Online bingo is one of the most popular types of casino games in the UK, and it is widely available at many online casinos and dedicated bingo sites. With so many options available, it begs the question: how can you know which sites are legitimate and licensed, and which ones put you at risk?
In this guide to UK online bingo site licensing, we explore how UK online bingo sites are regulated, what players should look out for, and how to find the best UK online bingo sites.
Who Licenses UK Bingo Sites?
UK online bingo sites are licensed and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC is one of the most widely respected regulators in the iGaming industry and sets all standards for gambling, both online and retail, in the UK.
To get and maintain a license from the UKGC, a bingo site must meet strict criteria, with social responsibility and player protection being two of the regulator’s core principles. As well as needing to ensure that all of its games are fair, an operator also needs to offer adequate responsible gambling tools and resources. This includes deposit limits, time-out options, and the ability for players to self-exclude.
The gambling industry is constantly evolving, and UKGC-licensed operators are required to keep up to speed with all of these changes. The UKGC will run regular audits on all licensed operators and, if needed, will intervene and either suspend or remove a license.
Licensed online bingo sites are also required to display their licensing information clearly to customers who visit. If you have any concerns about a bingo site’s licensing, you should check the bottom of its website. If it does not display its information here, we recommend heading to another site that is more transparent and clear about its licensing.
Our recommended online bingo sites.
What Should a Licensed UK Bingo Site Do?
There is a lot of information displayed in licensing information, and online bingo and casino players should not be expected to read through it. As such, here are some of the following features and services you should expect from a licensed UK bingo site:
Ability to view recent wins/losses: UKGC licensed bingo sites are required to display a player’s overall wins and losses. You should also have easy access to all of your previous deposits and playing information.
Provide safe banking options: Licensed UK bingo sites need to provide players with safe banking options and utilise the latest in encryption technology to ensure that a user’s personal and financial information is kept safe and secure.
Transparent game rules: It is essential that all games are easy to understand. Players should have access to paytables and have clear instructions on how to play a game. There should also be clear information about the RTP, volatility, staking, and maximum wins.
Clear terms & conditions: Bonuses are an essential part of the modern online casino and bingo room experience. As a UKGC licensed site, operators are required to have clear terms & conditions for their bonuses. This includes transparency around wagering requirements and qualifying bets/deposits.
Responsible gambling support: As we have already mentioned in this guide to licensing at online bingo sites in the UK, operators are required to provide responsible gambling resources and tools for their customers. This includes deposit and play limits, budget management tools, and customer support.
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What Should I Do if I Have Concerns about a UK Bingo Site?
If you have concerns about an online bingo room, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, however, if you have deposited any funds and started playing at the casino, you should stop doing so.
If the UKGC does not license a site, you may struggle to receive any winnings, and, depending on its license, you may struggle with a customer complaints process. Of course, there are other licensing bodies, but you are never guaranteed to be safe in the UK unless you are using a legitimate site.
If you think a site is unlicensed or is operating illegally, you can contact the UKGC directly. Provide them with information about the site, and they will look into the operator to check its status. Likewise, you can also reach out to them to confirm whether a site is licensed or not.
We always advise customers to leave a site if they have concerns about it. There are many excellent licensed UK bingo sites, so there is no need to stay with one that you believe is not providing you with a safe, licensed experience.
At Gambling Zone, we only provide recommendations for sites that are licensed and regulated by the UKGC. As such, you can always check out our detailed bingo site reviews to find a site that suits your needs.
