Abstract: A method of pari-mutuel betting is provided. Bets regarding the result of a game, such as a casino game for example, are received from a number of users. Each bet has a unit stake. One or more inputs for the game are determined based on event results from a sporting event. A result of the game is determined for a particular bet based at least on a set of rules associated with the game and the one or more determined inputs. If the particular bet is determined to be a winning bet based on the result of the game for the particular bet, a payout is determined for the particular bet based at least on the unit stake associated with the particular bet and the value of the pari-mutuel wager pool that includes at least a portion of the total of the unit stakes of the plurality of received bets.

Abstract: A method of mapping sporting event results to inputs for a game is provided. One or more event results of a particular sporting event having a particular number of participants are received, and a set of rules is selected from a plurality of sets of rules based on the particular number of participants in the particular sporting event. For each of a plurality of bets, one or more inputs for a game are determined by applying the selected set of rules to the received one or more event results of the particular sporting event. The result of the game is then determined for each of the plurality of bets based at least on the one or more determined inputs for that bet.

Abstract: An electronic silent auctioning system comprising a first local client, a second local client, and a local network device. The network device is operable to receive one or more unique bids on an item from each local client. The item is described in a central repository on the server for processing. The server is operable to determine a winning bid for the item based on predetermined criteria and communicate the received bids to a server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing transaction management of trading of financial instruments. The systems and methods provide controlling logic that is implemented on a distributed computer network linking together a plurality of user workstations. The controlling logic rewards market-makers by allowing them to participate in trading the instrument before or after the first buyers/sellers and contra-traders of the instrument and allowing broader participation in transacting the purchase and sale of different instruments.

Abstract: A method of trading includes performing a transaction of a futures contract between a buyer and a seller. The futures contract is associated with at least one entertainment event and comprises a purchase price and a settlement date. The method concludes by performing a settlement of the futures contract based at least in part upon the purchase price and a value associated with the entertainment event at the settlement date. The entertainment event is associated with a security and the transaction of the futures contract is performed in conjunction with the issuance of the security to the seller.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a wagering system associated with a first wagering facility, the system communicably coupled with a network and including a memory operable to store betting odds on a plurality of wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. The system further includes a processor coupled to the memory and operable to receive a first bet on a particular event via the network, the particular event comprising at least one of the wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. If a second bet is received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon both of the first bet and the second bet. If a second bet is not received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon the first bet.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a pari-mutuel wagering system that includes a first wagering facility communicably coupled with a network and operable to receive a bet on a wagering event hosted by a second wagering facility. The first wagering facility is further operable to transmit the bet to the second wagering facility via the network. The system further includes a clearinghouse communicably coupled with the network and operable to capture audit information associated with the bet from the network.

Abstract: A convenience gaming system is provided. The convenience gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas.

Abstract: A convenience gaming system is provided. The convenience gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas.

Abstract: A method for purchasing a securities bundle indexed to entertainment revenue comprises selecting a securities bundle offered by a special-purpose entity. The securities bundle comprises a first security and a second security and the securities bundle is associated with a closing date. The first security is associated with a first entertainment event and the second security is associated with a second entertainment event. The method continues by identifying a return value associated with the securities bundle, and by identifying a purchase price associated with the securities bundle. The method concludes by purchasing the selected securities bundle at least partially based on the purchase price and the return value.

Abstract: Data processing systems and methods for managing transactions in auction-based trading of specialized items such as fixed income instruments are presented. The data processing system provides a highly structured trading protocol implemented through a sequence of trading paradigms. The system employs a distributed computer processing network linking together a plurality of commonly configured program-controlled workstations. The protocol and its program-controlling logic improves trading efficiency, rewards market Makers, and fairly distributes market opportunity to system users.

Abstract: A method for forming a securities bundle indexed to entertainment revenue includes determining a first funding amount for a first entertainment event. A second funding amount is determined for a second entertainment event. Next, a dividend schedule is determined for the first and second entertainment events. A securities bundle is formed at least partially based on the funding amounts and the dividend schedule, with the securities bundle comprising a first security and a second security. The first security is associated with the first entertainment event and the second security is associated with the second entertainment event.

Abstract: A method for trading a securities bundle indexed to entertainment revenue includes identifying a securities bundle comprising a first and second security. The first security is associated with a first entertainment event and the second security is associated with a second entertainment event. The first security is offered in an after-market for a buying price and a market price is determined for the first security in the after-market.

Abstract: An electronic trading system including various rules is described herein. Many of the rules relate to implementing periods of exclusive priority in trading. For example, in one of the rules, an exclusive period of trading may be controlled by an aggressor and a designated passive participant. The aggressor may have exclusive rights on his side of the trade at a particular price point for a particular time. The aggressor may elect to change the price point at which he controls the trade to a new price point which is more favorable to him. Thereafter, another participant may assume the exclusivity of the trade by entering the trade on the same side of the aggressor at the old price point. In so doing, the other participant also preferably truncates the aggressor's exclusivity at the new price point.

Abstract: An electronic trading system including various rules is described herein. Many of the rules relate to implementing periods of exclusive priority in trading. For example, in one of the rules, an exclusive period of trading may be controlled by an aggressor and a designated passive participant. The aggressor may have exclusive rights on his side of the trade at a particular price point for a particular time. The aggressor may elect to change the price point at which he controls the trade to a new price point which is more favorable to him. Thereafter, another participant may assume the exclusivity of the trade by entering the trade on the same side of the aggressor at the old price point. In so doing, the other participant also preferably truncates the aggressor's exclusivity at the new price point.

Abstract: A system for establishing a wager comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores a value of a prize for a wager, and a risk value for the wager. The processor is coupled to the memory and determines odds for the wager, wherein the odds are based at least in part upon the value of the prize and the risk value. The processor further determines whether the wager is won as a function of the determined odds.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically executing a trade of an item between a market participant who issues a request for a quote for an item and a market participant who responds to the request are provided. In some embodiments, an automatic trade may be conditioned upon the acknowledgement, by the participant who issues the request, of an obligation to execute the trade. In some embodiments, the invention may include one or more modules for receiving the request, receiving a quote, receiving a responsive number of units of the item to be traded, decrementing a time interval in which the participant who issues the request is required to trade, and, if that participant does not trade within the time interval, trading on behalf of that participant.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically executing a trade of an item between a market participant who issues a request for a quote for an item and a market participant who responds to the request are provided. In some embodiments, an automatic trade may be conditioned upon the acknowledgement, by the participant who issues the request, of an obligation to execute the trade. In some embodiments, the invention may include one or more modules for receiving the request, receiving a quote, receiving a responsive number of units of the item to be traded, decrementing a time interval in which the participant who issues the request is required to trade, and, if that participant does not trade within the time interval, trading on behalf of that participant.

Abstract: A data processing system for implementing transaction management of auction-based trading for specialized items such as fixed income instruments. The data processing system provides a highly structured trading protocol implemented through a sequence of trading paradigms. The system employs a distributed computer processing network linking together a plurality of commonly configured program controlled workstations. The protocol and its program controlling logic enhances trading efficiency, rewards market Makers, and fairly distributes market opportunity to system users.

Abstract: Systems and methods that may provide speculators an opportunity to invest in items and markets that, in the past, were not liquid enough to allow for investment by the general public are provided. Systems and methods for creating indices for these items or markets are also provided. One embodiment of the systems and methods of the invention pertains to the trading of futures and/or options contracts based on an intellectual property assets index. This embodiment allows investors to invest in or hedge against the success of failure of a company's of group of companies' intellectual property assets. Another embodiment of the systems and methods of the invention pertains to the trading of futures and/or options contracts based on a bankruptcy index. This embodiment may provide investors with protection from losses associated with the bankruptcy of one or more companies.