Do You Know How to Stay Safe When Playing Bingo Online?

The move from brick-and-mortar halls to online bingo rooms definitely has its perks; there's no need to face the rain to spend the evening playing a game, you can join the fun in just a few clicks from your Jackpotjoy app, and you get the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life in our friendly chat rooms. But it does mean that you need to be more cautious about staying safe when you play your favourite bingo games online – and we're here to help.

Newcomers and seasoned gamers alike, read on to learn about (or refresh your memory) on all-things safety when signing up for a new online gaming site or logging on to play. Safety first!

Make the most of Jackpotjoy’s Responsible Gambling tools

As outlined in our previous blog post, How to Tell If a Mobile Gaming Site is Safe, a company with a strong focus on Responsible Gambling is always a good sign. And before you get started on any new site (well Jackpotjoy, we hope!) it’s worth ensuring you’re aware of what measures can be put it in place, and considering which ones to employ to enable you to easily monitor your time and money spent.

You’ll be glad to know that have a range of tools for you to use, including session reminders and deposit limits – they’re all part of our Game in Good Hands pledge. Decide which one suits you best, and put in place before getting started.

And remember, if you have any questions or concerns at any point, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly to discuss your options. Our fully trained customer support staff are available around the clock to offer a helping hand. To find out more, you can use our Live Chat service, or email support@jackpotjoy.com. Don’t be shy!

Know your bingo chatroom no-nos

One of our proudest elements of our Jackpotjoy community? It’s our friendly and fun-filled chat rooms, of course! They are a great way to create the same vibrant experience of a bingo hall right here in our online bingo rooms.

While we encourage all our players to join in the community spirit to enrich their game-playing experience, it’s also worth being mindful of the kind of information you share and messages you send when chatting online – these rules apply to chatrooms everywhere, really!

But when it comes to entering the Jackpotjoy chat, then you keep yourself safe by following our below advice:

• Never reveal any personal information in bingo chat rooms. This includes your full name, address and contact details. You wouldn’t give a person you’ve never met any of your details on the street, so the same should apply here.
• If you feel threatened in a chat, or if you feel like your safety has been compromised, make sure you reach out to a member of our team. They’re on hand to help you 24/7 and will be able to help with any concerns you have.
• The chat function is designed to create a fun atmosphere – you should always keep this in mind when sending any messages in one of our rooms.

While we do all we can to protect these community spaces from our side – and suggest you reach out to our online chat service at any time if you feel otherwise – keeping the above in mind as you type is best practice. 

But if you want to know what you should be saying in our chatrooms, check out our bingo-lingo chatroom guide for our tips.

Be wary of payment and withdrawal methods

When depositing money to an online gaming site, you want to make sure that not only are your details are protected, but that cash withdrawals are just as accessible. If a site doesn’t have multiple banking and withdrawal options, for example, it’s a sign that its smaller (meaning less regulated) site. Most reputable sites prefer debit card payments - as we do. You should be more wary of sites that ask for bank transfers, wire transfers or cryptocurrencies, and do your research before transferring funds over.

Once you’re good to go, you should also be cautious about any payment details you share – definitely not in chat rooms, for example, and customer services will never ask you for any personal details.

When you play at Jackpotjoy, you can be sure at all times that your money is secure. There will never be any fees charged on withdrawals, and you can check the status of your transaction in your account. We aim to process all withdrawals within 24 hours, and the fastest way to get your money in your account is by using PayPal or your debit card.

Remember the basics and pick strong passwords

It’s an obvious one, we admit – but that doesn’t mean that most of us are good at remembering to do it. If your password is 12345 or Password – we’re looking at you! Making sure that you do the basics can help to keep you safe when waiting for Two Little Ducks or Doctor’s Orders to be called.

When you register for an account, use a secure password including capital letters, numbers and symbols, striking a balance between something that is easy to remember but also difficult to guess. You should also be wary of using any public Wi-Fi networks if you’re enjoying some mobile bingo while you’re out and about.

Follow our checklist for vetting a new online bingo site

As well as steps to keep yourself safe, there are quick check-list ways to recognise if an online bingo site is legitimate, from the range of games they have on offer to their overall online presence. Hint – both should be abundant! It’s always wise to check if a mobile bingo site is properly regulated – meaning it holds a valid gambling license – before joining, too.

When you play bingo online in the UK, you can tell that a site is legit if it is registered with the Gambling Commission, which has four separate branches to provide bingo games: Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta, the Gibraltar Licensing Authority, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.

Want to find out more about the license we hold at Jackpotjoy? Just scroll down to the bottom of this page to find out more.

Now you know how the step to take for better online safety when playing bingo, you’re ready to get started.

Read more about playing bingo – from the difference between 75-ball and 90-ball bingo to how old you have to be to play bingo – over on our Jackpotjoy blog.