantee every single bingo site out there we can say that most will feature multiple firewalls and the best of encryption technology. Most bingo sites will undertake not to share customer details with anyone else.

It is also wise to check that the web address (URL) for the site begins with https:// and not just the usual http://. This indicates that you are sharing a secure connection with the site. You may also see a padlock symbol at the foot of the page.

While sites rarely ask for proof of ID when an account is being opened it is becoming more common for three forms of identification to be sent through before a first withdrawal is approved. This usually consists of picture ID, a copy of the card the deposit was made with and a utility bill.

2) Do I have to mark the cards myself as the numbers are called?

Not very likely. Games move quite quickly and players usually buy multiple strips so the software will mark every number immediately it is called across all the tickets held.

3) What are 'wagering requirements' all about – why can't I withdraw my winnings?

At the end of the day a bingo site exists to make a profit. They love to create winners, but with the generous bonuses that exist there are people that just move from site to site to get as many bonuses as possible and even open multiple accounts at the same site.

By imposing wagering requirements, such as a minimum withdrawal amount or having to spend a certain multiple of the deposit + bonus, sites know that a player will spend a certain amount of money with them while they are enjoying the bingo games and are more likely to become a loyal player. Some requirements are larger than others and some sites have no wagering requirement at all – it is vital to read all Terms and Conditions.

4) What is a 'no deposit bonus'?

This is an amount of bingo bonus that a site will give to a new player to allow them to play the bingo games at the site to try them out without risking any of their own cash. Some sites even allow this bonus to be spent on slot games too.

Some online bingo sites allow players to win real cash with the no deposit bonus, while others only offer it as a free trial and winnings will be removed when a deposit is made.

See our No Deposit Offers page for some great deals.

5) How do I know if I have won a prize?

Any cash win you have will register with your on-screen username. Your winnings are automatically credited to your account. From there it is up to you as to whether you want to withdraw your winnings or leave the money in your account to play more games with later.

6) What happens if I have purchased my cards and I get disconnected from the game?

As soon as your cards are purchased, you are in the game regardless of your connection status. The game outcome is generated by the system servers, and if one of the cards you have purchased is a winner, then you will win. Usually, if you get disconnected for any reason, and you have purchased cards, you can check your transactions in the members area to see if you won.

7) Am I really playing with other players?

Yes, online bingo is a real-time interactive bingo game. The programme that runs on your computer makes a connection to a gaming machine over the Internet. The gaming machine allows hundreds of people to simultaneously connect and play bingo just as they would in a real bingo club.

8) How is the prize money determined?

The prize money is usually determined in one of two different ways. In 'regular' games the prize money is determined by the number of players playing the game. A pre-set amount of every stake is set aside for the prize pot, while some may go towards any progressive jackpot that is growing and the rest will be site expenses and profit.

In some 'special' games the prize is set ahead of time as a Guaranteed Prize. The amount of the prize is posted as the game starts. A site will let you know which type of prize is being offered for the game.

9) Can I buy cards for games in advance?

On most sites, yes you can. You may buy cards in advance using 'pre-buy' or 'auto-buy' features. To buy your cards in advance, log in to the game and select the relevant button.

10) Can I keep the same cards from game to game?

No, this is not possible. The bingo game server randomly creates and distributes new bingo cards for each new game. As in a live bingo hall, players can only play each card once for every individual game.

Fun it may be, but always remember bingo is still gambling, unless you play at any of the totally free bingo sites that exist, so at WhichBingo we stress that readers should only play with funds they can afford to spend. Another important tip is to ensure that you read the Terms and Conditions of every bingo site you join, as they will all be different in some way.

Anyone that still has any general queries they think we may be able to help with can contact us by e-mail at manager@whichbingo.co.uk.