When the Lytton Indian Tribe failed to reach an agreement with the state of California regarding its future mega-casino project, it did not give up. Tribal officials decided to move on and open a more modest casino with an offering that did not require the state's approval – "knockoff slots", also known as bingo-based machines. The bingo machines, which are very similar to slots, imitate bingo game format and allow players to play against each other like in traditional bingo games.

During each game, players are required to "daub" their bingo machine, exactly as they do in conventional bingo games. This particular feature implies that, overall, the pace of the game is slower than that of regular slot machines. Since these devices are largely considered to be poorer versions of slots, and belong to the "Class II" machine category, they are not subject to state regulation and taxation.

Surprisingly enough, the bingo-based machines turned out to be a great success. Indeed, each of the casino's 805 bingo machines generates more than $330 per day – a figure that is double the average sum generated by slot machines in Las Vegas. At this rate, San Pablo Lytton Casino could total $100 million in gross revenues in its first year of operation. Moreover, this sudden success has reportedly prompted other local tribes to consider the operation of Class II slots-bingo machines.