Independent Bingo Sites 2021
Independent bingo sites are websites that operate on proprietary software. This is instead of being on a larger network of white-label sites like Dragonfish or Virtue Fusion bingo sites. There are both pros and cons of playing at sites with proprietary technology. Whilst there aren’t many bingo sites that still run on their own tech platform, some of the top bingo sites do.
Here’s a list of the best independent bingo sites currently available for UK players.
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Pros and Cons of Independent Bingo Sites
As we mentioned, there are pros and cons to playing at independent bingo sites. Plus, depending on the way you look at it, some of the points can be pros instead of cons and cons instead of pros. This is what we’re going to break down below.
Pros
First, when playing at a bingo site that uses its own technology, this means that all its games are exclusive to that site. Or, if the company owns more than one brand, they’ll be exclusive to the group of brands like at Gamesys bingo sites.
Another point when it comes to games is that independent sites focus more on the actual bingo at hand. Many bingo sites over the past few years have come to resemble slot sites instead. Although there are slots at independent bingo sites, these are side games rather than the main attraction.
The next pro is that we think the community feel at independent sites is stronger than at brands that use a large software provider. Due to having a unique brand feel, players tend to stick together more.
Following on from the unique brand feel, the design of independent websites won’t feel like a copy of another bingo site. There are some Jumpman and Dragonfish bingo sites that look like copycats of each other, just with a different logo and colour scheme.
Many independent bingo sites have dedicated bingo apps to download for Apple or Android devices. This isn’t always the case, but there’s more freedom for the company to create an app compared to if they were another skin from a software provider.
An important area in which independent sites shine is having exclusive promotions. Many larger software providers offer the same bonuses, but when a site uses its own tech it can create any promotion that comes to mind. In fact, all bingo sites on the Jumpman white-label platform don’t have any bingo bonus benefits. The only bonus option is to win free spins rather than free bingo access or a bingo deposit bonus.
Customer support is more personal at an independent site as the people you’re dealing with are brand ambassadors. They will want you to go away with the best impression whether that’s from live chat, email, or on the phone.
As the games aren’t networked across many bingo sites, there are fewer players, so more chance for you to win. This won’t be the case at an independent site like Tombola as they are one of the top bingo sites in the UK with thousands of customers. But, at smaller independent bingo sites this will be the case.
Cons
Time to look at some of the downsides to independent bingo sites. The first is that it’s likely there are fewer players in bingo rooms compared to larger network sites. This is because networked bingo games have players from many brands on the same software competing against each other.
This ultimately means that jackpot prizes won’t be as large at independent bingo sites. So, that’s something to keep in mind if you like large progressive bingo games.
The next is that independent sites generally have fewer bingo rooms available. At networked sites, you’ll find between 15-30 bingo games, but independent sites usually have 5-15 rooms. Another con is that if you like branded bingo games you have much less chance of finding these. Virtue Fusion bingo sites are well-known for branded games like Deal or No Deal Bingo or Rainbow Riches Bingo.
Another thing is that due to fewer resources, you might find that there are fewer bingo rooms with chat hosts. Or that these are only active during certain hours of the day.
The final point that we see as a disadvantage is that some have restrictive customer support hours. This will be the case until the site grows as with Tombola who is independent with 24/7 support.
Closer Look at the Best Independent Bingo Sites
MrQ Bingo
MrQ.com is a fairly new bingo site that launched back in 2017 on its own proprietary technology. The company behind MrQ Bingo is Lindar Media and it is fully regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
There are only eight bingo rooms at this independent bingo site, but it is one of only a few no wagering bingo sites. The majority of the games are 90-ball bingo with two 75-ball bingo rooms as well.
All new players get three days of free bingo in the Free For All bingo room when making the first deposit of £10. Whatever you win from these games is yours to keep!
B-Live Gaming (Bingocams)
B-Live Gaming is the bingo software that powers Bingocams, the first site to offer a live bingo experience. You can play bingo whilst using your webcam or this can remain switched off, it’s up to you. If you have it on and win, you can celebrate and it’ll be shared on the website.
Bingocams is the only bingo site that uses this software, so, it is still an independent bingo site. It underwent a huge redesign in 2021 and now offers many casino games too. It now works well on all mobile device types with its new responsive design.
Tombola
Tombola is the most famous independent bingo site as it has been online since 2006. The sister company of Tombola Bingo has been around even longer, dating back to the 1950s when the business printed bingo tickets for halls across the UK.
Now, you can enjoy top online bingo games that are exclusive to Tombola like Cinco bingo and Bubble Bingo. The fact that this is one of the largest UK sites whilst being independent is impressive! There’s also its sister Tombola Arcade for those that are looking for instant win games.
mFortune (InTouch)
InTouch Games also has some bingo games at its casino sites, including mFortune, PocketWin, and most recently Mr Spin. The same software is used across these sites, but the prize jackpots are exclusive to each InTouch site.
PocketWin and mFortune both have iOS and Android bingo apps, but there isn’t an app for Mr Spin bingo yet. There are more than four bingo rooms at each site and all have active chats with tasty jackpots.
We’ll have to wait and see if they add bingo to Cashmo, Bonus Boss, and Dr Slot.
Entain (previously Cozy Games)
Entain bingo sites such as Foxy Bingo and Cheeky Bingo were on large bingo networks before it acquired the Cozy Games network. We’re including them as independent sites now as this software is only used for in-house brands.
As well as these two brands there’s also Gala Bingo, Ladbrokes Bingo, and Coral Bingo on this software. Some of the games are exclusive to one specific site, whereas some are networked across the five of them. Also, due to the size of Entain, they can even make their own exclusive branded games like Deal or No Deal Bingo.