METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INSURANCE POLICIES FOR GAMBLING LOSSES

• US 20070156464A1
• Filed: 02/20/2007
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Michael Downs, Stephen Tulley
• Original Assignee: James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Michael Downs, Stephen Tulley
• Inventors: Jorasch, James, Downs, Michael, Walker, Jay, Tulley, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/676,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20070156464A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/40 for devices for accepting orders, advertisements, or the like

Abstract

A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning the premium amount to the user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

presenting to a player information relating to a gambling loss insurance policy comprising at least one gaming establishment defined term;

storing the at least one gaming establishment defined term of the gambling loss insurance policy in memory with a policy identifier;

receiving payment for the gambling loss insurance policy from the player;

identifying the player at a gaming device through a player identifier;

determining gambling losses at the gaming device for the player; and

determining a refund for the player based on the gambling losses and the gambling loss insurance policy.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving confirmation from the player indicating a desire to purchase the gambling loss insurance policy.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving confirmation is distinct from receiving payment.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving confirmation comprises receiving confirmation at a terminal.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein receiving confirmation at the terminal comprises receiving confirmation at the gaming device.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein receiving confirmation at the terminal comprises receiving confirmation at a kiosk.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein receiving confirmation at the terminal comprises receiving confirmation at a device not operable to conduct a game of chance.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein receiving confirmation comprises receiving a signal at the terminal.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving confirmation comprises detecting a player pressing a button during game play at the gaming device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein detecting the player pressing the button comprises detecting the player selecting a hyperlink.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an indication that the player desires to receive additional information about the gambling loss insurance policy.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting information relating to the gambling loss insurance policy comprises presenting one or more offers for the gambling loss insurance policy.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting information relating to a gambling loss insurance policy comprises presenting information related to one or more terms of the gambling loss insurance policy.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting information relating to a gambling loss insurance policy comprises presenting information relating to at least one of:

a covered loss limit, a payout limit, a period of coverage, a covered wager amount, a type of game, a type of gaming machine, a number of plays covered, and a method for providing the refund.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the refund.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising a casino representative defines terms within the gambling loss insurance policy for the gaming establishment.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising updating terms in the memory.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein updating terms comprises accepting updates from the player.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein updating terms comprises accepting updates from a casino representative.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an insurance policy card to the player.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising detecting usage of the insurance policy card at the gaming device.

22. A system comprising:

a communication interface; and

a processor operatively coupled to the communication interface and adapted to;

present information relating to a gambling loss insurance policy comprising at least one gaming establishment defined term;

store the at least one term of the gambling loss insurance policy in memory with a policy identifier;

receive payment for the gambling loss insurance policy from the player;

identify the player at a gaming device through a player identifier;

determine gambling losses at the gaming device for the player; and

determine a refund for the player based on the gambling losses and the gambling loss insurance policy.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the processor comprises a mobile terminal processor.

24. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to:

present information relating to a gambling loss insurance policy comprising at least one gaming establishment defined term;

store the at least one term of the gambling loss insurance policy in memory with a policy identifier;

receive payment for the gambling loss insurance policy from the player;

identify the player at a gaming device through a player identifier;

determine gambling losses at the gaming device for the player; and

determine a refund for the player based on the gambling losses and the gambling loss insurance policy.