What Are Newbie Bingo Rooms?
When the traditional no deposit bonus hit the skids in 2018, bingo operators started to look for other ways to attract new players. This led to an increase in newbie bingo rooms, special rooms offering free bingo games exclusively for new players. Rooms such as The Bingo Academy at Costa Bingo became accessible for just a few days with no deposit needed. However accounts did need to be verified, typically via mobile and/or adding debit card details. This verification process helps restrict multiple accounts, one of the reasons no deposit bonuses got abused in the early days. Prize pots in newbie rooms are, as you probably expect, very limited and it's worth noting that any wins are usually paid as bonus money with wagering terms rather than real cash. This means you would need to deposit and play through a few pounds before being able to make any withdrawals.
Bingo Sites With Newbie Rooms
New UK Customers Only. New customers only. Deposit and stake £10 on bingo to qualify within 7 days of initial deposit. Some prizes have wagering requirements and expiry dates. Country Restrictions Apply. See full T&Cs for more detail 18+. Terms Apply #AD
New UK Customers Only. Deposit £10, stake £10 on Bingo, get £30 bonus (x4 Wagering) & £10 Club voucher, &/or stake £10 on slots, get 200 x 10p Fishin’ Frenzy spins (x20 wagering) & £5 Club slots voucher. Use winnings in cash balance/further deposit to claim both. £5 minimum withdrawal. 18+. Terms Apply #AD
Spend £10 For 100 Free Spins
No Wagering Requirements
New UK Customers Only. Opt In, Deposit & Play £10 within 7 days. Get 100 Free Spins on Starburst Slot Game. Rewards will expire after 7 days. Card payments only. 18+. Terms Apply #AD
New UK Customers Only. New online customers only. Min 1st deposit & spend £10 on Bingo tickets to get £50 Bingo bonus (4x wagering, valid 7 days, selected games)+ 40 Free Spins (£0.10 value each, valid 7 days, selected games). Players restrictions and T&Cs apply. 18+. Terms Apply #AD
10 Days Free Newbie Room Bingo
No Wagering On Wins From Bonus
New UK Customers Only. Register with promo code BINGO100. Minimum deposit and stake £10 on Bingo Tickets within 14 days to qualify. £10 Bingo Bonus must be wagered through once. 14-day expiry. Bonus Balance is used prior to Cash Balance. 100 Free Spins on selected Slots credited within 48 hours of qualification. Free Spins expire after 7 days. 18+. Terms Apply #AD
New UK Customers Only. Play Safe. New customers only. Opt in required. 1x per customer. Fishin Pots of Gold only. Min £10 stake. Max 100 Free Spins at 10p per spin. Free Spins expire 24 hours from issue. Max redeemable £30. Eligibility rules, game, location, currency, payment-method restrictions and terms and conditions apply 18+. #AD
New UK Customers Only. New Bingo players only. Deposit required. Spend £5 or more on Bingo tickets to get a £25 Bingo bonus. 2x wagering requirements apply to bonus. Accept bonus within 14 days. Bonus valid for 30 days. Certain deposit types excluded. Player restrictions and T&Cs apply. 18+. #AD
New UK Customers Only. New customers only. Spend £10 to get £40 Bingo Bonus (4x wagering) + 40 Free Spins (value £0.10 each, selected games). Claim & use within 7 days. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. 18+. Terms Apply #AD
Deposit To Access Newbie Rooms
Some newbie rooms, for example at MrQ and Paddy Power Bingo are only accessible to new players that have made a first deposit and/or wagered. The wagers tend not to be much more than £1. However, many sites are happy to offer free bingo to their depositing players as a reward. These rewards may be in the shape of access to a special room for a fixed period of time or tickets to a one off game that day. Unfortunately everything varies from site to site but that does make checking out different brands a bit more exciting.
Decline In Newbie Bingo
One of the most prolific platforms for newbie rooms was Dragonfish. Players could register at the likes of Wink Bingo, 888 Ladies and Costa and have access to free no deposit bingo. However when Dragonfish was purchased by Broadway Gaming free bingo has been changed considerably. The newbie room has gone but new players may be able to access the Grab A Fiver room where free games play throughout the day. However these free games aren't advertised on the promotion pages and there's no longer any reference to newbie rooms. Furthermore because Broadway Gaming now limit the number of accounts a player can have it now stops you from joining site after site to enjoy new player benefits.