Conducting games of chance using predicted sum of scores
First Claim
1. A method of conducting games of chance in conjunction with a plurality of regularly-scheduled sporting events between competing teams for awarding prizes to participants that meet predetermined requirements, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) issuing to participants game cards that identify a plurality of principal team sporting events to be played by a specified time and that include blank delineated spaces that correspond to pre-selected fields of information for the entry of indicia corresponding to the predicted numerical value of the sum of the final scores of the competing teams for each event;
(b) receiving from the participants prior to the specified time, game cards that have the delineated spaces marked with indicia corresponding to the predicted numerical value of the sum of the final scores of the competing teams for each of the events, and the participants'"'"' prescribed entry fee;
(c) entering the predicted numerical value of the sum of the final scores of the competing terms indicated on the cards into the memory of a programmed digital computing device in association with a unique data entry transaction code;
(d) issuing to each participant a printed confirmation of the entry of the predicted numerical value of the scores of the competing teams and the data entry transaction code;
(e) entering the actual numerical score value totals from each of the principal sporting events into the memory of the digital computing device;
(f) employing the computing device to identify the data entry transaction code of the score predictions of any participants that meet predetermined requirements for winning a prize; and
(g) publishing the data entry transaction code of any prize-winning score predictions.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A weekly or other regularly scheduled game of chance is conducted in conjunction with a series of seasonal sporting events, such as baseball, football, hockey, U.S. and international basketball and volleyball games, in which a number of specific games are identified on a printed or electronic game card, and the participant marks the game card with the predicted total of points scored by both teams for each of the identified sporting events, which can include one or more alternate events. Data related to predicted scores and the fee paid are entered into a programmed central computer system for eventual processing and matching with data entered for the actual scores when the identified games are completed to identify the winners. The participant receives a receipt and unique transaction code. Participant data entry and payment means can include third-party ATMs and cash machines, and third-party vendors and participants'"'"' PCs connected to the central computer via the Internet, with payment made through the participants'"'"' credit or debit accounts. In an alternative embodiment, predictions can include the actual number of points scored during subsets of the contests.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of conducting games of chance in conjunction with a plurality of regularly-scheduled sporting events between competing teams for awarding prizes to participants that meet predetermined requirements, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) issuing to participants game cards that identify a plurality of principal team sporting events to be played by a specified time and that include blank delineated spaces that correspond to pre-selected fields of information for the entry of indicia corresponding to the predicted numerical value of the sum of the final scores of the competing teams for each event; (b) receiving from the participants prior to the specified time, game cards that have the delineated spaces marked with indicia corresponding to the predicted numerical value of the sum of the final scores of the competing teams for each of the events, and the participants'"'"' prescribed entry fee; (c) entering the predicted numerical value of the sum of the final scores of the competing terms indicated on the cards into the memory of a programmed digital computing device in association with a unique data entry transaction code; (d) issuing to each participant a printed confirmation of the entry of the predicted numerical value of the scores of the competing teams and the data entry transaction code; (e) entering the actual numerical score value totals from each of the principal sporting events into the memory of the digital computing device; (f) employing the computing device to identify the data entry transaction code of the score predictions of any participants that meet predetermined requirements for winning a prize; and (g) publishing the data entry transaction code of any prize-winning score predictions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A game of chance played in conjunction with a plurality of like sporting events, which events are to be played by a specified date, said game comprising:
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(a) game cards identifying a plurality of principal team sporting events to be played by a specified date, a preselected field of information pertaining to said sporting events, and delineated blank spaces that correspond to preselected fields of information appearing on the game card for entry of indicia corresponding to the predicted numerical value of the sum of the final scores for each event; (b) means for entering information in digital form from game cards completed by participants into a central pre-programmed computer processing system; (c) means for issuing a receipt to participants confirming the entry into the computer system of information from a participant'"'"'s game card and assigning a unique transaction code to the data entered; (d) means for entering into the computer system information comprising the numerical value of the sum of the final actual scores following completion of each of the principal sporting events and comparing the numerical value of the sum of the actual final scores with the final predicted numerical value of the sum of the scores to identify any prize-winning predictions; (e) means for publishing the transaction code of any prize-winning predictions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Apparatus for conducting games of chance in conjunction with a plurality of like sporting events, which events are to be played by a specified date, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) a computer system comprising a central processor pre-programmed for analyzing input data and out-putting information relevant to the lottery; (b) a plurality of remote terminals connected to the pre-programmed central processor for entering data and issuing receipts to lottery participants; (c) game cards identifying a plurality of principal team sporting events to be played by a specified date, said game cards provided with blank spaces for entry of a number or an indicia corresponding to the predicted numerical value of the sum of the final scores of the competing teams for each of the sporting events; and (d) receipts generated by the remote terminals, each of said receipts including a printed record of the entry fee paid, the data entered and a unique data entry transaction code for each game card. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification