Gaming system and method for use in connection with a spectator event

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention a gaming system for use in connection with a spectator event is provided. In another embodiment of the present invention a gaming method for use in connection with a spectator event is provided. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the spectator event may be a sporting event. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the sporting event may be a team sporting event. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the sporting event may be carried out at an area, stadium or other appropriate venue.

1 . A sporting event promotion method, comprising: 
 defining at least one sports feat to be achieved to trigger payment of money to essentially all of a plurality of spectators, wherein the payment of money to essentially all of the plurality of spectators is triggered by the same sports feat;    associating the defined sports feat with a particular sporting event; and    promoting the potential payment of money to be made if the sports feat is achieved at the particular sporting event.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of spectators watch the particular sporting event live, in person.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein all of the plurality of spectators watch the particular sporting event live, in person.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of spectators watch the particular sporting event remotely, via television.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein all of the plurality of spectators watch the particular sporting event remotely, via television.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the defined sports feat is associated with a sport selected from the group consisting of: a) baseball; b) football; c) soccer; d) hockey; e) basketball; f) doubles tennis; g) singles tennis; h) boxing; and i) wrestling.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein essentially all of the money is paid to essentially all of the plurality of spectators if the sports feat is achieved at the particular sporting event.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of all of the money is paid to essentially all of the plurality of spectators if the sports feat is achieved at the particular sporting event and wherein the balance of the money is paid to a subset of the plurality of spectators if the sports feat is achieved at the particular sporting event.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the balance of the money is paid to a single one of the plurality of spectators via a random draw.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the payment of money to essentially all of the plurality of spectators is made in a lump sum.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the payment of money to the subset of the plurality of spectators is made over time.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first party promotes the potential payment of money and a second party is obligated to make the payment of money.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second party issues an insurance policy obligating the second party to make the payment of money.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the defined sports feat is selected from the group consisting of: a) a starting pitcher for a baseball team pitches, in the particular sporting event, complete game no hitter; b) a player for a baseball team hits, in the particular sporting event, a home run, a triple, a double and a single; c) a player for a baseball team hits, in the particular sporting event, four home runs; d) a pitching staff of a baseball team strikes out, in the particular sporting event, 20 or more players from an opposing team.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steps are carried out in the order recited.  
   
   
       16 . A sporting event promotion method, comprising: 
 defining a first sports feat to be achieved to trigger payment of money;    defining a second sports feat to be achieved to trigger payment of money;    associating the first defined sports feat with a first sporting event, wherein achievement of the first sports feat at the first sporting event triggers the payment of money to essentially all of a plurality of spectators at the first sporting event;    associating the second defined sports feat with a second sporting event, wherein achievement of the second sports feat at the second sporting event triggers the payment of money to essentially all of a plurality of spectators at the second sporting event; and    promoting the potential payment of money to be made if at least one of: a) the first sports feat is achieved at the first sporting event; and b) the second sports feat is achieved at the second sporting event.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second sports feats is distinct from one another.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein achievement of the first sports feat at the first sporting event discontinues the promotion such that achievement of the second sports feat at the second sporting event no longer triggers the payment of money to essentially all of the plurality of spectators at the second sporting event.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the steps are carried out in the order recited.  
   
   
       20 . A sporting event promotion method, comprising: 
 defining a set of numbers consisting of the uniform numbers of each of the players participating in a particular sporting event;    permitting each of a plurality of spectators of the particular sporting event to select X numbers, wherein X is an integer between 1 and 100 and wherein the numbers selected are chosen from the defined set of numbers;    randomly drawing X numbers to trigger payment of money to each of the plurality of spectators who had selected at least one of the randomly drawn numbers; and    promoting the potential payment of money to be made at the particular sporting event.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising randomly drawing X numbers to trigger payment of money to each of the plurality of spectators who had selected all of the randomly drawn numbers.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least some of the plurality of spectators watch the particular sporting event live, in person.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein all of the plurality of spectators watch the particular sporting event live, in person.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least some of the plurality of spectators watch the particular sporting event remotely, via television.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein all of the plurality of spectators watch the particular sporting event remotely, via television.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the steps are carried out in the order recited.