System and method for intermediating games of chance to banking service providers

Abstract

 System and method for intermediating games of chance to banking service providers, comprising an intermediation environment, game-of-chance environment, and at least one banking service provider's sub-system, whereas the system enables depositors to participate in a game of chance whereas his/her personal data are not transmitted neither to the intermediation environment nor the game-of-chance environment.

Description

Description of the Invention

[0001] A system and method for intermediating games of chance to banking service providers.

Technical Field

[0002] The invention belongs among software solutions for depositing-game-of-chance environments.

Background Art

[0003] Offers made by banks, involving one-time or periodic raffling of prizes (including bonuses) to banking customers, e.g. depositors or bank card users are known.

[0004] KR20020064851 "Lottery-style bank check and lot management system thereof", IPC G07D13/00, Kim Chang Wook (KR), priority date 03022001, date of publication 10.08.2002 is known, describing equipping a bank cheque with an additional lottery ticket function with the objective of making the user to preserve the bank cheque until the raffle date, thus increasing the amount of money deposited in the bank issuing the cheque.

[0005] KR20010046278 "System and method for issuing internet lottery ticket according to bank transaction particulars using ATM terminal", IPC class G06F17/60, Yesib Inc (KR), priority date 31.07.2001, date of publication 12.02.2003 is known, describing handing out Internet lottery tickets for using an automatic teller machine with the objective of increasing the use of automatic teller machines.

[0006] US5774884 "Service method using on-line systems of financial institutions", IPC class G06Q30/00 et al Moebius Corp (JP), priority date 26.01.1995, date of publication 30.06.1998 is known, describing raffling of winnings by a bank when a bank card is used to perform transactions by means of an automatic teller machine.

[0007] US7962362, "Promoting customer loyalty", IPC class G06Q30/00, CANADIAN BANK NOTE CO LTD, priority date 11.08.2004, date of publication 16.02.2006 is known, describing a system where buyers, e.g. lottery players are awarded additional raffles and prizes for their loyalty.

[0008] US7168616 "Bank card with lottery feature", IPC G06K5/00, Richard E. Carnation, priority date 24.03.2005, date of publication 30.01.2007, is known, describing a method for increasing credit card usage, where a customer making a purchase by means of a credit card participates in a lottery arranged by the issuer of his/her credit card according to the size of his/her purchase, whereas the prize fund of the lottery is formed by the issuer of the credit card using his profits.

[0009] KR20000072505 "Internet Cyber Lottery Bank Book", IPC class G06F19/00, Park Gyul Hee (KR), priority date 18.07.2000, date of publication 05.12.2000, is known, describing a system where Internet lottery tickets are handed out to customers depositing in a bank, with the objective of facilitating increasing the usage volume of banking services. The user makes payments to his/her deposit account, and is automatically allotted lottery tickets according to the volume of payments made.

[0010] Offering the depositors an opportunity to participate in a lottery, with the objective of increasing their saving activity is known, (see e.g. "To increase savings, link them to Gambling", Harvard Business Review, 04/2010).

[0011] A "Save to Win" solution is known, involving periodic raffling of monetary awards between the depositors depositing their money in a participating savings association for a particular period (see www.savetowin.org). According to the solution the chance of winning depends on the size of the deposited amount. There is no chance of losing as no expenses are incurred by participating in the raffle for the depositor in the event of not winning. Raffling expenses are covered by the participating savings associations indirectly, for account of other profits.

[0012] A computer-based method and system are required, enabling several banking service providers, e.g. banks located in different countries to offer their depositors an opportunity to participate in raffles or other games of chance at the same time, thus increasing the possible prize fund, and making participation more attractive for the depositors.

Disclosure of Invention

[0013] The objective of the invention is achieved by means of a system comprising an intermediation environment including at least one game-of-chance module and at least one banking service provider's sub-system, whereas each banking service provider's sub-system is connected to the banking service provider's computer system via a computer network and over a secure communications channel, and each sub-system is equipped with a user interface, whereas each banking service provider's sub-system is adapted to receive messages containing information pertaining to the depositor and his/her contribution for participating in a game of chance at least from one banking service provider's computer system, the game-of-chance module is adapted to carry through games of chance and enable the depositors to participate in these games of chance based on their contribution, and the intermediation environment is adapted to intermediate the depositor's contributions to the game-of-chance module and the winning information from the game-of-chance module to the banking service provider's sub-system, whereas the information pertaining to the depositor, transmitted by the banking service consists of an identification code, whereas the information enabling association of the identification code with the personal data is maintained only in the banking service provider's computer system.

[0014] The objective of the invention is also achieved by means of a system comprising an intermediation environment, at least one banking service provider's sub-system, and comprises at least one game-of-chance interface, whereas each game-of-chance interface is connected to at least one external game-of-chance environment via a computer network and over a secure communications channel, whereas the intermediation environment is set up to transmit messages containing contribution data to the external game-of-chance environment, whereas the contribution data contain the identification code of the person making the contribution, that does not enable identification of the user's person, i.e. his/her name and other personal data in the game-of-chance environment.

[0015] The objective of the invention is achieved by means of a method comprising the following steps: an agreement is concluded between the person wanting to participate in a game of chance and the banking service provider, for example by opening a corresponding time deposit by the banking service provider; the depositor is allotted game-of-chance shares (tickets) in an amount corresponding to the size, term or other parameters of the deposit; the person is identified in the bank according to the laws applicable to the banking service provider; the person is assigned a unique identification code; the identification code with contribution units is transferred to the banking service provider's sub-system in the intermediation environment via a computer network and over a secure channel; an account is opened for the person in the intermediation environment, and the game-of-chance shares belonging to him/her are transferred to this account; the person is enabled to participate in the game of chance based on the number of his/her game-of-chance shares (or the rights derived from them, if the banking service provider issues game-of-chance shares involving different rights); according to the person's choice either passive, semi-passive or active participation in the game of chance is enabled for the person. In case of passive participation the customer automatically participates in the raffles, the raffle numbers are automatically generated by the system, and one game-of-chance share at a time is entered in the raffle. In case of semi-passive participation the person in question specifies the numbers he/she desires to use for participating in the raffle, and game-of-chance shares are automatically entered in the raffle. In case of active participation the person in question specifies the numbers and raffles to participate in himself/herself. The contribution data are transmitted from the intermediation environment to the game-of-chance environment, and the game of chance is carried through in the game-of-chance environment. The information about the winners is transmitted from the game-of-chance environment to the intermediation environment. The persons having won are notified in the intermediation environment via their accounts, and the information about the winners is relayed to the banking service providers' systems who arrange delivering the winnings to the persons having won.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] Figure Fig. 1 - the general architecture of the intermediation system.

[0017] Figure Fig. 2 - the diagram of the game-of-chance module.

[0018] Figure Fig. 3 - the diagram of a banking service provider's sub-system.

[0019] Figure Fig. 4 - an alternative architecture of the intermediation system.

[0020] Figure Fig. 5 - the algorithmic diagram of the method of the invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Figure Fig. 1 depicts the architecture of the intermediation system 1 according to the first implementation example of the invention. The intermediation system comprises a lottery server 2 connected to at least one banking service provider's sub-system 3_i (where i = 1 ... M, where M is an integer greater than or equal to two), whereas each banking service provider's sub-system can be connected to at least one banking service provider's IT system 4_j (where j = 1 ... N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to two) via a computer network and over a secure data communications channel (e.g. SSH). Each sub-system is adapted to generate periodic reports (e.g. regarding game-of-chance shares and winnings), and maintain a log of essential events. Each sub-system can be adapted to conform to the requirements of one or more banking service provider's requirements.

[0022] Figure Fig. 2 depicts the diagram of the lottery server 2. The lottery server comprises a database 9 and core 6 including the business logic circuit 6 and data communications layer 7 of the lottery server. A physical lotto device 5 is connected to the lottery server 2. The lottery server is designed to receive, store and relay the lottery results to the banking service provider's sub-systems 3₁ to 3_M. The data communications layer 7 handles database requests (e.g. by means of DAO - Data Access Objects).

[0023] Figure Fig. 3 depicts the architecture of the banking service provider's sub-system 3_i. The sub-system comprises load balancers 11, user interface 12, core 13, database 14, services module 15. The lottery server 2 set up to relay the winning lottery numbers to the sub-system where they are stored in the database 14, is connected to the services module 15. A user 10 accesses the sub-system via the user interface 12 e.g. by means of a web browser. The user can open deposits by the banking service provider and receive game-of-chance shares for this by using the sub-system.

[0024] Figure Fig. 4 depicts an alternative architecture of the intermediation system 1 that differs from the one depicted on figure Fig. 2 by its lack of banking service provider's sub-systems.

[0025] Figure Fig. 5 depicts one implementation example of the method of the invention, comprising the following steps. An agreement is concluded between the person wanting to participate in a game of chance, and the banking service provider (step 100), for example by opening a corresponding time deposit, opening a bank account, ordering a bank card, e.g. a credit card, taking a loan from the bank or using another method acceptable for the banking service provider. An amount of game-of-chance shares (tickets) corresponding to the size and term or other parameters of the deposit is allotted (step 101). The person is identified in the bank (102) considering thereby laws applicable to the banking service provider. The person is assigned a unique identification code (103). The identification code with game-of-chance shares is transmitted to the banking service provider's sub-system in the intermediation environment via a computer network and over a secure channel (step 104). An account is opened in the intermediation environment for the person (step 105), and the game-of-chance shares belonging to him/her are transferred to this account. The way of participating in the game of chance is determined by the person (step 107), for example passive, semi-passive or active. In case of passive participation the customer automatically participates in the raffle, the raffle numbers are automatically generated by the system, and one ticket at a time is entered in the raffle. In case of semi-passive participation the user himself/herself plays, for example specifies the numbers he/she desires to use to participate in the raffles, and the tickets are automatically entered in the raffle. In case of active participation the person in question specifies the numbers and raffles to participate in himself/herself. The person is enabled to participate in the game of chance based on the number of his/her game-of-chance shares (or the rights derived from them, if the banking service provider issues game-of-chance shares involving different rights) (step 108). The contribution data are transmitted from the intermediation environment to the game-of-chance environment (step 109), and the game of chance is carried through in the game-of-chance environment (step 110). The information about the winners is transmitted from the game-of-chance environment to the intermediation environment (step 111). The persons having won are notified in the intermediation environment via their accounts (step 112), and the information about the winners is relayed to the banking service providers' systems (step 113). Delivery of the winnings to the persons having won is arranged after that (114). According to one version delivery of winnings is arranged by the banking service provider, for example by means of a transfer to the winner's bank account. According to another version the intermediation environment instructs the banking service provider to transfer the winnings amount to the depositor having won. According to a third version paying out of the winnings amount is performed by the intermediation environment.

[0026] According to one version the depositor is granted an opportunity to also participate in other games of chance beside the lottery. According to this version the contribution data are relayed from the intermediation environment to the game-of-chance environment, and the shares are used in the game-of-chance environment. In case a player wins he/she can either re-use his/her winnings or give an appropriate instruction to the intermediation environment, and the intermediation environment instructs the banking service provider to deliver the winnings, and the banking service provider will transfer it to the player's bank account (step 110).

[0027] According to one version the system enables participating in raffles, lotteries and other games of chance arranged by third persons.

[0028] The depositor can repossess his/her deposited money only after the end of the depositing term. To receive additional shares the depositor has to make an additional contribution, for example make an additional down payment to his/her deposit, open a new deposit, order another credit card, etc. The winnings funds of different games are formed by the banking service provider - the winnings fund is formed based on the profits earned by the banking service provider on the deposits made by the depositors, or the advertising budget of the banking service provider.

[0029] The system and method of the invention have a number of advantages:

• the possibility to offer the service in question to a larger number of participants,
• the possibility of having a larger winnings fund thanks to international connectivity,
• promoting depositing among gamblers,
• the possibility of including persons opposed to games of chance (the persons who do not wish to lose money for participating in games of chance),
• a uniform system in several countries - not disunited as games of chance having different structures but the same in all countries.

Claims

1. A system for intermediating games of chance to banking service providers, comprising an intermediation environment including at least one game-of-chance module and at least one banking service provider's sub-system, whereas each banking service provider's sub-system is connected to the banking service provider's computer system via a computer network and over a secure communications channel, and each sub-system is equipped with a user interface, whereas each banking service provider's sub-system is adapted to receive messages containing information about the depositor and his/her contribution for participating in a game of chance from one banking service provider's computer system, the game-of-chance module is adapted to carry through games of chance and enable the depositors to participate in the games of chance according to their contribution, and the intermediation environment is adapted to intermediate the depositor's contribution to the game-of-chance module, and the winnings information from the game-of-chance module to the banking service provider's sub-system, characterised in that the information about the depositor consists of an identification code, whereas the information enabling association of the identification code with the personal data is maintained only in the banking service provider's computer system.

2. A method for intermediating games of chance to banking service providers, comprising concluding an agreement between the person wanting to participate in a game of chance, and the banking service provider, allotting the depositor an amount of game-of-chance shares according to the size and term of his/her deposit or other parameters, identifying the person in the bank according to the laws applicable to the banking service provider, assigning the person a unique identification code, transmitting the identification code with the contribution units to the banking service provider's sub-system in the intermediation environment via a computer network and over a secure channel, opening an account for the person in the intermediation environment, and transferring the game-of-chance shares belonging to him/her to the account, enabling the person to participate in the game of chance according to the rights due to the person's game-of-chance shares, relaying the information about the winners from the game-of-chance environment to the intermediation environment, notifying the persons having won in the intermediation environment via their user accounts, and instructing by the intermediation environment the banking service provider to deliver the winnings received to the depositor having won.

Drawing