Tombola Privacy Policy
Before you sign up and start dabbling in bingo tickets from 1p, it’s worth knowing what happens to your personal details behind the scenes. This page breaks down, in plain English, how Tombola collects, uses and protects your data — based on what the operator documents and our own independent review of its policies.
Table of contents
Data Collection
What personal information we collect
Tombola collects the details you’d expect from a UK-licensed gambling site. When you register an account, the operator asks for your full name, date of birth (remember, this is an 18+ site), home address, email address and phone number. Because Tombola holds a UK Gambling Commission licence (Account No. 38613), identity verification is a legal requirement, so copies of ID documents — such as a passport, driving licence or a recent utility bill — may also be requested as part of the Know Your Customer process.
Financial data is collected too, though with sensible limits. When you deposit with a Visa debit card, Mastercard debit card or Visa Electron, the card details needed to process the payment are captured, with 3-D Secure 2.0 adding an extra verification step. Apple Pay deposits work slightly differently, since Apple handles the card tokenisation. The operator also records your transaction history, gameplay activity (which games you play, such as Bingo90 or Pulse, and for how long), and device information like your IP address and browser type.
How we collect your data
Most of the data Tombola holds comes directly from you — the registration form, deposit screens and any chats or emails you send to the support team (live chat, support@tombola.co.uk, or the UK freephone line 0800 29 888 73). Beyond that, data is gathered automatically as you use the site or the native iOS and Android apps: login times, pages visited, session length and how you interact with games. Some information also comes from third parties, such as identity verification agencies used to confirm your age and address under UKGC rules.
Cookies and tracking technologies
Like virtually every gaming site, Tombola uses cookies. Strictly necessary cookies keep you logged in and remember your session; functional cookies store preferences such as sound settings in the bingo rooms; analytics cookies help the operator understand how players move around the site so it can improve the HTML5 web client and apps. You can manage or delete cookies through your browser settings, though blocking essential cookies may stop parts of the site — including login — from working properly. Marketing cookies are only used where you’ve given consent, and you can withdraw that consent at any time.
Data Usage
How we use your information
Your data serves a handful of clear purposes. First, running your account: processing deposits from £10 (or £5 on subsequent deposits and Apple Pay), handling withdrawals to your debit card within 3-5 banking days, and crediting offers such as the welcome bonus of a 100% bonus match up to £50 with 1 Free Play awarded for every £1 (up to 50 Free Plays). Second, legal compliance: verifying you’re over 18, applying the £300 maximum balance and weekly net-deposit ceiling, and meeting anti-money-laundering obligations. Third, responsible gambling: your play data feeds tools like net spend limits, deposit and loss caps, session reminders and self-exclusion.
Marketing communications
Tombola only sends promotional emails, texts or push notifications if you’ve opted in. That covers things like occasional £5 FREE code promotions for new players and Playmates referral offers. You’re in control here — every marketing message includes an unsubscribe option, and you can adjust your preferences in your account settings or by contacting support. Opting out of marketing doesn’t affect service messages, such as withdrawal confirmations or important account notices, which the operator still needs to send.
Third-party sharing policies
Your data isn’t sold to random advertisers — that’s worth stating plainly. Sharing happens only with parties that need it to run the service or meet legal duties: payment processors handling your Visa, Mastercard, Visa Electron or Apple Pay transactions; identity verification and credit reference agencies; fraud prevention services; and regulators such as the UK Gambling Commission. Since 2022 Tombola has been owned by Flutter Entertainment, so some data may be shared within that group for operational and compliance purposes. Any international transfers linked to the Gibraltar licence (RGL 052) are made with appropriate safeguards in place.
Data Protection & Your Rights
Security measures
Tombola applies full-site SSL encryption, meaning everything between your device and its servers is scrambled in transit. Card payments go through 3-D Secure 2.0, adding that familiar bank approval step at checkout. Account access is password protected, and the operator states that internal systems are access-controlled so only staff who genuinely need your data can see it. Combined with the oversight that comes with UK Gambling Commission licence 38613, the security setup reflects what you’d want from a brand that’s been operating since 2006.
Your rights under GDPR
As a UK player, you’re protected by UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. In practical terms, that gives you the right to:
- Access a copy of the personal data Tombola holds about you
- Rectify inaccurate or incomplete details
- Erase your data in certain circumstances (the “right to be forgotten”)
- Restrict or object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing
- Data portability — receiving your data in a usable format
- Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you’re unhappy with how your data is handled
Keep in mind that gambling regulation creates some limits: records tied to licensing and anti-money-laundering rules may need to be retained for a set period even if you close your account.
How to request data deletion
Requesting deletion is straightforward. Contact Tombola’s support team via live chat, by email at support@tombola.co.uk, or on the freephone line 0800 29 888 73 (9 AM–11 PM), and state that you want your personal data erased. You’ll typically be asked to confirm your identity first — a sensible step that stops anyone else wiping your account. The operator will then delete what it can and tell you what must be kept for legal or regulatory reasons, and for how long.
For more on how this independent review site is run, see our about Tombola, and check the Tombola terms and conditions that govern your use of this website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tombola
What personal data does Tombola collect?
Tombola collects your name, date of birth, address, email and phone number at registration, plus ID documents for verification. It also records payment details for debit card and Apple Pay transactions, your gameplay history, and technical data such as your IP address, device type and how you use the site or apps.
How does Tombola protect my information?
The operator secures the entire site with SSL encryption, applies 3-D Secure 2.0 to card payments and restricts internal data access to authorised staff only. Operating under UK Gambling Commission licence 38613 means Tombola must also meet strict regulatory standards for data handling and player fund protection.
Can I request my data from Tombola?
Yes. Under UK GDPR you can request a copy of all personal data Tombola holds about you. Simply contact support via live chat, email support@tombola.co.uk or call 0800 29 888 73. You’ll need to verify your identity, and the operator must respond within the legal timeframe.
Does Tombola share my data with third parties?
Tombola shares data only where necessary: payment processors, identity verification agencies, fraud prevention services, regulators and its parent group Flutter Entertainment. Your data is never sold to advertisers. Any transfers connected to the Gibraltar licence include appropriate legal safeguards to keep your information protected.
Now you know exactly how your details are handled, you’re set to play with confidence — grab the welcome offer of a 100% bonus match up to £50 with no wagering requirements on your first deposit.