System and method for managing risk associated with product transactions

• US 7,835,974 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Issued: 11/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cantor Index LLC
• Original Assignee: Cantor Index LLC
• Inventors: Burgis, Adam, Findlay, Lewis C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Jagdish N
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARTLEY, KENNETH
• Application Number:
  US10/831,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20040230514A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,398 Days
• Field of Search: 705/37, 463/25
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/00 Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A method of managing trading orders is provided. The method includes receiving a request to place a first order to trade a first product, the request being made using an account having one or more current balances. The method further includes determining a risk value for the first order based at least in part on the first product. The method further includes determining whether to approve the first order based at least in part on the risk value determined for the first order and one or more of the current balances for the account, and if the first order is approved, placing the first order.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving by at least one computing device from a first user at least two orders, wherein;

the user has an associated account,

a first of the two orders comprises a bet on at least one sporting event that has an overall duration,

a second of the two orders comprises another bet on at least one of (a) the at least one sporting event and (b) another sporting event, and

the at least two orders are received from the first user via a computer system in use by the first user, the computer system being communicatively coupled to the at least one computing device via a communications network;

receiving by the at least one computing device from a second user an order, wherein

the second user'"'"'s order comprises a bet on the at least one sporting event, and

wherein the second user'"'"'s order is received from the second user via a computer system in use by the second user, the computer system in use by the second user being communicatively coupled to the at least one computing device via the communications network;

matching by the at least one computing device at least a portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with at least a portion of the second user'"'"'s order;

adjusting by the at least one computing device at least one balance associated with the account,

wherein the adjusting is in response to, at least in part, (a) matching the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, and (b) event results of the at least one sporting event that occur during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event, and

wherein the adjusting of the at least one balance results in an adjusted balance; and

based at least in part on adjusting the at least one balance, automatically adjusting by the at least one computing device a wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order, the wager amount comprising an amount wagered on the at least one of (a) the at least one sporting event and (b) the another sporting event.

2. The method of claim 1:

wherein the method further comprises the steps of;

determining by the at least one computing device a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event;

approving the first user'"'"'s first order based at least in part on the risk value; and

based at least in part on approving the first user'"'"'s first order, making the first user'"'"'s first order available for matching with other orders.

3. The method of claim 1,

wherein the method further comprises the step of determining by the at least one computing device at least one risk factor associated with the at least one sporting event, the risk factor comprising an amount that a user could lose by wagering one unit of currency on the at least one sporting event;

wherein the first user'"'"'s first order, when received from the first user, comprises or defines an amount the first user wishes to wager on the at least one sporting event; and

wherein determining the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises multiplying the risk factor by the wager amount for the first user'"'"'s first order.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining the at least one risk factor comprises determining the risk factor based at least in part on an actual maximum tick liability associated with the at least one sporting event and an estimated maximum tick liability associated with the at least one sporting event.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining the at least one risk factor comprises selecting a lower of the actual maximum tick liability and the estimated maximum tick liability associated with the at least one sporting event as the risk factor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the estimated maximum tick liability is based at least in part on statistical data regarding the at least one sporting event.

7. The method of claim 1,

wherein the method further comprises the step of:

based at least in part on the event results and the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, updating by the at least one computing device the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the updating occurs during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event; and

wherein adjusting the at least one balance associated with the account comprises adjusting the at least one balance by an amount that is based at least in part on the updated risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order.

8. The method of claim 7,

wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

based at least in part on the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order, determining by the at least one computing device a risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order, wherein the risk value comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the another bet; and

comparing by the at least one computing device the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance; and

wherein adjusting the wager amount comprises adjusting the wager amount based at least in part on the comparison.

9. The method of claim 8,

wherein the at least one sporting event has at least one associated risk factor, the risk factor comprising an amount that a user could lose by wagering one unit of currency on the at least one sporting event;

wherein the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order comprises a wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s first order;

wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order is based at least in part on the risk factor and the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s first order;

wherein the method further comprises the step of;

based at least in part on the event results, updating by the at least one computing device the risk factor, wherein the updating of the risk factor occurs during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event; and

wherein updating the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises updating the risk value based at least in part on updating the risk factor.

10. The method of claim 8,

wherein the at least one sporting event has at least one associated risk factor, the risk factor comprising an amount that a user could lose by wagering one unit of currency on the at least one sporting event;

wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order is based at least in part on the risk factor;

wherein the method further comprises the step of;

based at least in part on the event results, updating by the at least one computing device the risk factor, wherein the updating of the risk factor occurs during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event; and

wherein updating the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises updating the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order based at least in part on updating the risk factor.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein matching the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order comprises establishing a bet between the first user and the second user on the at least one sporting event.

12. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first user'"'"'s second order, when received from the first user, comprises or defines an initial wager amount the first user wishes to wager on the at least one of (a) the at least one sporting event and (b) the another sporting event;

wherein the method further comprises the step of;

based at least in part on matching the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, automatically reducing by the at least one computing device the initial wager amount, resulting in a reduced wager amount; and

wherein adjusting the wager amount comprises adjusting the reduced wager amount of the first user'"'"'s second order.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein adjusting the reduced wager amount of the first user'"'"'s second order comprises at least one of:

further reducing the reduced wager amount, and

increasing the reduced wager amount.

14. The method of claim 13,

wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

based at least in part on the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, determining by the at least one computing device a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event;

based at least in part on matching the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, reducing by the at least one computing device at least one balance associated with the account by an amount that is based at least in part on the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, the reducing of the at least one balance resulting in a reduced balance;

based at least in part on the initial wager amount of the first user'"'"'s second order, determining by the at least one computing device a risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the another bet;

comparing by the at least one computing device the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to at least one of (i) the at least one reduced balance and (ii) at least one value determined from the at least one reduced balance; and

based at least in part on comparing the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to the at least one of (i) the at least one reduced balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one reduced balance, determining by the at least one computing device that the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order exceeds the at least one of (i) the at least one reduced balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one reduced balance; and

wherein reducing the initial wager amount of the first user'"'"'s second order comprises reducing the initial wager amount based at least in part on determining that the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order exceeds the at least one of (i) the at least one reduced balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one reduced balance.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the wager amount comprises increasing the wager amount.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the wager amount comprises reducing the wager amount.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the wager amount comprises at least one of:

reducing the wager amount, and

increasing the wager amount.

18. The method of claim 17,

wherein the method further comprises the step of:

based at least in part on the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order, determining by the at least one computing device a risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order, wherein the risk value comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the another bet; and

wherein adjusting the wager amount comprises adjusting the wager amount based at least in part on;

(a) the risk value, and

(b) adjusting the at least one balance.

19. The method of claim 18,

wherein the method further comprises the step of:

comparing by the at least one computing device the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance; and

wherein adjusting the wager amount comprises adjusting the wager amount based at least in part on the comparison.

20. The method of claim 19,

wherein the method further comprises the step of:

based at least in part on comparing the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance, determining by the at least one computing device that the risk value exceeds the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance; and

wherein adjusting the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order comprises reducing the wager amount based at least in part on determining that the risk value exceeds the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein reducing the wager amount comprises reducing the wager amount to a reduced amount such that a risk value that is based at least in part on the reduced amount does not exceed the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance.

22. The method of claim 20,

wherein the method further comprises the step of:

based at least in part on;

(a) the event results of the at least one sporting event that occur during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event, and

(b) the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order,

determining by the at least one computing device a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event; and

wherein adjusting the at least one balance associated with the account comprises reducing the at least one balance by an amount that is based at least in part on the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order.

23. The method of claim 19,

wherein the method further comprises the step of:

based at least in part on comparing the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance, determining by the at least one computing device that the risk value does not exceed the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance; and

wherein adjusting the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order comprises increasing the wager amount based at least in part on determining that the risk value does not exceed the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein increasing the wager amount comprises increasing the wager amount to an increased amount such that a risk value that is based at least in part on the increased amount does not exceed the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance.

25. The method of claim 23,

wherein the method further comprises the step of:

based at least in part on;

(a) the event results of the at least one sporting event that occur during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event, and

(b) the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order,

determining by the at least one computing device a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event; and

wherein adjusting the at least one balance associated with the account comprises increasing the at least one balance by an amount that is based at least in part on the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order.

26. The method of claim 1,

wherein the method further comprises the step of:

based at least in part on;

(a) the event results of the at least one sporting event that occur during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event, and

(b) the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order,

determining by the at least one computing device a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event; and

wherein adjusting the at least one balance associated with the account comprises adjusting the at least one balance by an amount that is based at least in part on the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein adjusting the at least one balance comprises at least one of:

increasing the at least one balance, and

decreasing the at least one balance.

28. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory, in which the memory stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to;

receive from a first user at least two orders, wherein;

the user has an associated account,

a first of the two orders comprises a bet on at least one sporting event that has an overall duration,

a second of the two orders comprises another bet on at least one of (a) the at least one sporting event and (b) another sporting event, and

the apparatus is operable to receive the at least two orders from the first user via a computer system in use by the first user, the apparatus being further operable to communicate with the computer system over a communications network;

receive from a second user an order, the second user'"'"'s order comprising a request to place a bet on the at least one sporting event, and

wherein the apparatus is further operable to receive the second user'"'"'s order from the second user via a computer system in use by the second user;

match at least a portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with at least a portion of the second user'"'"'s order;

adjust at least one balance associated with the account,

wherein the adjusting is in response to, at least in part, (a) matching the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, and (b) event results of the at least one sporting event that occur during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event, and

wherein the adjusting of the at least one balance results in an adjusted balance; and

based at least in part on adjusting the at least one balance, automatically adjust a wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order, the wager amount comprising an amount wagered on the at least one of (a) the at least one sporting event and (b) the another sporting event.

29. The apparatus of claim 28:

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to;

determine a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event;

approve the first user'"'"'s first order based at least in part on the risk value; and

based at least in part on approving the first user'"'"'s first order, make the first user'"'"'s first order available for matching with other orders.

30. The apparatus of claim 29,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to determine at least one risk factor associated with the at least one sporting event, the risk factor comprising an amount that a user could lose by wagering one unit of currency on the at least one sporting event;

wherein the first user'"'"'s first order, when received from the first user, comprises or defines an amount the first user wishes to wager on the at least one sporting event; and

wherein to determine the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises to multiply the risk factor by the wager amount for the first user'"'"'s first order.

31. The apparatus of claim 29,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on the event results and the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, update the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the updating occurs during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event; and

wherein to adjust the at least one balance associated with the account comprises to adjust the at least one balance by an amount that is based at least in part on the updated risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order.

32. The apparatus of claim 31,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order, determine a risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order, wherein the risk value comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the another bet; and

compare the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance; and

wherein to adjust the wager amount comprises to adjust the wager amount based at least in part on the comparison.

33. The apparatus of claim 32,

wherein the at least one sporting event has at least one associated risk factor, the risk factor comprising an amount that a user could lose by wagering one unit of currency on the at least one sporting event;

wherein the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order comprises a wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s first order;

wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order is based at least in part on the risk factor and the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s first order;

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to;

based at least in part on the event results, update the risk factor, wherein the updating of the risk factor occurs during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event; and

wherein to update the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises to update the risk value based at least in part on updating the risk factor.

34. The apparatus of claim 32,

wherein the at least one sporting event has at least one associated risk factor, the risk factor comprising an amount that a user could lose by wagering one unit of currency on the at least one sporting event;

wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order is based at least in part on the risk factor;

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to;

based at least in part on the event results, update the risk factor, wherein the updating of the risk factor occurs during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event; and

wherein to update the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises to update the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order based at least in part on updating the risk factor.

35. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein to match the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order comprises to establish a bet between the first user and the second user on the at least one sporting event.

36. The apparatus of claim 28,

wherein the first user'"'"'s second order, when received from the first user, comprises or defines an initial wager amount the first user wishes to wager on the at least one of (a) the a least one sporting event and (b) the another sporting event;

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to;

based at least in part on matching the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, automatically reduce the initial wager amount, resulting in a reduced wager amount; and

wherein to adjust the wager amount comprises to adjust the reduced wager amount of the first user'"'"'s second order.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein to adjust the reduced wager amount of the first user'"'"'s second order comprises at least one of:

to further reduce the reduced wager amount, and

to increase the reduced wager amount.

38. The apparatus of claim 37,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, determine a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event;

based at least in part on matching the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order, reduce at least one balance associated with the account by an amount that is based at least in part on the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, the reducing of the at least one balance resulting in a reduced balance;

based at least in part on the initial wager amount of the first user'"'"'s second order, determine a risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the another bet;

compare the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to at least one of (i) the at least one reduced balance and (ii) at least one value determined from the at least one reduced balance; and

based at least in part on comparing the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to the at least one of (i) the at least one reduced balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one reduced balance, determine that the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order exceeds the at least one of (i) the at least one reduced balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one reduced balance; and

wherein to reduce the initial wager amount of the first user'"'"'s second order comprises to reduce the initial wager amount based at least in part on determining that the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order exceeds the at least one of (i) the at least one reduced balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one reduced balance.

39. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein to adjust the wager amount comprises to increase the wager amount.

40. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein to adjust the wager amount comprises to reduce the wager amount.

41. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein to adjust the wager amount comprises at least one of:

to reduce the wager amount, and

to increase the wager amount.

42. The apparatus of claim 41,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order, determine a risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order, wherein the risk value comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the another bet; and

wherein to adjust the wager amount comprises to adjust the wager amount based at least in part on;

(a) the risk value, and

(b) adjusting the at least one balance.

43. The apparatus of claim 42,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

compare the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance; and

wherein to adjust the wager amount comprises to adjust the wager amount based at least in part on the comparison.

44. The apparatus of claim 43,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on comparing the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance, determine that the risk value exceeds the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance; and

wherein to adjust the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order comprises to reduce the wager amount based at least in part on determining that the risk value exceeds the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein to reduce the wager amount comprises to reduce the wager amount to a reduced amount such that a risk value that is based at least in part on the reduced amount does not exceed the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance.

46. The apparatus of claim 44,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on;

(a) the event results of the at least one sporting event that occur during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event, and

(b) the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order,

determine a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event; and

wherein to adjust the at least one balance associated with the account comprises to reduce the at least one balance by an amount that is based at least in part on the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order.

47. The apparatus of claim 43,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on comparing the risk value for the first user'"'"'s second order to the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance, determine that the risk value does not exceed the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance; and

wherein to adjust the wager amount associated with the first user'"'"'s second order comprises to increase the wager amount based at least in part on determining that the risk value does not exceed the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein to increase the wager amount comprises to increase the wager amount to an increased amount such that a risk value that is based at least in part on the increased amount does not exceed the at least one of (i) the at least one adjusted balance and (ii) the at least one value determined from the at least one adjusted balance.

49. The apparatus of claim 47,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on;

(a) the event results of the at least one sporting event that occur during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event, and

(b) the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order,

determine a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event; and

wherein to adjust the at least one balance associated with the account comprises to increase the at least one balance by an amount that is based at least in part on the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order.

50. The apparatus of claim 28,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further direct the at least one processor to:

based at least in part on;

(a) the event results of the at least one sporting event that occur during the overall duration of the at least one sporting event, and

(b) the at least portion of the first user'"'"'s first order that is matched with the at least portion of the second user'"'"'s order,

determine a risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order, wherein the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order comprises an amount that the first user could lose on the bet on the at least one sporting event; and

wherein to adjust the at least one balance associated with the account comprises to adjust the at least one balance by an amount that is based at least in part on the risk value for the first user'"'"'s first order.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein to adjust the at least one balance comprises at least one of:

to increase the at least one balance, and

to decrease the at least one balance.