Editorial note: this guide is general information about how bingo, competitions, lotteries and gambling work in the UK. It is not advice, and it does not describe any specific promotion offered by Fortune Games. Rules, prices and regulations can change, so always check the operator’s current terms.
How old do you have to be to play bingo?
You must be 18 or over to play bingo in a licensed UK bingo club or on any UK-licensed bingo website or app. Bingo for money is gambling, so the standard gambling age applies, and clubs and sites must check. The only carve-out is low-stakes “prize gaming” — the seaside-arcade and fairground style of bingo for small prizes — which operates under separate rules without the same age limit.
The 18+ rule for clubs and online
Licensed bingo premises are age-restricted: under-18s cannot be admitted to the gambling areas, and staff operate ID checks much like a pub, so take identification if you look young. Online the rule is enforced through registration — every UK-licensed site must verify your age and identity before you can deposit and play, which is why new accounts ask for your details up front. There is no version of cash bingo, in a club or online, that is open to anyone under 18.
The prize gaming exception
The narrow exception is prize gaming of the kind found at family entertainment centres and travelling fairs — think low-stakes bingo for small prizes at the seaside. That format is regulated differently from commercial cash bingo and is not subject to the 18+ rule, which is why families can play together at an arcade. It is a different product with strict limits on stakes and prizes. The moment bingo is played for cash prizes at a licensed club or website, the adult age limit applies without exception.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 16-year-old play bingo in the UK?
Not cash bingo. Licensed clubs and online bingo are 18+ with ID and identity checks. Low-stakes prize bingo at fairs and family arcades is the only format open to under-18s.
Do bingo clubs check ID?
Yes. Licensed premises must keep under-18s out of gambling areas and operate ID checks, so take identification if you are likely to be asked your age.
Why can children play bingo at the seaside?
Arcade-style bingo for small prizes is “prize gaming”, a separately regulated low-stakes format that is not subject to the 18+ rule that covers cash bingo.
What age is online bingo?
18. Every UK-licensed site must verify your age and identity before you can deposit and play, so under-18s cannot legally open an account.
Related guides: Is bingo gambling? · What age can you play the lottery? · Can under-18s enter competitions?
18+ only. Gambling should be fun, never a way to make money. Please play responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free, confidential support is available 24/7 from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, run by GamCare. You can also visit BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org) or self-exclude from UK-licensed online operators through GAMSTOP (gamstop.co.uk).