How is Live-Call® Bingo compliant with Class II regulation?
I've been researching Class II Bingo for some time in the hopes of designing a game one day. In looking at existing games, I'm curious about VGT Live-Call® Bingo as seen in games such as Lucky Ducky,etc.
It seems to me that once two or more players are on the machines (Class II requires competition between players), play begins by drawing around 40 balls and any winning patterns are awarded. Then every ~2 seconds a new ball is drawn. While this is happening, you can keep pressing play on the machine and a new bingo card is drawn and compared against the already called numbers to determine if their is a win.
At least that's what I think is happening, I've never played them in person and don't have easy access to them :(.
I'm wondering how this variety of bingo satisfies the regulation of Class II gaming as described below (specifically part II):
According to 25 USCS § 2703 [Title 25. Indians, Chapter 29. Indian Gaming Regulation] the term, "class II gaming" means--
"(i) the game of chance commonly known as bingo (whether or not electronic, computer, or other technologic aids are used in connection therewith)--
(I) which is played for prizes, including monetary prizes, with cards bearing numbers or other designations,
(II) in which the holder of the card covers such numbers or designations when objects, similarly numbered or designated, are drawn or electronically determined, and
(III) in which the game is won by the first person covering a previously designated arrangement of numbers or designations on such cards, including (if played in the same location) pull-tabs, lotto, punch boards, tip jars, instant bingo, and other games similar to bingo, and...
It seems to me the language means that the card must be held before numbers are drawn, so how can you keep buying new cards in an existing Bingo game? Clearly the VGT games are in use, so I must be misunderstanding. Thanks for any help you can provide!
Otherwise, is there a video? I may be able to discern what is happening.
According to the website, it would appear that this is a feature of their electronic bingo paper system, used in a modern variant of hall bingo. These are the tablets that replace traditional bingo paper and daubers.
It does NOT appear to be a "bingo slot" feature.
Compliant or not with the exact rules is out of my area, but I can believe that people can buy multiple packets, and probably buy more packets mid-session, and probably play those fresh packets on later games in the session.
I had links to the examples, but the forum would not allow me to post them since I was under the post count :(. If you search YouTube for Lucky Ducky, you'll see many examples of the games I'm referring to.
Quote: Dieter/products/live-call-bingo/
According to the website, it would appear that this is a feature of their electronic bingo paper system, used in a modern variant of hall bingo. These are the tablets that replace traditional bingo paper and daubers.
It does NOT appear to be a "bingo slot" feature.
Compliant or not with the exact rules is out of my area, but I can believe that people can buy multiple packets, and probably buy more packets mid-session, and probably play those fresh packets on later games in the session.
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I thought so at first as well, but if you look here (can't post links yet, so do a web search for C6 Mechanical Reels) you'll see that they include the Live-Call Bingo system as part of the slots.
Quote: aspiringmath
I thought so at first as well, but if you look here (can't post links yet, so do a web search for C6 Mechanical Reels) you'll see that they include the Live-Call Bingo system as part of the slots.
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OK, I'll try to get a look at a VGT C6.
I do know that many VGT slots change the card automatically at the start of a new game, which is a "feature" I don't like - I prefer to pick a card with my cat's wife's nephew's birthday on it and stick with it. That is one possible interpretation of their marketing blurb.
Quote: aspiringmathIt seems to me that once two or more players are on the machines (Class II requires competition between players), play begins by drawing around 40 balls and any winning patterns are awarded. Then every ~2 seconds a new ball is drawn. While this is happening, you can keep pressing play on the machine and a new bingo card is drawn and compared against the already called numbers to determine if their is a win.
At least that's what I think is happening, I've never played them in person and don't have easy access to them :(.
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I've had a chance to read a bit more, and now better understand your question.
No, new cards are not compared to previously drawn balls - at least, it is not apparently this way in any games I've observed.
A player presses the play button.
The credit meter is decremented by the game wager.
A new bingo card is assigned. (This varies by system; different manufacturers may use systems that allow old cards to be cleared and replayed. VGT, so far as I know, issues new cards randomly for each new drawing.)
The player is joined to the pool for the next game.
When a timer elapses, quorum is considered.
If quorum is not met, wagers are refunded to the credit meter, and the player is invited to join the next game with a cheery message like "Err4: Quorum not met".
If quorum is met, the game proceeds with a ball draw, card marking, "the entertainment portion of the game" (lights, sounds, animations), and prize awards.
If memory serves, VGT uses certain patterns being covered in a certain number of drawn balls to determine which prize to award.
Quote: DRichIf I am not mistaken, live draw Bingo generally falls under Class I gaming.
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I think that depends on if there is a buy-in fee, and if the prizes are notebooks with kitten pictures or cash.
Quote: Dieter
OK, I'll try to get a look at a VGT C6.
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I went someplace I remembered having this type of machine, but they had apparently been removed from the floor.
Quote: DieterQuote: aspiringmathIt seems to me that once two or more players are on the machines (Class II requires competition between players), play begins by drawing around 40 balls and any winning patterns are awarded. Then every ~2 seconds a new ball is drawn. While this is happening, you can keep pressing play on the machine and a new bingo card is drawn and compared against the already called numbers to determine if their is a win.
At least that's what I think is happening, I've never played them in person and don't have easy access to them :(.
link to original post
I've had a chance to read a bit more, and now better understand your question.
No, new cards are not compared to previously drawn balls - at least, it is not apparently this way in any games I've observed.
A player presses the play button.
The credit meter is decremented by the game wager.
A new bingo card is assigned. (This varies by system; different manufacturers may use systems that allow old cards to be cleared and replayed. VGT, so far as I know, issues new cards randomly for each new drawing.)
The player is joined to the pool for the next game.
When a timer elapses, quorum is considered.
If quorum is not met, wagers are refunded to the credit meter, and the player is invited to join the next game with a cheery message like "Err4: Quorum not met".
If quorum is met, the game proceeds with a ball draw, card marking, "the entertainment portion of the game" (lights, sounds, animations), and prize awards.
If memory serves, VGT uses certain patterns being covered in a certain number of drawn balls to determine which prize to award.
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Thanks for the breakdown! Do you know if certain games have a fixed number of balls drawn each round? It seems VGT may continue drawing balls after an initial draw, but others, like Buffalo draw a fixed number of balls?
