Blackout Bingo is a skill-based bingo app on the Skillz platform for iPhone and Android. Every player in a match gets the same card and balls, and the highest score wins. You can play free, or in eligible US states pay entry fees to compete for real cash, withdrawn through PayPal or Apple Pay.
- Skill-based bingo by Big Run Studios on the Skillz platform
- Same card and same balls for every player in a match
- Free practice plus head-to-head cash matches and tournaments
- Cash play 18+ and not available in several US states
- Entry fees from under $1; most casual players lose money over time
Blackout Bingo is the best-known skill-based bingo app in the US, and it works very differently from social games like Bingo Blitz or Bingo Bash. It was developed by Big Run Studios, launched on the App Store in 2019 and runs on Skillz, the mobile competition platform, which is now listed as the seller on the App Store. You can play for free, but in eligible states you can also pay entry fees and compete against other players for real cash prizes.
That makes it one of the few bingo apps where money genuinely goes in and comes out, which also means you can lose it. Below we explain how the scoring works, what cash matches cost, how deposits and withdrawals work, where you can play for cash, and how far you should trust the ‘skill’ label.
How Blackout Bingo works
Blackout Bingo uses a 5×5, 75-ball style card, but the match is not a race to call the first bingo in a shared room. Every player in a match sees the same balls in the same order and the same cards, so luck in the draw is taken out of the equation. You play a timed round and score points for daubing accurately, calling bingos and playing fast. When the round ends, the highest score wins.
Boosts are the strategic layer. Some let you daub any square on the card, others call a number for you or double your points, and when you fire them matters. That is why the app is classed as a game of skill rather than gambling: you are not betting on which numbers come up, you are competing on how well you play the same card as your opponent.
Free play, cash matches and tournaments
- Practice and free games: played with Skillz’s virtual currency, so you can learn the scoring before you risk anything.
- Head-to-head cash matches: you and one opponent play the same card, and the higher score takes the prize. Entry fees start from under $1.
- Tournaments and brackets: larger fields with bigger prize pools and higher entry fees.
- Leagues: climb ranked tiers over time, with leaderboards and extra prizes.
- Rewards: tickets earned from play can be swapped for physical prizes in the Skillz rewards store.
Skillz matches players by skill level, so newcomers aren’t supposed to face top players straight away. Bonus cash from promotions can be used to enter matches but cannot be withdrawn, so check which part of your balance is real cash.
Deposits and withdrawals
You fund your Skillz account with a debit or credit card, PayPal or Apple Pay. Winnings can be withdrawn through PayPal or Apple Pay, and reviewers have also reported card refunds and paper checks as options. Skillz has charged a small fee on withdrawals below $10, and its terms include an account maintenance fee if you don’t play for six months. Check the current fees in the app before you deposit, because they can change.
Where you can play Blackout Bingo for cash
Cash play is for players aged 18 or older, and the app checks your location by GPS before it lets you enter a cash match. The store listing currently says it is live in 43 states. States that have consistently been excluded include Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana and South Dakota, and several others, such as Arizona, Montana, South Carolina and Tennessee, appear on many of the restriction lists. Skillz’s terms say that playing cash games from a restricted location, even while travelling, can mean forfeited winnings. If you are in a restricted state you can still play the free modes. For a state-by-state view of casino and sweepstakes apps, see our USA guide.
Is Blackout Bingo legit?
Yes: it is a real app with real cash payouts, a 4.5-star average from more than 95,000 App Store ratings, and a long track record on the Skillz platform, which says players have won more than $7.5 billion across its games. Skillz also took rival Papaya Gaming, the maker of Bingo Cash, to court over the use of undisclosed bots in its ‘skill’ games, and a federal jury found in Skillz’s favour. That case was about Papaya, not Blackout Bingo.
Legit doesn’t mean profitable, though. Entry fees fund the prize pools and the platform’s cut, and most casual players lose more in fees than they win back over time. Treat Blackout Bingo as paid entertainment, not as a side income, and set a deposit limit before you start.
Mobile experience
The app is around 362 MB on iPhone and needs iOS 15 or later. It is also available on Android. Rounds are short, which suits a few minutes of play at a time. The interface is built around the competition: your score, your opponent and the clock are always on screen.
Who Blackout Bingo is for
Blackout Bingo suits players who enjoy bingo as a competition: quick reactions, a bit of strategy with boosts, and a score to beat. It is a poor fit if you want a relaxed, chatty bingo room, or if you live in one of the restricted states and only care about cash play. Above all, it is not a way to make money. Start with free matches, see how your scores compare, and only move up to cash matches with an amount you are happy to spend.
Blackout Bingo vs Bingo Blitz and Bingo Bash
Bingo Blitz and Bingo Bash are social games: free to play, built around live rooms, collections and events, and with no real-money prizes at all. Blackout Bingo is the opposite trade-off. There’s less to collect and far fewer events, but every match is a scored, head-to-head competition, and in eligible states you can play for cash. If you want relaxed bingo with friends, choose one of the social apps. If you want competition and are comfortable with entry fees, Blackout Bingo is the stronger choice.
Prefer real-money casino games?
Blackout Bingo itself isn’t offered at online casinos. If you’d also like to play real-money casino games such as slots, blackjack or poker, these are the casino apps we rate highest. They don’t run live bingo rooms, so check the terms and whether online casino play is allowed where you live.
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More bingo apps
Our bingo apps guide compares casino bingo, skill-based cash bingo and sweepstakes apps. If you’d rather redeem prizes without paying entry fees, take a look at sweepstakes casino apps. For casino-style bingo, see Epic Joker Bingo.
Pros and cons
- Real cash prizes in eligible states
- Every player gets the same card and balls
- Free practice modes to learn the scoring
- Withdrawals via PayPal or Apple Pay
- Skill-based matchmaking
- Cash play blocked in several US states
- Entry fees add up and most casual players lose money
- Fees on small withdrawals
- Bonus cash cannot be withdrawn
Features
Blackout Bingo app FAQ
Can you win real money on Blackout Bingo?
Yes, in eligible US states. Players aged 18 or older can pay entry fees for cash matches and tournaments and withdraw their winnings. In restricted states you can only play the free modes.
In which states can you not play Blackout Bingo for cash?
The list changes, and the app checks your location by GPS. States that have consistently been excluded include Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana and South Dakota, and others such as Arizona, Montana, South Carolina and Tennessee appear on many lists.
Is Blackout Bingo gambling?
It is classed as a game of skill: every player in a match gets the same card and balls, and the highest score wins. You can still lose money through entry fees.
How do you withdraw money from Blackout Bingo?
Winnings are withdrawn through the Skillz platform, for example to PayPal or Apple Pay. Small fees can apply to withdrawals under $10.
Who makes Blackout Bingo?
Blackout Bingo was developed by Big Run Studios and runs on the Skillz competition platform.