Abstract: A method of simulating, on a computer, the activities of a virtual sports league, includes the steps of creating: (a) virtual sports participants, each of which includes a participant statistic that serves to define the performance level of a sports participant, (b) virtual sports teams, each of which has roles for the method's users of virtual team manager, owner, and sports agents, (c) a virtual sports league that includes a season schedule of games between these teams, and (d) formulating the outcome of each of these virtual games to determine the seasonal standings of the teams within the league.

Abstract: An improved method for allowing players to make pari-mutuel wagers on previously-run, order-of-finish contests (PROOFCs) includes the steps of enabling the operator of a pari-mutuel wagering enterprise to: (1) access the database of race conditions pertaining to each of the PROOFCs and assemble a specified collection of PROOFCs upon which a player may elect to wager or not wager on a specific PROOFC, (2) select the number of contestants and the race conditions applicable to each of the PROOFCs so as to yield a wagering experience for the player (with sufficiently variable results and an acceptable financial return on the player's wagers) that makes it likely the player will again use this improved method of wagering, and wherein the wagering is conducted such that whether a player's selection is determined to be a winner depends on the performance of the selected contestant.

Abstract: An improved method for allowing players to make pari-mutuel wagers on previously-run, order-of-finish contests (PROOFCs) includes the steps of enabling the operator of a pari-mutuel wagering enterprise to: (1) access the database of race conditions pertaining to each of the PROOFCs and assemble a specified collection of PROOFCs upon which a player may elect to wager or not wager on a specific PROOFC, (2) select the number of contestants and the race conditions applicable to each of the PROOFCs so as to yield a wagering experience for the player (with sufficiently variable results and an acceptable financial return on the player's wagers) that makes it likely the player will again use this improved method of wagering, and wherein the wagering is conducted such that whether a player's selection is determined to be a winner depends on the performance of the selected contestant.

Abstract: An improved method for allowing players to make pari-mutuel wagers on previously-run, order-of-finish contests (PROOFCs) includes the steps of enabling the operator of a pari-mutuel wagering enterprise to: (1) access the database of race conditions pertaining to each of the PROOFCs and assemble a specified collection of PROOFCs upon which a player may elect to wager or not wager on a specific PROOFC, (2) select the number of contestants and the race conditions applicable to each of the PROOFCs so as to yield a wagering experience for the player (with sufficiently variable results and an acceptable financial return on the player's wagers) that makes it likely the player will again use this improved method of wagering, and wherein the wagering is conducted such that whether a player's selection is determined to be a winner depends on the performance of the selected contestant.

Abstract: An improved method for allowing players to make pari-mutuel wagers on previously-run, order-of-finish contests (PROOFCs) includes the steps of enabling the operator of a pari-mutuel wagering enterprise to: (1) access the database of race conditions pertaining to each of the PROOFCs and assemble a specified collection of PROOFCs upon which a player may elect to wager or not wager on a specific PROOFC, (2) select the number of contestants and the race conditions applicable to each of the PROOFCs so as to yield a wagering experience for the player (with sufficiently variable results and an acceptable financial return on the player's wagers) that makes it likely the player will again use this improved method of wagering, and wherein the wagering is conducted such that whether a player's selection is determined to be a winner depends on the performance of the selected contestant.

Abstract: An improved system and method for the transmission of information between a plurality of wagering terminals (peripherals and other downstream devices) and a central wagering hub (processing center) for use in association with wagering and/or pari-mutuel wagering applications is herein disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for reconfiguring wagering terminals at a wagering facility. The terminals have a processor that provides a graphical user interface (GUI). A plurality of instruction sets are provided, different ones of said sets being executable by the terminal processor to implement different wagering terminal styles to a user via the GUI. Either a wagering facility operator or a terminal user can select from the plurality of instruction sets to provide a desired terminal style at the wagering terminal.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a system for parimutuel gaming includes a tote system, a gateway, and at least one voice recognition unit. Each voice recognition unit is communicatably connected to a public telephone network, and is communicatably connected to the tote system through the gateway. Each voice recognition unit is configured to receive wagers from a bettor by bettor speech utterances, to convert the bettor speech utterances into commands, to transmit the commands to the tote system through the gateway, to receive responses from the tote system to said commands, to convert the responses to audio messages, and to transmit the audio messages to the bettor. The system also includes a first high speed network communicatably connecting the tote system and the gateway; and a second high speed network communicatably connecting the gateway and each voice recognition unit.