Montana 2000

The Montana 2000, produced by Splin S.A. of Liège, Belgium, is a rare and enigmatic bingo machine — a specialized branch of coin-op pinball built around card-matching and multi-hole scoring rather than traditional flipper play. Due to a lack of information on its release year and specific design details, it remains something of a mystery among collectors and historians. Still, several features hint at its character: 25 trap holes provide players with numerous scoring opportunities, while six cards add an element of unpredictability to each game.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Montana 2000 is its operation on a standard 110v power source. The presence of a thermal printer suggests that results or scores could be printed out — an unusual technical touch for a bingo machine. The game was built for export to the USA and, notably, has no payout hopper option, distinguishing it from many bingo machines of the era that were designed around cash payouts.

As one of the lesser-known solid-state bingo machines, the Montana 2000 offers a glimpse into the specialized world of card-and-hole coin-op gaming. Its scarcity and lack of documentation have contributed to its mystique. While little is known about its specific history or designer, its distinctive features make it an interesting curiosity in pinball-adjacent history.