Location based restrictions on networked gaming

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10614657-B2
Application number	US-201815982576-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 17, 2018
Priority date	Jun 20, 2008
Publication date	Apr 7, 2020
Grant date	Apr 7, 2020

Abstract

A system and method for peer-to-peer gaming is described. One embodiment includes a system for peer-to-peer gaming, the system comprising an at least one gaming client, wherein the at least one gaming client is configured to accept a selection of an at least one gaming option from a player, and allow the player to play a game based on the selection of the at least one gaming option; an administration server, wherein the administration server is configured to receive the selection of the at least one gaming option from the at least one gaming client, and initiate the game for the player based on the selection of the at least one gaming option; and an at least one gaming server, wherein the at least one gaming sever is configured to run the game and transmit data about the game to the administration server.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method for operating a gaming client, the method comprising:
receiving, from an administration server, a list of player gaming options for a player in a current location,
wherein the list of player gaming options is limited to gaming options allowed in the current location of the player, and
wherein the gaming options include limits on waging amounts or types of games to prevent the player from unlawful play in the current location of the player;

displaying, on the gaming client, the list of player gaming options;
monitoring an interface on the gaming client to identify a selection of player gaming options selected by the player in response to the list of player gaming options being displayed on the gaming client;
transmitting, to the administrative server, the selection of gaming player option selected by the player to initiate a matching of the player with an at least one competitor;
collecting, via the gaming client, a bet from the player,
wherein the bet is within a betting range identified in the selection of player gaming options;

initiating, on the gaming client, a game for the player, wherein the game is based on the selection of player gaming options; and
compensating the player with player winnings based on results of the game.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of player gaming options is created by pulling a list of available gaming options and removing gaming options from the list of gaming options based on the current location of the player.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the game comprises:
transferring, from the gaming client, an identification of the player to a gaming server;
transferring, from the gaming client, at least a game type to the gaming server; and
connecting the gaming client to the gaming server.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gaming client is a first gaming client and wherein displaying the list of player gaming options comprises:
presenting, on a display of the first gaming client, a list of competitors to the player;
collecting, via the first gaming client, a competitor selection from the player,
wherein the competitor selection is made from the list of competitors, and
wherein the competitor selection includes the at least one competitor associated with a second gaming client; and

initiating contact between the first gaming client and the second gaming client.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the limits on wagering amounts changes the wagering to non-monetary based wagering and compensating the player with the player winnings is compensating the player with non-monetary winnings.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein compensating the player with the player winnings comprises:
determining the player winnings;
deducting an administrative fee from the player winnings; and
distributing the player winnings, less the administrative fee, to the player.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the list of player gaming options includes arcade games, video games, puzzle games, word games, trivia games, or card games.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gaming client includes a wireless tablet or a wireless handheld device.

9. A gaming system comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one communication interface; and
a memory containing a plurality of program instructions when executed by one or more processors cause one or more machines to:
determine a current location of a gaming client;
create a list of player gaming options for a player operating the gaming client at the current location,
wherein the list of player gaming options restricts limits on wagers or types of games based on the current location of the gaming client;

transfer, using the communication interface, the list of player gaming options to the gaming client;
receive, via the communication interface, a selection of player gaming options from the gaming client;
initiate a game based on the selection of player gaming options; and
compensate the player with player winnings.

10. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the list of player gaming options includes arcade games, video games, puzzle games, word games, trivia games, or card games.

11. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of program instructions when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more machines to dynamically adjust language and currency based on the current location of the gaming client.

12. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of program instructions when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more machines to perform a risk assessment of the player.

13. The gaming system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of program instructions when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more machines to perform the risk assessment by:
collecting player information, wherein the player information comprises player gaming behavior;
evaluating player gaming behavior for prohibited activity; and
eliminating the player based on the prohibited activity.

14. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of program instructions when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more machines to match the player with at least one competitor.

15. The gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of program instructions when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more machines to create a communication channel between the at least one competitor and the player.

16. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of program instructions when executed by the one or more processors further cause the one or more machines to match the player with at least one competitor by:
collecting a selection of competitor gaming options,
wherein the selection of competitor gaming options is made by the at least one competitor; and

creating a list of compatible competitors,
wherein the list of compatible competitors is based on the selection of player gaming options and the selection of competitor gaming options.

17. The gaming system of claim 9 , further comprising a tournament administration module to manage tournament play.

18. The gaming system of claim 17 , wherein the tournament administration module oversees a delay tournament where players are trying to get a highest score.

19. The gaming system of claim 18 , wherein the delay tournament automatically ends after a period of time has expired.

20. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the limits on wagers changes wagering to non-monetary based wagering and compensating the player with the player winnings is compensating the player with no monetary winnings.

21. A gaming system comprising:
at least one gaming client, wherein the at least one gaming client is configured to:
present only gaming options that include limits on waging amounts or types of games to prevent a player from undesired play in a current location;
accept a selection of at least one gaming option from a player; and
allow the player to play a game based on the selection of the at least one gaming option;

an administration server, wherein the administration server is configured to:
receive the selection of the at least one gaming option from the at least one gaming client;
match the player with at least one competitor that has selected competitor gaming options compatible with the at least one gaming option selected by the player; and
initiate the game between the player and th

Assignees

• Ag 18 Llc

Inventors

• Koustas Nicholas
• Mix John
• Oxman Alexander

Classifications

• G07F17/3295

  Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking · CPC title

• G07F17/3286

  Type of games · CPC title

• G07F17/3223 Primary

  Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, leader-follower, wireless communication · CPC title

• G07F17/32

  for games, toys, sports, or amusements · CPC title

• G07F17/3262

  Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played · CPC title