National Bingo Game - Game Format

Game Format

The format and pricing of the game has changed several times since its launch. Originally costing 25 pence per ticket, this has changed to 30 pence, 40 pence, 50 pence and £2 for a set of six tickets amongst others. Prize money has also varied during these changes and is presently in the region of £5,000 - £25,000, depending upon the day of the week and session played.

Many players prefer to purchase a strip of six tickets, as this guarantees that all numbers 1-90 appear on the strip, so the players know that they will be marking the strip each and every time a number is called.

Technology has improved since the game began in 1986 and currently ADSL secure internet connection is used to collect and distribute data. The game works like this

• Clubs register their ticket sales to game control by the cut-off time
• Approximately 10 minutes before clubs play the game, a list of all 90 call numbers are relayed to the clubs. The clubs must keep a printed list of the numbers so players can check the validity of the game. The numbers are also transmitted to the callers computer so the game can be played.
• After the game is played, each club then inputs their game winner details, the number of calls in which the claim was made and the last number called on the game as a double-check.
• All the winners details are then collated by game control who release the overall winner and results as soon as is viable.
• The national winners then sign paperwork and their claim is verified within approximately ten days when a cheque is issued to them for collection from the winning club. Sometimes presentations are made in the winning club to publicise the win, but some players prefer to remain anonymous.