U.S. patent application number 10/392138 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for skill based lottery system.
Invention is credited to D'Angelo, Kenneth, Hannan, Michael.
Application Number | 20040029627 10/392138 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31499321 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040029627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hannan, Michael ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
Skill based lottery system
Abstract
The invention disclosed provides a gaming system that is based
on the outcome of scheduled sporting events. The wagers are
directed to a selected sporting event and represent either of the
top six, five or four winners. Alternate embodiments involve an
array of sporting events, and other embodiments involve different
scoring schemes. A method is provided to assign sports participants
to groups when the total number of participants is large.
Inventors: |
Hannan, Michael; (Marana,
AZ) ; D'Angelo, Kenneth; (Edison, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAPLAN & GILMAN , L.L.P.
900 ROUTE 9 NORTH
WOODBRIDGE
NJ
07095
US
|
Family ID: |
31499321 |
Appl. No.: |
10/392138 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60402814 |
Aug 12, 2002 |
|
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60443360 |
Jan 29, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3288 20130101; G07F 17/329 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/1 |
International
Class: |
G06F 019/00; G06F
017/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gaming system comprising the steps of: a) establishing
criteria based on an outcome of at least one actual scheduled
event; b) providing access to at least one user of the system to
the criteria; c) accepting from the user at least one wager and
selections by the user relating to the criteria; d) awaiting an
outcome of the at least one event to determine event results; e)
comparing the selections of the user to the outcome of the at least
one event to determine whether the user has met the criteria and
thereby won; and f) providing a payment to the user if the user has
won.
2. The invention according to claim 1, said step of establishing
criteria comprising requiring a winning ticket to identify the top
six finishers of a contest.
3. The invention according to claim 1, said sporting event selected
from the group consisting of a golf tournament, a tennis
tournament, a car race, a bicycle race and a boat race.
4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
sporting event comprises a series of sporting events.
5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the series of
sporting events is a sport series contest.
6. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the sporting events
comprise a series of events in a selected time period.
7. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the step of
establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to
identify the top five finishers of a contest.
8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the step of
establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to
identify the top four finishers of a contest.
9. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the step of
establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to
identify the top six scoring teams for a given time period.
10. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the step of
establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to
identify the top five scoring teams for a given time period.
11. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the step of
establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to
identify the top four scoring teams for a given time period.
12. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the winning
criteria comprises selecting the six teams to score the fastest
goal for a given time period.
13. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the winning
criteria comprises selecting the five teams to score the fastest
goal for a given time period.
14. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the winning
criteria comprises selecting the four teams to score the fastest
goal for a given time period.
15. The invention according to claim 1, including the user
accessing the system via a wide area network.
16. The invention according to claim 15, wherein the network
comprises the Internet.
17. The invention accordingly to claim 1, including the user
accessing the system via a remote access system.
18. The invention according to claim 17, wherein the remote access
system employs communication of alpha numeric data with a server
selected from the group consisting of a kiosk terminal, telephone,
personal digital assistant, pulse code system and web TV.
19. The invention according to claim 15, further comprising
requesting from the user information regarding the identity of the
user and payment information; a) accepting or denying access of the
user in response to a prompt; b) providing in the prompt
information to the user relating to criteria that has been
identified; c) accepting selections from the user; and d)
confirming to said user the selections.
20. A skill based gaming system comprising at least one user
computer coupled to at least one server computer on a
communications network, the server computer storing gaming data
accessible to the user computer and software to provide requested
content to the user computer.
21. In a skill based gaming system with a list of participants, a
method for establishing a field of participants and participant
groups from which selections are made, comprising the steps of: a)
determining a total number of participants; b) establishing a total
number of selections; c) establishing a maximum number of
participants to list individually as selections; d) determining a
number of selections available for participant groups; e) assigning
individual participants to the individual participant selection
list; and f) assigning remaining participants to the group
selection list.
22. The method as described in claim 22, wherein the maximum number
of players to list individually is not greater than the total
number of players.
23. The method as described in claim 22, wherein the step of
assigning remaining participants comprises dividing the number of
remaining participants into participant groups of equal size.
24. The method as described in claim 22, wherein the step of
assigning remaining participants comprises dividing the number of
remaining participants into player groups of unequal size.
25. The method as described in claim 24, further comprising
participants having a rank, wherein the step of assigning remaining
participants comprises dividing the number of remaining
participants into groups wherein the lower ranked participants are
placed into a larger size group.
26. The method as described in claim 25, wherein the step of
assigning remaining participants comprises dividing the number of
remaining participants into groups wherein each successive group of
lower ranked participants is formed to contain approximately 50% or
more players than the previous higher ranked group.
27. A gaming system for wagering on a plurality of sporting events,
comprising the steps of: a) defining requirements to win the game;
b) making the established requirements available to users of the
system; c) receiving wagers from users of the system in respect to
the requirements to win; d) obtaining results from the plurality of
sporting events; e) comparing the results to the wagers of the
users with results from the sporting events; and f) determining
whether any user won the game.
28. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to
win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the
highest score in the plurality of sporting events.
29. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to
win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the
lowest score in the plurality of sporting events.
30. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to
win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the
earliest score among the plurality of sporting events.
31. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to
win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the
latest score among the plurality of sporting events.
32. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to
win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the
most shots on goal.
33. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to
win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the
least shots on goal.
34. The system according to claim 27, wherein the method is
implemented electronically via a communication network.
Description
RELATED-APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a conversion of provisional patent
application No. 60/402,814, filed Aug. 12, 2002 and 60/443,360,
filed Jan. 29, 2003.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The instant invention is for a skill based lottery system
wherein winning, rather than depending on a random selection, is
determined by the outcome of a pre-selected sporting event or
events.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Typical lottery games require participants to correctly pick
numbers (3, 4, 5 or 6 numbers), which may win if the selected
numbers are drawn from a larger pool of numbers. Typically, numbers
are chosen from a computer coded card which is then presented to an
authorized lottery agent. Lottery tickets containing the selected
set or sets of numbers are then generated by a ticket generator.
Players also may opt to "quick pick," i.e., have their selections
made for them by a random number generator contained in the lottery
ticket machine.
[0004] The drawing to determine the winning numbers is conducted by
means of a random number generating device such as, but not limited
to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,583,736, 4,796,890 and
4,813,676.
[0005] A particular problem which has faced numerous jurisdictions
which sponsor lottery games is that of declining revenues and
profits. There are a number of state lottery agencies which are
running deficits due to increased competition for players. With the
proliferation of lotteries, states and Canadian provinces have
aggressively campaigned to receive a larger share of static lottery
revenues.
[0006] In addition, it is common for lottery jackpots to accumulate
over many weeks. Accordingly, players frequently wait until a
jackpot has grown to a substantial level before beginning to
purchase tickets. Thus, the size of the jackpot is directly
proportional to the demand for tickets. This phenomenon tends to
create an inconsistent cash-flow for the lottery authority and
frequently leads to frenzied buying at the last minute as the
jackpot accumulates. This situation can result in people waiting in
line for hours to purchase tickets, which disrupts the business of
the ticket vendor and discourages the elderly and infirm from
purchasing tickets.
[0007] It would be desirable to provide a novel lottery game which
would increase player interest and which would help to increase the
revenues of a lottery which adopted and sponsored the game.
[0008] There is also a need for a skill-based lottery to increase
interest in lottery type gaming by permitting players to have an
increased chance of success.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
novel lottery game in which the winning combination is not the
result of a random number generator, but is instead based on the
outcome of sporting events.
[0010] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent from the Summary and Detailed Description which
follow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In accordance with the present invention, a method for
providing a lottery type game is disclosed comprising substantially
the steps of establishing winning criteria from the outcome of an
actual scheduled sporting event or series of events, such as, but
not limited to, a golf tournament, auto race, football game,
baseball game, basketball game, tennis tournament, soccer game,
cricket match, bass fishing tournament, etc., the criteria being
selected from the group consisting of placement in terms of finish,
scoring totals, timing of scoring, statistical totals or the like;
providing information for the lottery users relating to the winning
criteria; accepting selections and a wager from the users; awaiting
the outcome of the events to determine winning values; matching the
selections of users to the outcome of the events to determine
whether a user has won; and providing a payment to winners. In this
way, the criteria that form the basis for winning are objective and
verifiable elements. Therefore, users of the lottery are assured
that the winning combination is not "fixed" and that their own
analysis of the sporting participant players or teams is partly
responsible for winning the lottery. Thus, the lottery system of
the present invention is not just luck.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment prior to the users participating
in the lottery, the provider selects elements that will result in a
winning combination. For example, in a most preferred embodiment
the provider selects a golf tournament such as the Masters in which
about 140 golfers typically participate. Each golfer is assigned a
number by the lottery provider, the number being based on
established rankings such as are available on published websites
such as the PGA web site. Users then select those players on which
to bet will finish in the top six places in the tournament.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment the provider can provide a
lottery in which only the top four or five finishers need to be
correctly chosen. The provider may make several lotteries available
simultaneously. According to different embodiments, winning may be
the result of selecting all four or five or six players in the
finishing sequence or simply selecting the group correctly, without
regard to individual placement.
[0014] In other preferred embodiments the sporting event upon which
the lottery is based is car racing such as but not limited to
NASCAR which typically has a field of 43 drivers. Numbers are
assigned to the drivers by their starting or "pole" position
available from published sources such as newspapers or web sites.
Users then select the top four, five or six finishers depending on
the lottery game established by the provider.
[0015] In a most preferred embodiment, the provider may further
divide the sporting event participants into "fields." For example,
for a golf tournament with a large number of players the fields may
be divided as follows:
1 FIELD NO. PARTICIPANT NO. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 * * * *
* * 40 40 41 41-50 42 51-60 43 61-70 44 71-80 45 81-90 46 91-100 47
101-110 48 111-120 49 121-130 50 131-140
[0016] Therefore users can select a field numbered 41 or higher and
obtain ten chances (golfers) instead of only one, thereby
increasing the users chance of winning. A further embodiment,
intended to increase interest in wagering on groups of lower ranked
players is to increase the number of players in a group as the
ranking goes lower.
[0017] In this case, the fields would be divided as follows:
2 FIELD NO. PARTICIPANT NO. 1 1 2 2 3 3 * * * * * * 40 40 41 41-44
42 45-51 43 52-61 44 62-75 45 76-96 46 97-127 47 128-170
[0018] The foregoing adjusted "field" can be divided in any number
of ways. The field can be divided in a variety of sporting events
in the same way, e.g., for car racing, bicycle racing such as the
Tour de France, boat racing such as the Americas Cup yacht race and
the like.
[0019] In yet another embodiment, the lottery can be applied to
team sporting events. For example, the criteria can be set based on
scoring totals of football, basketball, baseball, soccer or hockey
teams over a given period of time. In one preferred embodiment the
provider sets the criteria as the six highest scoring football
teams during one weekend of regular season National Football League
play. Users must then correctly choose the six National Football
League teams that will score the most points during that weekend.
The same type of criteria can be applied to any other team sport
for a given time period. Other variations of criteria may be fewest
points (runs, goals, etc.) allowed by a team, fewest points (runs,
goals, etc.) scored, etc. Other combinations of betting criteria
are, for example, the six highest (or lowest) scoring teams in a
time period, the first (or last) teams to score, teams shooting the
most (least) shots on goal, and other possible permutations.
[0020] Other variations include season-long criteria for team
sports such as, but not limited to, wins, losses, total points
(runs, goals, etc.) scored, total points (runs, goals, etc.)
allowed, etc. In every instance, regardless of the criteria, users
of the lottery must choose four, five or six finishers depending on
the lottery structure in order to win.
[0021] Another advantage of the invention is that the winning
combination is not entirely random. Factors such as how
participants in the sporting event compete in certain venues,
injury reports, weather conditions, current level of play and the
like all influence the outcome. Therefore, the skill of a user as a
"handicapper" in large part can increase the chances of that user
winning.
[0022] In a most preferred embodiment, the lottery is available to
a global market, increasing the number of system users and the
potential for returns.
[0023] In additional preferred embodiments, a user accesses the
game via a wide area network or by some other remote means. The
user is requested to input information regarding identification of
the user and payment means. Once the user has decided to actually
place a wager on a game or a grouping of games and has provided the
requested information, the user accesses a gaming page which
presents choices and accepts the user's selection for the given
game or games. Once the user has input his or her selection, the
user is asked to confirm the user's number and/or character
selection. The user is then sent a confirmation of the user's
number and/or character and, in some preferred embodiments, a
ticket or an entry identification number, preferably by email. The
user then waits for the conclusion of the event for the winning
combination to be established.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is an illustration of typical hardware in a network
system environment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 2A depicts a flowchart diagram of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2B depicts a flowchart diagram of a further preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2C depicts a flowchart diagram of a further preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2D depicts a preferred embodiment of a database scheme
of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 2E depicts a preferred embodiment of a main page
employed in accordance with the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2F depicts a preferred embodiment of an event page
employed in accordance with the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2G depicts a preferred embodiment of a game page
employed in accordance with the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2H depicts a preferred embodiment of a shopping cart
page employed in accordance with the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3A depicts a log in/create account page of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 3B depicts a financial information page of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 3C depicts a payment information page of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process involved in one
preferred embodiment of the present invention for establishing a
field of players, some of which are listed individually and some of
which are listed in groups.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Preferred embodiments of the instant invention operate on a
network, such as, for example, the Internet, or another type of
remote access system, such as a kiosk-based terminal, a telephone,
a personal digital assistant, a pulse code system, web TV, or any
other device or method that communicates alpha numeric data through
a server.
[0038] Preferred embodiments of the instant invention operate in
accordance with a plurality of networked computers, such as, for
example, a user computer and a server computer which are coupled
together on a communications network, such as, for example, the
Internet or a wide area network. FIG. 1 depicts a network
communication hardware 10 that operates to implement preferred
embodiments of the invention. In preferred embodiments, network
communication hardware 10 includes a server computer 12 and a
client, or user, computer terminal 14, wherein server computer 12
and user computer 14 are in electronic communication with each
other via a network 17. Network 17 may be a local area network
(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet, and is
hardwired, wireless, or a hybrid thereof.
[0039] In some preferred embodiments, network communication
hardware 10 includes a plurality of either servers 12, user
computers 14, or any combination thereof. Server 12 incorporates a
memory device from which gaming information and other relevant data
is accessible to user computer 14. Preferably, hardware 10 includes
a plurality of servers 12 that are operatively connected to network
17. Two such servers 12 are shown in FIG. 1. It will be understood
that network systems in accordance with various embodiments will
include more than two servers 12.
[0040] Server computer 12 comprises any suitable
network-connectable device capable of providing content (data
representing text, hypertext, photographs, graphics, video and/or
audio) for communication over network 17. In preferred embodiments,
server computer 12 is a programmable processor capable of operating
in accordance with programs stored on one or more of computer
readable media 24 (for example, but not limited to, floppy disks,
hard disks, random access memory RAM, CD-ROM, ZIP disks), to
provide content for communication to a connected user computer 14.
Server computer 12 comprises, for example, but is not limited to, a
personal computer, a mainframe computer, network computer, portable
computer, personal digital assistant (such as, a 3Com Palm Pilot),
or the like. The server computer 12 may include one or more
internal data storage devices, e.g. a hard drive (not shown), for
storing content for communication to a user computer 14.
Alternatively, or in addition, server computer 12 is coupled to an
external data storage device, computer or other means, generally
represented at 26, from which server computer 12 obtains
information for communication to user computer 14. In one
embodiment, external device 26 comprises a further network device
coupled to network 17. Server computer 12 is controlled by suitable
software to provide the requested content information to the
requesting user computer 14, provided that various criteria are
met.
[0041] In a preferred WAN environment, such as the Internet, server
computer 12 is controlled by software adapted to generate a
response to a valid request for content information by transmitting
or downloading data in the form of one or more HTML files to a
requesting user computer 14. It will be understood by those skilled
in the art that this process involves communication through routers
and other network components in addition to suitable servers, as is
dictated by the particular network environment.
[0042] User computer 14 comprises any suitable network-adapted
device capable of communicating with other devices in the network
system according to an established protocol. In preferred
embodiments, user computer 14 comprises a programmable processor
capable of operating in accordance with programs stored on one or
more computer readable media 18 (for example, but not limited to
floppy disk, hard disk, computer network, random access memory
(RAM), CD Rom, ZIP disks, or the like). User computer 14 also has a
display device 20 for providing a user-perceivable display (for
example, but not limited to visual displays, such as cathode ray
tube (CRT) displays, light-emitting-diode (LED) or
liquid-crystal-diode (LCD) displays, plasma displays or the like,
audio displays or tactile displays), and a user input device 22
(for example, but not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, trackball,
touch pad, microphone, or the like). In one preferred embodiment,
user computer 14 comprises a personal computer system having a CRT
display, a keyboard and a mouse user-input device.
[0043] The user computer 14 is controlled by suitable software,
including network communication and browser software to allow a
user to request, receive and display information (or content) from
or through a provider computer 12 on the network system 10. The
user computers 14 are any means capable of communicating with the
server computers 12, including, but not limited, to personal
computers, PDAs, email-enabled cell phones and ATM-type terminals.
User computers 14 access server computers 12 via network 17 or
through some other remote access, such as, for example, by
telephone lines.
[0044] Preferred embodiments of the instant invention base winning
criteria on one or more sporting events, the results of the
sporting event or events, and further provide a verifiable method
of determining the winning combination of the lottery. The present
invention is typically applied to a single sporting event when the
sporting event involves a large number of competing entrants, such
as but not limited to a golf tournament, basketball tournament such
as the NCAA tournament or a baseball season. The invention is
typically applied to a plurality of sporting events when the number
of entrants in a single event is small, a basketball game (between
two teams), but there are many such games being played in a
confined time frame, such as a weekend of professional basketball
games. Indeed, individual players can independently ascertain the
results of the lottery and verify the authenticity of such results
through published outcomes of the particular sporting events
involved.
[0045] With reference to FIG. 2A, a flowchart of operations
involved in one preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed.
According to the FIG. 2A flowchart, players who desire to
participate in a particular lottery game establish a connection in
step 16 on a wide area computer network between a user computer 14
(see FIG. 1) and a server 12. In preferred embodiments, a
substantially unlimited number of players can connect to the
system, receive information and place wagers at any given time and
for any given game or series of games. Indeed, in preferred
embodiments, global participation in any given game is possible. As
is well known, the processing speed of modern computers, being on
the order of millions of operations per second, permits such
seemingly simultaneous accommodation of many users.
[0046] Once a player has established a connection with server 12
(FIG. 1), the player accesses an initial, or home, page in step 18
(FIG. 2A). To participate in a game, the user registers or sign-up
through an accessible sign-up page, examples of which ware
illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, via a link from the home page,
as will be described below. Once a user has accessed the sign-up
page, the user is able to enter pertinent information according to
step 20, such as, for example, name, address, date of birth, the
method of payment information. Address and date of birth
information may be used in combination for user confirmation. The
inputted information is conveyed to and verified by server 12 in
step 23, such as, for example, the credit information or account
information. If the information is accepted, server 12 allows the
user to access a gaming page in step 24 via an access button, such
as a "play" button.
[0047] Once connected to the gaming pages, the user enters
selections at step 26, and enters the number of desired drawings,
that is, the number of games to play with these selections. The
"selection" is data, in the form of numbers, alphabet characters,
mouse clicks, or other indicia, being representative of the user's
choices for the game.
[0048] When the user is satisfied with his selections, the user
selects a confirmation 27, or multiplay element on the gaming page
via an access button. The gaming server then accesses the
confirmation page. Once the user has accessed the confirmation
page, the users selections and number of plays are displayed for
the user. The display of the selections provides confirmation at
step 28 to the user that the correct selections have been recorded.
In one preferred embodiment, the user reconfirms the selections by
selecting an "OK" feature, or has the opportunity to change the
selections by selecting a "CLEAR" feature, which indicates that the
choices are incorrect and allows the user to make new
selections.
[0049] After the users selections and plays have been confirmed,
the user can access another play via a repeat play utility, such as
a "Play Another Game" feature at step 29. If the user selects the
"Play Another Game" option and chooses to play, the server will
return the user to the general gaming page at step 30. If instead,
the user chooses to terminate play, the user then exits the gaming
web site 32.
[0050] A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is
shown in flowchart depiction in FIG. 2B. A user of the lottery
system connects at step 36 by various means, some of which are
telephone, personal visit, computer link and mobile communication.
Access to the system occurs through an Internet web site at step
38, from which the determination is made at step 40 of whether the
user has an existing account. If the user has an existing account,
the account is accessed at step 46. If not, the user is requested
at step 42 to set up an account, the information for which is
entered into the system database at step 44, in compliance with for
example FIGS. 3A-3C, described below. After entering information
into the database at step 44, the established account is accessed
at step 46. The user is then presented with a selection at step 48
for various sports on which wagers may be made, for example, golf,
tennis, football, hockey, soccer, track & field, bowling, etc.
In a preferred embodiment, assuming that the user selects golf as a
choice, the system moves to step 50 to make a selection and place a
bet. The selection process is discussed below. After the user and
other users of the system have placed their wagers, the time window
for wagering is elapsed at the beginning of the sporting event or
events, and the results are awaited.
[0051] The results, or outcome, of the sporting event is determined
at step 54. The outcome may be reported directly to the server from
a wire service or may be inputted manually after reference to a
news reporting service or the like. Each wager ticket is evaluated
by comparison to the reported outcome to determine whether it is a
winner or a loser. If a winner is determined at step 58, the
account of the holder of the winning ticket is updated, i.e.,
winning amount deposited, at step 60, and the information is
entered into database 44. If the ticket is not a winner, determined
at step 56, or after a deposit of the winning amount is made at
step 58 and the account is updated at step 60, the holder of the
winning ticket is notified at step 62, by any known means of
communication.
[0052] The game administrator or provider presents the winning
numbers which have been obtained from the results of an event. For
example, and discussed below, in one preferred embodiment winning
criteria are determined from the results of a selected sporting
event such as, but not limited to a golf tournament wherein, for
example, the players are ranked according to their prior
performance and given ranking numbers. The top six finishers of the
event are identified in a post-tournament report by numbers
corresponding to their rankings. The results of the tournament are
posted and the lottery winners are notified by any acceptable
means, including, but not limited to, telephone, e-mail, postal
service, facsimile and posting on the web site maintained by the
service operator.
[0053] Registration is preferably completed before wagering.
Registration can be implemented by entry of the information either
manually or through a computer terminal, such as may be presented
over the Internet or in a sports book parlor or at a kiosk. Each
potential user will preferably be asked to register when entering
the system by being presented with a screen, an example of which is
shown in FIG. 3A, by entering information in the windows of dialog
box 70, e.g., email name and password. In this embodiment, a new
user will be required to open an account by clicking on the
"create" button in dialog box 72. The new user will move to FIG. 3B
to enter identifying information into the several data windows in
dialog box 74. At the completion of box 74, the user will click on
the "create" button and be presented with the screen in FIG. 3C,
including dialog box 76 for the submission of payment methods and
information. Where available, payment information may be entered by
inserting a bank card or credit card in a reader. Upon completing
the registration information, the user is validated by the system
and presented with sport and event selection and wagering
options.
[0054] Now referring to FIG. 2C, a further preferred embodiment of
the invention comprises a WAN accessible web site comprising a main
page 100, events page 110, game page 120, shopping cart page 130,
log in/create account page 140, summary page 150, payment
information page 160 and confirmation page 170. FIG. 2D comprises
an example of a database scheme for this embodiment.
[0055] Now referring to FIG. 2E, main page 100 comprises a
plurality of sport categories from which a user may choose by for
example clicking on a sport of interest. Main page 100, like all
pages in this embodiment, may further comprise links to other pages
such as, but not limited to, log in/create account page 140 or "hot
links" to game page 120. Upon selecting a sport on main page 100, a
user accesses events page 110.
[0056] Now referring to FIG. 2F, events page 110 displays the
particular current events in the sport selected in main page 100
upon which a wager can be placed. Event page 110 preferably
comprises links to other pages. A user selects an event from the
event page 110 by clicking on the event and is transferred to game
page 120.
[0057] Now referring to FIG. 2G, game page 120 comprises a list of
the participants for the selected event and the rules and criteria
governing the particular lottery to be conducted for that event.
For example, in a preferred embodiment, game page 120 provides a
list of players in a golf tournament and permits a user to select
from four to six golfers or groups of golfers the user believes
will finish in the top four, five or six places in the tournament.
A user may use game page 120 to play multiple games. Game page 120
may provide the user, lists comprising the selections made for each
game played.
[0058] Now referring to FIG. 2H, upon completing all selections, a
user may click on a link to shopping cart page 130, which displays
selections for each game in the form of lists or "tickets".
Shopping cart page 130 permits a user to delete unwanted "tickets"
or go back to the game page to add further "tickets". Once a user
has decided to proceed with the "tickets" the user has created
through his selections, the user may click on a link to the log
in/create account page 140.
[0059] Now referring to FIG. 3A, if the user has an existing
account the user enters his e-mail and password in dialog box 70
and proceeds to order summary page 150. Now referring to FIGS. 3B
and 3C, if the user does not have an existing account the user
creates an account using the prompts on create account page 140.
Once an account and log in password are generated the user may
proceed to order summary page 150. Order summary page 150 permits a
user to confirm the order prior to proceeding to payment
information page 160. Payment information page 160 collects payment
information such as but not limited to credit card information.
After entering said information the user submits the payment
information for determination as to whether the information is
valid and the financial transaction can be completed. Upon
confirmation of a successful transaction the user is transferred to
printable confirmation page 170.
[0060] Funds may be linked to be transferred between existing
betting pools and the lottery of the present invention. Wagering
fees are typically transferred after selections are made, but
before the user is issued a wager confirmation. Winnings are
typically credited at the conclusion of the sporting event via the
Internet, or other transmission means, to existing bank, credit or
betting accounts.
[0061] In many sporting events, for example a major golf
tournament, there are a large number of players who compete,
possibly 100 or more. This presents a group that is typically too
large for purposes of a lottery. Thus, it is recognized that if a
plurality of lower ranked players were to be grouped for betting
purposes, the number of available selections from which to choose
can be reduced to a manageable number appropriate for a lottery.
This rank-group size inverse concept is exemplified in the
flowchart of FIG. 4 and described below.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment the total
number of players in a sporting event is determined in step 401,
and the total number of possible selections, that is often, but not
always, less than the number of players, is determined in step 402.
That is, if there are 100 players, but the wagering is known to be
more attractive with a maximum of 50 selections, a number of
players are grouped together, increasing the chance that a winner
could emerge from a lower ranked player group. If the number of
players is not greater than the number of selections, as determined
in step 403, a simple list of players is generated according to
rank in step 404. If the number of players is greater than the
number of selections, the system or administrator establishes a
maximum number of players to be listed individually in step 405,
for example by reference to a pre-established chart, rule or the
like. The number of individual players is subtracted from the total
number of selections in step 406 to define a number of players to
be grouped. The players that are to be listed individually are
assigned positions on the list according to their rank in step 407,
and the process of assigning groups is begun in step 408. In step
409, a determination is made as to whether the groups are to be
equal or unequal in size, also by reference to a pre-established
chart or rule. If the groups are to be equal, the system simply
divides the number of grouped players into equal groups and
generates the list in step 410. If the groups are to be unequal,
the invention recognizes that division to place the lower ranked
players into larger groups and the higher ranked players into
smaller groups will encourage group wagering. Indeed, a user may
select a first wager of 4 or 5 or 6 individual players and a second
wager of 4, 5, 6 groups, increasing the interest aspect of the
wager. Alternatively, a user may select individuals or groups.
[0063] If the groups are to be unequal, as determined in step 411,
the number of grouped players "G" is divided by a pre-established
factor "X," rounding odd numbers upwardly. Factor "X" is designed
to determine the size of the first, smallest, group, and is
reflective of the total number of grouped players. The result of
the "G/X" division is assigned the first group number in step 412.
"G/X," the size of the first group, is then multiplied by a factor,
e.g., 1.5, to determine the size of the second group in step 413.
The resultant group of players from the 1.5.times."G/X" is assigned
to the second group in the listing in step 414, and the process
continues until all players are assigned in step 415. In this way,
the second group has 50% more players than the first group and the
third group has 50% more players than the second group, increasing
the likelihood that one of the low ranked players in the groups may
place high in the tournament. By way of example, and not
limitation, if there are 50 grouped players, "X" is set at 8,
making the first group=6, the second group=9, the third group=13,
and the fourth group=20 (the 2 remaining players may be included in
the fourth group--if the number of remaining players is greater
than half the number assigned to the fourth group, the remaining
players may be divided between the third and fourth groups, equally
or proportionally). The factor 1.5 may be adjusted depending on the
administrator's preference.
[0064] In a further example, the administrator may wish to conduct
a game based on an event having 130 participants, such as a golf
tournament, but desires the event to have 49 available selections,
such that in order to win a user must correctly pick the four, five
or six top finishers in any order. The administrator may specify
the top 40 ranked participants are numbered 1 through 40. The
remaining 90 participants are divided into 9 groups of 10
participants. Thus, the game will have 40 players individually
listed with the corresponding identifying numbers 1-40 associated
with their name and 90 players grouped in 9 groups with the
identifying designations G1-G9 associated with each of the 9 groups
of 10, resulting in 49 selections from which a player may
select.
[0065] As indicated above, some preferred embodiments utilize a
wide area network, such as, the Internet, for transmission and
receipt of information for the gaming data. In these preferred
embodiments the gaming server transmits information to the player
in the form of a web site. The user accesses an initial, or home,
page upon entry into the lottery system. The home page is an
introductory page that comprises textual information and hyperlinks
for access to subsequent screens in the lottery system. In some
preferred embodiments, the home page is designed to direct a player
to a foreign language home page and following pages, if desired, in
which the information is presented in a specific language selected
by the player.
[0066] The textual information comprises any type of information
that the gaming provider chooses. In one embodiment, the textual
information comprises gaming information and rules and regulations,
or, in alternate embodiments, a link that connects the user to
access a rules and regulatory information page. Gaming information
comprises jackpot totals (i.e., an amount representing current
wagers for an event that is soon to be played), upcoming lottery
participatory sporting events and previous winning combinations. In
some preferred embodiments, winning numbers and/or characters are
updated immediately after the new winning combinations are
determined.
[0067] In another preferred embodiment, the jackpot total is
displayed in the different currencies of all of the countries in
which the lottery game is available to be played. As more players
participate in placing wager selections, the jackpot becomes
larger. As the jackpot becomes larger, the displayed totals change
to reflect the most recent information each preset time interval,
such as, for example, every minute, quarter hour, or every
hour.
[0068] The rules and other regulatory information can be included
directly on the home page, or, in alternate embodiments, is able to
be accessed via a hyperlink from the home page. Players may also
access the rules and regulations from other pages (described below)
on the site, or from a number of different pages. If the rules and
regulation information is accessed via a hyperlink, the user is
directed to a file comprising "How to Play" information stored in a
memory device from which it can be retrieved. Preferably, the rules
and regulations information comprise information related to
restrictions of the game, including, but not limited to,
information regarding who is not eligible to play the game; entry
provisions; how to claim the jackpot; claiming deadlines; dispute
resolution; miscellaneous transaction fees; and definition of legal
terms. As regulations and rules change, due, for example, to
changes in laws, or at the discretion of the lottery provider, this
section is updated to reflect such changes.
[0069] The home page includes at least one hyperlink, for example,
a "Play" button, such that the player can exit the home page and
advance to other pages on the system, wherein the user can
ultimately indicate his or her selections to play. In one preferred
embodiment, the home page comprises hyperlinks to registration or
sign-up pages, which are written in English and a number of foreign
languages, or as previously discussed, as well as hyperlinks to the
rules and regulations file.
[0070] If a user chooses to participate in the game, the user may
be required to register prior to commencing play of the game.
Selection of the aforementioned command hyperlink will send the
user to a registration page. If a user has previously registered,
the registered user can simply access selection pages by entry of a
password.
[0071] Once information has been entered into the registration
page, the player enters a command, such as a HTML hyperlink
embedded in a "play" button graphic which moves the user to the
next step of the process. In some preferred embodiments, a user
cannot progress to the next step of the process until all of the
information is provided and the underlying transaction has been
authorized and cleared. In some preferred embodiments, if any part
of the registration page form is not filled in completely, or if
the form of payment is rejected, the player is sent back to the
registration page to correct the problem.
[0072] In some preferred embodiments, once the requested
information on the registration page has been provided and
transmitted, and the underlying transaction has been approved and
accepted, the user can access the game page via the gaming server.
In preferred embodiments, the user clicks on a "play" button which
accesses the game page if the above requirements have been met.
Alternatively, a player may browse the game page and is not
required to register until he is satisfied he wishes to play. In
such a case, the user may make all selections and not be required
to register until he decides to participate.
[0073] Different payouts for correct choices are contemplated. The
highest payout is made to a user selecting six out of six correct
top finishers. Correctly choosing five of five or four of four also
results in payouts. In a most preferred embodiment, a bonus payment
may be made for picking the top six or five or four finishes in the
correct order of finishing. A further variation is to pick the top
finisher in the top spot and the other top finishers in random
order.
[0074] In a preferred embodiment, if there is no winner for a
particular lottery the jackpot is rolled over into another lottery
game, preferably based on a similar sporting event. For example, if
there is no winner of the lottery based on the outcome of the
British Open, the jackpot is rolled into the next scheduled PGA
event.
[0075] Having described preferred embodiments of a system and a
method for facilitating on-line lottery games according to the
present invention, it is noted that modifications and variations
can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above
teachings. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the present
invention is a skill based lottery system, it is contemplated that
the game be offered to users with the option of making "quick pick"
selections via a random number generator.
[0076] It is also contemplated that the game may be offered such
that users may enter their picks on paper or verbally communicated
to an administrator and the users selections are used to generate a
"ticket", either in electronic, paper or other suitable form. The
ticket may be a confirmation containing the users' selections and
the player may determine if the ticket is a winner by submitting it
to an administrator for determination and subsequent payment.
[0077] Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims
appended hereto is limited to the description as set forth herein,
but the claims should be construed as encompassing all features
that would be treated as equivalent to those of the present
invention by those skilled in the art.
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