Abstract: Apparatus and method provide for wagering across multiple gaming operators operating at respective locations, using respective accounts accessible according to a location of a player. The first and second accounts may be linked to a linking account, and money is transferrable between the linking account and each of the first and second accounts. The second account may be accessible by a player to place wagers associated with a second gaming operator at a second location, but not to place wagers associated with a first gaming operator operating at a first location. While a player is currently located at the second location, an amount of money from the first account may be transferred to the linking account and the amount of money from the linking account may be transferred to the second account.

Abstract: Techniques for multi-level device verification for mobile gambling applications are described. For example, when an application executing on a smartphone attempts to access a gambling activity of the gambling service, the location of the smartphone is attempted to be determined based on GPS data. If the GPS data is not determinable, the location of the smartphone may be determined using another technique, such as triangulation. Based on the determined location, the application receives an indication that the smartphone is in a U.S. state where gambling is allowed, and the application is enabled to access the gambling service to engage in the gambling activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying the eligibility of players attempting to participate in gaming events are disclosed. Communication objects having RFID tags and closed electrical circuits are individually assigned to and worn by players within a gaming player verification system. These RFID tags may communicate with associated player tracking units attached to gaming machines and other devices via radio frequency waves, and each communication object may alter its communication pattern in response to any break of its closed electrical circuit. In some embodiments, a communications object may emit a signal that conveys a privilege of the player wearing the communications object. Bracelets, wristwatches, or collars can be used as communication objects, such that the removal of such an object from a player cannot be accomplished without breaking the closed electrical circuit contained therein, thereby disabling, or de-authenticating the device.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present embodiment, a system and method for wireless gaming with location-dependent gaming functions are provided. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a gaming server; a wireless network at least partially covering a property, the wireless network comprising a plurality of signal detection devices; and a gaming communication device operable to transmit and receive gaming information to and from the gaming server via the wireless network. A location of the gaming communication device on the property is used to alter a game play function, such as a bet option, wager, graphic overlay, permission, or to provide location-dependent advertising or embedded advertising. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled and/or controlled.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a player may view a list of popular games.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to wireless gaming devices and networks are provided. For example, access is controlled through one or more levels of security checks, such as a hard security check instead of or in addition to a soft security check. In a hard security check, the user employs an apparatus such as a card or other physical token that can be used to access the wireless gaming device. Such an apparatus may communicate information that identifies the user to the device or may simply be used to produce a signal without which the device is locked to users. The apparatus may further emit a time varying signal to enhance security.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus related to gaming are described. Some embodiments relate to a multi-tiered game involving multiple participants. Some embodiments relate to players from a plurality of gaming operators playing games with one another. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: In various embodiments, promotions are featured on mobile gaming devices. Data based on which a first promotion associated with a first advertiser may be displayed on a mobile gaming device. The data may include a first set of criteria identifying when the first promotion should be displayed.

Abstract: Some embodiments may include a poker indexing service. For example, a multi-dimensional vector of player performance and/or other data may be determined based on gaming related activity that is input or otherwise captured. Such a vector may be used in various forms to generate a metric or to facilitate wagering and/or other gaming activity. Other methods and apparatus are described.

Abstract: Techniques for adaptively checking the location of a smart phone that provides a user access to a gambling service are described. For example, a user is provided access to the gambling service via a smart phone, which uses a program wrapper to provide a gambling app. The distance of the smart phone from a border of a U.S. state where gambling is allowed may be determined. The rates at which location checks are performed to determine the distance may vary. The distance may be determined by obtaining geographic location data (e.g., including GPS information, WiFi signal information or cellular signal information, etc.) from the wrapper, which is associated with a gambling application installed on the smart phone. The gambling application provides access to the gambling service. A portion of the gambling application is written in a programming language different from the wrapper.

Abstract: Techniques for verifying that a smart phone is authorized to use a gambling application are described. For example, a wrapper installed on the phone detects a request to initialize the application, a request to log into the application, or a request to place a wager through a gambling service of the application. The wrapper also obtains a list of applications installed on smart phone. Servers, based on such requests, obtain a geographic location of the phone to determine whether the geographic location of the phone is a location where gambling is allowed. The servers also determine whether the phone is rooted based on the list. In response to determining that the phone is in a location where gambling is allowed and determining that the phone is not rooted, the servers transmit a message to the phone indicating that a user of the phone is allowed to gamble.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining the functionality and displays on a computing device that provides online gambling. The functionality and displays can be based on a player's location and availability. For example, a location check of the player's online gaming computing device is performed. Based on the location check, the location of the device is received, which is then used to determine the jurisdiction in which the user is located. Gaming functionalities are then determined based on gaming regulatory rules of the jurisdiction, such as whether gambling is allowed in the jurisdiction. A gaming interface on the online gaming computing device is displayed based on these functionalities. The gaming interface enables the user to engage in a gaming session. The gaming interface also enables the user to view available players from a friend list who are also located in a jurisdiction where gambling is allowed.

Abstract: Techniques for checking whether a smart phone can use a gambling are described. For example, a wrapper application associated with a gambling application determines whether the smart phone is authorized to use a gambling service based on whether the smart phone is running an unapproved/approved process, whether the smart phone has an unapproved/approved application installed, and whether an operating system running on the smart phone is unapproved/approved for use with the gambling service. In response to determining that the smart phone is authorized to use the gambling service, a user of the smart phone is enabled to gamble using the gambling application.

Abstract: Techniques for content delivery and formatting for a mobile phone application are described. For example, an area of a phone's user interface (UI) is identified to display low priority data based on information provided by servers, such that the low priority data does not interfere with high priority data displayed on the UI. Based on the size of the identified area of the UI and the size of the low priority data, the low priority data is reformatted to fit the identified area. Based on determining that the phone is not in an area where gaming is allowed, an alert is displayed and the user is prevented from placing a wager via the application. The alert is removed by interacting with the phone's UI.

Abstract: Techniques for preventing gambling based on deviations from prior wagering characteristics are described. For example, information associated with a mobile phone (e.g., Wi-Fi data, GPS coordinates, or an indication that the phone is in a geo-fence) are used to determine whether the phone is in a defined geographical area in which gambling is permitted. If the phone is in an area that allows gambling, a user is allowed to submit a wager for a gambling event via an application of the phone. When the user submits the wager, details about the wager (e.g., an amount) are used to determine whether the wager deviates from a wagering characteristic of the user based on prior wagers submitted by the user while the phone is in the defined geographical area. If there is such a deviation, the user is prevented from submitting further wagers.

Abstract: Techniques for recommending trending games to a user are described. For example, information regarding a first game played on a mobile phone is determined. The information includes the amount of time the first game is played or the number of times the first game was played on the mobile phone. A recommendation to play a second game having a common characteristic with the first game is received and displayed, based on such information and based on an increase in play of the second game by other people over a period of time. A user is enabled to play the second game based on determining that the mobile phone is in a defined geographical area, such as a geo-fenced region.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting users nearby with a mobile phone are described. For example, based on detecting a wireless signal (e.g., Bluetooth or WiFi), a determination is made that near a mobile phone, located in an area where gambling is permitted, is another mobile phone. Based on the detection of the wireless signal, a user is enabled to submit a wager for a gambling event via the mobile phone, and a name of a user associated with the other mobile phone is determined. The name is determined by matching a pattern associated with the wireless signal to signal patterns maintained in a table stored on the mobile phone. Based on a signal pattern match, the name of the user associated with the matched pattern is obtained and caused to be displayed via the mobile phone.

Abstract: Various embodiments include game configurations that are specific to a location.

Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to mobile gaming, location determination, mobile devices, authentication, and so on are described. Various methods are described. Various apparatuses are described. Further embodiments are described.