Return to player
97.3%
Min bet size
0.10
Game type
Live
Variance
Low
Reels
-
Progressive Jackpot
No
Popularity
Max bet size
100
Game provider
Evolution Gaming
Bonus Features
Yes
Paylines
-
Theme
Live Casino Game Show
Lightning Ball
Lightning Ball Live is Evolution Gaming's revamped version of the original Lightning Lotto live casino game. The original game had a theoretical RTP of 96.08%, while the new Lightning Ball version has an improved RTP of 97.03%. The increase in RTP comes courtesy of boosted multipliers and, of course, a higher chance of winning, which gives you a shot at a massive 49,999x your bet. With these numbers in play, we decided to take Lightning Ball Live for a test drive, taking the game on for 500 betting rounds so that we can share our experience with you and explain how this game works.
Lightning Ball Live Main Facts
- Lightning Ball is an upgrade to the original Evolution game Lightning Lotto.
- You only need to match two numbers from six on your lotto card to win. However, the more numbers matched, the higher your prize.
- There are two ball-drawing machines in action.
- The first ball drawing phase will produce five balls numbered between 1 and 30.
- A sixth number, known as the power number, will be drawn in a second ball drawing phase.
- Before the ball drawing phase begins, the game adds lightning multipliers between 2x and 50x.
Theme, Graphics and Audio
Evolution has set up Lightning Ball in a large dedicated studio with two ball machines and a presenter. The theme is very similar to Evolution Gaming's Lightning Dice game with a dark studio, and gold decor in the backdrop.
The graphic and sound quality will depend on several factors, such as your device's ability to stream HD webcam images, your internet connection, and the quality of your audio device. With today's modern tech, desktop and laptop devices should have no problems streaming Evolution's Lightning Ball studio in clear HD graphics.
Mobile Experience
Even on mobile devices, the Lightning Ball live casino studio sucks you into the game's dark-themed studio. The studio setup is relatively thin compared to other game show games like Wheel of Fortune titles, so you get the full effect on your mobile in portrait or landscape mode.
Also, there is an immersive option that zooms in on the ball machine when the balls are drawn.
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How to Play Lightning Ball Live
If you have played bingo or tried any of the Evolution lotto/bingo-style titles like Mega Ball, then you'll get to grips with the gameplay in no time. Even if you are new to lotto games, it will take you seconds to learn how to play Lightning Ball.
- Step 1: Select your bet size within the 15-second betting time limit
- Step 2: Buy a ticket, or you can purchase more tickets by increasing the ticket number up to 200. The blocks of tickets you can select in one click are 1, 10, 50, 100 or 200 tickets.
- Step 3: Sit back and enjoy the thrill as balls are drawn and numbers matching your ticket are ticked off. Once you reach two numbers, each new matching number increases the size of your prize.
The game really is as simple as choosing a card with random numbers and letting the ball drawing machines and the game presenter entertain you. In other words, Lightning Ball is perfect for those of you looking for an effortless game to play.
Gameplay Mechanics
There are four stages to the gameplay. We've already covered the first stage of selecting your bet size and the number of tickets. Next, there are the two ball drawing machines.
- The initial phase in which you purchase tickets using the one-click interface
- Five balls are drawn from the first drum for the regular number match phase to decide your winning tickets ready for the Powerball number
- The game presenter pulls the leaver to reveal a lightning multiplier
- The second of the ball machines will reveal one ball, which is drawn from the Powerball drum
Here's the exact sequence in which balls are drawn:
First Ball Drawing Machine
The first ball machine draws the first five balls for the regular number match phase. You don't have to do anything at this stage, as the game will automatically tick off each number on your tickets that appears from the ball machine.
To make life easier, your tickets will begin to move up and down the screen as the game round places those most likely to win at the top.
All you need is two balls with matching numbers on a single ticket to get paid even odds. The more tickets you fill during the game round, the higher the prize. The more winning tickets you have, the higher your chance of landing a lightning multiplier when balls are drawn from the second machine used during each game round.
Lightning Multipliers
The Lightning multiplier is triggered just before the second machine comes into action.
The action will switch to the multiplier board in the middle of the studio and randomly select a multiplier between 2x to 50x. This multiplier is applied to winning tickets that have at least two matching numbers, including the PowerBall number.
The Powerball Machine Draw
Now, the lightning multiplier has been decided, and the Lightning Ball phase begins. At this point, one ball is drawn from the Powerball machine. This is the Powerball number, which could fetch you a ticket 50x if the lightning multiplier reveals 50x during the lightning multipliers phase.
There are ten numbers in the Powerball drum. If any of your winning tickets have the Powerball number, then your win is multiplied by the number revealed in the lightning multiplier phases.
Also, if any of your tickets with only one number matches a Powerball number, then what was initially a losing ticked becomes a winning ticket.
Payouts
The payout depends on several factors. The total bet placed will affect the cash or crypto amount you win, and the multipliers applied will increase the multiplier applied to the amount you bet.
- Two numbers (1 to 1): If you hit two numbers on any of your tickets, you win an even-odds payout
- Three Numbers (4 to 1): You'll win 4x your bet if three numbers match
- Four Numbers (14 to 1): You'll win 14x your bet if three numbers match
- Five Numbers (99 to 1): You'll win 4x your bet if three numbers match
- Six Numbers (999 to 1): You'll win 4x your bet if three numbers match
Probabilities of Winning
A good way to compare the payouts to the value the game offers is to look at the probabilities of two or more numbers hitting one of your tickets.
- Two numbers: 16.13%, giving you a probability of 6.2 to 1
- Three Numbers: 2.1%, giving you a probability of 47.62 to 1
- Four Numbers: 0.0877%, giving you a probability of 1,140 to 1
- Five Numbers: 0.0007%, giving you a probability of 142,857 to 1
- Six Numbers: 0.00007%, giving you a probability of 1,428,571 to 1
The odds don't look great when you consider if you are betting odd or even playing roulette, you have a 48.60% chance of landing an even odds payout. You have almost a 2 to 1 chance on roulette versus a 6.2 to 1 chance of winning your money back playing Lightning Ball, so what makes this game worthwhile?
The difference is the lightning multipliers and Powerball matches. You may not win as often as roulette's outside bets when comparing the probabilities, but when you do win on Lightning Ball, the payouts with multipliers cover for the shortfall in probability.
Expert Tips on Winning Playing Lightning Ball Live
- Budget Wisely: Even with a 0.10 minimum bet, your stakes per betting round can still get relatively high. If you purchase 100 tickets at 0.10, that's 10.00 per round.
- Cover Multiple Tickets: The best way to stand a chance of winning is to cover multiple tickets. Yes, every ticket will win, but you cover more of the probabilities listed in the 'Probabilities of Winning' section in this Lightning Ball Evolution guide.
Game Technical Details
Minimum maximum bets are pretty low, which is excellent news for low-budget players. 0.10 per ticket is a bargain. For high rollers, the 100.00 max bet might seem low, yet if you combine 100 tickets at the 100.00 max bet, you are looking at a 10,000 bet.
As for the RTP, we are pleased to see Evolution has increased Lightning Ball Live's theoretical RTP to 97.3%, up from Lightning Lotto, which was 96.08%.
As for the volatility of this game, we would say it is medium because it doesn't quite match roulette's low variance, even odds outside bets probability versus payout. Still, the game does pay out even odds payouts via two numbers reasonably often.
The Best Alternatives to Lightning Ball Live
Live lotto games are becoming all the rage on the live casino scene. BetGames has its Lucky 6, Lucky 7, and Lucky 8 lotto titles, and TVBet also has a large selection of live lotto games.
However, the Playcasino team decided to pick the three standout lotto titles we think are the closest matching alternatives to Lightning Ball. To be honest, it doesn't really matter which lotto or keno game you pick because they are all super easy to learn how to play.
Mega Ball (Evolution)
Evolution's Mega Ball is a lottery-style game where you buy tickets that use a 5x5 grid. 51 balls are drawn, with players aiming to match as many numbers as possible on their cards.
The similarities to Lightning Ball come after the main draw when one or two Mega Balls are drawn to boost your winnings via multipliers worth 5x to 100x, which is similar to the Lightning multiplier phase.
If any of your completed lines include the Mega Ball number, your total for that card is multiplied. However, just be aware that Mega Ball's theoretical RTP of 95.4% is lower compared to Lightning Ball.
Cash or Crash (Evolution)
The Cash or Crash lotto game is slightly more complex compared to Lightning Ball and Mega Ball. However, the Playcasino team has also had plenty of fun playing Cash or Crash because it offers more interactive gameplay.
You progress up a 20-step ladder, attempting to cash out before a red ball ends the game. The idea is to take risks by continuing to climb up the payout ladder with each drawn green ball. Along the way, you have the choice to cash out partially or fully.
Unlike Mega Ball, Cash or Crash doesn't use multipliers but instead focuses on strategic decision-making and risk management. The theoretical RTP for Cash or Crash can reach as high as 99.59%, significantly higher than Mega Ball and Lightning Ball.
Verdict and Summary
The new live casino Lightning Ball version of Lightning Lotto is far more entertaining and the perfect upgrade to the original. The new RTP of 97.03% brings the game closer to popular live casino table games like European and French Roulette, which has an RTP of 97.3%.
For those of you looking for an easy game to play that offers a simple interface to purchase tickets, then they don't really come much more straightforward than Lightning Ball Evolution.
All you need to do is sit back, watch as the first five balls are drawn from the first drum, let the game host pull the lever to reveal one of the lightning multipliers, and fingers crossed that the second ball machine produces a number that is on one of your tickets landing you a big win.
James is a casino games expert on the Playcasino.com editorial team. With many years of professional experience at a leading casino game development company and a passion for playing casino games, James has become a true expert in slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other games.
James uses this expertise to provide reliable, insider advice through his reviews and guides, breaking down the game rules and offering tips to help you win more often. Rely on James's extensive experience for expert advice on your casino play.
