Bingo Scams to Avoid: Fake Apps, Prize Fees, Phony Fundraisers and Offshore Sites

What are the most common bingo scams?

Most bingo scams try to get you to pay up front for a prize, a “guaranteed” win or a game that doesn’t exist. Bingo’s friendly reputation, and its popularity with older players, makes it an easy disguise.

Is it a scam if you have to pay to claim a bingo prize?

Yes. Real prizes are free. That’s the Federal Trade Commission’s plain rule. Scammers dress up the fee as taxes, customs, shipping, insurance or “processing,” but a legitimate prize never requires you to pay before you receive it.

The FTC’s warning signs for prize scams include:

• Being asked to pay to collect a prize or to improve your odds
• Requests for bank account, card or Social Security numbers
• Pressure to act right away
• Payment by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, payment app or cash
• Contact that claims to be from a government agency or a famous company
• A check that arrives for more than your “prize,” with a request to send back the difference

If you didn’t enter, you didn’t win. Delete the message without clicking any links.

How do fake “win cash” bingo apps work?

They show you a growing balance you can never actually withdraw. Some are outright fakes, usually spread through social-media ads and download links outside the official app stores. Others are real apps with ads that overstate how much ordinary players earn.

Warning signs of a fake or misleading cash app:

• You “win” hundreds of dollars in minutes
• The cash-out threshold keeps moving, or a “verification deposit” is required
• It’s not in the Apple App Store or Google Play
• Ads feature people claiming bingo replaced their paycheck

Even legitimate skill-based apps have faced serious legal claims. In 2026 a federal jury found Papaya Gaming, maker of Bingo Cash, liable for false advertising over the use of bots in contests marketed as human-vs-human. Papaya says it will pursue an appeal. See are bingo apps legit? for a full checklist.

How do you spot a phony charity bingo?

Ask who is running it and whether it’s licensed. Real charity bingo in the US is run by a named nonprofit, under a state or local license, at a known location. New York, for example, requires a Gaming Commission identification number and a municipal license for each organization; most other states have similar rules.

Before you buy in:

1. Get the organization’s full name and look it up in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
2. Ask to see the bingo license. Licensed halls usually post it on the wall.
3. Check with your state regulator. Our state bingo law pages list who licenses bingo where you live.
4. Be wary of online-only “charity bingo” that takes payment for entries. Many states only license in-person games.

Running your own event? Our bingo fundraiser guide explains how to do it legally.

Are offshore bingo sites a scam?

Not always outright scams, but they leave you without protection. Websites offering real-money bingo to US players without a US state license usually operate from overseas. If they refuse a withdrawal, freeze your account or disappear, there’s no US gaming regulator to step in.

Signs a site isn’t licensed in the US:

• No mention of a US state gaming regulator or license number
• Accepts players from every state, including states where online gambling isn’t licensed
• Pushes cryptocurrency deposits
• Bonus terms that make withdrawal nearly impossible

InsideBingo never links to or recommends unlicensed sites. Our online bingo guide explains what’s legal in the US.

What about Facebook bingo and raffles?

Be very careful with games run through social media. Impostor pages copy real halls and charities, run a “bingo” or raffle, and collect payments through personal payment-app accounts. In many states, a raffle or bingo that charges players also needs a license.

Protect yourself:

• Only pay a verified organization through its official website or in person
• Never pay a personal account for a “game” run by a stranger
• Message the real organization through its official contact info to confirm

Can anyone sell a system to win at bingo?

No. Bingo numbers are drawn at random. Software, “secret patterns” or paid guides that promise to predict calls are selling something that can’t work. Strategies like the Tippett and Granville methods are interesting, but they don’t guarantee wins. Our guide to bingo myths explains why, and the bingo odds calculator shows your real chances.

How do you report a bingo scam?

Report it quickly, even if you didn’t lose money.

1. FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
2. Your state attorney general and local consumer protection office
3. US Postal Inspection Service, if it came by mail
4. The gift card company, right away, if you paid by gift card (some can freeze remaining funds)
5. The app store, using “Report a problem” on the app listing
6. IdentityTheft.gov, if you shared personal or financial information

Stay safe and play responsibly

Scammers target people who are hoping for a win. Setting a budget, playing only at licensed halls or on reputable apps, and refusing to pay “fees” for prizes will stop nearly every scheme on this page. If gambling is causing you stress or money problems, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER for free, confidential help, and visit our responsible gaming page.