Standards
Bingo and casino technical requirements
Bingo and casino technical requirements under section 85 and section 89 of the Gambling Act 2005.
1 - Game Requirements - Bingo technical requirements
Definitions
Main Stage Bingo Game:
1.1 This is the primary game, or games, played in any bingo session, involving physical (paper) and, or as well as, virtual (electronic) tickets which are typically purchased before the bingo session starts.
Interval Bingo Game:
This is any game played outside of sessions of ‘main stage bingo’. Entry into interval games is typically purchased prior to each game starting. An example of an interval game would be ‘mechanised cash bingo’.
Prize information board
1.2 The prize information board together with any associated boards (if needed) must display the information listed below at all times during the game session (scrolling displays are permitted); and the vast majority of players must have a clear and unobstructed view of the board(s) during play, unless they can clearly view the same information, in real time, by other means.
Information to be displayed for main stage games:
a. opening and closing numbers of tickets. Physical (paper) and virtual (electronic) tickets must be displayed separately. There must be provision to display both sets of numbers from any split series permutations
b. total number of tickets in the game (whether tickets are paper, virtual or otherwise)
c. total number of tickets not in the game, for example, spoiled or unsold
d. total prize fund (this may be subdivided into its constituent parts if required)
e. details of allocation of prizes, for example, one line, full house, value etc
f. information to allow players to identify the ticket in play, for example, book colour, page
g. all previously called numbers within the game
h. last number called
Additionally, during claim checking, a representation of the ticket being checked, including its relevant serial or permutation numbers must be shown, together with its status (valid, not valid, already checked).
If equipment manufactured before 31 August 2008 does not have the capability to display the information required at point (f) in the previous list, the player must be provided with that information by some other means (for example, orally).
Information to be displayed for interval bingo games:
a. game number
b. game type (for example, prize, cash)
c. cost per game (unless this is indicated orally to players)
d. number of boards in play for linked games and number of boards or players in play for standards games
e. prize (cash prizes only; non-cash prizes can be announced by other means)
f. last number called.
Additionally, during claim checking, a representation of the ticket being checked, including the card number, must be shown, together with its status (valid, not valid, already checked).
If equipment manufactured before 31 August 2008 does not have the capability to display the information required at point (b) in the previous list, the player must be provided with that information by some other means (for example, orally).
Display of information on players’ game devices
1.3 Game devices must be capable of clearly displaying, either on screen or via labelling attached to the device, the following information:
a. the information to be displayed for main stage games listed at points ‘a’ to ‘h’, and information to be displayed for interval bingo games listed at points ‘a’ to ‘f’, in Section 1.2, unless and to the extent the player can clearly see the prize information board(s) (or the same information in real time) during play
b. the operator’s policy on the charging of participation fees and the proportion of stakes to be paid out by way of prizes. This is optional if the player can clearly see this information from their playing position, for example, on the prize information board(s), or clearly at the point of ticket purchase
c. players’ credit held on the system
d. price of play information
e. information describing how the game is played on the device – this is optional if the method of playing the game on the device is identical to the manual method of playing the game
f. information on how to gamble responsibly and help for problem gamblers
g. alarm or fault information when needed.
The game itself should be displayed in a recognisable form such that the player is able to follow the play and interact appropriately.
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Last updated: 23 November 2023
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