Event-based gaming systems and methods

Abstract

A method of playing a game, the method comprising selecting a predefined number of player indicia; providing an event reference, the event reference being viewable on a display device, the event reference comprising a plurality of event participants, the plurality of event participants being ranked; randomly generating a plurality of randomly generated indicia, the plurality of randomly generated indicia comprising a first indicia and a second indicia; associating the first indicia with a first event participant; associating the second indicia with a second event participant; obtaining the ranking of the participants based on the order they finish in the event reference; ordering the plurality of randomly generated indicia based on the ranking of their respective associated participants; and determining a game outcome, the game outcome comprising comparing the player indicia to the plurality of randomly generated indicia.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gaming system for providing a game to a player, the game being associated with an independent event having a plurality of participants, comprising:
 a display device configured to display the event, the event having an end, the participants in the event having a final ranking associated with the end of the event;   a random indicia generator configured to randomly generate a plurality of randomly generated indicia;   a processor in communication with the random indicia generator and the display device, the processor configured to:
 associate each of the randomly generated indicia with a respective participant in order in which the randomly generated indicia are generated, the randomly generated indicia being configured to remain associated with the respective participants as the participants' rankings change during the event, 
 allow a player to place a wager on the game, 
 establish a plurality of player indicia, 
 lock wagering on the game at a predetermined stage to prevent further wagering, 
 after the plurality of player indicia are established and after wagering is locked, inform the player of the association between the randomly generated indicia and the participants by superimposing, on the display device, the randomly generated indicia on the participants by a superimposer program, 
 compare the plurality of player indicia with the randomly generated indicia as a function of the final ranking, and 
   award a prize based on the comparison and the wager.