We know from our own review pages that the majority of poor ratings given to bingo and slots sites relate to issues encountered when winning players try to withdraw their money. It comes as no surprise that a large number of them take their complaint all the way up to the UK Gambling Commission.
Lucy Denton, the Director of Communications for the UKGC has been explaining on the UKGC site about the Contact Centre and revealed that in excess of 6,000 calls are received each year from unhappy players and prospective licencees.
The numbers are huge
One of the most interesting statistics revealed that a massive 99% of withdrawal requests made to the biggest gambling brands were completed within 24 to 48 hours, with many in just a couple of hours. However, as Lucy pointed out, that remaining one per cent is a significant number of delays when applied to the 20 million people that like to gamble in any four-week period – 200,000 in fact.
The Commission is fully aware of the many valid reasons why firms may have to delay paying out, such as if a player’s debit card has expired or because of specific bank processes. They must also be seen to be ensuring they know they are not dealing with proceeds of crime and being used for money laundering, so certain checks are inevitable.
Identity first or after?
The UKGC has found that firms asking for ID before a withdrawal is a cause of friction and while the rulebook says operators must treat customers fairly, it is a fine line between upsetting a customer at the acquisition stage by asking for loads of ID and proof of address and risking them being upset further down the line after they have deposited and played and lost or won.
Even in our own experience here at WhichBingo we have backed out of playing for real at a site when documents are requested before a deposit will be accepted. We know this is a policy not liked by many people – starting to play is expected to be frictionless. However, we then also complain that we can’t get at our winnings quickly enough when ID is asked for at the point of first withdrawal.
The operators just can’t win it seems.
All the UKGC requires is for firms not to place problems in the way of withdrawing that could have been handled earlier – so they want the terms and conditions to be fair, open and transparent. To us, this means that firms need to find the quickest and simplest process for people to get their ID to them on opening accounts – maybe before a 2nd deposit, having sent the requirements immediately upon the first – and maybe getting a human to look at them who can exhibit some common sense and not a robot!
So, credit to the Gambling Commission for realising at last that there is a problem and maybe help weed out the companies that still do take too long to get things sorted.
At WhichBingo’s Celebrity Party at Dabbers Bingo, we caught up with TV favourite David Potts, who brought his trademark energy and cheeky humour to the night. True to form, David didn’t hold back when chatting about his love of naughty bingo, his exciting upcoming projects, and his answers to our 21 quickfire questions. “Love a Bit of Naughty Bingo” As the party was about to kick off, David couldn’t hide…
Leeds bingoers will be dabbing in style after a new £5.5 million Club 3000 Bingo opened. More than 850 guests – including a Coronation Street star – packed out the venue over the weekend for the grand opening of the brand-new, state-of-the-art club in Hunslet. It was an evening of entertainment, live music, and, of course, plenty of bingo games. Ice Cream Van in a Bingo Club This is the…
They might be reality TV royalty, but even fame doesn’t make you a bingo winner! Celebrity guests David Potts (Celebrity Big Brother), Nicola McLean (Celebrity Big Brother), Tayce (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK), Brendan Sheerin (Coach Trip) and Marc Almond aka CookingwithTubz (Tiktok) enjoyed a night of glitz, glamour, and bingo balls at WhichBingo’s inaugural Celebrity Party. Despite missing out on prizes like fish flip-flops and onion goggles, all the celebrities…
If you look up at the moon tonight, you might just spot the shadow of Sam Smitherman – because he’s jumping over it! Sam was the recent winner of a whopping £50,000 jackpot at Mecca Bingo Acocks Green in Birmingham. After realising he’d won, he skipped the celebratory pint at the club for a cuppa and biscuits in bed! Let’s find out about the moment he realised he’d won, what…
If like us you’re joyful at just the mere sound of the famous intro, you’ll be pleased to know that Big Brother is back. Bigger, bolder, and better (the jury’s still out on that one) than ever. The iconic reality TV format has returned to our ITV2 screens, and once again, it has the nation talking. This time, there’s a new partnership that caught our eye. Joining the likes of…
The Walking Dead has always been about survival against impossible odds, and now there is a slot game to match. To celebrate the launch of the new The Walking Dead – The Ones Who Live slot game and tv series, we have an exclusive free spins offer: Plus you’ll be getting exclusive early access to the game via Winlandia. Recap: The Walking Dead – The Ones Who Live When The…
Summer holidays, seaside getaways, and casino culture are probably more common than you realise. With Dabbing Out travelling to Brighton Beach for bingo, we were inspired to seek out more great places to play great games. WATCH: Dabbing Out episode 3: Brighton Bingo From glamorous European shores to bustling tourist hubs and floating resorts, these seven iconic destinations have seamlessly blended the excitement of travel with the thrill of the…
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
The Walking Dead has always been about survival against impossible odds, and now there is a slot game to match. To celebrate the launch of the new The Walking Dead – The Ones Who Live slot game and tv series, we have an exclusive free spins offer: Plus you’ll be getting exclusive early access to the game via Winlandia. Recap: The Walking Dead – The Ones Who Live When The…
When you’ve gotta bingo, you’ve gotta bingo and this has made for some… interesting spots for people to play the classic game. The digital age has unleashed an online bingo revolution, and it’s happening in the most unexpected (and often hilarious) places. The 2025 WhichBingo Bingo Player Survey, polling 1,200 UK players, revealed a glimpse into the bizarre world of online bingo habits, proving that Brits will squeeze in a…
What does your favourite bingo or casino site say about you? Well, we have analysed all 265,000 votes and data from the WhichBingo Awards 2025 – to reveal how your vote played a key role, which sites and games made an unseen impact, and what it might say about you… You can view all the WhichBingo Awards 2025 winners here. What Your Favourite Bingo Site Says About You: Your Voting: The Big Picture 2025…
Fishin’ Frenzy Bingo is a brand new bingo game, the latest innovation in the bingo world, offering players like yourself an exciting new twist on the classic 90-ball bingo game. This game combines the fun of bingo with the excitement of slot features, jackpots, and bonus rounds, all while staying true to the famous Fishin’ Frenzy brand. The game looks great and is totally in line with the brand’s design…
Gamblers are set for a major win as a new law will soon cap bonus wagering requirements. The changes, which will come into force on 19 January 2026, will cap casino bonus wagering requirements at a maximum of 10x times the bonus amount, a significant drop compared to the wagering requirements some sites have of 65x and higher. Big Win For Players: From £650 to £100 So, how will these…
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced two measures to improve player protection designed to reduce the risks of gambling addiction while ensuring that more operators contribute to helping people affected. The changes involve new stake limits and a statutory levy. Let’s read more about it. 1. New Stake Limits While full details have yet to be outlined, based on the Gambling Review’s White Paper, the…
Safer gambling week is upon us once again but what does that mean for the gambling industry and those who play? For gambling companies it is an opportunity to engage with their customers and promote the various tools that are on offer to help players manage their gambling spend, their time spent gambling and their access to gambling. For consumers it is a chance to have open and honest conversations…
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
If like us you’re joyful at just the mere sound of the famous intro, you’ll be pleased to know that Big Brother is back. Bigger, bolder, and better (the jury’s still out on that one) than ever. The iconic reality TV format has returned to our ITV2 screens, and once again, it has the nation talking. This time, there’s a new partnership that caught our eye. Joining the likes of…
Beloved coach driver and TV personality Brendan Sheerin has been taking us on memorable journeys for years. But what happens when we turn the tables and put him in the hot seat? We sat down with the Coach Trip legend for our 21 quickfire questions, and he didn’t disappoint. From his go-to breakfast to his biggest fear, Brendan gives us a mix of heartfelt, fun, and very Brendan answers. “I…
Reality TV favourite Nicola McLean shares her love of bingo with her nan, debating on panel shows, and the one thing people will be surprised to learn about her. WhichBingo hosted our first-ever Celebrity Party at Dabbers Bingo this summer, where we caught up with Nicola who brought honesty, humour, and a dose of nostalgia to the night. Big Brother vS The Jungle As a veteran of both Celebrity Big…
At WhichBingo’s Celebrity Party at Dabbers Bingo, we caught up with TV favourite David Potts, who brought his trademark energy and cheeky humour to the night. True to form, David didn’t hold back when chatting about his love of naughty bingo, his exciting upcoming projects, and his answers to our 21 quickfire questions. “Love a Bit of Naughty Bingo” As the party was about to kick off, David couldn’t hide…
by
Killian Morris
4min
Updated October 16, 2024
Anita Heffernan
Author & Managing Editor
The Bingo Queen is a fun name earned from colleagues through Anita Heffernan's exceptional knowledge and commitment to the online bingo world. With over 20 years of experience as both a player and an expert in the industry, Anita has built a reputation as a trusted authority on all things bingo.
4min 
Reader comments