Bingo and Keno Protection Presented By: Darrin L. Norcutt Surveillance Training Manager A.C.E.P....

Bingo and Keno ProtectionBingo and Keno Protection

Presented By:Presented By:

Darrin L. NorcuttDarrin L. NorcuttSurveillance Training ManagerSurveillance Training Manager

A.C.E.P. LLC.A.C.E.P. LLC.

IntroductionIntroduction

The Games of Bingo and KenoPossible Scams.Any relevant background?

History of BingoHistory of Bingo

Lo Gioco del Lotto d’Italia – 1530The French Lotto – 1700’sGermany – 1800’sBeano! – 1920’s

Bingo TodayBingo Today

Today Bingo is a multi-million dollar industry.– Casinos – Churches– Schools– Fund Raising

Bingo ~ GeneralBingo ~ General Bingo is a 24-hour operation consisting of three

shifts and four sessions per shift. (Except for Native American Casinos who normally only have a few sessions a day.)

The Bingo Cage and the Bingo Podium areas are restricted to bingo personnel only.

A winner is the first person to complete coverage of the designated game (single line, coverall, etc.).

Should there be multiple winners on a game; the prize money will be divided among them based on the price of the bingo cards.

Bingo ~ GeneralBingo ~ General

Games often have multiple Bingos.– for example, the players may first play for a

single line, then after that is called continue playing for a full card, then for a consolation full card.


Players often play multiple cards for each game

To mark cards faster the players usually use special markers called daubers.

After calling the number the caller then displays the next number on a television monitor; bingo cannot be called until that number is called aloud, however.


Commercial bingo exists only in Nevada casinos and Native American bingo halls. Many will have bingo sessions, and some will link bingo games together to form progressive jackpots that pay big money to winners.

The Business of BingoThe Business of Bingo

Commercial Bingo– Nevada Casinos

Cater to locals They will usually offer several sessions daily, with relatively

modest stakes except for coverall jackpots.

– Native American Casinos Native American games are typically offered for only one or

two sessions a day, and are often played for higher stakes than charity games in order to draw players from distant places.

Some also offer a special progressive jackpot game that may tie together players from multiple bingo halls.

The Business of BingoThe Business of Bingo

Churches and Charity Organizations

Surveillance Standards for Bingo Surveillance Standards for Bingo and Kenoand KenoSTANDARD 4

REQUIRED SURVEILLANCE COVERAGE: KENO AND BINGO

1. The surveillance system of category “A,” “B,” and “C” licensees must possess the capability to monitor the keno and bingo ball drawing device or random number generator, which must be recorded during the course of the draw by a dedicated camera or automatically activated camera, with sufficient clarity to identify the balls drawn or numbers selected.

2. The surveillance system of category “A,” “B,” and “C” licensees must possess the capability to monitor and record general activities in each keno game area, with sufficient clarity to identify the employees performing the different functions.

3. The surveillance system in the bingo area of all licensees must possess the capability to monitor and record the game board and the activities of the employees responsible for drawing, calling and entering the balls drawn or numbers selected.

Equipment ControlsEquipment Controls

Bingo balls should be changed out once a day. Supervision should notify Surveillance.

Balls should be inspected at the time they are changed out.

When a ball needs to be replaced a notification to Surveillance should be made.

Bingo equipment (blower machine and display boards) should be checked for accuracy and maintained on a periodic basis.


Bingo cards are controlled by three numbers– Serial number: defines an entire set (price

level) which usually consists of five packs of 100 sheets each or rainbows (multi-colored bingo packet) consisting of 15 packs of 50 sheets each and is printed on the top of the sheet.


– Inventory Control Number: defines the individual sheet number printed on the side of the sheet and is used to calculate sales by means of a physical inventory method.

– Card Numbers: identifies the individual card and is used to determine a winner when entered into the computer. Bingo cards are consecutively numbered.


Bingo paper, once received, should be stored in a secured area. As needed, cards should be delivered to the bingo cage and stored in cabinets.


Control Access– Each user has his/her own individual

password.– Passwords should be changed quarterly with

changes documented by the computer system.– Backup and recovery procedures needed.


Cashier is accountable for their own drawer.

Drawer should be secured when not in use.

Bingo ScamsBingo Scams


Selling Stations– The seller may shortchange the customer by

charging more than the customer received.– The customer is the control for this scam.


Excessive variances– Bingo transactions happen very quickly that

this is usually more of a mistake than fraud.


Voids– Paper is voided even though the packs are on

the floor. When voided, the entire pack should be available not just the first page.


Winner Scams– Occurs during the payoffs of winners. With

the exception of the fraudulent act on the mic by the caller, these are all collusive activities.


FAKE WINNER– This where a card is paid as a winner,

although it was never verified. Other customers will be aware of this and will be concerned as that will decrease the share of the split.


Paying winner for higher packet.– The incentive is for the player to give a bigger toke.

– This scam will need the collusion of the Agent, Cashier, Caller and weak auditor in accounting.

– The printer at the call stand documents the winning card number and level.

– EXCEPTION: The paper rainbows will not specify the level, consequently these are more vulnerable to fraud than normal.


Procedures Against:– An audit of the winning numbers on the

calling stand printer versus the cashier paperwork would isolate these fraudulent acts.


Stealing Packs– Packs normally range from $4-$18 and are

designated by color. – 500 sheets in a pack– Will usually steal from lower denomination.


Ball Manipulation– The agent can manipulate the balls on the

calling stand, causing someone to win where they should not have.

Not easily done with the blower style system.


Toke Theft– Same scam as we see in slots where an agent

receives a toke but does not drop it in the toke box.

– Theft from co-workers.

KENO ~ GeneralKENO ~ General

Keno is a lottery-like or bingo-like gambling game played at modern casinos though not licensed in many states.

House Edge: 24 -28%

Keno ~ HistoryKeno ~ History

Keno originated in ancient China in the Han Dynasty between 205 and 187 B.C. Chinese immigrants brought the game to America in the 19th century.

Surveillance RequirementsSurveillance Requirements

Must have the capability to monitor the keno balls and the ball drawing device.– Should be recorded during the course of the draw.*

PTZ’s– To covertly observe the activities within the keno

area. Fixed Cameras

– Over every money drawer where customers or Keno runners place the wagers as well as collect the winnings.

Watch Out For:Watch Out For:

Ensure that the previous game’s balls have been dropped. Control: Accounting should pull tape (or digital

equivalent) to do a 20 game random check. Damaged or cracked balls should be immediately

replaced. – Damaged balls will not be sucked up.– Cracked balls will come up more often than regular balls

because the air is sucked in and the ball will rise into the blower. – Keno agents and regular players know this and will pick

numbers accordingly.– Possibility of collusion.

“Controls can only give reasonable assurance not absolute assurance”

Thank You For Your AttentionThank You For Your Attention

Questions or comments?

Bingo and Keno Protection Presented By: Darrin L. Norcutt Surveillance Training Manager A.C.E.P....

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