Mobile station for use in a betting system

Abstract

A method and system for providing real time scratch-off lottery like games over a wireless network. The method and system allow a user of a wireless station to play a lottery game electronically with the feel of real-time scratch and win determination. Substantially concurrently, security, including win/loss determination is maintained by a betting service provider on a system apart from the wireless station of the user. The system tracks user accounts, outstanding lottery games, and randomly determines win/loss information. The user is notified of win or loss (or the value “underneath” the scratch-off block in near real time. The wireless station transmits minimal amounts of data, typically a lottery ticket identifier and description of the users actions to the betting service provider and receives a value to display from the betting service provider.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of providing electronic lottery games, comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a game identification number;    transmitting game parameters associated with said game identification number to said game terminal;    receiving data related to selections on said game terminal associated with said game identification number;    calculating a win/loss value; and    transmitting said win/loss value to said game terminal.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , further comprising the step of transmitting a selection of possible games wherein said game identification number and game parameters are associated with a game selected from said possible games.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1   , further comprising the step of crediting an account when said win value is a positive value.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said calculating step occurs after said receiving step.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said calculating step is performed for each possible selection associated with said game identification number.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said transmitting steps occur within a network.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said steps are performed by a betting service provider.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 1   , further comprising the step of storing information associated with said game identification number on a database.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said steps are performed by a betting service provider connected to a network.  
     
     
         10 . A method of playing electronic lottery games, comprising the steps of: 
 accepting a lottery game selection;    receiving a game identification number and game parameters associated with said number;    accepting at least one gaming selection according to the rules of said selected lottery game; and    receiving win/loss value information based on said at least one gaming selection.    
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 10   , further comprising the step of logging in to receive a selection of lottery games.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 10   , further comprising the step of crediting an account when said win value is a positive value.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 10   , further comprising the step of storing information about said game on a database.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 10   , further comprising the step of calculating a win/loss value for said selected game.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein said steps are performed by a wireless station.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 10   , further comprising the step of calculating a win/loss value for each possible gaming selection of said selected game.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 10   , wherein said steps are performed in software.  
     
     
         18 . An interactive services display and response system, comprising: 
 a betting service provider; and    a game terminal connected to communicate with said betting service provider;    wherein said betting service provider is configured to transmit a game identification number, transmit game parameters associated with said game identification number to said game terminal, receive data related to selections on said game terminal associated with said game identification number, calculate a win/loss value, and transmit said win/loss value to said game terminal; and    wherein said game terminal is configured to accept a lottery game selection, receive a game identification number and game parameters associated with said number, accept at least one gaming selection according to the rules of said selected lottery game, and receive win/loss value information based on said at least one gaming selection.    
     
     
         19 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein said betting service provider is further configured to transmit a selection of possible games wherein said game identification number and game parameters are associated with a game selected from said possible games.  
     
     
         20 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein said betting service provider is further configured to credit an account when said win value is a positive value.  
     
     
         21 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein said betting service provider is further configured to calculate a win/loss value for each possible selection associated with said game identification number.  
     
     
         22 . The system of    claim 18   , further comprising a network which facilitates communication between said betting service provider and said game terminal.  
     
     
         23 . The system of    claim 18   , further comprising a database which stores information associated with said game identification number.  
     
     
         24 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein said game terminal is further configured to log in to receive a selection of lottery games.  
     
     
         25 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein said game terminal is further configured to credit an account when said win value is a positive value.  
     
     
         26 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein said game terminal is further configured to calculate a win/loss value for said selected game.  
     
     
         27 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein said game terminal is further configured to calculate a win/loss value for each possible gaming selection of said selected game.  
     
     
         28 . The system of    claim 18   , wherein said game terminal configuration is a software configuration.  
     
     
         29 . A wireless station, comprising: 
 at least one transmitter;    at least one receiver; and    a controller to control said at least one transmitter and said at least one receiver;    wherein said controller is configured to accept a lottery game selection, receive a game identification number and game parameters associated with said number, accept at least one gaming selection according to the rules of said selected lottery game, and receive win/loss value information based on said at least one gaming selection.    
     
     
         30 . The wireless station of    claim 29   , wherein said controller is further configured to log in to receive a selection of lottery games.  
     
     
         31 . The wireless station of    claim 29   , wherein said controller is further configured to credit an account when said win value is a positive value.  
     
     
         32 . The wireless station of    claim 29   , wherein said controller is further configured to calculate a win/loss value for said selected game.  
     
     
         33 . The wireless station of    claim 29   , wherein said controller is further configured to calculate a win/loss value for each possible gaming selection of said selected game.