WO2018143888A1

WO2018143888A1 - Automated roulette gaming arrangement and gaming system

Info

Publication number: WO2018143888A1
Application number: PCT/SE2018/050099
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jimmy Eiterjord; Mats Nordahl
Original assignee: Tangiamo Touch Technology Ab
Priority date: 2017-02-06
Filing date: 2018-02-05
Publication date: 2018-08-09
Also published as: SE540475C2; EP3576855A4; SE1750097A1; EP3576855A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automated roulette gaming arrangement adapted for playing roulette without a dealer or croupier. The invention also relates to a gaming system.

Description

AUTOMATED ROULETTE GAMING ARRANGEMENT AND GAMING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical roulette wheel includes a number ring with a circular array of numbered segments bearing numbers 1 through 36. In addition, the number ring typically includes the numbers 0 and 00 disposed at diametrically opposite locations on the number ring. The numbers 1 through 36 are not disposed in numerical order, but are typically disposed in a predetermined arrangement, such that roulette wheels located in different casinos will have the same standard predetermined number ring arrangement. The numbers disposed in a circular array in the number ring region of the wheel bear the alternating colors of red and black, with the exception of the 0 and 00 numbers, which are typically colored green. A ring of pockets corresponding in number to the plurality of numbers of the circular number ring lies adjacent, but radially inward of the number ring, on the typical roulette wheel. In addition, a typical roulette wheel includes a circular, inclined ball track, disposed above, and radially outwardly of the number ring.

In operation of a typical roulette game, players place chips or tokens on a betting layout located on the roulette table, and then the croupier or dealer spins the roulette wheel to place the ball in motion about the circular ball track. As the wheel slows, the ball moves radially inwardly and comes to rest in one of the pockets associated with a particular one of the numbers of the number ring. After the ball comes to rest in one of the pockets, the croupier or dealer settles the various wagers placed on the table layout in accordance with predetermined rules and wager odds and the process is repeated.

In order to reduce costs, automatic roulette wheels have been devised in which the process of putting the ball in play is done automatically. This type of automatic roulette wheels may be included as a component in an automated gaming system, where bets are being placed and winnings paid out using a machine rather than a croupier. This reduces the costs associated with security, chips, dealers, etc.

In a prior-art exemplary automatic roulette wheel, such as is disclosed in US6520854, an air blower blows the roulette ball into a firing tube which propels the ball tangentially onto the bowl in the opposite direction to the travel of the roulette wheel. The roulette ball travels across the bowl onto the roulette wheel and finally lands in a one of the above mentioned pockets. In accordance to US6520854, a mechanism is provided for lowering the pockets to allow the roulette ball to evacuate the roulette wheel in preparation for the next game. However, as understood from the above, the exemplified prior-art solution will involve control of a plurality of mechanical elements for functioning properly. Such complicated mechanical solutions are however prone to malfunction, thus resulting in costly reparation and loss of income due to standstill of the roulette wheel.

Accordingly, there is a desire to further evolve automation of roulette wheel operation, specifically taking into account the problems present with typical prior-art automatic roulette wheel solutions comprising complicated mechanical operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, the above is at least partly alleviated by an automated roulette gaming arrangement, comprising a rotatable roulette wheel having a plurality of slot compartments around its circumference, a wheel bowl surrounding the roulette wheel, an electrical drive motor mechanically connected to the roulette wheel and adapted to rotate the roulette wheel, a control unit electrically connected to the drive motor, wherein the control unit is adapted to operate the drive motor to spin the roulette wheel in a first direction at a first selected rotation speed when a roulette ball is within one of the slot compartments, and operate the drive motor to spin the roulette wheel in a second direction at a second selected rotation speed, whereby the roulette ball will leave the slot compartment and travel around the wheel bowl, wherein the first direction is different from the second direction and/or the first selected rotation speed is different from second selected rotation speed, and the roulette gaming arrangement further comprises a deflection arrangement arranged at a top portion of the wheel bowl, wherein the deflection arrangement is adapted to adjust a direction of the roulette ball after the roulette ball leaves the slot compartment and starts travelling around the wheel bowl.

In accordance to the invention, it is possible to reduce the number of movable parts needed for achieving an automatic process for spinning a roulette ball along the inside of the wheel bowl comprised with the roulette gaming arrangement. That is, rather than having to resort to the prior-art approach where the roulette wheel is lifted or using some other form of "trap door" for removing the roulette wheel before the "firing process" again may be initiated, the roulette ball is instead allowed to "stay" within one of the slot compartments. That is, the slot compartment is in accordance to the invention the starting position for the roulette ball once the process is started for making the ball spin around the wheel bowl.

Specifically, once the roulette ball is (e.g. identified to be) within one of the slot compartments, the roulette wheel is staring to rotate in a first direction until it reaches a first selected rotation speed. The speed is preferably increased to the first selected rotation speed according to a predetermined acceleration curve, where the acceleration curve is selected to ensure that the roulette ball "stays" within the slot compartment as the rotation speed is increasing.

Once the first selected rotation speed has been reached, it may in accordance to the invention be possible to perform some different actions for getting the roulette ball to leave the slot compartment and travel around the wheel bowl.

Since the number of mechanical parts is reduced as compared to prior-art solutions, it may be possible to greatly reduce the time (duration) of a game cycle. That is, rather than having to wait for the roulette ball to "fall through the trap door" (or similar), it may in accordance to the invention be possible to directly re-start the game cycle once the roulette ball again has landed in a slot compartment (and the bets made have been handled with a user/player).

In a first possible embodiment of the invention, the first selected rotation speed is selected to be higher than the second selected rotation speed, for example adapting the second selected rotation speed to be e.g. less than 10% of the first selected rotation speed. Accordingly, by introducing a retardation to the roulette wheel by lowering the rotation speed from the first selected rotation speed to the second selected rotation speed, the "loosely" positioned roulette ball within the slot compartment will "continue to move", thus typically leaving the slot compartment in a tangential direction in relation to the roulette wheel.

Preferably, this is achieved by introducing an in comparison large retardation of the roulette wheel, typically having a duration of less than 0.5 seconds or even shorter. Possibly, the second selected rotation speed may be zero, i.e. making the roulette wheel come to a complete stop. In a possible embodiment the first operational speed is above 200 rpm, preferably above 300 rpm, and most preferably above 500 rpm.

In a second possible embodiment of the invention the first selected rotation speed is lower than the second selected rotation speed. Accordingly, it may be possible to achieve a similar effect by also increasing the rotating speed to be above a threshold where the roulette ball stays within its slot compartment. Preferably, this is achieved by introducing an in comparison large acceleration to the roulette wheel. It may also be possible, and within the scope of the invention to change the direction of the wheel to achieve the desired effect for releasing the roulette ball from the slot compartment.

Preferably, a floor in each slot compartment is sloped downwardly towards a center of the slot. Accordingly, during rotation of the roulette wheel the roulette ball will stay at the "lowest" point within the slot compartment, all the way until the rotating speed is changes, as discussed above. The above mentioned threshold for when the roulette ball is released from the slot compartment may for example be dependent on a relative depth or profile of the slot compartment. Typically, there will also be a relation between the relative depth or profile of the slot compartment and the predetermined acceleration curve.

As mentioned above, the arrangement additionally comprises a deflection arrangement arranged at a top portion of the wheel bowl, wherein the deflection arrangement is adapted to adjust a direction of the roulette ball after the roulette ball leaves the slot compartment and starts travelling around the wheel bowl. Possibly dependent on the shape/curvature of the wheel bowl, it may be desirable to provide assistance for "changing" the direction the roulette ball takes after it has left the slot compartment. The deflection arrangement preferably receives the roulette ball when it has left the slot compartment in the tangential direction in relation to the roulette wheel. To increase the number of times the roulette ball will spin around the wheel bowl (approximately 20 turns may in some embodiments be desirable), the deflection arrangement will reduce the upward force introduced when the roulette ball follows a typical curved surface of the wheel bowl, and force the roulette ball to rather follow a circumference of the wheel bowl. It should be stressed that the expression "deflection arrangement" should be interpreted broadly and may comprise any form of implementations provided for adjusting and/or "correcting" the direction (and/or rotation) of the ball when leaving the slot.

In an embodiment the deflection arrangement comprises a horizontally arranged metal plate. Preferably, the deflection arrangement is arranged around a

predetermined section (complete or partial) of a circumference of the top portion of the wheel bowl.

In a preferred embodiment, the deflection arrangement is a sandwich structure comprising a metal plate and a damping material, the damping material arranged in an upward position in relation to the metal plate, and the metal plate is adapted to receive the roulette ball. The damping material will reduce the possible noise introduced when the roulette ball is received by the metal plate. In addition, the damping material may further reduce the upward force of the roulette ball as discussed above.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is further adapted to, once the roulette wheel has started to travel around the wheel bowl operate the drive motor to spin the roulette wheel in a direction opposite to the first direction at a third selected rotation speed, wherein the third selected rotation speed is substantially lower than the first operational speed. That is, it is preferred that the roulette wheel rotates in an opposite direction as compared to the direction that the roulette ball is taking around the wheel bowl after the roulette ball has left the slot compartment.

The third selected rotation speed may in some embodiments be adjusted when the roulette wheel has started to travel around the wheel bowl, where the adjustment to the third selected rotation speed may be randomly selected. Such a change in the third selected rotation speed will allow for an increase in the randomness of the automated roulette gaming arrangement, and is a highly desirable effect made possible in line with the invention.

In accordance to the present invention, the expression "control unit" should be understood to include any type of computing device, such as an ASIC, a micro-processor, etc. It should also be understood that the actual implementation of such a processing circuitry may be divided between more than a single device/circuit.

In a preferred embodiment the arrangement further comprises at least one sensor system for locating the roulette ball. For example, one or a plurality of light sensors comprised with the sensor system may be arranged below the roulette wheel, and the floor of each slot compartment is provided with a through hole for conveying light to the light sensor if the roulette ball is not present within the slot compartment. To enhance the roulette ball detectability, it may be possible to allow the sensor system to further comprise at least a light source adapted to emit light towards the slot compartments.

In line with the automatic feature of the present roulette gaming arrangement, the control unit is preferably further adapted to again operate the drive motor to spin the roulette after the roulette ball has stopped to travel around the wheel bowl and is received by a slot compartment. For example, the sensor system as indicated above may be used for identifying in what slot compartment the roulette ball has landed once the roulette ball (due to gravity and decrease in rotating speed of the roulette ball) has (randomly) rolled towards one of the slot compartments. The present invention follows the general principle of a general roulette wheel for playing the game of roulette. In addition, as the roulette gaming arrangement may be operated without a croupier present, and thus without the need for general supervision, it may desirable to allow the arrangement to further comprise a transparent cover arranged on top of the roulette wheel such that not allowing a user/person to get physical access to the roulette wheel or the roulette ball.

Preferably, the automated roulette gaming arrangement as discussed above forms part of a gaming system, further comprising an interface adapted to allow a user to place a bet on an outcome once the roulette gaming arrangement is operated. As the roulette wheel is automated it is desirable that also the user interface is automated. For example, the interface may be arrange to comprises a transmissive display screen and a transmissive user touch interface arranged at least partly above the roulette wheel. The transmissive display screen and a transmissive user touch interface may in some embodiments be combined as one single unit.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, the interface (and the gaming system) is adapted for single user interaction. The interface may also be adapted for multiuser interaction, for example using a multi-user touch interface adapted to identify the different users interacting with the interface.

According to an alternative aspect of the invention the gaming system adapted for single user interaction may instead of the automated roulette gaming arrangement as discussed able comprise another type of automated mechanical gaming machine. Such an automated mechanical gaming machine is arranged "beneath" the user interface for single user interaction, allowing users to have direct visible access to the automated mechanical gaming machine. The automated mechanical gaming machine may be another form of roulette wheel, such as for example disclosed in US6520854. Alternatively, the automated mechanical gaming machine may be a dice-shaking device and comprising at least one dice. The automated mechanical gaming machine may also be an electronic card shuffler comprising a plurality of playing cards. Accordingly, different implementations may be possible in regards to the controllable externally arranged hardware random number generator for providing the random number.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled addressee realize that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figs. 1 A and IB illustrate exemplary gaming systems according to different embodiments of the invention;

Figs. 2A - 2D provides detailed illustrations of a roulette gaming arrangement according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 3 A - 3E conceptually shows the operation of the inventive roulette gaming arrangement according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to the drawings and to Fig. 1 A and 2A in particular, there is depicted a gaming system, in the form of a gaming table 100 including a multi-user touch interface and display 102 for a plurality of users/players sharing the same user interface. The display may for example be a dynamically configurable display, such as an LCD panel, connected to a control unit (not shown) for handling bets provided by the players.

Furthermore, the multi-user touch interface and display 102 comprises a plurality of gaming portions 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the multi-user touch interface and display 102 comprise six relatively evenly distributed gaming portions 104 which hence allow six users/players to simultaneously play on the gaming table 100. The gaming table 100 may of course comprise a multi-user touch interface and display 102 having more than six gaming portions 104, or less than six gaming portions.

Moreover, the gaming table 100 comprises an automated roulette gaming arrangement 200 arranged at a position vertically below the multi-user touch interface and display 102, in an enclosed cavity formed beneath the multi-user touch interface and display 104. Thus, a user is able to visually monitor the roulette gaming arrangement 200 when standing next to the gaming table 100. The roulette gaming arrangement 200 may comprise a series of optical and proximity sensors to track the ball during its path and detect its final position. The tracking information and the final position are communicated to the control unit.

Although the automated mechanical gaming machine 106 can be visually monitored by the users, there are situations which will be described further below, when it is desirable to prevent a user to visually monitor the automated mechanical gaming machine 106. In these situations, the multi-user touch interface and display 102 may be arranged in an opaque mode, or lighting thereof may be arranged to prevent user(s) from temporarily visually monitoring the automated mechanical gaming machine 106. Preferably, a plurality of controllable light sources are connected to and controlled by means of the control unit, where a mode (fully active to non-active) may be allowed to dependent on a state of the game presented by the gaming system.

Furthermore, the gaming table 100 comprises a plurality of side panels 108 arranged on side portions of the gaming table 100. Hereby, the vertical long sides and vertical short sides comprise the side panels 108 for preventing the users to gain physical access to the automated mechanical gaming machine 106. This improves the safety of the gaming system since it is not possible for a user to manipulate with the automated mechanical gaming machine 106. Also, the gaming table 100 comprises user terminals 110 at the side panels in the vicinity of the respective gaming portions 104. The user terminals allow the user to buy markers or cash out acquired money/markers.

For allowing the different players to place bets, the multi-user touch interface and display 102 may comprise identification means (not shown) for differentiate the different users from each other. Such identification means may comprise a multitude of sensors, and the results captured by the sensor may in turn be correlated for determining the identity of the user. Other types of technology may also be provided, where the control unit and

combination with the user interface are configured to allow differentiation between different users.

In Fig. IB there is illustrated an alternative gaming system in the form of a roulette machine 110, having a form factor having relation to a known slot machine commonly used in e.g. a casino environment. In comparison to Fig. 1 A, the roulette machine 110 is adapted for a single user/player. The automated roulette gaming arrangement 200 is positioned in a similar manner as in Fig. 1 A, i.e. below a transmissive display making the gaming arrangement 200 visible for the single player, however making the roulette machine 110 more compact and thus economical for a casino environment, where the real-estate space must be taken into account when selecting type of gaming system to be installed.

Turning not to Figs. 2A - 2D, providing an illustration of an example of the automated roulette gaming arrangement 200. Specifically, the automated roulette gaming arrangement 200 comprises a roulette wheel 202 having a plurality of slot compartments 204, a wheel bowl 206 providing a "ball track" for the roulette ball, and a deflecting arrangement 208. The automated roulette gaming arrangement 200 further comprises an electrical motor 210 and a gear box 212.

A control unit (not shown) is arranged in electrical connection with the electrical motor 210. The control unit may each include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable digital signal processor or another programmable device. The control unit may also, or instead, each include an application specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array or programmable array logic, a programmable logic device, or a digital signal processor. Where the control unit includes a programmable device such as the

microprocessor, microcontroller or programmable digital signal processor mentioned above, the processor may further include computer executable code that controls operation of the programmable device.

Once the control unit activates the electrical motor 210, the electrical motor 210 will start to rotate, in turn rotating the roulette wheel through the gear box 212. A shaft (not shown) provides a connection between the roulette wheel 202 and the gear box 212.

The roulette wheel 202 includes a number ring with a circular array of numbered segments bearing numbers 1 through 36 (not shown). In addition, the number ring typically includes the numbers 0 and 00 disposed at diametrically opposite locations on the number ring. The numbers 1 through 36 are not disposed in numerical order, but are typically disposed in a predetermined arrangement, such that roulette wheels located in different casinos will have the same standard predetermined number ring arrangement. The numbers disposed in a circular array in the number ring region of the wheel bear the alternating colors of red and black, with the exception of the 0 and 00 numbers, which are typically colored green.

The deflecting arrangement 208 is arranged at the top of the wheel bowl 206, and comprises a horizontally arranged metal plate 214. In the illustrated embodiment shown in Fig. 2B, the deflection arrangement is arranged around a full circumference of the top portion of the wheel bowl. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment the deflection arrangement 208 is a sandwich structure comprising the metal plate 214 and a damping material 216 (such as made from e.g. plastic or rubber), the damping material 216 arranged in an upward position in relation to the metal plate 214.

As further shown in detail in Fig. 2C, the slot compartments 204 comprised with the roulette wheel 202 are formed as "bowls", having a profile where a center portion is "deeper" than the edges, as seen in a radial direction of the roulette wheel 202. The slot compartments 204 are also provided with a through- hole 218 for allowing light to pass through in case no ball is present in a specific slot compartment 204.

As is exemplified in Fig. 2D, the arrangement 200 further comprises a sensor system, where a plurality of light sensor arrangements 220 adapted to receive the light passing through the through- holes 218 of the slot compartments 204. To improve the detectability, it may be possible to further include one or a plurality of light source for providing light in a direction towards the through- holes 218. The light source(s) may for example include a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs may emit light within a visible wavelength, but may also, or instead, emit light within with an infrared wavelength. Accordingly, the image capturing device may be provided with a filter for only allowing light within a specific, corresponding, wavelength range to be allowed to reach the capturing means of the image capturing device.

Turning finally to Figs. 3 A - 3D, conceptually illustrating the operation of the inventive roulette gaming arrangement 200 according to the invention. Specifically, in Fig. 3 A, the roulette wheel 202 is shown to be still (rotation speed equal zero) or slowly rotating. A roulette ball 302 has come to a rest in one of the slot compartments 204. In Fig. 3 A the roulette wheel 202 is accelerating in a first direction (clockwise) towards the first selected rotation speed. The roulette wheel may for example, as discussed above, be accelerated according to a predetermined acceleration curve, where the acceleration curve is selected to ensure that the roulette ball 302 stays in the slot compartment 204. In a possible embodiment the roulette wheel 202 is accelerated from stand still to first selected rotation speed in 3 - 8 seconds, where the first selected rotation speed is between 300 - 600 rpm.

In Fig. 3C the rotating speed of the roulette wheel 202 has been greatly reduced, towards the second selected rotation speed, possibly being close to a rotating speed being equal to zero. The retardation to the second selected rotation speed is in one embodiment 1 - 3 seconds. Facing such force as will be present when the roulette wheel 202 is in retardation, the roulette ball 302 will leave the slot compartment 204 in a tangential direction in relation to the circumference of the roulette wheel 202. It should be understood that it may be possible to closely control when the roulette ball 302 is to leave the slot compartment 304, for example allow the roulette ball 302 to "stay clear" from the well- known diamonds (not explicitly shown) sometimes comprised with the wheel bowl 206.

Thereafter, the roulette wheel 302 will follow (roll) along the curvature of the wheel bowl 206 towards the deflecting arrangement 208 where the roulette ball 302 will change direction, to follow the circumference of the wheel bowl 206, as is further shown in Fig. 3D.

In some situations and as mentioned above, the deflecting arrangement 208 may not necessarily completely encircle the full wheel bowl 206 and thus only provided at a sector (portion) of the full wheel bowl 206. Accordingly, the ability to control when the roulette ball 302 is to leave the slot compartment 204 is of importance such that the "sector based" deflecting arrangement 208 receives the roulette ball 302.

In Fig. 3E the roulette wheel is shown to have changed direction (anti clockwise), and will now rotate in an opposite direction as compared to the rotation of the roulette ball 302 along the circumference of the wheel bowl 206. Eventually, the speed of the roulette ball 302 will be reduced, as well as being influenced by gravity, whereby the roulette ball 302 will fall into one of the slot compartments 204. Once in a slot compartment 204, the light sensor arrangements 220 will detect in what slot compartment 204 the roulette ball 302 has landed, whereby the bets made by the players may be handled in accordance to e.g.

normal roulette rules.

In addition, the control functionality of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another

communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium.

Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Although the figures may show a sequence the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps. Additionally, even though the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art.

Further, a single unit may perform the functions of several means recited in the claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting to the claim. Furthermore, in the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled addressee in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments.

Claims

1. An automated roulette gaming arrangement, comprising:

- a rotatable roulette wheel having a plurality of slot compartments around its circumference,

- a wheel bowl surrounding the roulette wheel,

- an electrical drive motor mechanically connected to the roulette wheel and adapted to rotate the roulette wheel,

- a control unit electrically connected to the drive motor,

wherein the control unit is adapted to:

- operate the drive motor to spin the roulette wheel in a first direction at a first selected rotation speed when a roulette ball is within one of the slot compartments, and

- operate the drive motor to spin the roulette wheel in a second direction at a second selected rotation speed, whereby the roulette ball will leave the slot compartment and travel around the wheel bowl,

wherein the first direction is different from the second direction and/or the first selected rotation speed is different from second selected rotation speed, and the roulette gaming arrangement further comprises a deflection arrangement arranged at a top portion of the wheel bowl, wherein the deflection arrangement is adapted to adjust a direction of the roulette ball after the roulette ball leaves the slot compartment and starts travelling around the wheel bowl..

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further adapted to adjust the first selected rotation speed according to a predetermined acceleration curve.

3. The arrangement according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the control unit is further adapted to:

- identify the roulette ball within a slot compartment.

4. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first selected rotation speed is higher than the second selected rotation speed.

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the second selected rotation speed is less than 10% of the first selected rotation speed.

6. The arrangement according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the first selected rotation speed is lower than the second selected rotation speed.

7. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a floor in each slot compartment is sloped downwardly towards a center of the slot.

8. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflection arrangement comprises a horizontally arranged metal plate.

9. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflection arrangement is arranged around a predetermined section of a circumference of the top portion of the wheel bowl.

10. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflection arrangement is a sandwich structure comprising a metal plate and a damping material, the damping material arranged in an upward position in relation to the metal plate, and the metal plate is adapted to receive the roulette ball.

11. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is further adapted to, once the roulette wheel has started to travel around the wheel bowl:

- operate the drive motor to spin the roulette wheel in a direction opposite to the first direction at a third selected rotation speed, wherein the third selected rotation speed is substantially lower than the first operational speed.

12. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first operational speed is above 200 rpm, preferably above 300 rpm, and most preferably above 500 rpm.

13. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one sensor system for locating the roulette ball.

14. The arrangement according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 7, wherein a light sensor comprised with the sensor system is arranged below the roulette wheel, and the floor of each slot compartment is provided with a through hole for conveying light to the light sensor if the roulette ball is not present within the slot compartment.

15. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the sensor system further comprises at least a light source adapted to emit light towards the slot compartments.

16. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the third selected rotation speed when the roulette wheel has started to travel around the wheel bowl.

17. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is further adapted to again operate the drive motor to spin the roulette after the roulette ball has stopped to travel around the wheel bowl and is received by a slot compartment.

18. The arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a transparent cover, not allowing a user with physical access to the roulette wheel.

19. A gaming system, comprising:

- an automated roulette gaming arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, and

- an interface adapted to allow a user to place a bet on an outcome once the roulette gaming arrangement is operated.

20. The gaming system according to claim 19, wherein the interface comprises a transmissive display screen and a transmissive user touch interface arranged at least partly above the roulette wheel.

21. The gaming system according to claim 19, wherein the interface is adapted for single user interaction.

22. The gaming system according to claim 20, wherein the interface is adapted for multi-user interaction.

23. The gaming system according to any one of claims 20 - 22, wherein the transmissive display screen and a transmissive user touch interface are combined as one single unit.

24. A gaming system, comprising:

- an automated mechanical gaming machine, the automated mechanical gaming machine being a structural device providing a function of a game of chance and having at least a visual front portion, and

- an interface adapted to allow a user to place a bet on an outcome once the roulette gaming arrangement is operated,

wherein the interface comprises a transmissive display screen and a transmissive user touch interface arranged at least partly above the automated mechanical gaming machine, and the interface is adapted only for single user interaction.