Slingo
Slingo is a cross between slots and bingo: you spin a reel of numbers under a 5×5 bingo card, mark off matches, and win by completing lines. Jokers let you pick numbers, and you can buy extra spins at the end. It's slower and more interactive than a slot, but the extra-spin prices are where most of the house edge sits.
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How Slingo works
Slingo combines two familiar games. You get a 5×5 bingo-style card of numbers and a short reel of five positions underneath it. Each game starts with a fixed number of spins, often ten.
- Spin: five numbers appear, one under each column.
- Mark: any number on your card that matches is marked off automatically.
- Use jokers: a joker lets you mark any number in its column; a super joker, any number on the card.
- Build Slingos: every completed line (across, down or diagonal) is a “Slingo” and moves you up a prize ladder. A full card pays the top prize.
Some reels show special symbols: a coin awards a cash prize, a devil may block a number or take a prize, and a cupid can cancel the devil.
Extra spins
When your starting spins run out, you can usually buy extra spins one at a time. The price changes based on how close you are to the next prize. This is the most important part of Slingo to understand: the base game has a set RTP, but extra spins can have their own, often worse, value. Many players set a rule to stop buying when the price rises above a certain amount.
RTP and pace
Slingo games publish their RTPs, often in a similar range to slots. Because each game has a set number of spins and a few decisions, Slingo plays more slowly than a slot, which can make a budget last longer.
Similar games on this site
If you like Slingo’s mix of numbers and luck, try Keno, a quick number draw you can verify, or bingo-adjacent games on our instant win hub. If it’s the reels you like, our slots hub has hundreds of free demos.
Playing sensibly
Decide your limit on extra spins before you start, and remember that a nearly complete card doesn’t make the next number more likely. Many bonuses count Slingo at a reduced rate, so check the terms. The NRGP helpline is 0800 006 008.
Frequently asked questions
How does Slingo work?
You get a 5×5 card of numbers and a set of spins. Each spin shows five numbers, one per column. Matching numbers are marked off, and completing horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines ('Slingos') moves you up a prize ladder.
What do jokers do in Slingo?
A joker lets you mark any number in its column; a super joker lets you mark any number on the card. Choosing well can complete more lines.
Should I buy extra spins in Slingo?
Only if the price makes sense for what's left on the card. Extra spins are priced dynamically and often carry a higher house edge than the base game, so many players stop when the price gets high.
Is Slingo a skill game?
Mostly luck. Joker placement involves a small decision, but the numbers are random and the payouts are priced to a house edge.
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Mark has been writing about online gaming since 2007, covering everything from sportsbooks to casino and slot reviews, offering insights for players of all levels.