Computerized lottery wagering system

• US 5,921,865 A
• Filed: 07/14/1998
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lottotron Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lottotron Incorporated
• Inventors: Scagnelli, John B., Fiscella, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sager, Mark A
• Application Number:
  US09/115,774
• Time in Patent Office: 364 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/16-18, 463/25-31, 463/36, 463/40-42, 364/410.1, 364/412.1, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/139, 273/236-238, 273/269, 273/274, 379/90.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.02, 379/93.03, 379/93.13
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A wagering system for accepting wagers over communications systems comprising: (a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming messages from subscribers who wish to wager on the system; b) message means (wagering VRU) connected thereto for receiving the incoming messages routed from the ACD, and for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telecommunications means; and (c) host processor means having storage means and being connected to the wagering VRU for receiving the subscriber wager information, storing it in a master subscriber wager file in the storage means, and assigning an associated ticket number to the wager.

Claims

1. A wagering system for automatically accepting wagers comprising:

a) communications means for receiving communications from subscribers, said communications means including computer means and a wireless link;

b) message means connected to said communications means for receiving the incoming communications routed from said communication means and for providing a series of messages requesting subscriber information particular to one of the plurality of wagering formats; and

c) computer means having storage means connected to said message means for receiving and storing said subscriber wagering information, and assigning a reference number to a wager.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said wireless link includes a cellular telephone.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said wireless link includes satellite communications.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the subscriber wager information includes formats for instant wagering games.

5. A computer wagering system for automatically accepting wagers, comprising:

a) communications means for receiving incoming communications for making a wager;

b) message means connected to said communications means for receiving said incoming communications routed from said communications means and for providing a series of messages requesting subscriber wagering information particular to one of the plurality of wagering formats; and

c) computer means having storage means connected to said message means for receiving and storing said subscriber wagering information.

6. The computer wagering system of claim 5 wherein said communications means receives said incoming communications over a computer network.

7. The computer wagering system of claim 6 wherein said computer network is the Internet.

8. Method for automatically accepting a plurality of different wagering formats over a computer system, comprising:

receiving incoming communications from prospective wagerers and routing each of said communications according to which one of said plurality of different wagering formats is requested by a subscriber;

providing a series of messages requesting subscriber wagering information particular to one or more of said plurality of wagering formats;

requesting identification information from said prospective wagerers; and

requesting said prospective wagerers to enter a wager.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said wagering formats comprise different game types.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said game types include lotteries.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said wagering formats comprise game formats.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said game formats comprise a plurality of lottery games.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said lottery games comprise 3-digit lotto, 4-digit lotto, 6-digit lotto, keno and quick pick.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein said wagering formats comprise interstate wagering.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said interstate wagering comprises wagering on lotteries of different states.

16. The method of claim 8 wherein said wagering formats include interstate wagering, game types and game formats.

17. The method of claim 8 wherein said incoming communications from said prospective wagerers are made from a telephone.

18. The method of claim 8 wherein said incoming communications from said prospective wagerers are made from a computer.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said incoming communications from said prospective wagerers are made from a computer network.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said computer network comprises the Internet.

21. The method of claim 8 further comprising a step of requesting said prospective wagerers to select a form of payment for said wager.

22. The method of claim 8 further comprising a step of requesting said prospective wagerers for enrollment information.

23. Method for automatically accepting a plurality of different wagering formats over a computer system, comprising:

receiving incoming telephone calls from prospective wagerers and routing each of said calls according to which one of said plurality of different wagering formats is requested by a caller;

providing a series of messages requesting subscriber information particular to said one or more of the plurality of wagering formats requested by the caller;

requesting identifying information from said prospective wagerers; and

requesting said prospective wagerers to enter a wager.

24. A method of automatically accepting a plurality of different wagering formats over a computer system, comprising:

receiving incoming computer communications from prospective wagerers and routing each of said communications according to which one of said plurality of different wagering formats is requested by a subscriber;

providing a series of messages requesting subscriber wagering information particular to said one or more of the plurality of wagering formats selected by said subscriber;

requesting identification from said prospective wagerers; and

requesting said prospective wagerers to enter a wager.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said incoming computer communications are from a computer network.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said computer network comprises the Internet.