GB2404598A

GB2404598A - Apparatus for betting on an event

Info

Publication number: GB2404598A
Application number: GB0318136A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Hillman; Jamie Hart
Original assignee: WILLIAM HILL ORGANIZATION Ltd
Current assignee: WILLIAM HILL ORGANIZATION Ltd
Priority date: 2003-08-01
Filing date: 2003-08-01
Publication date: 2005-02-09
Also published as: GB0318136D0

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for playing a game. The game involves a plurality of game elements (e.g. horses) and an event (e.g. a horse race). The event has an event outcome (e.g. a race result) comprising, at least, one game element in first position and another game element in second position. To play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome. The apparatus (10) is configured to process a dual forecast bet. The dual forecast bet is for any two of two or more selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first position and second position in any order. The apparatus comprises a display (12) operable to display a betting interface (14) comprising a plurality of game element identifiers. Each identifier identifies a respective game element and in one embodiment are regions (18) on a game area (16). The apparatus (10) also comprises an input device (20) useable by a player to select two or more of the game element identifiers for a dual forecast bet. The selected identifiers identify the two or more game elements on which a dual forecast bet is placed.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME This invention relates to an apparatus for playing a game. In particular this invention relates to a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least one game element. One particular example is a horse racing game involving a horse racing event where the game elements are horses or representations of horses and the event outcome is the race result. A typical horse race includes a number of race horses which race against each other to cross a finish line. Each horse that crosses the finishing line is given an ordinal position, for example first position, second position, third position and so on up until the final position for the horse which finishes in last place in the race. The race result typically comprises the first three or four horses ranked in the first three or four ordinal positions. To play the game, a player makes one or more bets or wagers on the event outcome. For example, in a horse racing game the player places a bet that a particular race horse or a combination of race horses will finish the racing event in a particular ordinal position or subset of ordinal positions. For example, a bet can be made for a particular horse to win or to place. Each way bets can also be made. Odds representing the return of a successful bet are usually offered. One known way of making a bet on a horse race is for a player or punter to fill out a betting slip with the bet details before handing the betting slip to an employee in a betting shop. The betting shop employee then processes the bet. However, this betting slip form of betting has become routine. The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus for making one or more bets on the event outcome of a game. Accordingly, viewed from a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for playing a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position and another game element in second position, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the apparatus being configured to process a dual forecast bet, the dual forecast bet being for any two of two or more selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first position and second position in any order, the apparatus comprising: a display operable to display a betting interface comprising a plurality of game element identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective game element;and an input device useable by a player to select two or more of the game element identifiers for a dual forecast bet, the selected identifiers identifying the two or more game elements on which a dual forecast bet is placed. The apparatus provides a betting interface for making a dual forecast bet on an event outcome of the game. The dual forecast bet, as described herein as a type of bet, is a new type of bet. That is to say the dual forecast bet is defined for the game and can be selected as a bet type, although the game apparatus may be configured so that the player can make only dual forecast bets. Advantageously, a player can use the interface to place what can be considered a complex bet (the dual forecast bet) in a simple and efficient manner. By being configured to process a dual forecast bet, the apparatus supports a functionality provided through the betting interface which aids usability and provides a simple interface for a player to place the bet.Advantageously, bets can be made on the game without the need for an intermediate person, for example, a betting shop employee, to process the bet. It also provides a new player experience and affords considerable playability. The game element identifiers may be any suitable identifiers which identify respective game elements, for example an icon representing each game element. In a suitable implementation of an embodiment of the present invention, the betting interface comprises a game area and the plurality of game element identifiers are in the form of a plurality of regions on the game area, and the input device is useable by a player to place two or more markers representing a dual forecast bet on two or more of the regions, the two or more regions on which the markers are placed identifying the two or more game elements on which the dual forecast bet is placed. Viewed from another aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for playing a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position, another game element in second position and another game element in third position, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the apparatus being configured to process a tricast bet, the tricast bet being for any three of three or more selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first, second and third position in any order, the apparatus comprising: a display operable to display a betting interface comprising a plurality of game element identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective game element;and an input device useable by a player to select three or more of the game element identifiers for a tricast bet, the selected identifiers identifying the three or more game elements on which a tricast bet is placed. The apparatus provides a betting interface for making a tricast bet on an event outcome of the game. The tricast bet, as described herein as a type of bet, is a new type of bet. That is to say the tricast bet is defined for the game and can be selected as a bet type, although the game apparatus may be configured so that the player can make only tricast bets. Advantageously, a player can use the interface to place what can be considered a complex bet (the tricast bet) in a simple and efficient manner. By being configured to process a tricast bet, the apparatus supports a functionality provided through the betting interface which aids usability and provides a simple interface for a player to place the bet. Advantageously, bets can be made on the game without the need for an intermediate person, for example, a betting shop employee, to process the bet.It also provides a new player experience and affords considerable playability. The game element identifiers may be any suitable identifiers which identify respective game elements, for example an icon representing each game element. In a suitable implementation of an embodiment of the present invention, the betting interface comprises a game area and the plurality of game element identifiers are in the form of a plurality of regions on the game area, and the input device is useable by a player to place three or more markers representing a tricast bet on three or more of the regions, the three or more regions on which the markers are placed identifying the three or more game elements on which the tricast bet is placed. The event may be any suitable event which has an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least two game elements for a dual forecast bet or an ordinal position for at least the first three game elements for a tricast bet. Typically the event outcome comprises the first two, three or four game elements in an event involving from about 2 to about 100 game elements. For example, the event outcome may comprise the first four positions in an event involving 19 game elements. The event can be a racing event and the game elements can be race participants in the event, for example the event may be a horse racing event and the game elements may be horses or representations of horses. Another example of a suitable racing event is a dog racing event such as a greyhound race. The event may be an automated event. That is to say the event outcome may be automatically generated for the game apparatus. The event may be automated by a processing resource configured on the game apparatus and/or by a processing resource configured on a separate apparatus connectable to the game apparatus. In one suitable implementation the game apparatus comprises a processing resource which provides an automatically generated event outcome. The processing resource may provide the automatically generated outcome by sending a request to a separate apparatus. Advantageously, particular embodiments of the present invention provide an automated game apparatus. The event may be a real life event, for example a real horse race, dog race or athletics event. Advantageously, the betting interface may be used to bet on a real life event. The input device may be useable by a player to select a dual forecast bet and/or a tricast bet from a plurality of bet types. The betting interface may comprise a button for selecting a dual forecast bet and may comprise another button for selecting a tricast bet. In a particular embodiment the input device is useable by a player to select a dual forecast bet before selecting the two or more game elements identifiers for the dual forecast bet. In another embodiment the input device is useable by a player to select a tricast bet before selecting the three or more game elements identifiers for the tricast bet. These bets can be considered as ordinal-position-based bets since they concern the ordinal positions of one or more game elements in the event outcome. A marker can thus be considered as representing an ordinal-position-based bet. The bets may be standard bets (e.g. a win bet, a place bet or an each way bet) or they may be permutation bets covering several permutations of possible outcomes (for example a dual forecast bet or a tricast bet). The game area may have any suitable arrangement and in certain arrangements where two regions neighbour one another on the game area, a single position can be selected over an adjoining edge or border between the two neighbouring regions. In an arrangement where four regions meet as an intersection point or border, a single position can be selected over the intersection point. A single position can also be selected on the edge of a subset of the regions. The game area may further comprise one or more zones, each zone identifying a subset of the plurality of regions, each region in turn identifying a respective game element. The input device can be used by a player to select a position on a zone on the game area. Thus, the input device may be used by the player to select a single position to select two or more regions on the game area. Advantageously, a single user selection can be used to place a bet covering two or more game elements. For a standard bet a marker is placed (displayed) in the selected position and for a permutation bet a marker is placed on each of the two or more regions identified by the position. Advantageously, the bets are represented in a simplified manner. The game elements may each have a game element number, for example in an event involving 19 game elements, the game elements may be numbered consecutively from number 1 to number 19. Each region on the game area may be numbered with a game element number to identify the respective game element. In such an arrangement a zone may represent the subset of the regions which have an even number. Another zone may represent the subset of regions which have an odd number. Each region or some of the regions may be coloured with a particular colour. For example some of the regions may be coloured a first colour (e.g. gold) while some of the other regions may be coloured a second colour (e.g. blue). Suitably a zone may represent the subset of regions which share a particular colour. The game area may be arranged in a grid-like pattern and suitably a zone may represent a row or column in the grid-like arrangement. In one suitable implementation one region on the game area does not belong to a subset identified by any one of the zones. For example in a game which involves 19 game elements numbered from 1 to 19, the region representing game element 19 may not be identified by any one of the zones. One zone may identify the even numbered regions and another may identify the odd numbered regions (except for region number 19). Half of the regions representing game elements 1 to 18 may be coloured gold and the other half of these game elements may be coloured blue. Another zone may represent the blue regions and a further zone may represent the gold regions. With the regions numbered 1 to 18 set out in a grid-like pattern with six rows and three columns, three further zones may be provided. Each one of these further zones may represent the regions in a respective column on the grid-like pattern. One or more zones may identify a subset or subsets which do not represent all possible subsets of the regions. In this way the zone or zones represent a predetermined subset or a set of predetermined subsets of the game elements. Typically a zone identifies a subset of regions with a common characteristic, for example by the number identifying the regions being divisible by a common number or by the regions having a common colour. The input device can be used by a player to make a bet of a particular bet type. The bet types can be considered as ordinal-position-based bet types since they concern the ordinal positions of the game elements in the event outcome. The input device can be used to select one of a plurality of bet types. Suitably, the betting interface may comprise a bet selection box comprising a plurality of bet selection buttons, each bet selection button representing a bet type. The input device can be used by a player to select one of the bet selection buttons to select a bet type. A different marker may be used to represent a different bet type, for example markers of different colours or with different labels may be used. In a particular implementation the input device can be used by the player to select one or more of the following bet types: a win bet; a place bet; an each way bet; a dual forecast bet; or a tricast bet. The player can place a standard bet by placing a marker representing the bet on one or more regions, on a border between regions, on an edge of a region or on a zone on the game area. In one implementation the marker used to represent such a bet is a betting token, for example a circular betting token. Odds may be offered for each type of bet, for example 17/1 odds may be offered for a win bet on any of the game elements to win the event. The player can place a permutation bet (a dual forecast or a tricast bet) by placing a number of markers on a number of regions on the game area. In one embodiment a betting token is used to represent a permutation bet, for example a square betting token. In one embodiment fixed odds are associated with a dual forecast bet and/or a tricast bet. Where two markers are placed on one region the display is operable to offset the markers so that at least part of each marker is visible. The betting interface may be configured so that different markers for different bet types are displayed in different parts of a region. Advantageously, bets of different bet types can be made on the same game element. In one suitable implementation only one dual forecast bet and one tricast bet can be made per play of the game. In one embodiment the apparatus is configured to calculate the amount that a dual forecast and/or a tricast bet pays. In another embodiment the apparatus is also be configured to display the amount that a dual forecast bet and/or a tricast bet placed by a player will pay. In one embodiment the apparatus is configured to automatically recalculate the amount that the dual forecast bet and/or a tricast bet will pay in response to a player changing the number of game elements on which the dual forecast bet and/or tricast bet is placed and to display the recalculated amount. In one embodiment, the input device can be used by a player to associate a unit stake with a dual forecast bet and/or a tricast bet. In one suitable implementation this can be by associating a unit stake with markers representing the bet. In one embodiment the calculation to calculate the amount a dual forecast bet pays involves multiplying the unit stake by the odds associated with a dual forecast bet and dividing by the number of possible permutations of two game elements within the selected game elements. In another embodiment the calculation to calculate the amount a tricast bet pays involves multiplying the unit stake by the odds associated with the tricast bet and dividing by the number of possible permutations of three game elements within the selected game elements. In one suitable implementation the betting interface further comprises a unit stake box which shows a current unit stake value and the input device may be used by a player to change the unit stake value. In another suitable implementation the betting interface further comprises a total stake box which shows the total of the unit stakes for one or more bets made on the game area. The input device can be used by a player optionally to set a unit stake in the unit stake box, to select a bet type using a selection button in the bet selection box and to place at least one marker on the game area. The at least one marker represents a bet of the selected bet type and has a unit stake of the value displayed in the unit stake box. The input device can be used by a player to initiate an event after placing one or more bets on the game area. Accordingly the betting interface displays at least one initiate event button which the player can select to initiate an event. In one suitable implementation the betting interface further comprises at least one initiate event button which the player can select to initiate an event. For example, the betting interface may comprise two initiate event buttons, one to initiate the event and display the event outcome and/or an event summary and the other to initiate the event and display an animation of the event before displaying the event outcome and/or event summary. An event summary summarises the event and may comprise a summary of the event outcome, the bets placed and the winnings. In one suitable implementation the display can also display an animation of the event and may display a bet summary adjacent to the animation. The input device may be used by a player to remove or reposition one or more markers to change the bet or bets on the game area up until the point that the player initiates an event. This point is the point where the bet is formally placed and after which no changes to the bet or bets can be made. The apparatus may be used to place bets on a real life event such as a horse racing event where the odds are subject to a totalizer and are not fixed. In one embodiment the game is a fixed odds betting game. In such a game the odds are fixed and are not subject to a totalizer bet. Odds may be offered for each game element for each type of bet. For example, in an event involving 19 game elements, the odds for a particular game element to win may be fixed at 17/1. The same odds may be offered for each bet of the same bet type. For example, the odds for each of the other game elements to win may also be fixed at 17/1. In one suitable implementation one of the regions represents a game element which is identified as the front runner in a racing event. The front runner is the game element that is in first position when the racing event starts. In a particular embodiment, game element number 19 is identified on the game area as the front runner. In this embodiment the animation shows game element number 19 as the front runner, that is the first game element to leave the starting line in the animation. The odds of game element number 19 winning may be the same as the other 18 elements (e.g. all 17/1). In a suitable implementation the event outcome for the game is determined by using a random number which is generated by a random number generator. The game outcome is determined from the random number by using an outcome determination function. Suitably, the outcome determination function will provide the same event outcome if provided with the same number. Hence the event itself on which the player is betting may be considered as the generation of the random number. To satisfy certain UK gaming legislation which requires the event to be held in a location which is different to the location in which the player (and therefore the game apparatus) is located, the random number generator may be provided on a separate apparatus in a separate location, for example a server apparatus. Accordingly, the game apparatus may be connectable to a server for providing the random number and/or the event outcome or event summary. A processing resource may be provided which is configured to process the dual forecast and/or tricast bet. The processing resource may also provide the betting interface on the game apparatus. Suitably the processing resource may provide the functionality of the betting interface. This typically includes processing the one or more selections made by the player on the betting interface using the input device. In one suitable implementation the game apparatus comprises a processing resource which is connected to the display and configured to process the bet(s) and display the betting interface on the display. In this implementation the processing resource is also connected to the input device and is configured to control the betting interface in response to player selections made using the input device. The processing resource may be provided locally on the game apparatus. Optionally, the processing resource may reside on a separate apparatus, for example the separate apparatus for providing the random number and/or event outcome. Such a processing resource may provide control signals to the game apparatus to provide the betting interface and process the player selections. Optionally, the processing resource may reside on the game apparatus to provide basic processing functionality with other processing resources on one or more separate apparatus connected to the game apparatus to provide further functionality, for example the game apparatus could be a "thin" client in a client-server architecture. The processing resource may be configured to provide an event outcome for the game. Such a processing resource may be configured to generate locally a random number, although more typically to satisfy UK gaming legislation, the processing resource may be configured to provide the event outcome of an event held at a different location, for example by requesting a random number from a separate apparatus. The game apparatus may receive the random number and determine the event outcome from the random number or alternatively the game apparatus may be configured to receive the event outcome itself from the separate apparatus. For the latter case, the separate apparatus may be configured to receive a request for an event outcome, to generate a random number, to determine the event outcome from the random number and to send the event outcome to the game apparatus. Optionally, an event summary may be determined and sent in addition to or instead of the event outcome. The display of the game apparatus may be operable to display the event outcome and/or the event summary. The event summary may be determined by the game apparatus or may be provided by the separate apparatus. Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a betting interface for a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position and another game element in second position, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the betting interface comprising a plurality of game element identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective game element, the betting interface being arranged so that a player can select two or more of the game elements identifiers for a dual forecast bet, the selected identifiers identifying the two or more game elements on which a dual forecast bet is placed. In a suitable implementation of an embodiment of the invention, the betting interface comprises a game area and the plurality of game element identifiers are in the form of a plurality of regions on the game area, the betting interface being arranged so that a player can place two or more markers representing a dual forecast bet on two or more of the regions, the two or more regions on which the markers are placed identifying the two or more game elements on which the dual forecast bet is placed. Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a betting interface for a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position, another game element in second position and another game element in third position, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the betting interface comprising a plurality of game element identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective game element, the betting interface being arranged so that a player can select three or more of the game elements identifiers for a tricast bet, the selected identifiers identifying the three or more game elements on which a tricast bet is placed In a suitable implementation of an embodiment of the invention,the betting interface comprises a game area and the plurality of game element identifiers are in the form of a plurality of regions on the game area, the betting interface being arranged so that a player can place three or more markers representing a tricast bet on three or more of the regions, the three or more regions on which the markers are placed identifying the three or more game elements on which the tricast bet is placed. Other aspects of the invention provide a computer program operable to implement the betting interface and a computer program operable to implement the game apparatus. The computer program may be carried on a suitable carrier medium. Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus for playing a game; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the betting interface; Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps which a player takes to play the game; Figures 4 and 5 show a schematic representation of the betting interface; Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of an animation of a racing event on the display of the apparatus; Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of an event summary displayed on the display of the apparatus; Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus for playing a game which includes a processing resource;Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of the game apparatus connected to a separate apparatus across a network; Figures 10 to 13 show the configuration of a particular embodiment of the processing resource; Figures 14 to 26 illustrate the operational steps performed by the processing resource for particular embodiments of the game apparatus; and Figures 27 and 28 illustrate the operational steps performed by the processing resource for the server apparatus.

THE GAME The game involves a plurality of game elements and an event. The event has an event outcome which comprises an ordinal position for at least one game element. To play the game, a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome. The event may be any suitable event which has an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least one game element. The event outcome may comprise just a single ordinal position for a single game element, for example first place, or second place or ninth place, although typically the event outcome comprises the first two, three or four game elements in an event comprising between 2 and 100 game elements. In a particular embodiment the event outcome comprises the first four positions in an event involving 19 game elements. Where the event outcome comprises an ordinal position for more than one game element, the ordinal positions do not necessarily need to be the winning ordinal positions (i.e. positions 1 to n). For example, the event outcome may comprise the game element in tenth position, the game element in eleventh position and the game element in last position. However, typically the event outcome comprises the winning ordinal positions. The event outcome may comprise a position for each and every game element involved in the event, although typically it comprises the first one, two, three or four positions. The event can be a racing event and the game elements can be race participants in the event. For example, the event may be a horse racing event and the game elements may be horses or representations of horses. The racing event may be a dog racing event such as a greyhound race.

THE BETS To play the game, a player may make one or more bets on the event outcome. Suitably, the bet concerns the ordinal position or ordinal positions of one or more of the game elements. Thus, the bet can be considered as an ordinal-position-based bet. The bet may concern a particular position or more than one particular position for a particular game element or may concern more than one game element and more than one position. The bet may be a standard bet for a particular game element to feature in a particular position or in one or a selected number of positions. For example, the bet may be a win bet, a place bet or an each way bet. The bet may be a permutation bet identifying a number of possible outcomes, any one of which would represent a win. For example a bet may identify three game elements, two of which must appear in first position and second position in any order for the bet to be a winning one. It will be appreciated that any suitable type of bet, including any known bet, may be made on the event outcome. Each bet has associated odds which represent the return of the bet if it is successful. For example, the odds for game element number 11 to win may be 5/1, 10/1 or evens. The odds for the game will depend on the particular game and the number of game elements involved. In a particular embodiment one or more of the following types of bet may be made: a win bet, a place bet, an each way bet a dual forecast bet and a tricast bet. The dual forecast and tricast bets are new types of bets, described herein for the first time. In the particular embodiment the odds are fixed odds making the game a fixed odds betting game. This means that the odds are not changed as more and more bets are placed. When a bet is made a unit stake value is associated with the bet. The unit stake value represents the amount of money which the player is wagering on the particular bet. The odds represent the potential return should the bet be a winning one. In an example embodiment there are 19 game elements and the types of bet will be described with reference to this example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that for some types of bet, for example the place bet, other definitions may be known.

A WIN BET A player can make a win bet on a particular game element for that game element to win i.e. for that game element to be in first position in the event outcome. A win bet may be placed on any single game element and in the example embodiment each of the 19 game elements are offered with the same odds for a win bet of 17/1. If the event outcome shows that the bet is a winning one (i.e. the game element on which a win bet is placed features in first position in the event outcome), then the player will receive 17 times his unit stake as the winnings in addition to his unit stake being returned. Thus if a win bet is placed on game element 17 and the event outcome comprises game element 17 in first position and the player has bet a unit stake of 1 then the player wins 17 in addition to having his 1 stake returned (i.e. a total of 18). A player can make a single win bet for two or more game elements to win. The bet will have a single unit stake associated with it and this unit stake is spread evenly across each of the two or more game elements. For example, the player can place a bet on game element numbers 5 and 6 to win with a unit stake value of 1 associated with it. This bet can be considered as one 50p bet on game element 5 to win and one 50p bet on game element 6 to win. Accordingly, if game element number 5 features in first position in the event outcome then the player will receive 8.50 in winnings together with his 50p stake returned (i.e. a total of 9).

A PLACE BET A place bet is a bet on a game element to feature in one of the "places" in the event outcome. The number of places in the event outcome may depend on the number of game elements involved in the event. For an event involving 19 game elements, the places are first to fourth positions. In the example embodiment, the odds offered for a place bet are 7/2 for a single game element to "place" in the event outcome (i.e. for the game element to feature in one of first, second, third or fourth positions). If the game element comes in first second, third or fourth position in the event outcome then the player receives a 7/2 return for his place bet in addition to his unit stake being returned. If a place bet is made on two or more game elements then the unit stake is divided evenly across each of the game elements.

AN EACH WAY BET An each way bet for a single game element is a combination of a win bet and a place bet on that game element. The unit stake value for an each way bet is split evenly with half of the unit stake being placed as a win bet on the game element and the other half of the unit stake being placed as a place bet on the game element. For example if a 1 each way bet is made on game element number 12 then this represents a 50p bet for game element 12 to win and a 50p bet for game element number 12 to place. If an each way bet is made on two or more game elements then the unit stake bet is divided evenly across each of these game elements.

A DUAL FORECAST BET The dual forecast bet as described herein is a new type of bet. The dual forecast bet is a bet on the first two positions in the event outcome. The bet is placed on two or more game elements for any two of these to feature in first position and second position in any order. A dual forecast bet on two game elements is a bet that these two game elements will appear in first and second position in the event outcome in any order (i.e. one in first position and the other in second position). For example, if a dual forecast bet is made on game element 5 and game element 7 the bet would be a winning one if the game outcome comprises game element 5 in first position and game element 7 in second position or alternatively if the game outcome comprises game element 7 in first position and game element 5 in second position. A dual forecast bet on three game elements is a bet that any two of these three game elements will appear in first and second position in the event outcome in any order. Similarly, a dual forecast bet on four game elements is a bet that any two of these four game elements will come in first position and second position in the event outcome in any order. A dual forecast bet can be made on two game elements or more than two game elements. However, the amount that a dual forecast bet pays is lower for a bet concerning more game elements when compared to a bet concerning fewer game elements. In one example the amount that the dual forecast bet pays is calculated using the odds offered for a particular game element to finish in first position and a particular game element to finish in second position. In the illustrated embodiment these odds are 325/1, although any suitable odds may be offered. For a dual forecast bet the odds are divided by the number of possible outcomes covered by the bet i.e. the number of permutations of two possible elements within the selected number of game elements. For example for four selected game elements the odds are divided by 12 since there are 12 possible permutations of two game elements within the four game elements. Another way of looking at this is that any stake made on such a bet is divided by the number of permutations. For example, if a player makes a unit stake of 10 for a dual forecast bet on four game elements, the amount which the bet pays would be 270.83 ( 10 divided by 12 permutations multiplied by 325/1). If the player makes a 10 dual forecast bet on five game elements then the winnings or amount that the bet pays would be 162.50 ( 10 unit stake divided by 20 permutations multiplied by 325/1). The dual forecast bet is a bet covering several permutations of possible outcomes and as such can be considered a permutation bet. In an alternative embodiment, a fraction of the unit stake may be returned as part of the amount that a winning bet pays. For example, for a winning bet the unit stake divided by the number of permutations may also be returned as part of the amount that the bet pays.

A TRICAST BET The tricast bet (or "trio" bet) as described herein is a new type of bet. The tricast bet is similar to the dual forecast bet except that the tricast bet is a bet on the first three positions in the event outcome. The bet is placed on three or more game elements for any three of these to feature in the first three positions in the event outcome in any order. A tricast bet can be made on three game elements or more than three game elements. However, the amount that a tricast bet pays is lower for a bet concerning more game elements when compared to a bet concerning fewer game elements. In one example the amount that the tricast bet pays is calculated using the odds offered for a particular game element to finish in first position, a particular game element to finish in second position and a particular game element to finish in third position. In the illustrated embodiment these odds are 5500/1, although any suitable odds may be offered. For a tricast bet the odds are divided by the number of possible outcomes covered by the bet i.e. the number of permutations of three possible elements within the selected number of game elements. For example, for five selected game elements the odds are divided by 60 since there are 60 possible permutations of three game elements within the five game elements. Another way of looking at this is that any stake made on such a bet is divided by the number of permutations. For example if a player makes a unit stake of 10 for a tricast bet on five game elements, the amounts which the bet pays would be 916.67 ( 10 divided by 60 permutations multiplied by 5500/1). If the player makes a 10 tricast bet on six game elements then the winnings (or amount that the bet "pays") would be 458.33 ( 10 unit stake divided by 120 permutations multiplied by 5500/1). The tricast bet is a bet covering several permutations of possible outcomes and as such can be considered a permutation bet. In an alternative embodiment, a fraction of the unit stake may be returned as part of the amount that a winning bet pays. For example, for a winning bet the unit stake divided by the number of permutations may also be returned as part of the amount that the bet pays.

THE GAME APPARATUS Game apparatus 10 may be any suitable apparatus which can display a betting interface for playing the game, for example it may be a dedicated gaming apparatus, a computer system such as a general purpose computer system, a mobile telephone, a wireless application protocol (WAP) telephone, a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), a web TV or a set-top box. In one particular embodiment, game apparatus 50 is a general purpose computer system which is connectable to a separate apparatus such as a server apparatus across a network (e.g. the internet) - this embodiment will be referred to as the "online embodiment". In a second particular embodiment the game apparatus 10 is a dedicated gaming apparatus for use in betting shops - this embodiment will be referred to as the "betting shop embodiment". The betting shop embodiment is connectable to a separate apparatus such as a server apparatus through a suitable communication link, such as a dedicated connection line or a network (e.g. the internet). Figure 1 shows a schematic and simplified version of the game apparatus 10. The game apparatus 10 comprises a display 12 and an input device 20. Display 12 is operable to display a betting interface 14 which comprises a game area 16. The game area 16 comprises a plurality of regions 18. Each of the regions 18 identifies a respective game element for the game. The game area illustrated in Figure 1 comprises 19 regions although for the sake of clarity only three of these are labelled.

THE INPUT DEVICE The input device may be any suitable input device. For example the input device may be a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, or a touch sensitive screen. In the online embodiment the input device 20 may be any general purpose computer system input device, for example a computer mouse. In the betting shop embodiment the input device 20 may be a touch sensitive screen, although any suitable input device may be used in other dedicated gaming apparatus embodiments, for example a roller ball or a joystick. Input device 20 can be used by a player to make selections on the betting interface 16, for example to select a position to place a marker on the game area 16 of the betting interface 14. The marker represents a bet and identifies a region 18 (or more than one region 18) on the game area 16. This region 18 identifies the game element on which the bet is placed. Input device 20 can also be used by a player to select one of a number of buttons on the betting interface 14. In the online embodiment the input device 20 can be used to move a cursor across the display 12 and to make player selections on different parts of the betting interface 14, such as a selection of a button or a position to place a marker. For example, the cursor can be controlled with an input device 20 in the form of a computer mouse and selections may be made by clicking a mouse button on the mouse. In the betting shop embodiment the apparatus is configured with a touch sensitive screen and player selections can be made on different parts of the betting interface 14 by touching the screen.

THE DISPLAY The display may be any suitable display which can display or present the betting interface 14. Typically the display is on a screen of the game apparatus 10. For the online embodiment the screen is provided by a computer monitor and for the betting shop embodiment the screen is a touch sensitive screen.

THE BETTING INTERFACE Betting interface 14 comprises a game area 16 having a plurality of regions 18. Each region 18 identifies a respective game element. The game may involve any number of game elements although typically the event involves from about 2 to about 100 game elements. Thus the game area may comprise any number of regions but typically comprises from about 2 to about 100 regions. Each region 18 may identify a respective game element in any suitable manner. For example, if each game element represents a different country a region 18 may represent the country by its flag, by its name or by its country code. Alternatively, or additionally, the game elements may each have a game element number and each region 18 on the game area 16 may be numbered with a game element number to identify the respective game element. The game area 16 may have any suitable arrangement and in certain arrangements two or more regions 18 may neighbour one another on the game area 16. For example, two regions 18 may have a common adjoining edge or border between them and three or more regions 18 may have a common edge or border or a common intersection point or border. The game area 16 may also comprise one or more zones 22, 24. Each zone 22, 24 may identify a subset of the regions 18 with a common characteristic, for example having a common colour. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the betting interface 14. In the illustrated embodiment there are 19 game elements, each game element having a game element number from I to 19. Each region 18 identifies a respective game element by being marked with the respective game element number. Each game element has fixed odds offered for each bet type. In the illustrated example, the odds to win for each game element are 17/1. The regions 18 on the illustrated game area 16 are set out in a grid-like pattern having six rows and three columns. The six regions 18 in the left hand column are numbered from 1 to 6 starting from the bottom of the grid. Similarly, the six regions 18 in the central column are numbered from 7 to 12 and the six regions 18 in the right hand column are numbered from 13 to 18. A single region 18 numbered as number 19 is positioned above the regions numbered 6, 12 and 18, extending across the whole width of the grid-like pattern. Each of regions numbered 1 to 18 are coloured as one of two colours in a chessboard-like pattern with the regions numbered 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15 and 17 having a first colour and the other regions having a second colour. In a particular embodiment the region numbered as number 19 is identified as the "front runner". In an embodiment in which the event is a racing event, a bet on game element number 19 can be considered by the player as a bet on the participant which leaves the starting line first i.e. the participant which is the front runner. The odds offered for the front runner may be the same as the odds for the other game elements. In an alternative embodiment, the game elements are numbered from zero to 18 and in this alternative embodiment the single region numbered as 19 in the illustrated embodiment may be numbered as zero. Game area 16 comprises seven zones 22, 24. Each zone identifies a subset of the regions numbered as 1 to 18. There are three zones 22 presented below regions 1, 7 and 13 respectively. Each of zones 22 identifies the six regions in the respective columns, the left hand zone 22 identifying the six regions in the left hand column, the central zone 22 identifying the six regions in the central column and the right hand zone 22 identifying the six regions in the right hand column. Four zones 24 are also displayed on the game area. The first zone 24 identifies the regions which are coloured with the first colour and the second zone 24 identifies the regions which are coloured with a second colour. The third zone 24 identifies the regions of regions 1 to 18 which have an odd number and the fourth zone 24 identifies the regions of regions 1 to 18 which have an even number. In the illustrated embodiment the odds for each of the 19 game elements to win are 17/1. The odds for each of the 19 game elements to place are 7/2. The odds for a dual forecast bet are 325/1 and the odds for a tricast bet are 5500/1. Betting interface 14 also comprises a bet selection box 36. Bet selection box 36 has a button for each type of bet which is available to the player. A win button 38 can be used to place a win marker 26 on the game area 16. Similarly, a place button 40 can be used to place a place marker 28 on the game area 16. Each way button 42 can be used to place an each way marker 30 on the game area 16. Dual forecast button 44 can be used to place a dual forecast marker 32 on game area 16 and similarly trio or tricast button 46 can be used to place a trio marker 34 on the game area 16. Next to the win button 38, the odds for a win bet are shown in position 39. The odds for a place bet are shown next to place button 40 in position 41. In the illustrated embodiment only a single dual forecast bet and/or a single tricast bet can be made per play of the game. Positions 45 and 47 next to dual forecast and trio buttons 44 and 46 respectively show the amounts that the dual forecast bet placed on the game area 16 and the trio bet placed on the game area 16 pay. Betting interface 14 also comprises a unit stake box 48 which shows a current unit stake. Plus and minus buttons are displayed in the unit stake box 48 for a player to change the unit stake. The current unit stake is displayed at position 49 in the unit stake box 48. The betting interface 14 also comprises a total stake box 50 which shows at position 51 the total of the unit stakes for the one or more bets that have been made on the game area 16. Also provided on betting interface 14 are an options button 52 and a clear last bet button 54. The options button 52 is for enabling a player to select particular options for the game, for example switching sound on and off. The clear last bet button is for removing the last marker placed on the game area 16. A credit display box 56 which displays the credit at position 57 is also included on the betting interface 14. This displays the player's credit i.e. the amount that he has to bet with. The betting interface 14 also comprises initiate event buttons 58 and 60. Button 58 can be selected by a player to initiate the event and display the event outcome or an event summary without viewing the event. In one embodiment button 58 is labelled as the "photo-finish" button. Button 60 can be used by a user to initiate the event and display an animation of the event before displaying the event outcome and/or the event summary. In one embodiment the button 60 is marked as the "watch event" button.

USING THE BETTING INTERFACE Figure 3 illustrates an overview of the steps which a player can take to place one or more bets on the game area 16. At step S2 the player selects a unit stake in the unit stake box 48. The player can do this by either accepting the default unit stake value which is displayed in the unit stake box 48 or by using the plus and minus buttons to increase or decrease the unit stake value respectively. At step S4 the player selects a bet type from bet selection box 36. This is done by using the input device to select one of bet type buttons 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46. At step S6 the player then uses the input device to select a position on the game area 16. A marker representing the bet type is displayed on the selected position for a standard bet (e.g. a win bet, place bet or each way bet). The selected position may be on a single region, on a single zone, on the border between two regions, on the intersection or border between four regions, on the edge of a subset of regions (e.g. on the edge of a row of three regions or on the edge of two rows of three regions). The bet represented by the marker has the selected unit stake value and is of the selected bet type. For a permutation bet (e.g. a dual forecast bet or a tricast bet), when a position on a single region is selected, a marker representing the bet type is displayed on the single region. However, when a position on a zone or on a border or edge is selected (i.e. a position identifying a number of regions), a marker representing the bet is placed on each of the number of regions. At step S8 the player can initiate the event by selecting one of the initiate event buttons 58 or 60. The player then views the event outcome and/or the event summary, having viewed an animation of the event if the view event button 60 was selected. At step S8 if the player decides not to initiate the event then he has the choice of returning to step S2 to begin placing another bet by selecting a new unit stake. Optionally, the player can return to step S4 and select a new bet type, but using the same unit stake value which was used for the previous bet. Optionally, the player can return to step S6 and select a further position to place a marker representing a bet with the same unit stake and the same bet type. For a win bet, a place bet or an each way bet this new marker will represent a separate bet. For a dual forecast or a tricast bet this new marker (or markers) will represent an additional game element for inclusion in the single dual forecast bet or single tricast bet respectively. Figure 4 illustrates the betting interface 14 after a player has placed five win markers or betting tokens 26, two place markers or betting tokens 28 and one each way marker or betting token 30. The steps that a player would take to place these markers will now be described. A current unit stake value is displayed in unit stake box 48. The player can decide to use this unit stake value or alternatively can decide to change the unit stake value by using the input device to select the plus or minus buttons in the unit stake box 48. The plus button increases the unit stake by a predetermined amount and the minus button decreases the unit stake by a predetermined amount. In one embodiment the increments by which the unit stake value can be increased and decreased is a fixed predetermined amount. In another embodiment the increments are set so that the predetermined amount is a smaller incremental value for smaller unit stakes, but a larger incremental value for larger unit stakes. The incremental values may be set so that the unit stake is always a round value. Having selected a unit stake value, the player can then select a bet type in bet selection box 36. The player can do this by using input device 20 to select one of the five bet type buttons - win button 38, place button 40, each way button 42, dual forecast button 44 or tricast button 46 having selected the bet type, the player can then place one or more markers representing the bet on the game area 16. Thus, the player can optionally select a unit stake and then select the win button 38 in bet selection box 36. The player can then select a position over a region to place a win marker 26 on the region. For example, the player can place a win marker 26 on region number 19. This win marker 26 will have the unit stake displayed in the unit stake box associated with it and the unit stake value may be displayed on the win marker 26. The win marker 26 represents a bet of the unit stake value for game element number 19 to win the event. In the illustrated embodiment the odds offered for a win bet are 17/1. The player then has the option of changing the current unit stake value in unit stake box 48 and also has the option of changing the bet type by using one of the buttons in bet selection box 36. Optionally, the player can decide to place a further win token 26 of the same unit stake value on the game area 16. The player can place a further single win marker 26 to select two or more neighbouring regions on the game area by selecting a position between the regions e.g. a position on the edge or border between regions. For example, the player can place a win marker 26 on the edge between region numbers 5 and 6 as illustrated in Figure 4. This win marker 26 represents a bet of the unit stake value which is split evenly for game element number 5 or game element number 6 to win the event. The player can place a further single win marker 26 to select four regions 18 on the game area 16 by selecting a position at an intersecting point or border between these four regions. For example, the player can place a win marker 26 on the intersecting point between region numbers 9, 10, 15 and 16 as illustrated in Figure 4. This win marker 26 represents a bet of the unit stake value which is split evenly for game element number 9, game element number 10, game element number 15 or game element number 16 to win the event. The player can place a further single win marker 26 on a zone 22, 24 on the game area to select the game elements identified by the zone. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4, the player can place a win marker 26 on the zone 24 which identifies the subset of game element numbers 1 to 18 that have an odd game number. This win marker 26 represents a bet of the unit stake value for any one of game elements 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 or 17 to win the event. The unit stake is split evenly across each of these nine game elements (i.e. a ninth of the unit stake is placed on each to win). Similarly, the player can place a further single win marker 26 to select one of zones 22 identifying one of the three columns in the grid-like pattern of game area 16. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4 the player can place a further single win marker 26 on the zone 22 which identifies the central column of regions on the game area 16. This win marker 26 represents a bet of the unit stake value for any one of game elements 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 to win the event. Again, the unit stake is split evenly across each of the game elements (i.e. a sixth of the unit stake is placed on each to win). When placing these win bets the player has the option of changing the unit stake value in the unit stake box 48. The player also has the option of changing the bet type by using one of the buttons in bet selection box 36. For example, the player can decide to make a place bet or an each way bet by selecting place button 40 or each way button 42 respectively. The markers 28, 30 representing a place bet and an each way bet respectively can be placed on a single region, on a border between two or more regions or on a zone in the same way that the win markers 26 can be placed. Having optionally selected a unit stake value in unit stake box 48 and selected place button 40 in bet selection box 36, the player can then select a position over a region 18 to place a place marker 28 on the region. For example, the player can place a place marker 28 on region number 1. This place marker 28 represents a bet of the unit stake value for game element number 1 to place in the event outcome. In the illustrated embodiment odds of 7/2 for a place bet are offered. The player can place a further single place marker 28 to select two or more neighbouring regions on the game area by selecting a position between the two regions, e.g. a position on the edge or border between regions. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4 the player can place a place marker 28 on the adjoining edge between region numbers 11 and 17. This place marker 28 represents a bet of the unit stake value which is split evenly for game element 11 or game element 17 to place in the event outcome. The player can proceed by optionally changing the unit stake value in unit stake box 48 and changing the bet type by using one of the buttons in bet selection box 36. For example, the player can decide to place an each way bet by selecting each way button 42. Having optionally selected a unit stake value and having selected the place button 42, the player can then select a position over a region 18 to place an each way marker 30 on the region. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4 a player can place an each way marker 30 on region number 14. This each way marker 30 represents an each way bet on game element number 14. The player can place a further single each way marker 30 to select two or more neighbouring regions on the game area 16 by selecting a position between the regions, e.g. a position on the edge or border between regions. Win markers 26, place markers 28 and each way markers 30 can also be placed at the edge of a row of three regions 18 to place a bet on the three corresponding game elements. For example a marker can be placed in position 31 (illustrated in dashed outline in Figure 4) at the edge of the row of region numbers 4, 10 and 16 to place a bet on game element numbers 4, 10 and 16 respectively. Similarly, the markers can be placed at the edge of two rows of three regions 18 to place a bet on the six corresponding game elements. For example, a marker can be placed in position 33 (illustrated in dashed outline in Figure 4) at the edge of the two rows of region numbers 3, 9 and 15 and 2, 8 and 14, over the border of the two rows as illustrated, to place a bet on the six corresponding game element. The total unit stake value, i.e. the sum of the unit stakes for each of the bets made on the game area 16, is displayed in total stake box 50. Having placed one or more bets using the game area 16, the player can decide to change his bets by using clear last bet button 54. This button cancels the last marker placed on game area 16. The player may also decide to change the settings for the game such as turning the sound on or off by selecting options button 52. When the player has placed all of the bets which he wishes to make, he can select one of the initiate event buttons 58, 60 to initiate the event. When the user selects one of these buttons 58, 60 this is the point at which the bets are formally placed. This means that the player cannot change any of his bets after he has selected one of the initiate event buttons 58, 60. Figure 5 illustrates the betting interface 14 after a player has placed one dual forecast bet and one tricast bet. Having optionally changed the current unit stake value in unit stake box 48 and having selected dual forecast button 44 in bet selection box 36, the player can select a position over a region to place a dual forecast marker on the region. For example, the player can place a dual forecast marker 32 on region number 16 as illustrated in Figure 5. The illustrated dual forecast marker 32 is a triangular flag in the bottom right corner of the region. The dual forecast bet can be made on two or more game elements. Accordingly, the player can select further regions 18 to place further dual forecast markers 32 for the single dual forecast bet. For example, the player can place a dual forecast marker 32 on region numbers 7, 12, 14 and 18 as illustrated in Figure 4. Optionally the player can place dual forecast markers 32 on two or more neighbouring regions on the game area by selecting any of the positions at which a standard bet marker can be placed (e.g. at a border, edge or on a zone). When such a position is selected, a dual forecast marker 32 is displayed on each of the selected regions rather than at the position itself. For example, the player can place dual forecast markers 32 on region numbers 12 and 18 by selecting the adjoining edge between these two regions. The dual forecast bet is a bet for any two of the selected game elements to feature in the first two ordinal positions in the event outcome in any order. For the single dual forecast bet made on game area 16, the amount that this bet pays is displayed next to dual forecast button 44 in position 45. In the illustrated embodiment the odds offered for a dual forecast bet are 325/1. The player can place a tricast bet by optionally setting the unit stake value and selecting the tricast button 46 in bet selection box 36. Having made this selection, the player can select a position on the game area 16 to place one or more tricast markers 34 on the selected region(s). For example, the player can place tricast markers 34 on region numbers 2, 5, 8 and 14 as illustrated in Figure 4. The illustrated tricast marker 34 is a triangular flag in the bottom left of each of the regions. The tricast bet is a bet on any three of the selected game elements to finish in the first three ordinals positions in the game outcome in any order. The amount that the tricast bet pays is displayed next to tricast button 46 in position 47. In the illustrated embodiment the odds offered for a tricast bet are 5500/1. Although the win, place and each way bets have been described with reference to Figure 4 and the dual forecast and tricast bets have been described with reference to Figure 5, these bets can be made on the same game area 16. Such a game area 16 shows the win markers 26, the place markers 28, the each way makers 30, the dual forecast markers 32 and the tricast markers 34 together. Advantageously, by using different markers in a different part of the regions for the bets, combinations of bets can be placed and displayed on the single game area 16. In one particular embodiment the standard bet markers (e.g. win markers 26, place markers 28 and each way markers 30) are circular markers and the permutation bet markers (e.g. dual forecast markers 32 and tricast markers 34) are square markers. The square markers are displayed underneath the circular markers when placed on the same region so that both markers can be seen. Also, if two or more markers of the same shape are placed on the same region the markers are staggered so that at least part of all markers can be seen. In one embodiment, different colours are used for each of the circular markers and each of the square markers to distinguish the markers from one another. When the player has placed all of the bets that he wishes to place, he can initiate the event by selecting one of the initiate event buttons 58, 60.

OTHER DISPLAYS Figure 6 illustrates display 12 of game apparatus 10 after the player has selected the view event button 60. The display 12 displays an event window 62 on which the event is shown, for example as an event animation in event animation window 64. The illustrated event animation shows 19 game elements participating in a race event which is run from left to right on the display. The snap shot of the illustrated animation shows game element number 11 in first position. The event window 62 comprises a skip animation button 66 which the player can select to skip the rest of the animation to be presented with the event outcome and/or an event summary. Adjacent the event animation window 64, bet summary 68 is displayed. Bet summary 68 in the illustrated display comprises a representation of the game area 16 on which one or more markers (not shown) are displayed showing the one or more markers which the player positioned on the game area 16 when using the betting interface 14. Figure 7 illustrates display 12 of game apparatus 10 showing an event summary 70 which lists the event outcome and a summary of the bets placed, the total stake and the winnings that the player has made from his bets.

THE PROCESSING RESOURCE Figure 8 illustrates game apparatus 10 comprising display 12 displaying betting interface 14 with game area 16. Game apparatus 10 also comprises input device 20. Input device 20 and display 12 are connected to processing resource 72. Processing resource 72 is configured to provide the betting interface 14 on display 12 and the associated functionality. This typically includes processing one or more selections made by the player on the betting interface 14 using input device 20. The processing resource 72 is also configured to provide an event outcome and/or an event summary for the game and to display the event outcome and/or the event summary on display 12 to inform the player of the results of the game and of his winnings. Processing resource 72 can have any suitable architecture. For instance processing resource 72 can comprise a central bus structure connected to a memory and a processor and also connected to a display adapter which in turn is connected to display 12. An input device adapter may also be coupled to the bus structure and to the input device 20. A communications adapter may also be connected to the bus structure to enable processing resource 72 to communicate with a data processing apparatus either directly or across a network such as the internet. These components are provided by the player's general purpose computer system in the online embodiment. In operation the processor will execute instructions that may be stored in the memory. The results of the processing performed may be displayed to a user or player on the display 12 via the display adapter. Player inputs or selections for controlling the operation of the game apparatus may be received via the input device adapter from the input device 20. Processing resource 72 may be suitably configured with hardware, software or firmware, or a combination thereof, to provide the betting interface 14 and to process the player selections made using input device 20. In particular embodiments processing resource 72 is configured with software components to provide the betting interface 14 and to process the player selections.

THE SERVER APPARATUS Figure 9 illustrates game apparatus 10 connected to a separate apparatus in the form of server apparatus 76. Game apparatus 10 may be connected directly or through a network 74 as illustrated in the figure. Server apparatus 76 comprises its own processing resource 78 which may have a similar architecture to the processing resource 72 of the game apparatus 10. The processing resource 78 is connected to or provided with a random number generator 80 and player account information 82. The illustrated representation of server apparatus 76 is a simplified one and the illustrated components may be distributed over one or more separate computer systems. In the online embodiment, software components to provide the betting interface and the associated functionality are downloaded from server apparatus 76 across the network 74. In the betting shop embodiment, software components are pre-installed in the processing resource 72 of the game apparatus 10.

THE PROCESSING RESOURCE CONFIGURATION In particular embodiments the processing resource 72 is configured with processing engines to provide the betting interface 14 and to provide the betting interface functionality, for example to process player selections. Figure 10 illustrates three processing engines configured on processing resource 72 of game apparatus 10. These processing engines are betting engine 84, event engine 86 and results engine 88. The betting engine provides the betting interface 84 and processes the player selections made using the interface. The event engine 86 provides the event window 62 and the results engine 88 provides the event outcome and/or the event summary. In particular embodiments the results engine 88 does this by making a request to the server apparatus 76. In the illustrated configuration the betting engine 84 communicates with event engine 86 which in turn communicates with results engine 88.

THE BETTING ENGINE Figure 11 illustrates the seven modules of betting engine 84. A language module 90 communicates with six other modules to enable player selections to be made on the particular game apparatus 10. The language module is typically specific to the particular type of game apparatus 10. For example for the online embodiment the language module is a Flash-based language module. Other versions of the language module for betting shop embodiments include a Leisure Link IT-box version, a cyberview version and an alphameric version. The six modules which communicate with the language module are a unit stake module 92, a place bet module 94, a place marker module 96, a total stake module 98, an instant outcome module 100 and a watch event module 102. These modules provide the functionality for the respective components of betting interface 14, for example by processing player selections or displaying values. Thus, unit stake module 92 provides the functionality for the unit stake box 48, the place bet module 94 provides the functionality for the bet selection box 36 and the place token module provides functionality which enables a player to place a token on game area 16. Similarly, the total stake module 98 provides the functionality for the total stake box 50, the instant outcome module 100 provides the functionality initiated by selecting the view outcome button 58 and the watch event module provides the functionality initiated by selecting the view event button 60.

THE EVENT ENGINE Figure 12 shows the three modules of event engine 86. These are the event window module 104 which provides event window 62, the bet summary module 106 which provides the bet summary 68 and the skip animation module 108 which provides the functionality initiated by selecting the skip animation button 66.

THE RESULTS ENGINE Figure 13 shows the three modules of the results engine 88. These are the bet validation module 110 which validates bets placed on the game area 16, the initiate event module 112 which initiates the generation of a random number and the process results module 114 which processes results from the initiate event module 112. The initiate event module 112 and the process results modules 114 may be different for different embodiments of the game apparatus 10. In the betting shop embodiment the initiate event module 112 requests and receives a random number from the server apparatus 76 and the process results module 114 generates four different numbers between 1 and 19 from the received random number. In the online embodiment, the initiate event module 112 requests and receives an event outcome and/or an event summary from server apparatus 76 and the process results module 114 simply uses this information.

OPERATIONAL STEPS Figures 14 to 26 show the operational steps performed by processing resource 72 of game apparatus 10. Figures 27 and 28 show operational steps of the processing resource 78 of server apparatus 76. Figures 14 and 15 show an overview of the operational steps of the processing resource 72. Figure 14 shows the steps which processing resource 72 performs in response to the player actions or selections. At step S12 the processing resource receives the player selection of the unit stake value and accordingly sets the selected unit stake value. At step S 14 the processing resource 72 receives the player selection of a bet type and accordingly sets the selected bet type. At step S16 the processing resource 72 receives the player selection of the position on game area 16 to place one or more the markers representing the bet and accordingly places or displays the marker or markers on the game area 16. The marker or markers represent a bet of the selected bet type and of the selected unit stake value. At step S 18 the processing resource 72 receives a further player selection. If the player selection is to initiate the event then at step S20 the processing resource 72 displays the event outcome and/or an event summary, having displayed an animation of the event if the view event button 60 was selected by the player. The event summary typically includes the event outcome. The player selection may be another position on the game area 16 and the processing resource 72 at step S16 accordingly places a further marker or markers on the game area 16 which represent a bet of the same unit stake and same bet type. The player selection may be a different bet type, the selection being made by selecting one of buttons 38, 40, 42, 44 or 46 in bet selection box 36. Accordingly at step S 14 the processing resource 72 sets the newly selected bet type. The player selection may be a new unit stake value, and accordingly at step S 12 the processing resource sets the newly selected unit stake value. Depending on the actual player selections of the various possible selections, the processing resource 72 will process step S 16 followed by step S 18, or step S 14 followed by step S 16 followed by step S 18, or step S12 followed by step S 14 followed by step S 16 and S 18, until at step S 18 the player selects one of initiate event buttons 58 or 60. The processing resource 72 then performs step S20. Figure 15 illustrates the initial steps performed by processing resource 72 to display the betting interface 14 for the online embodiment. At step S22 the processing resource displays a lobby page which is a page which offers a user (player) a number of options including the option to play the game. If the user (player) elects to play the game at step S24 the processing resource 72 displays a start screen. The player then makes a request to play the game. At step S26 the processing resource receives the request and at step S28 sends a request to server apparatus 76 to check the credit status of the player. At step S30 the processing resource 72 receives the credit status from the server apparatus 76 and at step S32 checks whether or not the credit status for the player is acceptable. If the credit status is not acceptable the processing resource returns to step S22 and re-displays the lobby page. If the credit status is acceptable (e.g. credit available) the processing resource 72 at step S34 downloads the game data assets from server apparatus 76 across the network 74. The game data assets include the betting engine 84, the event engine 86 and the results engine 88 as well as data for graphics, sounds and animations. The processing resource then proceeds to display the betting interface 14 at step S36. The betting shop embodiment is configured to accept credit payments locally, for example by the insertion of coins, notes or a payment card. The credit check of steps S30 and S32 is therefore made locally for this embodiment and if there is not enough credit the apparatus displays a suitable message, for example "insert coin to bet". Also, in the betting shop embodiment the processing resource 72 is already configured with the game data assets and step once there is sufficient credit the processing resource may display the betting interface 14. Once the betting interface 14 is displayed, the player may play the game by making selections on the betting interface 14 by using input device 20.

BETTING ENGINE OPERATIONAL STEPS Figures 16 to 23 show the steps which modules 92 to 102 of betting engine 84 perform to provide the functionality of the betting interface 14. Figure 16 shows the steps which unit stake module 92 performs. At step S38 the unit stake module displays a default unit stake value at position 49 in the unit stake box 48. Typically the default value is displayed as soon as betting interface 14 is displayed on the display 12. At step S40 the module receives an up or down request which has been initiated by the player selecting either the plus or minus icon in the unit stake box 48. At step S42 the module accordingly displays the new unit stake value. If the player has selected the plus icon then a higher unit stake value is displayed. Similarly, if the player has selected the minus icon then a lower unit stake value is displayed. The unit stake module can be configured to increase or decrease the unit stake value by a fixed predetermined amount in response to a single selection of one of the icons. Alternatively, the unit stake module can be configured to increase or decrease the unit stake value in accordance with a particular function or particular values stored in a unit stake table. Figure 17 shows the steps performed by the place bet module 94. The player selects one of win button 38, place button 40, each way button 42, dual forecast button 44 or tricast button 46 in bet selection box 36. At step S44 the module receives the player selection of one of these bet types and at step S46 the module highlights the button selected by the player and accordingly sets the bet type. Figure 18 shows the steps performed by place marker module in the online embodiment. The player selects a position on the game area 16 by using the input device 20 to move a cursor across the betting interface 14. Typically the cursor moves across the game area 16 before the player makes his selection (by for example clicking on a computer mouse button).At step S48 as the cursor is moved across game area 16, the module highlights the possible regions 18 or zones 22, 24 which will be selected if the player clicks on the computer mouse button with the cursor in the current position. The player clicks on the computer mouse button to select a particular position and the module receives the user selection at step S50. At step S52 the module accordingly graphically displays one or more markers 26, 28, 30, 32 or 34 on the game area 16. The selected position may be on a single region 18, on the border between two or more regions 18, on the edge of a region or on a zone 22, 24 as already described in the section on using the betting interface. Accordingly for a standard bet (a win bet, place bet or each way bet) the marker 26, 28, 30 is displayed in the selected position. For a permutation bet (a dual forecast or tricast bet) the marker or markers are placed on the region or regions 18 identified by the selected position. Figure 19 shows the steps performed by place marker module 96 for the betting shop embodiment. Since the betting shop embodiment uses a touch sensitive screen as the input device 20, a step corresponding to step 48 of Figure 18 is not performed. Instead, the player selects a position on the game area 16 by touching the touch sensitive screen. At step S54 the module receives the user selection and accordingly at step S56 the module graphically displays one or more markers 26, 28, 30, 32 or 34 on the game area. Figure 20 shows the steps performed by total stake module 98. When a new bet is placed on the game area 16, at step S58 the module adds the unit stake for the new bet to the total stake value. At step S 16 the module displays the new total stake value in the total stake box 50 at position 51. For a standard bet (a win bet, a place bet or an each way bet), the betting engine 84 stores the details of the bet which include the bet type, the unit stake value for the bet and the game element or game elements on which the bet is placed. For a permutation bet (a dual forecast or tricast bet), the betting engine 84 also stores details of the bet including the bet type, the unit stake and the game elements on which the bet has been placed. In addition, for a dual forecast bet or a tricast bet the place bet module 94 calculates and displays the amount that the placed bet will pay. In the illustrated embodiment only one dual forecast bet and one tricast bet can be placed per play of the game. Accordingly the pay amounts are displayed at positions 45 and 47 adjacent dual forecast button 44 and tricast button 46 in the bet selection box 36. Figure 21 shows the steps which the place bet module 94 module performs to process a dual forecast bet. Before selecting the bet type the player has the option of selecting a new unit stake value in unit stake box 48 or of proceeding with the currently displayed unit stake value. At step S62 the module receives the player selection of a dual forecast bet type and accordingly sets the bet type. At step S64 the module receives the player selection of a position on the game area 16. This may be a position which selects a single region or a position which selects more than one region on the game area 16. Accordingly, at step S66 the module graphically displays a dual forecast marker 32 on the selected region or on each of the selected regions 18 on the game area 16. Since a dual forecast bet concerns the ordinal positions of two or more game elements then two or more regions must be selected on the game area 16 for the bet to be a valid one. At step S68 a check is made to see whether two or more regions have been selected. If only one region has been selected then the player must select a further region at step S64. If at step S68 two or more regions have been selected then the currently selected regions represent a valid dual forecast bet and the amounts that the bet pays can be calculated at S70. At S70 the module calculates this pays amount by using the equation (1) below: where paysdfis the amount that the displayed dual forecast bet will pay; Udf is the unit stake value selected for the dual forecast bet;

Pdf is the number of possible permutations of two game elements within the two or more game elements selected for the bet; and oddsdf are the odds offered for a bet on one particular game element to feature in first position and another particular game element to feature in second position. In an alternative embodiment, equation (1) may include an additional component which returns part of the unit stake (e.g. Udf divided by Pdf). In the illustrated embodiment with 19 game elements oddsdfare 325/1, although in other embodiments any suitable odds may be offered. The number of permutations Pdf for the dual forecast bet is calculated in accordance with the equation (2) below: For example, for n = 2, Pdf= 2; for n = 3, Pdf= 6; and for n = 4, Pdf= 12 Returning to Figure 21, at step S72 the module displays the pays amount in position 45 next to dual forecast button 44 in bet selection box 36 of betting interface 14. If the player selects a further region or regions 18 on game area 16 the module at step S66 graphically displays a further dual forecast marker 32 on the selected region or regions. Since at least two game elements must now have been selected the test at step 68 will be satisfied and at step 70 the module calculates the new pays amount which is displayed at step S72. Steps S66, S68, S70 and S72 are repeated in accordance with further player selections until the player makes a different selection such as a new bet type selection, a new unit stake selection or a request to initiate the event. The processing steps performed by the place bet module 94 for a tricast bet are similar to those set out in Figure 21 for the dual forecast bet. However, since the user must select three or more game elements to place a valid tricast bet then the test at step S68 is whether three or more regions have been selected. Equations (3) and (4) used in place of equations (1) and (2), to calculate the pays amount for a tricast bet are shown below:

where paystc is the amount that the displayed tricast bet will pay; Utc is the unit stake value selected for the tricast bet; Ptc is the number of possible permutations of three game elements within the three or more game elements selected for the bet; Oddstc are the odds offered for a bet on one particular game element to feature in first position, another particular game element to feature in second position and another particular game element to feature in third position. In an alternative embodiment, equation (3) may include an additional component which returns part of the unit stake (e.g. Utc divided by Ptc). In the illustrated embodiment with 19 game elements oddstc are 5500/1, although in other embodiments any suitable odds may be offered. At step S72 of Figure 21 for the tricast bet the pays amount is displayed in position 47 next to tricast button 46 in bet selection box 36 of betting interface 14. Returning to the other modules of the betting engine 84, Figure 22 shows the steps performed by instant outcome module 100. At step S68 the module receives the player selection of viewing the event outcome. The player can make this selection by selecting view outcome button 58 on betting interface 14. At step S80 the module initiates the results engine 88 and the event engine 86. Figure 23 shows the steps performed by watch event module 102 of betting engine 84. At step S82 the module receives the player selection to watch the event. The player can make this selection by selecting the view event button 60 on betting interface 14. At step S84 the module initiates the results engine 88 and the event engine 86. Referring to both Figures 22 and 23, steps S80 and S84 differ in that the engine 86 is initiated with a different call which initiates the engine 86 at a different processing step.

RESULTS ENGINE OPERATIONAL STEPS

Figure 24 shows the operational steps of the results engine 88 for the online embodiment. At step S86 the initiate event module 112 sends a message to server apparatus 76. The message details the bets placed on the game area 16 of betting interface 14. At step S88 the engine receives an event outcome and/or an event summary from the server apparatus 76. Accordingly, at step S90 the process results module 114 sends the event outcome and/or the event summary to the event engine 86. In the online embodiment a bet validation is performed by server apparatus 76. The player's account information is used to check that the credit is greater or equal to that required for the total stake of the bets placed on the game area 16. If there is insufficient credit the server apparatus 76 sends an insufficient credit message to the game apparatus 10 which is displayed on display 12. In such a case that particular play of the game is a void play. Figure 25 shows the steps performed by the results engine 88 for the betting shop embodiment. In the betting shop embodiment the bet validation module checks that the bets placed are valid (i.e. that the player has sufficient credit) by checking that the credit displayed in credit box 56 is greater than or equal to the total stake value displayed in total stake box 50. If there is insufficient credit a suitable message is displayed on display 12. Otherwise, at step S92 the initiate event module 112 sends a request to server apparatus 76 for a random number. At step S94 the process results module 114 receives the random number. At S98 the module processes the random number to determine the event outcome. To do this the module uses an outcome determination function. The outcome determination function provides the same event outcome if it is provided with the same number. Suitably, the outcome determination function provides a valid event outcome comprising a set of element numbers in a sequence, the first game element number in the sequence being the game element in first position, the second game element number in the sequence being the game element in second position and so on. Typically the sequence comprises between two and four game element numbers. In the illustrated embodiment the outcome determination function may create an invalid sequence e.g. a sequence which includes a duplicated game element number. At step S100 a check is made that the event outcome has been successfully determined (i.e. that the outcome determination function has provided a valid sequence) and, if the event outcome has not been successfully determined (i.e. the sequence is not a valid one), the engine 88 sends a further request to the server apparatus 76 for another random number. Step S92 to S100 can be repeated until a valid event outcome is determined. At step 102 if the event outcome has been successfully determined the process results module 114 compiles the event summary comprising the event outcome. The compilation of the event summary includes comparing the event outcome with the bets placed and calculating the player's winnings in accordance with the odds for the bets and the unit stakes placed. At step 104 the event summary is sent to event engine 86. In the illustrated embodiment, 19 game elements are involved in the game and the game outcome comprises the first four ordinal positions in the event. In this embodiment the outcome determination function is a function which provides a sequence of four numbers between 1 and 19 from the random number. If for example two of the four numbers are duplicated, or if the four numbers cannot be determined from the particular random number for any reason, then at step S 100 the results engine makes a further request to the server for a further random number. Advantageously, this ensures that a valid event outcome is determined. An example of an outcome determination function for providing a sequence of four numbers between 1 and 19 from a random number is as follows.

OUTCOME DETERMINATION FUNCTION EXAMPLE To provide the event outcome comprising four game element numbers between 1 and 19 for an event involving 19 game elements, four different numbers between 1 and 19 inclusive are generated. For first position, one game element is selected from the 19 game elements; for second position another game element is selected from the other 18 game elements; for third position a further game element is selected from the other 17 game elements; and for fourth position another game element is selected from the other 16 elements. There are therefore 93,024 possible event outcomes of 4 game elements from 19 (since 19x18x17x16 = 93,024). A random number generator is used to generate a 12 digit number between 000,000,000,000 and 999,999,999,999. The number of possible event outcomes, 93,024, divides into 999,999,999,999 by 10,749,914 times with a remainder of 63. Any returned number above 999,999,999,936 (i.e. 999,999,999,999 minus 63) is considered as invalid and at step S 100 if such a number is returned then a further request for a random number is made. An illustrative example of a valid random number is 000,001,234,567 and the description of the example outcome determination function will be illustrated with reference to this example. To generate the event outcome, the generated random number modulus 93024 is taken to obtain a number between 0 and 93023 (in the example 25255). This number modulus 19 is a number between 0 and 18 (in the example 25255 modulus 19 is 4 ) which is simply converted by adding 1 to a corresponding number from 1 to 19 (in the example 5). This is the number of the game element which features in first position in the event outcome. In the example the game element number that features in first position in the event outcome is game element number 5. The number between 0 and 93023 (in the example 25255) is then divided as an integer by 19 (in the example 25255/19 = 1329). This number modulus 18 is a number between 0 and 17 (in the example 1329 modulus 18 is 15). This number is converted by adding 1 to a corresponding number between 1 and 18 (in the example 16). The corresponding game element of the remaining game elements is the element which features in second position in the event outcome. In the example the 16th game element of the remaining game elements (1-4 and 6-19, since 5 has already featured in first position) is game element number 17. The number used for determining second position (in the example 1329) is then divided as an integer by 18 (in the example 1329/18 = 73). This number modulus 17 is a number between 0 and 16 (in the example 73 modulus 17 is 5). This number is converted by adding 1 to a corresponding number between 1 and 17 (in the example 6). The corresponding game element of the remaining game elements is the element which features in third position in the event outcome. In the example the 6th game element of the remaining game elements (1-4, 6-16, 18 and 19, since 5 and 17 have already featured) is game element number 7. The number used for determining third position (in the example 73) is then divided as an integer by 17 (in the example 73/17 = 4). This number modulus 16 is a number between 0 and 15 (in the example 4 modulus 17 is 4). This number is converted by adding 1 to a corresponding number between 1 and 16 (in the example 5). The corresponding game element of the remaining game elements is the element which features in fourth position in the event outcome. In the example the 5th game element of the remaining game elements (1-4, 6, 8-16, 18 and 19, since 5, 7 and 17 have already featured) is game element number 6. Thus, in the illustrative example a sequence of four numbers (5, 17, 7 and 6) has been generated and the event outcome comprises game element number 5 in first position, game element number 17 in second position, game element number 7 in third position and game element number 6 in fourth position.

EVENT ENGINE OPERATIONAL STEPS Figure 26 shows the steps performed by event engine 86. The event engine 86 is called at step S 106 if the player selects the watch event button or alternatively is called at step S114 if the player selects the view outcome button 58. These steps are marked with an A and a B respectively in Figure 26. At step S106 the event window 104 displays the event window 62 and the bet summary module 106 displays the bet summary window 68. At step S108 the event window module 104 displays the start of the event animation. At this stage the event outcome and/or event summary has not been received from the results engine and the start of the event animation is a predetermined animation start or one of several predetermined animation starts. Advantageously, this maintains a continuous display to the player without having to wait for the event outcome and/or event summary to begin the animation. In a particular embodiment, if a bet has been placed on game element number 19, labelled as the "front runner", then a predetermined animation start is used in which this game element is in first position in at least the first frame. At step S 110 the event engine 86 receives the event outcome and/or event summary from the process results module 114 of results engine 114. At step S 112 the event window module 104 displays the rest of the event animation which is controlled so that the ordinal positions of the finish of the event animation correspond to the ordinal positions of the event outcome. At step S 114 the event window module 104 displays the end of the event animation which may be in the form of a "photo-finish". At step S 116 the event single 86 displays the event summary 70. The skip animation button 66 is displayed with the event animation and the player may select the skip animation button at any stage during the animation, in response to which the event engine 86 proceeds to display the end of the event animation at step S 114. In a particular embodiment the event is a racing event and the representations of the game elements in event window 62 are representations of horses. The representations of horses may be marked with their respective game element numbers. If the player selects the view outcome 58 then steps S 106 to S 112 are not performed. Instead there is a short delay while the results engine 88 determines the event outcome and/or the event summary. The event engine 86 then receives the event outcome and/or the event summary (step not illustrated) before performing steps S 114 and S 116.

SERVER APPARATUS OPERATIONAL STEPS Figures 27 and 28 show the steps performed by server apparatus 76 for the online embodiment and betting shop embodiment respectively. As shown in Figure 27, for the online embodiment at step S 118 the server apparatus 76 receives the message detailing the bets placed. The processing resource 78 of server apparatus 76 first uses the player's account information 82 to check that the credit is greater or equal to that required for the total stake of the bets placed on the game area 16. If there is insufficient credit the server apparatus 76 sends an insufficient credit message to the game apparatus 10 which is displayed on display 12. In such a case the particular play of the game is a void play. Otherwise, at step S120 the processing resource 78 of server apparatus 76 uses random number generator 80 to generate a random number. At step S 122 the processing resource 78 determines the event outcome from the random number by using an outcome determination function such as an outcome determination function which in the illustrated embodiment determines a sequence of four numbers between 1 and 19. At step S 124 the processing resource 78 compiles the event summary by comparing the event outcome with the bets placed and calculating the player's winnings in accordance with the odds for the bets and the unit stakes placed. At step S 126 the processing resource 78 updates the account information 82 for the player. The processing resource 78 of server apparatus 76 then sends the event summary and optionally the event outcome to the game apparatus 10 at step S128. As shown in Figure 28 for the betting shop embodiment, the processing resource 78 of server apparatus 76 at step S 130 receives the request for a random number from the game apparatus 10. At step S 132 the processing resource 78 uses the random number generator 80 to generate the random number and at step 134 the processing resource 78 sends the random number to game apparatus 10. As part of the compilation of the event summary, the player's winnings are calculated. In the online embodiment the player's account information is credited with any winnings. In the betting shop embodiment the winnings are credited locally and paid out via a ticket issued by the game apparatus and redeemed at a counter in the shop. Alternatively, the betting shop embodiment may pay out the winnings directly. Although the invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto, and that many variations are possible falling within the scope of the invention. For example, the event may be a real life event such as a real life horse race or dog race and the odds may be non-fixed odds, subject to a totalizer. The event may be a sporting event such as an athletics event or any event involving the ranking of game elements. The game element identifiers may be any suitable identifiers, for example icons representing the game elements. In certain suitable implementations, regions provided on the game area may have a number of layouts such as a circular layout or an asymmetrical layout. The game elements may be identified by colour or shape rather than by numbers and the zones may group together any subset of game elements. Any number of game elements may be involved in the game. It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described above are implementable, at least in part, using a computer configured with a computer program. The computer program can be stored on a carrier medium in computer apparatus usable form. The carrier medium may be, for example, solid-state memory, optical or magneto-optical memory such as a readable and/or writable disk for example a compact disk and a digital versatile disk, or magnetic memory such as disc or tape, and the computer system can utilise the program to configure it for operation. The computer program may be supplied from a remote source embodied in a carrier medium such as an electronic signal, including radio frequency carrier wave or optical carrier wave. The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigates any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during the prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom.In particular, with reference to the appended claims, clauses, aspects and paragraphs, features from dependent claims, clauses, aspects and/or paragraphs may be combined with those of the independent claims, clauses, aspects and/or paragraphs and features from respective independent claims, clauses, aspects and/or paragraphs may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated.

CLAUSES Certain aspects and features of the present application are set out in the following numbered clauses. 1. A method of playing a game involving a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least one game element, wherein a game area is provided having a plurality of regions, each region identifying a respective game element, the method comprising: selecting a position on the game area to place at least one marker, the at least one marker representing a bet and identifying at least one region on the game area, the at least one region identified by the marker identifying the game element or elements on which the bet is placed. 2. A method according to clause 1, comprising selecting a position on one region to place one marker on the region, the region on which the marker is placed identifying one game element on which the bet is placed. 3. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising selecting a position on the border of two or more regions to place one marker on the border, the two or more regions identifying the two or more game elements on which the bet is placed. 4. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising selecting a position on the edge of a subset of the plurality of regions to place one marker in the position, the position identifying the subset of regions and the subset of regions identifying a respective subset of game elements on which the bet is placed. 5. A method according to any preceding clause, the game area comprising one or more zones, each zone identifying a subset of the regions, the subset of regions identifying a respective subset of game elements, the method comprising selecting a position on a zone to place one marker on the zone, the zone on which the marker is placed identifying the subset of game elements on which the bet is placed. 6. A method according to any preceding clause, wherein the marker represents a standard bet. 7. A method according to clause 6, wherein the standard bet is a win bet, a place bet or an each way bet. 9. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising selecting a position on the border of two or more regions to place a marker on each of the two or more regions, each region on which a marker is placed identifying a game element on which the bet is placed. 9. A method according to any preceding clause, comprising selecting a position on the edge of a subset of the plurality of regions to place a marker on each of the subset of regions, each region on which a marker is placed identifying a game element on which the bet is placed. 10. A method according to any preceding clause, the game area comprising one or more zones, each zone identifying a subset of the regions, each region identifying a respective game element, comprising selecting a position on a zone to place a marker on each of the subset of regions, each region on which the marker is placed identifying a game element on which the bet is placed. 11. A method according to any one of clauses 1, 2, 8, 9 or 10 , wherein the marker represents a permutation bet. 12. A method according to clause 11, wherein the permutation bet is a dual forecast bet or a tricast bet. 13. A method according to any preceding clause, the method comprising associating a unit stake with the at least one marker representing the bet. 14. A method according to any preceding clause wherein the game area is presented on a betting interface of an apparatus for playing a game. 15. A method according to clause 14, the method further comprising optionally selecting a unit stake in a unit stake box on the betting interface, selecting a bet type using a selection button in a bet selection box on the betting interface and placing at least one marker on the game area, the at least one marker representing a bet of the selected bet type and having associated therewith the unit stake displayed in the unit stake box. 16. A method of playing a game involving a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least one game element, wherein a game area is provided having a plurality of regions, each region identifying a respective game element, the method comprising: placing at least one marker on the game area, the at least one marker representing a bet and identifying at least one region on the game area, the at least one region identified by the marker identifying the game element or elements on which the bet is placed. 17. A method of playing a game involving a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least one game element, wherein a game area is provided having a plurality of regions, each region identifying a respective game element, the method comprising: a step for selecting a position on the game area to place at least one marker, the at least one marker representing a bet and identifying at least one region on the game area, the at least one region identified by the marker identifying the game element or elements on which the bet is placed. 18. Apparatus for playing a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least one game element, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the apparatus comprising: means for displaying a betting interface comprising a game area having a plurality of regions, each region identifying a respective game element; and means for enabling a player to select a position on the game area to place at least one marker, the at least one marker representing a bet and identifying at least one region on the game area, the at least one region identified by the marker identifying the game element or elements on which the bet is placed.

ASPECTS Certain aspects and features of the present application are set out in the following numbered aspects. 1. A method of playing a game involving a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position and another game element in second position, the method comprising: selecting two or more game elements for a dual forecast bet, the dual forecast bet being for any two of the selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first position and second position in any order. 2. A method in a game involving a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position and another game element in second position, the method comprising: offering a player the option of placing a dual forecast bet, the dual forecast bet being for any two of two or more selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first position and second position in any order. 3. A method of playing a game involving a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position, another game element in second position and another game element in third position the method comprising: selecting three or more game elements for a tricast bet, the tricast bet being for any three of the selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first, second and third position in any order. 4. A method in a game involving a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position, another game element in second position and another game element in third position, the method comprising: offering a player the option of placing a tricast bet, the tricast bet being for any three of three or more selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first, second and third position in any order.

PARAGRAPHS Certain aspects and features of the present application are set out in the following numbered paragraphs. 1. Apparatus for playing a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least one game element, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the apparatus comprising: a display operable to display a betting interface comprising a game area having a plurality of regions, each region identifying a respective game element; and an input device useable by a player to select a position on the game area to place at least one marker, the at least one marker representing a bet and identifying at least one region on the game area, the at least one region identified by the marker identifying the game element or elements on which the bet is placed. 2. Apparatus according to paragraph 1, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a position on one region to place one marker on the region, the region on which the marker is placed identifying one game element on which the bet is placed. 3. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a position on the border of two or more regions to place one marker on the border, the two or more regions identifying the two or more game elements on which the bet is placed. 4. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a position on the edge of a subset of the plurality of regions to place one marker in the position, the position identifying the subset of regions and the subset of regions identifying a respective subset of game elements on which the bet is placed. 5. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, the game area comprising one or more zones, each zone identifying a subset of the regions, the subset of regions identifying a respective subset of game elements, wherein the input device is useable to select a position on a zone to place one marker on the zone, the zone on which the marker is placed identifying the subset of game elements on which the bet is placed. 6. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the marker represents a standard bet. 7. Apparatus according to paragraph 6, wherein the standard bet is a win bet, a place bet or an each way bet. 8. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a position on the border of two or more regions to place a marker on each of the two or more regions, each region on which a marker is placed identifying a game element on which the bet is placed. 9. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a position on the edge of a subset of the plurality of regions to place a marker on each of the subset of regions, each region on which a marker is placed identifying a game element on which the bet is placed. 10. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, the game area comprising one or more zones, each zone identifying a subset of the regions, each region identifying a respective game element, wherein the input device is useable to select a position on a zone to place a marker on each of the subset of regions, each region on which the marker is placed identifying a game element on which the bet is placed. 11. Apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 1, 2, 8, 9 or 10 , wherein the marker represents a permutation bet. 12. Apparatus according to paragraph 11, wherein the permutation bet is a dual forecast bet or a tricast bet. 13. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, the game area further comprising one or more zones, each zone identifying a subset of the plurality of regions, wherein one region on the game area does not belong to a subset identified by any one of the zones. 14. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by the player to select one of a plurality of bet types for placing at least one marker representing a bet of the selected bet type. 15. Apparatus according to paragraph 14, wherein the betting interface further comprises a bet selection box comprising a plurality of bet selection buttons, each bet selection button representing a bet type, wherein the input device is useable by the player to select one of the bet selection buttons to select a bet type for the at least one marker. 16. Apparatus according to paragraph 14 or 15, wherein a different marker is used to represent a different bet type. 17. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by the player to select one or more of the following bet types: a win bet; a place bet; an each way bet; a dual forecast bet; or a tricast bet. 18. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by the player to associate a unit stake with the at least one marker representing a bet. 19. Apparatus according to paragraph 18, wherein the betting interface is arranged to display the amount that a dual forecast bet placed on the game area will pay. 20. Apparatus according to paragraph 18 or 19, wherein the betting interface is arranged to display the amount that a tricast bet placed on the game area will pay. 21. Apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 18, 19 or 20 wherein the betting interface further comprises a unit stake box for showing a current unit stake and the input device is useable to change the unit stake. 22. Apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 18 to 21, wherein the betting interface further comprises a total stake box for showing the total of the unit stakes for one or more bets made on the game area. 23. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by the player optionally to set a unit stake in a unit stake box, to select a bet type using a selection button in a bet selection box and to select a position on the game area to place at least one marker, the at least one marker representing a bet of the selected bet type and having associated therewith the unit stake displayed in the unit stake box. 24. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the display is operable to offset two or more markers placed on the same region so that each of the two or more markers are at least partially visible. 25. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the display is operable to display markers for different bet types in different parts of a region. 26. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is useable by the player to initiate an event after placing one or more bets on the game area. 27. Apparatus according to paragraph 26, wherein the input device is useable by the player to initiate the event so that the event outcome is displayed on the display. 28. Apparatus according to paragraph 26 to 27, wherein the input device is useable by the player to initiate the event so that an animation of the event is displayed on the display. 29. Apparatus according to paragraph 28, wherein the display is operable to display an animation of the event. 30. Apparatus according to paragraph 29, wherein the display is operable to display a bet summary adjacent the animation. 31. Apparatus according to any one of paragraphs 26 to 30, wherein the input device is useable by the player to remove or re-position one or more markers to change the bet or bets up until the point that the player initiates an event. 32. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the game is a fixed odds betting game. 33. Apparatus according to paragraph 32 wherein the odds offered for each game element for a particular bet type are the same. 34. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the event is a racing event and the game elements are race participants. 35. Apparatus according to paragraph 34, wherein one of the regions represents a game element which is identified as the front runner in the racing event, the front runner being the game element that is in first position when the racing event starts. 36. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the event outcome for the game is determined by using a random number generated by a random number generator. 37. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the input device is a touch sensitive screen. 38. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph further comprising a processing resource configured to provide the betting interface. 39. Apparatus according to paragraph 38, wherein the processing resource is configured to provide an event outcome for the game. 40. Apparatus according to paragraph 39, wherein the processing resource is configured to provide the event outcome by requesting a random number from a separate apparatus, receiving the random number and determining the event outcome from the random number. 41. Apparatus according to paragraph 39, wherein the processing resource is configured to request the event outcome from a separate apparatus. 42. Apparatus according to any preceding paragraph, wherein the display is operable to display the event outcome and/or an event summary. 43. A system comprising an apparatus according to paragraph 40 connected to a separate apparatus for providing a random number. 44. A system comprising an apparatus according to paragraph 41 connected to a separate apparatus for providing an event outcome and/or an event summary. 45. A betting interface for a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising an ordinal position for at least one game element, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the betting interface comprising a game area having a plurality of regions, each region identifying a respective game element, the betting interface being arranged so that a player can select a position on the game area to place at least one marker, the at least one marker representing a bet and identifying at least one region on the game area, the at least one region identified by the marker identifying the game element or elements on which the bet is placed. 46. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 47. A system comprising an apparatus for playing a game substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 48. A betting interface for a game substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 49. A computer program for implementing the betting interface of paragraph 43 or paragraph 48. 50. A computer program for implementing the apparatus of any one of paragraphs 1 to 42 or paragraph 46. 51. A computer useable carrier medium carrying a computer program according to paragraph 49 or paragraph 50.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position and another game element in second position, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the apparatus being configured to process a dual forecast bet, the dual forecast bet being for any two of two or more selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first position and second position in any order, the apparatus comprising: a display operable to display a betting interface comprising a plurality of game element identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective game element; and an input device useable by a player to select two or more of the game element identifiers for a dual forecast bet, the selected identifiers identifying the two or more game elements on which a dual forecast bet is placed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a dual forecast bet from a plurality of bet types.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the betting interface comprises a button for selecting a dual forecast bet.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a dual forecast bet before selecting the two or more game elements identifiers for the dual forecast bet.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the input device is useable by the player to associate a unit stake with the dual forecast bet.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein fixed odds are associated with a dual forecast bet.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to calculate the amount that a dual forecast bet pays.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the calculation to calculate the amount a dual forecast bet pays involves multiplying the unit stake by the odds associated with a dual forecast bet and dividing by the number of possible permutations of two game elements within the selected game elements.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is configured to display the amount that a dual forecast bet placed by a player will pay.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus is configured to automatically recalculate the amount that the dual forecast bet will pay in response to a player changing the number of game elements on which the dual forecast bet is placed and to display the recalculated amount.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the event involves 19 game elements and the odds associated with a dual forecast bet are 325/1.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the betting interface comprises a game area and the plurality of game element identifiers are in the form of a plurality of regions on the game area, and the input device is useable by a player to place two or more markers representing a dual forecast bet on two or more of the regions, the two or more regions on which the markers are placed identifying the two or more game elements on which the dual forecast bet is placed.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the event is a racing event and the game elements are race participants.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a processor for processing a dual forecast bet.

15. A betting interface for a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position and another game element in second position, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the betting interface comprising a plurality of game element identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective game element, the betting interface being arranged so that a player can select two or more of the game elements identifiers for a dual forecast bet, the selected identifiers identifying the two or more game elements on which a dual forecast bet is placed

16. Apparatus for playing a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position, another game element in second position and another game element in third position, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the apparatus being configured to process a tricast bet, the tricast bet being for any three of three or more selected game elements to feature in the event outcome in first, second and third position in any order, the apparatus comprising: a display operable to display a betting interface comprising a plurality of game element identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective game element; and an input device useable by a player to select three or more of the game element identifiers for a tricast bet, the selected identifiers identifying the three or more game elements on which a tricast bet is placed.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a tricast bet from a plurality of bet types.

18. Apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the betting interface comprises a button for selecting a tricast bet.

19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the input device is useable by a player to select a tricast bet before selecting the three or more game elements identifiers for the tricast bet.

20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the input device is useable by the player to associate a unit stake with the dual forecast bet.

21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein fixed odds are associated with a tricast bet.

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the apparatus is configured to calculate the amount that a tricast bet pays.

23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the calculation used to calculate the amount that a tricast bet pays involves multiplying the unit stake by the odds associated with a tricast bet and dividing by the number of possible permutations of three game elements within the selected game elements.

24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 23, wherein the apparatus is configured to display the amount that a tricast bet placed by a player will pay.

25. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the apparatus is configured to automatically recalculate the amount that the tricast bet will pay in response to a player changing the number of game elements on which the tricast bet is placed and to display the recalculated amount.

26. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein the event involves 19 game elements and the odds associated with a tricast bet are 5500/1.

27. Apparatus according to any one of clams 16 to 26, wherein the betting interface comprises a game area and the plurality of game element identifiers are in the form of a plurality of regions on the game area, and the input device is useable by a player to place three or more markers representing a tricast bet on three or more of the regions, the three or more regions on which the markers are placed identifying the three or more game elements on which the tricast bet is placed.

28. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 27, wherein the event is a racing event and the game elements are race participants.

29. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 28, wherein the apparatus comprises a processor for processing a tricast bet.

30. A betting interface for a game which involves a plurality of game elements and an event, the event having an event outcome comprising, at least, one game element in first position, another game element in second position and another game element in third position, wherein to play the game a player makes one or more bets on the event outcome, the betting interface comprising a plurality of game element identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective game element, the betting interface being arranged so that a player can select three or more of the game elements identifiers for a tricast bet, the selected identifiers identifying the three or more game elements on which a tricast bet is placed

31. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. A betting interface for a game substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A computer program for implementing the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14 or claims 16 to 29 or claim 31.

34. A computer program for implementing the betting interface of claim 15 or claim 30 or claim 32.

35. A computer useable carrier medium carrying a computer program according to claim 33 or claim 34.