Gambling game system and method for remotely-located players

Abstract

In some embodiments of the present invention a gambling game system is disclosed, comprising a central station including a plurality of betting-type game devices, and an electronic camera for each game device A plurality of player stations remotely located with respect to the central stations, each one including a monitor for displaying a selected game device at the central station, and input means for selecting a game device and for placing a bet by a player at the player's station relating to an action involving an element of change to occur at the selected game device

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A gambling game system, comprising:
 a central station including a plurality of betting-type game devices each involving an element of chance, and an at least one electronic camera for each game device and a sensor at each of a plurality of player positions at said game device to sense at least one card placed at said player position at said game device; 
 a plurality of player stations remotely located with respect to said central station, each of said player stations including a monitor for displaying an image of a selected game device at the central station taken by said at least one electronic camera and information based on sensing output from at least one sensor associated with the game device, said sensed information relating to said card placed at the respective player position, and input means for selecting a game device, placing a bet by a player at the player's station relating to an action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device and effectuating said action; and 
 data processing means for:
 (a) establishing communication between said central station and each of said player stations; 
 (b) enabling a player at each player station via the input means at the player station to select a game device at the central station, to see via the monitor at the player station what occurs at the selected game device, to receive said sensed information about the card, and to place a bet via the input means at the player station relating to the action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device; 
 (c) displaying in the monitor at the player's station the action involving an element of chance as the action occurs at the selected game device, taken by said electronic camera; 
 (d)(c) determining whether the action, after it occurs, resulted in a “win” or “loss” of the placed bet; and 
 (e)(d) maintaining a current account for the player in which each win is registered as a credit, and each loss is registered assas a debit, according to the rules and rates of the selected game device; and  
 
 wherein said monitor is adapted to display a movie picture taken from said electronic camera, wherein said game device is a card table, and wherein said sensor at each player position at said card table is a scanner to scan a card placed at said player position. 
 
     
     
       2. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein: said central station also includes a microphone at each game device; each of said player stations also including a speaker enabling, to enable a player at each a player station to hear, as well as to see, what occurs at the selected game device as it occurs at the central casino. 
     
     
       3. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said current account for the player is continuously displayed and updated at the respective player station. 
     
     
       4. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of betting-type game devices at the central casino include at least one in which the action involving an element of chance to occur at the game device is an action effected actuated by a house person at the central station selected game device. 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 4 , wherein said central station includes a display for each game device; and said data processor means displays at the central station the bet placed by each player with request to each game device, and the current account for each player. 
     
     
       6. The system according to claim  5  4, wherein said at least one game device of said plurality of game devices at the central station includes a table on which the action involving an element of chance is to be effected actuated by the house person at the central station. 
     
     
       7. The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said table is a card table for playing a card game and has a player position for each of the players to play a card game at the table; said central station including a an electronic camera for each player position of said card table, and a display for displaying the bet and current account of the player at each player position of said card table; said input means at each player station including means enabling the player thereat to input commands to the house person at the central station relating to choices made by the player in playing the card game. 
     
     
       8. The system according to claim  7  6, wherein said central station further includes an a central station input device, operated by the house person for the respective game device at the central station, for inputting information relating to each player position of said card table. 
     
     
       9. The system according to  claim 8 , wherein said central station input device operated by the house person is a keyboard including a plurality of keys selectively depressible by the house person to transmit to the monitor of a selected player information relating to the respective player. 
     
     
       10. The system according to claim  7  6, wherein at least some of said player stations include a camera selectively energizable by the player thereat for transmitting the player's image to the a display of at the respective player position at the card table. 
     
     
       11. The system according to claim  7  6, wherein there is further comprising a separate display at the central station for each player position at each card table at the central station. 
     
     
       12. The system according to claim  7  6, wherein said command input means includes a manual device for manually inputting said commands input means at each player station includes command input means enabling the player thereat to input commands to the house person at the central station relating to choices made by the player in playing a card game. 
     
     
       13. The system according to claim  7  12, wherein said command input means includes a microphone for voice inputting said commands. 
     
     
       14. The system according to claim  7  12, wherein said command input means includes a camera for visually inputting said commands. 
     
     
       15. The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said table is a roulette table including a roulette wheel, said roulette table being displayed in the monitor at the respective player station such that the player may place a bet thereon by the inupt means at the player station. 
     
     
       16. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of betting-type game devices at the central station includes at least one in which the action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device in is an action effected by the player at the player station to be remotely actuated at said game device. 
     
     
       17. The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one game device is a slot machine to be activated remotely by the player at the player station. 
     
     
       18. The system according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one game device is a dice game for dice to be thrown remotely by the player at the player station. 
     
     
       19. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said central station is an actual casino which includes a plurality of different-type game devices selectable by a player at a player station, including a first group of game devices in which the action involving an element of chance is one effected remotely actuated by the player at the player station, and a second group of game devices in which the action involving an element of chance is one effected actuated by a house person at the casino; each game device further including a microphone, and each player station including a speaker enabling a player at the respective player station to hear, as well as to see, what occurs at the selected game device as it occurs at the casino. 
     
     
       20. The system according to  claim 19 , wherein said first group of game devices include slot machines, and said second group of game devices include tables each having a plurality of player positions. 
     
     
       21. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said data processor means includes: a data processor at each player station, a data processor at the central station for each game device thereat, a central data processor for all the game devices at the central station, and a communication system establishing communication between all said data processor. 
     
     
       22. The system according to  claim 21 , wherein there are said data processing means further comprises a communication link to a plurality of said additional central stations connected together to said central station in a network; said data-processor means enabling the player at said player station to select both a central station any of said central stations, and a game device thereat, for placing a bet. 
     
     
       23. The system according to  claim 21 , wherein said communication system includes the an internet communication network. 
     
     
       24. The system according to  claim 21 , wherein said communication system is a dedicated communication network using public telephone lines for communication between the central station and the player stations. 
     
     
       25. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of player stations are at different locations. 
     
     
       26. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of player stations are at a common location. 
     
     
       27. A method of providing gambling gaming services, comprising:
 providing a central station with a plurality of betting type game devices each involving an element of chance, and an at least one electronic camera for each game device and at least one sensor at each of a plurality of player positions at said game device to sense at least one card placed at said player position at said game device; 
 providing each of a plurality of player stations, remotely located with respect to said central station, with a monitor for displaying an image of a selected game device at the central station taken by said at least one electronic camera and information based on sensing output from at least one sensor associated with the game device, said sensed information relating to said card placed at the respective player position, and input means for selecting a game device, placing a bet by a player at the player's station relating to an action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device and effectuating said action; and 
 providing data processing means at said central station and said player stations for:
 (a) establishing communication between said central station and each of said player stations; 
 (b) enabling a player at each player station via the input means at the player station to select a game device at the central station, to see via the monitor at the player station what occurs at the selected game device to receive said sensed information about the card, and to place a bet via the input means at the player station relating to the action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device; 
 (c) displaying in the monitor at the player's station the action involving an element of chance as the action occurs at the selected game device, taken by said electronic camera; 
 (d)(c) determining whether the action, after it occurs, resulted in a “win” or “loss” of the placed bet; and 
 (e)(d) maintaining a current account for the player in which each win is registered as a credit, and each non-win is registered as a debit, according to the rules and rates of the selected game device; and  
 
 wherein said monitor is adapted to display a movie picture taken from said electronic camera, wherein said game device is a card table, wherein said sensor at each player position at said card table is a scanner to said a card placed at said player position. 
 
     
     
       28. The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said central station is also provided with a microphone at each game device and each of said player stations is also provided with a speaker enabling a player at each a player station to hear, as well as to see, what occurs at the selected game device as it occurs at the central station. 
     
     
       29. The method according to  claim 27 , wherein each player station also continuously displays and updates the current account of the respective player. 
     
     
       30. The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said plurality of betting-type game devices at the central station includes at least one in which the action involving an element of chance to occur at the game device is an action effected actuated by a house person at the central station. 
     
     
       31. The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said central station includes a display for each game device; and said data processor means displays at the central station the bet placed by each player with respect to each game device, and the current account for each player. 
     
     
       32. The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said at least one game device at the central station includes a table on which the action involving an element of chance is to be effected by the house person at the central station. 
     
     
       33. The method according to claim  27  32, wherein said table is a card table for playing a card game and has a player position for each of the players to play a card game at the table; said central station including a an electronic camera for each player position of said card table, and a display for displaying the bet and current account of the player at each player position of said card table; said input means at each player station including means enabling the player thereat to input commands to the house person at the central station relating to choices made by the player in playing the card game. 
     
     
       34. The method according to claim  27  33, wherein said central station further includes an input device, operated by the house person for the respective game device at the central station, for inputting information relating to each player position of said card table. 
     
     
       35. The method according to claim  34  32, wherein said input device operated by the house person is a keyboard including a plurality of keys selectively depressible by the house person to transmit to the display of a selected player information relating to the respective player. 
     
     
       36. The method according to claim  34  32, wherein at least some of said player stations include a camera selectively energizable by the player thereat for transmitting the player's image to the a display of the respective player position at the card table. 
     
     
       37. The method according to claim  34  32, wherein there is further comprising a separate display at the central station for each player position at each card table at the central casino. 
     
     
       38. The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said command input means includes a manual device keyboard for manually inputting said commands. 
     
     
       39. The method according to claim  38  27, wherein said command input means includes a microphone for voice inputting said commands. 
     
     
       40. The method according to claim  38  27, wherein said command input means includes a camera for visually inputting said commands. 
     
     
       41. The method according to  claim 32 , wherein said table is a roulette table including a roulette wheel, said roulette table being displayed in the monitor at the respective player station such that the player may place a bet thereon by the input means at the player station. 
     
     
       42. The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said plurality of betting-type game devices at the central station includes at least one in which the action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected game device is an action effected remotely actuated by the player at the player station. 
     
     
       43. The method according to  claim 42 , wherein said at least one game device is a slot machine to be activated remotely by the player at the player station. 
     
     
       44. The method according to  claim 42 , wherein said at least one game device is a dice game for dice to be thrown remotely by the player at the player station. 
     
     
       45. The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said central station is an actual casino which includes a plurality of different-type game devices selected selectable by a player at a player station, including a first group of game device devices in which the action involving an element of chance is one effected remotely actuated by the player at the player station, and a second group of game device devices in which the action involving an element of chance is one effected actuated by a house person at the casino; each game device further including a microphone, and each player station including a speaker enabling a player at the respective player station to hear, as well as to see, what occurs at the selected game device as it occurs at the casino. 
     
     
       46. The method according to  claim 45 , wherein said first group of game devices include slot machines, and said second group of game device include tables each having a plurality of player positions. 
     
     
       47. The method according to  claim 45 , wherein said data processor means includes: a data processor at each player station, a data processor at the casino for each game device thereat, a central data processor for all the game device devices at the casino, and a communication system establishing communication between all said data processors. 
     
     
       48. The method according to  claim 45 , wherein there are further comprising a means for establishing communication with a plurality of said casinos connected together to said casino in a network; said data-processor means enabling the player at said player station to select both a casino, any of said casinos and a game device thereat, for placing a bet. 
     
     
       49. The method according to claim  45  48, wherein said means for establishing communication system includes the internet communication network. 
     
     
       50. The method according to claim  45  48, wherein said means for establishing communication system is a dedicated communication network using public telephone lines for communication between the casino and the player stations. 
     
     
       51. The method according to  claim 45 , wherein said plurality of player stations are at different locations. 
     
     
       52. The method according to  claim 45 , wherein said plurality of player stations are at a common location. 
     
     
       53. The system of claim 1, wherein said betting data includes at least the amount of the bet, the player's account balance, and an outcome wagered upon.  
     
     
       54. The game system according to claim 1 wherein said scanner is located below said card table at each player position, said scanner to scan a face of a face down card, wherein said player station is to show remote players at least one face down card dealt at the respective player position based on scanning output of said scanner.  
     
     
       55. The method of claim 27, wherein said betting data includes at least the amount of the bet, the player's account balance, and an outcome wagered upon.  
     
     
       56. The method according to claim 27 wherein said scanner is located below said card table at each player position, wherein said player station is to show remote players at least one face down card dealt at the respective player position based on scanning output of said scanner.  
     
     
       57. A game system, comprising:
 at least one game device involving an element of chance, an electronic camera for the game device and a sensor at each of a plurality of player positions at said game device to sense at least one card placed at said player position at said game device;   means for receiving from a remote player input for placing a bet relating to an action involving an element of chance to occur at the game device, and input for effectuating said action;   means for establishing communication with a player station;   means for transmitting to the player station an image taken by said electronic camera of the action involving an element of chance at said game device for display on a first portion of a monitor at said player station, for transmitting to the player station sensed information associated with said at least one card placed at said player position at said game device, said sensed information for displaying on at least a second portion of said monitor at said player station, and for transmitting player betting data for display on at least a third portion of said monitor at said player station; and   data processing means for determining whether the action, after it occurs, resulted in a “win” or “loss” of the placed bet and for maintaining a current account for the player in which each win is registered as a credit, and each loss is registered as a debit, according to the rules and rates of the selected game device, wherein said game device is a card table and wherein said sensor at each player position at said card table is a scanner to scan a card placed at said player position.    
     
     
       58. The system of claim 57, comprising:
 a plurality of betting-type game devices; and   selection means for receiving a selection of a game device by a player for betting thereat.    
     
     
       59. The system of claim 58, wherein said plurality of betting-type game devices are located in a single physical location.  
     
     
       60. The system of claim 58, wherein said plurality of betting-type game devices are located in different locations.  
     
     
       61. The system of claim 57, wherein said at least one game device comprises:
 a table at which the action involving an element of chance is to occur; and   means for communicating to a house person at said game device a command by said player relating to the action involving an element of chance, said action to be effected by a house person.    
     
     
       62. The system of claim 57, further comprising:
 means for receiving an image from at least a first remote player; and   means for transmitting said image received from said first remote player to at least a second remote player.    
     
     
       63. The system according to claim 57 wherein said scanner is located below said card table at each player position, wherein said player station is to show remote players at least one face down card dealt at the respective player position based on scanning output of said scanner.  
     
     
       64. A method of providing gaming services, comprising:
 providing a central station with a plurality of betting type game devices; at least one electronic camera for each game device, and at least one sensor at each of a plurality of player positions at said game device, to sense at least one card placed at said player position at said game device;   receiving from a remote player input for placing a bet relating to an action involving an element of chance to occur at a game device;   receiving from a remote player input for effectuating said action;   transmitting to a player station an image of the action involving an element of chance, said image taken by an electronic camera associated with said game device for display on a first portion of a monitor at said player station, transmitting to the player station sensed information associated with said at least one card placed at said player position at said game device, said sensed information for display on at least a second portion of said monitor at said player station, and transmitting player betting data for display on at least a third portion of said monitor at said player station;   determining whether the action, after it occurs, resulted in a “win” or “loss” of the placed bet; and   maintaining a current account for the player in which each win is registered as a credit, and each loss is registered as a debit, according to the rules and rates of the selected game device, wherein said game device is a card table and wherein said sensor at each player position at said card table is a scanner to scan a card placed at said player position.    
     
     
       65. The method of claim 64, further comprising receiving from a remote player a selection of one of a plurality of betting-type game devices for betting thereat.  
     
     
       66. The method of claim 65, wherein said plurality of game devices are located in different physical locations.  
     
     
       67. The method of claim 65, wherein said plurality of game devices are located in the same physical location.  
     
     
       68. The method of claim 64, wherein said at least one game device includes a table on which the action involving an element of chance is to be effected by a house person.  
     
     
       69. The method of claim 57, further comprising displaying at said game device an image of at least one remote player.  
     
     
       70. The method of claim 69, comprising displaying at said game device images of a plurality of remote players.  
     
     
       71. The method of claim 64, comprising:
 receiving an image from at least a first remote player; and   transmitting said image received from said first remote player to at least a second remote player.    
     
     
       72. The method according to claim 64 wherein said scanner is located below said card table at each player position, wherein said player station is to show remote players at least one face down card dealt at the respective player position based on scanning output of said scanner.  
     
     
       73. A method of providing gaming services, comprising:
 providing a central station with a plurality of card tables, at least one electronic camera for each card table, and at least one sensor at each of a plurality of player positions at said card table;   providing data processing means associated with said central station configured to: (a) establish communication between said central station and each of a plurality of player stations remotely located with respect to said central station, (b) enable players at the player stations to select a card table at the central station and to place bets relating to an action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected card table, (c) determine whether the action, after it occurs, resulted in a “win” or “loss” of the placed bet, and (d) maintain a current account for each player in which each win is registered as a credit, and each non-win is registered as a debit, according to the rules and rates of the selected game device;   receiving a selection of a card table from a remote player at one of said player stations;   receiving a bet placed by said remote player relating to the action involving an element of chance to occur at the selected card table and effectuating said action;   transmitting to said player station a movie picture of the selected card table at the central station taken from said electronic camera associated with the card table, and information based on sensing output from the sensor associated with the respective player position at said card table;   determining whether the action, after it occurs, resulted in a “win” or “loss” of the placed bet; and   maintaining a current account for the remote player in which each win is registered as a credit, and each loss is registered as a debit, according to the rules and rates of the selected game device, wherein said sensor is a scanner positioned on the card table to scan a card placed at the respective player position.    
     
     
       74. The method of claim 73, wherein said sensing output of the sensor relates to the value of a card placed at the respective player position.  
     
     
       75. The method of claim 73, wherein said scanner is positioned on the card table to scan a card placed face down at the respective player position.