Single account multi-bookmaker odds comparison gaming event online wagering   

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This PCT Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/,036,406, titled “Odds Comparison User Interface and System, filed on Mar. 13, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to gaming, and more particularly to online gaming odds comparison shopping.

Sports betting is done world wide in which a wagerer will play a bet on a sporting event as to who will win, who will lose, or will do so with a certain number of points, for instance. A wagerer may also hedge bets so as to cover a bet with a second bet, so as to reduce a loss or multiple winnings. Stated otherwise, the wagerer may bet the opposite of their original wager in order to reduce the amount of action that the wagerer you has on the gaming event.

The odds given for each such wager is typically made by a handicapper who sports and predicts outcomes of the gaming event. A bookmaker takes bets from wagers in return for a ‘hold’, which is the percentage the bookmaker wins. Stated otherwise, the bookmaker\'s ‘juice’ is their commission on taking and settlement bets between wagerers, also known as the vigorish or ‘vig’. Every game of chance offers the bookmaker a certain statistical advantage or margin to make a profit from making book. For a sportsbook, this margin may be between one and four percent for sports betting. Sportsbooks may rely on a combination of accurate pointspreads and an understanding of how and when to move lines as their primary defense against players. Stated otherwise, the sportsbook may make alterations in their line based on the volume of betting or other factors, such as injuries.

The “line” is the handicap, or head start that a favorite in a gaming event gives to the underdog for betting purposes, or the current odds or pointspread on a particular event. The point spread is a form of handicapping in which oddsmakers predict how many points one team needs against another in order to even out the public betting on a particular game. The oddsmaker sets an opening line as the initial point spread for an upcoming gaming event. In the case of a sportsbook operation, the operation will have a posted list of gaming events and their point spreads from which a wagerer can select to place a bet.

A bookmaker may have a sports betting limit. Generally, there may be three factors that sportsbook could consider when establishing sports betting limits: (i) the historical accuracy of the lines; (ii) their profit trends; and (iii) their customer mix. Sports betting limits, as well the lines or pointspreads, may vary from one sportsbook to another. Accordingly, it is advantageous for a wagerer to find the sportsbook that will offer the most favorable odds for a bet that the wagerer would like to make on a gaming event of their choice.

Online web services on the World Wide Web provide side by side price comparisons for odds given by various bookmakers. For example, FIG. 8 at reference numeral 800 shows an example webpage of odds posted by different bookmakers 804 for gaming events 802 to be played, as provide by the Odds Checker World Wide Web website (oddschecker.com). By comparison of the different odds displayed for the different bookmakers 802 for the event “Tottenham”, the best odds 806 as shown as being “200” by the “Skybet” bookmaker. Placing a bet for the odds displayed with its listed bookmaker, however, is not convenient. Typically, a different account is needed by the online shopper in order to place a bet at each of the different bookmakers. As odds changes and the ‘line’ is moved by each bookmaker, different accounts must be opened by the online shopper in order to place an online bet with the bookmaker that is currently giving the odds that is the most advantageous to the online shopper. It would be an advance in the art to provide a web service for an online shopper to comparison shop for odds on a gaming event and make a wager using just one account to pay any bookmaker offering the best odds.

SUMMARY

A web service on the World Wide Web, or a closed network, provides web pages to a client executing a network browser application. The browser is operated by an online shopper to access web pages of the web service on which to a plurality of gaming odds for a gaming event are displayed. Each of the gaming odds for each of the gaming events is a ‘line’ (e.g., the current odds or pointspread on a particular gaming event) that is posted by a different bookmaker. Each bookmaker is unrelated to the other bookmakers that have also have their lines posted to the webpage of the web service. Each ‘line’ is posted with a price that is assessed by the bookmaker to make a bet on the event. The webpage for the website allows the online shopper to make a choice of a posted line and its corresponding price from among the gaming odds of the different bookmakers for a gaming event. The line and price for each bookmaker is a displayed with that of the other bookmakers in a side-by-side comparison. The online shopper can make a selection of any displayed bookmaker\'s odds, and pay the corresponding the selected price for the selected odds by using a single financial account for the online shopper. As such the online shopper has effectively placed their selected bet at their selected odds with their selected bookmaker at their selected price. In a clearing and settling process, the selected price will be deducted from the online shopper\'s single financial account and will paid to their selected bookmaker through the web service or agent(s) thereof for this purpose. The online shopper\'s account can be issued to the online shopper by an issuer in a payment processing system as a credit, debit, prepaid, of gift account.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like elements bear like reference numerals.

FIGS. 1-2 show exemplary implementations of respective flow-charts to demonstrate implementations of a single account multi-bookmaker odds comparison gaming event online wagering;

FIGS. 3-4 are examples of what can be the basis of the calculations for a recommendation made by the inventive web service to a user operating a client that is to the user\'s best interest in making a wager;

FIGS. 5a-5b and FIGS. 6-7 show information that can be integrated into respective competitive wagering advantage flow charts; and

FIG. 8 shows a portion of an exemplary webpage on which odds from different bookmakers are posted for gaming events to be played, which can be used for comparison shopping.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations provide a sports and casino betting service that assists its clients of betting at the best available odds or point spreads at that time for any given wager, such as a sports game, a horse race, a political race, the occurrence of a particular event or proposition, etc. The invention, however, is not a sports book or casino, and does not accept or “book” wagers. Rather, the invention indirectly connects wagering customers to gaming Internet sites at which the wagering customers place the wagers.

In different implementations, a process or a method that are computer implemented receives via a website facilitated by an Internet server system, a selection of a future gaming event. The selection will have been received from a web enable client having special purpose software or an Internet browser for displaying web page(s) service to the client\'s browser by the web site being operated by a web service for the Internet service system. In response to the receipt of the selected gaming event (i.e., a NFL football game be held on a date at a location in the future), a retrieval is made via the website facilitated by the Internet server system of odds for the future gaming event from each of a plurality of bookmakers and a corresponding price for each bookmaker to place a wager with the bookmaker to obtain the odds offered by the bookmaker for the future gaming event.

The website sends the retrieved odds and their corresponding prices to the client for display on a display device in communication with the client (i.e., a computer monitor). From these odds and corresponding prices, the client will receive a selection. The website facilitated by the Internet server system will receive the selected odds and its corresponding price for the selected bookmaker, as well as information sent from the client that corresponds a financial transaction account from which to obtain payment for the selected price. The financial transaction account can also be used to conduct a wager transaction with each of the other bookmakers that were not selected. As such, only one account is needed by the online shopper to make an online wager with bookmaker offering odds deemed to be favorable after comparison shopping.

Data is transmitted form the website data sufficient to place a wager with the selected bookmaker for the selected odds at the corresponding price to be paid to the bookmaker by conducting the wager on a financial transaction account. These data can include the selected odds and corresponding price, the selected bookmaker, the selected gaming event, and information corresponding to the financial transaction account upon which a wager transaction can be conducted with each of the plurality of bookmakers and from which payment for the selected price can be obtained. A message can be sent to and received by the client for display to the online shopper, where the message confirms the placement of the wager with the selected bookmaker for the selected odds at the corresponding price to be paid to the bookmaker from the financial transaction account.

The Internet server system enables the web enabled client to place a wager with a selected bookmaker for any of a number of different types of wager for which odds are given by different and unrelated bookmakers each offering different odds. The types of wagers include point spread bets, money-line bets, parlay bets, teaser bets, futures bets, and proposition bets.

Hardware can execute software read from computer readable media to cause the hardware to enable the operation of the above described Internet server system and website, the client, and the client\'s special purpose software functions.

In another implementation, a web service on the World Wide Web, or a closed network, provides web pages to a client executing a network browser application. The browser is operated by an online shopper to access web pages of the web service on which to a plurality of gaming odds for a gaming event are displayed. Each of the gaming odds for each of the gaming events is a ‘line’ (e.g., the current odds or pointspread on a particular gaming event) that is posted by a different bookmaker. Each bookmaker is unrelated to the other bookmakers that have also have their lines posted to the webpage of the web service. Each ‘line’ is posted with a price that is assessed by the bookmaker to make a bet on the event. The webpage for the website allows the online shopper to make a choice of a posted line and its corresponding price from among the gaming odds of the different bookmakers for a gaming event. The line and price for each bookmaker is a displayed with that of the other bookmakers in a side-by-side comparison. The online shopper can make a selection of any displayed bookmaker\'s odds, and pay the corresponding the selected price for the selected odds by using a single financial account for the online shopper. As such the online shopper has effectively placed their selected bet at their selected odds with their selected bookmaker at their selected price. In a clearing and settling process, the selected price will be deducted from the online shopper\'s single financial account and will paid to their selected bookmaker through the web service or agent(s) thereof for this purpose. The online shopper\'s account can be issued to the online shopper by an issuer in a payment processing system as a credit, debit, prepaid, of gift account.

Similar to other websites which provide instant comparison shopping (i.e., Expedia,

Orbits, Kayak, Select Quote, etc.), this service would allow account holders (e.g., gamblers or wagerers) to select among a variety of available wagering options in order to get the best available prices, odds, and point spreads, etc., on the team or entity of their preference for wagering, at any given time. To show the user the best available prices, odds, and point spreads, etc., an inventive user interface can display the sports “Parlay” and “Teaser” wagers sorted by point spreads, or by payout odds. Casino applications, and not just online-gaming websites, can also be implemented. The invention will feature accounts, connections, or affiliations with many different Sports Book/Casinos, as well as with many different on-line gaming website.

A gambler wishes to bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Kansas City Chiefs. The

Steelers are generally a 7 point favorite. Sports Book A has the Steelers a 7 point favorite (-7). Sports Book B also has the Steelers -7; as does Sports Book C. But, Sports Book D offers the Steelers -6.5; and, Sports Book E has the Steelers as only a 6 point favorite.

This gambler would be provided, via the inventive user interface, with the opportunity to wager on the Steelers -6. The user interface will also display a comparison of associated money line odds (the amount of “juice” or “vigorish” charged for each straight bet).

A wagering transfer system will determine wagering limits, will handle the transaction of gambler offer and acceptance, and will issue a confirmation of the wager that has been made.

A gambler wishes to wager on the LA Lakers to win the NBA Championship. The Lakers are generally 20 to 1 to win the Championship. Sports Book A offers the Lakers at 20-1. Sports Books B and C also offer the Lakers at odds of 20-1 (or, one dollar to win twenty). Sports Book D has the Lakers at 25 to 1. Sports Book E offers the Lakers at 30-1. Via the inventive user interface, the gambler would be directed to first consider wagering on the Lakers at 30-1.

A gambler wishes to wager on boxer Joe Frazier over Muhammad Ali. Frazier is the underdog, at odds of approximately 2-1 (+200, or, one dollar to win two). Sports Book A offers Frazier at +200. B has Frazier +225. C has Frazier +250, and D is at +300. Sports Book E offers the best available price at +325.

Via the inventive user interface, the gambler would be directed to odds of +325 (or, $3.25 to $1).

The inventive user interface and system give the gambler the opportunity to wager at the best competitive prices available. Also, the inventive user interface and system are set up so that the gambler only needs to open one (1) user account in order to have access to wager at many different Sports Book/Casinos, as well as with many different on-line gaming websites. The need for only one (1) user account is due to the inventive system\'s numerous and different connections or affiliations. As such, a gambler can avoid opening multiple accounts. This is particularly advantageous where the legality of opening and using a wagering account, or transferring payments or funds, may not be in compliance with all applicable laws for gambling.

Various online products and tools are currently available that provide side by side price comparisons. Examples include Don Best Sports, Odds Checker, The Sports Network, Vegas Insider and Jim Feist Sports (Line Tracker). But, none provide direct access to all websites and prices listed. Without this invention, gamblers would be required to have separate accounts with all listed Sports Books or Casinos. The inventive system and user interface would eliminate that requirement, in accordance with the disclosure provided.

In one implementation, a website directs clientele to an option recommended by the inventive system, where the inventive system provides the actual services for which prices and/or odds we compared.

The above system can be applied to separate process application I-IV as follows:

I. A US style sports gambling value maximizing concept, referenced as “EBC” herein, is demonstrated in part by FIGS. 1-2 which show exemplary implementations of respective flow-charts to demonstrate implementations of the EBC function in the flow of information as follows: System User→EBC→Casino/Sports Book A, B, C, D, E, Etc.→Preferred Casino/Sports Book→EBC→System User. The online shopper advantages of EBC include that the online shopper has the opportunity to wager at the best competitive prices (odds, point spreads, payouts) available, and the online shopper only needs one account to access many potential opportunities. As such, EBC users are not required to open multiple accounts and arrange multiple fund transfers to multiple locations and jurisdictions.

II. The same consumer value maximizing process is also contemplated for use as applied to other forms of race and sports gambling, such as . . . European and other international style race and sports wagering.

III. Other casino games, including Poker, Slots, Black Jack, etc. are also contemplated for the inventive web service. Here, the online shopper would need just a single account to see and place bets with a plurality of bookmakers each displaying their respective odds and price thereof for an event. The online shopper engages in comparison shopping for wagering on a casino game and an online casino. The gaming event is an online version of a casino game offered by the online casino, where the odds are posted for comparison shopping by the online shopper who wishes to wager on a game at a casino offering with the most favorable odds. The bet can be made by the online shopper at any of the different online casinos without having to be issued a different account for each of the different online casinos.

IV. Automated Bookmaking Systems (ABS) for an automated US style sports bookmaking system. ABS utilizes similar concepts and mathematical formulas as EBC, only in reverse logic, for the purpose of protecting the sports book operator, by automatically moving point spreads and money lines based in incoming wagers, to the next logical point spread or money line based on actual value. Formulas for both EBC and ABS will be based on actual event result frequency over established time periods, and value for or against the consumer (for the consumer in EBC, against the consumer and in favor of the bookmaker in ABS).

FIGS. 3-4 are examples of what can be the basis of the calculations for the inventive system\'s recommendations.

FIG: 3 Margin of Victory: NFL 2002-2006 (INCLUDING PLAYOFFS) WEEK 1 TO 21: NFL MARGIN OF VICTORY. For example, in FIG. 3, almost 17% of all NFL games over the past 5 years has ended by “3”. This is what can be used to determine whether it is in the system user\'s best interest to bet on the Cowboys -3 -130 ($130 to win 100) at Sports Book A, or, on the Cowboys -3.5 Even Money ($100 to win 100) at Sports Book B.

FIG. 4 is titled “Scoring Frequency 2002-2006”: NFL 2002-2006 (INCLUDING PLAYOFFS) WEEK 1 TO 21: NFL TOTAL POINTS SCORED

FIGS. 5a-5b and FIGS. 6-7 can be integrated into respective competitive wagering advantage flow charts, where FIGS. 5a-5b depicts a “2002-2006 Point spread Summary”, FIG. 6 depicts “Buy on and off three-2006”, and FIG. 7 depicts “Buying on and off the THREE-1996-2006”.

The steps of a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The various steps or acts in a method or process may be performed in the order shown, or may be performed in another order. Additionally, one or more process or method steps may be omitted or one or more process or method steps may be added to the methods and processes. An additional step, block, or action may be added in the beginning, end, or intervening existing elements of the methods and processes.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.