INTRODUCTION

Here are the full Player’s Rules covering both The National Bingo Game and The Big’N. These rules are also available to download in a printer-friendly PDF. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read this file which may already be on your computer.

Download the Players Rules (PDF)

The National Bingo Game is, like all other bingo, played under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005. Players should always gamble responsibly and play the National Bingo Game within their limits. For more information and advice visit www.gambleaware.co.uk. The National Bingo Game is organised for participating licensed bingo clubs by The National Bingo Game Association Limited (“NBGA”) whose address is Lexham House, 75 High Street North, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 1JF. However, National Bingo Game tickets are sold (or supplied) to players only by participating clubs under the arrangements set out in these Players' Rules. These Players' Rules include the arrangements for a jackpot which offers players a chance to win either a Platinum Jackpot Prize or an In Club Bonus in addition to the National Prize and a Regional Prize. During the playing of the National Bingo Game these Players' Rules supersede the house rules in all participating clubs. However, they do not affect any other terms of the contract between the player and a participating club for the sale (or supply) to the player of National Bingo Game tickets. Where these Players' Rules refer to the Club Manager they mean the Manager at the participating club and also any member of the staff at the participating club appointed at that club to perform the function inquestion.

AGE

1 Only players present at participating clubs who are atleast 18 years of age are eligible to take part in the
National Bingo Game.

TICKETS

2 The National Bingo Game can be played either in thetraditional way using paper National Bingo Game tickets or on an electronic bingo terminal using electronic National Bingo Game tickets or a combination of the two as decided at each participating club. For the purposes of these Players' Rules,where it is not specifically described as a paper ticket or an electronic ticket, a National Bingo Game ticket means both a paper ticket and an electronic ticket. Also, in these Rules, "EBT" means the electronic bingo terminal on which a player plays the National Bingo Game.

3 The price of each National Bingo Game ticket and the amount of any participation fee(s) which the participating club will charge as part of the price are specified from time to time by NBGA and are displayed at each ticket sale point. Such price will not necessarily always be the same at each participating club and may be nil, and only in agreement and authorised by NBGA. As the prizes to be won in the National Bingo Game (including the Platinum Jackpot Prize and the In Club Bonus) largely depend upon the number of tickets sold (and the price) the details of the likely prizes will be displayed and/or announced later (see rule 6 below). If for a particular playing of the National Bingo Game a prize is to be of at least a guaranteed amount, that guaranteed amount will be advertised in advance of the sale of tickets for that playing.

4 Each National Bingo Game ticket is made up of a strip of six grids of numbers. Should any ticket be split, damaged or separated in any way, it makes all of the grids on that ticket invalid and no claim to be the winner of a National Game Prize, or of the Platinum Jackpot Prize or of an In Club Bonus, will be allowed on any of those grids.

5 To assist in the reduction of errors it is essential that each player checks when he/she buys his/her National Bingo Game ticket that, if it is a paper ticket, the numbers on all of the grids and the serial number, plate number and bar code on the ticket are clearly legible. If it is an electronic ticket, the player must check that the EBT, on which the grids are to be played, appears to be operating properly. As soon as the opening and closing National Bingo Game ticket details are shown on the indicator board(s) in the participating club or are announced, each player must check that his/her set of six grids is complete and undamaged and that the letters and numbers on each National Bingo Game ticket are within the sequence(s) shown. If this is not so, or if the EBT appears not to be operating properly, then the player must contact the Club Manager or another member of staff immediately and return the National Bingo Game ticket (if paper) or the EBT to the point of sale before the National Bingo Game begins to be played. National Bingo Game tickets not within the sequence(s) of numbers indicated on the indicator board(s) are invalid and no claim to a National Game Prize or to aJackpot Prize will be allowed on a grid on any such ticket. An announcement will be made at each participating club informing players of the latest time at which any invalid National Bingo Game ticket can be exchanged. A player can cancel his/her purchase of a National Bingo Game ticket at a participating club at any time until the sale of National Bingo Game tickets for that National Bingo Game has ended in that participating club.

PRIZES

6 The amount of the National Prize and of each Regional Prize and of the Platinum Jackpot Prize and of each In Club Bonus is set by NBGA before each playing of each National Bingo Game but each is subject to later reduction by NBGA if one or more participating clubs is unable (for whatever reason) to fully participate in and to complete that playing of the National Bingo Game. Before the National Bingo Game is played, the amount of the House Prize and of the likely approximate amount of the National Prize and of each Regional Prize and of the Platinum Jackpot Prize and of each In Club Bonus will be displayed and/or announced at each participating club. Should there be more than one winner of
a National Prize or of a Regional Prize (or of the Platinum Jackpot Prize or an In Club Bonus - see also rule 19) that Prize or Bonus will be divided equally between each winning player.

PLAYING THE NATIONAL GAME

7 Each National Prize and each Regional Prize (and each House Prize) in each playing of the National Bingo Game
is for a full house only. The numbers called are a random sequence of numbers selected by NBGA. The same sequence of numbers is transmitted to, and called at, each participating club.

8 (a) Players playing with a paper ticket must mark off the numbers called on each National Bingo Game grid in such a way that the grid can be easily checked so as to avoid the possibility of any dispute. Circles, the use of dabbers or underlining are recommended markings for a paper ticket. Where a National Bingo Game grid is marked in such a way that it cannot be validated or verified, or if the ticket is separated contrary to rule 4, it is a disputed claim and the
National Bingo Game will continue under rule 14(b).

(b) Players playing with an electronic National Bingo Game ticket must operate the EBT in the appropriate manner so that it will mark off on its grid display the numbers called.

9 The numbers to be called will be issued by NBGA by electronic means to each participating club which will prepare a print-out of the numbers. Each of the numbers will be called by the Bingo Caller three times using the proper name first e.g. sixty-six. Once any syllable (or part of a syllable) of a number has started to be called, the calling of that number will be completed and that number becomes the last number called. The Club Manager will verify the numbers as they are called against a copy of the print-out. The Club Manager will sign the copy which he/she has verified and the signed copy will be displayed in the participating club (in a position where it can be seen by players) for a period of at least seven days after the playing of the National Bingo Game in question.

10 In the event of a discrepancy between a number called and a number on the Club Manager's copy of the printout
the Club Manager will stop the playing of the National Bingo Game and decide either that the whole Game will be re-called or that the number wrongly called will be re-called.

11 If because of a technical problem, or for any other reason beyond the reasonable control of NBGA or a
participating club, it is not possible at that club (a) to call all or any of the numbers transmitted to it by NBGA or
(b) to properly play the National Bingo Game (see also rule 17 below) then the Club Manager may choose to play a House Game in which case these (subject to rule 17 below) Players' Rules will no longer apply and the House Game will be played under the participating club's house rules.

12 The winner of the National Prize in each playing of the National Bingo Game is the player nationally who validly marks off all the numbers on a National Bingo Game grid in the lowest number of calls and who claims in accordance with the following arrangements in this rule 12. That player will also win the Regional Prize for the Region in which that player is playing and the House Prize at the participating club at which he/she is playing. The winner of each Regional Prize in each playing of the National Bingo Game will be the player playing in each Region (as those Regions are from time to time (but in advance of the playing in question) designated by the NBGA) who validly marks off all the numbers on a National Bingo Game grid in the lowest number of calls and who claims in accordance with the following arrangements in this rule 12. That player will also win the House Prize at the participating club at which he/she is playing. The first player in each participating club who marks off (or who causes his/her EBT to mark off) all the numbers so as to complete a full house must call out and stop the National Bingo Game in that club, thereby claiming a win before the calling of the next number begins. A player forfeits any right to win the National Prize and a Regional Prize (and the House Prize and the Platinum Jackpot Prize and an In Club Bonus) if he/she fails to stop
the National Bingo Game and have his/her grid checked immediately he/she has marked off a full house and before the Bingo Caller has started to call any syllable (or part of a syllable) of the next number. The responsibility to stop the National Bingo Game remains entirely that of the player.

MAKING A CLAIM TO A PRIZE

13 When a claim is made the Bingo Caller at the participating club must be satisfied by making enquiry of the players that there are no further claims. The claim(s) shall be checked and before the National Bingo Game is closed the Bingo Caller will make one last enquiry for any further claimant(s). Only then shall the Bingo Caller announce the player(s) claiming to be the winner(s) and in how many numbers the claim has been made. No further claims shall be then allowed and the National Bingo Game in the participating club shall be declared closed subject to re-opening under rule 14
below or continuation under rule 17 below. All claims to be a winner of the National Prize and of a Regional Prize and of the Platinum Jackpot Prize and an In Club Bonus, are subject to scrutiny and verification by the NBGA under rule 16 below.

14 (a) In order to make a valid claim to the National Prize or Regional Prize (and the House Prize) and the Platinum Jackpot Prize and an In Club Bonus, a playermust produce to the Club Manager his/her National Bingo Game ticket (if paper) for checking or must permit the Club Manager access to his/her EBT for checking. To claim a National Prize and a Regional Prize(and the House Prize) and the Platinum Jackpot Prize and an In Club Bonus a paper ticket including the grid in question,must be wholly intact and with the serial number, plate numbers and bar code of the ticket
clearly visible. To claim any Prize or Bonus a player must be over 18 years of age and must, if requested by the Club
Manager, provide evidence to prove his/her age. Such evidence can be either a passport, a driving licence or a birth certificate.

(b) If the Club Manager considers, for any reason, that a claim may not be valid or if he/she considers that there is any dispute as to the validity of the claim, he/she will cause the National Bingo Game in the participating club to be re-opened and the calling of numbers to continue until there are one or more subsequent claims.

15 The Club Manager will give to a player making a valid claim to be the winner of a National Prize or a Regional
Prize an official NBGA receipt for the relevant National Bingo Game ticket which includes the grid in question
(whether it is a paper ticket or an electronic ticket). The ticket (or a print of that ticket if it is electronic) will be sent by the Club Manager to NBGA for scrutiny and verification. The National Bingo Game ticket which includes the grid which wins each House Prize (or the print of that ticket if it is electronic) must be handed to the Club Manager for secure keeping for six months from the date of the National Bingo Game in question.

16 Each claim to a National Prize or a Regional Prize or a Platinum Jackpot Prize will be scrutinized by NBGA prior
to its verification. The scrutiny and verification will be carried out by NBGA as follows:

(a) NBGA will consider the information supplied to it by the Club Manager and will view the grid supplied by the Club Manager.
(b) Before rejecting a claim, NBGA will write to the player in question telling him/her of the issues and inviting him/her comment on them.
(c) NBGA will consider the player's comments before making a decision so long as the comments are received by NBGA in writing within 7 days.
(d) When rejecting the claim of a player, the NBGA will notify the player of the NBGA's Complaints Procedure and invite the player to implement that procedure. The Complaints Procedure provides for independent arbitration and if arbitration is started, NBGA reserves the right not to pay any claim to the Prize(s) in question until the decision of the arbitrator is known.
(e) NBGA will carry out this process as often as required until at least one player with a valid claim to the National Prize is identified.
(f) The National Prize and a Regional Prize (and any applicable Platinum Jackpot Prize) will be paid only by cheque drawn in favour of the winning player(s). The cheque should (subject to any dispute/arbitration as above) be forwarded by NBGA to the relevant participating club within ten working days of the National Bingo Game in question so that it can be made available to the winning player.

PROBLEMS

17 If a participating club is not able to properly and fully participate in a playing of the National Bingo Game after
selling National Bingo Game tickets then it will play a House Game (which House Game will not be conducted in accordance with these Players' Rules but in accordance with that club's house rules) for the stake monies (net of
participation fees which will be retained by the club) paid at that club for National Bingo Game tickets.

18 On occasions, because of circumstances beyond its reasonable control and/or that of one or more participating clubs (including act of God,war, terrorism, power failure or other technical failure), NBGA may cancel or abandon a playing of the National Bingo Game.

19 Platinum Jackpot Prize and In Club Bonus
(a) A player who wins the National Prize and who successfully claims to win the National Prize on the calling of the number “90” will also win the Platinum Jackpot Prize.
(b) Unless on that playing of the National Bingo Game a player wins the National Prize under Rule 19(a) above, a player who wins the National Prize on a playing of the National Game which has been previously announced by the NBGA to be a “Play Off Game” will also win the Platinum Jackpot Prize.
(c) A player who wins a House Prize and who successfully claims to win that House Prize on the calling of the number "90" will also win an In Club Bonus.
(d) Unless in the participating club in question on that playing of the National Bingo Game a player wins the House Prize under Rule 19(c) above, a player who wins a House Prize on a playing of the National Game which has been previously announced in that participating club to be a "Play Off Game" will also win an In Club Bonus.
(e) If more than one player wins the National Prize and those players are otherwise entitled to the Platinum Jackpot Prize, then that Platinum Jackpot Prize will be shared equally between all of such players.
(f) If more than one player who wins a House Prize and those players are otherwise entitled to an In Club Bonus then that In Club Bonus will be shared equally between all such players.
(g) If in a participating club any of the circumstances set out in rule 17 above apply then that rule will, as relevant, prevail over this rule 19 and, in particular, the Platinum Jackpot Prize cannot be won at that club.

REDUCED LIABILITY OF NBGA

20 If there is any delay in organising or any failure to organise any particular playing of the National Bingo Game so that it is not played at all participating clubs or it is not played at some participating clubs then (unless rule 11 and/or rule 17 applies) the participating club or clubs in question will refund to each player all stakes (and all participation fee(s)) paid for that playing but neither NBGA nor any participating club shall have any other liability.
21 NBGA shall have no liability to a player for any loss, charge, costs, expenses or other claims for compensation
arising out of the player's failure to comply with these Players' Rules.

22 NBGA shall not be liable to any player for any unforeseeable loss or damage (including loss of profit or consequential loss or damage) arising from the organisation or playing (or the non-organisation or non-playing) of any National Bingo Game.

23 Nothing in these Players' Rules affects any liability for death or personal injury caused by NBGA's negligence or
for any fraudulent misrepresentation or the player's statutory rights as a consumer.

24 No variation of these Players' Rules is effective unless it is in writing and is displayed at the participating club before the sale of National Bingo Game tickets begins for the playing of the National Bingo Game in question.

MISCELLANEOUS

25 The NBGA will only use any personal information provided by a player for the purpose of organising the National Bingo Game.

26 Nothing in these Players' Rules gives any right to any third party to enforce any provision under the Contracts
(Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 or otherwise.

27 These Players' Rules will be subject to English law and (subject to the complaints procedure referred to in rule
16) the English Courts will have jurisdiction in respect of any dispute arising under these Players' Rules or from
any playing of the National Bingo Game.

20 January 2008