System, method, and computer program product for networked pari-mutuel gaming

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment, an online gaming server uses a pari-mutuel betting format to generate periodic gaming events over a network for players at a variety of locations using a simple browser interface that supports devices used by players, such as personal computers, pocket PCs, Personal Digital Assistants, mobile telephones that have Internet access, Palm® computers, and Blackberry® devices. After the outcome of a game is determined such as by random selection in the server, the outcome is broadcast from the server to each player device participating in the game. Depending on the outcome and device capabilities, the player's device may then select a clip simulating a race or other game on which the player wagered, and display that clip for the player.

1 . A method of wagering, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving data at a computing device using at least one communications network, the data defining a plurality of possible outcomes of a computer-generated event and odds applying to each outcome, the odds defining a variable payoff based on the number and amount of wagers placed on each outcome;    displaying the data defining outcomes and odds on the computing device;    using the computing device, selecting one of the outcomes as a wagered outcome and transmitting a wager on the wagered outcome over at least one communications network; and    receiving outcome data at the computing device via at least one communications network, indicating that the computer-generated event has occurred and communicating the outcome of the event; and    displaying the outcome of the event and the result of the wager on the computing device.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated race.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated roulette game.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the computer-simulated roulette game has a defined set of possible outcomes that is a reduced subset of possible outcomes of a standard roulette game.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein there are ten possible outcomes of the computer-simulated roulette game.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated card game.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated craps game.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated slot machine game.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of using the computing device to select one of a plurality of available events on which to wager.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving odds data includes the step of updating an odds display on the computing device in response to the receipt of new odds data.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the odds display is updated at predetermined update intervals.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving outcome data is repeated periodically in response to computer-generated events occurring at predetermined intervals.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the computer-generated event occurs approximately every six minutes.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , including the further step of limiting the transmission of wagers to a defined time period ending before a pending computer-generated event.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a portable device.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the computing device has an internet browser interface.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the computing device is connected to at least one wireless network.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , including the further step of loading a program into the computing device that operates to receive outcomes and odds over the one or more communications networks, display outcome and odds data on the computing device, receive wagers, transmit wagers over the communications network, and receive outcomes and display outcomes on the computing device.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the computing device is a cellular telephone device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the computing device is a personal digital assistant.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of displaying the outcome comprises the further step of playing at least one of an audio and a visual clip, selected in response to the outcome of the event.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the selected clip is a visual simulation of the event including a representation of the outcome of the event.  
   
   
       23 . A method of wagering, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving data at a computing device using a communications network selected from at least one available communications network, the data defining a plurality of possible outcomes of a computer-generated event and odds applying to each outcome, the odds defining a variable payoff based on the number and amount of wagers placed on each outcome and with a portion of the total wagers going to the operator of the computer-generated event;    displaying the data defining outcomes and odds on the computing device;    updating an odds display on the computing device in response to received changes in odds;    using the computing device, selecting one of the outcomes as a wagered outcome and transmitting a wager on the wagered outcome over a communications network selected from among said at least one available communications network; and    receiving outcome data at the computing device via at least one communications network, indicating that the computer-generated event has occurred and identifying the outcome of the event; and    playing a visual clip, selected in response to the received outcome of the event, to visually simulate the computer-generated event and its outcome, and displaying the results of the wager.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated race.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated roulette game.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the computer-simulated roulette game has a defined set of possible outcomes that is a reduced subset of possible outcomes of a standard roulette game.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein there are ten possible outcomes of the computer-simulated roulette game.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated card game.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated craps game.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the event is a computer-simulated slot machine game.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising the further step of using the computing device to select one of a plurality of available events on which to wager.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the odds display is updated at predetermined update intervals.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of receiving outcome data is repeated periodically in response to computer-generated events occurring at predetermined intervals.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the computer-generated event occurs approximately every six minutes.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33 , including the further step of limiting the transmission of wagers to a defined time period ending before a pending computer-generated event.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the computing device is a portable device.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the computing device has an internet browser interface.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the computing device is connected to at least one wireless network.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36 , including the further step of loading a program into the computing device that operates to receive outcomes and odds over the one or more communications networks, display outcome and odds data on the computing device, receive wagers, transmit wagers over the communications network, and receive outcomes and display outcomes on the computing device.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the computing device is a cellular telephone device.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the computing device is a personal digital assistant.