Draw-Based Games
An umbrella category for games whose outcome is a periodic random draw of numbers or symbols, including lotteries, keno and numbers games.
Definition
Draw-Based Games are any products where the result comes from a scheduled or on-demand random draw, whether from physical ball machines or certified RNGs, rather than from player-versus-dealer play or a sporting event. The family includes national and state lotteries, keno, 'numbers' or pick-3 style games, and online draw games that run every few minutes. They are typically pari-mutuel or fixed-odds with a published prize table, and all carry a substantial takeout deducted before prizes, which is why the category as a whole has strongly negative expected value. Regulators often treat draw-based games as a distinct licensing class with rules on draw certification, prize funding and player protection.
Worked example
An online site offers a keno-style draw every four minutes plus a twice-weekly jackpot lottery; both resolve from independent random draws with fixed pay tables.
Why it matters
The label groups products by how their outcome is generated, which matters for regulation and for comparing margins; learners get a mental map, professionals get a licensing and design category.