WO2021214394A1

WO2021214394A1 - System for managing parallel games

Info

Publication number: WO2021214394A1
Application number: PCT/FR2020/000147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cyril Bros; Frédéric DUCHÊNE
Original assignee: Fc Gaming
Priority date: 2020-04-22
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2021-10-28

Abstract

A system for managing parallel games comprising at least one game table (T) defining at least one main game zone (Z1, Z2, Z3) of a traditional game and at least one parallel game zone (S1, S2 and S3) of a parallel game, characterized in that it comprises: - parallel game providers (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4), - a platform (P) comprising a bank of parallel games (P1) grouping parallel games provided by the parallel game providers (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4), - at least one casino (C) connected to the platform (P) and having said at least one game table (T), - the parallel game zone (S1, S2, S3) is formed by a display screen (M1, M2, M3) associated with the game table (T), connected to the platform (P) and displaying a parallel game from the bank of parallel games (P1) of the platform (P).

Description

Parallel game management system

The present invention relates to a system for managing parallel games offered in parallel with traditional games, such as BlackJack or Baccarat. The management system includes at least one game table defining at least one main game area of a traditional game. In addition, the table includes at least one parallel play area of a parallel play on which a player can deposit wagering elements, such as chips or plaques. The preferred field of application of the present invention is therefore that of casinos and gambling halls.

In order to diversify its offer and increase its income, the gaming and casino industry is constantly on the lookout for new products. For a number of years now, "side bets" games have been introduced to traditional table games, commonly referred to as "side bets". These new optional betting possibilities, available alongside traditional games like BlackJack or Baccarat, offer higher chances of winning than with main bets, but with a much lower probability of winning. In the end, these “side bets” offer casinos long-term winning percentages (house edge (HE)) much higher than traditional games. For example, classic six-deck blackjack offers a casino an ET of around 0.5% (payout of 1 for every 200 wagers), while a popular side bet can offer an ET. by about 15%, which is 30 times that of traditional blackjack.

Conventionally, a "side bet" is materialized by a betting area drawn on the playing mat, close to the main betting area. In addition, the payout table is also displayed on the mat to allow players to know the payouts for the "side bets" offered. On a playmat, we can see one or at most two different “side bets”. Among the most popular side bets are the BlackJackk Buster, Perfect Pairs, 21 + 3 or Kings Bounty. To date, a large number of side bets are available on the market and they are created very regularly. However, only about twenty “side bets” are really popular and therefore mostly offered in casinos. These few popular side bets are licensed and the classic business model is based on a fixed commission per table reduced to the month, plus a percentage of the table's income. This information is not very precise, because there is no way of precise traceability of the bets on the “side bets” only. So even if a gaming table is not operated every day by the casino, it will pay the fixed commission. Finally, it is very difficult for a casino to be able to offer all the popular side bets due to the economic aspect and the fact that this would involve a certain number of different stacks. As a result, players often choose to play in casinos that offer their favorite side bets.

In summary, the offer of parallel games or "side bets" suffers from the following drawbacks:

- Integration of the "side bet" directly into the game mat, which must therefore be changed to offer another "side bet", hence a low turnover of "side bets" in the same casino,

- Over-representation of well-established "side bets" to the detriment of the most recent, hence a low diversity of "side bets",

- Impossibility for the players to choose the "side bets",

- Choice of the casino according to the "side bets" offered, hence the formation of clans of players,

- Difficulty, or even impossibility, of measuring the actual use of "side bets", hence a lack of visibility of the impact of "side bets" for casinos,

- License fees based on parameters not representative of the actual use of the "side bet", hence the difficulties of long-term justification of the amounts of license fees by the owners of "side bets".

The object of the present invention is to resolve these various drawbacks by proposing a system for managing parallel games (or side bets) which implements technical means within an architecture that extends from the supplier of “side bets” to the casino gaming table, via an intermediary or interface platform.

More precisely, the present invention proposes a system for managing parallel games (offered in parallel with traditional games, such as BlackJack or Baccarat) comprising at least one game table defining at least one main game area of a traditional game and at least one parallel game zone of a parallel game, the parallel game management system comprising:

- parallel game providers,

- an intermediate platform comprising a bank of parallel games grouping together parallel games provided by parallel game providers,

- at least one casino connected to the platform and having said at least one gaming table,

- the parallel game area comprising or is formed by a display screen associated with the game table, connected to the platform and displaying a parallel game from the platform's parallel games bank.

Thus, the parallel game zone printed on the game mat can be replaced by a display screen and the link between the casino and the parallel game providers is now made through an intermediate platform, which manages the upstream operations. relationships with parallel and downstream gaming providers with casinos, allowing a connection to be established between the display screen and the platform.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the platform comprises permutation means allowing the platform, the casino and / or the player to switch from one parallel game to another parallel game from the parallel games bank of the platform and thus to determine the duration of use of each parallel set.

The proposed system therefore combines hardware, software and structural means, in particular allowing casinos to be able to switch “side bets” without having to change the playing mat. Thus, the casino can easily adapt to player demand. For this, instead of the layout (s) of the "side bets" on the mat, a screen integrated into the game table is provided for displaying the current "side bet". The payout report table can be displayed on the same screen or on a remote screen. On a gaming table with a standardized mat, provision may be made to place one or more screens, in order to offer several different “side bets”.

The choice of the "side bet" thus proposed can be modified by the casino, on a regular basis (daily for example) or at the request of a player. Thus, this device could make it possible to offer a different "side bet" to each player at the same table.

Advantageously, the system comprises at least one parallel wagering zone on which a player can deposit wagering elements, such as chips or plaques, the parallel wagering zone being provided with detection means for identifying the value and the number of 'wagering elements deposited on the parallel wagering area. The display screen is used to indicate the type of "side bet" offered, but also as a betting area where you can also determine the value of the bets.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system can include management software, hosted by the platform or the casino, this management software making it possible, from the data collected by the permutation and / or detection means, to determine the actual use of each parallel game in terms of duration of use and stake amounts, this determination of the actual use being able to serve as a basis for invoicing between the casino and the platform and / or between the platform and the provider of parallel play.

The casino is thus aware of the actual use of the “side bets” it offers, and this very precisely, since the data collected is done individually on each display screen. The casino can know the activity over time and in wagering volume of each display screen. The casino can even use an analysis tool to optimize its choice of “side bets”, like “yield management” in aviation. Above all, the casino can establish a more flexible fixed commission billing, by the day, or even by the hour or even the minute. Thus, a casino which activates only five days in the month a "side bet" at a table will pay only five days of fixed commission.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the system can include a selection touch screen, integrated into the gaming table or mobile, allowing a player to select the parallel game he wishes, this selection touch screen being chosen from:

- the display screen,

- another screen integrated into the game table,

- a smartphone loaded with a dedicated application.

The player thus becomes the true pilot of the “side bets”.

Advantageously, the selection touch screen makes it possible to select a parallel game from a basket of parallel games preselected by the casino from among the parallel games of the bank of parallel games.

The present invention also defines a method of invoicing a use by a casino of a parallel game belonging to a parallel game provider, the invoicing method comprising identifying the value and the number of wagers on the parallel game and / or to measure the length of time of use of the parallel game, the data collected being correlated to establish a quantitative and / or temporal billing.

Advantageously, a platform acts as an intermediary between the parallel game providers and the casinos, the platform comprising a parallel games bank grouping together parallel games provided by the parallel game providers, the platform issuing invoices to be paid by the casinos at the same time. platform and invoices to be paid by the platform to parallel game providers based on the data collected by detection and / or permutation means.

It should be noted that this particular invoicing method is the subject of protection per se, that is to say independently of the management system of the invention. This is explained by the fact that the invoicing process derives directly from the spirit of the invention which lies in the fact of setting up a network making it possible both to provide players with various side bets and to provide the suppliers of side bets with real data enabling objective invoicing to be established. The platform allows casinos to offer all possible "side bets" and license providers "side bets" to be present in many more casinos. The platform can be envisaged in the form of an “online store”, grouping together all the “side bets”, like a “marketplace” from which casinos could download the “side bets” that they would like to offer in their website. casino through a system of permutation of "side bets". The platform is then an intermediary between the casinos and the owners of "side bets". The platform could negotiate so-called floating licenses to the owners of “side bets” and resell them to casinos with objective invoicing that takes into account the actual use of “side bets”.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the appended drawing, which illustrates an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting nature.

The single figure is a very schematic view of a parallel game management system according to the invention.

This management system applies to an environment already known comprising a casino C and several suppliers of parallel or “side bet” games designated by SB1, SB2, SB3 and SB4 in the figure. Suppliers can be creators, owners or licensees of "side bets" seeking casinos likely to offer their "side bets" to their customers or players. By "casino" is meant any establishment offering traditional gambling, such as BlackJack or Baccarat. These traditional games are played on a game table T designed for several players, for example three, as in the single figure. The game table T thus comprises three main game zones Z1, Z2 and Z3 defining three main betting zones Z11, Z21 and Z31. These main betting areas can, for example, be equipped with chip or plate detectors, making it possible to identify the number and value of chips or plates placed in the area. bet. In the prior art, there are already tokens and / or game plates which are provided with detectable means, such as an RFID chip. Each main game zone Z1, Z2, Z3 can be provided with a display screen, at which the main betting zone Z11, Z21, Z31 can be defined. The T game mat also includes a ZO dealer area, which can be provided with a Z01 display screen. The game table T also comprises three parallel game zones S1, S2 and S3, each being associated with a respective main game zone Z1, Z2, Z3. Several parallel play areas can be provided per main play area. Until then, the T gaming table is of a completely conventional design.

Casino C also has a computer Ce connected to the Internet.

According to the invention, the parallel game zones S1, S2 and S3 comprise or are formed by display screens M1, M2, M3 making it possible to display information, and in particular the name and / or the logo of the parallel game or Proposed side bet. These display screens M1, M2, M3 are integrated into the game table T or placed flat on the game table T. The display screen M1, M2, M3 can occupy the entire parallel game area S1, S2 and S3, as is the case in the single figure, or on the contrary, only part of the parallel playing area. Each parallel play area S1, S2 and S3 defines a parallel play area S11, S21 and S31, which can be formed at the display screen M1, M2, M3. The paralleling area S11, S21 and S31 can occupy the entire display screen M1, M2, M3, or on the contrary, only a part, as is the case in the single figure. Advantageously, each paralleling zone S11, S21 and S31 is equipped with token detectors D1, D2 and D3, making it possible to identify the number and value of tokens placed in the paralleling zone S11, S21 and S31. These detectors can be similar or identical to those of the main wagering zones Z11, Z21, Z31.

According to the invention, the gaming table T also comprises a local server Sp to which the display screens M1, M2, M3 and the token detectors D1, D2 and D3 are connected. The management system of the invention also comprises a platform P, which constitutes the key element of the system, because of its intermediate position or interface between the casino C and the parallel or “side bet” game providers SB1, SB2, SB3 and SB4. Preferably, there is no communication or direct link between them: all exchanges pass through or through the platform P. It can be in the form of one or more servers and / or stand-alone computers accessible on the Internet. through a dedicated site. Casinos and “side bet” providers thus have access to the website of the platform P, preferably with codes for security and confidentiality issues.

The platform P integrates several modules, namely a “side bet” bank P1, a permutation module P2, management software P3 and a billing unit P4.

The “side bet” bank P1 collects all the “side bets” brought by the “side bet” suppliers SB1, SB2, SB3 and SB4 to the platform P. We could also qualify this bank as an online store or a marketplace offering a variety of side bets at interested casinos.

The P2 permutation module is a module accessible to casinos, allowing them to choose the "side bets" that interest them among the "side bets" offered by the "side bet" bank P1, for example by selecting them on the site of the P platform from their Ce computer. Selecting a "side bet" triggers a clock that will measure the duration of use of the selected "side bet". Casinos will also use the P2 permutation module to end any "side bets" they have chosen, for example by deselecting them. Deselecting the "side bet" stops the clock, thus measuring the total duration of use of the selected "side bet".

The management software P3 receives all the data coming from the local server Sp, which receives all the data coming from the token detectors D1, D2 and D3. The management software P3 also receives all the selection duration data coming from the permutation module P2. P3 management software correlates and restates these temporal (selection duration) and quantitative data (amount of bets) to provide, for example, a report on the use of each side bet, which can even detail the use of the side bet at the level of each paralleling zone S11, S21 and S31. The platform thus has restated data which gives precise and real indications of the performance of each side bet, globally on all the casinos, locally on a particular casino, in a targeted manner on a gaming table or again in a “surgical” way on a precise target area. These indications of actual return may be communicated, in part or in whole, raw or interpreted, to the side bet providers SB1, SB2, SB3 and SB4 and / or to the casinos C, in order to inform them of the increasing or decreasing success of the "Side bet", depending on geographic areas, time slots, seniority, type of main game with which it is associated, and so on.

The temporal and quantitative data, as well as the indications of real performance resulting from this temporal and quantitative data, are transmitted and authenticated in a tamper-proof manner to the billing unit P4 responsible for establishing the bills to be paid by the casinos C, likewise that the invoices that the platform P will pay to the “side bet” suppliers SB1, SB2, SB3 and SB4.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, this objective invoice based on actual use of each “side bet” constitutes an invoicing method in itself, which is based on physical data (measurement of time duration - token detections) . It should be noted that this is a subsequent billing or a posteriori, which is established on the basis of an overdue use, and not an immediate invoicing, based on an overdue use of the "side bet".

While the selection of "side bets" has so far been reserved for C casinos only, it is also possible to give this possibility of selection to players, for example by means of a selection touch screen, which could be integrated into the gaming table or on the contrary mobile. This selection touch screen would allow a player, or even the croupier, to select the "side bet" he wishes from among the selected "side bets". by the casino. This selection touch screen can be confused with the M1, M2, M3 parallel play area display screen S1, S2 and S3, the main play area display screen Z1, Z2, Z3 or yet another screen integrated into the game table T. As a variant, this selection touch screen can be that of a smartphone loaded with a dedicated application. This selection touch screen can be connected to the computer Ce of the casino C via the local server Sp. The players and / or the croupiers of the casino C can thus select the “side bets” of their choice, not directly. in the bank P1 of the platform P, but in a basket of “side bets” C2 preselected by the casino C among the “side bets” of the bank P1. This basket C2, defined within the computer Ce, thus constitutes a sort of secondary bank of “side bets”.

Thanks to the invention, there is a management system of "side bets" which increases the supply of "side bets" in casinos, facilitates the switching of "side bets", gives a chance to "side bets" confidential or new, provides precise and reliable performance analysis tools and guarantees real invoicing. Moreover, this a posteriori invoicing based on actual physical data flows directly from the "side bets" management system of the invention.

Claims

1. System for managing parallel games offered in parallel with traditional games, such as BlackJack or Baccarat, the management system comprising at least one game table (T) defining at least one main game area (Z1, Z2, Z3 ) of a traditional game and at least one parallel game zone (S1, S2 and S3) of a parallel game, characterized in that it comprises: - parallel game providers (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4) ,

- a platform (P) comprising a bank of parallel games (P1) grouping together parallel games provided by parallel game providers (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4),

- at least one casino (C) connected to the platform (P) and having said at least one gaming table (T),

- the parallel game zone (S1, S2, S3) is formed by a display screen (M1, M2, M3) associated with the game table (T), connected to the platform (P) and displaying a parallel game from the parallel games bank (P1) of the platform (P).

2. System according to claim 1, wherein at least one parallel play area (S1, S2 and S3) is associated with each main play area (Z1, Z2, Z3). 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each parallel game zone (S1, S2 and S3) defines a paralleling zone (S11, S21 and S31) formed at the level of the display screen (M1, M2, M3).

4. System according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the display screens (M1, M2, M3) are integrated into the game table (T) or laid flat on the game table (T).

System according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the platform (P) comprises permutation means (P2) allowing the platform (P), the casino (C) and / or the player to switch from a parallel game to another parallel game from the parallel game bank (P1) of the platform (P) and thus to determine the duration of use of each parallel game.

System according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one parallel betting area (S11, S21, S31) on which a player can deposit betting elements, such as chips, the parallel playing area (S11, S21) , S31) being provided with detection means (D1, D2, D3) for identifying the value and the number of wagering elements deposited on the paralleling zone (S11, S21, S31).

System according to claim 1, comprising management software (P3), hosted by the platform (P), allowing, from data collected by permutation means (P2) allowing the platform (P), the casino (C ) and / or the player to switch from one parallel game to another parallel game from the parallel game bank (P1) of the platform (P) and thus determine the duration of use of each parallel game and / or detection (D1, D2, D3) to identify the value and number of wagering elements deposited on the parallel wagering area (S11, S21, S31), to determine the actual use of each parallel game in terms of duration d 'use and wagering amounts, this determination of the actual use being able to serve as a basis for invoicing between the casino (C) and the platform (P) and / or between the platform (P) and the parallel game provider (SB1 , SB2, SB3, SB4). 8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a selection touch screen, integrated into the game table (T) or mobile, allowing a player to select the parallel game he wishes, this selection touch screen being chosen from:

- the display screen (M1, M2, M3),

- another screen (Z11, Z21, Z31) integrated into the game table (T),

- a smartphone loaded with a dedicated application.

9. System according to claim 8, wherein the selection touch screen makes it possible to select a parallel game from among a basket of parallel games (C2) preselected by the casino (C) from among the parallel games of the bank of parallel games (P1). ).

10. A method of invoicing a use by a casino of a parallel game belonging to a parallel game provider (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4), the invoicing method comprising identifying the value and the number of wagers on the parallel game and / or to measure the length of time of use of the parallel game, the data collected being correlated to establish a quantitative and / or temporal billing.

11. The invoicing method according to claim 10, wherein a platform (P) acts as an intermediary between the parallel game providers (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4) and the casinos (C), the platform (P) comprising a parallel game bank (P1) grouping together parallel games provided by parallel game providers (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4), the platform (P) issuing invoices to be paid by the casinos (C) to the platform (P) and invoices to be paid by the platform (P) to parallel game providers (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4) on the basis of the data collected by permutation (P2) and / or detection means (D1, D2, D3 ). 12. The invoicing method according to claim 11, wherein:

- the permutation means (P2) allow the platform (P), the casino (C) and / or the player to switch from one parallel game to another parallel game from the parallel games bank (P1) of the platform

(P) and thus determine the duration of use of each parallel game,

- the detection means (D1, D2, D3) make it possible to identify the value and the number of wagering elements deposited on a parallel wagering zone (S11, S21, S31) of a game table (T).

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