Abstract: A system and method for determining credit for a sale is provided. The system determines a location of the electronic communication device at the time of the sale. The system determines, for each of a plurality of retailers, a distance between (a) the location of the electronic communication device at the time of the sale and (b) a location of the respective retailer. The system determines the credit based at least partially on the determined distance between the location of the electronic communication device at the time of the sale and the location of each respective retailer. The system provides the credit to the one or more retailers.

Abstract: A method of managing bets is provided. The method includes receiving win bets and group bets. Each win bet includes a bet that a participant selected from a set of participants in an event will win the event. Each group bet includes a bet that one of a subset of the set of participants will win the event. Results of the event identifying a winning participant from the set of participants are received. An amount of a win bet payout for at least a portion of the win bets that comprise a bet on the winning participant is determined. An amount of a group bet payout for at least one of the group bets is also determined. In this manner, a bettor may bet on all participants in an event other than a particular participant, such as the favorite participant, and thus effectively bet against the particular participant.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for wireless gaming with location determination are provided. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the system 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 may be determined based upon a signal received by the plurality of signal detection devices from the gaming communication device. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled.

Abstract: A system for wagering comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores a bet regarding a plurality of outcomes associated with financial market indicators. The bet comprises a first bet component indicating whether a value of a first financial market indicator will go up or go down in a first predetermined period of time, and a second bet component indicating whether a value of a second financial market indicator will go up or go down in a second predetermined period of time. The processor is coupled to the memory and is operable to determine an outcome of the first bet component, the second bet component, and the overall bet.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided. The 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: 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 check, 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: Communication objects and closed electrical circuits are worn by players within a gaming player verification system. These objects may communicate with associated player tracking units attached to gaming machines and other devices via radio frequency waves, and each communication object is adapted to alter its communication pattern in response to any break of its closed electrical circuit. 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. A communications object may emit a signal which can be tied to one of two or more player accounts. One of the two accounts may be charged for a player transaction depending on the nature of the transaction. A computer server having a player verification program and database may also be used.

Abstract: A method of managing bets includes receiving first types of bets and second types of bets. Each first type of bet comprises a bet that the number of units earned by a participant in a plurality of events will fall within a first range of numbers. Each second type of bet comprises a bet that the number of units earned by the participant over a course of a plurality of events will fall within a second range of numbers. The total number of units earned by the participant is determined based on the positioning of the participant in each event. The method includes determining whether the first or second type of bets are winning bets. A betting pool is determined based on the total amounts associated with the first and second types of bets. A payout is determined based on the betting pool and the total amounts of the winning bets.

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 various embodiments, promotions are featured on mobile gaming devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing an automated auction process that is held at a designated time on the Internet, and that ends after bidding has been completed. In accordance with these systems and methods, a server connected to a plurality of workstations may establish several auctions that allow for efficient trading of multiple goods, while simulating the live and dynamic setting of traditional auctions.

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 gaming system that includes communication objects adapted to be worn by players wherein at least one of said communication objects comprises an RFID tag and an associated closed electrical circuit and is adapted to alter its communication pattern in response to any break of said closed electrical circuit. The system includes player tracking devices adapted to obtain information regarding a specific player from said communication objects, wherein at least one of said player tracking devices is adapted to grant priority seating at a restaurant to the specific player. The system includes a computer server having a player verification program adapted to verify whether obtained information regarding said specific player is adequate according to one or more set criteria, said computer server is adapted to deny the initiation or continuation of a particular gaming event when said player verification program determines that obtained information is unacceptable or insufficient.

Abstract: A method of distributing, managing, and exchange entries in one or more activities is provided. The entries may be distributed by any suitable process including, without limitation an auction or lottery process. The distributed entries may be exchanged in a market environment. The exchange may operate on an electronic platform. Revenues may be collected from distributions and/or exchanges of entries. A portion of the revenues may be paid to one or more users who hold an one or more particular winning entries determined by any number of parameters and at the occurrence of any number of events.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of gaming is provided that comprises receiving a determination of a particular race participant in a race event having a plurality of race participants. The method continues by determining a particular position of the particular race participant at each of a plurality of intermediate points within the race event. The method continues by determining a plurality of simulated playing cards based at least in part upon the determined positions of the particular race participant. The method concludes by determining an outcome of a game based at least in part upon the determined simulated playing cards.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for wireless gaming with location determination are provided. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the system 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 may be determined based upon a signal received by the plurality of signal detection devices from the gaming communication device. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled.

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: In various embodiments, promotions are featured on mobile gaming devices.

Abstract: A system for managing bets comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores information associated with a field of participants for an event, each participant associated with particular odds for the event. The processor receives a bet that a lead participant from the field of participants will finish in a particular subset of finishing positions in the event, wherein the bet is associated with customized odds. The processor further select one or more additional participants from the field of participants to add to the bet such that the odds associated with the lead participant combined with the odds associated with the one or more selected additional participants at least approximates the customized odds for the 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.