Apparatus and method for facilitating gaming activity and/or gambling activity

Abstract

An apparatus for facilitating gaming activity including a receiver for receiving a request from a user for information regarding a gaming activity, a processing device for processing the request, wherein the processing device generates a response message containing information regarding the gaming activity, and a transmitter for transmitting the response message to a communication device associated with the user, wherein the receiver receives a bet message from the communication device, and further processing device processes the information contained in the bet massage and places a bet for the user, and further wherein the processing device determines a winner of the bet, and further wherein the processing device effectuates payment to an account associated with the winning party to the bet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for facilitating gaming activity, comprising: 
 a receiver for receiving a request from a user for information regarding a gaming activity;    a processing device for processing the request, wherein the processing device generates a response message containing information regarding the gaming activity; and    a transmitter for transmitting the response message to a communication device associated with the user,    wherein the receiver receives a bet message from the communication device, and further processing device processes the information contained in the bet massage and places a bet for the user, and further wherein the processing device determines a winner of the bet, and further wherein the processing device effectuates payment to an account associated with the winning party to the bet.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a memory device for storing information regarding a user's request to be notified of a posting of a gaming activity or a gaming event;    wherein the processing device detects a posting of information regarding a gaming activity or a gaming event, wherein the processing device processes the posted information utilizing information stored in the memory device, wherein the processing device generates a notification message containing information regarding the posted gaming activity or gaming event, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the notification message to a communication device associated with the user.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the receiver receives a user bet message, and further wherein the processing device processes the bet message and places the bet for the user.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver receives a bet or wager message from a communication device associated with a user, wherein the processing device processes the bet or wager message, wherein the processing device places a bet for the user, wherein the processing device determines a winning party of the bet, and further wherein the processing device effectuates payment of a winning prize to a gaming account associated with the winning party.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the apparatus effects a transfer of betting funds to an escrow account.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device generates at least one of a losing result message and a winning result message, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the losing result message to a communication device associated with a losing user and transmits the winning result message to a communication device associated with a winning user.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device ascertains the identity of an originating state, and further wherein the processing device effectuates payment of a gaming fee to the originating state.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device detects at least one of a use of a gaming account and an attempted use of a gaming account, wherein the gaming account is associated with the user, wherein the processing device generates a notification message containing information regarding the at least one of a use of a gaming account and an attempted use of a gaming account, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the notification message to a communication device associated with the user.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the receiver receives a response message from the communication device associated with the user, wherein the response message contains information for allowing or disallowing the use of the gaming account, and further wherein the processing device processes information contained in the response message, and further wherein the processing device allows the use of the gaming account or disallows the use of the gaming account.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device processes risk of loss information associated with the bet and identifies a credit derivative for reducing a risk of loss, and further wherein the processing device generates an offering message containing information regarding a credit derivative for reducing the risk of loss, and wherein the transmitter transmits the offering message to the communication device associated with the user, wherein the receiver receives a purchase message containing information for purchasing the credit derivative, wherein the processing device purchases the credit derivative for the user, and further wherein the processing device determines if the user receives a payment pursuant to the credit derivative.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a memory device for storing information regarding at least one of a gaming loss insurance policy and a gaming loss insurance credit derivative,    wherein the processing device detects an occurrence of a notification event, wherein the processing device processes information regarding the occurrence, and further wherein the processing device generates a notification message containing information regarding the at least one of a gaming loss insurance policy and a gaming loss insurance credit derivative, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the notification message to a communication device associated with the user.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the receiver receives a purchase message containing information for purchasing the at least one of a gaming loss insurance policy and a gaming loss insurance credit derivative for the user, and further wherein the processing device determines whether the user receives a payment pursuant to the at least one of a gaming loss insurance policy and a gaming loss insurance credit derivative.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver receives at least one of information regarding the bet and information regarding a position or location of the origination of the bet, wherein the processing device processes the at least one of information regarding the bet and information regarding a position or location of the origination of the bet, wherein the processing device ascertains the identity of an originating state having jurisdiction over the bet, and further wherein the processing device determines if the bet is allowed or disallowed in the originating state, and further wherein the processing device processes the bet or cancels the bet.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the processing device determines a winning party to the bet and effects payment to the winning party.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one of information regarding the bet and information regarding a position or location of the origination of the bet is transmitted to the receiver from a user communication device having a global positioning device.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one of information regarding the bet and information regarding a position or location of the origination of the bet is transmitted to the receiver from a user communication device having a global positioning device, wherein the communication device having a global positioning device is located at, on, or in, a vehicle.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for facilitating gaming activity, comprising: 
 a receiver for receiving a first signal containing information regarding a selected gaming activity, wherein the receiver receives a second signal for at least one of establishing a communication at a gaming venue associated with the selected gaming activity;    a processing device for processing the first signal, wherein the processing device selects the gaming activity, and further wherein the processing device at least one of activates at least one of an audio device, a video device, and video conferencing equipment, and establishes communication between a user and a party at the gaming venue associated with the gaming activity; and    a transmitter for transmitting at least one of audio information and video information from the gaming venue to a communication device associated with the user, wherein the at least one of audio information and video information provides information regarding the gaming activity.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the processing device processes a bet placed by the user, and further wherein the processing device determines a winning party to the bet and effects a payment to an account associated with the winning party.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus allows the user to at least one of engage in gaming activity at the gaming venue and observe gaming activity at the gaming venue from a remote location via at least one of the Internet and the World Wide Web.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for facilitating gaming activity, comprising: 
 a receiver for receiving a purchase request message containing a request to purchase at least one lottery ticket for a user, wherein the at least one lottery ticket corresponds to a lottery drawing;    a processing device for processing the purchase request message and for effectuating a purchase of the at least one lottery ticket for the user, wherein the processing device stores lottery ticket information regarding the purchased at least one lottery ticket, wherein the processing device determines if the at least one lottery ticket information contains winning numbers drawn in the lottery, and further wherein the processing device determines if the user has won a prize in the lottery.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the processing device generates a winning claim message, and further wherein the apparatus further comprises: 
 a transmitter for transmitting the winning claim message to a computer associated with the lottery.    wherein the processing device generates a user's winning message, and further wherein the transmitter transmits the user's winning message to a communication device associated with the user, wherein the processing device ascertains an identity of an originating state, and further wherein the apparatus effects payment of a gaming fee to the originating state.