There’s nothing quite like shouting “Bingo!” and winning big, as many across Wales will tell you. Once mainly played in community halls, it has now moved online and surged in popularity. But why exactly is online bingo giving the traditional halls a run for their money?

Accessibility and convenience

A major advantage of online bingo is its accessibility. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, online platforms let anyone join from virtually anywhere. Players can log in at their convenience, day or night, without the need to attend a physical location.

The flexibility of online bingo allows players to enjoy the game without adjusting their schedules to visit a bingo hall. This is ideal for those with busy lives or limited mobility. With online bingo available on devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets, players can enjoy the game on the go or from the comfort of their homes.

Bonuses and promotions

One of the biggest draws of online bingo is the variety of bonuses and promotions for new and returning players. These offers can provide lower-risk ways to try different games and boost winning chances, including:

• Welcome bonus – Free tickets or deposit match for new players.
• No deposit bonus – Free tickets without needing an initial deposit.
• Deposit match bonus – A percentage match on the first deposit.
• Free bingo tickets – Complimentary tickets for specific games or events.
• Cashback offers – A percentage of losses returned to the player.
• Loyalty/VIP programmes – Earn points for games, redeemable for rewards.
• Refer-a-friend – Bonus for referring new players.
• Daily/weekly/seasonal promotions – Regular bonuses, free tickets, or cash rewards.

Many sites offer some of the best casino bonuses, players often keep an eye out for the ever-changing promotions.

Variety of games and themes

Traditional bingo has limited variations, but online bingo elevates the experience with a wide range of game types and themes. Players can explore different formats like 75-ball and 90-ball bingo, along with creative versions featuring bonuses, jackpots, and themed elements.

For variety seekers, online bingo provides a dynamic experience. Leading platforms regularly introduce new games with creative themes to suit different interests. Whether you prefer classic bingo or want something more playful, like games inspired by TV shows or films, there’s always something new and exciting to enjoy.

Opportunities to win big

Another benefit of online bingo is the increased opportunities to win. Many platforms offer various rewards, including progressive jackpots that grow as more players join. Unlike traditional bingo halls with limited game options, online bingo sites can host multiple games simultaneously, offering a wider selection without the need to wait. 

Additionally, the digital format ensures more accurate card tracking, reducing human error and making it easier to manage multiple cards at once.

A safe and responsible gaming environment

For those worried about security and responsible gaming, there are a few features players should look out for:

• Licensing – Verified by recognised authorities (e.g., UK Gambling Commission).
• SSL encryption – Secure “https” websites protect personal data.
• Fair play certification – Audits by independent bodies like eCOGRA.
• Secure payment methods – Trusted options like Visa or PayPal.
• Clear terms – Transparent bonus and withdrawal policies.

This adds peace of mind for those who may worry about gambling habits or security, while still allowing them to enjoy the game in a controlled environment.

The social aspect of online bingo

A common misconception about online bingo is that it lacks the social interaction of traditional bingo halls. In reality, online platforms are built to encourage community and engagement. Most sites feature live chat rooms where players can chat with friends, meet new people, and share tips, replicating the community of in-person bingo games.

In addition, online bingo frequently includes live hosts who interact with players, adding a personal and engaging touch to the experience. Some platforms also offer social events like chat games and community challenges, further enhancing the sense of connection.

Conclusion

Online bingo has revolutionised this beloved pastime, making it more accessible and exciting. With the convenience of playing anytime, anywhere, a wide variety of games, and plenty of chances to win, it caters to everyone. 

The social aspect remains strong, and bonuses and promotions make it even more appealing, offering a low-pressure way to join in. Whether for fun, social interaction, or the thrill of winning, online bingo brings a classic game into the modern world.

A SCHEME for a new adventure tourism hub in north Pembrokeshire has been given the go-ahead despite concerns raised about the potential impact on wildlife and local objections to the building to be used.

In an application before the October meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee, Adventure Beyond Ltd sought permission for an outdoor adventure centre, and associated works at The Old Bus Depot, Moylegrove.

The application has been before multiple meetings of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee; the plot originally used as a bus depot by the founder of the Richards Bros bus company.

Concerns have been raised about the scheme, including local community council Nevern, and opponents fear that increased business for adventure firms will worsen the plight of birds and animals including seals.

A number of letters of support have also been received saying it would provide support for the local tourist economy, protect local jobs, and redevelop a brownfield site.

The application was previously deferred at both the June and July meetings, the former for a site visit, and was latterly subject to a Welsh Government Holding Direction before it was decided it would not be ‘called-in’ for Welsh Government determination.

A report for Park members ahead of the October meeting said: “Through the application process a revised design has been submitted as an amendment which is considered to better respect the local vernacular of an edge of settlement development, and re-consultation has taken place.”

It added: “The amended design is considered to be appropriate as a response to the specific location and not to result in a development form which is visually intrusive.  The siting of the buildings is considered appropriate and not to result in a significant adverse impact on any neighbouring properties. 

“Whilst the use of the adventure centre will result in a greater level of trip generation than the existing vacant use of the land, it is recognised that national planning policy supports the appropriate redevelopment of previously developed land.

“The building has been described as overbearing due to its two-storey nature. The original building was single storey, built to be able to service buses, but did not have a first floor. This proposal originally comprised a much more industrial looking building with a low shallow pitched roof and a full first floor.

“The application was revised, with the request that the building be made a more traditional rural shape with the pitch of the first floor being more towards the eastern end of the site in order to minimise impacts on the adjacent residential properties.”

Recommending the scheme is supported the report said: “Overall, the proposal is considered to comply with relevant national and local planning policies and can be supported subject to the imposition of appropriate planning conditions.”

Nevern Communiuty Council, in its concerns has said: “We reflect the community’s concern about disturbance of Ceibwr Bay regarding nesting auks and seals.  The building is still far too high, the original building being 6.3 m, the proposed building 8.5 m, and due to the fact there is to be no art studio or commercial use of the upper storey, this could now be lowered to a reasonable height.

“Car parking has changed several times in a couple of months and not one of the plans reflects the fact that there is need for parking for vehicles with towing trailers.  Electric bikes are of a concern on the narrow lanes, up to 20 bikes on Ceibwr lane is dangerous.

“The traffic analysis was not done in the height of summer especially on warm days, which would reflect a more genuine result. Nevern Community Councillors have great concerns about this venture.”

One of those raising concerns at the meeting was local community councillor Richard George who said the scheme had regularly been before the committee, with “over 60 documents on this controversial development” submitted, adding the Ceibwr Bay beach area, which he felt “should have eco-tourism at its heart,” rather than “leisure tourism”.

Scheme project manager Peter Ainsworth said the proposal had been “developed with meticulous care,” with Jet Moore of Adventure Beyond Ltd having operated in the area for 30 years “harmonious with the seals and local wildlife”.

He said the majority of access to Ceibwr would be by pedal cycle rather than electric, stressing Adventure Beyond was not the only user of coastal facilities, the area used by other businesses as well as members of the public.

Cllr Clare George felt the scheme could be a way of regulating some of the bay usage, saying: “Are we holding this one company responsible for the impact of unregulated activity by others on this site? It does give use the ability to regulate this company.”

Despite a call by local member Cllr Mike James the scheme was approved by national park planners.

Speaking after the meeting, Peter Ainsworth said: “We are delighted to have received planning permission for the development at the Moylegrove Old Bus Depot. Our vision has always been to enhance the community by providing improved facilities that support outdoor activities while respecting and preserving the natural beauty and wildlife of the area.

“This project reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and to fostering opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with nature.

“We look forward to working closely with the local community and stakeholders as we move forward, ensuring that the development brings positive benefits for both residents and visitors.

“We are excited about the positive impact this will have on local tourism, education, and the wellbeing of those who experience the wonderful environment of Ceibwr Bay.”

MARKING a decade since the withdrawal of British combat troops from Afghanistan, a new documentary Helmand: Tour of Duty– airing on BBC Two, BBC Two Wales and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday, October 30 at 9pm – tells the intimate, dramatic and revelatory story of ten Welsh Guards deployed to the frontline of the war in Helmand Province in 2009.

It was a period which became known as the British Army’s bloodiest summer in more than half a century. At a time when UK press coverage of casualties was peaking and the fate of the war in Afghanistan hung in the balance, the Welsh Guards were tasked with pushing back an evolving Taliban insurgency whose battlefield tactics increasingly centred on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and intense, close quarters combat. It’s an era marked in Britain’s national memory, but the experience of those on the frontline, both then and in the years that followed, is little understood.

Now, in their own words, and sharing their experiences for the first time on camera, the band of brothers, alongside their wives and mothers, reveal the realities of war, revisiting some of the most impactful, bloody and life changing moments.

Jonathan Jenkinson, Colour Sergeant in the Welsh Guards in 2009, recalls an incident where one of their vehicles hits an IED: “When that vehicle goes up and you see the guys just flying in the air, it’s horrendous. The Taliban, they started opening up on us, firing at us. There was fuel, ammunition everywhere. It was chaos.”

Their bond was unbreakable, yet during their six-month deployment, the regiment took unprecedented casualties, losing a man at nearly every military rank up to Lt. Colonel, while many others suffered life changing injuries.

Speaking about the bond of the Welsh Guards, Gavin Evans, Sergeant, said: “We’re all cut from the same cloth if you like, a big family, we know what our upbringings have been like. We know what our surrounding areas are like, and we just look out for each other.”

Echoing this, Steven Peters, Platoon Sergeant, said: “You get that feel of being part of a team, it’s a brotherhood. You have that connection, and that bond stays strong for a lifetime.”

Told as a gripping week by week narrative, the film also explores the ongoing impact that the tour has had on the rest of many of their lives 15 years later, with the cast reflecting on how they have processed events, particularly in the context of the Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan in 2021. 

The 80-minute film has been co-commissioned by BBC Factual and BBC Cymru Wales, directed by Hannah Lowes edited by Tom Dixon Spain and Exec Produced by Hamish Fergusson and Gwenllian Hughes. It is a co-production between Passion Pictures and Kailash Films. It has been commissioned by Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning for BBC Documentaries and Nick Andrews, Head of Content Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales. The Commissioning Editor for BBC Factual is Tom Pullen and the Commissioning Editor for BBC Cymru Wales is Julian Carey.