United Tote Company

Kenneth A Vlazny

Scott B Pfennighausen

Victor I Harrison

Brendan John Burgess

Joseph J Tracy

Stephen M Smith

Jim Baker

Mark G Meyer

Jeffery B Murphy

Scott B Pfenninghausen

A method and apparatus for use in a wagering environment are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment comprises a wagering terminal including a processor, a memory, a primary display, and a secondary display. The primary display is configured for displaying visual messages. These visual messages are displayed as part of a graphical user interface and include at least one wagering transaction message. The secondary display is configured for displaying additional visual messages associated with the visual messages of the primary display. These additional visual messages are displayed as part of an additional graphical user interface. The wagering terminal may further include a proximity detector configured for detecting the presence of a gaming patron, a user identification unit configured for sampling a unique physical attribute of a user, and an image capture unit configured for capturing at least one image in a vicinity of the wagering terminal.

Method and apparatus for enhancing a wagering experience using a wagering terminal

Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons or tellers select a graphic area on a display element to place runners in a position of a pari-mutuel wager. In another method, a patron or teller selects a graphic area of a display element to copy a runner of a position to another position of a pari-mutuel wager. Another method provides a patron or teller with an opportunity to sort a list of runners of a pari-mutuel gaming activity by selecting an icon of a display element. In a further method, a patron or teller places a multi-position pari-mutuel wager by selecting an area of a display element.

Methods and systems for presenting pari-mutuel betting options and constructing wagers

Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering may enable an organization to set rules to display the gaming activity. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering may enable players to make subscription as well as programmed bets.

The invention relates generally to the field of gaming and, more particularly, to pari-mutuel gaming activities and pari-mutuel gaming systems. In one embodiment, a method of conducting a pari-mutuel gaming activity includes providing a patron an opportunity to view an event that is a subject of the pari-mutuel gaming activity and providing the patron an opportunity to select an image of the event in progress. Responsive to the patron selecting the image, the image is saved and the patron is provided with an opportunity to view the saved imaged subsequent to saving. A system and computer for providing the method of conducting the pari-mutuel gaming activity is also disclosed. In the pari-mutuel gaming activities described herein, a patron is enabled to create multiple 'snapshots' of a race.

Method and system for viewing images of a pari-mutuel gaming activity

Method and apparatus for enhancing a wagering experience using a wagering terminal adaptable to a self-service mode

Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons select runners, and betting options of selected runners are presented. In another method, a first wager is placed and other wagers are presented, wherein the additional wagers may include a runner of the first wager. Another method allows patrons to wager on a runner, wherein an area representing the runner is marked to indicate that this runner was selected on a previous wager or in the current wager. In another method, a portion of a wager is patron selected and a portion of the wager is suggested by the betting interface. In another method, patrons may construct wager(s) for single or future races, or specify criteria for those wagers. In another method, runners are displayed in a table and patrons may select or deselect runner combinations by selecting cells within the table. Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering that enable an organization to set rules to display the gaming activity, and an embodiment where players make subscription as well as programmed bets are described.

Methods of lottery-type wagering are disclosed. One method utilizes a credit instrument associated with an account set up by a patron with a gaming administrator. The credit instrument may be used to place lottery-type wagers at a gaming terminal and, additionally, for the purchase of goods and/or services, accessing additional informational displays, or for other non-wagering purposes and/or areas associated with the gaming administrator or a venue offering lottery-type wagering. The credit instrument acts as a cash substitute wherein the patron's account may be automatically updated with all of the patron's wins, losses, and purchases via a network system or updated on the credit instrument. In other methods, lottery-type wagers are placed with an anonymous account such that an identity of a player is not known to the gaming administrator.

Systems and methods for accessing, manipulating and using funds associated with lottery-type games

The present invention provides methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment, an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include the randomly assigning a finishing order to the player selected participants.

Methods and systems for conducting pari-mutuel wagers

Methods and systems of conducting parimutuel wagering activities are disclosed. A method of sending a message to a patron of a parimutuel gaming system includes providing the patron an opportunity to establish an identity on the parimutuel gaming system. Responsive to the patron establishing the identity, the patron is provided an opportunity to associate a virtual address with the identity, and a message may be sent to the virtual address. A method of communicating a result of a parimutuel gaming activity to a player includes providing the player with an opportunity to place a parimutuel wager and to associate a virtual address with the parimutuel wager. A message is sent to the virtual address, wherein the message includes a result of the parimutuel wager. A parimutuel gaming system including a computer is operatively configured with software operatively configured to enable the computer to conduct the parimutuel gaming activities.

Methods and systems for communicating parimutuel wager details and results

The present invention contemplates methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as parimutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor-selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player-selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include randomly assigning a finishing order to the player-selected participants.

Methods and systems for conducting parimutuel wagers

A method and apparatus for use in a wagering environment are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a wagering terminal including a processor, a memory, a primary display, and a secondary display. The primary display is configured for displaying visual messages. These visual messages are displayed as part of a graphical user interface and include at least one wagering transaction message. The secondary display is configured for displaying additional visual messages associated with the visual messages of the primary display. These additional visual messages are displayed as part of an additional graphical user interface. The wagering terminal may further include a proximity detector configured for detecting the presence of a gaming patron, a user identification unit configured for sampling a unique physical attribute of a user, and an image capture unit configured for capturing at least one image in a vicinity of the wagering terminal.

Systems and methods of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed. One method utilizes a credit instrument associated with an account set up by a patron at a pari-mutuel gaming establishment, such as a horse or dog racing track. The credit instrument may be used to place wagers at a gaming terminal and, additionally, for the purchase of goods and/or services, accessing additional informational displays, or accessing secure special areas at the pari-mutuel gaming establishment. The credit instrument acts a cash substitute wherein the patron's account may be automatically updated with all of the patron's wins, losses, and purchases via a network system or updated on the credit instrument. In other methods, pari-mutuel wagers are placed with an anonymous account such that an identity of a player is not known to the pari-mutuel gaming establishment.

Growing community of inventors

York, PA, United States of America

Kenneth A Vlazny