Networked video game wagering with player-initiated verification of wager outcomes

• US 20070135208A1
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Albert Betteridge
• Original Assignee: Albert Betteridge
• Inventors: Betteridge, Albert
• Application Number:
  US11/297,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20070135208A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3295 Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking

Abstract

Embodiments of a wagering system are provided. The wagering system may include a server configured for processing at least one wager on a video game to be played by players on a multiplayer gaming network, and at least one database operatively associated with the server, the database being configured for storing information related to the video game wager. The server may be configured to operate independently of the multiplayer gaming network and may include a confirmation system configured to receive confirmation of the outcome of the video game wager from the players.

Claims

1. A wagering system comprising:

a server configured for processing at least one wager on a video game match to be played by players on a multiplayer gaming network;

at least one database operatively associated with the server, the database being configured for storing information related to the video game wager;

the server being configured to operate independently of the multiplayer gaming network; and

,

the server including a confirmation system configured to receive a confirmation of the outcome of the video game wager from at least one of the players.

2. The wagering system of claim 1, wherein the server includes a web server.

3. The wagering system of claim 2, wherein the web server includes at least one web site having at least one page configured for receiving wagering information.

4. The wagering system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the web site pages is configured to allow the players to select from among a set of video games that can be played for wagers.

5. The wagering system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the web site pages is configured to allow the players to store a wager in association with at least one video game.

6. The wagering system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the web site pages is configured to allow the players to accept a wager in association with at least one video game.

7. The wagering system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the web site pages includes multiple video game links separated into multiple sections according to a factor selected from the group consisting of a multiplayer gaming network associated with the video game, a type of video game, and a gaming mode.

8. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising at least one wager account stored in the database, the wager account being associated with a credit balance of at least one of the players.

9. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising at least one player profile stored on the database.

10. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the server being configured to transfer a wager amount based on the outcome of the played video game.

11. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a competency structure operatively associated with the server, the competency structure being configured for maintaining at least one skill level of at least one of the players.

12. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the database being configured to store multiple wagers for a particular video game or for multiple video games.

13. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the database being configured to permit removal of an unaccepted, stored wager.

14. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the server being configured to automatically communicate to players that they should compete upon determining compatibility of wagers.

15. The wagering system of claim 14, wherein determining compatibility includes comparing skill levels associated with the players.

16. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a ratings system operatively associated with the server, the ratings system being configured to adjust a rating of at least one player.

17. The wagering system of claim 1, wherein the video game includes a video game that can be played by multiple players as a team.

18. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the confirmation system being configured to award a prize to the winning player upon receiving the same confirmation of the wager outcome from both players.

19. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a ratings system operatively associated with the server, the ratings system being configured for adjusting a rating of the players based on communication of the wager outcome using the confirmation system.

20. The wagering system of claim 19, further comprising the ratings system being configured to display at least one list of player rankings in association with ratings information stored in the ratings system.

21. The wagering system of claim 19, further comprising the ratings system being configured to not allow a player to accept a wager if a rating of the player falls below a threshold level.

22. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a dispute settlement system operatively associated with the server, the dispute settlement system being configured to help to determine a wager outcome if the confirmation system receives confirmation of the wager outcome from neither player or only one player.

23. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a dispute settlement system operatively associated with the server, the dispute settlement system being configured for determining a wager outcome if the confirmation system receives a different confirmation of the wager outcome from each player.

24. The wagering system of claim 1, wherein the server is accessible through a game console.

25. The wagering system of claim 1, wherein the server is accessible through a cable network connection.

26. The wagering system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the websites is accessible through a game console.

27. The wagering system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the websites is accessible through a cable network connection.