bingo technology just can’t stand still. Following on from the creation and development of online Bingo in the 1990s, Bingo is now embracing the mobile phone/handset generation.  The advantages are plain: You do not have to be at home, you do not need a lap-top or PC, you can play on a bus, in a car, in a park, even at a boring party! All you need is the software downloaded to your phone, and a signal!  Many types of smart phone handset are supported by Bingo providers, including android, Nokia, iPod, Blackberry and iPhone.

All the main features of online Bingo play are there, including chat rooms and slots.

So why would you want to play on your hand-set? Well, people lead increasingly busy lives these days, often having to travel for long distances to and from work. Even those who are not commuting, with much better transport infrastructure and timetabling in most parts, we are more inclined to visit family, relatives, friends, sight-see etc. Unless you are obsessed with Angry Birds or other similar handset games, it makes sense to have a flutter and a bit of fun when you’re not looking out of the window while travelling.

It’s also true that because most of us are busier, we find may find it hard to devote an hour or two plonked in front of the PC at home every night to play online Bingo. Especially true if other people are queuing up to use it! Using your mobile to play online Bingo is the perfect answer, because you can multi-task: playing while travelling- killing two birds with one stone. And it’s not just as rewarding as reading a book- it can be more rewarding… if you win!

The usual procedure is that you are asked to choose the game you want to play. Once you have selected your desired game, you must enter your phone number where requested and you will then be sent a text message which contains a mobile link. You need to click onto the link and the game will be downloaded onto your phone. Some sites ask you to send them a text message before sending you a wap link by a return text. Other companies allow you to play bingo on your mobile phone without having to download anything, which some players prefer. You just need to check with your chosen provider. They’ll be only too keen to help you!

There are a number of methods of putting money into your mobile phone Bingo account, and again you’ll need to check with the provider, but usually credit and debit cards are accepted, and with some providers you can have the money you have invested added to you monthly phone Bill, and pay it off that way.

Many mobile bingo companies will also give you a free no deposit bonus, which is great as that means you can check out the site before you have to commit to making a deposit using your own money. This follows on from the tactics many online bingo sites use to attract new players, and as it has proved to be successful it is being repeated in this field.

There was a little apprehension when mobile Bingo started, as some feared it would not be as stable as PC-based online systems. What happens when you are playing on your phone and your train enters a tunnel?  Well taking to mobile players, it seems that the game continues even though you may not be able to access it for a few seconds. And if you win while in the tunnel, you won’t lose out- you will still be credited with the win when you pick the signal back up.

More and more people are now playing mobile as well as online Bingo, and as the demand increases, so the quality of service and features provided by providers will develop. I just wonder what can be the next incarnation for Bingo… Thought Bingo?!!    Good luck- especially in the tunnels!