Tombola Terms & Conditions
Before depositing a single pound at Tombola, every player should understand the contractual ground rules that govern the account, the games and the balance. This independent review breaks down the operator’s terms and conditions into plain English, covering eligibility, betting rules, account closure and the points where players most often come unstuck.
General Terms
Acceptance of Terms
Registering an account with Tombola constitutes acceptance of the full terms and conditions published by the operator. The terms form a binding agreement between the player and Tombola, which has operated in the UK online bingo market since 2006 and is owned by Flutter Entertainment since 2022. Continued use of the site after any amendment to the terms counts as acceptance of the revised version, so the operator’s practice of notifying material changes does not excuse players from reviewing them. The full terms are displayed on the operator’s website, as documented in the interface captures available at the operator’s terms page. Anyone who does not agree with any clause should simply not open or use an account.
Eligibility and Age Requirements
Only players aged 18 or over may hold a Tombola account — this is a hard legal requirement under UK gambling law, not a guideline. The operator holds a UK Gambling Commission licence (Account No. 38613), and with that licence comes an obligation to verify identity and age. Players must supply accurate personal details at registration, and the operator may request documentary proof of identity, age or payment method ownership before processing withdrawals. Accounts registered with false details, or by persons under 18, are void: deposits may be returned at the operator’s discretion, but any winnings are forfeited. One account per person applies as standard.
Account Responsibilities
The account holder bears full responsibility for everything that happens on their login. Practical obligations include:
- Keeping username and password confidential and never sharing login credentials
- Ensuring personal details — address, email, payment information — stay current
- Using only payment methods registered in the account holder’s own name, such as a Visa debit card, Mastercard debit card, Visa Electron or Apple Pay
- Notifying the operator immediately of any suspected unauthorised access
- Respecting account-level limits, including the £300 maximum balance and the weekly net-deposit ceiling the operator applies
Deposits are fee-free and start at £10 for the first card deposit (£5 subsequently; Apple Pay from £5 once the first card deposit has been made). Using third-party cards or payment instruments is prohibited and is one of the fastest routes to account suspension. For how personal data tied to the account is handled, see: Tombola privacy policy.
Betting Rules
Game Rules and Fairness
All games at Tombola run on proprietary software developed in-house — there is no third-party provider layer. The portfolio covers Bingo90, Bingo75 Lines and Bingo80, plus in-house speciality titles such as Pulse, Burst, Blocks and Paper, with tickets priced from 1p up to 50p. Each game carries its own ruleset displayed inside the client, and those rules form part of the terms. In the event of a discrepancy between a game rule and the general terms, the specific game rule typically governs for that game. Malfunctions void all plays and pays — a standard clause across UK-licensed operators — and stakes on interrupted rounds are handled per the game rules, with the account balance restored where a round cannot be completed. As a UK Gambling Commission licensee (38613), the operator must meet the Commission’s technical standards on random number generation and fair game outcomes.
Bonus Terms Reference
Promotional play is governed by its own terms, which sit alongside the general conditions. The welcome offer 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 — winnings are paid as withdrawable cash. First deposit only; T&Cs apply; 18+. GambleAware. Bonus abuse — multiple accounts, collusive play, or structured patterns designed to exploit promotional mechanics — voids the bonus and any associated winnings, and can trigger account closure. The operator also runs occasional £5 FREE code promotions for new players and through the Playmates referral programme, each with its own published conditions.
Dispute Resolution
Complaints go first to the operator’s support team, available 24/7 via live chat and email (support@tombola.co.uk), plus a UK freephone line on 0800 29 888 73 between 9 AM and 11 PM. Support interactions are logged against the account, which matters if a dispute escalates. Where an internal complaint cannot be resolved, the UK Gambling Commission framework requires access to an independent alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider, whose ruling is binding on the operator up to the applicable threshold. Players should keep records — timestamps, chat transcripts, transaction references — before escalating anything, since ADR bodies work from evidence rather than recollection.
Account Closure & Suspension
Voluntary Account Closure
Players can close their Tombola account at any time by contacting support through live chat or email, or by using the account controls in the client. On closure, any remaining withdrawable balance is returned to the registered payment method — debit card withdrawals take 3-5 banking days, while Apple Pay withdrawals mirror the processing time of the linked card. Players who want a break rather than a permanent exit should consider the safer gambling toolkit instead: net spend limits, deposit and loss caps, session reminders and full self-exclusion are all available. Details of those tools sit on a dedicated page: Tombola responsible gambling.
Operator Rights to Suspend Accounts
Tombola reserves the right to suspend or close accounts where it has reasonable grounds to suspect a breach of the terms. Typical triggers include:
- Failed or refused identity and age verification
- Use of payment methods not registered in the player’s own name
- Multiple accounts or evidence of collusive play
- Fraudulent, abusive or chargeback-related activity
- Breach of game rules or bonus terms
During a suspension, gameplay and withdrawals are frozen pending investigation. Where the operator closes an account for reasons other than fraud or breach, legitimate withdrawable funds are returned; where fraud or serious breach is established, winnings may be confiscated as the terms permit.
Dormant Account Policy
Accounts left inactive for an extended period are treated as dormant under the operator’s policy. Dormancy handling typically involves notification to the registered email address before any administrative action, and players can reactivate simply by logging in. Any remaining real-money balance stays attached to the account and can be withdrawn on reactivation or requested via support — subject to the standard verification checks. Given the £300 maximum balance cap, balances at risk of dormancy are small by design, but the sensible habit is to withdraw before any planned break from play.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tombola
What are the main terms of using Tombola?
Players must be 18 or over, hold one account registered in their own name, use only their own payment methods (Visa, Mastercard, Visa Electron debit cards or Apple Pay), and comply with game and bonus rules. Tombola operates under UK Gambling Commission licence 38613, and account limits such as the £300 maximum balance apply.
Can Tombola close my account?
Yes. The operator can suspend or close accounts where it suspects a terms breach — failed verification, third-party payment use, multiple accounts, collusion or fraudulent activity. Legitimate balances are returned when closure is unrelated to fraud; winnings tied to proven breaches may be confiscated under the published terms.
What happens if I violate Tombola terms?
Consequences scale with severity. Minor issues may trigger a warning or verification request, while bonus abuse voids the bonus and associated winnings. Serious violations — fraud, chargebacks, multi-accounting — lead to account closure and forfeiture of winnings, with gameplay and withdrawals frozen during any investigation.
How do I close my Tombola account?
Contact support via 24/7 live chat or email (support@tombola.co.uk), or use the account closure controls in the client. Any remaining withdrawable balance is returned to the registered payment method — 3-5 banking days for debit cards. Self-exclusion is the better route for gambling-related breaks.
Anyone satisfied with the terms and ready to play under them can claim the 100% bonus match up to £50 with up to 50 Free Plays and no wagering requirements through the link below.