In-casino mobile gaming

• US 10,726,670 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2018
• Issued: 07/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc. (Caesars Entertainment, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc. (Caesars Entertainment, Inc.)
• Inventors: Price, Melissa, Pena, Sadaf
• Primary Examiner(s): Galka, Lawrence S
• Application Number:
  US16/209,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20190122497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3293 Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

Described embodiments enable casino patrons to play casino games with cash wagers using mobile devices while located at the casino. A player funds the game by providing cash or credit at a funding gaming kiosk. A verification code is provided to the customer. The customer enters into a gaming mode on the mobile device, and inputs the verification code into the mobile device. The mobile device uses the verification code to retrieve the funding amount from a casino gaming system and makes it available to the customer for wagering. At the conclusion of the gaming session, the mobile device provides any remaining amount to the casino gaming system, and the customer can retrieve the cash or credit from the gaming kiosk or other funding location, the mobile device may perform a geolocation function to confirm that its current location is at the casino or other authorized location.

Claims

1. A method for funding wagering on a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving, at a gaming kiosk located at a casino property, funding for a wagering game, the funding having an amount;

generating, by the gaming kiosk, a first validation code;

issuing, by the gaming kiosk, the first validation code to a patron, wherein the first validation code is issued by text message;

transmitting, by the gaming kiosk to a gaming module, information describing the funding amount and the first validation code;

receiving, by the gaming module, the information describing the funding amount and the first validation code;

receiving, by the gaming module, a request from a mobile device for funding of a wagering game on the mobile device, the request including a second validation code;

responsive to the first validation code matching the second validation code, authorizing the mobile device to be funded in the amount of the funding for the wagering game.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the request from the mobile device for funding of the wagering game includes a location of the mobile device, and further comprising:

determining, by the gaming module, whether the received location of the mobile device is within an authorized location; and

wherein authorizing the mobile device to be funded in the amount of the funding for the wagering game is further responsive to a determination that the mobile device is within the authorized location.

3. A system for funding wagering on a mobile device, the system comprising:

a gaming kiosk located at a casino property and including a first processor, the first processor adapted to;

receive funding for a wagering game, the funding having an amount;

generate a first validation code;

issue the first validation code to a patron, wherein the first validation code is issued by text message; and

transmit information describing the funding amount and the first validation code to a gaming module;

a gaming module, communicatively coupled to the gaming kiosk and including a second processor, the second processor adapted to;

receive the information describing the funding amount and the first validation code;

receive a request from a mobile device for funding of a wagering game on the mobile device, the request including a second validation code; and

responsive to the first validation code matching the second validation code, to authorize the mobile device to be funded in the amount of the funding for the wagering game.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the request from the mobile device for funding of the wagering game includes a location of the mobile device, and wherein the second processor is further adapted to:

determine whether the received location of the mobile device is within an authorized location; and

wherein the authorizing of the mobile device to be funded in the amount of the funding for the wagering game is further responsive to a determination that the mobile device is within the authorized location.

5. A method for funding wagering at a casino, the method comprising:

receiving, at a gaming kiosk located at a casino property, funding for a wagering game, the funding having an amount;

generating, by the gaming kiosk, a first validation code;

issuing, by the gaming kiosk, the first validation code to a patron, wherein the first validation code is issued by text message;

transmitting, by the gaming kiosk to a gaming module, information describing the funding amount and the first validation code;

receiving, by the gaming module, the information describing the funding amount and the first validation code;

receiving, by the gaming module, a request from a terminal located at a table game within the casino for funding of a wagering game at the table, the request including a second validation code;

responsive to the first validation code matching the second validation code, authorizing dispensing of gaming chips to a patron associated with the terminal.