Playbawk, a Class II bingo-based sports app, has released its Version 2.0 update. Launched by the Chicken Ranch Tribe of Me-Wuk Indians in February, the update introduces new gameplay screens. The update was available as of November 5, nearly coinciding with the opening of the new Chicken Ranch Casino Resort, an hour northeast of Modesto.
Following a series of minor updates, Playbawk’s Version 2.0 release stands to be the major modification the app has had since its creation, as the scope of earlier improvements introduced in Version 1.2.1 focused on the critical gaming settlement enhancement and enhancement in the purchase flow and KYC.
Developed in collaboration with Vetnos, Playbawk introduces a sports-themed app game designed for casual fans that differs from mobile sports betting. The app’s easy-to-learn gameplay and low entry point make sports gaming more inclusive.
However, it is important to note that it is only available on Chicken Ranch’s reservation in California.
What should players know about Playbawk?
PlayBawk is basically a supercharged Tic Tac Toe game. You’re matched up against nine other players, and each game is scored like a fantasy sports contest. The goal? Rack up as many Tic Tac Toe wins as you can on your board.
With PlayBawk, there are two ways in which players can win:
- For the Primary Win, to score, players must still complete a line of three winning squares, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. The more lines you complete, the more you win.
- In addition to regular winnings, in the Bonus Pattern Win, players can earn extra rewards by being the first to identify the game’s randomly selected Bonus Pattern.
And for those with lightning-fast reflexes, there’s an added incentive in that the first player to submit their card earns a $2 bonus.
Players can place bets between $1 and $20 and receive returns of up to 32x their wager for accurate cell matches.
Social sportsbooks skating the line of regulation
Just like Fliff and other social sportsbooks, Playbawk represents a nuanced approach to sports gaming, blending skill-based bingo elements with traditional sports offerings. Fliff offers bettors a more social and less risky experience than traditional sportsbook apps, as California doesn’t have legalized sports betting.
Unlike traditional sports betting, it avoids direct betting on game outcomes and this distinction categorizes it as a non-Class III product.
Under federal law, sports betting falls under Class III gaming. For tribes to offer it in California, two conditions apply. There needs to be state legalization, and the state and tribe must agree on gaming rules.
Hence, Playbawk dances in the gray area, with Class II gaming‘s freewheeling flair. No state compacts needed; tribes call the shots, with the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) watching from the sidelines.
Although, during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, on October 8, James Siva, Chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, revealed plans to revive talks on legal California sports betting initiative.
Until further developments, California residents are using alternatives such as daily fantasy sports platforms and social sportsbooks. Some of which includes:
- Fliff
- DraftKings Pick6
- PrizePicks
- ParlayPlay
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