What Bingo Software Platforms & Networks Are There?
Although there are 100s of online bingo sites there's actually not that many software providers or platforms. Platforms are companies that run the heart of a bingo site. This includes managing payments, adding games and slots, running chat services, looking after customers and keeping sites online and compliant. As there are so few platforms it's inevitable that players may get confused when moving site to site - especially when they end up in the same rooms. We believe this confusion will only get enhanced as many networks merge together. For example, the Dragonfish Network used to be distinct from 888 - now the networks overlap considerably with the same games and promotions. You can find bingo sites by software provider by following the links below.
What Is A White Label Bingo Site?
Many bingo sites operate as "white labels". This is where company A creates the brand (e.g. XYZ Bingo) and company B (a software provider such as Jumpman) manages the backend. Company A just gets players to join their site whilst company B looks after everything else. For example Loquax Bingo and Prize Bingo were white label Dragonfish brands. Clucky Bingo was powered by Jumpan and Snappy Bingo was operated by Cozy Games. We owned all four brands but managed only the marketing side of things. White labelling a platform allows multiple bingo sites to exist. Multiple sites using the same software are often grouped together to create a bingo network. A network means players from all sites are sometimes playing the same games - known as shared games or network games. This allows sites to offer bigger prizes and jackpots. The best way to think of it is numerous different doors all leading into the same room.
Mergers, Movers & Acquisitions
Online bingo is currently going through a market readjustment. In recent times we've seen GVC/Entain acquire Foxy, Gala, Coral and Ladbrokes; Flutter who own Paddy Power and Betfair have bought Tombola; and Broadway Gaming have taken over the Dragonfish platform from 888 as well as a host of sites that used to be in the 888 and Ignite stables. Bingo brands also love to jump from one platform to another. Sun Bingo for example used to be independent (that site became Tombola), before moving to Gamesys and now Virtue Fusion. Similarly Heart Bingo left Gamesys to try their luck as a Pragmatic Play brand but more recently ended up with Playtech whilst Bet365 Bingo have left Playtech/Virtue Fusion for Pragmatic Play. And it's not just big brands! Bingo All Stars closed on Dragonfish only to re-open on Jumpman whilst Dream Bingo also joined Jumpman only to close down a few months later.
Are There Any Independent Bingo Sites?
Despite the ever increasing blurred lines when it comes to brands and networks, there are still independent bingo sites running on their own distinct software. We regard independent as being in a network of one. You could argue that Entain have their own software as do Bally's and even Dragonfish but they also operate numerous brands. The most well known independent bingo brand is Tombola. They've successfully managed to develop and maintain a platform without the need to expand into anything other Tombola Arcade. Hoping to follow in their footsteps is MrQ Casino. Although they have tried to bring something new to the bingo sector, their focus - like many - has turned to slots.
Do Bingo Networks Close?
Our above list also omits some other software providers. Bingo Entertainment closed down their UK operations whilst Bede Gaming and Leapfrog no longer work with affiliates. Just to add more confusion Mecca Bingo does use Bede Gaming to manage some of it's backend whilst Leapfrog sites are owned by Daub Alderney! One of the most well known networks was the Cashcade Network headed up by Foxy Bingo and Cheeky Bingo. These sites operated on their own Dragonfish powered network until 2018. Most of the Cashcade brands were closed down whilst Foxy, Think and Cheeky opened up on the newly owned GVC platform known as ElectaWorks which eventually renamed as Entain. Finally we've rarely featured Parlay Bingo Sites but they still exist.
Which Software? Which Network?
All the software platforms we feature on Loquax are reputable companies licenced by The UK Gambling Commission. But which one is right for you? Back in the old days you could trial many platforms with a no deposit bonus but these days they're limited. So where to start? Our advice is try a big brand like Buzz Bingo or Mecca Bingo (Virtue Fusion), Gala Bingo or Foxy Bingo (Entain), Wink Bingo (Dragonfish), PlayOJO Bingo (Pragmatic Play) or Jackpotjoy (Bally's') and then see what works for you. These sites pretty much cover the whole spectrum of bingo brands across multiple platforms.
