A long time ago, way before online bingo was as big as it currently is, the only way you could play online was via an instant win game. Essentially this was like a scratchcard as you played against the computer rather than other players. You simply bought a ticket and then watched as bingo balls were called - you were rewarded if you got a full house, or sometimes if you covered a certain number of numbers. There was no skill involved and no excitement or frustration at being stuck on 1TG. As the online game developed these instant win bingo cards were shunted aside.
Jackpotjoy used to run Seaside Bingo. This game had a seaside field where the bingo numbers were washed up in an instant and the crab will then check your card to see if you're a winner. Games cost 20p to £5 and you could win up to £50000! The closest game they have to this is probably Fortune Teller Keno (shown above).
Keno, Cashlines & The Lotto
In fact Keno on most game sites is very similar to old school instant bingo games. One game that encompasses this is Cashlines. In bingo halls and online people play Cashline every day. This Mecca Bingo game lets you bet on the patterns for the chance to win cash prizes.
Whilst bingo sites have moved away from instants, The National Lottery has moved towards bingo. They have Bingo Instant Win Scratchcards. In our opinion it's an expensive way to play our favourite game, but there are decent sized rewards if you've very very lucky. You'll also find bingo themed instant wins on many of the scratchcard sites that are around.
Bingo Instants were great in their day but now players are spoilt for choice and games. A bingo fan may well want the social chat, suspense and excitement that comes from playing with others and you don't get that in an instant. Keno fans will be happy with the various Keno offerings that are around, but this tends to be a US game and has rarely caught on in The UK. Instants fans have an abundance of great games to choose from so why choose a bingo themed card?
