US20110034252A1

US20110034252A1 - System and method for allowing remote wagers (both for real wagers and for fun/points/prizes) by confirming player location using network generated and/or network centric data

Info

Publication number: US20110034252A1
Application number: US12/851,943
Authority: US
Inventors: James Morrison; Victor Salerno; Gary Miller
Original assignee: COMPUTERIZED BOOKMAKING SYSTEMS Inc
Current assignee: COMPUTERIZED BOOKMAKING SYSTEMS Inc
Priority date: 2009-08-06
Filing date: 2010-08-06
Publication date: 2011-02-10
Also published as: WO2011017647A2; WO2011017647A3

Abstract

A system and method for allowing wager(s) to be placed over a wireless network using a remote device by authenticating an established user account, and validating the location of the player using network centric data. The player utilizes the remote device, which may be a cell phone or remote computing device, connected securely to a wagering system over a wireless network (e.g., 3G). Depending on the type of game, player location is determined using GPS and/or control plane technology utilizing carrier network information. Wagers may be placed using verbal instructions or keypad entries which communicate with an interactive voice recognition system, a dedicated software application, live operator and/or web browser based application. Regardless of the wager placement methodology, the remote device is linked to a wager server and location verification is specific to the subject remote device connected thereto. Other methods of verifying location are utilized as safeguards against spoofing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/231,994 filed Aug. 6, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems and methods for allowing a player to make wagers over remote devices and computers, and more particularly, to systems and methods for confirming the location of the player using location based services and authenticating and verifying that location through (mobile) Carrier network generated and/or network centric data that validates the location of the player. The systems and methods according to the embodiments of the present invention also allow for marketing, advertising, and commercial transactions based on the player's authenticated location through the remote device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless gaming is on the horizon. There are generally two types of wireless gaming. First, a particular jurisdiction, for example a state in the U.S., may allow certain types of wagers to be made over a wireless device as long as the player is within the borders of the state. The player may make a wager over a telephone through an interactive voice recognition (IVR) system.
Second, wireless based gaming may be provided within a particular casino. Since 2006, the state of Nevada has allowed wireless gaming (e.g., the placing of wagers using wireless devices within a casino.) Other states may soon follow suit. The jurisdiction may allow casino patrons to use remote, wireless devices to place wagers within the sports book or other designated areas within the casino such as restaurants and pool areas while prohibiting the placement of wireless wagers within other areas such as hotel rooms.
The United States' Global Positioning System (GPS) typically allows the location of a GPS receiver to be determined with sufficient accuracy to determine if the receiver is within the borders of a given jurisdiction or within a specific location. Additionally, many cell phones, computers, and wireless modems include a GPS receiver. Thus, it is possible to determine the location of the cell phone or other remote device using the GPS receiver integrated with the remote device or a GPS receiver attached herewith.
However, such location determinations may be “spoofed” or otherwise falsified. For example, several GPS providers and location based applications allow users to determine and self-report their GPS-based location to provide maps and/or directions and to share their location with other users. However, the application allows the user to set the location (e.g., by address, city, or state) that other users observe, which allows by-passing of the GPS determined location.
One known method 10 for attempting to verify the location and identity of a caller attempting to make a wager is shown in FIG. 1. This method requires the use of a telephone which establishes the location of the telephone using a beeper. In a first step 12, the caller uses the telephone to call into an IVR and enters an account number. The IVR system sends an account access request (based on the entered account number) to the wagering system (step 14). The wagering system verifies that the account is valid, active and is authorized to use beepers, and generates a PIN (step 16). In step 18, the wagering system sends the PIN to a beeper system which sends the PIN to the caller's beeper. The wagering system sends the PIN and other account information to the IVR system in step 20. The IVR system asks the caller to enter the PIN (step 22) which is then entered by the caller (step 24). In step 26, the IVR system verifies that the entered PIN matches the information received from the wagering system and then allows the caller to place wagers.
The aforementioned system is cumbersome to players and not suitable for a system designed to handle a large number of transactions. Additionally, this system requires capital investments including the cost, use, and maintenance associated with additional equipment including beepers and the beeper system. Currently the system is only available in Las Vegas and is limited to the broadcast range of the beeper system. The embodiments of the present invention are directed at one or more of the shortcomings identified above.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art method of verifying the location and identification of a caller making a wager;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for allowing a player to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for allowing a player to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for allowing a player to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for allowing a player to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for allowing a player to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for allowing a player to make a wager verbally using a remote device over a network, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a conventional cell tower grid;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cell phone location being determined using signal strength data acquired by cell towers; and

FIG. 10 is an exemplary system configuration according to the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.
The system and method described herein may be used with a wagering component involving money wagers and payouts, sweepstakes component involving prize giveaways and an advertising and promotional data component. The type of location determination and verification methodology used may be more stringent based on the regulatory issues involved with each component.
Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a system and/or method allows wagers to be placed from remote devices over a wireless network (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) networks where the networks determine location from fixed access points. One of the primary concerns with placing wagers over wireless networks is the ability to ascertain with certainty the location of the individual placing the wager. The system and method described herein address the ability to identify with certainty the location of an individual placing a wager.
With reference to FIG. 2, a system 100 allows a player to use a remote device 102 (e.g., cellular telephone) to place a wager on a wagering system 106 over a wireless network 104. The system 100 verifies that the player and the remote device 102 are within a given, predetermined location (e.g., state, jurisdiction, building, or other predetermined location or locations within a larger geographic area). Only after the player's location is verified to be within the predetermined location, and with a verified device ID and user credentials, does the system 100 allow a wager to be placed.
The most commonly used system to locate the position of items is GPS. Automobiles, cellular telephones, hikers and any other item may be tracked using GPS. GPS while accurate, is dependent on the remote device 102 reporting itself as part of a 3-D trilateration system. Such a system can be subjected to spoofing and falsification. With the embodiments of the present invention, a validation location is compared to the network information relative to the device based on the infrastructure or base stations/cell towers with which the remote device is actually communicating (i.e., control plane).
It should be noted that gaming includes placing wagers using real money in the form of tokens, electronic funds or other financial instruments in which the player may be provided an award or payout based on a winning result of the game or may include simply playing a game, such as a video or arcade game in which the player is not awarded a prize or is awarded a non-monetary award, such as a ticket or merchandise. Some systems are for money systems and some systems are for points. In other words, in some systems wagers are made with money (or equivalent) and wins are paid out in money and in some systems, wins are paid out with prize awards. In each instance, location will be used to determine player location not only to validate their ability to play for money or for points but also to provide insight into presenting advertisements tailored to the location of the consumer.
As described below, the embodiments of the present invention use control plane functionality to derive an accurate location of a user based on carrier tower triangulation data. However, in one aspect, the decision to allow a wager is determined not just based on location, but also business logic and other account, subscriber profile and “limits” placed by gaming regulations and other processes which may also be considered before allowing a person to place a wager. In one embodiment, the system also informs the player that the player cannot place a wager and provides relocation data to an area where the wager can be placed.
The wagering system 106 may be any type of electronic wagering system which allows a player to place a wager. For example, the wagering system 106 can be provided by a casino (or race and sports book operator) and allow the player to place a wager on a sporting event at the casino sports book, on a keno game, table game or other casino game. For example, the wagering system may be the type of sports book system utilized by Nevada casinos to allow live cash wagers but configured to accept wireless wagers. Such systems are conventional and need only be modified to accept wireless incoming transmissions and transmit outgoing transmissions regarding accepted wagers.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the player's location is established using network generated and/or centric data, i.e., data which comes from the wireless network, carrier or authorized carrier location aggregator. Such a location determination method is not subject to spoofing and/or falsification like GPS. In one embodiment, the location determination method includes identifying the cell phone tower with which the remote device 102 is in communication. That is, cell phones communicate with cell towers in proximity to the cell phone. In general, this network centric and network generated data cannot be spoofed since the network validates the location of the device within the network based on the physical tower(s), or carrier installed base station(s), with which the device is communicating and the device is authenticated.
FIG. 8 shows a conventional cell phone tower grid. The grid 300 includes a plurality of individual cells 305 each including a cell tower 310 and base station housing electronics (e.g., receivers and transmitters) which facilitate the functionality of the cell network. The cell towers constantly track cell phone signals and the strength of those signals. This allows the towers to compute roughly the caller's general location in the cell phone grid 300. Since the cell towers 310 only have a certain radius within which they can pick up and send calls, the cell towers 310 need to pass off the signal reception to another nearby cell tower 310 if the caller moves too far out of range. This constant exchange of information allows an exact cell phone location to be determined.
FIG. 9 shows a diagram 350 visually indicating how the location of a cell phone is determined using signal strength data of three cell towers 310-1 through 310-3. The methodology involves determining the cell tower 310-1 with the strongest signal and plot the radius of signal detection associated with the cell tower 310-1. Since the signal as detected by cell tower 310-1 is the strongest, the cell phone must be within the radius of signal detection of cell tower 310-1. Next plot the radius of the cell tower 310-2 with the second strongest reception. Lastly, plot the radius of the cell tower 310-3 with the third strongest reception. The point of intersection 355 corresponds very closely to the cell phone position. Mobile device carriers may be required to provide such communication information between remote devices and remote device stations including towers.
For example, in one embodiment the wireless network is a cell phone network provided by a wireless carrier, such as Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, etc., as well as new wireless network providers like Clear, etc. The remote device 102 is a cell phone, computing device using an external or internal wireless modem or other data device, such as a cell phone used as a wireless modem, or other device capable of connecting to the wagering system 106 over the wireless network 104. When the remote device 102 connects to the wireless network 104, the connection is through a cell phone tower (not shown). The location of each cell phone tower is geographically fixed and known. Thus, as set forth above, the location of the remote device 102 can be determined based on the signal strength measured by multiple cell towers 310. A single cell tower 310 is also able to determine the general location (as determined by the radius of operation of the cell tower handing the call or transmission) of the remote device 102 but not a specific location as with multiple cell towers. This is important since it may be used for transmissions and communications not requiring the specific location of the remote device 102.
To further improve the verification of cell phone location, additional data, such as a signal transmission time to cell towers, may be combined with the signal strength data described above. Also, GPS and/or A-GPS data may be used as a backup to verify the location as determined by the cell phone tower triangulation methodology.
In another embodiment, the system detects mechanical operations (e.g., key presses or touch screen manipulations) of the cell phone or remote device 102 to prevent spoofing or unauthorized remote communication to a remote device 102 in the permitted jurisdiction while the player is not located within the permitted jurisdiction. For example, it is possible to operate a first remote device in a first location via a second remote device in a second location without the user interface (e.g., keypad or touch screen) being manipulated. To prevent such use, a software application downloaded on the remote device 102 from the wagering system 106 or affiliated server is configured to transmit verification of mechanical operations to the wagering system 106 which can be used as another step in the location verification methodology described above. The software application transmits signals to the wagering system responsive to all or some of the mechanical operations associated with the use of the remote device associated with the communications between the remote device and the wagering system 102. In one specific example, the software application can determine if a player pin (required to access the wagering system) is entered using the remote device's keypad or touch screen. The software application may also be configured to determine if the remote device 102 is running any suspect applications of the type associated with spoofing and other acts which would seek to defeat the accurate identification of the remote device location.
An optional, additional layer of security involves matching the electronic serial numbers (ESN) or similar remote device identification information (IP address) associated with individual cell phones to the cell towers in communication with the cell phones within a cell tower grid. In this instance, the remote device identification information is compared with stored or known data regarding the device identification information. Such matching ensures that the registered remote device is the actual remote device being used to place the wagers and communicates with the wagering system (e.g., server).
The aforementioned methods of location verification may be used singularly or in any combinations depending on the jurisdiction, service type and/or operator.
It should be noted that a player has total control of their location privacy. That is, a player is able to prevent the system from deriving the location of the remote device 102 via a software application installed on the remote device 102 at the time it is manufactured. Alternatively, the software facilitating the system hereunder includes a prompt allowing the player to refuse to provide remote device data needed to determine the location. Under such conditions, the system is unable to process a wager from the player because the location of the player (i.e., remote device 102) cannot be determined.
Below are described the registration process and various embodiments of the present invention directed to verifying the location of the player via the remote device 102 based on the above-described systems and methods.
As referenced above, there embodiments of the present invention may be used to facilitate a wagering component involving money wagers and payouts, sweepstakes or free play component involving prize giveaways and an advertising and promotional data component. The type of location verification methodology used may be more stringent based on the regulatory issues involved with each component. That is, the wagering component will likely require the most stringent location verification followed by the sweepstakes component while the advertising and promotional data component requires the least stringent location verification.
Prior to allowing players to participate in wagering via the system, players are required to register. In one embodiment, the registration process takes place in a brick and mortar casino offering casino games and/or sports wagering. Prospective players complete a registration form which requests personal information of the prospective player. Once approved, the player is optionally provided or permitted to establish a PIN or similar code. Also, the player is able to deposit a sum of money which is held by the casino and used to fund the wagering activities. The money may be in the form of cash or withdrawn from a credit card or bank account. If a credit card or bank account is used, the player may authorize the credit card or bank account information to be securely stored by the casino for later use (e.g., additional withdrawals) if necessary. The player may also decline to allow the credit card or bank account information to be stored by the casino. The player then downloads the wagering software onto the player's remote device which allows the player to interface with the wagering system 106. The software download may be accomplished via a wired or wireless connection to the server hosting the wagering software.
With specific reference to FIG. 4, a method 120 for allowing a player to utilize a remote device 102 to place a wager on a wagering system 106 is described. In a first step 122, the player initiates a wager session over the wireless network 104 utilizing the remote device 102. The manner in which the player initiates the wager session will depend, in part, on the nature of the remote device 102 (see below). At this stage, the player may be required to enter a PIN or similar code to access the wagering system 106. In a second step 124, the wagering system 106 receives information which identifies the remote device 102. In one example, the remote device 102 transmits its ESN to the wagering system 106 for verification. Alternatively, the gaming software downloaded on the remote device 102 may incorporate a security key or similar data which allows the wagering system to identify the remote device 102. The location of the remote device 102 is established as a function of the remote device ID information and network centric data (step 126). In a decision block 128, if the established location can be validated, e.g., the location can be established with sufficient certainty to be within the subject jurisdiction, then in step 132, the player is informed that the location has been verified and the player is allowed to place a wager or wagers. For example, the player's device identification, account number and entered PIN have to match, and the device identification has to match the application identification.
As discussed above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the player's location is established on the basis of the cell phone towers 310 through which the remote device 102 is communicating with the network 104. Additionally, it should be noted that, as discussed above, if the player's location cannot be verified solely based on the information received from the cell phone towers, other network centric methods and other safeguards may be utilized.
With reference to FIG. 3, in a second embodiment of the present invention, a system 200 allows user(s) to utilize various types of remote devices 202 to wirelessly place wagers on a wagering system 206 over a wireless network 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the remote device 202 can be a computing device 202A, such as a notebook, laptop, netbook, desktop computer, or other computing device cable of using an external or integrated cell modem, a cell phone 202B through a web-browser application or a dedicated application, or a cell phone 202C using voice activated commands.
In the illustrated embodiment, wagering system 206 includes a wager server 212 and an application server 214. The computing device 202A and the cell phone 202B communicate over the wireless network 204 to the application server 214. The application server 214 and the wager server 212 communicate over a network 210, such as the Internet or other network.
In general, the connection over the network 210 needs to be secure. For example, the connection can utilize a VPN direct connection to a known server with a client/server dependency that controls the connection and validates the device to the server. Or the connection can be a specific network connection that may be wireless or wired that requires that the device be connected to a common access point that can only connect via a secure connection to a wager or casual gaming server.
In the latter example, the first location lookup may tell is that the device is in a legal or valid area, such as Nevada, and the second location lookup verifies the location with the carrier. Each connect is to a different server, with different rules from the base application and the client can run secure connections to both servers running both application.
The cell phone 202C communicates verbal commands from the player to the wagering system 200 via an interactive voice recognition (IVR) server 208. The IVR server 208 is connected to the wagering system 200 over the network 210.
With reference to FIG. 5 in one aspect of the present invention, a method 220 of allowing a player to place a wager on a wagering system 206 using a remote computing device 202A is provided. In one embodiment, the remote computing device 202A utilizes a wireless modem or other communications transceiver (not shown), such as a cell modem which allows the remote computing device 202A to communicate over the wireless network 204.
In one aspect, the cell modem is an external cell modem embodied in a data card (not shown) which connects to the remote computing device 202A via a USB or other data port.
In a first step 222, the player inserts or connects the data card to the remote computing device 202A. In a second step 224, the remote computing device shuts off all other communications ports. In a third step 226, the remote computing device 202A initiates a virtual private network (VPN) to ensure secure and private communications between the remote computing device 202A and the wagering system 206 and runs a wagering application. The wagering application may either be a web-browser based application or a dedicated application. When linking through a VPN or other secure or dedicated connection, the application has to validate the account number and the location of the device is reported via the data card GPS reporting capabilities and from the network as the final validation.
Once the wagering application is in communication with the wager server 212, the application server 214 receives the base station ID, i.e., cell tower, through which the remote computer device 202A is communicating over the wireless network 204 and establishes the location of the remote computing device 202A (step 228). In decision block 230, if the established location has been established with a predetermined degree of certainty, based on the application, wager type, wagering system 206, etc., and a wager can be placed at the location, then the method 220 proceeds to step 238, in which the player is notified that their location has been verified and approved and the player is then allowed to place wagers. If the location established as a function of the base station ID cannot be verified in block 230, then the method 220 proceeds to step 232 in which the location of the remote computing device 202A is established using a second network centric process, such as assisted-GPS. In decision block 234 if the second established location is valid, then the method proceeds to step 238. Otherwise, the player is informed that their location cannot be verified and/or is not valid for making the wager in step 236.
With reference to FIG. 6, in another aspect of the present invention, a method 250 of allowing a player to place a wager on a wagering system 206 using a cell phone 202B is provided. The cell phone communicates with the wagering system 206 over the wireless network 204.
In a first step 252, the player installs and runs a software application on the cell phone 202B. The software application may be a web-browser application or specific application for placing a wager. If this is done in WAP Mobile Browser Session then specific access information has to be installed to derive location (e.g., asking the user to allow location to be utilized). In a second step 254, the application server 214 receives handset identification (e.g., the telephone number from the cell phone and the International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI or other mobile device identification information, such as, IMSI, MAC Address (if Wi-Fi is being used), B-SSID, and/or other information).
In one aspect of the present invention, the system and method collect both application and device ID information that must be connect together in order to validate subscription.
The telephone number is specific to (e.g., the sim card) in the cell phone, and the IMEI number is specific to the handset. In step 256, the handset identification is compared with the handset assigned to the player's account. If the data matches, then the player can be identified and authenticated. This ensures that the sim card is being used with the correct handset. It should be noted that different phones report their ID differently and different carriers manage the users' privacy and access differently. The present invention has the ability, if needed, to track the phone and locations and help restrict access, if a person's phone or sim card is stolen.
In step 258, the application server 214 receives the base station ID, i.e., cell tower, through which the cell phone 202B is communicating over the wireless network 204 and establishes a location of the cell phone 202B (step 258). In one aspect the system receives a latitude/longitude reading and an accuracy determination from the network.
In decision block 260, if the location has been established with a predetermined degree of certainty, based on the application, wagering system 206, etc., and a wager can be placed at the location, then the method 250 proceeds to step 268, in which the player is notified that their location has been verified and approved and the player is then allowed to place wagers. If the location established as a function of the base station ID cannot be verified in block 260, then the method 250 proceeds to step 262 in which the location of the cell phone 202A is established using a second network centric process, such as assisted-GPS. In decision block 264 if the second established location is valid, then the method proceeds to step 268. Otherwise, the player is informed that their location cannot be verified and/or is not valid for making the wager in step 266.
With reference to FIG. 7, in another aspect of the present invention, a method 270 of allowing a player to verbally place a wager on a wagering system 206 using a cell phone 202B is provided. The cell phone communicates with the IVR server 208 over the wireless network 204.
In a first step 272, the player places a call to the IVR server 208 and enters or says their account number. It should be noted that the player may either speak their account number or input their account number using the handset. The IVR server 208 also collects the telephone number of the handset (from Caller ID).
In a second step 274, the IVR server 208 sends an account access request (using the account number and the telephone number) to the wager server 212. The wager server 212 verifies that the account is active and valid and is authorized to GPS phones in step 276. Once the account has been verified, the IVR server 208 requests the cell tower through which the cell phone is communicating and establishes the location of the cell phone as a function of the cell tower.
In decision block 280, if the established location has been established with a predetermined degree of certainty, based on the application, wagering system 206, etc. (see above) and a wager can be placed at the location, then the method 270 proceeds to step 288, in which the player is notified that their location has been verified and approved and the player is then allowed to place wagers. If the location established as a function of the base station ID cannot be verified in block 280, then the method 270 proceeds to step 282 in which the location of the cell phone 202C is established using a second network centric process, such as assisted-GPS. In decision block 264 if the second established location is valid, then the method proceeds to step 288. Otherwise, the player is informed that their location cannot be verified and/or is not valid for making the wager in step 286. It should be noted that in all four methods 120, 220, 250, 270, the established location may be compared with a GPS determined location (derived at the user level, i.e., the remote computing device 202).
FIG. 10 shows an exemplary system 400 configuration according to the embodiments of the present invention. The system 400 comprises a first component 405 and second component 505. The first component 405 is designated to manage national contests, sweepstakes and similar less regulated matters while the second component 505 is designated to manage local sports wagering and similar highly-regulated matters. For example, the second component 505 may be configured to handle sports wagers from players proven to be located in Nevada as discussed above.
A first architecture of the first component 405 includes a router 410, firewall 415, switch 420, optional traffic load balancer 425, web server 430, optional load-balanced servers 435, switch 440, back-end firewall 445, switch 450 and integrity servers 455. A second connection architecture of the first component 405 incorporates a download server 460. A VPN connection 465 is also shown.
The architecture of the second component 505 includes router 510, firewall 515, switch 520, web server 525, blackberry enterprise server 530, back-end firewall 535, router with explicit access list 540, switch 545, integrity servers 550. VPN connections 555 provide access to the integrity servers 550 via corporate network core 560. The blackberry enterprise server 530 is exemplary and those skilled in the art will recognize that other mobile device brand servers may be incorporated to handle other mobile devices and carriers.
Although not shown in the flow chart diagrams, if the player is unable to place wagers because of his or her location, the system may be configured to provide the player with location information which would allow the player to place the wager. For example, if the player attempted to place a sports wager from Baker, Calif., the system would initially not allow the wager to be made. Thereafter however, the system may alert the player if the player proceeds to Primm, Nev. (about 60 miles north on I-15) the wager may then be placed.
Based on the location and the type of wager being made, data acquired using different location verification methods may be sufficient. For example, sports wagering is only legal in a few states including Nevada. Therefore, sports wagers could be made by registered players via a remote device 102 assuming the cell tower triangulation method described above is able to verify that the player is within the borders of the state of Nevada. In another example, sweepstakes, contests and free play games are allowed by many states such that the location verification may rely on a GPS-based verification system. In one embodiment, the system 100 initially conducts a “free” lookup to determine if the user is out of state and therefore only allowed access to sweepstakes and/or free game play (i.e., no money involved).
The system herein may also be configured to transmit location-based advertising, promotions and offers. Such transmissions do not require the same level of location verification as the gaming and sweepstakes components. Indeed, the location may be used but does not need to be validated. This allows the system 100 to determine how to insert either location-based or customer profile-based advertising, promotions, and offers. The advertisements, promotions and offers can be of any type but in one example they are related to wagering games, sweepstakes, contests and free play in an effort to expand the services utilized by players. Non-related businesses may also seek to allow ad content to be disseminated via the wagering system 100. The location data allows the advertising, promotions and offers to be tailored to the location of the player. For example, assuming a player registers to utilize the wagering system 100 at a first casino property, which is part of a casino corporate entity having multiple casino properties, the player may be sent advertising, promotions and offers regarding a second casino property operated by the same casino corporate entity when the player is near the second casino property in an effort to encourage the player to enter the second casino property.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a wagering system including at least a processor, data storage device and means for communicating with remote devices; and

a program running on said wagering system, said program configured to permit placement of wagers remotely responsive to validation that a subject remote device is within a pre-established wagering location and prohibit placement of wagers remotely responsive to lack of validation that a subject remote device is within a pre-established wagering location; and

means for obtaining remote device location data derived from communications between said remote devices and remote device towers during wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering system, said remote device location data used to validate a location of said remote devices.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a program running on said remote devices which validates to the wagering system that a user is utilizing a remote device user interface during a wireless connection between the remote devices and said wagering system.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for obtaining GPS data to determine remote device location.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote device location data derived from communications between said remote devices and remote device towers during wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering system include signal strength between the remote device and multiple remote device towers.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote device location data derived from communications between said remote devices and remote device towers during wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering system include signal transmission times between the remote device and multiple remote device towers.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said program is further configured to compare and validate acquired remote device identification information with stored remote device identification information.

7. A system comprising:

a wagering system including at least a processor and data storage device, said wagering system including means to communicate with remote devices;

a program running on said wagering system and configured to:

utilize remote device location data derived from communications between said remote devices and remote device towers during wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering system;

responsive to validation that a subject remote device is within a pre-established wagering location:

transmit wagering data to said remote devices;

receive wager instructions input into said remote devices by users thereof;

accept and record one or more wagers pursuant to said wager instructions;

transmit confirmation of said one or more wagers to said remote devices; and

apply winnings associated with said wager instructions and collect losses associated with said wager instructions from pre-established user accounts; and

responsive to a lack of validation that a subject remote device is within a pre-established wagering location, reject placement of a wager to be placed through the wagering system.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a program running on said remote devices which validates to the wagering system that a user is utilizing a remote device user interface during a wireless connection between the remote devices and said wagering system.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the program is further configured to utilize GPS data to determine remote device location.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein remote device location data derived from communications between said remote devices and remote device towers during wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering system include signal strength between the remote device and multiple remote device towers.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein remote device location data derived from communications between said remote devices and remote device towers during wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering system include signal transmission times between the remote device and multiple remote device towers.

12. A method facilitated by a wagering system including at least a processor, data storage device and means for communicating with remote devices, comprising:

utilizing remote device location data premised on communications between said remote devices and remote device towers during wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering system;

validating remote device location based on said location data;

responsive to validation that a subject remote device is within a pre-established wagering location, accepting placement of remote wagers submitted to said wagering system via said remote devices;

responsive to a lack of validation that a subject remote device in within a pre-established wagering location, prohibiting placement of remote wagers submitted to said wagering system via said remote devices.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising validating to the wagering system that a user is utilizing a remote device user interface during a wireless connection between the remote devices and said wagering system.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising acquiring GPS location data.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising utilizing signal strength between the remote device and multiple remote device towers to validate remote device locations.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising utilizing signal transmission times between the remote device and multiple remote device towers to validate remote device location.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising comparing remote device identification information with stored remote device identification information.

18. A method facilitated by a wagering system including at least a processor, data storage device and means for communicating with remote devices, comprising:

utilizing remote device location data derived from communications between said remote devices and remote device towers during wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering system to validate a location of remote devices;

transmitting wagering data to said remote devices;

receiving wager instructions input into said remote devices by users thereof;

accepting and record one or more wagers pursuant to said wager instructions;

transmitting confirmation of said one or more wagers to said remote devices; and

applying winnings associated with said wager instructions and collecting losses associated with said wager instructions from pre-established user accounts; and

responsive to a lack of validation that a subject remote device is within a pre-established wagering location, rejecting placement of a wager through the wagering system.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising validating to the wagering system that a user is utilizing a remote device user interface during a wireless connection between the remote devices and said wagering system.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising utilizing GPS location data.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising utilizing signal strength between the remote device and multiple remote device towers to validate remote device locations.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising utilizing signal transmission times between the remote device and multiple remote device towers to validate remote device location.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising comparing remote device identification information with stored remote device identification information.