Looking for a live game show with a bold twist? Playtech’s Busted or Bailed truly stands out from the crowd, combining simple crash gameplay with a high-speed televised car chase. Discover how it works, what payouts you could win, and more in our Busted or Bailed review. Unlike many live game shows, Busted or Bailed focuses on a virtual scenario powered by a Random Number Generator (RNG). Computer-generated footage of a suspect driving along a busy road somewhere in the U.S., with a police car in hot pursuit, is presented as if it were a real news story. In each game, players bet on whether they think the suspect will get away, the police will catch the suspect, or a crash will occur. It has a high Return to Player (RTP) of 95 - 99%, but the max payout available is just 10x the bet. What else does Busted or Bailed offer? Read on to find out.
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If you are used to playing live game shows with a traditional casino setting, you may be amazed by Busted or Bailed’s setup. A presenter appears on screen for a large portion of the game, but they are largely contained in a small box in the top-left corner. Instead, the virtual car chase fills most of the screen to give you a clear view of the action. The presenter’s outfit and background adds to the illusion that this is a real television news broadcast covering the chase, rather than a live game show.
At the start of each round, you have 10 seconds to place your bet before the chase begins. You can choose from three wagering options:
Once the betting time ends, the chase starts. Each game lasts for just 10 seconds. Both cars have a randomly generated multiplier floating above them, which changes as the chase goes on. Here is how it works:
As this game is powered by an RNG, the results are totally unpredictable and randomised. The payouts awarded are determined by the multipliers displayed at the end of the chase. Winning bets are paid out, and the next betting phase begins.
The car with the higher multiplier wins: if that is below 2x, the non-winning players are paid based on the difference from 2x. For example, if the winning car multiplier pays 1.88x, the other car pays 0.12x.
But if either car achieves a multiplier of 2x during a chase, the other car’s multiplier drops to zero.
When a crash occurs, players who bet on this outcome win, but anyone who wagered on a Busted or Bailed result loses their bets. Conversely, players wagering on a Crash lose their bet if Busted or Bailed wins.
There are no bonus games available in Bailed or Busted. It focuses on the car chase at the heart of the game instead.
Busted or Bailed is hosted by English-speaking presenters, and all text is in English. Hots present the game as if they are on a television news show, commenting on the chase as they would if it were playing out for real.
Not only do they describe the action as it unfolds, but they discuss what the suspect or police may be thinking for added realism. However, they also address players as hosts usually do in live game shows to maintain engagement.
Busted or Bailed’s presentation is outstanding, with a realistic style and impressive attention to detail that ensures it looks like an authentic news broadcast. The ‘QNN Live’ logo in the bottom-left corner is a clever touch, along with the ‘BREAKING NEWS’ caption beside it. Other ‘live’ updates appear at the bottom of the screen throughout, too.
The car chase looks fantastic, with numerous vehicles on the road and plenty of environmental details to make the location more realistic. Three cameras capture the action: a helicopter cam, a dash cash, and a highway cam. Exciting music plays in the background, too, which adds to the game’s high-octane feel.
Busted or Bailed bets have a theoretical RTP of 99.0%, while the RTP for Crash bets is 95.0%. Payouts also vary depending on the bet:
Bet |
Payout |
Busted |
0.01x - 5x |
Bailed |
0.01x - 5x |
Crash |
10x |
Busted or Bailed is playable on mobile devices, though the presentation is more streamlined than in the desktop version. While it runs in portrait mode on mobile, it will not play in landscape. If you try to switch to a landscape layout, the game will ask you to rotate your device to return to portrait mode.
However, the virtual chase and other visual elements still look just as impressive on small screens as they do on a desktop.
Here are the main highlights of Playtech’s Busted or Bailed:
Original presentation style mimics real-time television news broadcasts.
High-quality visuals and sound.
Simple gameplay and UI cater to all players.
Wide range of bet options (from £0.10 to £1,000) for everyone from casual players to high rollers.
Busted or Bailed takes a fresh approach to crash games, but it will not be for everyone.
Players who prefer complex game designs and traditional live experiences may be turned off by Busted or Bailed’s simplicity. But the distinctive news broadcast-style presentation may help attract a wide audience, possibly even grabbing players who would usually avoid crash games.
However, there are no bonus games to explore and the payouts are low — the best you can expect is 10x your bet. Even with a theoretical RTP of 99%, the potential wins on offer may chase some people away.
Ultimately, Busted or Bailed is most likely to suit casual players interested in the unusual aesthetic and high-speed chase at the heart of the game. Players who want a little more depth and higher payouts have plenty of other options to explore.
Rating: 6.0
Here are four frequently asked questions about Busted or Bailed: