GB2333879A

GB2333879A - Gaming machine network

Info

Publication number: GB2333879A
Application number: GB9802009A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Ashley Simms
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-31
Filing date: 1998-01-31
Publication date: 1999-08-04
Also published as: GB9802009D0

Abstract

Individual gaming machines for public use are linked to a central unit to allow variations in games, odds and payout. The system permits the player to play immediately for variable cash prizes set on the basis of information obtained from all gaming machines linked to the network. The communication system between the player and the centre allows for variations in the game, choice of individual odds for a win and accumulator jackpots confirmed with the player prior to commencing the game. It also allows for the central unit to generate random numbers, letters or symbols to be matched by the player as a basis for a new game and payment of any winnings above the legal cash level for one game by cheque, bank transfer or other suitable non-cash method.

Description

THE LINKING OF INDIVIDUAL GAMING MACHINES FOR PUBLIC USE TO A CENTRAL UNIT ALLOWING VARIATIONS IN GAMES, ODDS AND PAYOUT.

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to the use of modem technology and communication systems to link individual gaming machines such as fruit machines to a central operations site with the capability of allowing any member of the public (subject to local gaming laws) to play for variable cash prizes in return for a cash or credit card payment.

Garbing machines are found in public places such as public houses, hotels, shops, and amusement arcades and are readily available for any member of the public (suaject to current legislation) to play. The current machines are isolated requiring nothing more than a power source to operate and the payout is based on odds specific to the individual unit The maximum cash prize per game is limited by law under the ' Ganfing Act ' and is currently 10.00 in locations available to any member of the public with larger cash prizes up to 200.00 in private members clubs.

Cash prizes in excess of 200.00 per game are not available from individual gaining machines and would raise a number of concerns c-y security of large amounts of cash in the machines and/or safety of individual numbers. There is generally no opportunity for variation in the choice of game on an individual machine, choice of individual staring odds for a win, and payouts are generally made in cash According to the present invention the individuay located gaming machines are linked by modem telecommunications to a central operations and administration system such as a computer. The central system uses information ficrn all the individual gating machines to set the value of prizes relaying this information back to the gaming machine and player before play commences.

The individual gaining machines provide the Izlaycr with an immediate waning opportunity, choice of game, choice of odds and payout subject to the situation relative to all machines linked up to the network The system also offers the opportunity of the central function periodically (example every 30 seconds) randomly selecting numbers, letters or symbols and relaying this information to the individual gaining machines. The player can choose numbers, symbols, or letters confirmed with the cenhre m an attempt to match with the next random selection and information can be passed between the centre and the player in the event of a win.

A minimum cash prize will be paid subject to the individuals choice of game and odds but the system allows for variable prizes to be paid and a jackpot or accumulator jackpot to operate that could have a virtual unlimited maximum dci on the number and scale of winnings within the network during each specific random draw.

A player can use cash or credit card to play the gaining machine in return for a payout in cash up to the Gaming Act limits in force at the time. All prizes above this cash limit being paid by alternative means such as cheque, directly into a bank account or other appropriate method.

The system will allow communication between the centre and the winners in the event of any win exceeding the maximum cash payout applicable at the time.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim: - 1. A network system linking individual gaming machines to a central operations unit musing electronic, fibre-optic or other modern communication technology that pennies the rapid twoway transfer of information and immediate playing of the machine for gambling purposes.
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1. that allows members ofthe pubic (subject to legislation in place at the time) the immediate opportunity to play for the purpose ofgambling for cash prizes set at a level based on the information received from all the gammg machines connected to the network.
3. A system as claimed in any preceding claims that allows for a minimum cash prize to be won per game but also accumulating cash prizes based on the feedback of information from other individual gaming machines linked up to the network.
4. A system as claimed in any precedig claims that allows any winnings from one game to be paid out in cash to the maximum limit set by legislation in place at the time with the balance of any prize money above this value being paid by cheque, directly into a bank account or some other acceptable route.
5. A system as claimed in any preceeding claims that allows the two-way exchange of information between any winner and the central operations unit to confirm any necessary details for payment of prize money above the maximum cash payout permissable under legislation at the time.
6. A system as claimed in any prec lir4 claim that allows the playing of a specific game based on the periodic (example every 30 seconds) random selection of six numbers, letters or symbols at the central operations unit and immediate transfer of this information to the individual gaming machines to determine and inform winners playing in that particular game.
7. A system as claimed in any preceding claims that allows a player prior to commencement of the game to choose any combination from three, four, five or six numbers, letters or symbols to match with the numbers, letters or symbols selected at the central operations unit.
8. A system as claimed in any precedig claim that aRows the player to choose prior to commencement of the game any combination from three, four, five or six numbers, letters or symbols used to match with the numbers, letters or symbols selected at the central operations unit to determine the specific odds of winning.
9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim that allows the player to choose prior to commencement of the game any combination from three, four, five or six numbers, letters or symbols to match with the numbers, letters or symbols selected at the central operations unit to determine the value of prize money should they win.