Offline vs Online Bingo: What Every Canadian Player Should Know

Wondering whether bingo halls or online bingo sites offer the better experience? Our bingo experts break down the key differences here—from ticket prices and game speed to social interaction and jackpot size. We’ve played both formats, so you’ll get a clear view of what to expect before you choose.

Before we get into it, there may be some who need a quick refresher on how this game works, so let’s start with that. Firstly, each player gets a bingo card. Balls are drawn at random and matched with letters.

Each time a pair is announced, like “B-22”, the players who have the number 22 under ‘B’ mark it off on their card. The first player to arrange a line on their card either horizontal, vertical, or diagonal shouts “bingo” for the win. Once this has been verified, the winners get a prize and everyone clears their cards and starts again.

Offline bingo: the benefits and drawbacks

Offline used to be the only way to play this game. The game would often take place either in dedicated bingo halls or places like community centers. At the end of the day, all that’s really required is a room big enough to host a number of players, along with an area where the host can pull balls and call numbers.

Times have changed quite a bit as bingo halls are not as popular as they used to be. One of the main reasons for this is because players didn’t want to sit in smoke-filled rooms. For many years, bingo halls were the last legal fort for smokers (and still are in some parts of the world).

One other drawback of the traditional, in-person version is that bingo halls can become boring. Instead of jazzing them up with snacks, music, or the many technological advancements we’ve all come to enjoy over time — sadly, they’re still the same as they were decades ago. Players sit in a mostly barren room and just listen for numbers to be called out.

While an older generation might enjoy this, the younger generation likes to multitask and do many things at once. Younger players like to play online and have multiple screens and games going at once.

It’s pretty common for some modern-day sports bettors to watch 5 different NFL games at one time. Casino players tend to be the same, as they might have multiple games running concurrently. So imagine how those players feel about sitting and focusing on just one thing, listening for one number to be called out at a time? Yeah, it’s not exactly appealing. That’s why many players have traded the offline version for online.

What are the pros and cons of playing bingo online?

Online bingo sites are popular for a couple of reasons. To start, almost every online casino will give you a deposit bonus when you open an account and deposit. Beyond that, playing online is very convenient. You can play wherever you are, whereas playing offline requires you to get up, get dressed, and get to a venue where everyone else is gathered.

This is a matter of personal preference. You can fire a game up at any point, wherever you are. That’s a big perk in modern day society, where people are so crunched for time. However, one of the perks of playing offline (in person) is the social aspect.

Both offline and online bingo are the same in terms of strategy. There isn’t much to it: just sit back, relax and listen for the numbers to be called out. If Lady Luck is on your side, you’ll win. The other big perk of playing online versus in person is that you can play multiple cards at once. Many try to do this in person and yes, it does work to an extent, but it’s easier to keep track and multitask online.

When you play in person, there is the opportunity for human error to come into play, which is a big flaw. For example, if B22 is called and you misheard or simply weren’t paying attention, you won’t stamp your card. That puts you behind.

While you might not have so much of a social element playing online instead of in person, there are far more pros that outweigh the cons. It’s no surprise that many players have flocked to play online.

In the ever-evolving landscape of bingo, the choice between online and offline play rests on a series of advantages, drawbacks and ultimately, your preference. Traditional bingo halls, once a staple, are now overshadowed by online platforms offering unmatched convenience and the freedom to multitask. While offline bingo may have its nostalgic appeal, the practicality and flexibility of online play can’t be denied.