Remote wagering system

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/306,000, filed Jul. 17, 2001.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and system permitting remote wagering, while insuring that the wagerer is located in a jurisdiction permitting such wagering.

[0003] Gambling is permitted only in certain jurisdictions in the United States, as well as other countries. In such jurisdictions, it is necessary to insure that the person placing the wager is, in fact, located within the jurisdiction.

[0004] The present invention is provided to solve this and other problems.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a method for permitting a wagerer to remotely place a wager.

[0006] In accordance with the invention, the wagerer remotely contacts the establishment, and the system generates a random number. The system sends the random number to the wagerer via a local pager; and the wagerer either enters the random number into the system or verbally informs the ticket writer. Once the random number is verified by the system or the ticket writer, the wager is placed.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for permitting a wagerer to remotely place a wager.

[0008] In accordance with the invention, the system comprises means for permitting an automated betting system or a ticket writer to receive a remote communication from a wagerer, and means for the system to generate a random number. The system further comprises means for the sending of the random number to the wagerer via a local pager, means for permitting the wagerer to remotely contact the system or ticket writer, means for the system or ticket writer to verify the random number, and for means for instructing the system or ticket writer of the wagerer's desired wager.

[0012] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail the preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

[0013] With this system, a customer is given a pager that only works within a limited jurisdiction where gambling is permitted, such as the Las Vegas valley. The customer remotely contacts his book, such as by telephone, over the Internet, over a closed-loop communications network, or other means of remote communication. When the customer remotely contacts the book to place a wager, the system generates a random 4- to 6-digit number. This number is then transmitted over the local area pager network to the customer; the customer must be physically located within the jurisdiction or the customer will not receive the page containing the random number. The customer must give the random number to the system or ticket writer, and the system or a ticket writer must verify the accuracy of the number, before the wager will be processed.

Manual Mode

[0014] FIG. 1 discloses a preferred method of wagering according to the invention in flowchart 10. In the first step, the customer remotely contacts the standard account wagering telephone number 12. The contact may be by telephone or other means of remote communication. For purposes of this discussion, the remote contact will be described as a telephone call.

[0015] The ticket writer inputs the customer's identification number into a terminal 14. The terminal sends the information to the Betting System for verification 16. Once verified 18, the Betting System generates a random 4- to 6-digit number 20. The Betting System transmits the random number simultaneously to the local pager broadcast tower via direct connection to the tower, or via Internet communications, for transmission to the customer's pager, and to the writer's terminal 20. After approximately 30 seconds, the local pager broadcast tower transmits the random number throughout the jurisdiction 20.

[0016] If the customer's pager is physically located within the range of the transmission, the pager will beep. The customer must then push a button on the pager to display the random number. The customer then gives the random number to the ticket writer. If the number supplied by the customer matches the number displayed on the terminal 24, the writer will complete the wager 26. If the number does not match 24, or if the number is not given within one minute 22, the call is terminated without a wager being accepted 28.

Semi-Automatic Mode

[0017] FIG. 2 discloses another preferred method of wagering according to the invention in flowchart 30. In the first step, the customer remotely contacts the standard account wagering telephone number 32. The contact may be by telephone, over the Internet, or other means of remote communication. For purposes of this discussion, the remote contact will be described as a telephone call. The call will be answered by the Remote Identification System 34. The Remote Identification System has the ability to act as the first line of defense by eliminating the bulk of unwanted calls, i.e., from outside the jurisdiction, cell phones, schools, government offices, etc. If an unwanted call is detected 36, the Remote Identification System may terminate the call 38. If the Remote Identification System determines that the call is valid, then the Remote Identification System will instruct the customer to input his/her identification number via the telephone keypad 40.

[0018] The Remote Identification System will interface with the Betting System 42 to determine if the identification number is valid 44. If the number is not valid, the Remote Identification System will instruct the customer to re-enter the number; after three unsuccessful attempts, the call will be disconnected 46. If the number is valid, the Remote Identification System will generate a random 4- to 6-digit number and transmit the random number to the local pager broadcast tower via direct connection to the tower or via Internet communications 48. After approximately 30 seconds, the local pager broadcast tower transmits the random number throughout the jurisdiction.

[0019] If the customer's pager is physically located within the range of the transmission, the pager will beep. The customer must then push a button on the pager to display the random number. The customer then inputs the random number into the Remote Identification System via the telephone keypad. If the number input by the customer does not match the random number generated by the Remote Identification System 52, or if a number is not input within one minute 50, the call is terminated without a wager being accepted 54. If the number input by the customer matches the random number generated by the Remote Identification System 52, the customer is connected with a ticket writer via a second telephone line, i.e., the two telephone lines are patched together, and the ticket writer processes the wager 56.

Automatic Mode

[0020] FIG. 3 discloses another preferred method of wagering according to the invention in flowchart 60. In the first step, the customer remotely contacts the standard account wagering telephone number 62. The contact may be by telephone, over the Internet, or other means of remote communication. For purposes of this discussion, the remote contact will be described as a telephone call. The call will be answered by the Automated Betting Interface 64. The Automated Betting Interface has the ability to act as the first line of defense by eliminating the bulk of unwanted calls, i.e., from outside the jurisdiction, cell phones, schools, government offices, etc. If an unwanted call is detected 66, the Automated Betting Interface may terminate the call 68. If the Automated Betting Interface determines that the call is valid, then the Automated Betting Interface will instruct the customer to input his/her identification number via the telephone keypad 70.

[0021] The Automated Betting Interface will interact with the Betting System 72 to determine if the identification number is valid 74. If the number is not valid, the Automated Betting Interface will instruct the customer to re-enter the number; after three unsuccessful attempts, the call will be disconnected 76. If the number is valid, the Automated Betting Interface will generate a random 4- to 6-digit number and transmit the random number to the local pager broadcast tower via direct connection to the tower or via Internet communications 78. After approximately 30 seconds, the local pager broadcast tower transmits the random number throughout the jurisdiction.

[0022] If the customer's pager is physically located within the range of the transmission, the pager will beep. The customer must then push a button on the pager to display the random number. The customer then inputs the random number into the Automated Betting Interface via the telephone keypad. If the number input by the customer does not match the random number generated by the Automated Betting Interface 82, or if a number is not input within one minute 80, the call is terminated without a wager being accepted 86. If the number input by the customer matches the random number generated by the Automated Betting Interface, the customer is connected directly to the Betting System and places the desired wager(s) without the assistance of a ticket writer 84.

[0023] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.