Tombola Terms & Conditions
The terms and conditions set out by Tombola govern every aspect of play on its UK bingo site, from opening an account through to withdrawals and account closure. This independent review summarises the key contractual points the operator publishes, so players know exactly what they are agreeing to before depositing. Tombola operates under UK Gambling Commission licence 38613 and has been part of the British online bingo landscape since 2006, owned by Flutter Entertainment since 2022.
Table of contents
General Terms
Tombola’s general terms form a binding agreement between the player and the operator. They apply from the moment an account is registered and cover eligibility, account conduct and the operator’s licensing obligations under the UK Gambling Commission 38613 licence.
Acceptance of terms
By registering an account with Tombola, a player confirms acceptance of the full terms and conditions, including the game rules, privacy policy and any promotional conditions. Continued use of the site after amendments are published constitutes acceptance of the updated terms, so the operator recommends reviewing the document regularly. If a player does not agree with any clause, the correct course of action is to stop using the service and close the account.
Eligibility and age requirements
Only players aged 18 or over may open an account, in line with UK gambling law. Tombola carries out age and identity verification checks, and accounts that fail verification can be suspended or closed with stakes returned at the operator’s discretion. Players must be resident in a jurisdiction where the operator is licensed to offer its services, and each individual may hold only one account.
- Minimum age of 18, verified before withdrawals are processed
- One account per person, household and payment method
- Accurate personal details required at registration
- Right to request documentation such as photo ID and proof of address
Account responsibilities
The account holder is responsible for keeping login credentials confidential and for all activity carried out through the account. Tombola advises players to log out after each session and to contact support immediately if unauthorised access is suspected. Deposits can be made with debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Visa Electron) from a £10 minimum first deposit (£5 for subsequent deposits), and with Apple Pay at a £5 minimum once the first card deposit has been completed; a £300 maximum balance and a weekly net-deposit ceiling apply to all accounts.
Betting Rules
Tombola’s betting rules define how tickets are purchased, how games are settled and what happens when a technical fault or dispute arises. All games are developed in-house on proprietary Tombola software, which means the operator controls the full ruleset directly.
Game rules and fairness
Each in-house title — Bingo90, Bingo75 Lines, Bingo80, plus Pulse, Burst, Blocks and Paper — carries its own published rules covering ticket prices (from 1p up to 50p), prize distribution and win conditions. Random number generation is used for all game outcomes, and once a ticket is confirmed it cannot be cancelled. If a game is interrupted by a technical failure, the operator’s documented policy is to void affected rounds and refund stakes where a result cannot be fairly determined.
Bonus terms reference
Promotional offers carry their own conditions in addition to the general terms. The welcome bonus at Tombola is a 100% bonus match up to £50 on a minimum £10 first deposit, with 1 Free Play awarded for every £1 (up to 50 Free Plays) and no wagering requirements, so winnings are paid as withdrawable cash; the offer applies to the first deposit only and T&Cs apply. Occasional £5 FREE code promotions are also offered to new players and through the Playmates referral programme. Players who breach promotional conditions may have bonus funds and associated winnings removed.
Dispute resolution
Complaints should first be raised with Tombola’s support team, available 24/7 via live chat, email at support@tombola.co.uk and a UK freephone line 0800 29 888 73 (9 AM–11 PM). If a dispute cannot be resolved internally, the operator’s licensing framework requires access to an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution service, and the UK Gambling Commission’s oversight provides an additional regulatory backstop for UK players.
Account Closure & Suspension
Both the player and Tombola hold rights to end the account relationship, and the operator’s terms set out how balances, dormant funds and responsible gambling closures are handled in each scenario.
Voluntary account closure
A player may request account closure at any time through customer support or the account settings area. Before closure, any withdrawable balance should be cashed out; withdrawals to debit cards take 3–5 banking days, while Apple Pay withdrawals mirror the processing time of the linked card, with all transactions fee-free. Players closing an account for gambling-related reasons can instead use the self-exclusion tools, which sit alongside net spend limits, deposit and loss caps and session reminders, as detailed on this site’s Tombola responsible gambling.
Operator rights to suspend accounts
Tombola reserves the right to suspend or close accounts where terms are breached — for example duplicate accounts, failed verification, suspected fraud, chargebacks or abusive play. During a suspension, deposits and gameplay are blocked while the operator investigates. Where an account is closed without breach, legitimately held balances are returned to the player’s registered payment method; where a serious breach is confirmed, the operator may withhold funds in line with its contractual terms.
Dormant account policy
Accounts that remain inactive for an extended period are classified as dormant under the operator’s terms. Tombola attempts to contact the registered account holder before applying any dormancy measures, and remaining balances can be reclaimed by contacting support. The operator’s £300 maximum balance limit means dormant balances are typically modest, but players are still advised to withdraw funds before leaving an account unused.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tombola
What are the main terms of using Tombola?
Players must be 18 or over, hold a single account with accurate personal details and accept the published terms at registration. Deposits start at £10 for the first card deposit, gameplay follows the in-house game rules, and all activity is governed by the UK Gambling Commission 38613 licence conditions.
Can Tombola close my account?
Yes. The operator can suspend or close accounts for breaches such as duplicate registrations, failed identity verification, suspected fraud or abusive play. Legitimately held balances are normally returned when an account is closed without breach, while confirmed serious breaches may result in funds being withheld under the contractual terms.
What happens if I violate Tombola terms?
A violation typically triggers a suspension while the operator investigates the account. Depending on severity, outcomes range from a warning or bonus removal through to permanent closure, with stakes or winnings withheld where the terms permit. Players can dispute decisions through support and, failing that, an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution service.
How do I close my Tombola account?
Account closure can be requested at any time via the account settings or by contacting the 24/7 support team through live chat, email or the UK freephone line. Withdraw any remaining balance first — debit card withdrawals take 3–5 banking days — and consider self-exclusion instead if the closure is gambling-related.
Understanding the terms is the first step; claiming the welcome offer with no wagering requirements is the natural next one for eligible new players.