AU2003265410A1 - Skill based lottery system - Google Patents

Description

WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 SKILL BASED LOTTERY SYSTEM RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 5 nos. 60/402,814, filed August 12, 2002, 60/443,360, filed January 29, 2003 and U.S. patent application no. 10/392,138, filed March 19, 2003. TECHNICAL FIELD The instant invention is for a skill based lottery system wherein 10 winning, rather than depending on a random selection, is determined by the outcome of a pre-selected sporting event or events. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Typical lottery games require participants to correctly pick numbers (3, 15 4, 5 or 6 numbers), which may win if the selected numbers are drawn from a larger pool of numbers. Typically, numbers are chosen from a computer coded card which is then presented to an authorized lottery agent. Lottery tickets containing the selected set or sets of numbers are then generated by a ticket generator. Players also may opt to "quick pick," i.e., have their 20 selections made for them by a random number generator contained in the lottery ticket machine. The drawing to determine the winning numbers is conducted by means of a random.number generating device such as, but not limited to, those disclosed in United States Patent Nos. 4,583,736, 4,796,890 and 4,813,676. 25 A particular problem which has faced numerous jurisdictions which sponsor lottery games is that of declining revenues and profits. There are a number of state lottery agencies which are running deficits due to increased competition for players. With the proliferation of lotteries, states and Canadian provinces have aggressively campaigned to receive a larger share of static 30 lottery revenues. In addition, it is common for lottery jackpots to accumulate over many weeks. Accordingly, players frequently wait until a jackpot has grown to a substantial level before beginning to purchase tickets. Thus, the size of the jackpot is directly proportional to the demand for tickets. This phenomenon WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 tends to create an inconsistent cash-flow for the lottery authority and frequently leads to frenzied buying at the last minute as the jackpot accumulates. This situation can result in people waiting in line for hours to purchase tickets, which disrupts the business of the ticket vendor and 5 discourages the elderly and infirm from purchasing tickets. It would be desirable to provide a novel lottery game which would increase player interest and which would help to increase the revenues of a lottery which adopted and sponsored the game. There is also a need for a skill-based lottery to increase interest in 10 lottery type gaming by permitting players to have an increased chance of success. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel lottery game in which the winning combination is not the result of a random number generator, but is instead based on the outcome of sporting events. 15 These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the Summary and Detailed Description which follow. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a method for providing a 20 lottery type game is disclosed comprising substantially the steps of establishing winning criteria from the outcome of an actual scheduled sporting event or series of events, such as, but not limited to, a golf tournament, auto race, football game, baseball game, basketball game, tennis tournament, soccer game, cricket match, bass fishing tournament, etc., the criteria being 25 selected from the group consisting of placement in terms of finish, scoring totals, timing of scoring, statistical totals or the like; providing information for the lottery users relating to the winning criteria; accepting selections and a wager from the users; awaiting the outcome of the events to determine winning values; matching the selections of users to the outcome of the events 30 to determine whether a user has won; and providing a payment to winners. In this way, the criteria that form the basis for winning are objective and verifiable elements. Therefore, users of the lottery are assured that the winning combination is not "fixed" and that their own analysis of the sporting 2 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 participant players or teams is partly responsible for winning the lottery. Thus, the lottery system of the present invention is not just luck. In a preferred embodiment prior to the users participating in the lottery, the provider selects elements that will result in a winning combination. For 5 example, in a most preferred embodiment the provider selects a golf tournament such as the Masters in which about 140 golfers typically participate. Each golfer is assigned a number by the lottery provider, the number being based on established rankings such as are available on published websites such as the PGA web site. Users then select those 10 players on which to bet will finish in the top six places in the tournament. In another preferred embodiment the provider can provide a lottery in which only the top four or five finishers need to be correctly chosen. The provider may make several lotteries available simultaneously. According to different embodiments, winning may be the result of selecting all four or five or 15 six players in the finishing sequence or simply selecting the group correctly, without regard to individual placement. In other preferred embodiments the sporting event upon which the lottery is based is car racing such as but not limited to NASCAR which typically has a field of 43 drivers. Numbers are assigned to the drivers by 20 their starting or "pole" position available from published sources such as newspapers or web sites. Users then select the top four, five or six finishers depending on the lottery game established by the provider. In 4 most preferred eifilodi ietth7yr oVid-err-iy further -divide the sporting event participants into "fields." For example, for a golf tournament 25 with a large number of players the fields may be divided as follows: 30 3 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 FIELD NO. PARTICIPANT NO. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 * * 40 40 41 41-50 42 51-60 43 61-70 44 71-80 45 81-90 46 91-100 47 101-110 48 111-120 49 121-130 50 131-140 Therefore users can select a field numbered 41 or higher and obtain ten chances (golfers) instead of only one, thereby increasing the users chance of winning. A further embodiment, intended to increase interest in 5 wagering on groups of lower ranked players is to increase the number of players in a group as the ranking goes lower. 10 15 4 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 In this case, the fields would be divided as follows: FIELD NO. PARTICIPANT NO. 1 1 2 2 3 3 40 40 41 41-44 42 45-51 43 52-61 44 62-75 45 76-96 46 97-127 47 128-170 The foregoing adjusted "field" can be divided in any number of ways. The field can be divided in a variety of sporting events in the same way, e.g., 5 for car racing, bicycle racing such as the Tour de France, boat racing such as the Americas Cup yacht race and the like. In yet another embodiment, the lottery can be applied to team sporting events. For example, the criteria can be set based on scoring totals of football, basketball, baseball, soccer or hockey teams over a given period of 10 time. In one preferred embodiment the provider sets the criteria as the six highest scoring football teams during one weekend of regular season National Football League play. Users must then correctly choose the six National Football League teams that will score the most points during that weekend. The same type of criteria can be applied to any other team sport for a given 15 time period. Other variations of criteria may be fewest points (runs, goals, etc.) allowed by a team, fewest points (runs, goals, etc.) scored, etc. Other combinations of betting criteria are, for example, the six highest (or lowest) scoring teams in a time period, the first (or last) teams to score, teams shooting the most (least) shots on goal, and other possible permutations. 20 Other variations include season-long criteria for team sports such as, but not limited to, wins, losses, total points (runs, goals, etc.) scored, total points (runs, goals, etc.) allowed, etc. In every instance, regardless of the 5 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 criteria, users of the lottery must choose four, five or six finishers depending on the lottery structure in order to win. Another advantage of the invention is that the winning combination is not entirely random. Factors such as how participants in the sporting event 5 compete in certain venues, injury reports, weather conditions, current level of play and the like all influence the outcome. Therefore, the skill of a user as a "handicapper" in large part can increase the chances of that user winning. In a most preferred embodiment, the lottery is available to a global market, increasing the number of system users and the potential for returns. 10 In additional preferred embodiments, a user accesses the game via a wide area network or by some other remote means. The user is requested to input information regarding identification of the user and payment means. Once the user has decided to actually place a wager on a game or a grouping of games and has provided the requested information, the user accesses a 15 gaming page which presents choices and accepts the user's selection for the given game or games. Once the user has input his or her selection, the user is asked to confirm the user's number and/or character selection. The user is then sent a confirmation of the user's number and/or character and, in some preferred embodiments, a ticket or an entry identification number, preferably 20 by email. The user then waits for the conclusion of the event for the winning combination to be established. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS- - FIG. I is an illustration of typical hardware in a network system 25 environment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A depicts a flowchart diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B depicts a flowchart diagram of a further preferred embodiment 30 of the present invention. FIG. 2C depicts a flowchart diagram of a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2D depicts a preferred embodiment of a database scheme of the present invention. 6 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 FIG. 2E depicts a preferred embodiment of a main page employed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2F depicts a preferred embodiment of an event page employed in accordance with the present invention. 5 FIG. 2G depicts a preferred embodiment of a game page employed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2H depicts a preferred embodiment of a shopping cart page employed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3A depicts a log in/create account page of a preferred 10 embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B depicts a financial information page of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3C depicts a payment information page of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 15 FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process involved in one preferred embodiment of the present invention for establishing a field of players, some of which are listed individually and some of which are listed in groups. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 20 Preferred embodiments of the instant invention operate on a network, such as, for example, the Internet, or another type of remote access system, such as a kiosk-based terminal, a telephone, a personal digital assistant, a puIse code system, - web TV, ~or ny other- deice o method that communicates alpha numeric data through a server. 25 Preferred embodiments of the instant invention operate in accordance with a plurality of networked computers, such as, for example, a user computer and a server computer which are coupled together on a communications network, such as, for example, the Internet or a wide area network. FIG. 1 depicts a network communication hardware 10 that operates 30 to implement preferred embodiments of the invention. In preferred embodiments, network communication hardware 10 includes a server computer 12 and a client, or user, computer terminal 14, wherein server computer 12 and user computer 14 are in electronic communication with each other via a network 17. Network 17 may be a local area network (LAN), a 7 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 wide area network (WAN), or the Internet, and is hardwired, wireless, or a hybrid thereof. In some preferred embodiments, network communication hardware 10 includes a plurality of either servers 12, user computers 14, or any 5 combination thereof. Server 12 incorporates a memory device from which gaming information and other relevant data is accessible to user computer 14. Preferably, hardware 10 includes a plurality of servers 12 that are operatively connected to network 17. Two such servers 12 are shown in FIG. 1. It will be understood that network systems in accordance with various embodiments 10 will include more than two servers 12. Server computer 12 comprises any suitable network-connectable device capable of providing content (data representing text, hypertext, photographs, graphics, video and/or audio) for communication over network 17. In preferred embodiments, server computer 12 is a programmable 15 processor capable of operating in accordance with programs stored on one or more of computer readable media 24 (for example, but not limited to, floppy disks, hard disks, random access memory RAM, CD-ROM, ZIP disks), to provide content for communication to a connected user computer 14. Server computer 12 comprises, for example, but is not limited to, a personal 20 computer, a mainframe computer, network computer, portable computer, personal digital assistant (such as, a 3Com Palm Pilot), or the like. The server computer 12 may include one or more internal data storage devices, e.g. a hard drive (not shown), for storing conen fooriiatior to a user computer 14. Alternatively, or in addition, server computer 12 is coupled to an 25 external data storage device, computer or other means, generally represented at 26, from which server computer 12 obtains information for communication to user computer 14. In one embodiment, external device 26 comprises a further network device coupled to network 17. Server computer 12 is controlled by suitable software to provide the requested content information to 30 the requesting user computer 14, provided that various criteria are met. In a preferred WAN environment, such as the Internet, server computer 12 is controlled by software adapted to generate a response to a valid request for content information by transmitting or downloading data in the form of one or more HTML files to a requesting user computer 14. It will be understood by 8 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 those skilled in the art that this process involves communication through routers and other network components in addition to suitable servers, as is dictated by the particular network environment. User computer 14 comprises any suitable network-adapted device 5 capable of communicating with other devices in the network system according to an established protocol. In preferred embodiments, user computer 14 comprises a programmable processor capable of operating in accordance with programs stored on one or more computer readable media 18 (for example, but not limited to floppy disk, hard disk, computer network, random 10 access memory (RAM), CD Rom, ZIP disks, or the like). User computer 14 also has a display device 20 for providing a user-perceivable display (for example, but not limited to visual displays, such as cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, light-emitting-diode (LED) or liquid-crystal-diode (LCD) displays, plasma displays or the like, audio displays or tactile displays), and a user 15 input device 22 (for example, but not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touch pad, microphone, or the like). In one preferred embodiment, user computer 14 comprises a personal computer system having a CRT display, a keyboard and a mouse user-input device. The user computer 14 is controlled by suitable software, including 20 network communication and browser software to allow a user to request, receive and display information (or content) from or through a provider computer 12 on the network system 10. The user computers 14 are any means capable 6f comunicatinygwith thes-erver-computers 12, irfocluding, but not limited, to personal computers, PDAs, email-enabled cell phones and 25 ATM-type terminals. User computers 14 access server computers 12 via network 17 or through some other remote access, such as, for example, by telephone lines. Preferred embodiments of the instant invention base winning criteria on one or more sporting events, the results of the sporting event or events, and 30 further provide a verifiable method of determining the winning combination of the lottery. The present invention is typically applied to a single sporting event when the sporting event involves a large number of competing entrants, such as but not limited to a golf tournament, basketball tournament such as the NCAA tournament or a baseball season. The invention is typically applied to 9 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 a plurality of sporting events when the number of entrants in a single event is small, a basketball game (between two teams), but there are many such games being played in a confined time frame, such as a weekend of professional basketball games. Indeed, individual players can independently 5 ascertain the results of the lottery and verify the authenticity of such results through published outcomes of the particular sporting events involved. With reference to FIG. 2A, a flowchart of operations involved in one preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. According to the FIG. 2A flowchart, players who desire to participate in a particular lottery game 10 establish a connection in step 16 on a wide area computer network between a user computer 14 (see FIG. 1) and a server 12. In preferred embodiments, a substantially unlimited number of players can connect to the system, receive information and place wagers at any given time and for any given game or series of games. Indeed, in preferred embodiments, global participation in any 15 given game is possible. As is well known, the processing speed of modern computers, being on the order of millions of operations per second, permits such seemingly simultaneous accommodation of many users. Once a player has established a connection with server 12 (FIG. 1), the player accesses an initial, or home, page in step 18 (FIG. 2A). To participate 20 in a game, the user registers or sign-up through an accessible sign-up page, examples of which ware illustrated in FIGs. 3A, 3B and 3C, via a link from the home page, as will be described below. Once a user has accessed the sign up page, the user is able to enter5iriet-infarritiaifctrdiritoistep 20, such as, for example, name, address, date of birth, the method of payment 25 information. Address and date of birth information may be used in combination for user confirmation. The inputted information is conveyed to and verified by server 12 in step 23, such as, for example, the credit information or account information. If the information is accepted, server 12 allows the user to access a gaming page in step 24 via an access button, 30 such as a "play" button. Once connected to the gaming pages, the user enters selections at step 26, and enters the number of desired drawings, that is, the number of games to play with these selections. The "selection" is data, in the form of 10 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 numbers, alphabet characters, mouse clicks, or other indicia, being representative of the user's choices for the game. When the user is satisfied with his selections, the user selects a confirmation 27, or multiplay element on the gaming page via an access 5 button. The gaming server then accesses the confirmation page. Once the user has accessed the confirmation page, the user's selections and number of plays are displayed for the user. The display of the selections provides confirmation at step 28 to the user that the correct selections have been recorded. In one preferred embodiment, the user reconfirms the selections by 10 selecting an "OK" feature, or has the opportunity to change the selections by selecting a "CLEAR" feature, which indicates that the choices are incorrect and allows the user to make new selections. After the user's selections and plays have been confirmed, the user can access another play via a repeat play utility, such as a "Play Another 15 Game" feature at step 29. If the user selects the "Play Another Game" option and chooses to play, the server will return the user to the general gaming page at step 30. If instead, the user chooses to terminate play, the user then exits the gaming web site 32. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in 20 flowchart depiction in FIG. 2B. A user of the lottery system connects at step 36 by various means, some of which are telephone, personal visit, computer link and mobile communication. Access to the system occurs through an Internet web site at step 38, froin ihidh ths dafeiiinatian is rmade at step 40 of whether the user has an existing account. If the user has an existing 25 account, the account is accessed at step 46. If not, the user is requested at step 42 to set up an account, the information for which is entered into the system database at step 44, in compliance with for example FIGs. 3A - 3C, described below. After entering information into the database at step 44, the established account is accessed at step 46. The user is then presented with 30 a selection at step 48 for various sports on which wagers may be made, for example, golf, tennis, football, hockey, soccer, track & field, bowling, etc. In a preferred embodiment, assuming that the user selects golf as a choice, the system moves to step 50 to make a selection and place a bet. The selection process is discussed below. After the user and other users of the system 11 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 have placed their wagers, the time window for wagering is elapsed at the beginning of the sporting event or events, and the results are awaited. The results, or outcome, of the sporting event is determined at step 54. The outcome may be reported directly to the server from a wire service or 5 may be inputted manually after reference to a news reporting service or the like. Each wager ticket is evaluated by comparison to the reported outcome to determine whether it is a winner or a loser. if a winner is determined at step 58, the account of the holder of the winning ticket is updated, i.e., winning amount deposited, at step 60, and the information is entered into 10 database 44. If the ticket is not a winner, determined at step 56, or after a deposit of the winning amount is made at step 58 and the account is updated at step 60, the holder of the winning ticket is notified at step 62, by any known means of communication. The game administrator or provider presents the winning numbers 15 which have been obtained from the results of an event. For example, and discussed below, in one preferred embodiment winning criteria are determined from the results of a selected sporting event such as, but not limited to a golf tournament wherein, for example, the players are ranked according to their prior performance and given ranking numbers. The top six 20 finishers of the event are identified in a post-tournament report by numbers corresponding to their rankings. The results of the tournament are posted and the lottery winners are notified by any acceptable means, including, but not limited to, telephone, e-mail, postl servis,~facsinile and p-stiiph- the Web site maintained by the service operator. 25 Registration is preferably completed before wagering. Registration can be implemented by entry of the information either manually or through a computer terminal, such as may be presented over the Internet or in a sports book parlor or at a kiosk. Each potential user will preferably be asked to register when entering the system by being presented with a screen, an 30 example of which is shown in FIG. 3A, by entering information in the windows of dialog box 70, e.g., email name and password. In this embodiment, a new user will be required to open an account by clicking on the "create" button in dialog box 72. The new user will move to FIG. 3B to enter identifying information into the several data windows in dialog box 74. At the completion 12 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 of box 74, the user will click on the "create" button and be presented with the screen in FIG. 3C, including dialog box 76 for the submission of payment methods and information. Where available, payment information may be entered by inserting a bank card or credit card in a reader. Upon completing 5 the registration information, the user is validated by the system and presented with sport and event selection and wagering options. Now referring to FIG. 2C, a further preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a WAN accessible web site comprising a main page 100, events page 110, game page 120, shopping cart page 130, log in/create 10 account page 140, summary page 160, payment information page 160 and confirmation page 170. FIG 2D comprises an example of a database scheme for this embodiment. Now referring to FIG. 2E, main page 100 comprises a plurality of sport categories from which a user may choose by for example clicking on a sport 15 of interest. Main page 100, like all pages in this embodiment, may further comprise links to other pages such as, but not limited to, log in/create account page 140 or "hot links" to game page 120. Upon selecting a sport on main page 100, a user accesses events page 110. Now referring to FIG. 2F, events page 110 displays the particular 20 current events in the sport selected in main page 100 upon which a wager can be placed. Event page 110 preferably comprises links to other pages. A user selects an event from the event page 110 by clicking on the event and is transferred to game page 120. Now referring to FIG. 2G, game page 120 comprises a list of the 25 participants for the selected event and the rules and criteria governing the particular lottery to be conducted for that event. For example, in a preferred embodiment, game page 120 provides a list of players in a golf tournament and permits a user to select from four to six golfers or groups of golfers the user believes will finish in the top four, five or six places in the tournament. A 30 user may use game page 120 to play multiple games. Game page 120 may provide the user, lists comprising the selections made for each game played. Now referring to FIG. 2H, upon completing all selections, a user may click on a link to shopping cart page 130, which displays selections for each game in the form of lists or "tickets". Shopping cart page 130 permits a user 13 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 to delete unwanted "tickets" or go back to the game page to add further "tickets". Once a user has decided to proceed with the "tickets" the user has created through his selections, the user may click on a link to the log in/create account page 140. 5 Now referring to FIG. 3A, if the user has an existing account the user enters his e-mail and password in dialog box 70 and proceeds to order summary page 150. Now referring to FIGs. 3B and 3C, if the user does not have an existing account the user creates an account using the prompts on create account page 140. Once an account and log in password are 10 generated the user may proceed to order summary page 150. Order summary page 150 permits a user to confirm the order prior to proceeding to payment information page 160. Payment information page 160 collects payment information such as but not limited to credit card information. After entering said information the user submits the payment information for 15 determination as to whether the information is valid and the financial transaction can be completed. Upon confirmation of a successful transaction the user is transferred to printable confirmation page 170. Funds may be linked to be transferred between existing betting pools and the lottery of the present invention. Wagering fees are typically 20 transferred after selections are made, but before the user is issued a wager confirmation. Winnings are typically credited at the conclusion of the sporting event via the Internet, or other transmission means, to existing bank, credit or betting accounts. In many sporting events, for example a major golf tournament, there 25 are a large number of players who compete, possibly 100 or more. This presents a group that is typically too large for purposes of a lottery. Thus, it is recognized that if a plurality of lower ranked players were to be grouped for betting purposes, the number of available selections from which to choose can be reduced to a manageable number appropriate for a lottery. This rank 30 group size inverse concept is exemplified in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and described below. Referring to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment the total number of players in a sporting event is determined in step 401, and the total number of possible selections, that is often, but not always, less than the number of 14 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 players, is determined in step 402. That is, if there are 100 players, but the wagering is known to be more attractive with a maximum of 50 selections, a number of players are grouped together, increasing the chance that a winner could emerge from a lower ranked player group. If the number of players is 5 not greater than the number of selections, as determined in step 403, a simple list of players is generated according to rank in step 404. If the number of players is greater than the number of selections, the system or administrator establishes a maximum number of players to be listed individually in step 405, for example by reference to a pre-established chart, rule or the like. The 10 number of individual players is subtracted from the total number of selections in step 406 to define a number of players to be grouped. The players that are to be listed individually are assigned positions on the list according to their rank in step 407, and the process of assigning groups is begun in step 408. In step 409, a determination is made as to whether the groups are to be equal 15 or unequal in size, also by reference to a pre-established chart or rule. If the groups are to be equal, the system simply divides the number of grouped players into equal groups and generates the list in step 410. If the groups are to be unequal, the invention recognizes that division to place the lower ranked players into larger groups and the higher ranked players into smaller groups 20 will encourage group wagering. Indeed, a user may select a first wager of 4 or 5 or 6 individual players and a second wager of 4, 5, 6 groups, increasing the interest aspect of the wager. Alternatively, a user may select individuals or groups. If the groups are to be unequal, as determined in step 411, the number 25 of grouped players "G" is divided by a pre-established factor "X," rounding odd numbers upwardly. Factor "X" is designed to determine the size of the first, smallest, group, and is reflective of the total number of grouped players. The result of the "G/X" division is assigned the first group number in step 412. "G/X," the size of the first group, is then multiplied by a factor, e.g., 1.5, to 30 determine the size of the second group in step 413. The resultant group of players from the 1.5 x "G/X" is assigned to the second group in the listing in step 414, and the process continues until all players are assigned in step 415. In this way, the second group has 50% more players than the first group and the third group has 50% more players than the second group, increasing the 15 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 likelihood that one of the low ranked players in the groups may place high in the tournament. By way of example, and not limitation, if there are 50 grouped players, "X" is set at 8, making the first group =6, the second group =9, the third group =13, and the fourth group =20 (the 2 remaining players 5 may be included in the fourth group - if the number of remaining players is greater than half the number assigned to the fourth group, the remaining players may be divided between the third and fourth groups, equally or proportionally). The factor 1.5 may be adjusted depending on the administrator's preference. 10 In a further example, the administrator may wish to conduct a game based on an event having 130 participants, such as a golf tournament, but desires the event to have 49 available selections, such that in order to win a user must correctly pick the four, five or six top finishers in any order. The administrator may specify the top 40 ranked participants are numbered 1 15 through 40. The remaining 90 participants are divided into 9 groups of 10 participants. Thus, the game will have 40 players individually listed with the corresponding identifying numbers 1-40 associated with their name and 90 players grouped in 9 groups with the identifying designations G1-G9 associated with each of the 9 groups of 10, resulting in 49 selections from 20 which a player may select. As indicated above, some preferred embodiments utilize a wide area network, such as, the Internet, for transmission and receipt of information for the gaming data. Inise preferred embodifiits th-ga-miig-s-rvertransmits information to the player in the form of a web site. The user accesses an 25 initial, or home, page upon entry into the lottery system. The home page is an introductory page that comprises textual information and hyperlinks for access to subsequent screens in the lottery system. In some preferred embodiments, the home page is designed to direct a player to a foreign language home page and following pages, if desired, in which the information is presented in 30 a specific language selected by the player. The textual information comprises any type of information that the gaming provider chooses. In one embodiment, the textual information comprises gaming information and rules and regulations, or, in alternate embodiments, a link that connects the user to access a rules and regulatory 16 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 information page. Gaming information comprises jackpot totals (i.e., an amount representing current wagers for an event that is soon to be played), upcoming lottery participatory sporting events and previous winning combinations. In some preferred embodiments, winning numbers and/or 5 characters are updated immediately after the new winning combinations are determined. In another preferred embodiment, the jackpot total is displayed in the different currencies of all of the countries in which the lottery game is available to be played. As more players participate in placing wager selections, the 10 jackpot becomes larger. As the jackpot becomes larger, the displayed totals change to reflect the most recent information each preset time interval, such as, for example, every minute, quarter hour, or every hour. The rules and other regulatory information can be included directly on the home page, or, in alternate embodiments, is able to be accessed via a 15 hyperlink from the home page. Players may also access the rules and regulations from other pages (described below) on the site, or from a number of different pages. If the rules and regulation information is accessed via a hyperlink, the user is directed to a file comprising "How to Play" information stored in a memory device from which it can be retrieved. Preferably, the 20 rules and regulations information comprise information related to restrictions of the game, including, but not limited to, information regarding who is not eligible to play the game; entry provisions; how to claim the jackpot; claiming deadlines; dispute resolution; miscellaneous transactiari fef-s;-an-d-dfinition of legal terms. As regulations and rules change, due, for example, to changes in 25 laws, or at the discretion of the lottery provider, this section is updated to reflect such changes. The home page includes at least one hyperlink, for example, a "Play" button, such that the player can exit the home page and advance to other pages on the system, wherein the user can ultimately indicate his or her 30 selections to play. In one preferred embodiment, the home page comprises hyperlinks to registration or sign-up pages, which are written in English and a number of foreign languages, or as previously discussed, as well as hyperlinks to the rules and regulations file. 17 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 If a user chooses to participate in the game, the user may be required to register prior to commencing play of the game. Selection of the aforementioned command hyperlink will send the user to a registration page. If a user has previously registered, the registered user can simply access 5 selection pages by entry of a password. Once information has been entered into the registration page, the player enters a command, such as a HTML hyperlink embedded in a "play" button graphic which moves the user to the next step of the process. In some preferred embodiments, a user cannot progress to the next step of the 10 process until all of the information is provided and the underlying transaction has been authorized and cleared. In some preferred embodiments, if any part of the registration page form is not filled in completely, or if the form of payment is rejected, the player is sent back to the registration page to correct the problem. 15 In some preferred embodiments, once the requested information on the registration page has been provided and transmitted, and the underlying transaction has been approved and accepted, the user can access the game page via the gaming server. In preferred embodiments, the user clicks on a "play" button which accesses the game page if the above requirements have 20 been met. Alternatively, a player may browse the game page and is not required to register until he is satisfied he wishes to play. In such a case, the user may make all selections and not be required to register until he decides to participate. Different payouts for correct choices are contemplated. The highest 25 payout is made to a user selecting six out of six correct top finishers. Correctly choosing five of five or four of four also results in payouts. In a most preferred embodiment, a bonus payment may be made for picking the. top six or five or four finishes in the correct order of finishing. A further variation is to pick the top finisher in the top spot and the other top finishers in random 30 order. In a preferred embodiment, if there is no winner for a particular lottery the jackpot is rolled over into another lottery game, preferably based on a similar sporting event. For example, if there is no winner of the lottery based 18 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 on the outcome of the British Open, the jackpot is rolled into the next scheduled PGA event. Having described preferred embodiments of a system and a method for facilitating on-line lottery games according to the present invention, it is noted 5 that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the present invention is a skill based lottery system, it is contemplated that the game be offered to users with the option of making "quick pick" selections via a random number generator. 10 It is also contemplated that the game may be offered such that users may enter their picks on paper or verbally communicated to an administrator and the users selections are used to generate a "ticket", either in electronic, paper or other suitable form. The ticket may be a confirmation containing the users' selections and the player may determine if the ticket is a winner by 15 submitting it to an administrator for determination and subsequent payment. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto is limited to the description as set forth herein, but the claims should be construed as encompassing all features that would be treated as equivalent to those of the present invention by those skilled in the art. 20 19

Claims (34)

1. A gaming system comprising the steps of: a) establishing criteria based on an outcome of at least one 5 actual scheduled event; b) providing access to at least one user of the system to the criteria; c) accepting from the user at least one wager and selections by the user relating to the criteria; d) awaiting an outcome of the at least one event to determine 10 event results; e) comparing the selections of the user to the outcome of the at least one event to determine whether the user has met the criteria and thereby won; and f) providing a payment to the user if the user has won. 15

2. The invention according to claim 1, said step of establishing criteria comprising requiring a winning ticket to identify the top six finishers of a contest. 20

3. The invention according to claim 1, said sporting event selected from the group consisting of a golf tournament, a tennis tournament, a car race, a bicycle race and a boat race.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the at least one 25 sporting event comprises a series of sporting events.

5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the series of sporting events is a sport series contest. 30

6. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the sporting events comprise a series of events in a selected time period. 20 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122

7. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the step of establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to identify the top five finishers of a contest. 5

8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the step of establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to identify the top four finishers of a contest.

9. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the step of 10 establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to identify the top six scoring teams for a given time period.

10. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the step of establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to 15 identify the top five scoring teams for a given time period.

11. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the step of establishing criteria comprises requiring a winning ticket to identify the top four scoring teams for a given time period. 20

12. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the winning criteria comprises selecting the six teams to score the fastest goal for a given time period. 25

13. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the winning criteria comprises selecting the five teams to score the fastest goal for a given time period.

14. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the winning criteria 30 comprises selecting the four teams to score the fastest goal for a given time period.

15. The invention according to claim 1, including the user accessing the system via a wide area network. 21 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122

16. The invention according to claim 15, wherein the network comprises the Internet. 5

17. The invention accordingly to claim 1, including the user accessing the system via a remote access system.

18. The invention according to claim 17, wherein the remote access system employs communication of alpha numeric data with a 10 server selected from the group consisting of a kiosk terminal, telephone, personal digital assistant, pulse code system and web TV.

19. The invention according to claim 15, further comprising 15 requesting from the user information regarding the identity of the user and payment information; a) accepting or denying access of the user in response to a prompt; b) providing in the prompt information to the user relating to 20 criteria that has been identified; c) accepting selections from the user; and d) confirming to said user the selections.

20. A skill based gaming system comprising at least one user 25 computer coupled to at least one server computer on a communications network, the server computer storing gaming data accessible to the user computer and software to provide requested content to the user computer. 30

21. In a skill based gaming system with a list of participants, a method for establishing a field of participants and participant groups from which selections are made, comprising the steps of: a) determining a total number of participants; b) establishing a total number of selections; 22 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122 c) establishing a maximum number of participants to list individually as selections; d) determining a number of selections available for participant groups; 5 e) assigning individual participants to the individual participant selection list; and f) assigning remaining participants to the group selection list.

22. The method as described in claim 22, wherein the maximum 10 number of players to list individually is not greater than the total number of players.

23. The method as described in claim 22, wherein the step of assigning remaining participants comprises dividing the number 15 of remaining participants into participant groups of equal size.

24. The method as described in claim 22, wherein the step of assigning remaining participants comprises dividing the number of remaining participants into player groups of unequal size. 20

25. The method as described in claim 24, further comprising participants having a rank, wherein the step of assigning remaining participants comprises dividing the number of remaining participants into groups wherein the lower ranked 25 participants are placed into a larger size group.

26. The method as described in claim. 25, wherein the step of assigning remaining participants comprises dividing the number of remaining participants into groups wherein each successive 30 group of lower ranked participants is formed to contain approximately 50% or more players than the previous higher ranked group. 23 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122

27. A gaming system for wagering on a plurality of sporting events, comprising the steps of: a) defining requirements to win the game; b) making the established requirements available to users of the 5 system; c) receiving wagers from users of the system in respect to the requirements to win; d) obtaining results from the plurality of sporting events; e) comparing the results to the wagers of the users with results 10 from the sporting events; and f) determining whether any user won the game.

28. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the 15 highest score in the plurality of sporting events.

29. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the lowest score in the plurality of sporting events. 20

30. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the earliest score among the plurality of sporting events. 25

31. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the latest score among the plurality of sporting events.

32. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to 30 win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the most shots on goal. 24 WO 2004/015544 PCT/US2003/025122

33. The system according to claim 27, wherein the requirements to win comprise picking a defined number of teams that attained the least shots on goal. 5

34. The system according to claim 27, wherein the method is implemented electronically via a communication network. 25