AU2017203499A1 - System and method for wagering-based transferable financial instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The invention provides a system and method for creating and facilitating the exchange of wagering-based transferable financial instruments. The instruments may be used to embody multiple various positions based upon the ultimate outcomes of uncertain future contingent events, including but not limited to outcomes of games of skill and chance. The invention further provides systems and platforms for monitoring, displaying information, and facilitating trading as to such instruments among multiple investment market participants, and a hosting or house participant, for time-variable buying and selling of such instruments.

Description

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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WAGERJNG^BASED TRANSFERABLE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/459,692, filed Apr. 2, 2003, and Nos. 60/460,540 and 60/460,537, both filed Apr. 4, 2003, and both incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the fields of gambling and financial instruments. More particularly, the invention relates to providing systems and methods for transforming propositions or positions in games of chance or skill (or mixed games of chance and skill) into tradable financial instruments that can be tracked over time and valued by a plurality of players or investors. The invention thus provides a system and method for creating wagering-based transferable financial instruments, and further provides a system and method for the exchange of those instruments and settling of all claims associated with those instruments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wagering in casinos and on sporting events is a large and growing industry throughout the world. Various types of betting products and systems exist that facilitate betting on the outcome of a particular game. For example, a patron in a casino may bet on a single hand of blackjack, a pull on a slot machine, a roll of the dice, etc. Typical horse racing bets allow bettors to wager on a single horse or on several horses in a particular race or series of races. For instance, a bettor can wager on a particular horse to finish first (win), finish in the top two (place), or finish in the top three (show). A bettor may also make various combination bets with multiple horses, such as an exacta bet (covering the top two horses in order) or a trifecta bet (covering the top three horses in order). In addition, a bettor may bet on a series of races, such as the daily double (winners of two consecutive races), the pick-three (winners of three consecutive races), and the pick-six (winners of six consecutive races).

Those betting on other sports may wager, for instance, on various aspects of the outcome of a particular game, including the winning team, the point margin by which that team wins, the combined final score of both teams, and so on. Wagers of this kind are generally well-known and unexceptional. Games or events (the terms ο <Ν <Ν σ^ σ^ 'ϊΐ· cn ο <Ν r- Ο <Ν “games” and “events” are used interchangeably to connote some probabilistic occurrence) upon which wagers may be placed may be viewed as games of pure chance (e.g., a coin toss or roulette wheel spin (assuming the game is a “fair” one with no intervening human or mechanical influence skewing mathematical random distributions of outcome)); gaiues of mixed skill and chance (e.g.. blackjack or horse racing); or games perceived of as consisting of pure skill fe.g.. soccer, chess). All these games and events are believed to be at least somewhat probabilistic in nature. That is, there is more than one possible outcome that is not preordained. Even in games that are perceived as games of pure skill, it is believed that an effectively random element (based on, e.g., weather conditions, unforeseen player injuries, etc.) is ahnost always present.

Slot machines or other machines for player^initiated games of skill or chance (sometimes referred to as, or including video lottery terminals or video poker games) are becoming increasingly common fixtures in .numerous jurisdictions across North America and elsewhere throughout the world. Conventional slot machines have one or more “pay lines” by which to determine whether the spin is a winning one. With. each spin, different symbols appear on three or more reels (such as cherries, oranges, bells, or sevens). Preset combinations of symbols on the pay line return predetermined amounts to the player (e.g.. three cherries may pay five times the amount wagered). Each spin of the reels generally represents one separate wager.

Most betting systems of the prior art are similar to a pull on a slot machine or a single hand of black jack in that tihey are based on the outcome of a single event or game - a “one-off transaction,” An exception may be found in certain progressive or “jackpot” slot machine systems, but tliere are generally few means by which a player may talce a betting position regarding the outcomes over time of a series or plurality of events that may or may not be related.

SUMhf ARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein disclosed is a system and methbd for stracturing and facilitating the exchange of wagering-based transferable financial instruments that embody a betting position. The financial instrument may be traded, purchased, or sold during the lifetime of the underlying wager(s). The system and method further

τ-Η Ο CN ιη <Ν σ^ σ^ τΐ- m ο <Ν r- ο (Ν provide for the settling of ail transactions and arbitration of all disputes associated with the exchange of any wagering-based transferable financial instruments. More specifically, the invention may be used to facilitate betting on the combined outcomes of a plurality of predefined probabilistic events (including events previously viewed as one-off events). This is accomplished by first establishing a market for the wagering-based financial instraments. The value of each financial mstrument will initially be represented by its initial purchase price. Over time, this value will change and be subsequently represented by a position which reflects the outcomes of the plurality of probabilistic events which underlie each financial instrument.

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The probabilistic events may generally be some traditional gambling or sporting events (^, casino-type events (slot machines, roulette), horse races, bingo, etc.), may be based on financial markets, or may be based on any other series of events having uncertain or partially uncertain outcomes (i.e., where any combination of chance/skiil is the determinative, and not-entirely-predictable, basis for the outcome of such event(s)). The value of the instrument wilt necessarily fluctuate over time in accordance with the outcomes of those various events in a manner analogous to that observed for the market fluctuations commonly associated with derivatives trading. The instrument may be transferred, purchased, and sold, in much the same way that common stock may be transferred.

The creation of such financial instruments and positions may take place as an addition to, or in tandem with, the player’s own “one-off’ wager. That ..is, the individual wagerers as to the one-off events could be non-participants in, and may even be unaware of, the market generated in mstnmienis based upon their particular one-off outcomes. Alternatively, the players could be partially or fully involved or invested in the financial mstrument derived from the combination of their one-off wagers. This means that individual bettors could be dually and actively engaged in the “one-ofl” wager as well as the financial instrument derived from the outcomes arising from the plurality or series of one-off wagers.

One possibility that flows from this arrangement is that sophisticated participants would be able to amtinually adjust their overall risk participation or exposure - for instance, by betting one way in an individual one-off transaction and taking the opposite position with respect to the outcomes of the plurality of otherwise

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σ^ σ^ Ti en o <N o <N one-off events. For example, a participant mi^t first wager that the House will win over 60% of all hands of blackjack played at a given blackjack table over a period of six hours. Hower^r, this same participant may attempt to mitigate the risk associated with his wager by actually attempting to play against the House in ap. individual game of blackjack during the six hour period at the given blac^^ack table, or perhaps by placing a second wager that the next player to play against the House during the six hour period will win at the given blackjack table. Such blended risk-participation strategy allows participants effectively to balance or “hedge” at a sophisticated level their betting portfolio in a manner similar to an investor hedging an investment portfolio by offsetting trading in the derivatives* underlying securities.

The present invention’s system for structuring and facilitating the exchange of ail such wagering-based financial instruments may also provide background and statistical information that individuals will find helpfiil not only in originally formulating their positions as to various betting-based financial instrumente, but in any attempts to value their individual financial instruments or hedge their complete betting portfolios.

An important difference that distinguishes the present system Sum previous ones based on traditional derivative trading is that a client's success or failure will not be as heavily reliant on any putative or singular “value” underlying a one-off transaction or a series of one-off transactions. While the return to a trader of a traditional derivative product is, in many cases, largely determined by the value of the underlying security, asset, liability, or claim on which the derivative is based, the return to an investor in the financi al mstruments of the present invention can he made more dependent on functions of chance, which can be insulated from the occasional and rare systematic fluctuations which can be attributable to specific market participants.

Thus, the system creates a semi-autonomous pecuniary market where none is believed to have previously existed, producing novel financial instruments that are subject to both principles of market demand and the whims of man. Moreover, the system facilitates the exchange of these hifherto-unfcnown financial instruments between and among clients and the system itself. hi one exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention.

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σ^ σ^ Ti en o (N r- O (N r- a method for facilitating a wager on a position with respect to the outcomes of a plurality of events is provided^ and includes the steps of establishing a “point” value, receiving order data firora a first client regarding the wager, determining a position based on at least one of the order data, or information regarding the plurality of events, and providing a financial iastrunaent that represents the position. Other embodiments include additional steps for matching a bid and offer to facilitate the transfer of the financial instruments, and for transmitting and displajdng data related to valuations for the financial instrmnents. hr another exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention,, a system for creating a transferable financial instrument based on a position regarding the outcomes of a plurality of events is provided, and includes a data storage, a monitoriug device for monitoring the outcomes of at least one of a plurality of events, and a processor coupled to a memory. The processor is operable to receive order data from a client regarding a wagea, establish a position for the client based on the received order data, record information related to the plurality of events, identify fluctuations in the value of the position based on the information related to the plurality of events, and transmit data regarding the value of the position. in yet another exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention, a system and market for trading wageriug-based financial instruments is provided. The market includes at least one financial instrument that embodies a position with respect to a wager regarding a plurality of events wliich occur, over a period of time, at least one bid, and at least one offer, wherein at least one hid is matched with at least one offer, resulting in a transfer of the financial instrument from a first owner to a second owner. Electronic platforms for trading of such instruments axe also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIOK OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 depicts a system block diagram for creating, trading, and settling a wagering-based financial instrument in accordance vstitli one embodiment of the present invention. FIGURE 2 depicts information stored for wagering-based financial instrumente. ο (Ν IT) <Ν σ^ c^ m ο <Ν r- Ο <Ν FIGURE 3 depicts one embodiment of a method of creating, trading, and settling a wagering-based financial instnunent. FIGURE 4 depicts a functional block diagram illustfaiing one embodiment of the present invention in operation. FIGURE 5 depicts a graph of three potential outcomes that may arise dnring the course of one relevant wager (therein dealing with roulette spins).

Throughout the FIGURES, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components, or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system 5 that includes clients 10 coupled to a central controller 50 using one or more interfaces 20 and a communication network 30. Central controller 50 is further coupled to one or more event generators 60. In general, system 5 provides for the creation, trading, and settling of wagering-based financial instruments 76.

Financial insiniments 76 are derived firom a wager that is made with respect to the outcome of one or more probabilistic events. The types of probabilistic events that can be used as the basis for creating financial instruments 76 are muititudinous. For example, numerous forms of traditional gamhlmg events may be the subject of financial instruments 76. These events may include “one-off’ events in which a. bettor traditionally places a single wager on a single intemiediate or jfinal outcome such as wagers based on the spins of slot machines, outcomes of roulette games, cr^>s games, bingo games, blackjack hands, results of horse races, and so on. Note that the present invention is not limited to deriving financial instruments 76 firom wagers on purely “one-off’ events, as there are many known wagers requiring tracking of a combination of outcomes, e,g,, daily double racing bets or sports parlay or “teaser” bets, all of which could also be used to construct derived financial instnunents 76.

Additionally, numerous other events may form the basis for financial instruments 76, including events associated with the financial markets, television ο <Ν (Ν σ^ σ^ m ο <Ν r- Ο (Ν shows, and even the weather. For example, with r^ect to financial markets, the events might involve the movement or the value of a financial market index, security, or other instrument, referred to generally as a financial market indicator, during or at the end of a predetermined period of time or after one or more relevant transactions. Outcomes for these events mi^t involve, for example, whether a certain financial market index, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) or the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSB), rvill rise or decline during the upcoming seconds, minutes, hours, or other predetermined period of time, or after one or more relevant transactions. The index may be rounded to the nearest whole point (e.g. an average of 9,314.62 may be rotmded up to 9,315), trade in whole points, and in the event the index stayed at the same level, the wager could be deemed either a loss or a tie.

In particular embodiments, the movement of a financial market indicator may he graphically represented on an electiOnic screen associated with a buyer or seller of financial inutruments 76 using symbols such as, for example, color coded (e.g., red, green, or yellow) arrows. Each symbol could indicate that the value of the associated financial market indicator was down during the last predetermined period of time or after the last relevant transaction or transactions (e.g., red down arrow); up during the last predetermined period of time or after the last relevant tr^saction or transactions (e.g., green up arrow); or unchanged duxiug the last predetermined period of time or after the last relevant transaction or transactions (e.g,, yellow sideways arrow). Any suitable number and combination of symbols could combine to represent a suitable portion of the history of the movement of the value of the financial market indicator. Financial mstruinehts 76 may be based upon underlying wagers associated with the movements of a financial market indicator or the graphical representations associated therewith. For example, underlying wagers could be that all symbols in a series will he. one of red, green, or yellow arrows; that the symbols of a series will be a particular number, combination, or ordering of red, green, and yellow arrows; that a particular symbol in a series will be one of a red, green, or yellow arrow; that the next symbol will be one of a red, green, or yellow atrow; etc.

Other outcomes to these events might involve whether the value of the indicator will be an odd or even number at the end of a predetermined period of time or after the last relevant transaction or transactions. Further outcomes might involve ο (N a

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σ^ σ^ o (N r- r-H O (N r- whether the value of the mdicator will fall within particular ranges of numbers at the end of a predetermined period of time or after the last relevant transaction or transactions. These events and outcomes form the basis for transferable financial instruments 76. Wagering on the mot'^ement of the financial markets or the value of the financial markets, and the transferable financial instruments 76 derived therefrom, could be b^ed upon fixed odds payouts, spread betting payouts, or other forms of payouts.

In another example, with respect to television shows, the events might involve whether or not a first participant of a reality-based television show will select a second participant of the show for marriage, to remain on the show, to be excluded from the show, or to otherwise he involved in the show, ha another example, the events might involve the performance of a participant 'with respect to voting by viewers of the show. In particular, the events mi^it involve whether a participant will receive the most or fewest votes by the viewership during a predetermined voting period; whether a participant will receive a certain number or percentage of votes by the viewership during a predetermined voting period; whether a first participant will receive more or less Votes than a second participant during a predetermined voting period; or voting on whether an incident, occuixence, or happening should take place on the show. In other examples, the events might involve whether or not a participant of a game-show will answer a question correctly, win a prize, or otherwise succeed or fail on the show. The event(s) that can form the basis for financial instruments 76 are therefore any event or concatenation of events, the outcome of which is not certain at the time the proposition is being evaluated.

Financial instrument 76 may take many forms. For example, financial instrument 76 may be a paper mstnunent, an electronic instrument, or some other concrete, virtual, or notional embodiment that represents ownership of or an interest in the underiyittg wager. Over time, the value (or percewed value) of an instrument 76 may change based on numerous factors, including outcomes of some of the plurality of events which form the basis of the instrument 76, or outcomes of other related events that may affect the outcome of the wagered position, “Value” in this context is define^ generally, as including principally the amount that an interested buyer would pay a willing seller in order to assume control of or an interest in an r- f H o <N S’

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σ^ σ^ m o (N r- o <N instrument 76. Determination of any absolute “value” beyond this definition is not required for practice of this invention.

The value of a financial insirument 76 may track the outcomes of its underlying events according to a “poiot system” whereby positive or negative points are assigned to various outcomes of events and the overall point valne for the event is updated as the event or events progress. For example, a “point” may be created for subsequent wagering based upon the numerous spins of the reels on slot machines, roulette wheels, or other games of chance located at a casino facility. As a particular financial instrument 76 may be based on a plurality of different types of events, the value of a financial instrument 76 may track a “blended” point value. For example, a blended point value β could be based upon a mathematical function (p=a;i.+bp) of two or more variables, n and p, wherein n is a sub-point based upon outcomes of a first type of underlying event (e.g., slot machine pulls) and/? is a sub-point based upon the outcomes of a second type of underlying event (e.g., roulette wheel spins).

Moreover, financial instruments 76 may be bou^it, sold, exchanged, or otherwise transferred using system 5. For example, financial instruments 76 may be. traded through electronic transactions and platfonns via the Intemet and/or over various wireless connectipns. Financial instruments 76 could also be traded using paper certificates, throu^ tokens, smart cards, tote boards, virtual wallets, or any other known system for tracking, trading, redeeming, and evidencing an account, ovmersMp position, or other form of valuta. Therefore, system 5 and methods associated therewith may not only be used to establish wagers, but may also be used to facilitate transactions involving the financial instruments 76 that embody such wagers, essentially creating a market in those wagers. The transfer of financial instruments 76 may take place among clients 10 and between a client 10 and a “house ” a platform, bookmaker, or some other market making participant of system 5. For example, a financial instrument 76 may be initially established by a market making participant of system 5 and transferred to a client 10. The financial instrument 76 may then be transferred any number of times among clients 10 or with the market making participant of system 5 before the financial instrument 76 is settled.

Clients 10 are various users of system 5 that may place wagers embodied in r- ο <N S'

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σ^ σ^ 'it m o <N o <N 10 financial instroments 76, trade financial instminents 76, and settle financial instruments 76. Clients 10 may also refer to tide devices used by various users of system 5. Examples of these devices include a computer^ a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone, a kiosk or point of sale terminal, or any other device that can display information from and communicate with various elements of S3^ietn 5.

An interface 20 provides a portal for clients 10 to access other elements of system 5. In one embodiment, interface 20 comprises a wireless network 21, a television network 22 (e.g., cable, satellite, closed-circuit, etc.), the Internet or other local or wide area networks 23, or a casiho gambling facility 24. Any suitable number and combmation 6f interfaces 20 may be implemented in system 5 according to usage, traffic, architecture, and other considerations.

Ck)nmiunication network 30 may comprise any suitable number and combination of local area networks, wide area networks (e.g., the Intemet), wireless networks, or any other type of network that transfers data between central controller , 50 and the various clients 10 of system 5. All or a portion of communication network 30 may be a proprietary network. The transfer of data onmetwork 30 may include a two-way transfer, with data 40 communicated to network 30 and eventually to clients 10, and data 42 commmiicated to central controller 50. Data 40 that is communicated to clients 10 may include such information as prices for various positions, updated values for financial instruments 76, total nnmher of wagers, payouts, spreads, over/unders, ranges, or any other information associated with financial instruments 76. Data 42 that is communicated from clients 10 to central controller 50 may include such information as new wager orders transmitted from clients 10, requests for status infomiation, or trading information for financial instruments 76.

Central controller 50 comprises a processor 70 coupled to a memory 72 that may be implemented as a mainframe, a series of connected workstations, or in any other suitable computing environment and architecture. Processor 70 executes software application 74 to perfomi various features and functions for creating, trading, and settling financial instruments 76 described herein. Memory 72 stores software application 74, various incarnations of financial instruments 76, and information 78 associated with financial instruments 76. Central controller 50 is coupled to event generators 60 that include slot machines, roulette wheels, blacigack Ο (Ν S’ IT) <Ν σ^ σ^ m ο <Ν r- Ο (Ν η tables, or any other suitable casino gaming applications; stock markets, bond markets, or any other suitable financial markets; race tracks (e.g., horse, dog, auto, etc.); or any other suitable generators of events upon which financial instruments 76 are based. Event generators 60 may be associated with various types of monitoring interfaces 62 that allow central controller 50 to capture information associated with the occurrence of events forming the basis for financial instruments 76. Although the following example is detailed wifii respect to a particular type of event generator 60 - slot machines - it should be understood that system 5 operates with respect to any suitable ' type, number, and combination of event generators 60.

Processor 70 may gather information from actual slot macliines located in live or simulated casino facilities. These slot machines may be played by users, or automatically operated as randommed “virtual slots,” in accordance with the present invention. The outcomds of the respective final reel positions of the slot machines after each “pull” may be transferred to central controller 50 using different tj^es of momtoring interfaces 62. For example, the machines may be recorded via live video and the data extrapolated from the video feed through a variety of manual or automated techniques. Alternatively, and advantageously, the slot machines themselves may be mated to monitoring equipment, which transmits flie outcomes of each pull event to the central controller 50 electronically.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the point is defined in part by outcomes of other games of skill or chance, methods for rojording outcomes may include similar electronic monitoring and transmission equipment, as well as maniiial iqput of outcomes when appropriate. In the instance of, e.g.. blackjack as the basis for a point, card values may be recorded by automatic shape and character recognition in conjunction with video surveillance cameras fixed on the card table. The prevalence of video monitoring in casinos for security purposes, together with known optical character and shape recognition software, provides numerous opportunities for the automation of outcome-gathering steps in the present invention.

Notably, the slot machines whose outcomes are used to determine a point value in the above-described embodiment need not necessarily be located in the same facility. For example, a portion of the slot machines may be located in one facility. r- 1—Η Ο <Ν in <Ν σ^ σ^ 'φ m ο <Ν r- ο <Ν 12 and another portion of slot machines may be located in any number of other facilities that are geographically remote. Furthermore, the system and method of the present invention are not limited to any number of slot machines, and may be configured to monitor the outcomes of hundreds or thousands of slot machines located in a large number of different facilities. The slot machines ma5'^ be located in any number and combination of facilities, such as, for example, casinos,, airports, racetracks, or any other suitable location.

Memory 72 of central controller 50 may store mformation regarding the various types of different wagers that may be placed and the outcomes of various events. For example, memory 72 may be used to store slot machine results from a particular casino, or even for a group of casinos combined. Memory 72 also stores information 78 associated with each financial instrument 76. Infomiation 78, illustrated in greater detail with reference to FIGURE 2, may include Financial Instxument Number (FIN) 82, a description of the event(s) 84 which are the subject of the particular instrumeni 76, a designated duration 86, and the point position 88 (and/or price) established in the particular instrument 76. These fields (and others) may be defined in numerous ways within the scope of the presimt invention. For example, duration 86 may refer to a particular closing or settlement date for the financial instrument 76, or may be based on the events themselves that may be completed on some uncertain date in the fixture.

One embodiment of a method for creating, trading, and settlmg a financial instrumeut 76 is illustrated in flowchart 90 of FIGURE 3. Execution begins at step 92 where a financial instrument 76 is created based on numerous factors, such as the events which are the subject of the instnimeiit 76, the duration of the instrument 76, and the point position embodied by the financial instrument 76 with respect to a current house position. The point position embodied in the financial instrument 76 may comprise an initial point position for the underlying events and may be taken into account in determining the initial value of the financial instrument 76. The financial instiruraent 76 is transferred from the house to a first client 10 for a determined price.

Execution proceeds to step 94 during the duration of the instrument 76, where the house monitors the events underlyiug financial instrument 76 in order to update regularly the house point based on the outcomes of those events. The house point ο <Ν <Ν

σ^ σ^ 'it m ο <Ν Ο CN 13 may increase or decrease according to the outcome of various underlying events thereby affecting the value of financial instrument 76. Such infomiation may be broadcast to clients 10 of system 5 so that they may be ^yprised of the changing value of their financial instruments 76, and further to facilitate trading of the instruments 76 between clients 10 based on their changing valuations.

At step 96, a sale of the financial instrument 76 firom a first client 10 to a second client 10 is facilitated, presumably based on some price that is set within the relevant “market” This transaction may occur according to techniques whereby an offer price and a bid price for a particular instrument axe matched, and a sale is transactedi Though only a single transaction of the instalment 76 is depicted in FIGURE 3, it should be understood that the instrument 76 may change hands any number of times during its hfetime and prior to its eventual settlement. Clients 10 may buy or sell a financial instalment 76 at any time and for any amount (assuming a willing counter-party is available to pay such amount for the financial instrument 76 at such time), and can also establish pre-set stop loss and sell orders, to limit a loss or lock-in a profit, hi the event the value of the financial instalment 76 reaches a level at which a client’s credit is fully extended, he might be automatically, “closed out” of his position through entry of an automatic sell order.

At step 98, upon expiration of the duration of the underlying events, the financial instrument 76 is settled between the present owner of the financial instrument 76 and the house based upon the outcomes of the underlying events and the wagering positions in those events which are embodied in the financial instalment 76. Any balance due to the client 10 may be paid by the house, or conversely, any balance due to the house by the client 10 may be paid to the house. Determination of the paying party and receiving party and the amount of the payment may be made according to a relation between the final value of the house point, or final point count, as of the expiration of the duration (as described in the financial instrument 76) and the initial point position, or initial value, established in the financial instrument 76. Some or all of tlie steps illustrated in flowchart 90 maybe performed by elements of system 5, including, for example, processor 70 of central controller 50 operating software application 74.

While system 5 and its associated methods are described herein from the

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σ^ σ^ Ti en o <N r- o <N 14 perspective of the “house” (e.g„ of a casino, who mi^t implement the present invention to create financial instruments 76 based upon games being played in its own gaining area), the present invention is not limited to practice by the house. For instance, any part)'· could practice the present invention by stinctming (or providing a platform or system for the trading and settlement of) financial instmmerris 76 that are based upon, e.g„ the publicly-known results of horse races at a given track, or based upon televised outcomes of any sporting event, wagering event, or any entertainment event or show, such as, for example, American Idol, The Bachelor, or other reality based television shows.

Moreover, even if the present invention is assumed to he practiced by the house, it should be recognized that the house need not necessarily be concerned with the “accuracy” of its point-setting for particular outcomes (and indeed, the particular point value assigned to any outcome need not necessarily be viewed as relating to or attempting to predict an “actual” statistical probability of such outcome), except in. the case in which the house is taking a full or partial position as the “comrter-party” or bank to a player or players, or undertakes to act as a “market maker” by taking a counter-position as to a player when no appropriate counter-party is available in the market. In such a case in which the house is taking a full or partial risk-based position, or acting as a market maker, it will wish at le^ to be aware of the probabilities (statistical and/or perceived) of certain outcomes, and at least to take those probabilities into account in conjunction with setting point values.

In the case in which the house or other party practicing the present invention is not an “equity” participant in the financial instruments 76 (i.e., is not acting as a. bookmaker/risk-based-position holder) derived fi:om the pointe set as to individual outcomes, thou^, such a party need not be concerned with the accuracy or statistical “realism” of a particular point value. An analogy may be found in, og., commodity futures, in which it is possible to structure a position b^ed on the proposition that gold will trade at, $2000 an ounce six months fiom now. Even if this is perceived as an unrealistic “prediction” of the actual Ii^;ely outcome of the coraniodities market, once such a proposition is defined, buyers and sellers may nonetheless trade in it based upon the (admittedly-remote and unrealistic) prospects of such an outcome, and discounting their bids accordingly. Ο (Ν S’ in <Ν σ^ σ^ m ο <Ν r- Ο <Ν 15 Ια FIGURE 4, one embodiment of system 5 is shown in operation. The process begias at some time To, involving user 1 10a and user 2 10b (17/ and U2, respectively). Although only two representative users or clients 10 are shown, system 5 itself is supplied with processing capability for supporting a large plurality of paiticipants at any given time. At some point during or before the interactions begin, users 10a and 10b will provide a funding source of some sort, which may be accomplished as simply as by providing system 5 access to a bank account, a credit card, a house line of credit, or some other indicator of ^ility to pay in order to interface with system 5.

Users 10a and 10b view a selection of probabilistic events 210 from which to choose as the underlying basis for one or more financial instruments 76, as indicated by arrows 217 and 218. Events 210 are associated with event generators 60 from FIGURE 1 and may include a series of sports events (e.g., an entire football season, every football game played on a Monday night, etc.), gambling events (e.g„ the ..outcome of the next 100 hands of blackjack, the number of times the roulette ball lands on red over a one hour period, etc.), or arguably “random” (or di£ficult-to-' predict/M^ standard deviation) events or outcomes (e.g.. the amount of rainfall at Stonehenge on any given day, the rise or fall of a market index over any given period of time, etc,). Upon determining a selection of events 210 and establishing a wagering position thereon, the clients will communicate such wagering positions to the cenfral controller 50. Central controller 50 establishes a financial instrument 76 embodying the parameters of each wagering position, and will return a confirmation message, as indicated by arrows 219 and 220.

After each financial instrument 76 is recorded in memory 72, as indicated by arrow 216, the financial instrument 76 will remain “live” or active for the duration of the probabilistic events wagered upon. If the financial instrument 76 depends on the outcome of the regular NFL football season, for example, the financial instrument 76 remains live for approximately seventeen weeks. If the financial instrument 76 depends on the number of aces of spades played in all hands of blackjack over the course of one day, for example, the financial instrument 76 remains live for one day. Irrespective of the underlying games or events, each financial instrument 76 will have a market life that corresponds with the duration of the underlying wager(s). Ο (Ν S' ITi (Ν σ^ σ^ m ο <Ν r- ο (Ν 16

The value of the financial instrument 76 wifi likely vary with time according to the push and pull of miscellaueous market forces fe.g., supply and demand) and as unforeseen changes transpire (e.g„ a star quarterback breaks Ms arm). For example, if user 10a (Uj) places a wager that outcome 0/ will occur at some time Γ;, and user 10b {U2) places a wager that (a different) outcome, O2 will occur at time Tj, each will have a stake in the cumulative outcome of some series of events. This stake will be embodied by a transferable financial instrument 76 that is created by system 5. TMs financial instrument 76 remains transferable on the system-created market for such instruments 76. In. other words, Uj's stake in outcome Oj will be embodied in some financial instrument 76, Fj, and [7/s stake in outcome O2 will be embodied in some financial rusimment 76, Both Fi &amp;F2 will be openly transferable using system 5. Both the value (and, a fortiori, the market price) of Fj &amp; 7¾ may fluctuate with the changes in the underlying events 210. For example, assume that Oi and O2 are adveise and mutually exclusive outcomes. Assume that some relevant event 210, Ej pccurs at some time after the wager has been placed hut before the wager is resolved. If El has a positive effect on Oi, it will have a negative effect on O2. TMs will cause the value of Fi to rise and the value of F2 to decline.

Below is an exernplary algebraic representation of several of the sets that are contemplated by an embodiment of the present invention: G = {G^,G2,Gj-"Gif] a 3W] <9 — { OjOj,, ί?33 ' ·' O21, Oj2, Ojj · · ’ Oj^ } U = {U,,U2,U,-U^] { ^2t>^22'*^23 ' ' An } = { 02i,0s2’As An } ~ { Ail> Af2> ‘ AiN } K = {}

The set G represents the set of all probabilistic games or events 210, or series Ο (Ν S' <Ν σ^ σ^ 'ϊΐ· m ο <Ν r- ο <Ν 17 of games or events 210 (note: the words “games” and “events” are used interchangeabiy to connote a probabiKstic occurrence), which any system user 10 may wager upon. For each Gn e G, there exists Ψ. The set W represeats the set of all unique wagers that may be placed on any given Gw The set fF may be user-defined or system-defined. The set 0 represents aU possible outcomes for all possible events 210 that may be wagered ιφοη. For each ^ e W, fiiere are a series of unique potential outcomes. The number of potential outcomes, of course, will vary with the nature of the event itself (i.e., the more inherently umque outcomes an event possesses, the greater the number of possible wagers, and thus unique potential outcomes, that axe available to be wagered upon by the user). For example, the game of roulette will provide a greater mnnber of potential wagers and outcomes than a coin toss {WM-Rouietie > ^M-coinToss => OMN-Rouiette> OMN-comTos^· The Set Urepresents the set of all users, or clients 10, with stalces in various outcomes, and the set K is the master set. A unique K exists for each user, aiid is discussed fully below. Any user U, may . place a wager on any outcome Omn ^ 0. A user may thus observe G and the assortment of probabilistic events upon which any wager, W, may be placed at any time. For exanq>le, a user, Uj, may observe a roulette table (roulette being a “probabilistic event,” GRovhm , contained within the set G) at any given casino via live data (e.g„ text, image, video, etc.) transmitted directly to him. U\ may then observe the set Wjtoukite of ail wagers that may be placed. At this point in time, To, Uj may elect to place a wager on one (or more) unique outcome(s). For example, tfi may wager that over the course of the next five hour period, over 90% of the roulette table spins will result in the roulette ball falling on a red roulette tile, TTris outcome could be denoted Oji. On is certainly an outcome (althou^ for purposes of illustration, an admittedly unlikely one) within the potential set of outcomes that exists - and the outcome may be correlated with a payment scheme that attempts to reflect, in various ways, the relative riskiness of the specific position undertaken.

At time To, when the wager is originally made, the wager itself is worth no more or less than what Uj paid to place the wager (even thou^ the wager may bear “long odds,” i.e., may provide for a payment of multiple times the initial investment if the particular outcome to which the position related trmspires). For example, XJi may r- 1—Η Ο <Ν IT) (Ν σ^ σ^ m ο (Ν r- ο (Ν 18 have placed this wager at a cost of $10. At time To, Uj cotdd, conceivably, sell the financial instrument 76 embodying this wager to another user, U2, for $10. The wager has therefore become a financial iastniment 76 whose valpe is based upon the course of the underlying probabilistic events 210. If it as assmned that 100 spins of the roulette wheel take place during the relevant five hour period, the market value of Dj’s wager may fluctuate with time, depending on the outcome of the underl3dng roulette wheel spins. Take, for example, the graph below of FIGURE 5, which illustrates three of a veritably infinite number of outcomes or possibilities between To (point in time at which the wager is placed) and T5 (the time at which the bettor has either won or lost; or, in the alternative, the time at which the wager is no longer “live”)· in regards to the graph of FIGURE 5, one may observe various potential outcomes and infer, their “reakdoliar” significance to users. Possibility 1 (which merely denotes some outcome Om e 0), shows a timeline in which during the first, second, third, and fourth hours, 20 out of 20 roulette spins fall on fed; At T4, Ui need only have 10 out of the 20 final spins land on red in order to win his wager. At T4, UTs wager, made at To for only $10, is arguably worth much more (especially to the extent that Ms wager “locked in” Mgh odds, for instance, if his position in the outcome was defined such that occurrence of the outcome would yield a payment of $500), because statistically the odds are now in his favor (50%). Based on the exemplary odds and interim outcomes just described, it would be expected that at T4, Ui could find a buyer willing to pay around $250, at least, for the financial instrument 76 held by Uj, and the present invention provides for a ready market for such transactions. At T4, Ui may elect to either hold the financial instrument 76 or transfer, it, as one would transfer a fixtures contract, an option, or any such derivative market instrument, to another nser, U3, willing to buy. Thus, without having a stake in the outcome of each individual spin of the roulette wheel, ¢// is able to invest in some probabilistic event 210 based on a series of roulette spins, and subsequently profit if he were to sell Ms financial instrument 76 at to a willing buyer. In the exemplary graph shown, between T4 and Γ5, Possibility 1 concludes unfavorably for the bettor in possession of U/s original wager because only 4 of the last 20 roulette spins result in red - the total being 84 red roulette spins over the relevant five-hour period. In such an instance, Ui would have been well-advised to sell to Us at T4 for, say, $250.

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Si3Xiilarly, Possibility 2 denotes another potential outcome within the set, 0, of aU possible outcomes, hi Possibility 2, the period between To &amp; T4 is not as promising for Uj as Possibility 1 began. In Possibility 2, there have been 75 red roulette spins at T4, This means that Ui needs a total of at least 15 out of 20 (75%) roulette spins to come up red during the final hour. In this scenario, Ul's original financial instrument 76 may be worth little more, if not less, than his originai investment. The odds are statistically against him (75% > 50%). He may, as before, sell (perhaps at a loss), trade, or hold his financial iostrument 76. However, in the example given, between T4 and T5, 20 out of 20 roulette spins are red, providing a grand total of 95 red spins during the relevant five-hour period, and providing a win or payout to the holder of the financial iostrument 76. As noted, while exaggerated numbers and statistical outcomes have been chosen for illustrative purposes, it is believed that even in “real world” play, wherein the occurrence of red and black spins over time will rarely be expected to skew heavily in favor of either color, the same principles of volatility over time, and the same· investment-strategizing opportunities for the holder or potential purchaser of a financial instrument 76 prior to “maturity,” will apply.

Lastly, Possibility 3 illustrates a potential outcome in which H/’s financial instrument 76 is worthless within two hours. During the first hour (Γ;), there are 5 red roulette spins. During the second hour {Ti), there are 7 red roulette spins. This yields a total of 12 out of the first 40 roulette spins as red. By J2, it is impossible for a total of 90 red ronlette spins to be reached through the remaining spins in the 100 spin duration.

Thus, the system creates novel financial instniments 76 and a market by which to facilitate the transfer of all such instruments 76. Individual clients 10 are able to hedge their wagers throu^i various, means, respond to market fluctuations accordingly, and fireely exchange or transfer their financial instruments 76 in any maimer they see fit.

Example Financial Instruments

In a particular embodiment of the system 5, financial instruments 76 may be grounded in the pull of slot machines. On each spin of the reels, a computer device may be used to record the placement of a symbol in relation to the “pay line” on each

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σ^ σ^ 'it cn o <N r- O <N 20 reel of each slot machine linlced to system 5. For example, in conventional slot machines, the “pay line” may be represented by a horizontal bar across the middle of the reel display. Each position may be given a corresponding numerical value according to a point system. For ejiample, a cherry on the pay line may represent 0, a cherry one line above the line may represent +1, and a cherry one line below' the line may represent -1; an orange on the pay line may represent 3, an orange one line above the pay line may represent 5, and an orange one line below the pay line may represent 1; no symbol on the pay line could represent -3, no symbol one line above the pay»^ line could represent —1, and no symbol one line below the line could be -5, etc. It should be noted that the point value assigned to each possible outcome (e.g., 5” for no symbol one line below the pay line), could be arbitrarily chosen in the structuring of a particular proposition. In structuring the proposition for a particuLiar instrument 76, the parly practicing the present invention might commonly - but is not required to - take into account estimated “actual” odds of a particular outcome. E.g., tiie point value assigned to an orange in- a particular position miglit (but need not) reflect relative distributions of oranges on the respective slot machine reels.

Because the present invention provides for free trading of financial instrument 76, though, it will be recognized that even random assignment of point values to various outcomes could be made, and an efficient market still created, because market participants would be free to evaluate if the point value for. a particular outcome had been fixed “too low” or “too high” (in each case, vis a vis actual or perceived mathematical odds of such au outcome), and could increase (or decrease) the amount they were willing to pay for participation in a position whose success depended hi . whole or in part on such outcome.

Each individual slot machine may he linked to central controller 50, which records and maintains an ongoing tally of the outcomes of each event 210. The ongoing tally may be displayed throughout the facility (casino or other facility), as well as in other locations, such as on closed-circuit television in hotel rooms connected to the facility or on the Intmiet. Since the point will be changing in real time as the slot machines are used by patrons at the one or more locations, the display of the point may be updated in real time or at predetermined intervals. This updated display can provide price guidelines upon which market participants may value the Ο (Ν S' <Ν σ^ σ^ m ο <Ν r- ο (Ν 21 instruments 76 and place transactions. Individuals may wager on whether the point will go higher or lower hy either buying or selling the associated financial instrument 76. The value of the financial instrument 76 may be tied directly to the point itself and move in unison, up or down, witlr the point.

Trades of financial instruments 76 may be made in various places in the facility, including on the slot machine itself, at a Mosk or betting window, and at other locations, by using a prepaid ATM-type card, a smart card, or otlier card representing established credit. The present invention may also facilitate trading outside the facility, such as in casino hotel rooms, on the Internet, via telephone, or otherwise. ATM cards, smart cards, and other known methods for tracking the initiation and timing of an electronic transaction may be used to record and track a plurality of transactions for multiple players on a single point, or for a single player as to multiple positions on a plurality of points.

Data regarding the status of a point, and its trading history and value as between multiple clients 10, can be stored in memory 72 and displayed centrally fe.g.. using a web server of central computer), with access to such information being availabte centrally (for, ng,, the house’s pmposes if the house is practicing the present invention) as well as to individual market participants (through, e.g., distributed terminals, over a virtual private network, or over secured (or unsecnfed) internet servers). Provision of data security and integrity for remote access to such information may be provided in accordance with known security and encryption protocols, such as, e.g., 128 bit SSL protection for secured Ihtemet communications.

Multiple “points” may be created on a rolling basis. For instance, each new spin of a slot machine may be viewed as beginning a new point, and investors may take positions as to any (or several) of multiple points on a rolling basis. Computerized tracking of the points (and of associated financial instruments 76) can be readily provided using account management software and platforms. Because clients 10 need not be present in the facility while they have a position in a financial instrument 76, they can essentially be gambling on slot machines (or positions based upon outcome of slot machine transactions) anytime and finm any location.

In various different embodiments according to the present invention, the point may ran continuously 24-hours a day for unlimited duration, or instead it may have a r- ο <N S’

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σ^ σ^ 'it cn o (N r- O (N 22 pre-defined time lioait ajfter which time all outstanding financial instruments 76 axe settled and a new point thereafter begins. For instance, a point (pointoday) could be established at noon, January 1, and another point (pointoweek) established at the same time, with pointoday having pre-fked duration of 24 hours and pointoweek having prefixed duration of exactly one week. Thus a pre-defined “settlement date” would he known for each point. The settlement date for pointoday would he noon, January 2, and the settlement date for pointoweek would be noon, January 8. “Settlement” or “outcome” of a financial instrument 76 associated with a particular point could be defined in a number of user-customiz:able ways. Often it would be predefined. To take a simple example (based upon a position in which the value of a financial instrument 76 is defined by multiple spins of a roulette wheel, with “red” counting for -1, “black” +1, and “green” for 0), if the point were positive as of the setdement date, a holder of a “black” or long position in that point (positioniong) would win a particular, amount of money. In particular embodiments, the amounts won could be a predefined amount, such as an amount equal to an initial wager; an amount that varies according to particular odds that axe set for the underlying event of the financial inslrument 76; or an amount that varies according to a spread-bet. Because it is possible to structure both “short” and “long” positions, this simple exemplary position could also provide that if the point were negative as of the settlement date, the holder of the “long” position would lose his investment but a party who was “short” on tiie point would win based on such a negative point. “Positions” may be defined in a number of fashions — e.g„ dollar-value units, shares, chips, or other units of proportional participation could be used to reflect the amount of money (or the proportional share in the position outcome or payoff) that a particular investor has in play.

The above paragraph assumes a binary form of point, with the “payoff’ stpictured as, e.g„ a 1;1 payoffi reflecting rou^y equal statistical odds, for the “\vinmng” and “losing” pointholder. Of course, it is also possible to structure “pa5Offs” for particular positions in points to reflect differentia statistical odds. For instance, if a position (positiongreen+so) were stnictured wherein the point was defined as the numter of “green” outeomes (i.e., “0”s or “00”s in American roulette) in a roulette game over a period of one day, the payoff could be structured to provide that Ο (Ν <Ν σ^ σ^ m ο <Ν Ο <Ν 23 if the point were greater thaHj 90 on the settlement date, the “long” player in that position would win fifty (50) times bis initial position price, whereas if the point were less than, e.s;., 90 at settlement, the long player would lose his initial investment in the position.

The preseirt invention also is readily adaptable for use with “spread betting” concepts. In such an embodiment, based for instance on the simplest red/black-defined roulette point, a “long” investor who paid $X for his initial position as to pointoday would receive incrementally greater (or, respectively, less) than $X in return as of the settlement date based upon the amount by which the point (as of settlement date) was greater (or, respectively, less) than the initial point value. Thus, the investors in positions can benefit (or lose) proportionately (up to either a predefined limit, or without limit) to the extent that actual point outcomes diverge from statisticallyHjxpectable “predicted” outcomes. Accordingly, at the time of settlement of the financial instrument 76, the “long” investor would receive a payoff of $X for each point above the initial point value at the time of settlenient, or conversely would lose $X for each point below the initial point value at the time of settlement.

Financial instruments 76 may also be structured in accordance with the present invention wherein the “payoff” to a holder is not a pure “predetermbred” set payoff, nor a pure “spread bet” payoff, but is partly or in whole a pari-mutuel payoff, wherein the holder as to a financial instrument 76 in a particular outcome is paid, partly or wholly, based upon a pro rata division of the total amount wagered upon the event or proposition and all its various outcomes, divided to reflect the number of position-holders who picked each respeotive position.

Additionally, further positions in a point can be predefined so as to allow an investor to benefit (or lose) from significant divergences fiom “predicted” point outcomes. Thus, in the simple roulette example in which the point is defined by total ratio of red to black outcomes (which maybe expected ti priori to be roughly 1:1), an additional position (positionodayWack+isoX could be defined based on the proposition that, as of the settlement date, there will have been 150 more black outcomes than red outcomes during the life of the point. “Payoff’ on positionodaybiacicHso could be determined as a pre-determined value fe.g., a single payoff of $10 for each unit of participation in a long position in that point), or on a “spread betting” basis. If the

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σ^ σ^ m o (N r- o <N 24 “payoff’ for a long position in positionodaybkcbuso is defined in terms of a fixed dollar or other value (for instance, $10 for each unit of participation in the position), then it can he expected that investors will discount accordingly the amount of money they would be willing, a priori, to pay for such position.

However, perceived value of a financial instrument 76 will very often change over time. To take the above example regarding a financial instrument 76 in positionodaybiack+150; if the payoff at settlement date were pre-fixed as $10 for each unit of participation, it could be expected that, at the very initiation of the point, investors would pay substantially less than $10 for a unit of positionodaybiaoit+i50 - based on their expectation that pointOday would, at the settlement date, be well below +150 (where red outcomes increment the point by -1, and black outcomes by +1), i.e., close to 0. However, if twenty three (23) hours following mitiation of pointoday, the instantaneous value of pointo were +175 (because blacks had exceeded reds by 175 outcomes during the life so far of pointoday), then investors would likely pay very close to $10 for a unit of positioBodaybiack-HSO, beHeving that there was an excellent chance that when pointoday closed in one further hour, pointoday would still be over +150,

The present inv^tion allows for ready trading in financial instruments 76, effectively in real time, over a platform or platforms. Investors could also join subgroups for competitive trading or tracking of financial instruments 76, which subgroups could be hosted as “communities” or “leagues,” either by the house, by a centralized provider of services pursuant to the present invention, or through a variety of related or unrelated third-party hosting servicrai. In this connection, even when the house or other provider or tracker of point values and position outcomes does not actually host all investors or players as to positions ia points, the house or other provider could provide one or more of the following for use by remote players or leagues or colinnunities of investors in positions; centralized statistical services, research services, historical position data, account hosting, and settlement services for trades in positions.

Current prices and other trading information, including results, can be posted on a website or stock ticker, and published in newspapers and broadcast on television and radio stations, so players not in the facility can follow the progress of their financial instruments 76. All of the methods that are commonly used for transmitting Ο <Ν S' <Ν σ^ σ^ m ο <Ν r- ο (Ν 25 stock price data ία real time or near real time may be used to transmit information regarding the current valuations of the financial instruments 76 created in accordance with the present invention.

In other embodiments of the present invention, trading and investing may be facilitated as to positions on a variety of casino games or other propositions wherein a player may seek to wager regarding the outcomes of particular events (or in which the player may gain or lose value in a proposition based on the nearness with which an actual outcome of a particular event matches ihe outcome as to whose occurrence the player took a position). Accordingly, the present invention could readily be adapted for trading positions on a rolling basis as to a large number of casino games (e.g., roulette, keno, craps, poker or other card games), as well as other propositions fe.g.. outcomes of particular financial market events or values) wherein multiple participants may take positions as to groups of events having uncertain outcomesi

The present invention may therefore be used in accordance with countless types of wagers. These wagers may include, but are not limited to, straight “fixed odds” bets of any odds ratio, spread bets, fixed over/under bets, and range bets. The bets may be placed with respect to, for example, roulette results for a particular casino over some finite period of time, or even for several casinos combined.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system and method may be employed for creating financial instruments 76 in connection with horse racing or other common sporting events that may have multiple participants, which are currently the subject of pari-mutuel or other wagering propositions but could also be made the subject of a tradable point-based wagering proposition. Financial instruments 76 maybe employed in numerous ways to establish a particular position with respect to some aspect of the outcome of a series of horse races, and the positions mbodied in those instruments 76 may be traded m the same way as any of the other instruments 76 discussed herein.

In one exemplary embodiment of a system and method according to the present invention, the horses in a given race may be divided into groups, most simply into two groups. The division into groups may be performed on a random mathematical basis, based upon active handicapping by the house as to the estimated respective skill levels and probability of wirmiag the race for each horse in the group. Ο <Ν S' <Ν σ^ σ^ 'ϊΐ· ο <Ν r- Ο (Ν 26 or by any other method. In the example in which the horses in a single race are broken into two groups, the fhst group mi^t be designated, e.g., the “+1” group, with the second group being designated the “-1” group. Thus, a point is created in which investors may take a position on either side. Because odds in horse racing typically fluctuate up until the moment the race begins, the financial instrument 76 could be traded, once bought, as the perceived odds of some or all of the horses in the given group rose or fell. In a multi-race embodiment, of course, opportunities for trading the financial instrument 76 over time would be even more extensive. There is no inherent limit to the number of races that can be combined (including races at remote locations), or the variety of ways in which horse groupings could be divided, in creating a rolling proposition wager embodied in a financial instrument 76 and tradable by participants.

The ‘'win-lose’7payoff determination for the propositions that are made, the subject of positions in the present invention could also be measured in a number of fashions. For example, the “winning" position on the point could correspond simply to that group of horses that contained the single winning horse in the relevant race(s); or could be defined as the group that contained the most horses that jfinished in the top three positions (win, place, and show) in the race(s), etc.

This aspect of the invention could also be employed for pure party-counterparty betting, in which the system serves solely as a market for matching individual investors who are willing to take diametrically opposed positions on a p^cular point, or to trade m such positions (with the house extracting a small service fee for its clearin^ouse functions). The point-setting and position-selling mechanisms or options offered by the house could be varied in a wide variety of fashions to allow the house to be as ‘Tisk averse” or “risk toleranf’ (i.e., having some or all. of the house’s own money actively in play and subject to unknown risk-based outcomes) as is desired.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a transferable financial instrument 76 may be created to embody yet another type of wager, the subject of which may be real financial markets. As an example, in one embodiment, the house may establish a point value based on the closing value of a particular stock or group of stocks, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA). A bettor may Ο <Ν S' <Ν σ^ σ^ m ο <Ν r- Ο (Ν 27 take a particular position relative to that point as to the closing value of the DIIA over a period of days, months, or years. The value of the bettor’s associated financial instrument 76 will change with fluctuations in the DJIA and subsequent changes in the point value. That position, via its corresponding instrument 76, may be traded and transferred among clients 10. The value of that position will fluctuate in accordance with the fluctuations in the stocks listed on the DJIA - a payoff may be structured such that a holder of a financial instrument 76 embodying a “long” position will receive a payoff if the value of the DJIA is higher than the house’s pre-set point value at the time of settlement. Moreover, if the financial insirament 76 embodies a point position that is favorable in relation to the house’s set point position, the instrument 76 will presumably he of greater value than at the time it was purchased, and accordingly will command such higher value in trading, sale, or other transfer of the financial instrument 76 between individual bettors. Other embodiments may be employed witlain the scepe of this invention to create derivative financial instruments 76 which are based on innumerable other aspects of financial markets worldwide.

As Λγουΐά be understood by one skilled in the art, the pr^ent invention is not limited to the types of financial instruments· 76 discussed herein, but may he implemented in accordance with a large variety of casino games, sporting events, financial markets, or ,any other events having uncertain ontcomes (e.g,, the weather, election results, etc,).

Further, the present invention is compatible with a wide range of computerized implementations, in particular with systems in which financial insirument 76 may be traded electronioally over the internet or World-Wide-Web (or in conjunction with telephone call centers in which telephone operators or computerized Interactive Voice Response Units' (IVRUs) perform computerized input of client-supplied infonnation) so that global and round-the-clock real-time access to the betting market is made possible in appropriately-secured form.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing discussion of certain embodiments and preferred embodiments is illustrative only, and does not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention, which are limited only by the claims set fortli below. r- ο <N δ'

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Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (48)

1. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

   1. A method, comprising: presenting to a user a plurality of potential wagers that the user can make on at least one potential outcome that includes combined results from a plurality of spins of one roulette wheel, wherein the plurality of potential wagers include: a wager that of combined results of roulette wheel spins, the number of results of a specified color will be greater than a specified number; receiving by at least one processor from the user a selection of a wager from the plurality of potential wagers; determining a plurality of results from a plurality of spins of the one roulette wheel; combining by the at least one processor the plurality of results; and based on the combined results, determining by the at least one processor whether the wager from the user is a winning wager.
2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the wager comprises receiving the wager via a wireless network from a device in use by the user.
3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wager comprises a wager on at least one potential outcome that includes combined results from spins of a plurality of roulette wheels.
4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wager comprises a wager on at least one potential outcome that includes combined results from a plurality of spins of only the one roulette wheel.
5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the roulette wheel comprises a physical roulette wheel.
6. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of roulette wheels comprise a plurality of physical roulette wheels located at at least two geographically remote facilities.
7. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the roulette wheel comprises a virtual roulette wheel.
8. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the roulette wheel comprises an automatically operated virtual roulette wheel.
9. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the wager comprises a wager that includes combined results from spins of the roulette wheel over a specified duration of time.
10. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the wager comprises a wager that includes combined results from a specified number of spins of the roulette wheel.
11. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include at least one of: a combined number of roulette wheel spins having a red result, a combined number of roulette wheel spins having a black result, and a combined number of roulette wheel spins having a green result.
12. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include a wager that of combined results of roulette wheel spins, there will be more results of a specified color than results of a different specified color.
13. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include a wager that at least a specified percentage of combined results of roulette wheel spins will be of a specified color.
14. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the wage from the user comprises a wager at specified odds.
15. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include : that of combined results of roulette wheel spins, the number of results of a specified color will be less than a specified number.
16. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include a wager that of combined results of roulette wheel spins, the number of results having a specified color will be at least a specified number greater than the number of results having different specified color.
17. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving from another user a selection of a wager from the plurality of potential wagers.
18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the wager from the user is different from the wager from the another user.
19. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises based on combined results from a plurality of spins of the one roulette wheel, determining whether the wager from the another user is a winning wager; and wherein the combined results on which the winning determination is made for the wager from the user comprises a first set of results and the combined results on which the winning determination is made for the wager from the another user comprises a second set of results.
20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one result in the first set of results is in the second set of results and at least one result in the first set of results is not in the second set of results.
21. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first set of results is the same as the second set of results.
22. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the wager from the user is different from the wager from the another user.
23. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein none of the results in the first set of results are in the second set of results.
24. 24. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an ongoing tally of results that includes spins of at least the one roulette wheel.
25. 25. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory having software stored thereon that when executed by the at least one processor directs the at least one processor to: present to a user a plurality of potential wagers that the user can make on at least one potential outcome that includes combined results from a plurality of spins of one roulette wheel, wherein the plurality of potential wagers include: a wager that of combined results of roulette wheel spins, the number of results of a specified color will be greater than a specified number; receive from the user a selection of a wager from the plurality of potential wagers; determine a plurality of results from a plurality of spins of the one roulette wheel; combine the plurality of results; and based on the combined results, determine whether the wager from the user is a winning wager.
26. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein to receive the wager comprises to receive the wager via a wireless network from a device in use by the user.
27. 27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the wager comprises a wager on at least one potential outcome that includes combined results from spins of a plurality of roulette wheels.
28. 28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the wager comprises a wager on at least one potential outcome that includes combined results from a plurality of spins of only the one roulette wheel.
29. 29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the roulette wheel comprises a physical roulette wheel.
30. 30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the plurality of roulette wheels comprise a plurality of physical roulette wheels located at at least two geographically remote facilities.
31. 31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the roulette wheel comprises a virtual roulette wheel.
32. 32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the roulette wheel comprises an automatically operated virtual roulette wheel.
33. 33. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the wager comprises a wager that includes combined results from spins of the roulette wheel over a specified duration of time.
34. 34. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the wager comprises a wager that includes combined results from a specified number of spins of the roulette wheel.
35. 35. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include at least one of: a combined number of roulette wheel spins having a red result, a combined number of roulette wheel spins having a black result, and a combined number of roulette wheel spins having a green result.
36. 36. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include a wager that of combined results of roulette wheel spins, there will be more results of a specified color than results of a different specified color.
37. 37. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include a wager that at least a specified percentage of combined results of roulette wheel spins will be of a specified color.
38. 38. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the wage from the user comprises a wager at specified odds.
39. 39. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include : that of combined results of roulette wheel spins, the number of results of a specified color will be less than a specified number.
40. 40. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential wagers further include a wager that of combined results of roulette wheel spins, the number of results having a specified color will be at least a specified number greater than the number of results having different specified color.
41. 41. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the software, when executed by the at least one processor, further directs the at least one processor to receive from another user a selection of a wager from the plurality of potential wagers.
42. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the wager from the user is different from the wager from the another user.
43. 43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the software, when executed by the at least one processor, further directs the at least one processor to: based on combined results from a plurality of spins of the one roulette wheel, determine whether the wager from the another user is a winning wager; and wherein the combined results on which the winning determination is made for the wager from the user comprises a first set of results and the combined results on which the winning determination is made for the wager from the another user comprises a second set of results.
44. 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein at least one result in the first set of results is in the second set of results and at least one result in the first set of results is not in the second set of results.
45. 45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the first set of results is the same as the second set of results.
46. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the wager from the user is different from the wager from the another user.
47. 47. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein none of the results in the first set of results are in the second set of results.
48. 48. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the software, when executed by the at least one processor, further directs the at least one processor to display an ongoing tally of results that includes spins of at least the one roulette wheel.