Distributed side wagering methods and systems

Abstract

Various techniques are disclosed for facilitating side wagering activities conducted at a casino which includes a casino gaming network. In at least one embodiment, the gaming network includes a plurality of gaming devices, including a first gaming device. A side wager request may be received for placing a first side wager relating to a first target. An identity of a first player associated with generating the first side wager request may be determined. A first side wager session may be automatically initiated. In at least one embodiment, the placing of the first side wager includes placing first wager on a game play-related event or activity associated with the second person, wherein an outcome of the game play-related event or activity is influenced by a decision or action of the second person. In one embodiment, the first side wager includes first side wager criteria specifying that an outcome of the first side wager is related to at least one event associated with a different player's game play which is associated with the first target.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A gaming system comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 responsive to a triggering event occurring:
 initiate a search for any available side wagering opportunities associated with a side wager target, 
 responsive to an available side wagering opportunity associated with the side wager target being identified via the search, communicate, via a wireless data network, data to a mobile device which results in the mobile device displaying to a first player the identified available side wagering opportunity associated with the side wager target, and 
 receive, via the wireless data network and from the mobile device, data associated with a placement of a side wager on an event associated with the side wager target. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the side wager target comprises a second player associated with a value corresponding to game play information over a designated period of time which exceeds a predetermined value, the second player being different from the first player. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein the event associated with the side wager target comprises a game subsequently played by the second player. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the event associated with the side wager target comprises an event associated with a play of a skill-based game. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the event associated with the side wager target comprises an event associated with a play of a table game occurring at a gaming table. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the event associated with the side wager target comprises an event associated with a play of a wagering game occurring at an electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to filter the initiated search based on a criteria specified by the first player. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering event comprises receiving data associated with a request by the first player to initiate the search for any available side wagering opportunities associated with the side wager target. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein when executed by the processor responsive to not receiving data associated with the placement of the side wager on the event associated with the side wager target, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to, based on a criteria specified by the first player, automatically place the side wager on the event associated with the side wager target. 
     
     
         10 . A gaming system comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 initiate a search for any available side wagering opportunities associated with a first player associated with a value corresponding to game play information over a designated period of time which exceeds a predetermined value, 
 responsive to an available side wagering opportunity associated with the first player being identified via the search, communicate, via a wireless data network, data to a mobile device which results in the mobile device displaying to a second, different player the identified available side wagering opportunity associated with the first player, and 
 receive, via the wireless data network and from the mobile device, data associated with a placement of a side wager on an event associated with a play of a game by the first player. 
   
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:
 responsive to a triggering event occurring:
 initiating, by a processor, a search for any available side wagering opportunities associated with a side wager target, 
 responsive to an available side wagering opportunity associated with the side wager target being identified via the search, communicating, via a wireless data network, data to a mobile device which results in the mobile device displaying to a first player the identified available side wagering opportunity associated with the side wager target, and 
 receiving, via the wireless data network and from the mobile device, data associated with a placement of a side wager on an event associated with the side wager target. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the side wager target comprises a second player associated with a value corresponding to game play information over a designated period of time which exceeds a predetermined value, the second player being different from the first player. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event associated with the side wager target comprises a game subsequently played by the second player. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the event associated with the side wager target comprises an event associated with a play of a skill-based game. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the event associated with the side wager target comprises an event associated with a play of a table game occurring at a gaming table. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the event associated with the side wager target comprises an event associated with a play of a wagering game occurring at an electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising filtering, by the processor, the initiated search based on a criteria specified by the first player. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the triggering event comprises receiving data associated with a request by the first player to initiate the search for any available side wagering opportunities associated with the side wager target. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising, responsive to not receiving data associated with the placement of the side wager on the event associated with the side wager target, and based on a criteria specified by the first player, automatically placing, by the processor, the side wager on the event associated with the side wager target.