Casino games based on financial market activity

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for conducting a game in which a plurality of players bet. A set of rules is established for the game. The rules define a winner based on at least one financial market data value that fluctuates based on market activity in a financial market that is distinct from the game. Updates to the financial market data value are electronically received from a third-party data source. A forum that is electronically coupled to the third-party data source is provided where the players play the game in accordance with the established set of rules and the at least one financial market data value. A gambling operator or casino collects a fee for conducting the game.

1 . A method used for conducting a game by a gambling operator or casino in which a plurality of players bet, comprising: 
 establishing a set of rules for the game, wherein the rules define a winner based on at least one financial market data value that fluctuates based on market activity in a financial market that is distinct from the game;    electronically receiving updates to the financial market data value from a third-party data source;    providing a forum, electronically coupled to the third-party data source, where the players play the game and bet against each other, or against the house, in accordance with the established set of rules and the at least one financial market data value; and    collecting, by the gambling operator or casino, a fee for conducting the game.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein financial market data value corresponds to a value of a stock, option, future, fund, bond, physical commodity, interest rate, index, exchange rate, or data release.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the forum is a casino where all of the players are physically present during the game, and the gambling operator is the casino operator.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the forum is an on-line forum that comprises a computer network that permits communication with physically separated players during the game.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the players bet against each other during the game.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the players bet against the gambling operator or casino during the game.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the players play the game against each other.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the players play the game against the gambling operator or casino.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing streaming financial data including the at least one financial market data value during the game.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of subscribing to one or more financial market data services, collecting financial market information including the at least one financial market data value from said market data services using a computerized network, storing the financial market information, and displaying the financial market data to the players during the game.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the streaming financial data is provided to each of the players on a computer screen along with other data associated with the game.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the other data associated with the game comprises betting positions of players in the game.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the streaming financial data is provided to each player on a computer screen of an individual gaming console used by said player.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the streaming financial data is provided to all players via one or more large screens visible to multiple players.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a player creates an account within the online forum for accessing the game over the computer network.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein during creation of the online account, the player establishes an online payment method for funding bets.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the online payment method is selected from the group consisting of: credit card, bank draft, electronic check, electronic funds transfer or PayPal® services.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the forum stores the gaming history of players including game scores and winnings.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the stored gaming history is used by the forum to determine eligibility for participation in future games, tiers or tournaments.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the stored gaming history for a player including gaming history includes past scores and winnings of the player that occurred during participation by the player in an on-line forum where the player was physically separated from other players during the game, and past scores and winnings of the player that occurred during participation by the player in a forum where the player was physically present with other players during the game.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a computerized financial gaming system operated by the gambling operator or casino maintains an odds book based on bets placed by the players and displays the results to the players prior to commencement of a game, and wherein payouts at the end of the game are based on the odds book.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the gambling operator utilizes totalizators or tote boards, to record and display up-to-the-minute betting odds to the players.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fee collected by the gambling operator or casino comprises an initial fee paid by one or more players who wish to participate in the game.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the initial fee comprises an ante wager.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more players are required to make an ante wager in order to participate in the game, and the ante wager forms an initial betting pool for the game.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fee collected by the gambling operator or casino corresponds to a percentage of amounts wagered by the players during the game.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fee collected by the gambling operator or casino corresponds to a fixed fee associated with each round of the game.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fee collected by the gambling operator or casino corresponds to a percentage of winnings.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rules utilize a gaming element with an outcome based on chance.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the gaming element is selected from the group consisting of cards, dice, wheel or spin.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein an outcome of the game is determined in accordance with the at least one financial market data value that fluctuates during the game and the outcome of the gaming element.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the outcome of the game is determined in accordance with the at least one financial market data equaling or matching the gaming element.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the outcome of the game is further determined in accordance with a traditional casino betting strategy selected from the group consisting of a trifecta bet, an insurance bet, a double-down bet, and an all-in bet.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the outcome of the game is further determined in accordance with a betting strategy of the winner.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an outcome of the game is determined in accordance with an accuracy by which the winner predicts a future value of the at least one financial market data value.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an outcome of the game is fully or partially determined by the amount of money a player has won from the other players in the game.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the financial market is a government-regulated financial market.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the financial market is an over-the-counter financial market.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rules of the game provide for a method of deriving a score for each player in the game and the score determines an outcome of the game.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein each player assigns varying weights of importance to one or more financial data values or predictions, and the weights are used to calculate a score for the player.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein at least one mathematical functionis applied to financial instruments associated with a player to calculate the player's score  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each player wagers varying amounts on each of a plurality of financial data values or predictions.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a score of each player is displayed to all other players during the game.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein values of one or more financial data values or positions associated with each player are displayed to all other players during the game.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein values of one or more financial predictions associated with each player are displayed to all other players during the game.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a score of a player is unknown to all other players during at least a portion of the game.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein a score of a player is unknown to all other players until the end of the game.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein a score of a player is unknown to all other players except during one or more intermediate segments of the game.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein values of one or more financial instruments or positions associated with a player are unknown to all of the other players in the game during at least a portion of the game.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein values of one or more financial instruments or positions associated with a player are unknown to all of the other players in the game until the end of the game.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein values of one or more financial instruments or positions associated with a player are unknown to all of the other players in the game except during one or more intermediate segments of the game.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein values of one or more financial predictions associated with a player are unknown to all of the other players in the game during at least a portion of the game.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein values of one or more financial predictions associated with a player are unknown to all of the other players until the end of the game.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein values of one or more financial predictions associated with a player are unknown to all of the other players in the game except during one or more intermediate segments of the game.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rules provide for a random assignment of one or more financial instruments to each player in the game.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the rules provide for exchange, during at least one game interval, of one or more financial instruments initially assigned at random to each player for one or more further financial instruments assigned at random to the player.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein players must increase their bets at certain intervals of the game in order to remain in the game.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein players must match a bet of at least one other player at certain intervals of the game in order to remain in the game.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rules provide each player with an ability to wager money in order to purchase an option that permits the player to trade-out one financial instrument for another financial instrument, change a weighting assigned to a financial instrument, change a prediction, increase a bet or purchase insurance.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein odds for the game are periodically recalculated during the game and the rules permit each player to adjust their positions or predictions during the game, and wherein a player who selects a correct position or makes a correct prediction will win a varying amount depending upon when the player selected the correct position or made the correct prediction.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the winnings of a player who selects a correct position or makes a correct prediction decrease over time depending on when the player selected the correct position or made the correct prediction.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein financial instruments that are performing poorest in the game are eliminated at one or more intervals during the game, and players holding eliminated financial instruments are either eliminated or permitted to re-pick one or more financial instruments from remaining financial instruments.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein players are required to pay a fee in order to re-pick one or more financial instruments from remaining financial instruments.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rules comprise a minimum wager, a maximum wager, or both, for each player in the game.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game ends after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game has an indefinite end time.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the gambling operator or casino pays each player when the player leaves the game or at one or more intermediate points during the game, based on the relative performance of the player compared to the other players in the game, from the time the player joined the game to a later time.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game ends when a score of a player reaches a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game ends when the financial market data value reaches a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a player is eliminated from the game when the score of the player reaches or falls below a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the rules further comprise one or more gaming tiers or levels for players to compete, and a player's ability to compete within a tier or level is based upon the past game performance or winnings of the player.  
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein players move between different tiers or levels as they reach a particular threshold which promotes the player into a higher tier or level, or demotes the player down to a lower tier or level.  
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the gaming tiers or levels are established in a tournament format where winning players continue to participate in the tournament, and losing players are eliminated from the tournament.  
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each player corresponds to a group or team of persons participating in the game, and the group or team participates in the game as though they were a single player.  
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an outcome of the game is fully or partially determined by the accurateness of each player's predictions concerning the performance of one or more financial instruments selected from among a common predetermined set of financial instruments.  
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein players bet on the relative performance of a common predefined set of financial instruments over a predetermined set of time.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein winners of the game comprise those players who made correct predictions and the winnings paid to those players include losses from the players with the incorrect predictions.  
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein players can also bet on which financial instruments from the common set will perform worst during the game.  
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein each player can place a combined bet on the financial instruments from the common set that will perform worst, second worst and third worst, during a predetermined period of the game.  
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein each player ranks the common set of financial instruments from 1 to X, where X equals the total number of financial instruments in the set, and places a bet that the performance of the financial instruments in the common set during a predetermined period of time will rank in the same order as the rankings made by the player.  
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein each player can place a combined bet on the financial instruments from the common set that will perform best, second best and third best, during a predetermined period of the game.  
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein each player can place a combined bet on the financial instruments from the common set that will perform best during successive predetermined periods of the game.  
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first place winner of the game is paid the total amount of the bets placed during the game by all the players, minus the fee collected by the gambling operator or casino.  
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first place winner of the game receives the highest share of the total bets placed during the game by all the players, minus the fee collected by the gambling operator or casino, and some or all of the other participants receive smaller shares of the total bets placed during the game by all the players.  
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each player that made a correct prediction about the at least one market data value wins and all other players lose.  
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a payout of the game is based on odds set by the gambling operator or casino.  
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein a winning player is paid based on the odds set by the gambling operator or casino.  
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein a losing player's bet is kept by the gambling operator or casino.  
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein in an event of a tie between a player and the gambling operator or casino the player retains the amount bet by the player.  
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein winning bets in the game are paid based on pari-mutuel odds.  
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein each winning player in the game is paid by the gambling operator or casino based on pari-mutuel odds of winning bets of winning players as calculated by totalizators based on all bets placed by players in the game.  
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein each losing bet is kept by the gambling operator or casino.  
   
   
       93 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein the gambling operator or casino retains a portion of bets placed during the game as the fee for conducting the game.  
   
   
       94 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein payouts to one or more winning players of the game are taken from a total amount bet by all the players in the game.  
   
   
       95 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein losing players receive nothing and the one ore more winning players receive the total amount bet by all the players in the game.  
   
   
       96 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the gambling operator or casino retains a portion of the total amount bet by all the players as the fee for conducting the game.  
   
   
       97 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the players use chips issued by the gambling operator or casino for wagering during the game.  
   
   
       98 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein in order to participate in the game, each player must initially convert money into chips issued by the gambling operator or casino, the player then uses the chips for wagering during the game and, when the player exits the game or the game ends, the player converts the chips back into money.  
   
   
       99 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game includes a progressive jackpot.  
   
   
       100 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the progressive jackpot comprises a percentage of all money wagered during one or more previous games, and the progressive jackpot continues to grow until the progressive jackpot is triggered.  
   
   
       101 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein the progressive jackpot is triggered by one of the group consisting of: a player winning a fixed number of games in a row or a player winning by an amount that exceeds a threshold.  
   
   
       102 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the progressive jackpot correspond to a stand alone progressive jackpot that is linked only to a single game.  
   
   
       103 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the progressive jackpot corresponds to a progressive jackpot where wagers from a group of games linked together and owned and operated by the gambling operator or casino are pooled to create the jackpot.  
   
   
       104 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein the progressive jackpot corresponds to a wide area progressive jackpot where wagers from different games are linked together from many unrelated gambling operators or casinos.