40-Ball Bingo Guide: The “Modern-Retro” NZ Favorite

Welcome to the 2026 guide for 40-ball bingo. Often referred to as ‘Rainbow Riches’ bingo in the NZ market, this variant is the ultimate choice for players who want high-speed action (rounds under 2 minutes) but with multiple chances to win. It bridges the gap between the frantic 30-ball sprint and the slower, strategic 75-ball rooms.

How to Play 40-Ball Bingo in 2026

40-ball bingo uses a unique card structure that looks different from any other variant. In 2026, these are optimized for bio-auth one-tap play on mobile:

• The Ticket: Each ticket contains 8 numbers. These are usually split into two rows of four.
• The Colors: Tickets are often color-coded (Pink, Black, Amber, Teal). In many 2026 versions, you can win a prize for being the first to clear a specific color set.
• The Goal: Be the first to mark off all 8 numbers on a single ticket for the Full House.

40-Ball Jackpots: Chasing the $10,000 Pot

In 2026, 40-ball bingo is famous for its Fixed Jackpots. Unlike progressives that grow over time, these are often fixed amounts (averaging $625 to $10,000) that pay out if you hit your Full House within a specific number of calls (usually 10-15).

Winning Tips for the 2026 NZ Market

• 5G Low-Latency: 40-ball moves fast. On a 5G connection, your Auto-Mark feature will register a win in milliseconds, ensuring you don’t share a prize with a “donkey” on a slower connection.
• Multiple Color Strategy: Buy a ticket of each color. In 2026, many 40-ball rooms offer a “Color Prize” where you win if your specific ticket color clears first.
• Budget for Volume: Since rounds are quick, your bankroll can vanish fast. Stick to 10p-50p stakes to ensure you can play enough rounds to hit a statistical win cycle.