The bingo industry has undergone a massive transformation since the turn of the century – Image via YouTube
The turnaround in the bingo industry over the past couple of decades has been one of the biggest success stories of the 21st century. This iconic pastime was the main entertainment activity in many jurisdictions worldwide during the 1900s, before falling out of favour as the new millennium approached.
As people began to become more aspirational, bingo’s ‘working-class’ reputation started to be a millstone around its neck. However, the arrival of the internet proved to be bingo’s saviour, providing a platform for the game to appeal to a new audience.
Bingo operators quickly latched onto the possibilities presented by establishing online bingo sites, and the sector is now booming like never before. Their clever use of bingo promotions has played a major role in helping the game re-emerge as a mainstream entertainment activity.
With that in mind, we take a look at how to claim bonuses and promotions, what is available and how they benefit players and bingo operators alike.
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How to claim bonuses & promotions
While the process for claiming bonuses and promotions differs between each bingo site, it generally follows this type of format:
- Sign-up for an account on a bingo site.
- Enter the bonus code (if applicable).
- Make a qualifying deposit.
- Start playing bingo games.
- Meet the wagering requirements.
- Withdraw your accrued winnings.
Most bingo operators also offer ongoing promotions to existing customers, which are designed to reward you for playing regularly on the site.
Bingo bonuses & promotions
There are a wide range of bonuses and promotions available on bingo sites. The most common offers are as follows.
Sign-up bonus
Also known as a welcome bonus, this type of offer rewards players for opening an account on an online bingo site. Matched deposits are one of the most popular sign-up bonuses. For example, ‘get £30 when you deposit £10’ is a common format advertised on some of the leading online bingo sites in the industry.
Deposit bonus
Deposit bonuses work similarly to sign-up bonuses, but are used as a way of enticing people to keep playing games on a particular site. Sometimes advertised as reload bonuses, the percentage is often not as large as a welcome bonus but still gives you the chance to boost your bankroll.
No deposit bonuses
Bingo operators are increasingly using no deposit bonuses as a way of attracting new customers into playing on their sites. They are designed to allow players to test out the games before depositing real money and come with the added bonus of letting you keep your winnings.
Free games
Many of the leading bingo sites run regular free games which provide players with the opportunity to win without spending their own cash. While the payouts are generally smaller than the real money games, free games are undoubtedly a great way to bag some extra cash.
Loyalty schemes
Several leading bingo operators run lucrative VIP schemes which offer regular players the chance to secure exclusive promotions. Benefits include cashback offers, gadget giveaways and prize draws, while some schemes also give you access to big jackpot bingo games.
Refer-a-friend
Another popular bingo bonus is the refer-a-friend scheme, which rewards customers for introducing new players to a site. While there is generally a limit to the number of people you can refer, this is still a great way to grab some free cash without working too hard.
How bonuses & promotions benefit players & operators
The benefits of bonuses and promotions are very much a two-way street, with players and operators each able to profit from the deals. From a player’s perspective, bonuses and promotions provide them with the opportunity to significantly boost their bankroll.
Many sign-up bonuses give players three or four times more than their original deposit to play with, and they are allowed to keep any winnings accrued. No deposit bonuses go a step further, as these allow players to play on a site without spending any of their own hard-earned cash.
Free bingo games work under a similar premise by providing players the chance to secure cash prizes simply by joining a game. Loyalty schemes and refer-a-friend bonuses are also hugely beneficial to players, giving them even more chances to secure lucrative rewards.
While acknowledging that players can benefit from bonuses and promotions, it would be foolish to think that bingo operators offer these out of the goodness of their heart. They are essentially a marketing tool designed to attract new players into signing up for an account and reward existing customers for frequently visiting a site.
Bonuses and promotions fall into the freemium marketing category, whereby an operator uses them as a loss leader to grow their business. They can have a significant impact on acquiring new players, while their ability to aid customer retention has repeatedly been proven.
The final word
Online bingo operators have expertly leveraged bonuses and promotions in recent years to significantly grow their market share. The offers give online sites a significant advantage over their land-based counterparts, whose greater overheads prevent them from offering much in the way of bonuses.
Players also benefit from bonuses and promotions in a wide range of ways, which goes a long way to explaining why the online bingo industry has boomed. With new operators jumping on the bandwagon at a rapid rate, bonuses and promotions will remain an integral part of the bingo industry for the foreseeable future.
