System and method for convenience gaming

Abstract

A convenience gaming system is provided. The convenience gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include features to ensure that users are not permitted to participate in gambling activities if users communicate with the system through parts of system infrastructure located close enough to pick up or send signals across state lines or beyond authorized areas.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory device electronically coupled to the at least one processor, in which the memory device stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to at least:   communicate gaming information with a mobile device over at least one communications network, wherein the gaming information is associated with at least one wager-based gaming activity engaged in by a user of the mobile device, and wherein the at least one communications network comprises:   at least one transmitter-receiver at least operable to communicate the gaming information within boundaries of the permitted gaming area, and   at least one transmitter-receiver at least operable to communicate the gaming information within the boundaries of the permitted gaming area and outside the boundaries of the permitted gaming area;   determine that the mobile device is within boundaries of the permitted gaming area and in communication with the at least one transmitter-receiver operable to communicate the gaming information within the boundaries of the permitted gaming area and outside the boundaries of the approved gaming area; and   based at least in part on determining that the mobile device is within boundaries of the permitted gaming area and is in communication with the at least one transmitter-receiver operable to communicate the gaming information within the boundaries of the permitted gaming area and outside the boundaries of the approved gaming area, not communicate the gaming information to and/or from the mobile device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the approved gaming area comprises an area in which the user may engage in the at least one wager-based gaming activity; and   wherein outside the boundaries of the approved gaming area there is at least one unapproved gaming area in which the user may not engage in the at least one wager-based gaming activity.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the approved gaming area is the gambling area of a casino. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the approved gaming area is a guest room within a casino hotel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the approved gaming area is an outdoor recreation area located adjacent to a casino. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the approved gaming area is a service area located on a casino property. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the service area is a restaurant. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the service area is a lounge. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the service area is a restroom. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the service area is a retail store. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the service area is a swimming pool. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein to communicate gaming information with the mobile device comprises to communicate the gaming information on a non-Internet path within the at least one communications network. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transmitter-receiver comprises at least one of:
 a base station for a cellular network, a transmitter-receiver for a WiFi network,   a transmitter-receiver for a WiMax network, and   a router.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory device electronically coupled to the at least one processor, in which the memory device stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to at least:   communicate gaming information with a mobile device over at least one communications network, wherein the gaming information is associated with at least one wager-based gaming activity engaged in by a user of the mobile device, and wherein the at least one communications network comprises:   at least one transmitter-receiver at least operable to communicate the gaming information within boundaries of the permitted gaming area, and   at least one transmitter-receiver at least operable to communicate the gaming information within the boundaries of the permitted gaming area and outside the boundaries of the permitted gaming area;   determine that the mobile device is in communication with the at least one transmitter-receiver operable to communicate the gaming information within the boundaries of the permitted gaming area and that a user of a mobile device launched, via the mobile device, a wager-based gaming activity; and   based at least in part on the determining, generate a record of key strokes entered on the mobile device, the record at least comprising key strokes made by the user in connection with the at least one wager-based gaming activity.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to at least receive from the mobile device information indicative of the at least one transmitter-receiver; and   wherein to determine that the mobile device is in communication with the at least one transmitter-receiver comprises to use the received information to determine that the mobile device is in communication with the at least one transmitter-receiver.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the at least one wagered-based gaming activity comprises at least one of:
 a gambling activity,   an activity that comprises wagering on an event, and   a lottery-based activity.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device comprises at least one of a mobile phone and a personal data assistant. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one communications network is a non-Internet communications network. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one communications network comprises at least one of:
 an 802.11x WiFi network,   an 802.16x WiMax network,   a private wireless network,   a private wireline network,   a cellular network, and   a satellite network.