FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a wagering system and method. More particularly the invention interfaces with tote technology to introduce a competitive experience to each bettor while participating in a betting pool.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Pari-mutuel wagering is a form of wagering similar to a lottery whereby stakes are gathered in a pool using a 'totalizator' platform. The operator typically retains a percentage as revenue, and the remainder of the pool is distributed to the participants making selections that perform as required in the event that is the subject of the wagering pool.

Pari-mutuel wagering typically applies to horseracing. The wagering requirement to win a return from a particular pool varies according to the type of pool, or 'bet-type'. Different bet-types, or pools, can require the bettor to select different numbers of participants in an event (for example horses in a race), and can also require selections to be made across multiple events (for example multiple horses across multiple races).

One of the challenges for a new bet-type is that the bet-type system and technology needs to be able to interface with legacy tote technologies that are operated by tote companies around the world.

Further, similar to a lottery, pari-mutuel wagering is a form of wagering whereby the return to the bettor depends on how the bettors' selections perform compared to those of fellow bettors in the same pool, as the payout is divided between the winners. Therefore in order to maximise the return, the bettor must pick selections that generally outperform the selections of other bettors, and in that sense bettors in a pari-mutuel pool are in competition.

However there is currently no totalizator platform with a system or mechanism to capture, display and enhance the competitive element to a pari-mutuel wager placed on a totalizator, and interaction between bettors in the pool, other than determining the final payouts to bettors that have picked the winning selections. It is an object of preferred embodiments of the present invention to address some of the aforementioned disadvantages. An additional or alternative object is to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In one aspect the invention comprises a method of wagering comprising a server transmitting pool information data to at least one user device in communication with the server over a data network; receiving player account data from a player operating the at least one user device; receiving a wager pool identifier and wager data from the player; associating a player identifier and a wager identifier to the wager data;

transmitting leader board data to the at least one wager device; determining final standings of players within at least one wager pool; and distributing the pool according to the final standings.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in similar manner.

Preferably the method further comprises the server authenticating the player account data. Preferably the method further comprises receiving changes to player account data from the player operating the at least one user device.

Preferably the wager data is received from at least one totalizator platform in communication with the server over a data network.

Preferably the wager data comprises at least one participant selection within at least one event.

Preferably the leader board data includes the at least one player identifier.

Preferably the leader board data includes at least some of the wager data received from the player.

In another aspect the invention comprises a wagering system comprising a memory and a processor. The processor is programmed to transmit pool information data to at least one user device in communication with the server over a data network; receive player account data from a player operating the at least one user device; receive a wager pool identifier and wager data from the player; associate a player identifier and a wager identifier to the wager data; transmit leader board data to the at least one wager device; determine final standings of players within at least one wager pool; and distribute the pool according to the final standings.

Preferably the server is programmed to authenticate the player account data.

Preferably the server is programmed to receive changes to player account data from the player operating the at least one user device. Preferably the wager data is received from at least one totalizator platform in communication with the server over a data network.

Preferably the wager data comprises at least one participant selection within at least one event.

Preferably the leader board data includes the at least one player identifier. Preferably the leader board data includes at least some of the wager data received from the player.

In a further aspect the invention comprises a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method of wagering, the method comprising a server transmitting pool information data to at least one user device in communication with the server over a data network; receiving player account data from a player operating the at least one user device; receiving a wager pool identifier and wager data from the player; associating a player identifier and a wager identifier to the wager data; transmitting leader board data to the at least one wager device; determining final standings of players within at least one wager pool; and distributing the pool according to the final standings.

Preferably the method further comprises the server authenticating the player account data.

Preferably the method further comprises receiving changes to player account data from the player operating the at least one user device. Preferably the wager data is received from at least one totalizator platform in communication with the server over a data network.

Preferably the wager data comprises at least one participant selection within at least one event. Preferably the leader board data includes the at least one player identifier.

Preferably the leader board data includes at least some of the wager data received from the player.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred forms of a wagering system and method are described with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of example and without intending to be limiting, wherein : Figure 1 shows a preferred form wagering system,

Figure 2 shows a preferred form leaderboard, and

Figure 3 shows a preferred form player picks screen accessible from the leaderboard of figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a preferred form wagering method. Figure 5 shows a simplified block diagram of a device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention provides a pari-mutuel bet type system that introduces competitive elements to a pari-mutuel pool, and communicates that competition and user information to all wagering participants at a variety of user interfaces, and as such is preferably open in nature. The system enables each participant to view each other player's or participant's selections. Furthermore it is possible to view details about other participants to view rankings and other activity.

The outcome and return from the pool for each wager depends on the wager's performance relative to the performance of all other wagers in the pool. The wagering system organises wagers into order of performance, and communicates details regarding the individual wagers and order of performance of the wagers, and final outcome, to all participating bettors.

Transparency permits statistical analysis and social networking opportunities that have not previously been available at wagering venues such as racetracks, off-track betting venues, or online.

Figure 1 shows a preferred form system 10 in accordance with the invention. The preferred form wagering system 10 includes a central pool information system (CIS) 20. The CIS 20 may be separate to or part of a host pool platform and serves as the authoritative central repository database for all bets, and generates and manages a leaderboard. CIS data serves as the basis for wagering pools. CIS data also serves as the authoritative source for pool winners.

The system 10 further includes one or more pari-mutuel totalizator platforms or totes 30i... _N . The totes 30 manage aspects of a player's account. They also play a critical role in validating the placement and cancellation of bets and create the appropriate score distribution for pools and processing payouts.

The CIS 20 may be a stand-alone database and wager engine that communicates with the tote(s) 30 via a network, or could be built within the totalizator platform(s) of the tote(s) 30 itself/themselves. The preferred method is as a stand-alone information system.

The CIS is configured to communicate with multiple and different tote platforms and technologies to manage a 'commingled' pool whereby bettors may enter one pool via multiple totes or tote platforms.

The system further includes user devices 40I..N. These user devices enable bettors to access accounts, manage accounts, process payments to fund wagers or accounts, and place and/or cancel bets. Preferably the user devices 40 are able to operate in a self service mode or processed by a teller or operator, and may include but are not limited to racetrack or betting venue wagering terminals or tellers, telephone operators, and web-based interfaces. User devices 40 do not typically interact directly with the CIS 20. Instead the user devices direct all interactions with the CIS 20 through an associated tote 30 for validation and authentication. The system also provides for the display of live wagering, pool, competition, and participant information to bettors via displays 50I...N. The displays may include but are not limited to visual or audio transmissions, and may in the preferred method be transmitted by web based application and whereby information is displayed on a leaderboard and broadcast on screens on user devices 40i.. _N as well as other displays such as in-house or network television broadcasts, monitors and websites.

As a result the existing interfaces between the user device 40 and an associated tote 30 will be used to display account information, user authentication, financial information and so on.

Figure 2 shows an example of a leaderboard 200 that is displayed to a player. The leaderboard preferably displays details about one or more players. These details include for example a player rank, avatar, nickname, status, location and points or a mythical bankroll.

The preferred form leaderboard 200 may include at least one pop-up information window or hyperlink 205 that enables a player to view the picks that other players have made. Clicking link 205 for example displays further information about player picks. Alternatively picks selected by other participants may be displayed on the face of the leaderboard, or by some other method than by hyperlink.

As shown in figure 3, the picks for the player preferably include details of one or more races, picks within one or more of the races, a rating, a position, winnings, bankroll and rank.

The following sets out one preferred form example of wagering pool contest that is operated utilising the system, and is not intended to be limiting.

A bettor pays to take part in the wager which can be set at any denomination or currency depending on the country or jurisdiction in which the wager is offered. For example, a player would pay $2 to enter a 6 leg wager - picking 1 horse in each leg of the 6 legs. A wheel or permutation can also be made creating single line entries from a multiple selection. For example, a player could pick 2,3/1,5/1,2/5,9/3,4/1,2 thus creating 64 single line entries and costing $ 128.

The wager creates competition among the fans offering interactive leader boards by accumulating points based on selecting a horse to finish in the top 3 positions in a race or series of races where a pool and tote dividend are available.

The wager leader boards are made available online via an internet site which can be displayed on TV's, Mobile and Tote terminals throughout a track and websites.

The points are accumulated based on the tote dividends or payouts from the traditional wager pools on offer by the host pool operator for the racetrack running the racing that is the subject of the pool. Any tote pool dividend can be used to

accumulate points.

For example, a Win, Place and Show Pool dividend could be: $10.00 Win = 10 points $4.50 Place = 4.5 points and $3.00 Show = 3 points. Other dividends or payouts such as exacta, trifecta and any other dividend on offer are used as the points mechanism for the wager and the participants to score points to be displayed on the leader board which is generated and updated after every race until the end of the series of races deemed to be the final result.

The wager can be implemented as an over the counter wager at race tracks and off track betting shops using the traditional form of wagering on betting terminals and operator-assisted wagering.

Preferably the wager is available as an online wager via the internet on a wagering website to be accessed from a browser or mobile platform. The wager results are preferably used to create multiple leader boards from the results of each multiple leg wager. For example, a player can enter many lines in a wager and have many resulting scores from each line. The best scoring line each day from any race track is used to accumulate points on a weekly leader board and a percentage of the daily pools are allocated to the weekly pool which is a progressive jackpot paid out at the end of a week (Mon-Sun) and divided between the top 3 scoring players - 60% 1st, 30% 2nd 10% 3rd. In the event of a tie, the prize pools are combined and divided equally between the tied players. Preferred form online wager formats are set out below.

Preferred form wager rules are set out below.

The bettor is required to select one participant from each race in a set of designated races that comprise a wager or contest. Points are awarded based on the outcome of the race or races included in the contest and on the distribution of payouts of the Win, Place and Show pari-mutuel pools.

Wager tickets are sold in denominations of $2.00, which entitles the participant to wager in a single Contest. This can be varied from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Points are awarded after each designated race based on the official order of finish and on the totalisator results for a $2 Win, Place and Show wager for any participant that finishes 1st, 2nd or 3rd and has a tote payout associated with its finish. The scores are accumulated after each designated race in the contest.

A scoring example is set out below:

Horse A - 1st

Win : $6.00 Place : $5.60 Show: $2.20

Total Score = Win + Place + Show = 13.80 points Horse B - 2nd

Place : $ 15.60 Show: $4.80

Total Score = Place + Show

Horse C - 3rd Show: $2.10 Total Score = Show

A wager may not be retracted once it has been purchased. Wagering on the contest closes at the start of the first designated race in the Contest. Bettors are not permitted to change any picks during the running of contest races.

The wager is won by the bettor who has scored the most points at the end of the last designated race in the Contest.

100 percent of the net pool is paid out upon completion of all designated races in the contest. The net pool is apportioned according to one of three methods, depending on the outcome of the contest.

Method 1 - One winner for 1st.

Dividend group Share of net pool 1st = Scoring the Most Points 60 %

2nd = Scoring the 2nd Most Points 30 %

3rd = Scoring the 3rd Most Points 10 % Method 2 - If there are 2 winners tied for 1st, the 1st and 2nd dividend pools are combined and paid equally to the winners.

Dividend group Share of net pool

2 - 1st equal = Scoring the Most Points 90 % 3rd = Scoring the 3rd Most Points 10 %

Method 3 - If there are more than 2 winners for 1st, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd dividend pools are combined and paid equally to the winners.

Dividend group Share of net pool 3 or more - 1st equal = Scoring the Most Points 100 %

If a single race in a contest is cancelled or declared void then the results from the other designated races are decisive in determining the result of the betting. If a contest is reduced to fewer than 4 races, the contest is called off and all wagers for that Contest will be refunded.

If all designated Contest races have been cancelled or declared void then the betting is called off and the wagers refunded .

Those participants constituting an entry or field, as defined within the rules and regulations of the Commission, race in any race as a single wagering interest for purposes of the pool calculations. A scratch after wagering has begun of any part of the entry or field selection in a race shall be of no effect with respect to the status of such entry and/or field as a viable wagering interest.

If a participant is subsequently withdrawn or scratched during the running of the Contest, the Tote Favorite in that designated race of the contest is substituted in place of a regular selection made for a horse that has been withdrawn. The system described above is preferably open in nature. For example it is

permissible for each participant to view each other player's or participant's selections. It is also possible to see what other participants have placed wagers on. Furthermore it is possible to view details about other participants to view rankings and other activity on the site. Transparency permits statistical analysis and social networking opportunities that have not traditionally been available trackside.

A preferred form wagering method is shown in Figure 4 at 400. The host pool system communicates available pool information to user devices 40 and user displays normally via a data network or combination of data networks. Preferably there is functionality to discriminate between devices for pool availability if required by the operator.

A player operates a user device 40 or uses a human operator to ascertain what wager pool is available. The player enters account information on the user device 40 to access a player account on the pools wagering system database. Alternatively the player participates as a walk-up bettor and enters any information required to enter pool.

The pools wagering system authenticates 410 customer details and processes user authorization and financial information. The player funds account if payment is required. Alternatively the player pays directly to enter pool if required. Payment may be processed normally by user device 40 or by the operator by transaction datafeed, and communicated to the system to authorize the wager amount by internet protocol. The player may manage account details once authenticated by the pools wager system via the user device 40.

The player enters selections as required to enter the pool using the user device 40 or operator assistance. The player enters a username or ID if required to be associated with the wager entry. The player then submits 420 the player entry to the pool via the user device 40. The user device 40 communicates the wager to a tote pool and wager pool information system which stores 440 the wager entry in the central wager pool. The system validates the wager and stores the details. The system associates 430 a username or ID to the wager entry, or assigns a username or ID to the wager entry, and confirms the wager entry, a unique wager ID and the username or ID associated with the wager which are communicated to the bettor via the user device 40, and normally provide a bet receipt or ticket.

As bettors enter the pool, the system generates 450 statistics relating to wagers entering the pool, and communicates these to the user devices 40 or user displays for entered bettors or potential bettors to view.

The system builds 460 a leader board and a broadcast feed for that leader board to be displayed or communicated. The leader board displays all or any bettors in the pool as well as information related to each bet including but not limited to selections, wager amount, location, username, bettor profile information, leader board position, points or mythical bank-roll.

The wager pool information system processes the results relating to the event or events that are the subject of the wager pool either by manual data input, or by data feed, and determines the success of each wager in the pool in predicting the required outcomes. The wager pool information system ranks the wagers in the pool in order of performance, and updates the leaderboard positions, which are normally

communicated to bettors via visual displays on wagering devices, television screens and web-interfaces.

Bettors can search leader boards for any bettor in the pool using an interactive web- based leader board, terminal based leader board, or through an operator, and may view that participant's positions, selections and performance history.

After the final event that is subject to the pool has been resulted, the wager pool information system calculates 470 the final standings, and provides the authoritative source defining which unique wagers have won a share in the pool. The system calculates the share of the pool and payout attributable to each unique wager if any, and displays this information on the leader board as notification of the final result.

If the bettor is due a reward or return, the system will either credit the account if the wager was placed using an account, or may be disbursed by any means by the pool operator on presentation of the valid bet receipt or ticket which may be in paper or electronic format. Figure 5 shows a simplified block diagram of a device forming at least part of CIS 20, tote 30, user device 40 and/or display 50 in the example form of a computing device 500. Sets of computer executable instructions are executed within device 500 that cause the device 500 to perform the methods described above. Preferably the computing device 500 is connected to other devices. Where the device is networked to other devices, the device is configured to operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a server-client network environment. Alternatively the device can operate as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The device may also include any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions that specify actions to be taken by that machine. These instructions can be sequential or otherwise.

A single device 500 is shown in Figure 5. The term "computing device" also includes any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set or multiple sets of instructions to perform any one or more of the methods described above. The example computing device 500 includes a processor 505. One example of a processor is a central processing unit or CPU. The device further includes read-only memory (ROM) 510 and random access memory (RAM) 515. Also included is a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) chip 520. The processor 505, ROM 510, RAM 515 and the BIOS chip 520 communicate with each other via a central motherboard 525. Computing device 500 further includes a power supply 530 which provides electricity to the computing device 500. Power supply 530 may also be supplemented with a rechargeable battery (not shown) that provides power to the device 500 in the absence of external power.

Also included are one or more drives 535. These drives include one or more hard drives and/or one or more solid state flash hard drives. Drives 535 also include optical drives.

Network interface device 540 includes a modem and/or wireless card that permits the computing device 500 to communicate with other devices. Computing device 500 may also comprise a sound and/or graphics card 545 to support the operation of the data output device 560 described below. Computing device 500 further includes a cooling system 550 for example a heat sink or fan. Computing device 500 includes one or more data input devices 555. These devices include a keyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, mouse, and/or joystick. The device(s) take(s) input from manual keypresses, user touch with finger(s) or stylus, spoken commands, gestures, and/or movement/orientation of the device. Data output device(s) 560 include a display and/or printer. Device(s) 560 may further include computer executable instructions that cause the computing device 500 to generate a data file such as a PDF file.

Data port 565 is able to receive a computer readable medium on which is stored one or more sets of instructions and data structures, for example computer software. The software causes the computing device 500 to perform one or more of the methods or functions described above. Data port 565 includes a USB port, Firewire port, or other type of interface. The computer readable medium includes a solid state storage device. Where drives 535 include an optical media drive, the computer readable medium includes a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray, or other optical medium. Software may also reside completely or at least partially within ROM 510, within erasable non-volatile storage and/or within processor 505 during execution by the computing device 500. In this case ROM 510 and processor 505 constitute computer- readable tangible storage media. Software may further be transmitted or received over a network via network interface device 540. The data transfer uses any one of a number of well known transfer protocols. One example is hypertext transfer protocol (http).

The term "computer-readable medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media. Examples of multiple media include a centralised or distributed database and/or associated caches. These multiple media store the one or more sets of computer executable instructions. The term "computer readable medium" should also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor and that cause the processor to perform any one or more of the methods described above. The computer-readable medium is also capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with these sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" includes solid-state memories, optical media and magnetic media.

One aspect of the invention interfaces with tote technology to introduce a competitive experience to each bettor while participating in the pool. In one preferred embodiment this system operates a new pari-mutuel bet type whereby the performance of selections by bettors is ordered, the returns to the bettors are dependent on a position in that order of performance, and details of each wager in the pool and each bettor is communicated to all bettors, and each bettor can view or search for the performance of another bettor in the pool.

The system facilitates wagers; identifies totalizator platform pari-mutuel wagering pool participants; calculates the performance of each participant wager in the pool; orders the full range of wagers by performance during the event subject of the wager, and at the conclusion of the event; calculates any monetary or non-monetary rewards, prizes or payouts attributable to performance; uniquely communicates an identity (such as a name, username or alias) relating to each wager or bettor participating in the pool to every bettor, as well as other details related to each individual bet such as but not limited to selections made, performance of selections, location wager was placed; as well as the order or performance in the pool during the event and at the conclusion in the event to the bettors in the pool so that the bettors can identify which other bettors they have and have not outperformed. In one embodiment bettors are awarded pari- mutuel payouts based on performance relative to other bettors in the pool.

Details of the participants, wagers, performance, results and rewards can be communicated by, but not limited to, tote wagering terminals, custom-made terminals, television or digital broadcasts or other displays.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Modifications and improvements as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated in the scope hereof, as defined by the accompanying claims.