Game and Method for Linking Bingo to a Pari-Mutuel Race

Abstract

A method of linking a bingo style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events. Numbers may be assigned to each participant of a pari-mutuel race or event by respective starting position. Each participant may be assigned a plurality of numbers, and two of the starting positions of the race or event may be assigned the same number. The numbers assigned for an individual race or event may have a dedicated column within a bingo-style score card. A minor prize may be awarded for each number on the score card associated with a winning participant of one race or event, and a major prize may be awarded if a plurality of numbers on the score card correspond to a winning participant of a race or event within the series. The series of pari-mutuel races or events may relate to dog racing, horse racing, harness racing, or jai alai.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bingo-style games, and more particularly to a game linking bingo to a pari-mutuel race, event, or other performance.

2. Description of the Related Art

One version of traditional bingo involves a game played with randomly drawn numbers which players match against numbers that have been pre-printed on a 5×5 matrix. The matrix may be printed as a bingo card. Typically, the game may conclude when the first person completes a specified pattern from the drawn numbers, reaching a “Bingo!”

More recent conventional bingo cards include those disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 3,534,963 (entitled “Bingo-type Game Apparatus with Numbers Selected by Race Results”), U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,239 (entitled “Lottery Racing Sweepstake”), U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0152401 (entitled “Single Winner Bingo Game”), and U.S. Pub. No. 2003/0224847 (entitled “Method and Apparatus for Playing a Keno, Lottery or Bingo-Style Sports Game”).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments are directed to a bingo-style game and/or gaming method. The bingo-style game may be linked to a pari-mutuel race, event, or other performance. The bingo-style game may include assigning numbers by starting position of participants for a series of pari-mutuel races or events. The numbers assigned for an individual race or event may be associated with a dedicated column within a bingo-style score card. Each column of the score card may be assigned only numbers that belong to a dedicated group or set of numbers.

Each starting position for a given race may be assigned a plurality of numbers. Additionally, at least two starting positions of a same race may be assigned the same number from the dedicated group of numbers. A minor prize may be awarded for each number of the bingo-style score card that is associated with a winning participant of an individual race, and a major prize may be awarded if the bingo-style score card includes numbers associated with a winning participant in each column or from a plurality of races. The bingo-style score card may include a 5×5 matrix of numbers, and the series of pari-mutuel races may relate to dog racing, horse racing, harness racing, or jai alai.

In one aspect, a method for linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events is provided. The method may include: (1) assigning a first group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a first pari-mutuel race or event, the first group of numbers being associated with a first column of a bingo-style score card; (2) assigning a second group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a second pari-mutuel race or event, the second group of numbers being associated with a second column of the bingo-style score card and mutually exclusive of the first group of numbers; (3) assigning a third group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a third pari-mutuel race or event, the third group of numbers being associated with a third column of the bingo-style score card and mutually exclusive of the first and second groups of numbers; (4) assigning a fourth group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a fourth pari-mutuel race or event, the fourth group of numbers being associated with a fourth column of the bingo-style score card and mutually exclusive of the first, second, and third groups of numbers; and (5) assigning a fifth group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a fifth pari-mutuel race or event, the fifth group of numbers being associated with a fifth column of the bingo-style score card, and mutually exclusive of the first, second, third, and fourth groups of numbers. The bingo-style game may be completed upon (1) completion of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pari-mutuel races or events, and (2) respective identification of any winning numbers associated with winning participants of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pari-mutuel races or events and that are on the bingo-style score card such that the bingo-style game is linked to the series of pari-mutuel races or events.

In another aspect, a method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events is provided. The method may include: (1) for a first pari-mutuel race or event, assigning a first set of numbers by starting position for the first pari-mutuel race or event to a dedicated first column of a bingo-style score card; (2) for a next pari-mutuel race or event, assigning a next set of numbers by starting position for the next pari-mutuel race or event to an adjacent and dedicated next column of the bingo-style score card; (3) performing step (2) until a total of five sets of numbers have been assigned by starting position for five pari-mutuel races or events; (4) for a winning number associated with a winning participant of one of the five pari-mutuel races or events and that is on the bingo-style score card, awarding a minor prize; and (5) for a plurality of winning numbers that are each associated with a winning participant of one of the five pari-mutuel races or events and that are on the bingo-style score card, the plurality of winning numbers forming a pre-determined winning pattern on the bingo-style score card, awarding a major prize, the major prize being worth more than the minor prize, such that the bingo-style game is linked to the series of pari-mutuel races or events.

In another aspect, a bingo-style game that links a series of pari-mutuel races or events is provided. The bingo-style game may include assigning numbers by starting position of participants for a series of pari-mutuel races or events. The numbers assigned by starting position for an individual pari-mutuel race or event may be associated with a dedicated column within a bingo-style score card and may be mutually exclusive of numbers assigned by starting position for the remaining pari-mutuel races or events within the series of pari-mutuel races or events. The game may include awarding a minor prize for each number on the bingo-style score card that is associated with a winning participant of an individual pari-mutuel race or event; and awarding a major prize if a plurality of numbers on the bingo-style score card are each associated with a winning participant of an individual pari-mutuel race or event, such that the bingo-style game links the series of pari-mutuel races or events.

The present invention is defined by the following claims. Nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. Further aspects and advantages of the invention are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments and may be later claimed independently or in combination.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary bingo-style score card;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary numbering assignment system for a series of pari-mutuel races or events;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary numbering assignment system for an individual pari-mutuel race or event within the series of pari-mutuel races or events; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments described herein include a bingo-style game and a method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events. The game and method may include assigning numbers by starting position of participants of individual races or events within the series of pari-mutuel races or events. The numbers assigned for an individual race or event may be associated with a dedicated column within a bingo-style score card. Each of the starting positions for an individual race or event may be assigned a plurality of numbers. Additionally, at least two of the starting positions of a same race or event may be assigned the same number. In one embodiment, the series of pari-mutuel races or events may relate to dog racing, horse racing, harness racing, or jai alai.

The game may be played with a bingo-style score card. The bingo-style score card may include a 5×5 matrix of numbers. A minor prize may be awarded for each number on the bingo-style score card that is associated with a winning participant of an individual race or event, and a major prize may be awarded if multiple numbers on the bingo-style score card are associated with a winning participant of a race or event.

I. Present Embodiments Commercially Successful

In general, the present embodiments are directed to a method of playing a game, in which the outcomes of races and sporting events may be used to play bingo. The audience for greyhound racing (and other races and sporting events involved in pari-mutuel betting) has been in a nationwide decline for over ten years. Additional forms of gaming, such as state lotteries and expanded slot machines, have negatively impacted pari-mutuel wagering. In addition to the increase in casino gambling, there is also a belief by the public that they need to have some knowledge in order to bet appropriately. Thus, it would be advantageous if another method of betting or playing games related to racing could be provided that would enhance interest to casual betters that do not have knowledge of, for example, greyhound or horse racing. Industry executives have been searching for ways to battle this negative trend with little, if any, success.

The bingo-style game of the present embodiments has increased wagering on pari-mutuel events. The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method to link a highly accepted game concept, bingo, to a single or a series of pari-mutuel events. The linkage provides a method to draw patrons out for a pari-mutuel event despite a lack of interest or knowledge about the event itself. The lack of patrons attending and wagering on pari-mutuels may be addressed by providing a more widely accepted and mainstream link to product consumption.

The bingo-style game of the present embodiments may utilize a bingo card and an entry sheet for one or more pari-mutuel events. The entry sheet facilitates linking each of the five games or races to a letter on the bingo card. The order of finish in the race or game determines the selected number or numbers on the bingo card. The game may be played for fun, prizes or cash where legally allowed. The linkage may provide a bridge between bingo and the pari-mutuel sports of dog racing, harness racing, horse racing, and jai-alai. All of these are driven by a wagering component where players wager or bet against each other. The game and method may provide the impetus for people to attend the live pari-mutuel event with the hope that exposure to the product will lead to consumption. Specific rules of the game may vary, but remaining constant is the bingo linkage to the outcome of a pari-mutuel event.

It has been established that the bingo-style game and method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of the present embodiments have actual tangible results. During use, wagering increased by 26% from the previous week's same day [Tuesday versus Tuesday] on the first day of use of the bingo-style game and method under the name “DOGGY BINGO.”

II. Exemplary Embodiments

More specifically, the present embodiments may involve a bingo-style score card with numbered squares, such as five columns or rows of five squares. A player may purchase a playing bingo-style score card that has a selection of numbers on it. The score card may include lines that divide the bingo-style card into B, I, N, G, and O columns or rows. Other column or row labels may be used.

The numbers on the bingo-style score card may be assigned such that numbers 1-15 are assigned within column B, numbers 16-30 are assigned within column I, numbers 31-45 are assigned within column N, numbers 46-60 are assigned within column G, and numbers 61-75 are assigned within column O. The numbers in play are randomly generated, and the major prize winner may be the first to match all or substantially all of the numbers on their playing or score card with the numbers that have been generated or called as the game progresses.

A greyhound race may involve either six or eight dogs, depending on the country. In the U.S., eight dogs may race in a single race. The game and method may assign a bingo number to each dog (horse, or other race participant), and may use the results of greyhound (or other) races as a number generator in a game of bingo. In order to prevent a player from having to watch nine or more races in order to use up enough numbers (75) to properly play bingo, the game allocates one line of 15 bingo numbers to each of five races.

Preferably, the bingo-style game is for use with races or events occurring at a single location and the events or races preferably relate to the same type of race or event. In one embodiment, the bingo-style game may be completed within seventy-five minutes to one hundred twenty minutes. Thus, a complete bingo game may be played out easily during one afternoon or evening of racing.

As noted above, eight dogs in a single race may be provided with 15 bingo numbers. The first race may determine the numbers (1-15) of the “B” column of the bingo card, the second race may determine the numbers (16-30) of the “I” column, the third race may determine the numbers (31-45) of the “I” column, etc. Six of the dogs in a race may be assigned two bingo numbers each, and the two remaining dogs may be allocated three bingo numbers between them. In one arrangement, the dogs may be provided with numbers based on their starting position, i.e., track or box position at the start of the race, with the two dogs in the center tracks, i.e., track numbers four and five (which may be deemed to be advantageous starting positions), both sharing one bingo number.

TABLE I
Exemplary Number Assignment By Track
      Multiple Bingo Numbers
TRACK Assigned Per Track
1     1 and 2
2     3 and 4
3     5 and 6
4     7 and 8
5     8 and 9
6     10 and 11
7     12 and 13
8     14 and 15

Using Table I above to help illustrate, during a race, if the dog in track number four wins, the player may mark off both bingo numbers 7 and 8 on his or her score card as primary winning numbers, if the player has them on his or her score card. If the dog in track number seven comes in second, the player may mark off bingo numbers 12 and 13 as secondary winning numbers, if the player has them on his or her score card. Depending on which numbers are present on the playing card, the player may therefore mark off anywhere from zero to four bingo numbers. If a race results in the dogs in track numbers four and five winning first and second place, respectively, the player may mark off from zero to three bingo numbers. The bingo winner may be the first player to complete their entire playing card or a pre-determined portion of their playing card, such as a column or row.

In one embodiment, the bingo-style game may require five races or events to complete. Five races or events is selected as being a game that may be completed within a two or three hours of entertainment, such as during one outing to a race track. The bingo-style game may have a “winner” of a minor and/or major award at the conclusion of the five races or events. The major award may be worth more than the minor award. With a preferred embodiment, it is not envisioned that no winner will emerge such that the race results would have to be carried over into a subsequent series of races, or even discarded.

Preferably, the bingo-style game may produce results in a one column of the bingo-style score card per race or event. With the preferred embodiment, it is not envisioned that random results of winning numbers will be generated across the score card per race or event. Rather, the bingo-style game may produce results for a pre-determined section of the bingo-style score card, such as a pre-determined and/or dedicated column or row.

For instance, the first column of the bingo-style score card may be dedicated to the first race and associated with winning numbers from the first race, the second column of the score card may be dedicated to the second race and associated with winning numbers from the second race, the third column of the score card may be dedicated to the third race or event and associated with winning numbers from the third race, the fourth column of the score card may be dedicated to the fourth race and associated with winning numbers from the fourth race, and the fifth column of the score card may be dedicated to the fifth race and associated with winning numbers from the fifth race.

In one alternative embodiment, the first row of the bingo-style score card may be dedicated to the first race, the second row of the score card may be dedicated to the second race, the third row of the score card may be dedicated to the third race, the fourth row of the score card may be dedicated to the fourth race, and the fifth row of the score card may be dedicated to the fifth race.

The bingo numbers that are assigned by starting position for each race may be mutually exclusive such that a first set of numbers assigned for a given race do not overlap a second set of numbers assigned for the next race. In a preferred embodiment, the bingo-style game requires exactly five races or events to complete the game, and has a prescribed order and method to winning numbers being selected. After five races or events, one or more winners are definitely determined. The winning numbers are not random, but related to pre-determined areas of the score card.

With reference now to the various figures in which like elements are identically numbered throughout, a description of the various arrangements of the present invention will now be provided. While the invention is disclosed in the context of a single arrangement, it will be appreciated that the invention may include numerous modifications from the preferred arrangement.

III. Exemplary Score Card

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary bingo-style score card 100. The score card 100 may include a header 102, a number of columns 104, and a number of rows 106. The score card 100 may include additional, fewer, or alternate components.

The header 102 may be labeled with the letters B, I, N, G, and O, as described else where herein. Each of the letters may be associated with a column 104. Each column 104 may have a number of rows 106. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the score card 100 may include five columns 104, with each of the five columns 104 having five rows 106, making a 5×5 matrix of letters. Score cards with additional, fewer, or alternate components and arrangements may be used.

IV. Exemplary Numbering Assignments

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary numbering assignment for a series of pari-mutuel races or events 200. The exemplary numbering assignment 200 may include assigning numbers for a plurality of pari-mutuel races 202, 204, 206, 208, and 210. Each of the races 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 may be assigned a letter 212, 214, 216, 218, 220 associated with a column or other area on a score card, such as the letter B. Each race 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 may include a number of starting positions or tracks 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, respectively. The starting positions 222, 224, 226, 228, 230 for a race 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 may be assigned a group of associated bingo numbers 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, respectively. The numbering assignment may include additional, fewer, or alternate assignments.

The bingo numbers 232 assigned by starting position 222 for each race 202 may be mutually exclusive such that a first set of bingo numbers 232 assigned for a given race 202 do not overlap with any of the sets of bingo numbers 234, 236, 238, 240 assigned to the remaining races 204, 206, 208, 210. As shown in FIG. 2, the bingo numbers 232 assigned for a first race 202 may include numbers one through fifteen, the bingo numbers 234 assigned for the next or second race 204 may include numbers sixteen through thirty, the bingo numbers 236 assigned for the next or third race 206 may include numbers thirty-one through forty-five, the bingo numbers 238 assigned for the next or a fourth race 208 may include forty-six through sixty, and the bingo numbers 240 assigned for the next or a fifth race 210 may include sixty-one through seventy-five. The numbers assigned may be prefixed by the letter 212, 214, 216, 218, 220 for each respective race, such as B1 to B15, I16 to I30, N31 to N45, G46 to G60, and O61 to O75. Other number assignments may be used.

With respect to FIG. 2, the numbering assignment may include (1) assigning a first group of bingo numbers 232 to starting positions 222 of participants of a first race 202, the first group of bingo numbers 232 being associated with a first or B column of a bingo-style score card; (2) assigning a second group of bingo numbers 234 to starting positions 224 of participants of a second race 204, the second group of bingo numbers 234 being associated with a second or I column of the bingo-style score card, the second group of bingo numbers 234 being mutually exclusive of the first group of bingo numbers 232; (3) assigning a third group of bingo numbers 236 to starting positions 226 of participants of a third race 206, the third group of bingo numbers 236 being associated with a third or N column of the bingo-style score card, the third group of bingo numbers 236 being mutually exclusive of the first and second groups of bingo numbers 232, 234; (4) assigning a fourth group of bingo numbers 238 to starting positions 228 of participants of a fourth race 208, the fourth group of bingo numbers 238 being associated with a fourth or G column of the bingo-style score card, the fourth group of bingo numbers 238 being mutually exclusive of the first, second, and third groups of bingo numbers 232, 234, 236; and (5) assigning a fifth group of bingo numbers 240 to starting positions 230 of participants of a fifth race 210, the fifth group of bingo numbers 240 being associated with a fifth or O column of the bingo-style score card, the fifth group of bingo numbers 240 being mutually exclusive of the first, second, third, and fourth groups of bingo numbers 232, 234, 236, 238.

The linking the bingo-style game with a series of pari-mutuel races may be completed upon the running of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth races and the identification of which numbers from among the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth groups of numbers correspond to the winning participants of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth races, respectively. A minor prize for each number on a bingo-style score card associated with a winning participant of one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth races, and a major prize for a predetermined pattern of numbers on a bingo-style score card that are associated with winning participants of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth races may be awarded. The bingo-style game may be played with dog racing, horse racing, harness racing, or jai alai pari-mutuel betting events. While the preferred embodiments relate to use of the bingo-style game and method with pari-mutuel events, it should be appreciated that the method may have application in other fields.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary numbering assignment for an individual pari-mutuel race or event within the series of pari-mutuel races or events 300. As noted elsewhere herein, each pari-mutuel race 302 may include a number of starting positions or tracks 304. The numbering assignment 300 may assign a plurality of bingo numbers 308 for each starting position 304, such as bingo numbers 116 and 117 to starting position number one (RJ's Allne) and bingo numbers 118 and 119 to starting position number two (Lucky Grady), as shown. The numbering assignment 300 may assign a bingo letter 306 to an individual race 302, such as the letter I to the second race.

Also depicted, the numbering assignment 300 may assign a single bingo number 310 to a number of starting positions 304, such as bingo number I23 to both starting position number four (Klowa Flower Man) and starting position number five (Atascocita Moira). The single number may be assigned to multiple tracks that have an increased chance of winning, here tracks four and five. As a result, the assignment of a single number to both advantageous tracks may even the odds of winning for score cards without numbers associated with the advantageous tracks (as compared to score cards with numbers associated the advantageous tracks). The numbering assignment may include additional, fewer, or alternate assignments.

V. Exemplary Method of Linking Bingo Game to Pari-Mutuel Races

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events 400. The method 400 may include assigning bingo numbers by starting position for pari-mutuel races 402, assigning multiple bingo numbers to each starting position 404, assigning a single bingo number to multiple starting positions 406, dedicating the bingo numbers assigned to a pre-determined portion of a bingo card 408, awarding a minor award for each pari-mutuel race 410, and awarding a major award for a series of pari-mutuel races 412. The method may include additional, fewer, or alternate actions.

The method 400 may include assigning bingo numbers by starting position for pari-mutuel races 402. As shown in FIG. 2, for race B, there may be eight starting positions. Starting position number one (Striker Across) may be assigned bingo numbers B1 and B2; starting position number two (Spry Joyce) may be assigned bingo numbers B3 and B4; starting position number three (Lennox To Win) may be assigned bingo numbers B5 and B6; and so on.

The method 400 may include assigning multiple bingo numbers to each starting position 404. As shown in FIG. 2, for race B, bingo numbers B1 and B2 may be assigned to starting position number one (Striker Across), bingo numbers B10 and B11 may be assigned to starting position number six (Fuzzys Canyon), and so on.

The method 400 may include assigning a single bingo number to multiple starting positions 406. As shown in FIG. 2, for race B, bingo number B8 may be assigned to both starting position number four (Salon Dawn) and starting position number five (Starz Topaz).

For race I, bingo number I23 may be assigned to both starting position number four (Klowa Flower Man) and starting position number five (Atascocita Moira). The N, G, and O races also may have a single bingo number (N38, G53, and O68) assigned to multiple starting positions. In one embodiment, the single bingo number may be assigned to a plurality of starting positions that have been pre-determined to have an advantage over the remaining starting positions of the race, such as track numbers four and five.

The method 400 may include dedicating the bingo numbers assigned to a pre-determined portion of a bingo-style score card 408. With respect to FIG. 1, the numbers assigned for the first race or race B, may be dedicated to the first or B column of the score card. Likewise, the numbers assigned for the second race or race I, may be dedicated to the second or I column of the score card, and so on. The numbers assigned for an individual race may have other dedicated areas within the bingo-style score card, such as a row instead of a column.

The method 400 may include awarding a minor award for each pari-mutuel race 410. The minor award or prize may be awarded for each number on a player's bingo-style score card that is associated with a winning participant of a race. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, if Striker Across won race B, and the player's score card included either B1 or B2, that player may be awarded a minor award. Other minor awards may be used.

The method 400 may include awarding a major award for a series of pari-mutuel races 412. The major award or prize may be awarded for a plurality of numbers of the bingo-style score card that are each associated with a winning participant of a race and that together form a pre-determined shape, such as a row, column, diagonal or other shape. In other words, if the player's score card includes winning bingo numbers from each of the B, I, N, G, and O races, and the winning bingo numbers form a pre-determined shape, such as a straight line across the score card, that player may be awarded a major award. Other major awards may be used.

In another embodiment, the method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races may include: (1) for a first race, assigning a first set of numbers by starting position for the first pari-mutuel race to a dedicated first column of a bingo-style card; (2) for a next pari-mutuel race, assigning a next set of numbers by starting position for the next pari-mutuel race to an adjacent and dedicated next column of the bingo-style card; (3) performing step (2) until five sets of numbers having been assigned by starting position for five races; (4) awarding a minor prize for each number on the bingo-style card having a number associated with a winning participant of one of the five pari-mutuel races; and (5) awarding a major prize for each bingo-style card having a pre-determined pattern of a plurality of numbers, each of the plurality of numbers being associated with one winning participant of one of the five pari-mutuel races.

The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races may include remotely displaying individual winning numbers or a plurality of winning numbers for each race, such as on a large remote scoreboard or more local television display screens. The method may further include tracking and/or identifying winning cards and/or winners remotely and/or via a processor. For instance, winning cards may be identified and the winners announced on a scoreboard.

While several arrangements of the invention have been described, it will be understood that it is capable of still further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention, following in general the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as to come within knowledge or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and falling within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims. It should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The description and illustrations are by way of example only. Many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The various embodiments are not limited to the described environments and have a wide variety of applications.

It is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details, representative embodiments, and illustrated examples in this description. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light as necessitated by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events, the method comprising:

assigning a first group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a first pari-mutuel race or event, the first group of numbers being associated with a first column of a bingo-style score card;

assigning a second group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a second pari-mutuel race or event, the second group of numbers being associated with a second column of the bingo-style score card, the second group of numbers being mutually exclusive of the first group of numbers;

assigning a third group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a third pari-mutuel race or event, the third group of numbers being associated with a third column of the bingo-style score card, the third group of numbers being mutually exclusive of the first and second groups of numbers;

assigning a fourth group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a fourth pari-mutuel race or event, the fourth group of numbers being associated with a fourth column of the bingo-style score card, the fourth group of numbers being mutually exclusive of the first, second, and third groups of numbers; and

assigning a fifth group of numbers to starting positions of participants of a fifth pari-mutuel race or event, the fifth group of numbers being associated with a fifth column of the bingo-style score card, the fifth group of numbers being mutually exclusive of the first, second, third, and fourth groups of numbers;

wherein the bingo-style game is completed upon (1) completion of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pari-mutuel races or events, and (2) respective identification of any winning numbers associated with winning participants of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pari-mutuel races or events and that are on the bingo-style score card such that the bingo-style game is linked to the series of pari-mutuel races or events.

2. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 1, wherein the bingo-style score card includes a 5×5 matrix of numbers.

3. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 2, the method comprising awarding a minor prize for each winning number that is both associated with a winning participant of one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pari-mutuel race or event and on the bingo-style score card.

4. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 3, the method comprising awarding a major prize if the bingo-style score card contains winning numbers that are associated with winning participants of each of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth pari-mutuel races or events, the winning numbers forming a predetermined pattern on the bingo-style score card, the major prize being worth more than the minor prize.

5. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 4, wherein the series of pari-mutuel races or events relate to dog racing, horse racing, harness racing, or jai alai.

6. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 1, the method comprising assigning a plurality of numbers from the first group of numbers to a single starting position for the first pari-mutuel race or event.

7. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 1, the method comprising assigning a same number from the first group of numbers to a plurality of starting positions for the first pari-mutuel race or event.

8. A method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events, the method comprising:

(1) for a first pari-mutuel race or event, assigning a first set of numbers by starting position for the first pari-mutuel race or event to a dedicated first column of a bingo-style score card;

(2) for a next pari-mutuel race or event, assigning a next set of numbers by starting position for the next pari-mutuel race or event to an adjacent and dedicated next column of the bingo-style score card;

(3) performing step (2) until a total of five sets of numbers have been assigned by starting position for five pari-mutuel races or events;

(4) for a winning number associated with a winning participant of one of the five pari-mutuel races or events and that is on the bingo-style score card, awarding a minor prize; and

(5) for a plurality of winning numbers that are each associated with a winning participant of one of the five pari-mutuel races or events and that are on the bingo-style score card, the plurality of winning numbers forming a pre-determined winning pattern on the bingo-style score card, awarding a major prize, the major prize being worth more than the minor prize, such that the bingo-style game is linked to the series of pari-mutuel races or events.

9. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 8, the method comprising assigning a plurality of numbers from within the first set of numbers to a same starting position of the first pari-mutuel race or event.

10. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 8, the method comprising assigning at least one number from within the first set of numbers to a plurality of starting positions of the first pari-mutuel race or event, the plurality of starting positions being pre-determined to have an advantage over remaining starting positions of the first pari-mutuel race or event.

11. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 8, wherein the bingo-style score card includes a 5×5 matrix of numbers.

12. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 8, wherein the series of pari-mutuel races or events relates to dog racing.

13. The method of linking a bingo-style game to a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 8, wherein the series of pari-mutuel races or events relates to horse racing, harness racing, or jai alai.

14. A bingo-style game that links a series of pari-mutuel races or events, the bingo-style game comprising:

assigning numbers by starting position of participants for a series of pari-mutuel races or events, wherein the numbers assigned by starting position for an individual pari-mutuel race or event are associated with a dedicated column within a bingo-style score card and are mutually exclusive of numbers assigned by starting position for remaining pari-mutuel races or events within the series of pari-mutuel races or events;

awarding a minor prize for each number on the bingo-style score card that is associated with a winning participant of an individual pari-mutuel race or event; and

awarding a major prize if a plurality of numbers on the bingo-style score card are each associated with a winning participant of an individual pari-mutuel race or event, such that the bingo-style game links the series of pari-mutuel races or events.

15. The bingo-style game that links a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 14, wherein the major prize is awarded if the plurality of numbers on the bingo-style score card that are each associated with a winning participant of an individual pari-mutuel race or event form a pre-determined winning pattern on the bingo-style score card.

16. The bingo-style game that links a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 14, wherein each starting position for an individual pari-mutuel race or event is assigned a plurality of numbers.

17. The bingo-style game that links a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 14, wherein at least two starting positions of a same race are assigned a same number.

18. The bingo-style game that links a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 14, wherein the bingo-style score card includes a 5×5 matrix of numbers, and a first set numbers assigned for a first pari-mutuel race or event include one through fifteen, a second set of numbers assigned for a second pari-mutuel race or event include sixteen through thirty, a third set of numbers assigned for a third race include thirty-one through forty-five, a fourth set of numbers assigned for a fourth race include forty-six through sixty, and a fifth set of numbers assigned for a fifth race include sixty-one through seventy-five.

19. The bingo-style game that links a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 14, wherein the series of pari-mutuel races or events relate to dog racing.

20. The bingo-style game that links a series of pari-mutuel races or events of claim 14, wherein the series of pari-mutuel races or events relate to horse racing, harness racing, or jai alai.