Difference Between Bingo Software Providers

If you’ve ever played online bingo, you might be aware of the fact that different sites are powered by different software providers. These providers make it possible for you to play the games you love—without them, your favourite sites just wouldn’t be the same. So who are the main software providers? And what makes them so different?

BingoPort (as usual) has all of the answers!

Bingo Software: Overview

Every bingo site runs on gaming software—it’s what powers bingo games, side games and even the chatrooms. Typically, bingo sites sharing the same software provider will share similar features, such as layout, promotions and even jackpot games.

Many software providers, like Dragonfish, offer their services to hundreds of bingo sites (otherwise known as ‘skins’). Some sites are part of a network, which usually involves shared features. Others by comparison, are standalone sites that are more individual.

Software providers offer different features to the brands that use them. Some only offer the basic 75 and 90 ball bingo variants, whereas others also offer games such as 30 and 80 ball bingo. Many sites using the same provider will usually have the same selection of slots and side games on offer. This is because bingo platforms can be expensive to manufacture—it’s more cost-effective to share a platform.

This ‘sharing of features’ is great if you’re looking to expand your horizons and play on a different site. If you know you like a site that’s powered by Cozy Games for example, you know that you’ll probably like other sites on that same network.

How Can Software Affect Your Bingo Experience?

Despite what you might think, the type of software your favourite bingo site runs on can affect your entire user experience. Here are a few key factors that can be affected:

• Performance: have you ever noticed how games work better on some sites more than others? You’re not just imagining it—some sites perform better because they’re powered by higher-performing software platforms.
  
• Compatibility: some software providers offer wider compatibility than others, e.g. on PC, tablet and mobile.
  
• Speed: we’ve all experienced a game that’s slow to load, but sometimes it’s not actually your internet connection that’s affecting the game—it can actually be the software provider. Typically, bigger software providers are the ideal, as they power a large number of sites without sacrificing speed.
  
• Security: you can usually rest assured that you’re playing on a safe bingo site if it’s supported by a reliable software provider. These providers are all regulated and licensed by official gambling bodies, so your money and your details are completely safe and secure.
  

Bingo Software Providers

Dragonfish

Anyone who’s even slightly familiar with bingo software providers will know the name Dragonfish. This software giant is arguably the most popular operating system out there. It’s easy to see why: as well as being owned by the renowned 888 Holdings, Dragonfish has built up a reputation for reliability.

Over 100 gaming brands make use of this software, and for good reasons. Dragonfish is known for its huge selection of games and big jackpots. If you think that Dragonfish sites have a tendency to be rather similar, then you wouldn’t be mistaken. Sites belonging to the Dragonfish Network typically offer the same games, with almost identical layouts and graphics. Not all sites supported by Dragonfish are the same however—the Brigend brand is used to license Dragonfish software to standalone sites. These sites typically offer players a more individualised gaming experience, with a wider variety of games and promotions.

As we have said, Dragonfish software is very popular—which comes with busier rooms, bigger jackpots and livelier chatrooms. Unfortunately, you won’t tend to find bingo variants beyond 75 and 90 ball bingo.

Sites: Costa Bingo, Wink Bingo, 888Ladies.

Playtech (Virtue Fusion)

Playtech was founded in 1999, and acquired Virtue Fusion in 2010. It has since become a worldwide, multi-lingual and multi-currency gaming operator. It doesn’t only power bingo sites, but also casino, poker and sportsbetting sites. Despite this worldwide recognition and popularity, it still offers a bit more personality when compared to Dragonfish.

You’ll undoubtedly recognise some of Playtech’s heavy-hitter bingo brands, including Sky Bingo and Paddy Power Bingo. Many land-based bingo operators also make use of this software to host their online sites, including Gala Bingo and Mecca Bingo.

Sites powered by this provider offer both linked prize pools and individual bonuses and promotions. They also come with a large suite of mini-games and huge progressive jackpot slots.

Sites: Bet365, William Hill Bingo, Ladbrokes.

Cozy Games

This reputable software provider was founded in 2005, and has spent its time since trying to improve and individualise itself. Cozy Games hosts a wide variety of bingo sites across its three exclusive networks: the Live Bingo Network, the Best Bingo Network and the Lucky Duck Network. One of the biggest advantages to this network distinction is that each network comes with a different set of offers and bonuses.

If you like to be spoilt for choice, you might want to choose a site powered by Cozy Games. This particular provider offers a nice selection of bingo variants include 30, 50, 75, 80 and 90 ball bingo. In addition, these sites come with a variety of slots and table games.

Sites powered by Cozy Games also tend to offer no-deposit bonuses, which are a popular feature amongst bingo lovers.

Sites: Bingo Magix, Landmark Bingo

Microgaming

Microgaming is a heavy-hitter when it comes to online casinos. In fact, Microgaming claims to have created the first online casino back in 1994. Their casino and poker sites tend to come with a huge selection of slots, table games and multiplayer games. By comparison however, their bingo sites might seem slightly lacking—with only 75 and 90 ball bingo on offer.

While Microgaming might be limited when it comes to bingo, it is reliable and secure. The software has been used for over a decade now, so you can rest assured knowing that it has spent that time trying to create a flawless user experience.

Sites: Butlers Bingo, Betway Bingo, Glossy Bingo

Gamesys

This London-based software provider was founded in 2001, and is known for its unique and interactive approach to gaming. While it might be smaller than Dragonfish, it does have a small selection of heavy-hitter sites. Jackpotjoy is its longest running site and its best-known brand prior to its acquisition of Virgin Games in 2013.

Needless to say, Gamesys has been growing fast since its beginning. In 2010, it paid out its biggest single prize payout at a whopping £1.9 million! It was also one of the first gaming providers to bring cash gaming to Facebook with their Bingo & Slots Friendzy app.

Bingo sites powered by Gamesys come with an exciting range of games categories including instant wins, slots, casino scratch cards and, of course, bingo. What more could you want?

Sites: Heart Bingo, Jackpot Joy

Jumpman Gaming

Our final software provider was founded in 2011, so it’s a relatively ‘recent’ newcomer. Despite this, Jumpman Gaming is a standout provider that supports a decent selection of bingo sites. Undoubtedly, this is due to its emphasis on ‘brand identity’—Jumpman Gaming wants its sites to stand out from the crowd, which is why many of the brands using its software offer standalone promotions.

Most sites using Jumpman Gaming software tend to only offer 75 and 90 ball bingo, but this is more than made up for with their selection of niche and innovative promotions like Wheel of Fortune.

While Jumpman Gaming might not be as big as Dragonfish or Virtue Fusion, it’s still pretty generous with its jackpots—one of its biggest to date was £14,107 on an instant-win game.

Sites: Bingo Clubhouse, Charming Bingo

Conclusion

Now you know what types of software providers are out there. Without these operating systems, you wouldn’t even be able to play on your favourite bingo sites—wouldn’t that be a nightmare?!

Now you know the differences, you’ll have a better idea of how to look for a new bingo site to join. If you like one site belonging to the Dragonfish Network, it’s likely that you’ll like other sites on the same network. If you’re unsure, check out BingoPort’s reviews—we include similar sites at the end section of each review. Alternatively, you could check out our recommended or award winning bingo sites.