AU2008202058A1

AU2008202058A1 - SMS Wagering System

Info

Publication number: AU2008202058A1
Application number: AU2008202058A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anthony John Lees
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-07
Filing date: 2008-05-07
Publication date: 2009-11-26

Description

P100/009 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: SMS WAGERING SYSTEM The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 082014 - 2 SMS WAGERING SYSTEM The present invention relates to wagering on racing or other sporting events and, more particularly, to the use of 5 mobile phone and associated digital technology to conduct wagers. BACKGROUND Wagering on racehorses, greyhound, harness racing and 10 sporting events continues to grow and the use of technology in the placing of bets is constantly changing. Traditionally, the only way in which a bet could be placed was by the Bettor attending the actual event at a licensed racecourse and place a wager with a bookmaker (a Bet 15 Acceptor). More recently with the introduction of the TAB (Totalisator Agency Board), wagers could be placed at local off-course "shop front" betting facilities. This development was followed by the introduction of telephone betting by which wagers could be placed by voice 20 over a telephone connection to a licensed operator. More recently still, the introduction of computers and the Internet has allowed wagers to be placed electronically with most TAB operators and licensed bookmakers. while each of these developments has added a level of 25 convenience to the process of placing a wager, a person wishing to place a bet is still often faced with -3 considerable delays in the case of telephone betting, and the need to have to hand computer facilities in the case of Internet betting. It is an object of the present invention to address or 5 at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. Notes 1. The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the 10 exclusive sense of "consisting only of". 2. The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled 15 in the art in any country. DEFINITIONS In this specification, the terms, Bettor is any person placing a wager on any horse 20 race, harness race or greyhound race held at any suitably licensed racecourse, or any sporting event at which wagering on outcomes is sanctioned by the appropriate licensing authorities. Bet Acceptor is any person, partnership, corporation 25 or any other entity authorised by appropriate authorities to accept a wager on an outcome of any horse race, harness -4 race or greyhound race held on any suitably licensed racecourse, or any sporting event at which wagering on outcomes is sanctioned by the appropriate licensing authorities. 5 SMS means Short Message Service, also known as text messaging, an alphanumeric message delivered from any suitably configured mobile phone to another entity's mobile phone, computer or other digital communication device via a mobile telephone service network. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention, there is provided a computer implemented wager creating system for placing wagers on horse, harness and greyhound 15 races, or on other sporting event outcomes; said system including use by a Bettor of an SMS communication to transmit coded data relating to a proposed wager, to a Bet Acceptor computer system; software on said Bet Acceptor computer system processing said coded data; said computer 20 system accepting said proposed wager if said coded data meets predefined criteria. Preferably, said coded data is structured in said SMS communication according to a protocol issued by said Bet Acceptor over an Internet website maintained on said Bet 25 Acceptor computer system.

- 5 Preferably, said Bet Acceptor computer system includes servers and data storage media; said computer system retaining records of said Bettor. Preferably, said records include a predefined 5 identification code for said Bettor. Preferably, said predefined identification code includes said Bettor's mobile phone number. Preferably, said predefined identification code further includes an alphanumeric string nominated by said Bettor. 10 Preferably, said computer system is equipped with software for receiving SMS to computer communication over a mobile phone service network. Preferably, said computer system retains coded data representative of any said horse, harness or greyhound 15 races or other sporting events and contestants for which said Bet Acceptor is currently willing to accept wagers. Preferably, said computer system is equipped with software for issuing an SMS response to an SMS message received from a said Bettor. 20 Preferably, said Bettor is identified in a said SMS communication to said Bet Acceptor computer system by said predefined identification code; said predefined identification code retained on said servers and data storage media of said computer system.

- 6 Preferably, said Bettor establishes a Bettor account with said Bet Acceptor; account details for said Bettor maintained on said computer system of said Bet Acceptor. Preferably, said Bettor nominates a Bettor bank account 5 for use in transfer of funds between said Bettor account maintained on said computer system of said Bet Acceptor and said Bettor bank account. Preferably, an amount specified for a said wager placed by said Bettor is deducted by said computer system from 10 said Bettor account if said wager is unsuccessful. Preferably, said Bettor is notified by an SMS communication that said wager was unsuccessful; said SMS communication including a new Bettor account balance. Preferably, winnings resulting from a successful said 15 wager placed by said Bettor are transferred by said computer system to said Bettor account; said Bettor notified of success of said wager and a new current balance by means of an SMS communication to said Bettor generated by said computer system. 20 Preferably, a request for placing a wager by said SMS communication includes at least codes identifying a said race or other sporting event, at least one contestant capable of winning said sporting event, and a wager amount. Preferably, said SMS communication may further include a 25 wager characterizing code; said code including codes for -7 quinella or other winning arrangements for more than one contestant capable of winning said sporting event. Preferably, said computer system accepts said request for placing a wager if said Bettor account balance is 5 sufficient for said wager, if a race or sporting event nominated for said wager. is still to be concluded and if a nominated said at least one contestant capable of winning said event remains a participant; said computer system generating an SMS communication notifying said Bettor of 10 acceptance of said request. Preferably, a said Bettor may obtain a current balance of a said Bettor account by including in an SMS communication to said Bet Acceptor the word "balance". Preferably, a said Bettor may transfer funds from a said 15 Bettor account to said nominated bank account by including in an SMS communication to said Bet Acceptor computer system the word "collect" and amount of said funds to be transferred. Preferably, a first Bettor may arrange a transfer of 20 funds from an account of said first Bettor to an account of a second Bettor by including in an SMS communication the word "transfer" and identifying code for said account of said second Bettor. Preferably, software of said computer system of said Bet 25 Acceptor is adapted to issue a response to an SMS request from a said Bettor for information of currently available sporting events on which wagers may be placed; said response including a scrollable listing of said available sporting events. Preferably, said response further includes details of 5 odds for wagers placed on any of said currently available sporting events, In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method for placing wagers with a Bet Acceptor by a Bettor on horse, harness and greyhound races and other sporting 10 events by use of SMS communications; said method including the steps of: (a) said Bettor establishing a Bettor account with said Bet Acceptor, (b) said Bettor composing an SMS communication on a 15 mobile phone or other SMS enabled communication device, (c) transmitting said SMS communication to said Bet Acceptor over a mobile phone communication service. Preferably, said SMS communication includes an identifying code for said Bettor; said identifying code 20 recognizable by software maintained on a computer system of said Bet Acceptor. Preferably, said communication further includes code identifying a said sporting event, at least one contestant capable of winning said sporting event and a wager amount.

- 9 Preferably, winnings resulting from a successful wager are transferred to said Bettor account; said Bettor advised of the new balance in said Bettor account. Preferably, said wager amount is deducted from said 5 Bettor account if said wager is unsuccessful; said Bettor advised of the new balance in said Bettor account. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 10 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the principle interacting elements of the SMS communication 15 system according to the present invention, Figure 2 is. a flow chart indicating the principle steps in using the communication system of Figure 1 for the purpose of placing a wager. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 1, the SMS communication system 10 of the present invention, provides for Bettors 12 25 to place a wager with a Bet Acceptor 14 by means of an SMS communication 16 over a mobile phone network 18. The Bet - 10 Acceptor 14 maintains servers and data storage media of a computer system 20. The computer system 20 is provided with software for communication between Bettors 12 and the Bet Acceptor 14, both over the mobile phone network 18 and over 5 the Internet 22. As well, the computer system 20 manages the placing and processing of wagers placed with the Bet Acceptor 14. For Bettors 12 to make use of the communication system of the invention, each Bettor 12 firstly registers 10 with the Bet Acceptor 14. Registration may be effected by accessing an Internet website maintained by the Bet Acceptor computer system 20, by means of an Internet connected computer 24, or may be effected by means of SMS communication by mobile phone 26 (or other SMS enabled 15 device) between the Bet Acceptor computer system 20 and the registering Bettor 12. Alternatively, initial registration may be arranged by any other communication means. As part of the registration process, the Bettor 12 is provided with a Bettor account maintained on the Bet 20 Acceptor's computer system. The Bettor nominates a bank for use in transactions between the Bettor and the Bet Acceptor, and arranges a transfer of funds to his or her Bettor account, to an amount sufficient to cover any intended wager or wagers. 25 Also as part of a Bettor's registration with the Bet Acceptor 14, an identifier for the Bettor 12 is recorded by - 11 the Bet Acceptor computer system 20. This, in its simplest form, may be the number of the Bettor's mobile phone 26, but preferably will also include an alphanumeric string to act as a password for the authentication of communications 5 with the Bet Acceptor computer system. Communication with the Bet Acceptor computer system 20 for the purposes of placing a wager, is structured according to a protocol established by the Bet Acceptor 14 and made available to the Bettor 12, for example through 10 instructions accessible on the website maintained by the Bet Acceptor. Similarly, details of races and sporting events currently available for placing of a wager, as well as odds offered, may also be accessed on the Bet Acceptor web site. 15 Alternatively, code data relating to the various coming and current races and sporting events for which the Bet Acceptor is willing to accept wagers, may be made available in the form of SMS communications on request. A Bettor requiring such information may send an enquiry by 20 means of an SMS, which may for example simply be comprised of the text "events?". With reference now to the outline flow chart of Figure 2, to place a wager, the SMS message generated by a Bettor 12 for transmission to the computer system of the 25 Bet Acceptor, will include code letters for the race or sporting event on which the Bettor wishes to place a wager - 12 and the amount of the wager. Thus for example a request for a $100.00 wager on horse number 2, in the sixth race on the day at Melbourne might read "MR6 2 100". Additionally, code may be included where appropriate if a Bettor wishes to 5 wager for a quinella or other preferred winning combination. If required, the text may include an alphanumeric string for security of identification. When the communication message is complete it is sent to the phone number of the Bet Acceptor's computer system 20. 10 The computer system 20 checks the identity of the Bettor 12 as being a registered Bettor, compares the amount specified for the wager with the Bettor account balance and further checks that both the nominated race or event has not yet been concluded and that the nominated horse or 15 contestant remains a listed participant. If these criteria are met, the wager is accepted and the Bettor notified by a return SMS communication, which may include the new current balance held in the Bettor's account. If any one of the criteria is not met, the Bettor receives an SMS 20 communication rejecting the wager which may include an indication of the reason for rejection, for example the word "balance" included in the message if the Bettor account balance is insufficient to cover the requested wager. 25 At the conclusion of the race or event, the Bettor 12 is notified whether or not his or her wager has been 13 successful, by an SMS communication from the Bet Acceptor computer system 20, with the message including a new current balance. In the case of a successful outcome of the wager, a Bettor may request by an SMS communication to the 5 Bet Acceptor computer system, that an amount be transferred from the Bettor account to the Bettor's nominate bank account, for example by a text message "collect 200", if the amount to be transferred is $200.00. At any time, once a Bettor is registered with the Bet to Acceptor, he or she may arrange for a transfer of funds from the nominated bank account to the Bettor account by an SMS message which may include the text for example "deposit 200". The Bet Acceptor computer system then arranges electronic transfer of those funds from the Bettor 15 nominated bank account to the Bettor account. The system may also provided for a transfer of funds between Bettor accounts. Thus for example a registered Bettor (the "second" Bettor) who for whatever reason cannot access the Bet Accepter computer system, or is unable to 20 arrange transfer of funds to his Bettor account from the nominated bank account, may ask another registered Bettor (the "first" Bettor) to arrange a transfer of funds from the first Bettor's account to his own. Again this transfer is conducted by that other Bettor sending an SMS message to 25 the Bet Acceptor computer including the word "transfer" together with the identifying code of the second Bettor.

- 14 The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing 5 from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A computer implemented wager creating system for placing wagers on horse, harness and greyhound races 5 or on other sporting event outcomes; said system including use by a Bettor of an SMS communication to transmit coded data relating to a proposed wager, to a Bet Acceptor computer system; software on said Bet Acceptor computer system processing said coded data; 10 said computer system accepting said proposed wager if said coded data meets predefined criteria.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said coded data is structured in said SMS communication according to a protocol issued by said Bet Acceptor over an Internet 15 website maintained on said Bet Acceptor computer system.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2 wherein said Bet Acceptor computer system includes servers and data storage media; said computer system retaining records of said 20 Bettor.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said records include a predefined identification code for said Bettor.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said predefined identification code includes said Bettor's mobile 25 phone number. - 16

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said predefined identification code further includes an alphanumeric string nominated by said Bettor.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said 5 computer system is equipped with software for receiving SMS to computer communication over a mobile phone service network.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said computer system retains coded data representative of 10 any said horse, harness or greyhound races or other sporting events and contestants for which said Bet Acceptor is currently willing to accept wagers.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said computer system is equipped with software for issuing Is an SMS response to an SMS message received from a said Bettor.

10. The system of any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein said Bettor is identified in a said SMS communication to said Bet Acceptor computer system by said 20 predefined identification code; said predefined identification code retained on said servers and data storage media of said computer system.

11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said Bettor establishes a Bettor account with said Bet 25 Acceptor; account details for said Bettor maintained on said computer system of said Bet Acceptor. - 17

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said Bettor nominates a Bettor bank account for use in transfer of funds between said Bettor account maintained on said computer system of said Bet Acceptor and said Bettor 5 bank account.

13. The system of claim 11 or 12 wherein an amount specified for a said wager placed by said Bettor is deducted by said computer system from said Bettor account if said wager is unsuccessful. 10

14. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said Bettor is notified by an SMS communication that said wager was unsuccessful; said SMS communication including a new Bettor account balance.

15. The system of any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein Is winnings resulting from a success-ful said wager placed by said Bettor are transferred by said computer system to said Bettor account; said Bettor notified of success of said wager and a new current balance by means of an SMS communication to said Bettor generated 20 by said computer system.

16. The system of any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein a request for placing a wager by said SMS communication includes at least codes identifying a said race or other sporting event, at least one contestant capable 25 of winning said sporting event, and a wager amount. - 18

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said SMS communication may further include a wager characterizing code; said code including codes for quinella or other winning arrangements for more than 5 one contestant capable of winning said sporting event.

18. The system of claim 16 or 17 wherein said computer system accepts said request for placing a wager if said Bettor account balance is sufficient for said wager, if a race or sporting event nominated for 10 said wager is still to be concluded and if a nominated said at least one contestant capable of winning said event remains a participant; said computer system generating an SMS communication notifying said Bettor of acceptance of said request. 15

19. The system of any one of claims 11 to 18 wherein a said Bettor may obtain a current balance of a said Bettor account by including in an SMS communication to said Bet Acceptor the word "balance".

20. The system of any one of claims 12 to 19 wherein 20 a said Bettor may transfer funds from a said Bettor account to said nominated bank account by including in an SMS communication to said Bet Acceptor computer system the word "collect" and amount of said funds to be transferred. 25

21. The system of claim of any one of claims 11 to 20 wherein a first Bettor may arrange a transfer of funds - 19 from an account of said first Bettor to an account of a second Bettor by including in an SMS communication the word "transfer" and identifying code for said account of said second Bettor. 5

22. The system of any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein software of said computer system of said Bet Acceptor is adapted to issue a response to an SMS request from a said Bettor for information of currently available sporting events on which wagers may be placed; said 10 response including a scrollable listing of said available sporting events.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said response further includes details of odds for wagers placed on any of said currently available sporting events. is

24. A method for placing wagers with a Bet Acceptor by a Bettor on horse, harness and greyhound races and other sporting events by use of SMS communications; said method including the steps of: (a) said Bettor establishing a Bettor account with 20 said Bet Acceptor, (b) said Bettor composing an SMS communication on a mobile phone or other SMS enabled communication device, (c) transmitting said SMS communication to said Bet

25 Acceptor over a mobile phone communication service. - 20 25. The method of claim 24 wherein said SMS communication includes an identifying code for said Bettor; said identifying code recognizable by software maintained on a computer system of said Bet Acceptor. 5

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said communication further includes code identifying a said sporting event, at least one contestant capable of winning said sporting event and a wager amount.

27. The method of any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein 10 winnings resulting from a successful wager are transferred to said Bettor account; said Bettor advised of the new balance in said Bettor account.

28. The method of claim 25 or 27 wherein said wager amount is deducted from said Bettor account if said 15 wager is unsuccessful; said Bettor advised of the new balance in said Bettor account.