Slingo on mobile is a mix of slots and bingo: you spin a row of five reels and mark off matching numbers on a 5×5 card, aiming to complete lines. It suits a phone well because the whole game fits in portrait. Here is how a round works, how the game began, what to check in the rules and how UK regulations apply.
Classic Slingo gives you a 5×5 card and up to 20 spins of five reels, one reel per column.
Jokers mark any number in their column; Super Jokers mark any number on the card.
Real-money titles set their own prize ladders and RTP, so the help screen matters more than usual.
UK rules on autoplay and game speed apply, and a reel format can bring slot stake limits.
Game type
Slots and bingo hybrid
Classic card
5×5 grid, numbers 1–75
Classic spins
Up to 20 spins of five reels
Created
1994, by Sal Falciglia Sr.
Current owner
Gaming Realms (London)
What Slingo on mobile is
Slingo takes its name from the two games it blends, slots and bingo. Instead of waiting for a caller, you spin a row of reels, and every number that lands and matches your card gets marked. Complete rows, columns or diagonals, and you climb a prize ladder.
Online, it is a single-player game: you play your own card against the game’s random number generator, much like a slot. That sets it apart from bingo in casino apps, where everyone in a room plays for shared prizes. The short definition is in our Slingo glossary entry.
Slingo appeals to players who like a bit more to do than pressing spin. Choosing where to put a Joker gives you a small decision each round, even though the results of the reels themselves are random.
How a game of Slingo works, step by step
The description below is the classic format. Real-money titles in UK apps build on it with their own themes, special symbols and prize ladders, so treat this as the foundation and check the rules of the game you open.
You get a 5×5 card of numbers. Each column holds numbers from its own range, the same as 75-ball bingo.
A row of five reels sits under the card, one reel for each column.
Each spin, every reel lands on a number from its column’s range, or on a special symbol.
If a reel’s number is on your card in that column, it is marked off.
A Joker lets you mark any number in the column above where it landed. A Super Joker lets you mark any number anywhere on the card.
A completed row, column or diagonal is a Slingo. In the classic game you have up to 20 spins to make as many as you can.
At the end, your Slingos are counted against the prize ladder in that game’s rules.
Number ranges on a classic Slingo card
Column
Numbers
Reel above it
1
1–15
Reel 1
2
16–30
Reel 2
3
31–45
Reel 3
4
46–60
Reel 4
5
61–75
Reel 5
Where Slingo came from and how it reached UK apps
Slingo was created in 1994 by Sal Falciglia Sr., a New Jersey property developer, who set up Slingo, Inc. to market it. The first public version went live on AOL in 1996, as a free online game rather than a gambling product.
RealNetworks bought Slingo in July 2013 for $15.6 million, and in July 2015 it announced a sale to London-based Gaming Realms. According to Wikipedia’s history of Slingo (opens in a new tab), the game became popular in the UK online gambling industry under Gaming Realms, whose development arm produces a range of ‘Slingo Originals’.
That history explains why Slingo feels at home in UK casino and bingo apps: it mixes a 75-ball bingo card with the reel format players know from slots on mobile.
Slingo odds, RTP and what the rules must show
Each real-money Slingo title has its own published RTP, set by its developer. We have not seen a reliable single range across titles, so don’t assume Slingo pays more or less than slots. The UK rules make this easy to check: the RTP or likelihood of winning must be available before you play, along with the rules and paytable.
A quick bit of maths shows why the prize ladder matters. A classic card has five numbers in each column, drawn from a range of 15. If every number on a reel were equally likely, each reel would hit your column about one time in three at the start (5 ÷ 15), and less often as your column fills. Real games add Jokers and other symbols with their own weightings, which is why only the game’s rules tell you the true return.
What different published RTPs would mean on £50 of Slingo play (illustration)
If the help screen shows
House edge
Expected loss on £50 staked
97%
3%
£1.50
96%
4%
£2
95%
5%
£2.50
92%
8%
£4
These are examples only, to show the arithmetic: expected loss = amount staked × house edge. Plug in the figure from the game you are playing. Our guide on finding a game’s RTP in an app explains where to look.
What Slingo costs in pounds on a phone
Read how the stake works before your first game. Depending on the title, your stake might cover a whole game of spins or each spin separately, and some games may offer options after the standard spins end. The rules will say what each choice costs and what it can win.
Here is a worked example. Say a game costs £1 and takes about two minutes to play through, so you play 30 games in an hour. That is £30 staked. At a 95% RTP the expected loss is £1.50 per £30, or 5p per game, though any one game can end with nothing or with a decent prize.
Any choice that asks for more money after your standard spins deserves the same thinking as a new bet. It is easy to keep paying to chase one more line. Decide your rule in advance, for example ‘no extra purchases’, and stick to it. Our low stakes games on mobile guide covers keeping costs down.
Slingo is entertainment that costs money. The house edge means that over time you should expect to lose more than you win.
Playing Slingo on an iPhone or Android phone
Slingo is one of the most phone-friendly casino formats. A 5×5 card with a reel row underneath is naturally tall, so most games fit comfortably in portrait and can be played one-handed. It is a good pick if you like casino games made for portrait mode.
The fiddly part is placing Jokers. You tap a single square on the card, and on a small screen it is easy to hit the wrong one, so take a second before you confirm. If your phone supports larger text or zoom, our casino app accessibility features guide shows what can help.
Slingo games are light on data compared with live casino, since there is no video stream. If you lose connection mid-game, see what happens if your app crashes mid-game.
UK rules that apply to Slingo in casino apps
Slingo is offered by UK-licensed casino and bingo operators, so the Gambling Commission’s rules for online games apply. Two points stand out.
Stake limits: the Commission’s stake limit guidance (opens in a new tab) defines an online slot as a casino game using a reel format. Slingo uses reels, so expect the £5 limit for over-25s and £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds where a title is treated as a slot. The guidance doesn’t name Slingo, so check the stake options shown.
Speed and autoplay: autoplay has been banned on all online casino games since 17 January 2025. Slots need at least 2.5 seconds per spin, and other casino games at least 5 seconds per game cycle, under RTS 14 (opens in a new tab).
How Slingo compares with the two games it borrows from
Slingo
Online bingo
Slots
Who you play against
The game’s RNG
Other players in a room
The game’s RNG
What decides wins
Reel numbers matching your card
Called numbers on your tickets
Symbols on paylines or ways
Your input
Where to place Jokers
Buying tickets
Choosing stake
Return to player
Set per title; check rules
Depends on the room and prizes
Set per title; check rules
Screen fit
Natural portrait
Portrait, with chat
Varies by game
If you enjoy the card-marking part most, bingo apps may suit you better. If it is the instant result you like, our guide to scratchcards on mobile covers an even quicker format.
How to find and check a Slingo game in an app
Open your casino or bingo app and search the lobby for ‘Slingo’. Games may sit under slots, bingo or a separate category.
Open the game and tap the help or information icon before staking.
Read how the stake works: per game or per spin, and whether any extra options cost more.
Note the RTP and the prize ladder: how many Slingos pay what at your stake.
Check your deposit limit and turn on a reality check if the app offers one.
Play a few games at the lowest stake to learn how Jokers and special symbols behave.
Free-to-play or demo versions are a good way to learn, but UK rules still require age verification first. Our demo mode guide explains how they work.
Which casino apps suit Slingo players
None of our partners’ store listings names Slingo, so check the app’s game lobby before you sign up. The PlayOJO app lists bingo alongside slots, which makes it a natural place to look for hybrid games. The Ladbrokes Casino app mentions arcade games, and the Coral Casino app lists slots, fruit machines and free-to-play games.
The three offers below are slot offers. Spins can only be used on the games each one names, which may not include Slingo titles, so treat them as a way to try the app’s slots. New customers aged 18 or over only; terms apply.
PlayOJO: make a first deposit of £10 or more and get 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, worth 10p each. There’s no wagering, so winnings are paid in cash. New UK customers excluding Northern Ireland; can’t be combined with other offers.
Coral Casino: deposit and bet £10+ on slots and get 100 free spins at 10p on selected games. You have 48 hours to accept and 7 days to use them; no wagering on winnings. Offer runs 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027, and PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafe, prepaid and certain debit cards are excluded.
Ladbrokes Casino: deposit and spend £10+ on slots and get 50 free spins daily for 10 days (500 maximum) at 10p each. Claim before 23:59 each day; spins are valid for 7 days, no wagering. PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill, Moneybookers and prepaid card deposits don’t count.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both LC International Limited brands, so you may only be able to open a new account with one of them.
These are slot spin offers on named or selected games; Slingo titles may not qualify, so read each offer’s game list. 18+, terms apply.
Coral and Ladbrokes are both run by LC International Limited (Entain). If you already hold an account with one Entain brand, you may not be able to open another; check the terms first.
Significant terms: 18+. New UK customers (excluding Northern Ireland). First deposit only. Minimum deposit £10. 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, £0.10 each. No wagering requirements; winnings paid in cash. Cannot be used with any other offer. Only available to players who arrive through the designated offer link. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our PlayOJO app reviewLicence: Skill On Net Limited, Gambling Commission account 39326. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New players only. Offer runs 01/10/2026 to 01/02/2027. Deposit (certain types excluded) and bet £10+ on slot games to get 100 free spins (selected games, £0.10 each, 48 hrs to accept, valid 7 days). No wagering on free spin winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid cards and certain debit cards do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Coral app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Time limitClaim daily for 10 days; each batch valid 7 days
Worked valueUp to 500 spins at £0.10 (up to £50 in spins)
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read our Ladbrokes app reviewLicence: LC International Limited, Gambling Commission account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Slingo on a phone?
You spin a row of five reels and mark matching numbers on a 5×5 card, aiming to complete rows, columns and diagonals. In the classic game you have up to 20 spins, and Jokers or Super Jokers let you mark a number of your choice. On a phone you tap to spin and tap a square to place a Joker. Our portrait games guide covers similar phone-friendly formats.
Is Slingo a slot or bingo?
It is a mix of both, and the name joins the two words. It uses a slot-style reel row to produce numbers and a bingo-style card to mark them, but online you play alone against the game’s random number generator rather than against other players. That makes it closer to a slot in how it works. Compare it with bingo on mobile.
What is the RTP of Slingo games?
Each Slingo title has its own RTP, set by its developer, so there is no single figure for the format. UK rules require the RTP or likelihood of winning to be shown before you play, together with the rules and prize ladder. Open the game’s help screen to see the figure for the version your casino runs. Our RTP glossary entry explains what the number means.
Who invented Slingo?
Sal Falciglia Sr., a New Jersey property developer, created Slingo in 1994 and founded Slingo, Inc. to market it. The first public version launched on AOL in 1996. RealNetworks bought the business in 2013, and London-based Gaming Realms took it over after a sale announced in July 2015. Our Slingo glossary entry has a short summary.
Do UK slot stake limits apply to Slingo?
They can. The Gambling Commission defines an online slot as a casino game using a reel format, and Slingo uses a reel row, so titles treated as slots carry the £5 limit for over-25s and £2 for 18 to 24-year-olds. The guidance doesn’t name Slingo specifically, so check the stake options in the game. See online slot stake limits.
What does a Super Joker do in Slingo?
A Super Joker lets you mark any number anywhere on your card, while a normal Joker only marks a number in the column above where it landed. In the classic game this is the most flexible symbol, so it pays to place it where it completes or sets up more than one line. Real-money titles may add their own special symbols, so read the rules. More in our Slingo glossary entry.
Can I use free spins on Slingo?
Usually not. Welcome free spins are tied to the slots each offer names, such as Big Bass Bonanza for PlayOJO’s offer, so they generally can’t be used on Slingo games unless a title is listed. Always read the eligible game list before you deposit. Our guide to free spins in casino apps explains how spin offers work.
Is there autoplay on Slingo in UK apps?
No, autoplay has been banned on all online casino games in Great Britain since 17 January 2025, and on slots since 31 October 2021. Each spin or game has to be started by you. Apps must also show your net spend and time played during a session. Our page on the autoplay ban has the dates and background.
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