Choosing an Online Bingo Site- 10 key questions to ask

Bingo players everywhere are making the change from the halls to the sites all the time. And it’s a logical step to take, considering how easy it is to play the game we love without leaving our homes, not dealing with factors like weather and distance. In PJs and Slippers, or shorts and sandals, it is definitely the best option for players around the world. But there are things to consider when you are thinking of becoming a member of an online bingo site. Stuff that we all should be savvy about and watch out for, just to make sure our experience in the World Wide Web Bingo playing is a peasant and safe one. Here’s 10 key questions to answer before you deposit your hard earned money at a site:

1. Do I like this site?
Sounds like a dumb thing to ask, but it is a very valid question. See, sometimes little things like colors and design will influence our likes and dislikes and sometimes we can’t even explain what it is we don’t like, but we just don’t. Most sites will offer you a non-deposit bonus just to try them out. Make sure you use it to explore all the features the site has to offer and make sure you will really enjoy it before committing to make a deposit.

2. Does it offer a chat room?
I know it sounds lame to some, but after sitting playing Bingo at my ‘puter hour after hour I discovered that the chat rooms are the heart of the Bingo game. It’s the sense of community and the friends I make there that will keep me coming back time after time to a site. While you’re exploring the chat room(s), make sure you talk a bit with the host/hostesses you might find in the rooms. These are hired by the company and do not play Bingo, but rather make sure the Bingo room keeps nice and fun, sometimes playing games and giving out play money. Make sure the Hosts are nice, as if you are like me, you’ll be spending a lot of time in the rooms with them.

3. Is the Customer Support department helpful and nice?
I had this lousy experience once that to get answers at a site was like pulling teeth! Believe-me-you, you do not want to go through this. I am a paying customer and I deserve to be treated like exactly that! Even if I weren’t. A smart site knows that taking care of new, non-depositing players will ensure new depositing players. If I have questions or doubts of any kind, my site’s CS should not only respond to them but treat me nicely in the process.

4. What kind of security measures does this site use to ensure my privacy?
Remember that identity theft is a very serious crime and that it can take years to recover if ever from something like this. Make sure the site of your preference is a secure one, using SSL security encryption to protect your info. Also, make sure they have a privacy policy that will ensure your information will not be shared, sold or otherwise used.

5. How long has the site been in operation?
It’s not necessarily the norm, but the longer a site has been in operation, the better. Scammers come and go, but only a site that continues in operation year after year with old time loyal players that still play there can make you fell safe knowing that a. they are not going anywhere and b. that they won’t be taking your money with them. Find out if the site you are visiting has been there for some time. Anywhere from 6 to 10 years is fantastic.

6. What kinds of payment/ Payout methods are available?
Most sites will accept Visa, but a lot of them have problems accepting MasterCard since the ban on gaming. There are many that also take E-Wallets that are like online banks. For players outside the US they accept Paypal and Neteller too. My recommendation is that if you do not have a Visa card, which is the most accepted you use an Ewallet, or a prepaid Visa card. The only thing with Visa prepaid cards is that sometimes they get rejected. As for Payouts, the easiest is Western Union or MoneyGram, as for the majority of sites it is not possible to refund monies to your card. And these payout methods are easy and there are usually in many locations like 7-11s and CVS pharmacies.

7. What type of deposit bonuses does this site offer?
If you are planning on staying with a site for a term, I suggest you find out how their deposit bonuses work. Some sites offer a flat bonus whereas others offer deposits based on loyalty. These are the site you want to play on; ones that the more you stick around and play the more you will get in bonus percentage.

8. What are the payout rules? Free Money rules?
All sites must have rules on payouts that are fair and easy to understand. The norm is that you must make a rollover of the deposit plus the bonus you get from them that can be anything from 5X to 20X depending on the percentage of bonus. But there are sites out there that also offer casino games and with those the rollover grows substantially. Some site will forfeit all your bonuses when you payout, and other will let you keep it. In regards to free money, almost all sites will regulate how much you can request of your winnings if they are based on it. The important thing here is to read all payout rules BEFORE you make a deposit, to make sure you understand and are comfortable with them. And if there’s something that is not clear to you ask, ask and ask. That’s what customer support is there for! And speaking about rules…

9. Are the site rules available to players? Are they easy to understand?
Sites that are honest will expect you to read their rules BEFORE you sign up. It is a good measure to make sure you understand everything before you start depositing at a site. As with question 7, don’t hesitate to ask if something is not clear to you!

10. Are there complaints in the forums regarding this site in particular?
Forums are a great source of information. If there are several complaints regarding serious issues like non-payments of player winnings beware. It’s so much better to be safe than sorry. And there are a few forums out there that are quite reputable. Of course, there are also a few of places where their administrators are clowns who love to hear the sound of their own voices, but in general forums are rather great sources of information.

So here they are. I hope you find them useful, and most of all I hope you find a site that is as fun and fair and endearing as the one I found!

See you next week!
Viv