The invention relates to games apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for use with the game known as Bingo.

Bingo is a popular game of chance in which a plurality of players each purchase a matrix array having rows and columns of random numbers. A game controller or operator calls out numbers at random and the players mark off those numbers that have been called out which coincide with those on their array. The winner is the first player to mark off all the numbers of his/her array, or on a row of that array. The prizes can frequently be of a substantial size and there is a need to ensure that the risks of mistakes or abuse or fraud are minimised.

It is known with one type of such a game to provide a plurality of consoles at a site each adapted to play Bingo, for example in an amusement arcade or Bingo hall. Each console has an illuminated display showing an array of numbers resembling a Bingo card which may be activated for play by the insertion of a coin. In the known arrangements, the winner is rewarded with a prize which is given to him or her by an operator at the site.

Such an arrangement can lead to mistakes and even fraud by the operator who is required to carry around large sums of money.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for use in playing a game of Bingo comprising a plurality of peripheral units, for use by players, said units being arranged for communication with a central unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the peripheral units comprise a console for each player, each console having means for displaying an array of random numbers resembling a Bingo card, actuation means for actuating play on the console, the console including a store to contain a supply of coins and/or tokens; each console being arranged, when authorised, to pay out a prize of money or tokens and each console being connected to the central unit which is arranged to authorise the player's console to pay out the prize in the event of a win condition for a game played on that console.

In use, the game operator calls out numbers at random, and those numbers which coincide with those on each players console are marked off by the players. The called numbers are stored by the central unit, for example comprising a computer, by the operator who may key in the numbers on a keypad on the central unit as they are called and compared with the numbers on each player's

console. In this way the computer can check early that there a genuine win and authorize the payment of a prize to a winner a game without the operator having to handle coins or tokens, a the risk of mistakes or fraud are reduced.

There is another way of playing a game of Bingo at a Bingo like hall in which a card having the array of random numbers sold to each player. The game may then be played as describ previously. A national game of Bingo is known in which a numb of Bingo halls simultaneously play the same game of Bingo. T national Bingo organizer issues cards or books of cards ea bearing a serial number or identifying code to the management individual separate Bingo halls, who then sell them to t players .

Before the game is to be played the operator at each Bingo ha telephones the national organizers to tell them the volume cards sold and the serial numbers of the cards. This is prevent fraud. When the game is played the caller at each Bin hall calls out numbers at random and these are marked off t cards by the players. The first player to mark off all h numbers at each local individual hall will then win a prize. T operator of each hall then telephone... the national organizer tell them the winning serial number and the total number of cal made before a win was achieved, e.g the caller called out, sa

thirty numbers for the winner to be able to mark off all, say seven numbers on his card. This information is then entered int the national game and the winner of that game is the player wh has completed his card with the fewest numbers called. In thi way two separate games can be played at the same time. Becaus one of the games is national the prize money offered to th winner of that game can be substantial.

For this system to work all the operators at the participati Bingo halls must telephone the national organizer with the volu of cards sold together with the respective serial numbers. Thi can take a long time and tie up telephone lines; frequently n all participating halls can get through in time which means th although players have paid to enter the national game, they ar in fact, not entered.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripher units comprise a plurality of dispensers to dispense Bingo car and the like to be located in each of a plurality of Bingo hal or like sites, each dispenser containing a supply of Bingo car and arranged to dispense a Bingo card in exchange for money moneysworth, each dispenser being connectable to the central un and arranged, when required, to send information to the centr unit about the quantity and type of cards dispensed prior to t commencement of a single Bingo game played commonly within all

the plurality of Bingo halls.

The cards may be pre-encoded, or the dispenser may include means for printing a serial number on each card as it is dispensed.

In order that the invention may be better understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows schematically another embodiment of apparatus according to another aspect of the invention; and

Figure 3 shows a Bingo card for use in playing the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 1 a plurality of peripheral units in the form of consoles 1, three are shown, are located at an amusement arcade or Bingo hall. Each console 1 includes an illuminated display of a matrix array of random numbers 2 resembling a Bingo card. An entrance slot 3 is present in the console 1 whereby coins or tokens can be put in the console to actuate it for play. Each console 1 is connected to a central unit in the form of a

master console 4 including a computer. The master console 4 may also include a numerical key pad or the like so that the game operator can input the called numbers into the computers memory. Alternatively, the computer may generate the numbers randomly and store them automatically. Each console also includes an outlet slot 5 for the payment of change, or of a prize in the form of coins or tokens. The tokens used may be of any known type, but are preferably in the form of a rectangular planar card of a similar size to a credit card, and having a magnetized coded or laser readable coded stripe or the like present. In such a case the console 1 may include a card reader mechanism adapted to read the code on the magnetic strip and accept the card, it is identified as being acceptable or reject it, if it is unauthorized for that console. In such a case the console 1 ma also include a token store containing a stack of tokens and mechanism adapted to dispense one or more tokens in the event o a win, and to stack tokens put into the apparatus.

In use, each player inserts a coin or token into a console 1 t activate it for play and the matrix array 2 is illuminated. caller or operator adjacent the master console 4 calls ou numbers at random and stores the called numbers in the memory o the computer. The players mark off or cover with sliding door the numbers that have been called out. When one of the player finds that he has covered all the numbers on his display 2 tha

fact will also be stored on the computer at the master console which can authorise the players console 1 to pay out tokens cash, as required, from the outlet slot.

Figure 2 shows schematically apparatus for use in another type game of Bingo, and again adapted to reduce or minimise the ris of fraud.

A system according to a second aspect of the invention compris a plurality of peripheral units in the form of card dispense 10, three are shown, which are each located at a separate Bin hall. Each dispenser is arranged to dispense Bingo cards books of cards (11) in exchange for money. As each card i dispensed, the apparatus is arranged to stamp or print on t card an identifying code or serial number 12. The serial numbe (12) will show that the card was issued for a particular nationa game in order to prevent fraud by preventing a person hoardi large number of cards and choosing a card to match the calle numbers.

Each dispenser 10 is connectable to a central unit in the form o a computer 13, e.g via a modem connected through the telepho network. Each dispenser 10 may be arranged to send the number of the cards 11 in digital form as they are sold, or t information may be stored on magnetic tape or like memory mea

and sent to the computer 13 in a batch prior to the commenceme of the game. Because the numbers of the cards sold ar transmitted automatically to the central computer it is easy fo all the numbers from each of the dispensers to be transmitte before the commencement of the game and in this way all player are ensured of a chance of winning the national game. Ea dispenser may also be used for the sale of ordinary Bingo ticke at the individual halls and there may be several dispensers each site, which ensures that the players can purchase car speedily and without having to queue up for long periods in fro of a cash desk.