Shoeloading

There was a farmer who had a dog and B...oh wait; this is about a different kind of bingo. As catchy as that song might be, this page is about betting on bingo games online and how it can be done legally at many sites across the world. While there are bingo games that come as sub-sections to online casinos, there are actually sites primarily dedicated to legal online bingo as well. Legal online bingo rooms are not too hard to find when you know where to look.

Online Casino - Casino Real Money Virgin Online Casino. Means for 'small wheel' if translated from French. The gamers have got a alternative both to position their bets on a quantity, or a range of numbers, or pink or black, additionally it is possible to bet on whether the quantity is odd or even. Play Free Bingo. If real money gambling isn’t your thing, try free apps like Bingo Blitz; it’s all of the fun with none of the mess. While the apps contain optional add-in purchases, you can play completely free online bingo games online. Of course, this doesn’t have a social aspect, but you can earn rewards and coins from most apps. Online Bingo Strategies Bingo is a game of chance, meaning strategies will have very little effect on the outcome of a game. Online bingo sites use random number generators in their games to recreate the same randomness as land-based bingo games. Bingo Spirit is operated by the same online casino group as Cyber Bingo, so it's not surprising that the rules, the deposits, and the features are the same. Expect games for as cheap as a nickel, high payouts.

One of the best parts about betting bingo online is the fact that American bettors are able to do so. There are offshore bingo sites accepting USA players for real-money wagering on many types of bingo games. In truth, LegalBettingSites.com knows for a fact that there are several that you didn't even know existed, but once you see how they are played you just might be hooked and want to try them out. By the time you are finished reading, you will know where to find all of the best legal U.S. online bingo sites.

Is It Legal To Play Internet Bingo In The U.S.?

Real-money bingo sites cannot operate in the United States in just about every state. There are a few states that do offer legal online gambling, including bingo, but these are few and far between (though it seems one or two more join the movement each legislative year).

Other than this new development, though, online bingo sites legal for USA bettors operate outside of the U.S. The Wire Act (1961) and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA, 2006) are the U.S. federal laws preventing online gambling sites based in the U.S. from accepting and dealing with out-of-state customers, so many American bingo players choose to simply avoid the domestic legal issues related to online gaming and sign up with overseas bingo operators. These companies are not bound by U.S. laws, and they can thus legally accept American bingo players for real-money gaming over the Internet.

What's The Age To Play Bingo Online For Money?

In most cases, despite the fact that online bingo can be played legally and the sites operate offshore, the legal betting age in a player's state will still apply. Bingo sites offering real-money betting will stipulate a gambling age on site, which is usually 18. Bettors will have to be at least the minimum betting age required by the site, even if they want to play for fun.

If a bingo site says that they defer to a state's betting age in addition to the age on site, then users must meet the required age to gamble online in their state. Some legal online bingo websites can opt not to use state ages at all though, it's really up to them.

Best Online Bingo Rooms That Are Legal

Legal bingo sites aren't as common as online casinos or poker rooms, but there are some good ones that can be found. Below you can read about our top-rated legal bingo site that features a ton of great stuff. While you can find several different bingo sites (and while some sportsbooks and casino sites offer pretty decent bingo products and are definitely worth your while if you enjoy the pastime), Downtown Bingo is the best “all bingo, all the time” website there is.

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Downtown Bingo - The Best Online Bingo Room That Welcomes Americans Period!

It is hard to top Downtown Bingo when it comes to legal online bingo rooms. There are 75, 80, and 90-ball bingo games for players to choose from. There are games with guaranteed cash, huge jackpots, and even rooms that you can enter and participate in the action for just 5 cents! The fun just keeps on rolling at Downtown Bingo. You can purchase cards for as little as $0.05, and you can even customize your own bingo card. The first personalized card is on the house, and you can use it for any 75-ball bingo game.

You will first need to make a deposit in order to start playing bingo for real cash. At Downtown Bingo, you can make a deposit with Visa, MasterCard, bank wire, or check. Lately, however, the most popular Downtown Bingo deposit method is actually Bitcoin. Regardless of the method you choose, the deposit minimum is $25, and new players may deposit up to $100 per day. Once you have started to play in the online bingo room, however, you can email the cashier about increasing your limit.

All of the top legal bingo sites offer bonuses and prizes to new players, and Downtown Bingo has more of these than any other provider. When you sign up at the site, you can redeem a welcome bonus that will give you $25 (with no deposit required!) and then up to 300% in universal bonuses on your first daily deposits, with different perks available every day of the week. Downtown Bingo is one of the best legal U.S. online bingo sites! Join now, grab your bonus, and start playing real bingo for real money, legally and safely, right over the Internet. You can even use your iPhone or Android phone to play at Downtown Bingo, so you can take the world’s best bingo hall with you wherever you go!

Laws Related To Playing Online Bingo In The United States

UIGEA of 2006

As we explained up above on this page, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) covers all financial institutions in the U.S. as they pertain to funding online gaming accounts and receiving payouts therefrom. The law does not forbid gambling online from the point of view of the player, though. What the UIGEA does do is prevent monetary transactions for bets being processed by your chosen bingo site. Of course, the law doesn’t actually apply to offshore gambling operators or individual gamblers at all, which means there are plenty of legal workarounds.

This is what leaves room for bettors to legally wager. For those who might question how playing bingo can be done legally while it's not legal to operate in the U.S., this is your answer. Offshore bingo websites are not under federal jurisdiction, and if they want to accept American bettors, then those players are free to sign up and open accounts.

Online Bingo FAQs

Can I Really Win Money?

You will need to visit the cashier page and request a payout. Legal online bingo rooms have a couple of payout methods for USA players to choose from. You can have a check mailed to your front door or opt for money orders via MoneyGram or Western Union. Some sites will also allow you to withdraw your funds via prepaid cards or bank wire transfers. However, all the top bingo sites accept Bitcoin for both payouts and withdrawals, and this is quickly becoming the gambling public’s most popular method of cashing out. You can visit your preferred bingo site to see the current payout options for more information.

Is Bingo The Only Game I Can Play?

Legal bingo sites focus on bingo but there are still plenty of other games to play. In addition to their legal online bingo rooms, you will also find a selection of slots, video poker, and table games. Sites like Downtown Bingo have games for all types of players looking to win cash.

How Do I Withdraw Cash Prizes?

You will need to visit the cashier page and request a payout. Legal online bingo rooms have a couple of payout methods for USA players to choose from. You can have a check mailed to your front door or opt MoneyGram or Western Union. Some sites will also allow you to withdraw your funds via prepaid card or bank wire. You can visit your preferred bingo site to see the current payout options.

What Is A Sign Up Bonus?

Legal US online bingo sites will often offer sign-up bonuses that will match your initial deposit by a certain percentage. For example, at Downtown Bingo, you can get your first deposit matched by 500%, your second deposit matched by 600%, and your third deposit matched by 400%. Sign-up bonuses are a way for legal betting sites to show their customers that they are valued. You get more money to play with in your account, which means more chances to win money!

If I Have Never Played Bingo, Should I Still Join A Site?

You should still join because bingo is a relatively easy game to learn. The great part about legal betting sites for bingo is that they have customer representatives that are always willing to show new players the ropes. There are also community chat rooms that are helpful when you want to learn how to play bingo for real money.

For most people, bingo is a game usually reserved for charity functions and retirement homes. Indeed, the mention of the word evokes images of overly-excited emcees or, perhaps, an unfortunately-named dog.

However, New Jersey residents may be surprised to learn that there are several online casinos in the Garden State that offer bingo games to their players. In fact, players can take advantage of some opportunities for big wins in online bingo games.

If you are interested but haven’t played bingo in many years, look no further. We will walk you through how online bingo works, all of your options in New Jersey, and whether you can play bingo if you’re not in the Garden State.

Free and Real Money Online Bingo

Online bingo made its debut in New Jersey in 2015. The game quickly became the dominant form of bingo in the Garden State, accounting for more than 80% of all the games played in the state.

At present, there are three online casinos in New Jersey that offer an online bingo game. Each site has a separate tab for bingo players, so it’s not hard to find your way there.

Online bingo is a bit different in terms of its mechanics. Generally speaking, players do not buy individual cards. Instead, they buy a set of 6 cards known as a “strip.”

The nice thing about online bingo is that it’s much easier to play lots of cards than in live play. Online bingo sites automatically mark your called numbers, so there’s not much to do after you make your purchase for a game.

One of the main differences between live and online bingo is the sheer number of players that can join an online bingo game. Since there are neither physical nor mechanical issues associated with playing, it’s possible to have games with thousands of people and cards in play.

These gatherings, of course, lead to vastly increased jackpots. Even small drawings have payouts in the thousands, which dwarfs the biggest cash opportunities in most live settings.

Amazingly, you might be able to get into the game without paying anything at all. Two of New Jersey’s casinos, Tropicana and Virgin, offer free bingo games online at various points throughout the day.

These games are rarely eligible for the biggest jackpots. However, they provide an excellent opportunity for those new to online bingo to give the game a try.

Paid games on New Jersey sites range from $1 – $5 to play. They can be a cheap way to put yourself in position for a big win. However, bear in mind that your chances of winning escalate as you buy more tickets for a game.

NJ casinos with online bingo

There are three online casinos in New Jersey that offer bingo. In each case, the variant that you can play is 90-ball bingo, which we’ll explain later. If you’re interested in giving online bingo a try, head to one of the following operators.

Tropicana Online Casino

Tropicana Online Casino was the first online casino to offer bingo in New Jersey. 90-ball bingo launched in 2015 and continues to run every day.

Players have their choice between free, $1, $2, and $5 games. Tropicana advertises every game as offering a Super Jackpot, although these pools vary in size.

Free games run every 30 minutes, so even if you aren’t a big fan of bingo, there’s no reason not to take a shot at one of the jackpots. If you want to try the paid games without risk, use promo code PLAY25 to receive $25 when you sign up.

Virgin Online Casino

Virgin Online Casino is part of Sir Richard Branson’s vast conglomerate. Players who want to try this casino with a “cool” vibe can play 90-ball bingo as part of their experience.

Virgin operates in New Jersey in partnership with Tropicana, and the relationship shows beyond a simple licensing agreement. Indeed, the Virgin bingo option is most identical to the one at its land-based partner.

So, you can play bingo at Virgin for free every half hour. Paid games range in price from $1 to $5.

You can pay for several of those games if you simply sign up. Follow our link above and enter promo code 30BUCKS to receive $30, absolutely free.

Pala Bingo USA

Pala Bingo USA is the third in New Jersey to offer players options for bingo and is a division of Pala Online Casino. Like other bingo options in the state, players can take part in the 90-ball variant onsite.

Pala stands out as a site truly focused on cornering the bingo market in New Jersey. Players who visit Pala will feel an outpouring of customer support and warmth.

Pala is the only bingo site to offer specific bonuses for bingo players. Players can receive free tickets and bonus dollars at Pala Bingo simply for signing up. Use promo code OVBONUS to maximize the amount of dollars going into your new account.

Overall, if bingo is going to be a serious focus for your game, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t take a look at Pala.

How 90 Ball Bingo Works

With all three online casinos offering the 90 Ball version of bingo, it’s important to understand how the variant works. Though it shares traits with the standard 75 ball game, there are some key differences in how play proceeds.

Each game card consists of 27 squares, arranged in a 3×9 (3 rows, 9 columns) grid. In each row, five squares are filled with numbers and four remain blank.

The nine columns correspond to the 9 different batches of numbers that can be called in this type of game. So, column 1 will have numbers from the 1 – 9 batch, column 2 will have numbers from the 10 – 19 batch, and so on. On any one card, no more than 3 numbers from each batch will be used.

As mentioned earlier, 90-ball cards tend to be sold in groups of 6. Each group is called a strip.

Like any bingo game, a caller will announce randomly-drawn numbers between 1 and, in this case, 90. As each number is called, players (or the app) will mark all occurrences of the number in the player’s strips.

How to Read Your Bingo Card

Of course, the obvious question is how to read your card and determine if you’ve won. After all, the whole point of the game is to call a bingo and take home the prize for that drawing.

In most 75-ball games, there is usually a single winner who cries bingo after marking all of their numbers in the prescribed pattern. While there can be multiple winners if the cries occur simultaneously, the game stops as soon as at least one valid bingo gets called.

In 90-ball, the blank spaces count as if they have already been filled. Meanwhile, players can achieve one of three winning conditions during the course of a game:

• Any line: all five numbers in a single row of a card are marked
• Any 2 lines: all five numbers in two rows of a card are marked
• Full house: all five numbers in all three rows of a card are marked

It is possible for the same player to win all three phases of a 90 ball game. Generally speaking, full house winners tend to be eligible for larger prizes.

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As is the case with standard bingo, simultaneous wins will result in the division of a prize amount. However, in some ways, 90-ball is a far more forgiving variant than its 75-ball cousin.

Can I play online bingo in PA?

New Jersey is not the only state with online casinos. In fact, its large neighbor to the west, Pennsylvania, joined the online casino fraternity in 2019. So, Pennsylvanians might be wondering if they can play online bingo there.

Unfortunately, the answer is: not at this time. Pennsylvania has a wide array of gaming options that players can access through their devices, but bingo is not allowed to be one of them at this time.

However, given the period of general revival that Pennsylvania is undergoing with regard to gambling, you can’t rule out the possibility.

Online bingo vs. Electronic Bingo

As it turns out, New Jersey is the only state in the union with legal online bingo. Every other state either does not offer the game as part of its online gambling suite, or simply does not have online gambling itself.

Now, if you visit the sections of your state’s laws regarding bingo, you may see mention of “electronic bingo.” At first glance, you might feel excited that your state actually does offer an online version of the game.

Sadly, however, electronic bingo is not the same thing as online bingo. Instead, electronic bingo refers to computerized bingo games that live bingo halls can run in conjunction with their paper-based games. These computers are handheld, fairly clunky, and only allow you to play during the live rounds at the hall itself.

You may also see references to “instant bingo,” which might make you think that there’s an online component. However, instant bingo refers to paper-based games that are commonly known as “pull tabs.” They are small, perforated packages that you buy to participate in mini-games, which are separate from the main bingo calls.

These terms can be confusing at first glance. Make sure to read your state’s laws about bingo carefully, but for right now, New Jersey is the only place with truly online bingo.

Bingo and US Gambling Laws

As it happens, bingo’s legal status in general puts both people and governments in a bit of a bind. After all, it’s a traditionally family-oriented activity, but the inclusion of cash prizes renders it a type of gambling, too.

Generally speaking, the federal government takes a rather severe opinion of any type of game that could be considered gambling. The Wire Act of 1961 rendered any betting across state lines to be illegal, and even activities as innocuous as bingo are usually considered to be affected by that decision.

Still, as is the case with sports betting now, bingo has remained an acceptable form of gambling as long as it is administered by individual states. Some states have completely legalized bingo, some have made it completely illegal, and some have straddled the line by allowing it for charitable gaming only.

So, here is the situation regarding bingo for every state in the US:

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• Alabama – Live bingo is permitted as charitable gaming in multiple locations throughout the state. Electronic bingo is in a murky legal situation, with seemingly-legal bingo halls finding themselves on the receiving end of law enforcement raids and equipment destruction.
• Alaska – Alaskans may play in charitable land-based bingo halls throughout the state. Operators of these venues must either be qualified charitable organizations or tribal interests.
• Arizona – Arizona bingo is only permitted when conducted by a charitable organization. However, Arizona does maintain some unusual statutes regarding player behavior, including the amount of time a player can play in a day (12 hours) and the number of times per week they can play (5 times).
• Arkansas – Arkansans can play bingo if the game is run by a qualified organization under state law. Qualified organizations include those who are “nonprofit tax-exempt religious, educational, veterans, fraternal, service, civic, medical, volunteer rescue service, volunteer firefighters organization, or volunteer police organization that has been in continuing existence as a nonprofit tax-exempt organization in this state for a period of not less than five (5) years immediately prior to conducting the game of bingo or raffles.”
• California – California allows selected nonprofit organizations to offer charity bingo games. The state caps the maximum prize for these games at $500.
• Colorado – Colorado nonprofits can run bingo games. However, they must have operated for five or more years before applying for a license.
• Connecticut – Charitable gaming is allowed to be conducted by approved nonprofits in the state. There are actually three classes of permits that allow different frequencies of days in which the organization can hold a bingo game.
• Delaware – It is possible for charitable organizations to offer bingo. Interestingly, one of the tenets of the state’s bingo regulation is that the licensee may not own the venue in which the game will occur.
• Florida – Charitable organizations and, oddly, homeowner’s associations may offer non-profit bingo games in Florida. However, the prizes and frequency of bingo is subject to especially stringent limits, with no jackpots in excess of $250 and no more than two days of play per week.
• Georgia – Charitable bingo is, by the state’s own admission, one of the few forms of legal gambling in the state. Regulations limit prizes to no more than $1,500 in a single session and $3,000 in a week.
• Hawaii – There is no legal bingo of any kind in Hawaii. It is one of only three states that does not allow bingo to be played.
• Idaho – Bingo is the only charitable game allowed by law in the state. Idaho bans other seemingly-innocuous charity events, such as casino nights or poker runs.
• Illinois – Illinois residents can take part in charitable bingo games throughout the state. However, state law does not permit payment to even the people running the game, which could limit how many workers that games could find.
• Indiana – Indiana statutes permit qualified organizations – nonprofits, etc. – to conduct bingo games throughout the state. Under certain conditions, qualified organizations may not even need to obtain a license from the state to operate an event.
• Iowa – Iowa allows charitable organizations to apply for licenses and operate bingo games in the state. However, they can offer games on no more than three days per week and 15 occasions in a month.
• Kansas – Kansas has provisions for both charitable bingo and instant bingo in the state. The former is the standard game, while the latter is related to pull-tab games and other similar forms of bingo.
• Kentucky – Kentucky allows charitable organizations to offer various types of games in order to raise money. Depending on their level of revenue, they may either be exempt from any kind of tax levy, or they may have to pay.
• Louisiana – Louisiana has one of the more liberal policies in the nation when it comes to charitable bingo. Not only may a charitable organization offer it, but allowed prize amounts are much higher than elsewhere, and it is possible to find electronic bingo machines in the state.
• Maine – Maine allows nonprofit organizations to offer bingo games to citizens. Prizes may not be over $400, and no one session can award more than $1,400. Unusually, the statute uses the words “bingo” and “beano” interchangeably.
• Maryland – Maryland allows typical charitable organizations to offer bingo games. However, each county in the state has its own set of permitting rules for offering the game, so what’s required to offer bingo is extremely location-specific.
• Massachusetts – Massachusetts charitable organizations can hold bingo games as fundraising efforts. The law even allows for jackpot prizes up to $3,000.
• Michigan – Michigan nonprofits are able to apply for one of three types of licenses to offer bingo. There are large, small, and special licenses, and each has different rules about their prize amounts and frequency of events.
• Minnesota – Minnesota allows various groups to hold bingo events in the state. Organizations can get licenses to be exempt or excluded, and the decision is based upon the level of revenue that they generate from their games.
• Mississippi – Mississippi charities can use bingo to bolster their coffers if they get one of three classes of licenses from the state. One unique provision of these licenses is that there are prescribed minimums for their hours per session.
• Missouri – Missouri allows charitable organizations to hold bingo games in the state. Interestingly, nonprofits may choose between separate licenses for bingo events and pull tab-only events.
• Montana – Montana is one of the few states where bingo is allowed as a general activity, rather than simply a nonprofit one. Licensed gaming operators can offer bingo in Montana as part of its for-profit offering.
• Nebraska– Nebraska’s charitable groups can apply for licensure to offer bingo games in the state. State law defines two classes for bingo operations, and basically, it boils down to whether the group will make $100,000 or more in a year of events.
• Nevada – In gambling haven Nevada, charity organizations can offer bingo if they receive a state license to do so. It appears that bingo is truly a family game here, where those under 18 can play if their parents purchase the tickets.
• New Hampshire – New Hampshire’s charitable groups can offer bingo within the state lines. Interestingly, by law, those under 18 cannot play bingo except if they are at a carnival.
• New Jersey – Needless to say, there are numerous opportunities to play bingo, both live and online, in New Jersey. However, for live bingo, no single prize is permitted to be in excess of $250, and no set of prizes on a license can exceed $1,000.
• New Mexico – New Mexico’s charitable organizations can offer bingo as a way to generate revenue for themselves. However, they must have two years of service as a nonprofit under their belts before they can apply for a license.
• New York – New York allows its charity groups to offer bingo games. However, anyone under the age of 18 is explicitly banned from playing – even if their parents are supervising.
• North Carolina – North Carolina does allow bingo halls to conduct games for nonprofit organizations. Interestingly, North Carolina also allows so-called beach bingo, in which drawings do not offer prizes worth more than $10.
• North Dakota – North Dakota allows charitable organizations to offer bingo games in the state. In a strange twist, players must be 18 to play bingo, but 21 to play pull tab games.
• Ohio – Ohio allows charitable bingo to proceed in the state. In fact, there are three levels of licensure for the practice, including a Type III license, which allows for bingo play up to 12 consecutive hours in a single day.
• Oklahoma – Oklahoma is home to casinos that offer bingo games, but also allows charitable groups to run their own versions. The law also allows for a non-standard form of the game called “U-PIK-EM,” in which the players themselves can designate the numbers on their cards.
• Oregon – Oregon does allow charitable organizations to hold bingo events in the state. However, somewhat unusually, state regulations limit the amount of handle, rather than revenue, that an event may generate.
• Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania does permit bingo to be offered in a variety of ways. License options in the Keystone State include the ability to run events no more than twice per week, a three-day consecutive event, a ten-day consecutive event at a fair, or a bingo game where prizes aren’t worth any money.
• Rhode Island – Rhode Island allows charitable organizations to hold their own bingo events. In a comparatively generous move, nonprofits in the state can hire people to run the game for them, even if the person they hire works for another nonprofit.
• South Carolina – South Carolina, despite being a strongly anti-gambling state, allows charity groups to run their own bingo nights. Interestingly, licenses are granted without the need for renewal UNLESS there is a change in the operation or venue.
• South Dakota – South Dakotan nonprofits can offer bingo games if they provide thirty days’ written notice to the state about their intent to do so. Many different groups are eligible to offer bingo, including campaign groups for political candidates in the state.
• Tennessee – Tennessee is one of the least gambling-friendly states in the country, and that stance extends to its charitable gaming. Bingo games are not permitted to be offered, and even the few events that can happen (raffles, etc.) are only allowed once per year.
• Texas – Texas does allow non-profitable organizations to offer bingo within the state. Although state law prescribes a prize cap of $750 and an event cap of $2,500 for normal games, the caps do not apply to pull tabs, for some reason.
• Utah – Utah is one of three states to ban outright the practice of playing bingo. Bingo proponents don’t need to feel singled out, however – all forms of gambling are expressly forbidden inside state lines.
• Vermont – Vermont has provisions for charitable gaming inside state lines. Its general limit for prizes is $400, but in an unusually gentle move, there are several exceptions where organizations can offer prizes far in excess of that number.
• Virginia – Virginia permits seasoned nonprofits to offer bingo games in order to raise money. Interestingly, it is possible to be eligible for pay as a bingo caller in Virginia if you acquire a license from the state.
• Washington – Washington has provisions to allow charitable bingo in the state. However, it also allows for these organizations to operate without a license so long as they don’t go over the limit for the number of events they have.
• West Virginia – Charitable bingo is available in West Virginia. However, organizations cannot offer more than two bingo events per week on their license and cannot run a bingo session for longer than six hours.
• Wisconsin – Wisconsin does permit its charitable organizations to offer bingo games throughout the year. However, each bingo occasion must not offer prizes in excess of $1,000 total – even if more than one licensee is involved with the event.
• Wyoming – Wyoming allows charity groups to hold their own bingo events in the state. However, any workers who help out on these events must do so as volunteers.