3 tips to stay safe at bingo sites

Last Updated on March 3, 2023, written by Amelia Cassiday

Although the online gambling space in the UK is heavily regulated and thus – you have the ability to gamble in a secure environment, there are still a number of factors that you should consider to ensure your online bingo endeavours stay safe.

Here we present three tips that will ensure your account remains safe and secure at all times when using online bingo sites.

Tip 1. Double check that the bingo site is regulated

Firstly, it is important to note that in order to offer bingo services to UK players, platforms must be regulated by the UK’s Gambling Commission. Not only do bingo sites need to obtain a license before they can start trading, but they will also need to make sure they comply with the conditions set out by the Gambling Commission.

However, as an added safety net, you should always double check that the platform is in fact in possession of a valid license. The reason we say this is that from time to time, the Gambling Commission will revoke gambling licenses if they find that the operator has not been complying with its regulations. As such, even though the bingo site in question might display its license number, it is still a great idea to check this for yourself.

All you need to do is head over to the Gambling Commission homepage, enter the name of the bingo website, and then verify that the operator is fully licensed.

Tip 2. Identify yourself ASAP by uploading ID documents

A further regulatory condition set out by the Gambling Commission is that all online casino websites – including that of bingo platforms, must identity the players that use their services. This is to ensure that the platform counters the threats of money laundering and fraud.

In the vast majority of cases, you will be asked to submit identification within 72 hours of opening the account, or when you first make a withdrawal. If you are unable to do this, you stand the risk of having your online bingo account suspended. This would be a highly frustrating experience – especially if you have funds that you need to quickly withdraw back to your registered payment method.

As a result, you are best advised to submit your identity documents as soon as you open your account. That way, even if the platform requires a couple of days to verify the documents, you’ll give yourself the best chance possible of executing a seamless withdrawal when you decide to cash out your winnings.

All you need to do is keep a copy of your ID (passport or driver’s license) and a recent proof of address (bank statement,  utility bill, tax statement, etc) on your device so that when you open a new bingo account, you can upload it straightaway.

Tip 3. Established Software Developers

Often unbeknown to players new to the online bingo space, the games that you play are actually built by external software developers. Such companies are completely independent from the platforms that host their games. Although software developers must themselves be regulated, in our experience it is always best to stick with established developers.

Once again, although you already have the safety net of the Gambling Commission, it is still best to take the necessary precautions to ensure you stay safe at bingo sites. As such, before you open an account it is best to assess what software developers the bingo operator has partnered with.

Once you have compiled a list, you can then do some homework on the developer. Find out how long they have been in business, how many other platforms they supply, and ultimately – what the general consensus is in reviews available in the public domain.

This is a worthwhile exercise, even if you are not concerned with safety. The reason for this is that certain developers offer larger jackpot prizes than others because they have their games installed at more casinos and thus – they have more players.

The Bottom Line?

In summary, although the online UK gambling arena offers one of the safest betting environments in the industry, you should still ensure that your funds remain secure at all times. Ultimately, even top bingo websites will need to ensure that they remain compliant with the Gambling Commission.

As such, it is a worthy exercise to double check the validity of the platform’s license. As well as identifying yourself at the earliest possible opportunity, and assessing the software developers that the bingo site has partnered with, you can play online bingo in a safe and secure ecosystem.