Bingo Networks

What is a Bingo Network?

The majority of online bingo sites operate as part of a wider network and incorporate the same features and functionality as other member websites. This includes the same bingo rooms, payment systems, promotions, game lobby interfaces and VIP packages. These networks are populated by large companies as well as small, independent platforms.

Advantages

Signing up to an online bingo site that’s part of a network brings with it certain advantages. Here’s a brief run-down.

Trust Signals

Every major bingo network is fully-licensed by a recognised gambling authority such as the UKGC or MGA. This also applies to all member websites so customers can be reassured as to the safety and reputability of a networked site. A sizeable number of these bingo networks also enjoy high-profile partnerships with big-brand operators and have also built a solid reputation themselves.

Usability

If you sign up to a bingo website which is the member of a major network, the chances are you’ll have a superior, more secure gaming experience. While networks are extremely keen to get new bingo websites on board, each application is carefully vetted. So it’s likely that a website with poor navigation and/or a defective, buggy platform will be turned down.

Uniformity

Browsing through a collection of bingo websites on the same network will reveal plenty of similarities in terms of layout, registration/payment processes, lobby format and even the customer support suite. This visual and structural uniformity offers a familiarity that’s often reassuring to regular customers. However, this isn’t to everybody’s taste, as we’ll talk about later.

Social

Bingo networks offer a social element that’s sometimes lacking with standalone websites. For instance, Virtue Fusion and Dragonfish include moderated chat rooms that allow customers to connect with each other as well as company employees, should they have any queries.

Integrated Bonuses, Promotions and VIP Schemes

Most networks run the same promotions across their member websites. While this may seem off-putting to those looking for a spot of variety with their bingo offers and bonuses, it’s worth keeping in mind that the financial clout enjoyed by the major bingo networks usually translates into more lucrative offers.

What’s more, ‘shared’ or ‘networked’ rooms are often available. Much like progressive slot games, these rooms offer cumulative prizes generated by player stake money. Because the sheer number of participants across a major network is so large, the jackpots tend to be much higher than standard onsite games. Finding a shared bingo game shouldn’t be too difficult to find. In fact, lots of websites emblazon the latest prizes on their front pages. It’s therefore a case of following the money. For more information on finding sites like these, check out our Best Online Bingo Payouts.

Some online bingo networks feature linked VIP schemes. Although certain operators customise their own packages, universal VIP access is often available.

Disadvantages

There are of course a few downsides to playing on an online bingo network, although some of these are based on subjective perceptions.

Uniformity

One man’s meat is another man’s poison, as the saying goes. So it follows that the visual uniformity prevalent on networked bingo sites isn’t to everybody’s taste. Indeed, boiler-plate designs and shared functionality can come across as derivative hackneyed, making for an uninspiring overall experience.

The Same Promotions

The homogenised nature of an online bingo network, especially with regards to promotions, can also be slightly off-putting, especially for those looking to track down the best bonuses.

Lack of Innovation

Online bingo networks offer a raft of features to bingo website owners when they join up. This includes bespoke payment methods, registration/deposit platforms, customer support suites, out-of-the-box game lobbies and VIP packages.

While this certainly empowers bingo site owners looking to get into the industry, gaining access to so many tools often results in corner-cutting when it comes to the design of their site. After all, if a network provides all these features, there’s no need to spend much on constructing a stable platform, right? Unfortunately, this type of thinking is commonplace and of course has a direct impact on the end user.

How to Choose an Online Bingo Network

It’s not difficult to identify a network. Most bingo websites provide details about this, either at the base of their front page, in the about section, or in the terms and conditions. Deciding on the most suitable bingo network is entirely subjective but might be based on the extent of its promotions, the range of games available, as well as extras such as chat rooms and networked bingo games.

Nevertheless, also check that a bingo website is encrypted with SSL technology – you can check the URL bar in your browser after visiting a site – it should display a green padlock. Also look for licensing information which can be found in the front-page footer.

For your convenience, we feature the most respected online bingo networks in the industry. Some of the most renowned bingo websites operate under these brands.

Bingo Networks

Dragonfish Real Bingo Network

The Real Bingo Network (RBN) was launched in 2017 and runs on Dragonfish software. Although not the largest network, it distinguishes itself from rivals by operating a no-bonus, no wagering policy on all of its websites.

Promotions

RBN occupies a fairly unique place in the gaming industry in that it doesn’t offer wagering rules. Although this is because there isn’t a bonus offering upon which to attach said rules, it’s certainly a refreshing approach. So instead of bonuses, new depositing players are rewarded with free bingo tickets – promotions such as ‘Deposit £10, Get £70 Free Tickets’ are pretty common throughout the network although there are slight variations between sites. Bonus spins (usually 10) are also available for use with RBN’s loyalty scheme.

Network Features

Because RBN is powered by Dragonfish software, its websites share many of the same features. This includes shared bingo rooms, 75-ball and 90-ball bingo games, full certification from the UK Gambling Commission, superior chat functionality and free bingo games.

Technology

Sites using the RBN Network are fully responsive and work across all devices including mobiles, tablets as well as desktop. As with any site powered by major software, the websites are often best viewed on PCs. With that said, many of the striking visuals that look so good on higher resolutions have been faithfully reproduced on smaller screens.

Pragmatic Play

The Pragmatic Play Bingo network is a fast growing family of bingo rooms across an increasing number of bingo sites. Nektan were the first to sign up to the brand-new Pragmatic Play bingo platform and now Jumpman Gaming has joined them. Other slots & bingo sites are also adding to the party including PlayOJO. It’s now one of the most popular and most exciting bingo networks.

Dragonfish

If you’ve spent any time on this website before, you’ll probably know a thing or two about Dragonfish. The network refers to a big chunk of sites on the Dragonfish platform that share the same rooms and bonus types. To learn more, check out our Dragonfish bingo sites page.

Microgaming

Microgaming is one of the founding fathers of the iGaming sector, providing some of the earliest online games. However, these days we only have one site left on the Microgaming network. That’s the classic 32Red Bingo. Click on the link for more information on the Microgaming bingo product.

Virtue Fusion

The Virtue Fusion bingo network features a family of world famous bingo sites with some of the biggest brand names. It’s a pretty exclusive group, there are only a handful of these legendary sites. Below we feature the cream of the cream of the crop. The top cream! To learn more, check out the Virtue Fusion Bingo Sites page.

Gamesys

Gamesys Network brands are some of the most trusted and respected in the industry. Our players love them! However, what they might not know is that some of these sites, based upon classic slots and board games also have world class bingo. For more, check our definitive Gamesys Bingo Sites area.

Relax Gaming

The Relax Gaming Network is not a household name and to be honest, we only have a couple of sites on the books. But those two sites are pretty great by any standards. One, Bingo.com, bagged the best name in all online bingo. The other, Unibet, is respected brand all on it’s own.

Ignite

The Ignite Bingo network, as it used to be known, comprises both bingo and online casino websites. These sites run on Dragonfish software, which is itself part of Broadway Gaming Ireland DF Limited, as of 2023. There are a number of features which set Ignite websites apart from their rivals.

Ignite Bingo was launched in 2009 and was based out of offices in Norwich and Gibraltar. Operated by industry professionals, the network is fully-licensed and features big-brand bingo sites such as Costa bingo.

Games/Bingo Rooms

The Ignite Bingo Network features multiple 75 and 90 ball bingo rooms which are offered to all its customers. As is often the case with shared rooms, most have a capped jackpot, particularly with regards to the free bingo rooms. However, a few include progressive jackpots which are pooled from player stakes on the network. 

Promotions

Ignite are renowned for their promotions which are among the best in the industry. They include luxury prize draws, tournament play, penny games and chat tournaments. Individual sites on the network are also given a certain amount of freedom to create their own promos as well. Accordingly, many of them run big promotions each month, offering their own prizes and perks.

Network Features

Bingo sites which belong to a network often share aesthetic similarities with their stablemates including similar menu systems, game lobbies and general page layouts. However, the Ignite network offers numerous customisation options to its customers. As a result, many network sites comprise unique designs and layouts which differ from the boilerplate interfaces used on other bingo networks.

Technical

All member sites of the Ignite Network can be played on mobile devices and are fully responsive. And despite the inferior processing power that exists on smaller devices, their graphics and playability remain largely unaffected.

15 Network

15 Network was launched in 2011 and is powered by Jumpman. These days, 15 Network basically refers to all bingo first Mega Reel Sites. While all member sites feature broadly the same welcome package, a few offer exclusive deals so it’s worth checking each one to see what’s on offer.

15 Network is renowned for its simple navigation and attractive design. While it doesn’t offer anything ground-breaking in terms of design, the platform runs smoothly and without problems. Jumpman made the leap to HTML5 in 2014 which of course means that an app download isn’t required.

Joy of Bingo

The Joy of Bingo is a small network which runs on Dragonfish software that launched in 2007. Licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, the network features an array of distinctively designed websites which includes big names such as Dragonfish’s flagship bingo brand, 888 ladies.