Bingo is one of the most affordable and entertaining games online. Bingo is no longer the low states game it used to be and online bingo bears little resemblance to grandma’s bingo. Players can win tons of cash playing online bingo and even better most bingo sites offer special games, free bingo, generous deposit bonuses, tournaments and extensive selections of side games. Deposit bonuses enable players to double, triple and even quadruple their money. Loyalty schemes can put real cash into player’s accounts and in recent years most bingo operators have revamped their loyalty programs.

Loyalty programs usually award players a specific amount of loyalty points every time they play a bingo game. Every bingo game is worth a specified amount of loyalty points. Special games and tournaments may award more loyalty points than regular bingo games.  Once the loyalty points are earned they are deposited in the player’s account and may be used to purchase bingo cards and can usually be converted into cash. Some sites will award loyalty points as soon as a player signs up and creates an account. Some online bingo sites will award as many as 1,000 loyalty points to new players. Loyalty points are a way for online bingo operators to show appreciation to loyal players and thanks to intense industry competition bingo operators are awarding more loyalty points than ever. At many bingo sites players can earn large amounts of loyalty points by referring a friend. At some sites refer a friend programs are separate from loyalty points programs while at other the programs are combined.

As has been mentioned loyalty points may be converted into cash at most online bingo sites. Once enough loyalty points have been earned players can access their accounts and convert the points into cash. At some sites it takes 1,000 loyalty points to earn $1. While this may seem like a lot loyalty points are quickly earned once the player starts playing regular bingo games and participates in online bingo tournaments.

The most common use of loyalty points is to purchase free bingo cards. Players using loyalty points to purchase cards have more free chances to win money playing bingo. At most bingo sites players can enter tournaments using loyalty points. Many tournaments have huge progressive jackpots and players can win life changing amounts of cash. At some online bingo sites loyalty points can be exchanged for other prizes like electronics, jewelry and many other unique prizes. Loyalty programs are just one of many ways operators make online bingo one of the most affordable games on the net.

Since the global recession hit employers are demanding more productivity from workers. In the United States workers are working longer hours for less money and leisure time has been cut to a minimum. It is imperative that corporations get the most value and effort from their employees. Because of long workdays and stress some employees will take unauthorized breaks whenever they can get away with it. Sitting in a cubicle for hours in front of a computer screen can be boring at times and some employees surf the internet or play games on their computers and smart phones as a way to relieve the boredom. In the UK it is common for some employees to play online bingo during work hours.

Some experts say that wasted employee time damages the economy as a whole. One popular online bingo site did a survey and the results were not pleasing to employers. The results are sure to raise the ire of bosses throughout the UK. The survey showed that 55% of those surveyed played online bingo on their iphones while at work. The iphone is one of the most popular mobile devices and give employees the ability to play bingo and other casino games at work without using the company’s computer system. Many employers have software in place to prevent unauthorized surfing in the workplace.

A majority of the survey’s respondents said that they spent about an hour every week playing games when they should have been working. For corporations with thousands of employees the wasted time quickly adds up and affects the company’s overall performance. It has been estimated that if every worker in the UK engaged in similar behavior that 57 million work hours are lost every year. For employers this would be a massive drain on resources and could cost corporations millions, if not billions, in wasted resources. Even worse, the wasted time could easily adversely affect the nation’s economy and greatly lower productivity.

Online bingo players are not solely to blame for this workplace phenomenon. Today there are hundreds of websites and mobile applications that enable workers to play online bingo and other casino games. A majority of workers do their job as expected but some succumb to temptation. Online bingo can provide players with hours of fun, excitement and socialization but it has no place in the workplace.

Bingo players use all kinds of good luck charms at bingo games. Go to just about any bingo halls and you will likely see a collection of trinkets, teddy bears, custom daubers and other objects in front of players as they busily mark their cards during games. Lucky charms are also used by online bingo players when they log on to their favorite online bingo site. Good luck charms have been a long standing tradition at bingo halls around the world. Bingo is a random game of chance and so far there has been no scientific explanation for ‘luck.’

At most bingo halls regular players have ‘lucky seats’ and get quite miffed if they find another player sitting in ‘their’ regular seat. One bingo player in Rochester New Hampshire had a very unusual good luck charm; her mother’s ashes. Diane Bozzi had played bingo games with her mother for years. Before her mother died in 2002 she suggested that her ashes may give Diane some luck at their regular bingo games. Diane promised her mother that she would take some of her ashes with her when she attended bingo games.

One night a thief was targeting parked cars and was breaking in and stealing whatever he could find. Diane’s car was broken into and the thief stole her bingo bag which contained her mother’s ashes. Diane was justifiably distraught and made an emotional plea for the thief to return her mother’s ashes. Police are also investigating the numerous thefts from cars in the area.

Diane’s heart filled plea must have had an effect on the unnamed thief. Police reported that sometime between Monday (December 12th) night and Tuesday morning (December 13th) the urn containing her mother’s ashes was returned. When Bozzi pleaded for the return of the urn containing the ashes she said that said that her mother was a bingo fan and that by taking the ashes to bingo games she was fulfilling a promise she made to her mother. Although the thief remains unknown Bozzi is grateful for the return of her mother’s ashes. Police are still investigating the thefts and hopefully the thief will be brought to justice.

If Ms. Bozzi wants to avoid future thefts she should try playing online bingo. She would not have to leave her house and the ashes would be safe.

Most people already know that you can win big bucks playing bingo online. What a lot of people don’t realize is that you can win a lot of other great prizes such as expensive electronics, cruises, luxury vacation packages, new cars and other prizes. Players can win big screen high definition television sets, iPods, netbooks, laptops and smart phones. Generally non cash prizes fall into six categories.

Many online bingo sites have started to offer vacation packages to exotic ports of call. Poker sites have been awarding all expenses paid trips to gambling Meccas such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Monaco, and Monte Carlo. Usually vacation packages are awarded to tournament winners at online bingo sites. Many promotional games also offer fantastic vacation packages. To win one of these great vacation packages all you have to do is play the specific games offering vacation packages.

Cruises are another popular prize at most bingo sites. Many offer first class accommodations on luxury cruise ships. Caribbean vacations are the most common but there have also been cruises to Alaska and the scenic British Columbia coast. Again all you have to do to win a luxury cruise if play the specified games at your favorite online bingo site. In most cases your meals and drinks will already be paid for and all you have to do is enjoy the scenery and lounge around the pool. Even better, most cruise ships offer first class entertainment and special shows. Many offer live gambling and live music and dancing until the wee hours.

Electronics are popular prizes. By playing in your favorite bingo room you could win a flat screen television, iPods, video game systems and mobile devices such as notepads and laptops. Generally bingo cards for these special games are inexpensive making them a great deal if you win!

One of the more unusual prizes at some online bingo sites is a promise by the bingo site to pay your bills for a specified period of time. At some bingo sites you don’t have to play bingo games to win. Some sites pick players weekly or monthly and will pay all of the player’s gas and utility bills. Some sites will even make mortgage payments!

Even if you don’t win one of the products mentioned above you can still benefits for playing bingo. Most online bingo sites have some sort of points scheme that rewards players with free games and in some cases points can be converted to real cash.

Bingo is a totally random game of chance and there is really no system or strategies that can increase the odds in favor of the player. Online bingo sites use random number generators to pick the random numbers that are called during online bingo games. Random number generators have made online gambling possible and most reputable bingo sites have their software tested by independent testing companies. There are actually people promoting ‘systems’ that they say will result in win after win but the bad news is that there is actually little bingo players can do to influence the outcome of any individual bingo game. By sticking to some very basic gambling rules players can minimize their losses.

Money management is very important. Players should have a separate bingo bankroll. Never use money set aside for bills and necessary living expenses to play bingo games. At many bingo sites players can set spending limits and problem gamblers can self exclude themselves. Players should set a bingo bankroll and budget and stick to it. Learn to live with losses and know when to quit. This rule applies to any form of gambling whether it’s online slots,  bingo, betting on the ponies, craps, or Sportsbetting.

One of the few ways players can actually increase their chances of winning is to play multiple bingo cards. The more cards a play has the greater the chances of the right numbers being called. Thanks to the auto daub feature available at most online bingo sites players can literally play dozens of cards simultaneously. At many bingo sites cards can be purchased for as little as a penny. Cards for mega jackpot games are usually quite expensive and playing multiple cards in these games may not be an option due to the cost.

Players should stick to smaller games. Games with just a few players offer the best chances of winning. While the jackpots may not be as large these games can result in more wins. A series of small wins is better than no wins at all in the long run. Of course players should always stick to their budgets.

If possible players should always choose their own cards. At many online bingo sites this may not be possible because the cards may be randomly generated. The ability to choose the cards will give players the illusion of control which can lead to a more positive attitude. Some people believe that a positive mental attitude can lead to better luck.

Some bingo experts believe that it is better to play games with higher prices cards. There are two schools of thought on this. As most experienced online bingo players know; the higher the card cost the higher the payout will be. Because of the game’s random nature the odds do not vary from room to room.  The opposing school of thought believes that it is better to play more cards in lower priced games. They believe that several small wins are better than one large win.

Studies and surveys of bingo players have shown that a large majority of players value entertainment and socialization more than financial gain. Online bingo can provide players with hours of low cost entertainment and a chance to make some easy money at the same time.

Over at the popular webzine sliversurfer a recent article pointed out the advantages of online bingo. The article emphasized that playing at bingo sites is easy, cheap and fun.  It is no secret that technology has a profound effect on society and the daily lives of millions. The internet has changed the way people shop, read news, access entertainment and play games and gamble. For some traditionalists online bingo seems like an attack on one of the great gambling games. Die hard bingo fans still crowd into bingo halls daubers at the ready waiting for the numbers to be called. For some traditionalists the advent of online bingo seems like “attack on the last bastion of gaming.”

The problem for traditionalists is that players are switching to online bingo in droves and with very good reason. The selection of games is huge and the jackpots are large. The days of two and three figure bingo jackpots are gone forever. Some traditionalists think that because the jackpots are huge at bingo sites it must cost a pretty penny to play online bingo games. Nothing could be further from the truth and at most bingo sites cards may be purchased for as little as a penny. While the stakes may be low the potential rewards are huge.

The generous bonuses available at most bingo sites has caused many a land based player to throw those old fashioned bingo daubers in the nearest trash bin. Bingo sites have made registration as easy as possible and are offering players generous player incentives and perks. Withdrawing winnings is quick and easy and in many cases bingo winnings can be directly deposited into personal bank accounts. During the past few months several bingo halls in the UK have participated in a program to teach pensioners and other players computer skills. Many older people are uncomfortable around computers and the program is designed to make players comfortable with computers.

Players who prefer the camaraderie of live bingo halls will be pleased to learn that they can still talk to other players online using bingo chat rooms. Games at bingo sites take place in a virtual bingo ‘room’ with a separate chat room. There is a moderator to make sure things remain civil and the chat never stops at bingo sites. For those that want to take a break from bingo there are plenty of side games to choose from. Games include online slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, keno and many others. It should come as no surprise why so many players prefer online bingo.

Summer is traditionally slow at most online bingo sites. Players abandon bingo games in favor of outdoor activities like swimming, camping, hiking and many other outdoor activities. In addition school is out leaving less time for busy moms to go online to play bingo games. Since there are few holidays during the summer bingo sites do not have many holiday promotions. Father’s Day is coming up and bingo sites are taking full advantage of the opportunity offered by this summer holiday. Since most online bingo players are women many people will not make the connection between online bingo and Father’s Day.

In the old days before online bingo fathers would head to the local pub while the wives attended games at the local High Street bingo hall. Back then many men would not be caught dead in a bingo hall but times have changed thanks to internet bingo. Today there are even a few websites devoted to bingo for men and one site has the slogan “putting the balls back in bingo.” In spite of all the advances men have made in the world of bingo the general consensus is still that bingo and men don’t mix. Bingo is still perceived as a game for women but that hasn’t stopped most bingo sites from running Father’s Day promotions.

For most people Father’s Day involves the purchase of a card and gift and listening to the old man’s stories. Thanks to the father’s day promotions bingo players can win some pretty nice gifts for dad. One site is offering bottles of champagne with custom printed labels with dad’s name on the bottle. Some bingo sites are offering increased bingo bonuses for father’s day and some are offering male oriented prizes. The increased jackpots some sites are offering will enable lucky winners to have a very special father’s day. Since father’s day is only four days away players have a limited time to take advantage of all of the father’s day bonuses, jackpots and prizes.

Father’s day is providing bingo sites with one of the few promotional opportunities available during the long summer months. Players should hop online and take advantage of all of the special father’s day promotions during the short time left until the holiday.

There are hundreds of bingo sites online and millions of people play bingo online on the internet weekly. In the UK there are over 3 million regular online players making the UK the world’s largest online bingo market. Globally there are over 100 million bingo players and a sizable portion of these players play bingo games online. There are generally two types of online bingo players; those that play at a single bingo site and those that play at multiple bingo sites. In the not so distant past it was common for bingo sites to offer free no deposit bingo games which led to the practice of ‘bonus jumping.’ Bonus jumping is when a player signs up at a bingo site, plays the bonus, and moves on to the next bonus offer. Bingo operators became aware of this practice and most have withdrawn their free no deposit games in favor of other player incentives such as larger deposit bonuses.

Many new players may wonder whether it is better to play at a single bingo site or multiple sites. There are advantages to both strategies and both strategies enable players to get their hands on some really great deals and plenty of online bingo freebies. For those players who like to play at several bingo sites the main advantage is variety. Some players are easily bored and when they tire of games at one site they can simply go to a different bingo site. Players at multiple bingo sites can also take advantage of several bonuses and promotions. Today most bingo sites require a small deposit in order to access games but thanks to industry competition deposit offers have never been better.  There are generally two types of deposit bonuses; fixed amount bonuses and bonuses based on a percentage of an initial deposit. It is commo0n for bingo sites to offer bonuses in the 300% to 500% range on first deposits. Players that like variety can take advantage of several generous bonus offers.

There are also advantages for players that prefer to play at a single bingo site. Recently many bingo sites have revamped their loyalty programs and loyal players can find some really great deals. Long term players may be eligible for various ‘VIP’ programs. Many loyalty and VIP programs offer players cash back, free bonuses, exclusive high stakes games, gifts, loyalty points and other incentives. It is clear that there are advantages to both options and the choice is simply a matter of personal preference.

A recent survey by Virgin Games revealed some very interesting gambling statistics about online bingo players and their social lives. It has been well established that most online bingo players value social interaction and a sense of community. Generally bingo players are a gregarious lot and enjoy socializing during bingo games online. At land based bingo halls talking is taboo once the games begin and anyone foolish enough to talk during games will incur the wrath of other players. Players at bingo sites happily chat away during games using the chat feature available at most bingo sites.

The survey involved 627 players and showed that about 44% of all players at Virgin’s sites had made online friendships while playing online bingo. About 18% of these players arranged to meet in person and 22% of all respondents said they share personal and family issues with their online bingo friends. 34% said that playing bingo online had improved their social life and an amazing 695 said that online bingo had replaced playing at land based bingo halls. Out of the 627 surveyed four players said they had formed romantic relationships and one wedding between online players had been arranged.

Alan Thomas, the head of customer relations management at Virgin stated “When we put out this survey we really had no idea what to expect. We are genuinely thrilled that our customers get more than a bit of fun out of playing at Virgin Bingo – it seems a number of them have truly enriched their social lives through new friendships – and in one case a wedding! There is a lot of focus on the negative impact of online gaming, I think this demonstrates for a lot of people it provides a point of common interest and can bring something to people’s lives.”

One player shared how playing at bingo sites had enabled her to cope with taking care of her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease and how playing online bingo had helped her to deal with adversity. The unnamed player stated “Since I became completely dependent on family for outdoor transport (plus my husband needs 24 hour care he has Alzheimer’s disease) my life has taken on new meaning through my bingo friends. If I need to talk, whatever time of day or night, there is always someone there either online, Facebook or phone so I am in contact 24/7. Even with family close by they find it difficult to provide the conversation I need, and there is no communication with my husband – so my bingo friends provide that link. I could not survive if I couldn’t have a moan and a groan and of course the laughs. Then of course there is bingo itself – I used to go to landline clubs several times a week – now I log on and play whenever I want with the chance of winning some serious money (which I have a couple of times I’m pleased to say).”

It is clear that the ability to socialize is very important to most players at online bingo sites. For those that are homebound online bingo has been a blessing. The survey by Virgin revealed just how much players value their online friendships.

Many older bingo players have never used the internet and have no idea how to operate a computer. Statistics in the UK have shown that how a person plays bingo is determined by age. Younger players prefer to play at online bingo sites while older players prefer live bingo halls. Surprisingly there are many older online bingo players. A few years ago when the national smoking ban was imposed on bingo halls many older players learned how to use computers and play online. After the launch of the smoking ban bingo sites reported a 63% increase in player numbers. Today a clear majority of players at bingo sites are women between the ages of 18 through 35.

One Mecca bingo hall in Dagenham UK plans to offer free internet and will help people learn how to use the internet. Dotcom pioneer Martha Lane Fox launched the Mecca bingo program and will provide club members with free internet access and lessons on what players can do on the internet. The lessons will help players learn how to use email, Skype, shopping online and how to surf the internet. Fox told reporters, “So many companies only want to talk to you online, and for a lot of people that just isn’t possible. Getting people online is really about communication – seeing people Skype their family free, shop around for deals and email their friends and family is amazing.”

The Mecca bingo program is part of Fox’s Race Online 2012, her project to help the 9.2million adults in the UK who do not have internet access. Fox wants to make learning fun for participants. Fox stated, “We are talking to bingo halls, pubs and everywhere else people go, and we’re so pleased this has finally happened. People’s reaction has been amazing. It’s not about computers and the internet; it’s about people having fun.” The manager of the Mecca bingo hall said he hopes other Mecca clubs will adopt the idea.

Although the lessons will take place in a live bingo hall many players will probably go online to check out the hundreds of bingo sites targeting the UK market. Many bingo sites offer free bingo which is a perfect opportunity for these new computer users to learn how to play online bingo. Computers are a necessity nowadays and the program is sure to benefit pensioners and older citizens.