Mobile paperless wagering system

Abstract

A mobile wireless, paperless gaming system is described, including a location aware center, LAC, or WiFi hot spot. The LAC is the only location that allows communications with the gaming system. The LAC may contain a terminal with a resident gaming application, a cash handler and display and scanner facilities. The player accesses the game via a mobile device, illustratively operating a touch screen, and utilizes a lottery or non-lottery payment account that is approved by the game sponsor or owner, thereby validating and authorizing the player to wager on a game. The games and wagers are displayed on the mobile device and the player makes his selections. The results are relayed back to the player's mobile device and the account debited resulting accordance with the amount wagered. The game application may be resident at the hot spot or at the remote controller or at another remote location accessible via the communications network.

1 . A system for processing and supervising a wireless gaming activity, the system comprising:
 an account for a gaming player that may be credited, debited and monitored by a sponsor of the gaming activity;   a location aware center having a first computing system that accommodates the gaming activity;   the computing system comprising: a first sender/receiver for wireless communication to and from a mobile device; a second sender/receiver for communications to a communications network; and a processor and memory suitable for executing a gaming application;   a remote central controller of the gaming activity;   a network for sending/receiving wireless communications between the location aware center and the central controller.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a payment account and access credentials wherein an amount of money associated with a lottery or non-lottery account is validated and authorized for wagering. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an identification code and a password wherein the gaming player becomes authorized by the gaming processor when the player sends the codes from the mobile device.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gaming application is resident in a location remote from the location aware center and from the central controller and wherein the gaming application is accessible via the network. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gaming application is executed by and resident in the location aware center. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gaming application is executed by and resident in the central controller. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mobile device comprises a display that signals the gaming result to the game player. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the computing system in the location aware center includes a scanner arranged to scan the mobile device display and input the display contents to the computer system within the location aware center. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the network is a virtual private network. 
   
   
       10 . A method for processing and supervising a wireless gaming activity, the method comprising the steps of:
 establishing an account for a gaming player that may be credited, debited and monitored by a sponsor of the gaming activity;   forming a location aware center having a first computing system that accommodates the gaming activity;   wirelessly transferring gaming information between a mobile device and the location aware center, and   communicating gaming information between the location aware center and a distal central controller via a communications network;   a network for sending/receiving wireless communications between the location aware center and the central controller.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of inquiring of a redemption code and a personal identification number wherein an amount of money is validated and authorized for wagering. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of:
 establishing a redemption and PIN code wherein the gaming player becomes authorized by a gaming sponsor when the player sends the codes from the mobile device.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of locating the gaming application in a location remote from the location aware center and from the central controller and wherein the gaming application is accessible via the network. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of locating the gaming application in the location aware center. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of locating and executing the gaming application in the central controller. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising the step of transferring gaming data to a display on the mobile device. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of scanning the mobile device display into the computer system within the location aware center. 
   
   
       18 . A gaming system comprising:
 a first receiver, wherein the receiver responds only to selected wireless signals from a mobile device;   a processor that receives the first gaming data;   a gaming application executed by the processor wherein the mobile device participates in a game;   a first sender activated by the processor that sends wireless signals to a remote central controller via communications network, wherein the central controller produces second gaming data;   a program at the central controller that processes the second gaming data;   a second sender at the central controller that sends processed second gaming data to the processor via the communications network;   a second receiver that receives the processed second data and a third sender that sends information to the mobile device, wherein the mobile device displays the information.   
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 18  further comprising:
 an identification code and a password code sent from the mobile device and processed to authorized the player operating the mobile device to place a wager.   
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a redemption code and personal identification code sent from the mobile device and processed to validate and authorize the player operating the mobile device to place a wager.   
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising a gaming application is executed by the central controller. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the gaming application is resident in a location remote from the first receiver and from the central controller and wherein the gaming application is accessible via the communications network. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the communication network is a private network that is accessible only by the gaming system. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the mobile device has a touch screen and display suitable for showing a bar code.