Online bingo sites usually offer a lot of games other than just bingo.  Even though bingo is the main game offered and the reason that most players join the site, there are a variety of other games offered.  Some of these games can be played while the auto-dauber is marking the numbers for the players. These side games offer the player other chances to win.  They cost money usually, but they are additional opportunities to gamble and win.  Side games can be games like Scratch Card, Keno or horse racing.  These are usually listed as instant games or other games.  Most online bingo sites also offer a selection of slot games.  Some have video poker.  Others have table games like black jack and online roulette.  The number of and variety of the side games differs from site to site.  There are usually also a variety of games offered in the Chat Room.

These side games serve more than one purpose.  First of all, with all of the automatic features of the software, the player who doesn’t play side games, just sits and watches the auto-dauber mark the numbers.  Side games serve the purpose of keeping the player from being bored. They also represent more gambling revenues for the site.  Side games are also an inducement to try other forms of gambling at online casinos.  This is how gambling companies use bingo as an entry mechanism into national markets. Players begin by playing bingo and then move on to casino online gambling to play other games.