Background Art The present practice in this field uses well-known closed circuits of betting shops where it is possible to participate, through pre-established terminals, in individual betting games by means of specific betting slip forms.

The amount that is put as a stake on the output coupon must be paid separately. After the release of results in the respective game it is necessary to verify the tipping coupon on a terminal. An analogous fact in mentioned in the document EP 647913 that describes equipment for the performance of a lottery game. The practice also works with conventional solutions of remote game systems in which the bettor can play against a remotely located betting game or lottery. In the given case it is necessary to use a personal computer online connection and the bettor must get a credit access to the system which permits him a connection to the remote system of a host computer, for example W0 95/24689 and WO 96/00950, with an analogous solution of the protection of the improved remote game system by new software.

Disclosure of Invention The above mentioned shortcomings can be removed, to a considerable degree, by equipment for a remote operation of a betting agency according to the invention consisting of a communication system to which a betting device is connected. Its essential feature is that the betting

device is connected via a connecting unit to a telecommunication network to which a central data bank is connected. The betting device consists of a power-supply unit to which a print block, coin acceptor, bank-note acceptor, special acceptor, illumination ramp, touch display screen and a control unit are connected. The control unit is also connected to a print output and a print coupon output. The betting device is made up of a base skeleton, the lower part of which accommodates a coin box and a power-supply unit-located above them is a control unit and a print block. The face wall above the print block carries a print output for betting documents and a print coupon output over which a touch display screen is situated. Above the touch display screen are installed: a coin acceptor, bank-note acceptor, special acceptor for credit cards. The upper part of the front wall is terminated by an illumination ramp. The telecommunication network can be made up of an internet network with satellites and internet servers, of which at least one must is connected to the central data bank. In the case in question, a telephone exchange is used as a connecting unit. In another case the telecommunication network can be made up of a mobile telephone network in which a mobile telephone is employed as a connecting device. The control unit contains a central unit with supporting peripherals, a modem and safety circuits.

The betting device system and its connection to the central data bank, according to the invention, makes it possible to operate betting games at all places where the access to a telecommunication network is available. At such places the bettor communicates with the betting device through a touch display screen, which guarantees an easy and comfortable control. The betting device permits to select the respective environment and so langage barriers are eliminated. The betting device enables the bettor to watch the bidding process of betting, actual rates, game results and all other information for the realisation of bets. The bettor can choose their form, visual one on the touch display screen, printed form, or both cases at the same time. The contact between the central data bank and the betting

device is made at a lower load of the communication network for example during the night, which eliminates error transmissions in the sending of betting bids, rates of the bets etc. The cryptography of data in the transmissions does not permit their misuse or unauthorised handling. The central bank is also employed for checking activities to ensure regularity of betting. The betting agency in question can be operated both inland and internationally.

Brief Description of Drawings The invention is elucidated in more detail by means of the drawing in which fig. 1 represents the equipment for the remote operation of a betting agency, fig. 2 a block diagram of the betting device and fig. 3 the betting device arrangement from the face side.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The equipment for the remote operation of a betting agency consisting of a betting device 1 connected via a connecting unit 2 to a telecommunication network 3. In the exemplification, the telecommunication network 3 is created as internet network with satellite 5 and internet servers 4. One internet server 4 is connected to the central data bank 6. The telecommunication network 3 can be formed by a mobile telephone network where a mobile telephone is used as the connecting unit 2 and where at least one is connected with the central data bank 6. The betting device 1 consists of a power supply-unit 8 for the feeding of single sets of the betting device 1. The power-supply unit 8 is connected to the print block 12, coin acceptor 15, bank-note acceptor 16, special acceptor 17, illumination ramp 18, touch display screen 11, for the output of optical information and control of all functions, and a control unit 10. The control unit 10 contains a central unit, with supporting peripherals, for ensuring the necessary functions, with a

modem, for ensuring a connection to the central data bank 6. The control unit 10 is also connected to the print output 13 and to the print coupon output 14. In space aspect, the betting device 1 is designed so that the base skeleton 7 holds, in its bottom part, a coin box 9 for safe depositing of coins and bank-notes, a power-supply unit 8 with sources for the feeding of the betting device 1, and filtration members to eliminate entry of interference pulses. A little higher is situated the control unit 10 which provides for the control and communication of single components with the central data bank 6, and a print block 12. In the face wall, above the print block 12, are installe the print output 13 for betting documents and a print coupon output 14. Above them is the touch display screen 11 that is intended for the bettor's communication with the betting device 1. The following parts are located above the touch display screen 11: a coin acceptor 15, bank-note acceptor 16, special acceptor 17, for credit cards. The upper part of the front wall is terminated by an illumination ramp 18.

On the prepared betting device 1, the bettor selects the kind of bet, its amount and fills in the betting coupon on the touch display screen 11. The control unit 10 checks the correctness of the coupon and offers it to the bettor for approval. After the payment of the respective sum into the acceptors 15,16,17, the print block 12 will print the coupon on the print coupon output 14. The correctness of the winning is checked by comparing with the central data bank 6. The central data bank 6 prepares the data needed for the operation. It creates the offers of bets, rates of bets, carries out updating, sending and reception of the necessary data. It performs also checking activities intended to ensure regularity of bets. These pieces of information are transferred from the central data bank 6 to the betting devices 1 every day in the period of reduced communication load of the communication network, namely, e. g. in the night-time. Simultaneously the data from single betting devices 1 are collecte and then processed in the central data bank 6. Between the central data bank 6 and individual betting devices 1, there is a both-way communication traffic via telecommunication network 3 with the satellite 5 to the respective internet server 4. The transmitted data are encrypted to prevent misuse. The network load and communication time are reduced by adequate data compression.