Bingo-opoly

Abstract

The Bingo-opoly invention is directed to methods and processes for conducting a bingo-related prize distribution and marketing system whereby participation in and use of such is determined by results of play in a primary traditional bingo game and conditioned upon a player's ongoing presence in the primary game location and/or continued participation in ongoing primary games. The invention is further directed to addressing inadequacies in the prior art in meeting bingo market demand for novelty, the cultivation of player loyalty and to provide unique and improved methods of bingo game marketing, player incentives and prize distribution.

1 . A bingo-associated prize distribution and marketing system product entitled Bingo-opoly whereby use of and participation in same is determined by results of play in a primary traditional bingo game.  
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the primary traditional bingo game is played with predetermined bingo cards having number designations randomly assigned in a grid layout on a bingo card. Players compete to first achieve “bingo” by matching such numbers to a predesignated pattern to numbers randomly selected and announced by a game operator.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the primary game is played as part of a session consisting of a series of traditional bingo games where players purchase one or more bingo cards to participate in such games.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein players further purchase one or more predesignated add-on bingo cards to compete in the primary traditional bingo game for use with Bingo-opoly. Bingo cards for Bingo-opoly are formatted in similar fashion to those used in the primary game.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein bingo numbers for the primary game are announced and marked on the bingo cards purchased for both the primary game and Bingo-opoly.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein a player must be the first to achieve the predetermined bingo pattern designated for that primary game to be the winner of that game.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein a player who first achieves such predetermined pattern, but on a Bingo-opoly bingo card, will be the winner of the primary game and gain entry into Bingo-opoly.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein both the primary game and Bingo-opoly include preannounced prize amounts, which may be determined in accordance with applicable laws or regulations by the game operator.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the number on which the winning player bingos determines said winning player's position or entry point into Bingo-opoly.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein Bingo-opoly can be carried forward or continued throughout an individual bingo session or across sessions.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein previous Bingo-opoly winners become eligible to participate in the sharing of prizes subsequently awarded in Bingo-opoly.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein, in one embodiment, such subsequent prize sharing can be conditioned upon a previous Bingo-opoly winner's subsequent participation in Bingo-opoly.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  whereby, in another embodiment, such subsequent prize sharing can be conditioned upon a previous Bingo-opoly winner's physical presence in the primary game location at the time the prize to be shared is awarded.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the method of prize distribution in Bingo-opoly does not impact or alter the winner or prize distribution in the primary game.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein player excitement and competition is enhanced by the possibility of sharing in subsequent prizes.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  which acts as a marketing method to increase player participation during individual sessions through player purchase of add-on Bingo-opoly game bingo cards.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 13  which further acts as a marketing method to increase player patronage and loyalty to the location offering Bingo-opoly.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11  which may be effected manually through use of traditional paper bingo cards.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14  which may be effected electronically, with subsequent prize sharing being conditioned upon a previous Bingo-opoly winner's continued participation in ongoing primary games and/or Bingo-opoly.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 11  wherein, in one embodiment, following purchase of one or more bingo cards for Bingo-opoly, no additional consideration by a player must be given by said player in order to participate in Bingo-opoly, other than the requirement of that player's physical presence in the primary game location at the time the prize to be shared is awarded.  
   
   
       21 . A system apparatus comprising a processor configured to implement a primary traditional bingo game and subsequently effect conduct of Bingo-opoly upon the occurrence of at least one prespecified event during play of said primary game and at least one display in communication with said processor.  
   
   
       22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . The system apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the primary game is played by at least two participants.  
   
   
       24 . A system apparatus comprising a computer terminal at which a primary traditional bingo game is implemented and, upon the occurrence of at least one prespecified event during play of said primary game Bingo-opoly is initiated by the bingo hall operator and at least partially effected for participation by at least one player utilizing said first terminal and at least one additional terminal for participation in by another player.  
   
   
       25 . The system apparatus of  claim 24  comprising, in one embodiment, a remote computer in communication with said first primary terminal and said at least one additional terminal to implement Bingo-opoly.