While we all love a conspiracy theory, we would prefer that it does not involve our favourite pastimes. Ever since the boom of online bingo providers, forums have been alive with critics suggesting that the balls being called are not randomly decided and therefore do not provide a level playing field for all players at the proverbial table. With money at stake on these games it is small wonder that disappointment is rife amongst the losers, but all bingo sites are strictly regulated to ensure that all games offer the same probability of winning for every player.

New Cards, Please!

For those making the transition from the traditional bingo hall to an online provider, the first difference of note is that when playing bingo online, players are not allowed to keep hold of their cards as they would in a bingo hall, unless it is in a game where those conditions have been stated.

The Randomness of it All

The key factor in keeping bingo fair is the use of random number generators (RNG). These programs are entrenched in the game software, and use mathematical algorithms to generate random cards and random numbers from the bingo “caller”. Each time you ask the bingo room for new cards, it uses the RNG to create a completely random new set. It is precisely the use of the RNG that does not allow players to keep hold of their cards as games go on.

Rules and Regulations

Like any industry, the online gaming business is heavily regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. They are the agency directly responsible for ensuring that the bingo providers adhere to those regulations. The Commission inspects all aspects of bingo providers, but particularly those concerning the RNGs, running test programs to qualify them as completely random. The Commission also has the power to not only fine bingo providers, but also to shut them down. To risk the whole business on the whim of a few wins for a select bunch of players would be an extremely high risk indeed.

Reputation at Stake

Not only do the bingo providers risk going out of business, but also their reputations. The bad publicity that would be heaped on any provider fined for manipulating the system would effectively bring an end to that business. As the old adage goes, Happy (bingo players) customers will come again.” Returning custom is exactly what the bingo providers rely on to keep their business fire burning.