AU2021201376A1 - A Smartcard Based System for Regulation of Electronic Gambling - Google Patents

Abstract

Patent Specification Claims for Smartcard Regulation Of Electronic Gambling Systems A system for Regulating Gambling and a smartcard for use in the system which includes; (a) identifying a person;(b)issuing a person with a smartcard having a clock means or clock reader means with the capability of determining a time period and;(c) having a purse that can accept funds such as cash, Eftpos, Eft, Pay ID transfer or any other digital currency such as cryptocurrencies from the card owner person associated with the clock or clock reader and being able to limit an electronic value input and/or loss from the purse on the smartcard for a predefined period;(d) setting a maximum input and/or loss limit (excluding winnings) for a predefined period;(e) providing one or more gaming venues having card readers able to interact with the smartcards;(f) providing linkage to financial institutions and/or sources for electronically transferring verifiable funds to the smartcard which are able to be selectively transferred to a gaming venue when the user wishes to undertake a gambling activity; and(g) a software application for instant download and installation to a smart phone, watch, tablet or other similar device that provides for nomination of an amount of money that can be lost below zero at commencement (excluding winnings) and a time in which that loss can occur and will provide warning notifications as selected by the user as an alert function to the user. The application (app) will use the same clock system as the smartcard and therefore should be acknowledged. The person can use the smartcard to undertake gambling at regulated gambling establishments and have the total amount of accessible funds limited throughout all the regulated gambling establishments and have the total amount of accessible funds limited throughout all regulated gambling establishments for a set period. 711 CILI

Description

Patent Specification Claims for Smartcard Regulation Of Electronic Gambling Systems

A system for Regulating Gambling and a smartcard for use in the system which includes; (a) identifying a person;(b)issuing a person with a smartcard having a clock means or clock reader means with the capability of determining a time period and;(c) having a purse that can accept funds such as cash, Eftpos, Eft, Pay ID transfer or any other digital currency such as cryptocurrencies from the card owner person associated with the clock or clock reader and being able to limit an electronic value input and/or loss from the purse on the smartcard for a predefined period;(d) setting a maximum input and/or loss limit (excluding winnings) for a predefined period;(e) providing one or more gaming venues having card readers able to interact with the smartcards;(f) providing linkage to financial institutions and/or sources for electronically transferring verifiable funds to the smartcard which are able to be selectively transferred to a gaming venue when the user wishes to undertake a gambling activity; and(g) a software application for instant download and installation to a smart phone, watch, tablet or other similar device that provides for nomination of an amount of money that can be lost below zero at commencement (excluding winnings) and a time in which that loss can occur and will provide warning notifications as selected by the user as an alert function to the user. The application (app) will use the same clock system as the smartcard and therefore should be acknowledged. The person can use the smartcard to undertake gambling at regulated gambling establishments and have the total amount of accessible funds limited throughout all the regulated gambling establishments and have the total amount of accessible funds limited throughout all regulated gambling establishments for a set period.

CILI TITLE: SMARTCARD AND APPLICATION REGULATION OF GAMBLING SYSTEMS

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to methods and means of regulating gambling systems including considerations of where such gambling takes place and how monetary and credit/debit transactions take place before the game commences, during the course of the game and at the completion of thegame. The games where this may be used include Online, Pay TV, Broadband, Internet, Poker Machines, lotto including ticket purchasing operations to enter overseas lotto or similar lottery operations, racing venue betting machines, including over the counter and/or stand-alone player and Internet operated wagering machines and on smartphone or tablet devices. Aspects of the invention relating to the regulatory systems and protection of financial transactions conducted over a telecommunications and/or computer network are applicable elsewhere other than in gambling, therefore this invention also relates to methods for effecting computer andnetwork systems security and to such computer systems.

This invention relates to methods and means of regulating betting on live events, such as football, cricket, soccer, other sporting events. game shows etc. These regulatory methods and means may be used in all kinds of betting over all types of medium including Internet, Free to Air TV, Wireless (WiFi) transmission, Cable, telecommunication lines, ADSL broadband networks, computer networks and interactive TV and downloads to smartphones or tablet devices.

APPLICATION FOR DOWNLOAD TO SMARTPHONE OR TABLET

An app is computer software, or a program, most commonly a small, specific one used for mobile devices. The term app originally referred to any mobile or desktop application, but as more app stores have emerged to sell mobile apps to smartphone and tablet users, the term has evolved to refer to small programs that can be downloaded and installed all at once. There are thousands of apps designed torun on today's smartphones and tablets. Some apps can be downloaded for free, while others must be purchased from an app store. An app is just software. Originally software that installed on a computer as a program was labelled as an application -or the shortened name of app. However, the common usage of "app" versus "application" now generally refers to the distribution through app stores where the download and installation happen with a single action. The downside of apps installed this way is the app store all have the ability to remove or discontinue the use of the software remotely. The user has no option and must just suffer the loss of data. According to a 2010 study by the Pew Institute, one in four adults in the United States was using mobile apps. Apps were most commonly used to take pictures, send or receive text messages, access the Internet or play games, now gambling apps are commonplace and totally unregulated. The apps market is considered a major and growing part of the smartphone market. Apps are easy, often free and inexpensive to purchase and can be installed and removed from a device almost instantly without affecting the device's systems or other apps. Finally, the vast majority of apps are for mobile devices, but an app can be for a non-mobile device as well.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The Gambling Industry at all levels and in all environments seeks to attract gamblers. There is a significant need for regulation by national governments ofthe existing and emerging gambling industry especially with the introduction of and the popularity of poker machines, Internet gambling and other new forms of electronic distribution of gambling. Increasing concern in relation to credit card gambling, problem gambling, underage gamblers and money laundering has been expressed in the international and national media by governments. religious organisations and the public at large. These groups have expressed the urgent need for the gambling industry to be regulated to effective act to deal with the fallout and consequent damage to society which is currently in 2021 estimated to be at an economic cost of $7Billion annually in Australia with consequential 7 fold damage contribution to family debt, poverty, domestic violence, family breakdown and abuse at shocking levels by laundering of money from the proceeds of crime at a syndicated and organised level not only for local criminal organisations but for international criminal organisations. These figures are thought to be the "tip of the iceberg" and are certain to increase exponentially at ever increasing cost and damage to our society.

It is apparent from research and Royal Commission and Productivity Commission findings that the many types of gambling offered make no provision or attempt to regulate the industry in relation to gambling on credit, problem gamblers, underage gamblers and money laundering. Further little attempt has been made to regulate the amount wagered per day/week/month or to protect the problem gambler from their addiction. In addition there has been little attempt to protect sensitive financial data pertaining to the player from use including unauthorised use by gaming establishments and little or no identification standards to ensure the legitimacy of the source of the funds being taken in and used by the Industry.

In 1999 the Australian Productivity Commission could not find a regulatory product to address the problems associated with unregulated gambling and requested that any organisation which had a solution to contact the Gambling Ministers of the States and Territories of Australia. Again in 2010 after a 2year investigation the Australian Productivity Commission could not find a regulatory product to address these problems. To this day the Gambling Industry and in particular organisations have used this fact to oppose introduction ofan effective regulatory system on the basis that the system would fail due to it being untested. In addition to addressing the above concerns expressed by these groups,

protection of people from addiction to gambling can also be controlled by a

better regulated gambling industry. It would be socially desirable, therefore, to

have all the above gambling products and methods of transactions and delivery

regulated to address the provision of an effective system to regulate and improve gambling operations whilst still allowing the public the freedom to gamble. It is also a requirement in such games and methods of transactions. to regulate the use of and access to the players personal and financial information thus protecting the player from unauthorised use of the data by gaming establishments and their employees and to minimise any opportunity for fraud and exploitation.

In any such regulatory system, it is essential to ensure a high level of security to minimise fraud or misuse by persons having access to this type of personal information.

In relation to the financial transaction, details of the player, safeguarding the privacy financial systems including transactions, access to bank accounts and personal financial data of the player should be minimised to to reduce the opportunity for misuse affecting the gaming establishment the players and their banks by individuals who may have access to this information.

PRIORART US patent 5800268 held previously by Molnick was an invention to provide direct credit card gambling and did not regulate player identification or limits.

Australian patent 2001035244 attempted to set out a framework for regulating electronic gaming expired on 22/02/2021 was invented by Szewach, Horton and Donald. The framework was based on technology and gambling activity current in that time, 1999 -2000 and was never adopted or carried through to be invented. It attempted to regulate credit card losses by applying limits but was inconsistent

in description and method and was not considered an effective system by any regulatory body or the gambling industry. It did not mention or address regulation of money laundering or address digital currency. It did not mention live sports betting gambling applications for download to smartphones or tablet devices where much gambling is now occurring and underage gamblers are being targeted and groomed by pretend "gaming" apps to program acceptance that smartphone or tablet gambling is a normal activity.

Voluntary pre-commitment programs reported in media releases by Australian State Government Regulatory departments specifically are not mandatory. These offer face value only limits that have been incorporated into player loyalty cards which are swipe card based with no purse capacity nor independent Scheme Operator Regulation. The limits can be by-passed by the player at will and generally offer once only warning functions. The player can keep gambling and losing or even just take the card out of the machine and keep playing. This has enabled those with vested interests to claim that pre commitment systems do not work and have no take up interest by the gambling public. There are no patent claims for invention of this type of operation.

OBJECT OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a regulatory system that can be applied within either a state or country and/or internationally that will address the following aspects of both personal attendance and remote gambling, direct credit card gambling, problem gamblers, underage gamblers, money laundering and protection of financial and sensitive details pertaining to the player and source of funds, while still allowing immediate real time settlement of losses or wins on a game by game basis. In the case of download applications the pre commitment to time and considered loss amounts in that time that will be developed as part of the smartard system should be made available not only to players but also parents of pontial underage gamblers who often have to bear the cost of the losses incurred.

It is also an object ofthe present invention to provide a method and means of regulating the Gambling Industry that is effective and provides real result system. A regulatory system that can be applied within a country or internationally that will address the following; unrestricted credit card gambling, allow a player to nominate a limit for amount to be lost in a nominated time prior to entry to or login to a licensed premises or online site, potentially bar access to unregulated casinos and internet gaming sites, securely identify the player and source of funds to be used for gambling and protect and sensitive financial information pertaining to the player.

The present invention addresses the situation where a player may be physically located and gambling in a gambling establishment or taking part in remotely located gambling via a telecommunication or computer type network, internet by smartphone or tablet application and where the invention can regulate both situations including:

(i) the amount, nominated by the card holder allowed to be lost in a time nominated by the card holder i.e. per day/week/month,

(ii) the ability for government appointed courts and agencies to disconnect problem gamblers for given amounts of time, (iii) A 100-point identification process to obtain a card, (iv) to stop or limit direct credit card gambling; and (v) protect players private banking details from gaming establishments or individuals who may have intentions of unauthorised use or sale the of data.

(vi) In the case of the application for smartphone and tablet use; that provides real time calculation of sports or similar style betting and uses the system functions that allow pre commitment to an amount of money that can be lost over a pre-determined time that locks out the access to the application of breached.

OUTLINE OF INVENTION In accordance with the invention there is provided a smartcard for use in controlling money flow, said Smartcard including a clock or clock reader able to determine the actual time or time relative to previous transactions. This function would be available as a requirement to be included in development of any application available for download by a gambling operator or ticket seller in Australia.

A purse for electronically receiving value; an input limiting means providing at least one predetermined limit of electronically received value into said purse in one predetermined period of time with reference to the clock or clock reader, and an output means able to output selectively at least part of the electronically held value in the purse. The input limiting means can include a plurality of predetermined limits of electronically received value including a first maximum limit, which can be a statutory maximum limit, and a second maximum limit. which can be a voluntary maximum limit able to be selected by the user and encoded into the Smartcard. The input limiting means can provide further limits of certain types of electronically received value, including a limit on credit as they receive the electronic value, a limit on cash and a limit on winnings reinvested in each period of time.

The Smartcard can further include an output limiting means enabling selective defining of a limit of an individual output transaction reflecting a maximum single output. The output limiting means further includes allocating predetermined outputs dependant on the selective output from the output means such as for reasons of tax, licence fees or the like. The output limiting means may be interrogated at the time of transactions to instigate a removal of the defined outputs to the allocated areas.

The Smartcard can include an identification means for including details of the user and identification confirming means for receiving input to confirm that the user is the identified user. The confirming means includes the use of a personal identification number (PIN) or biometrics identification system or response to answer or the like.

The output means of the Smartcard further outputs information as well as electronic value such that the information oftransactions may be sent to the ATO, Austrac or other reporting body the Government/s may develop or the like. The Smartcard can be selectively locked to prevent transactions into or out of the purse until unlocked when the prenominated time of exclusion passes or expires wherein the locking means can be by means of a personal identification number (PIN), biometric means or other electronic locking means.

The invention also provides a system for regulating gambling including: (a) identifying a person.

(b) issuing a person with a Smartcard having clock means or clock reader means with the capability of determining a time period and having a purse associated with the clock or clock reader being able to limit an electronic value input and/or output from the purse on the smart card for a predefined period.

(c) setting a maximum input and/or output limit for a predefined period:

(d) providing one or more gaming venues having card readers able to interact with the smart cards, (e) providing linkage to financial sources for electronically transferring verifiable funds to the smart card which are able to be selectively transferred to a gaming venue when the user wishes to undertake a gambling activity, whereby the person can use the smart card to undertake gambling at regulated gambling establishments and have the total amount of accessible funds limited throughout all the regulated gambling establishments for a set period The set period can be of the order of a month and the Smartcard can be used at a plurality of regulated gambling establishments and over a plurality of occasions but with a single input and/or output limit for the month.

(f) a remote link to the gaming venue wherein the smart card can interact with a remote link to the card reader facilities ofthe gaming venues to allow verifiable funds transfer to a gaming venue when the user wishes to undertake a gambling activity.

(g) review of identified person with a check list and barring continued transactions with the gaming venue if the check list has identified the person as being banned by the courts or other regulatory body or by self-exclusion on the check list; output means for outputting data of individual transactions or transaction flow to one or more authorities or authorised bodies for regulatory purposes such as collection of tax or auditing purposes or other allowable purpose. (h) output means for outputting data of transactions to one or more authorities or authorised bodies on player's winnings and losses upon authorised access to linked network by means of PIN or other electronic security access.

(i) input limiting means includes a plurality of predetermined limits of electronically received value including a first maximum limit, which can be a statutory maximum limit, and a second maximum limit, which can be a voluntary maximum limit able to be selected by the user and encoded into the Smartcard: and/or further limits of certain types of electronically received value as the card receives the electronic value including a limit on credit, a limit on available funds for gambling,

()Allowance for any winning credit to be added to the available funds for player use so that the limitation function will only activate when the loss debit line is crossed.

PROTECTION OF PLAYERS PERSONAL DATA & MEANS OF TRANSACTIONS

Identification: The smart card reader or scanner is supplied by the regulated gaming establishment and is encrypted with an identification code which is recognised by the Smartcard as well as similarly licensed gaming establishments. Once it has been confirmed by the Smartcard reader that the player is the owner of the card, the player logs onto the gaming system. The Internet or other gaming establishment checks to ensure that the Smartcard is authentic by way of encryption interrogation software. Further checks such as the card validity or whether it has been subject to a stop order will also be carried out.

CARD ISSUANCE The issuer could issue the card that includes the correct data for the personalisation of the card with that data forwarded instantly to the Regulatory Body. The card could be forwarded to the cardholder, or alternatively if satisfactory controls were in place the gambling operator could be approved to issue the card and maintain a stock of accountable by audit card and require the applicant to collect the card in person with appropriate identification as occurs daily with financial intitutions_ If the Regulatory Body makes changes to the regulations for electronic gambling there needs to be a mechanism whereby these changes can be updated by instant download or other means on the already existing card base (i.e. those players who already have cards).

The Regulatory Body would typically be fulfilled by various State and Territory Government agencies.

INPUTSOURCE The source of the money into the card can be by transfer after an Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale (EFTPOS or EFT) transaction Internet banking transaction or credit/debit card transaction or cash payment by an identified existing card holder. A substantial benefit of such a system is that the player can remain anonymous at the casino or gambling venue and such would not have the player's personal financial details. This avoids the use of pressure or coercion of the venue into providing easy transactions or non allowable transactions. For example, it will not allow the use of an unlimited monthly credit card to be abused by making a multitude of advances on the pretence that the payments are for allowable expenses such as accommodation the regulations may limit the amount of credit allowed for gambling.

having an open line of communication between the gambling venue and the financial institution or source instead the electronic value is verified by being downloaded to Smartcard.

The typical bank can play a role within the gaming scheme. Its primary function would be where the funds to be transferred to the card are by Eftpos, Eft or Payll) transaction either of which would be possible for an existing card holder instantly. Similarly, the player could transfer winnings or unused funds from the card to a personal account of the player where the player has undergone the same identity check and verification by the bank to have that account.

REGULATION OF THE NET AMOUNT TO BE WAGERED PER TIME LIMIT The regulating of the maximum amount to be wagered each month is held as an application which is installed onto a Smartcard that limits the total amount that can be deposited into the players regulated in any given month or any

1-0 other time period. The amount may be determined by means nominated by the player, the national or regional Regulatory Body or such other authority or as the player and the gambling establishment mutually agree. The limit of deposit able to be loaded into the regulated Smartcard is the maximum a player can lose within a month. Winnings can be either left on the Smartcard to play at any time of the players choosing or transferred from the card to the players bank account or further played with or collected by the player from the operator, gambling establishment or by any other arrangement that is mutually agreeable to both the player and the operator. Winnings do not affect the regulated maximum amount that may be deposited onto the regulated Smartcard for gambling or withdraw in any given month. The function of the smart card is achieved via programming the Smartcard purse.

The cards have inbuilt regulatory features which prevent the player transferring the cards stored value across to the gaming establishment should the cards inbuilt gaming limit have been reached already in that month. As mentioned previously, any winnings stored on the card are not included in the limit held on the cards.

CLOCK APPLICATION

The Smartcard determines months, days, hours, minutes and seconds(instant) data and thus controls the maximum amount which can be loaded on the e-purse during the defined period such as a calendar month. The clock application which is incorporated in all ISO 7816-1-6 Smartcards is accessed by the purse application. When the clock begins a new month, a signal is sent to the purse opening the limit, at the end of a month closing the purse and reopening the purse limit again at the beginning of the new month. Any unused monies or unused amounts below the monthly limit will be carried over to the next month.

PURSE LIMITS

The application is installed into a Gambling Smartcard (GS) chip which regulates the amount that can be deposited into the player's Smartcard purse and spent within any given month or other fixed period of time.

Any winnings can be either transferred from the card to the players bank/casino account or further played with or collected by the player from the casino or gambling establishment by any other arrangement that is mutually agreeable to both the player and the casino or gambling establishment and excluding any identified problem gamblers, underage gamblers, suspected money laundering activity or those with certain types of criminal history or identified members of banned organisations. The player may deposit money for gaming via the GS card in any calendar month or other period. When the pre-set limit has been reached the purse is closed to any further deposits for gaming for that month. The clock will reopen the purse to further gaming deposits when a new month starts or carry over any unused cash or unspent credit including winnings up to the limit into the next month. Standard smart card technologies have the security of having the ability to recognise and identify the player as the cardholder. Identification of the player is the key issue in the proposed regulatory environment. In the event of magnetic stripe cards being used the PIN identifies the player.

The GS smart card, due to its security features is more reliable in the authentication of the player as the authorised cardholder. The regulation of the amount wagered per day/week/month can be managed where the GS card is being used and controlled by the card itself.

However, in the event of a magnetic stripe card being used a regulation governing the amount to be wagered each month is programmed into the account.

PURSE LOCK The card applications and e-purse can be locked by the cardholder using a personal identification number (PIN) of at least 4 digits. The player has the facility to change the PIN number from the initial PIN issued separately by the regulated gaming organisation. The use of PIN prevents unauthorised use of the card by others and identifies in which regional area the card was issued by which State or Territory. Any use of the card can also require authentication app activation if required to increase identity security and ensure the recorded card owner is involved in activation.

CLOCK LOCK The clock or clock reader on the GS card is available to determine the time or relative time. It can also be used to selectively or regulatory lock and unlock the purse. A substantial amount of excessive gambling losses occur because the player is enclosed in an artificially lighted room with no indication of the time of day or the length of time the player has been gambling. The clock lock can be programmed to lock the purse after six hours use for example. Alternatively, it could be locked off during work hours or during a time defined by the courts. In this way the GS card can act as a defence for problem gamblers that can be used voluntarily to help control the user or can be used as an overriding regulatory device for problem gamblers or for gamblers in general. The clock therefore may have a plurality of locks dependent on various constraints whether voluntary or regulatory.

CONTROL OF INPUTS CREDIT INPUT LIMITS

The method of using credit cards in relation to electronic purse is a possible source of funds input that can be recorded and controlled on the GS card. Credit card accounts linked to major card issuers (Visa, AMEX, MasterCard etc) have a unique numbering system which identifies them as a credit account. The GS card or input regulator can determine the source and according to the regulations determine the amount allowed to be deposited to the card. However, the card also has a memory and clock and therefore can regulate or prohibit the amount of credit deposited over a set period such as a month. This therefore becomes a true control over the use or misuse of credit for gambling.

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WINNINGS INPUT LIMITS The GS card can identify the winnings and by use of the clock or clock reader determines the amount of winnings available in a set period or session to be spent. This setting could be voluntarily included or be a regulatory setting. However, the system allows the inclusion of both.

BARRING PROBLEM GAMBLERS A further feature to be installed in the proposed regulation system for gambling establishments that are licensed to provide regulated gambling is the ability to bar problem gamblers from using their licensed GS card from accessing any casino or other gambling establishment that provide licensed regulated gambling. The problem gambler can be denied the ability to bet or play games should the player and licensed gambling establishments be directed or ordered by a regulatory authority or a court or social welfare agency or by a spouse or other person under a court order. There are numerous media identified events and actual court actions that have identified the failure of gambling operators to properly and reasonably support those gamblers who have registered themselves as problem gamblers at a time of reflection and clarity and then been allowed free and unsupervised entry to licensed gaming areas at the most expensive and profiled establishments not only without caution but sadly with encouragement to gamble more. A GS card holder would automatically alert the operator and the regulatory authority if that self excluded gambler attempted entry and require the operator to intervene which may avoid the recorded consequences to society and the families of these people who have tried to take a positive step but not been effectively supported by the Gambling Industry. This function would deny a player from accessing their accounts or game entry access held at any casino or other gambling establishments thus effectively for the first time providing the problem gambler with support and protection from further losses that exceed the amount they themselves have nominated when away from the gaming area and are not influenced by the bells and whistles of the licensed gambling environment and other inducements to continue to gamble. The non-access period could be for days, weeks, months or years or in certain cases for life. The regulatory feature will be based on the recognition of a personal cardholder number, which is automatically accepted or rejected at all gambling establishments that are subject to regulatory licensing. Furthermore, the barred player will not be able to apply for a second card during their period of disqualification.

The application could also use a thumbprint reader stored on the GS card or other similar activation methods. All gaming establishments that are part of the regulated industry will be notified electronically by the Regulatory Body which provides an upgraded authorisation of all cardholders who are barred and the period for which they are barred. The database is transferred in the CPU and computer files not to accept the player's card for the nominated time. Should the card be presented to a regulated gambling establishment it would not be accepted by the establishment CPU database until the expiry date when that card would be accepted again.

BARRING UNDERAGE GAMBLERS

As players must apply for a regulated GS card, checks prescribed by the government regulator will be carried out by the Regulator or authorised agent to ensure that sufficient identification is produced to identify the player and age and set the players limit. A PIN number or biometric identification will be provided to allow the player to use the regulated GS card in all licensed regulated casinos and Internet casinos and all other regulated gambling establishments. Underage players will not be issued with a GS card which is explained in further detail in the patent.

DENY ENTRY TO UNREGULATED CASINOS For a Gambling operator to gain a gaming licence, it is necessary for the Operator to register with and comply with the regulations and guidelines laid down by the Regulatory Body. The Governments collect tax revenue from these winnings and the current situation is that the State in which the Operator is based collects the revenue. With the advent of electronic gambling, there are some issues as to the precise definition of where the electronic Operator is based. The regulated GS card will have a control application which will deny the player access to use the funds they have on their card.

The Casino or Gambling Operator whether physical or virtual is the channel through which players may engage in gaming. The Casino's or Operator's major responsibilities are:

(i) Provision of the gambling channel. This may take many forms: tables, machines or web pages.

(ii) Maintenance of the float.The float is defined as the pool of funds that are in circulation within the licensed area. The Casino's responsibility for the value contained in the float begins when the player has placed a bet and ends once the Casino has either deposited the value with a bank or has paid a player for a winning bet. It is essential that the float is large enough to meet the operational requirements of the Casino or Operator.

(iii) Adherence to gaming regulations and guidelines. It is the Casino or Operator responsibly to meet the gambling regulatory requirements and to operate within the gambling industry's code of conduct.

The Scheme Operator (SO) is responsible for administering the regulatory electronic gambling scheme. This involves several roles, some of which are performed by the Scheme Operator and others in which the operator facilitates the performance of other roles which can seamlessly include ensuring that the player does not exceed the imposed gaming limits as part of the scheme. A player may elect to have self-imposed limits placed on their activity within the electronic gambling space. In extreme cases these limits could be imposed by the appropriate Regulatory Body and acting as a regulated portal for access to registered electronic gambling sites, by making the Scheme Operator the primary portal for access to electronic gaming sites, it will be possible to make validation of a player and the associated gaming limits available at single point of control.

The Scheme Operator would put in place a shared infrastructure that would allow the virtual and physical Casinos or Operators to accept electronic value. This would be managed on behalf of the Casinos or Operators and end of day settlement would occur with the bank. Provision of infrastructure could be made to approve certain suitable Casinos or Operators to issue and manage GS cards. Again, by putting a shared infrastructure in place the Scheme Operator could reduce the costs to Casinos or Operators and incentivise Casinos or Operators to achieve standards that qualify them for approval to issue GS cards. Outsourcing of card management can occur if the Casino or Operator does not want or is not permitted responsibility for card management. The Scheme Operator would provide the facilities to manage the GS card base and the card itself through every stage of the card life cycle from ordering to card expiration. Provision of Customer Care functions would be performed by providing online and/or call centre facilities. This would reduce the costs to the Casino or Operator by providing 1 800 numbers for players to call should they have problems with Online gambling sites or with their GS cards.

GAMBLING VIA INTERACTIVE TV OR BROADBAND NETWORKS The form of homebased gambling where the player can place bets via the Internet and/or broadband cable and watch the live event or game show on TV can be regulated also using the licensed GS card in the same manner online purchasing is approved with the additional security of a pay pal and/or authentication protocol. Moneys are transferred onto the smart card utilising different methods including e-purse. debit and/or credit transactions.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Having generally described the nature of the present invention particular examples are now described by way of example and illustration only. In the following description reference is to the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the system showing the chosen example. Figure 2 is a chart indicating the sequence of interactions between the GS card and gaming establishments that are part of the proposed regulation system ofthe gaming industry during atypical gaming session employed in the system of the chosen example.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view ofvarious parties involved in the scheme and using the GS card of Figure 1.

Figures 4.1 to 4.10 show various parts of an interaction of the various parties in the system for regulating gambling in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CONFIGERATION AND DESIGN OF THE INVENTION Elements D, E. F. G. H. & I in Figure I show an example of a regulated GS card system. The letter represents the applications contained in the smart card and inthe smart card reader that can be programmed to regulate the gaming system. They do not indicate or relate the actual file positions ofthe applications stored in the chip.

With reference to figure 2. the general system ofthe example ompripes a gaming establishment that is licensed as part of the proposed regulated gaming industry and three different player station examples: poker machine, Internet in conjunction with interactive TV or Pay-TV or smartphone or tablet etc and Internet via a computer or server. In the example the gambling establishment houses a secure area fitted with a regulated CPU a server terminal that will access the file to store instructions pertaining to the player that may be so ordered by a court of law. Claims 10,12,16 20,22. The gaming establishment also includes a regulated file server and an Internet/telecommunication network such as NBN, 2,3,4,5 etc G WiFi or computer network bridge -server being connected to computer terminals and capable of feeding both data and control signals to Internet/telecommunications, computer network, NBN, 5G Wi Fi etc and related connections. Claims 22,24. It should be recognised that the telecommunications link may just be a landline or cable, or a combination of NBN style and 5G (or grade current at the time) satellite links or landlines or telecommunication networks or computer networks. Claims 26,28. The nature of the link is immaterial to the present invention. For convenience of illustration, player station examples and are shown as each being connected either through an Internet/telecommunication

Each player station of the example comprises of an interface unit which includes a modem that corresponds to the telecommunication medium employed and which is connected to a computer or in the case of player station interface unit which includes a modem. The GS card unit is equipped with a biometric enabled smart card reader/writer or PIN identification/authentication system (not separately illustrated).

The GS card is used to establish a player's purse for each game is supplied by the Regulator or authorised regulated gaming establishment and is encrypted with identification code recognisable by the player's card reader and by the regulated establishments machines or in the case of online, the server controlled by the licensed gambling operator or ticket seller. The GS card is issued by the Regulator or, if authorised a regulated gaming organisation and it can be used by all other similarly regulated organisations, regulated gaming establishment or its agent and/or is encrypted with an identification code which is recognised by the GS card as well as all similarly licensed gaming establishments. When the player wishes to commence a game. the player authenticates himself or herself with the stored details in the card by either a PIN or by biometric means or other means. Identification via the reader or Wi Fi confirmation, Claim15. Once it has been confirmed by the smart card reader that the player is the owner of the card, the player logs onto the gaming system. The Internet or other gaming establishment checks the files to ensure that the Gs card is authentic by way of encryption interrogation software, claim 20. Further checks such as the card validity or whether it has been subject to a stop order will also be carried out. The cards have inbuilt regulatory features which prevent the player transferring the cards stored value across to the gaming establishment should the cards inbuilt gaming limit have been utilised already in that month.

Any winnings stored on the card are not included in the limit held on the cards. If the processes described above are completed correctly the player may the Any gaming establishment that is not licensed is not part of the regulated industry and will not be able to activate the card so it cannot be used for any form of the transactions described. The above transfer the money available on the card to the licensed gambling establishment.

The online example also applies in the same way as if the player is physically playing for example a poker machine in a Casino, claim 30.

Referring to figure 3 the GS card is inserted into the GS card reader or scanner where the identification ofthe card and player is completed. Loading the card via the reader may be carried out over the Internet or telecommunication lines or computer networks to banks, or other financial services that provide the transfer of monies from the players account, EFTPOS, EFT or Pay ID or over the counter cash (in the case of cash the GS Card ensures identification) at a regulated gaming establishment, claim 5.

The following is a high level overview of the technology involved in implementing an effective GS card gambling regulatory system. The card is central to the provision of a regulated gambling scheme. By implementing with a smart card, it is possible to perform validation of the player's gaming limits both at a physical machine level and in the virtual gambling space, claim 10. Because the card has a chip on it. the data physically belongs to the cardholder as opposed to a specific organisation - the assists in addressing any possible privacy concerns.

Given that the majority of the Australian Federal, State Governments and Territories financial institutions have endorsed the MULTOS platform, it would be suggested that any gambling GS card system would be based on a MULTOS platform, claim 15.

There are a significant number of card operating systems available in the marketplace today, so MULTOS with its accredited security rating is a suggested example, claim 20.

The MULTOS security features ensure that these applications cannot interact with each other except according to some stringently specified rules) and that the data contained within each application is securely firewalled from other applications, claim 5.

The Regulatory application would be the controlling application for the player. It would conceivably contain the following information:

Cardholderdetails: Name. Address. Unique Gaming Number, claim 10. Gaming Controls: PIN to access the application. Gaming Limit for the month (or other nominated time period). Value that has been wagered so far. Length of the gaming period. When the gaming period started. The application would be interrogated at the start of a gaming session by either the virtual Casino site or by the gaming machine itself. The gaming channel would have the information about the gaming limits to applied to the player, claim 15. After the player had uploaded their stake for the gambling session, the gaming channel would update the gaming control information to indicate that the player had the possibility to wager the entire stake, claim 20. In a worst case scenario

(for the player), this is indeed what would happen and the card would represent the true total of value that the player had wagered. If the player did not wager the entire stake the gaming channel would need to update the gaming control information to reflect the amount that the player had wagered. This would prevent the player from removing the card from the card reader in an attempt to prevent the gaming control information from being updated, claim 25. The update to the gaming control information would be enforced by not allowing the player to reclaim their remaining value of their stake or their winnings until the control information had been successfully updated. The card could include typical loyalty applications with the difference that the loyalty points are carried on the card, claim 30. This would provide the Casino with the ability to provide instant redemption at the Casino venue or to operate predetermined rules established by State regulatory authorities. The Casino could encourage return patronage by providing access to goods and services within the venue through redemption of points. Depending on the sophistication of the loyalty application. various parameters could be applied to different individuals to vary the number of points accrued. This would allow personalisation of the loyalty scheme down to an individual level.

Operation of the electronic purse can be done by Mondex or similar secure system. Several banks within Australia have bought into the Mondex franchise for the Australian region and as such Mondex value is available. Mondex has a security rating E6 from ITSEC and as such is the most secure electronic purse scheme available. Mondex is an anonymous purse scheme which means that value can be transferred between parties without central audit details being recorded, claim 15. In this respect, Mondex is equivalent to cash, in that cash can also be exchanged anonymously.

During the day, the Casino would collect Mondex value and at end of day would transfer all or part of the value to the bank in a lump sum. Settlement of Mondex value would occur when the value has been transferred back to the bank. Mondex purse can carry up to five nominated currencies which provides the ability for the gaming portal to offer the services of overseas Casinos and for local Casinos to accept value and wagers from overseas players. Another valuable feature with the Mondex purse is the ability to set purse limits for an individual cardholder, i.e., an individual purse can be set so that it can only hold a prescribed amount of value at any one time, claim 25. The adds further security and control over gaming limits that can be set for a player - especially those that fall into the category of "problem gamblers".

The implementation of a regulated gaming scheme would consist of several steps at a high level. These include:

(i) Establishment of Regulations & Guidelines (ii)Identify Scheme Parties and Organisations (iii) Establish Back-End Infrastructure (iv) Design/Source Card Applications, claim 25 (v) Design and develop browser interfaces Again, the Scheme Operator would work with the Casino, a Web application developer and a (vi) Design and Develop Virtual Gaming Applications (vii) Establish Gaming Portal (viii) Establish Education Programs (ix) Establish Customer Care Capability (x) Establish Registration Authority Once the Registration Authority is established players can make application either personally or as is more common, online with uploaded identification documentation etc. The Regulator could also have in place approved regulated Operators such as the Casinos etc who are able to take and process applications.

(xi) Issuance of Cards (xii) Modification and rollout of Machines Given the cost of designing, developing, auditing and the physical rollout of modifications to the physical gaming channels, it is proposed that the rollout happen over a period of time. They would allow savings in costs to fund the modification and rollout of further machines.

Finally, the Scheme Operator would take over day to day running of the various SO support functions, claim 20. The Gaming Scheme would be deemed to be live.

Currently applications exist for processing many different types of tasks on smart cards. To ensure consistency and flexibility. the operating software ensures application can be adapted and changed whilst the cards are in the possession of cardholder, claim 10. Selection of an opene" platform ensures the application set is flexible and adaptable to the changing requirement of each Industry.

Claims (30)

1. CLAIMS 1. A smart card (GS Card) or gambling loss limit control application for use in controlling money flow such as in gambling, the smart card or application including a clock or clock reader able to determine the actual time or time relative to previous transactions; a purse for electronically receiving value; an input limiting means providing at least one predetermined limit of electronically received value into said purse in one predetermined period of time with reference to the clock or clock reader, claim 5 and an output means able to output selectively at least part of the electronically held value in the purse, claim 10.
2. 2. A smart card in accordance with claim I wherein the input limiting means includes a plurality of predetermined limits of electronically received value including a first maximum limit, which can be a statutory maximum limit, and a second maximum limit, which can be a 15 voluntary maximum limit able to be selected by the user and encoded into the smart card.
3. 3. A smart card in accordance with claim I wherein the input limiting means provides further limits of certain types of electronically received value as the card receives the electronic value including a limit on credit, a limit on cash and a limit on winnings.
4. 4. A smart card in accordance with claim I further including an output limiting means enabling selective limiting of an individual output transaction reflecting a maximum single output.
5. 5. A smart card in accordance with claim 4 wherein the output limiting means further includes allocating predetermined outputs dependant on the selective output from the output means such as for reasons of tax, licence fees or the like.
6. 6. A smart card in accordance with claim 5 wherein the output limiting means may be interrogated at the time of transactions to instigate a removal of the defined outputs to the allocated areas.
7. 7. A smart card in accordance with claim I wherein the smart card further includes an identification means for including details of the user and identification confirming means for receiving input to confirm that the user is the identified user.
8. 8. A smart card in accordance with claim 7 wherein the confirming means includes the use of a personal identification number (PIN) or biometric identification system or response to answer or the like.
9. 9. A smart card in accordance with claim I wherein the output means of the smart card further outputs information as well as electronic value such that the information of transactions may be sent to the Tax Department or operating body or the like.
10. 10. A smart card in accordance with claim I wherein the smart card can be selectively locked to prevent transactions into or out of the purse until unlocked wherein the locking means can be by means of a personal identification number (PIN). biometric means 10 or other electronic locking means.
11. 11.A smart card in accordance with claim I wherein the smart card can be selectively or regulatory activated clock locking means to have the clock upon identifying predetermined set times or length of continuous operation of transactions lock the purse to prevent transactions into or out of the purse for a predetermined set period until unlocked by

    the clock at the end of that period wherein the selective or regulatory activation of the clock locking means can be by means of a personal identification number (PIN). biometric means or other electronic locking means.
12. 12.A smart card in accordance with claim I wherein the smart card includes a visible clock.
13. 13.A smart card in accordance with claim I wherein the smart card includes a record of the age of the cardholder and provides said age when transactions occur to ensure allowable access to gaming venues whether physically or by remote online access. and wherein the clock or clock reader periodically updates the age ofthe cardholder.
14. 14.A system for regulating gambling including identifying a person,

    issuing a person with a smart card having clock means or clock reader means with the capability of determining a time period and having a purse associated with the clock or clock reader being able to limit an electronic value input and/or output from the purse on the smart card for a predefined period and setting a maximum input and/or output limit for a predefined period and providing one or more gaming venues having card readers able to interact with the smart cards.
15. 15. A system providing linkage to financial sources for electronically transferring verifiable funds to and from the smart card which can be selectively transferred to a gaming venue when the user wishes to undertake a gambling activity, whereby the person can use the smart card to undertake gambling at regulated gambling establishments and have the total amount of accessible funds limited throughout all the regulated gambling establishments for a set period.
16. 16. A system for regulating gambling according to claim 14 wherein the set period is of the order of a month and the smart card can be used at a plurality of regulated gambling establishments and over a plurality of occasions but with a single input and/or output limit for the month.
17. 17. A system for regulating gambling according to claim 14 including providing a remote link to the gaming venue wherein the smart card can interact with a remote link to the card reader facilities of the gaming venues to allow verifiable funds transfer to a gaming venue when the user wishes to undertake a gambling activity.
18. 18. A system for regulating gambling according to claim 16 including providing a real time visual link with the gambling venue and a real time interaction means for providing real time instructions with regard the gambling activity to enable live remote gambling.
19. 19. A system for regulating gambling according to claim 17 including providing an interaction means for a gaming venue operator separate to or integral with the gaming venues' card readers able to interact with the smart cards wherein the gaming venue operator can operate a live gambling activity and enter details electronically to the interaction means to allow live remote gambling.
20. 20.A system for regulating gambling according to claim 18 including said interaction means enabling interaction with smart cards of the gaming venue operator to identify authorisation of use and allow electronic transactions of funds to and from the smart card to and from the gambling person's smart card.
21. 21.A system for regulating gambling according to claim 19 including providing an identifying means for individually initiating use of each of the smart card identifying means using biometric identification or PIN access or password or the like to allow only authorised use of each smart card by the person to whom the card was issued.
22. 22. A system for regulating gambling according to claim 14 including providing an identifying means that identifies the user of the card and interacts with the gaming venue by identifying the validity of the use of the smart card by cardholder without providing information of the cardholder such that gambling can occur anonymously with respect to the gaming venue whether transactions occur in person or by remote online access.
23. 23. A system for regulating gambling according to claim 14 including providing a review function of identified persons with a check list and barring continued transactions with the gaming venue if the check list has identified the person as being banned by the courts or other regulatory body or by self inclusion on the check list.
24. 24.A system for regulating gambling according to claim 14 including providing output means for outputting data of individual transactions or transaction flow to one or more authorities or authorised bodies for regulatory purposes such as collection of tax or auditing purposes or other allowable purpose.
25. 25.A system for regulating gambling according to claim 14 including providing output means for outputting data of transactions to one or more authorities or authorised bodies on player's winnings and losses upon authorised access to linked network by means of PIN or other electronic security access.
26. 26.A system for regulating gambling according to claim 14 including providing input limiting means includes a plurality of predetermined limits of electronically received value including a first maximum limit, which can be a statutory maximum limit, and a second maximum limit which can be a voluntary maximum limit able to be selected by the user and encoded into the smart card.
27. 27. A system for regulating gambling according to claim 25, including providing further limits of certain types of electronically received value as the card receives the electronic value including a limit on credit, a limit on cash and a limit on winnings.
28. 28. A system for regulating gambling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
29. 29. A smart card for use in controlling money flow such as in gaming substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.
30. 30.A system to provide an instant download and install application that uses the monitoring of the amount of money the user nominates to be able to be lost in a period of time also nominated by the user after download and installation to the users smart device such as a phone, watch, tablet or other such device that does not access the functions of the users smart card but does: (a)Provide a warning alert when for example the 50% of the loss nominated amount has been crossed. (b)Provide a display of the clock time to incur the loss amount remaining. (c)Provide an alarm alert system when for example 80% of the loss nominated amount has been crossed and suggest a pause to the gambling activity. (d)Maintain a record of for example the number of times the 80% loss line has been crossed that can be reviewed by a parent, guardian, career or in serious cases a court appointed supervisor to encourage recognition of the loss activity and discuss future gambling conduct and assist in setting or changing the actual effective actionable limitations functions on the smartcard described in claim 1.

    END Of CLAIMS