Problem gambling detection in tabletop games

• US 8,021,231 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coburn; Corbett B
• Application Number:
  US11/422,376
• Publication Number:
  US 20060287068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,932 Days
• Field of Search: 463/29
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players

Abstract

A gaming establishment may determine the existence of problem gamblers within its halls by monitoring player behavior with one or more sensors from an array of sensors. The player'"'"'s behavior is then compared to normal behavior and/or problem gambling behavior to determine if the player is potentially a problem gambler. Behavior patterns that may be tracked are player movement, player betting patterns such as tracking player rate of play, facial expressions, physical clues, nonverbal clues, and the like.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

presenting, via a display device of a first computing device operable to facilitate a tabletop game, the tabletop game;

generating, during the course of the tabletop game, a decisioning point for a player;

receiving, at a processor of a second computing device communicating over a network with the first computing device, a decision from the player based on the decisioning point;

evaluating, by use of the processor, a time elapsed between generating of the decisioning point and receiving the decision;

updating a problem gambling score based on the evaluating by either adding a predetermined number of points to the problem gambling score or subtracting a predetermined number of points from the problem gambling score, the problem gambling score comprising a composite and continually updated score reflective of a likelihood that the player is a problem gambler wherein points are added or subtracted from the problem gambling score based on various gambling activity of the player;

comparing the updated problem gambling score to a threshold problem gambling score, the threshold problem gambling score being a predetermined problem gambling score applicable to all players for which a problem gambling score is determined which, if exceeded, indicates that the player is likely to be a problem gambler; and

dispatching an event corresponding to the updated problem gambling score if it is determined that the updated problem gambling score exceeds the threshold problem gambling score.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein evaluating time elapsed between generating of the decisioning point and receiving the decision to determine if the rate of play for the player is indicative of problem gambling comprises comparing the rate of play to a threshold value.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating further decisioning points for the player and evaluating times elapsed between generating decisioning points and receiving decisions from the player to determine if the rate of play for the player is indicative of problem gambling.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein evaluating time elapsed between generating of the decisioning point and receiving the decision to determine if the rate of play for the player is indicative of problem gambling comprises comparing the rate of play to a historical rate of play for the player.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein evaluating time elapsed between generating of the decisioning point and receiving the decision to determine if the rate of play for the player is indicative of problem gambling comprises comparing the rate of play to an average rate of play for other players.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein generating a decisioning point comprises offering the player an opportunity to re-ante.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving ancillary input regarding the player from a sensor.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein receiving ancillary input regarding the player from a sensor comprises receiving input from a sensor selected from a group consisting of:

a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, a camera, a motion sensor, a location sensor, and a magnetic sensor.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising correlating the ancillary input regarding the player to the time elapsed.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a win/loss status for the player.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising correlating the win/loss status for the player to decision making of the player.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting whether the player makes progressively increasing wagers over a plurality of games.

13. A system comprising:

a table adapted for gambling, wherein the gambling includes a decisioning point for the player; and

a controller associated with the table and adapted to;

receive a decision from the player based on the decisioning point;

evaluate time elapsed between generating of the decisioning point and receiving the decision;

update a problem gambling score based on the evaluating by either adding a predetermined number of points to the problem gambling score or subtracting a predetermined number of points from the problem gambling score, the problem gambling score comprising a composite and continually updated score reflective of a likelihood that the player is a problem gambler wherein points are added or subtracted from the problem gambling score based on various types of gambling activities of the player;

compare the updated problem gambling score to a threshold problem gambling score, the threshold problem gambling score being a predetermined problem gambling score applicable to all players for which a problem gambling score is determined which, if exceeded, indicates that the player is likely to be a problem gambler; and

dispatch an event corresponding to the updated problem gambling score if it is determined that the updated problem gambling score exceeds the threshold problem gambling score.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the controller adapted to receive a decision from the player receives the decision through the dealer.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a voice recording system adapted to allow the dealer to provide the decision to the controller.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the controller adapted to receive a decision from the player receives the decision based on placement of a chip.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising a sensor, wherein the controller adapted to receive a decision from the player infers the decision based on input from the sensor.

18. The system of claim 13 further comprising a sensor, wherein the controller is further adapted to receive input from the sensor.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the sensor comprises a sensor selected from a group consisting of:

a vibration sensor, a temperature sensor, an optical sensor, a camera, a motion sensor, a location sensor, and a magnetic sensor.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the controller is further adapted to correlate input from the sensor to the rate of play.

21. The system of claim 13 further comprising a communications link operatively associated with the controller.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the communications link is adapted to communicate to a third party to receive input regarding whether the player is a problem gambler.

23. The system of claim 13 wherein determining if the rate of play of the player is indicative of problem gambling is comparing the time elapsed to a threshold value.