This invention relates to apparatus for playing games involving random selection of numbers and particularly to an electronically operated roulette simulator.

The game of roulette, as played in casinos with mechanical apparatus, comprises placing wagers on which of 36 or 37 spaces or numbered sockets, a ball projected from an impelling apparatus will settle after traversing a bowl several times until it loses energy and comes to rest.

Sockets are conventionally numbered from 1 to 36 upon which wagers are to be placed, and it is common practice to provide a thirty seventh "zero" space which represents the house stake. Alternate numbers are also picked out in red or black, and it is possible to wager on the number or colour upon which the ball will settle, with the pay-out related to the odds. Correct predictions of a number may result in a 36:1 payout, whilst a correct prediction of a colour only yields 2:1.

It is well known to provide coin or tokens operated game playing machines which simulate roulette. These generally follow the pattern of wagers and payouts established in the casino game. Current legislation however limits the maximum stake (50 pence) which can be placed in any one game in open access premises such as public houses. Larger stakes are permitted in clubs etc, and with a maximum payout of only 36 times the stake, other games which offer larger payments are proving more popular, even if the chances of winning are reduced with the higher payout: stake ratio.

Proposals have been made for game playing apparatus simulating a roulette

type game wherein multiple plays are made possible, either by running up to six

simultaneous games, or a plurality of sequential plays carried out one after the other.

These apparatuses however involve complication and multiplication of both display and electronic features of the apparatus.

It has also been proposed to brighten the odds available in a standard roulette game by adding a second zero space, usually symbolised by "00" (double zero). The zeros remain available for play, and bets may be placed on the zero and/or double zero.

It is an object of the invention to provide a coin or token operated apparatus for playing a game simulating the game of roulette which provides alternative means for lengthening the odds available, avoiding the complications of display and electronic apparatus involved in multiple play simulations.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game simulating the game of roulette which comprises a visual display which simulates a roulette table and wheel and the motion of a ball over the wheel, and electronic apparatus controlling the visual display, including a random or pseudo random device for selection of a winning number and controlling the visual display to bring the simulated ball to rest in the winning number space, characterised in that the electronic apparatus is programmed so that at least one zero space is void for all purposes except termination of the simulated ball, that is no bets may be placed on said zero space, and termination or coming to the rest of the simulated ball thereon does not cause a payout, so that all bets lose, and stakes are forfeit to the "house".

Preferably, termination of the simulated ball on the void zero space causes activation of a losing indicator, signalling that all bets placed lose and are forfeited to

the "house". The electronic apparatus is also preferably programmed to pay out the total amount of all stakes to the player who has bet on a number on which the ball

finally rests, or activate the losing indicator and forfeit all stakes to the "house" where the ball finally rests on a number on which no bet has been laid, as is conventional.

There may be two or more void zero spaces.

The accompanying drawing shows by way of example a frontal elevation of an apparatus for playing a game simulating roulette in accordance with the invention, which is described by way of example only.

The apparatus comprises a display panel 10 which may be a digital video display, or an analogue display with a front panel with appropriate markings and LEDS or other lamps adapted to be illuminated in response to an operating program dependant on the output of a driver which receives inputs from the player's panel, and from a random or pseudo-random device which determines the trajectory and final resting place of a simulated ball 11.

The display features a circular or oval track 12, comprising 37 numbered spaces, from 0 to 36. A player input panel 14 is provided along the bottom edge of the display panel 10, and includes a number selection pad 15 which the player can use to select numbers for or more bets, red and black selector buttons 16, 17, "place bet" button 18 and a lightable indicator to "place money in slot now" 19 and a play button 20. The panel also bears the legend 21 "zero void for bets".

The number selection pad 15 is programmed not to accept '0' as an input unless proceeded by a digit to from '10', '20' or '30', or to accept any number higher than '36'.

When the 'play' button 20 is pressed, the simulator causes the simulated ball 11 to be projected tangentially into the track, and then progress along the track

through several rotations until it appears to lose kinetic energy and settles in one of the spaces 0-36.

If the "ball" 11 settles in a space with a wager thereon, the stakes are paid out to that number as a win and a win indicator 22 illuminated whilst if the "ball" 11 settles on the zero or a space upon which no bet has been placed, then the stakes are forfeit and go to the "house" and a losing indicator 23 at the top of the display panel is activated.

The lower part of the apparatus includes a payment slot 24, a pay out 25, and (preferably at the rear of the cabinet) a security locked door 26 to enable house winnings to be removed periodically.

The apparatus and the game may be modified by introducing one or more additional zeros, as "00" etc, and these may be either void for bets as the single zero, or may be available for valid bets as normal numbered spaces.