CA2197448A1

CA2197448A1 - Open architecture casino operating system

Info

Publication number: CA2197448A1
Application number: CA002197448A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John Franco Franchi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-02
Filing date: 1995-04-28
Publication date: 1996-11-16
Also published as: WO1995030944A2; WO1995030944A3; AU2362695A; US5770533A

Abstract

A casino operating system controls the flow of funds and monitoring gambling activities in a casino or a gaming establishment utilizing a network of computers, including a central computer and individual game computers. Each player receives an encoded betting card from the cashier. At the games, each player position is equipped with a control panel including a card reader into which the betting card is inserted. The control panel also includes an electronic screen and keyboard. From the control panel, the player may place a bet and perform all options available to the player in the particular game.
The system records the hands dealt to each player and the winner, and credits or debits the player's betting card accordingly. In an alternative embodiment, the casino operating system allows the players to use chips to place bets instead of the above-described betting card. The chips are marked or encoded so that they can be counted once final bets have been placed to determine the amount of each player's bet. In games requiring the placement of bets in certain positions on the gaming table, each player may be provided with a betting marker used to indicate the position of his bets on the table, a touch-sensitive screen may be used whereby bets are placed by touching the desired position on the screen, or a two-way remote control console for placing bets.
The casino operating system is an open architecture system adaptable to accommodate the differing needs of each casino and may be incorporated into a larger network for providing various entertainment and service options in addition to gambling options to users in both on-premises and remote locations.

Description

wo ss/30s4~l 2 1 g ~ ~ 4 8 PCTtUS95/05018 OPEN ARCHITECTURE
CASINO OPERATING SYSTEM

~IELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an open architecture casino opeldting system for monitoring game play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino or gaming establishm~nt, in which game play is monitored and the flow of funds is controlled by a hierarchical network of computers. The system is adaptable to accommodate the specific needs of individual casinos.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Che~ting is one of the largest problems faced by casinos today. Casinos spend millions of dollars each year on surveillance equipment, primarily visual suNeillance equipment con~i~ting of video cameras positioned at various angles above and around gambling tables. Current surveillance techniques also require the use of casino employees who monitor play at the tables and slot m~chines One of the most successful methods of cheating is "dealer ~kimming" in which a dealer makes an arrangement with one of the players across the table, thereby increasing that Wo 95/30944 2 1 9 7 4 ~ 8 PCIIUS95/05018 player's odds of winning. Such schemes are often accomplished by use of a pre-arranged system of signals between the dealer and player that are undetectable to video surveillance systems. For example, in the game of blackjack, the cards of all of the players are dealt face up while the dealer has one face-up card and one face-down card. The dealer signals the players in~ic~ting the value of the dealer's face-down card. In this way, the player's odds of winning could be significantly increased because the player knows for certain the value of the dealer's cards and can place bets accordingly. Further, in casinos where the dealer is not allowed to look at the face-down card, for example, the dealer may pay out to the player more than the player actually wins or pay the player even though the player actually lost. The speed with which the cards are dealt and the chips distributed is such that visual survçill~nce is often llncucceccful in identifying dealer mistakes, both intentional and nintentiorl~l In fact, the owners of a number of casinos have indicated that their profits would be signifir~ntly higher if bl~r~ r~ dealers were removed from the game all together.
In addition to the losses created by chP~ting of the players and the dealers in casinos, casino owners are also faced with theft. Large qlJ~ntities of money change hands in casinos, and both employees and players carry large amounts of cash. Therefore, casino owners must provide adequate security to ensure that their guests and employees are protected. This often requires a large staff of security employees.
Another cignifir~nt cost to casinos and other gambling establichm~ntc is that of staffing the casino games with trustworthy and trained employees to run the games, distribute chips, and pelrofm other game-related functions. For example, in the game of roulette, a table for ten players may require as many as seven employees. With reference to Prior Art Figure 1, there are ten players (P) positioned at the table 101. To run the game, the casino provides two employees (13) to collect and distribute the chips won and lost in the game; two WO 95/30944 ~ 1 9 7 4 ~ ~ PCT/US95/05018 cashiers (C) to provide players with additional chips in exchange for cash; two "pit bosses"
(PB) to monitor the play and the other employees, and to take the cash from the cashiers (C) to the casino bank periodically; and one employee (O) to operate the roulette wheel 102.
This type of labor-intensive operation is expensive. It is also very difficult to monitor to ensure thae the casino is receiving all of the money actually taken in by the employees.
The problems described above indicate the great potential for che~ting and the lack of accountability for money transactions that exists in casinos and other gambling establi~hmPnt~ using current surveillance techniques. This lack of accountability not only cuts into casino profits, but also is a major factor in many states' decisions to severely restrict leg~li7e~ gambling activities. In essence, the potential for money disappea,ing is too great, even with the most elaborate visual surveillance techniques.
OBJECTS OF T~E INVENTION
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a surveillance system for gambling which elimin~tes ch~ting problems including dealer sl~imming.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a surveill~nce system which will increase the security of both the employees of the casino and the actual guests.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a surveill~nce system that will enable a reliable accounling of the flow of funds in casinos.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system which allows the players to establish a line of credit and use that line of credit in a number of different games without the use of cash or chips.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an open alchit~ct,..e or modul~r system adaptable to accommo~te the specific needs of individual casinos by choosing from among available system co.."~nents with a variety of options.

WO 95/30944 2 1 9 7 ~ 4 8 PCT/US95/05018 It is a further object of the present invention to achieve the above objects while minimi7ing the number of employees and, hence, the operating costs of the casino.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an open architecture casino opeldting system which may be connP~t~d within a network providing numerous services and ent~ hlm~nt options to users of the system in both on-premises and off-premises locations.
Sl~ ARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a casino operating system is disclosed for controlling the flow of funds and moni~oling gambling activities in a casino or a gaming establi~hm~nt utili7ing a network of CG~ u~ . According to one preferred emb~liment~
each player receives an encoded betting card from the cashier, in place of gaming chips or cash, and may return the card to the cashia to receive cash, increase their credit, or directly deposit the betting card cash balance into a bank account. The betting card preferably contains a secure microp~cessor and memory for preserving information including identific~tion of the player, the cash balance of the player, and an identification code known to the player. This information prevents others from having access to the betting card. In the ~ltPrn~tive, the card must at least comprise a secure read/write memory which may be a m~gnPtic strip, or provide electrir~l or optic write-in, read-out or related capability.
At the gaming table, each player position is equipped with a control panel incl~ ing a card reader into which the betting card is inserted. The control panel also includes a data output device, for example, an electronic screen and a data input device, for eY~mple a touch screen or a k~yboa~d. From the control panel, the player may place a bet and l,elfo~--- all options available to the player in the particular game. The control panel also displays player inform~ti- n, such as current betting card balance, winnings from the last round, current bets, WO 95/30944 2 1 9 ~ PCTIUS95/05018 and playing cards dealt, as well as optional service features, for example, via the electronic screen. The player's betting card is credited or debited accordingly after each round.
A garning apparatus is provided for each gambling game in the casino to monitor the play of the game. For example, in garnes using playing cards, such as bl~rkj~ck, an encoded marker is placed on the face of each playing card. A sc~nning device is mounted on the playing card shoe so that each card drawn from the shoe is registered by the co",puler. The co~ ule~ records the hands dealt to each player and the winner, and credits or debits the player's betting card accordingly.
In an ~ltf ..~ e embo~imPnt, a system according to the present invention allows the players to use chips to place bets instead of the above-described betting card. An inlegldted circuit (IC) chip is inserted into the betting chips. These smart chips transmit an irlentifi~ ~tion signal enabling the value of the chips to be counted by a remote sensor once final bets have been placed to deler"line the arnount of each player's bet.
In games that require the pl~txmpnt of bets in certain positions on the gaming table, each player may be provided with a personal betting marker cont~ining an IC chip, such as a wand. The player uses the betting marker to in~ te the positions on the table on which the player wants to bet. A sensor within the table senses the player's identity tr~n~mitte~ by the IC chip in the betting marker and records the bets accordingly.
In an ~lLf...~t;./e emho~im~nt~ the screen of each player's control panel displays a mini~hlri7~d betting table layout and compri~Ps a touch-sensitive screen, such that the player may place a bet by touching the desired position on the screen, or a mini~tllri7e~ version of the betting table may also be provided with push buttons located at each of the possible betting positions.

WO 95/30944 2 1 ~ ~ 4 4 ~ PCT/US95105018 In another alternative embodiment, players are provided with a remote controlled betting console, or remote system access terminal, which allows the players to place bets on the betting table without having direct access to the table itself.
The casino operating system is an open arc~ fe system ~e~ignrd to accommodate the differing needs of each casino. For eY~mple, one casino may be in~elesled in a system to run only its bl~r~ ck tables, while another casino may be interested in a system to run all of the games, from slot m~r~ines to table games such as roulette, blackjack, craps, poker, big wheel, baccarat, and other types of games. Moreover, a system according to the present invention may grow if the casino opelator wishes to expand casino operations.
The casino operating system according to the present invention may also be incorporated within a network which provides a combination of services and entellil;nm~nt options to users of the system, both within the casino itself and from off-premises locations.
For example, a single network may provide user with access to casino games in addition to video progldllls of sporting events (both past and presently occurring events), greyhound racing, jai-lai, and other types of e~ n...~ -t pluy,ldllls. The network may further provide the user with access to various types of fin~nri~l transactions by interfacing with fin~nri~l networks, such as aulûlllatic teller and other b~nking and fin~nri~l inves~mrnt nelwolks, and access to shopping options. The r.e~woll~ may also provide various types of virtual reality options. Access to the ntlwolk may be provided from both on-premises locations, for e~mple, within a casino, and off-premises locations, for example, in l~lduldnts where patrons may access the network from their tables through user interfaces provided by the re~lduldnt, for ex~mple, hardwired or wireless touchscreen units provided at each table and/or seat. The units provided may enable patrons to enter food orders in addition to acces~ing one or more of the network gambling, en~ell;~inment and/or service options.

WO 95/30944 2 1 9 7 4 -1 ~ PCT/US95/05018 The casino operating system according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIP~ION OF I~IE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 depicts a prior art configuration for a conventional roulette table set up to accommodate ten players and l~uiling seven casino employees to run and monitor play.
Figure 2 depicts a block diagram of one eYempl~ry arrangement the elemPnt~ of the open architectme casino opel~ling system of the present invention.
Figure 3 depicts a flow chart illustrating the player verification process to insure that a player has s~ffici~Pnt credit to play a gambling game in the casino opela~ing system of the present invention.
Figure 4 depicts a player betting card for use in the casino ~elati,lg system of the present invention.
Figure 5 depicts an aulollla~ed slot m~hinP for use in the casino operating system of the present invention inclu~ing a betting card reader and an automated player console.
Figure 6 depicts a player console included on the slot m~hine shown in Figure 5, including a touch screen displaying options for playing the slot maçhine and açcescing and selP~ting other games and services through a main menu.
Figure 7 depicts an aulu..,aled blacl~jaç~ table for use in the casino operating system of the present invention including player consoles, betting card readers, chip trays, a deala console, a card shoe, and a cash slot.
Figure 8 depicts a player con~olP in~luded on the bl~rkjaçk table shown in Figure 7, including options for playing the game and ~cce~ing other games and services through a main menu.

WO 9513094~ ) 7 ~ 4 ~ PCT/US95/05018 Figure 9 depicts a card shoe included on the blackjack table shown in Figure 7, including sc~nning means for SC~nning codes provided on playing cards dealt in the bl~ckjack game.
Figure 10 depicts a dealer console included on the blackjack table shown in Figure 7, including options for playing the game and in~ tors in~ ing play options of the players.
Figure 11 depicts an automated poker table for use in the casino operating system of the present invention incll)ding player consoles, betting card readers, betting chip slots, a recessed central area for collecting betting chips, and a dealer console.
Figure 12 depicts one embodiment of an automated roulette table for use in the casino o~la~ing system of the present invention inclu~1ing individual player co~solçs, card readers, roulette ball movement sensors, and a dealer console.
Figure 13 depicts a player console incl~ d on the roulette table shown in Figure 12, in~ ling options for playing the game and ~ceccing other games and services through a main menu.
Figure 14 depicts an aulol,lated craps table for use in the casino operating system of the present invention in-lurling individual player consoles and a dealer console.
Figure 15 depicts a second embodiment of an automated roulette table for use in the casino o~l~Ling system of the present invention inclutling individual player consoles, card readers, roulette ball movement sensors, and a dealer co~cole Figure 16 depicts a remote system access terminal (RSAT) for placing bets at a roulette table at a ~lict~nce from the table, for e~mple, when all of the player consoles at the table are being used by other players.

-WO 95/30944 2 1 9 7 4 4 8 PCT/US95/0~018 Figure 17 depicts a remote system access terminal (RSAT) for placing bets at a craps table at a distance from the table, for example, when all of the player consoles at the table are being used by other players.
Figure 18 depicts a smart betting chip including an integrated circuit (IC) chip which tr~ncmitc the idP-ntific~tion information to remote sensors allowing the sensors to detect the value of the chip from the transmitted identification information.
Figure 19 depicts a network for providing numerous enle,lAil~mçnt options and services into which the casino operating according to the present invention may be linked.
Note that the first digit or digits of the reference characters in Figures 1-18 indicate in which figure the depicted element first appears.
DETAILED DESCRIPIION OF T~IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in Figure 2, the open arcl~it~ ~ casino ope.dling system of the present invention comprises a central cc~ )ul~ 200 including at least a central proceccing unit, a memory, and input and output means (not shown) and connected to a number of individual game colllpuLel~ located within the various gaming tables as shown in Figure 2. The central computer 200 most conveniently comprices a pe.~onal col,-puLer having a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and suffici~nt memory to ~"~inl~.~ a stored program and accept and process data as it rnonitors the operation of the open architeclu.~ casino operating system of the present invention. The individual game colll~,~tel~ distributed among the individual games, for example, individual game cclllpu~r 207 for row (or bank) of slot m~lin~s 206, also contain at least a central procc.~ g unit, a memory, and input and output means, and are adapted to be inte~o~-nectçd with the central co~ uLel 200. The individual game cc",p~le-s are also cl-ed to consoles for each individual player and for the dealer. Each individual game co,,,~,uler is set up to monitor one game. ~or example, each bl~kj~ck table 201 has its own WO 95/3094.1 2 1 9 7 4 4 8 PCT/US95/05018 individual game computer to monitor the play and betting at that table. This configuration is also used for crap tables 202, roulette tables 203, poker tables 204, big wheel 205, baccarat, and other games 208. Also, each row (or bank) of slot machines 206 has its own individual garne colllpL~ler 207 which collects information from each m~rhine in the row and tr~ncmit~ the collected information to the central computer 200. This configuration allows rows of slot m~chinPs 206 to be moved to different locations within the casino.
Figure 2 shows one exemplary arrangement of the elements of an open architecture casino opelating system of the present invention. While three bl~kja-~k tables 201, two roulette wheels 203, one big wheel 205, two craps tables 202, one poker table 204, and two rows of slot m~cllines 206 are shown, the system is open architecture in that any number of each and every im~gin~hle gambling game can be accommodated. Moreover, the system may accommo~t~ remote games, as will be further described herein, such as horse races or jai-lai, through a remote link 209 such as one or more modems coupled to central COlll~Ultl 200. Further, the open alchi~ casino operating system of the present invention may be constructed such that the central co~ )ulel directly mo~itors the individual games, thereby limin~ting the individual game co---pul~.
The individual game CO~ ul~ monitor the winnings and losses resulting from each gambling game. These individual game co---l,ule s are also adapted to monitor play at the gaming tables. The configuration of the individual game co~ uleI is different for each type of gambling game and is delel--l-ned by the operations that need to be monitored in each game to accurately detell- ine winnings and losses for each player and for the house. The configurations for each type of gambling game will be further described below in detail.
Communil~tion belween the individual game colnpule-~ and the central computer 200 serves two functions. First, at the outset of the game, the individual game col,lpuler sends W O 95/30944 21 9 7 ~ A 8 PCTrUS95/05018 player information including the player identification and the player's balance to the central computer 200 for verific~tion. In this way, the individual game computer verifies that the player has a sufficient credit balance to play the game. In an alternative embodiment, the individual game co-,-pu~er sends the player i~entifiç~tic)n and the amount bet to the central computer 200 which checks its records and sends a verification signal or a denial signal to the individual game co",~.l~r. If a ve ifi~tion signal is received, the player is allowed to continue play. If a denial signal is received, the player is not allowed to continue play.
The steps of the verification process as illustrated in Figure 3 include:
301 - Player inserts betting card into individual player console.
302 - Individual player console reads inforrnation on betting card.
303 - Individual player console tr~n~mit~ the information to the individual game co",pu~.
304 - Individual garne co",~u~e. tr~n~mits the inforrnation to the central co,ll~ulel.
305 - The information is received and read by the central coluput~r.
306- The central computer compares the information with information stored in the central CGIlllJule~l.
307 - If the inforrnation is not the sarne, the central co",pu~er tr~n~mit~ denial information to the individual co,.,l,u~r.
308 - The individual game co"~u~ receives the denial information and tr~n~mit~ it to the individual player console.
309- The individual player console ejects the betting card and displays a "See Cashier" message.

WO 95/3094'1 PCT/US95/05018 2197~1~8 310 - If the information stored in the central computer is the same as that from the betting card, t~e betting card information is then co...palcd to the criteria required to play the game.
311 - If the criteria are not satisfied, a denial signal is tr~nsmittçd as described in boxes 307, 308, znd 309.
312 - If the information s~ti~fi~s the crit~ the central co~ul)ule tr~nsmitC acc~tance to the individual game co"~pùLer.
313- The individual game computer transmits acceptance to the individual player console.
314 - The individual player console displays player information and enables play.

The second function of conlmunication between the central co,llpule 200 and an individual game co"")u~er takes place after play is complete. The winnings and losses of each individual player are debited from the pl~yer's account by the individual game co",p.lLer and then sent to the central co",p~Lel 200. The central computer 200 keeps a running total of the credit available to each player.
During the actual play of the games, the individual game collll~utel~ do not col.llll~nicate with the centsl cGll.~u~r 200. Thus, once a player's credit balance has been verified, or once all bets have been placed, the comm~lnic~tion link between the central co.llpulel and the individual game colll~u~l is ~Illl)oldlily severed. This prevents people with access to the central colllputer 200, primarily casino employees and remote colllpu~er "hackers," from influencin~ the play and the outcome of the game in progress. It is also possible to scramble the play data generated during play by the individual gaming collll,ulei WO 95/30941 PCI'/US95/05018 - 21~7448 to prevent others from tapping into the gaming computer during play. This may be accomplished by any number of scrambling algorithms known in the art and may preferably include a system of encryption keys changed periodically to secure the data in a well-known manner.
According to an ~ltern~tive embodiment, the individual game computer is connected to a network which provides the players and the dealer with information generated remotely, such as keno or lottery inform~tion, or information about other games being played in the casino. In this inct~nce, the individual game co~ uler continues to receive information from the network and provide it to the players. The link between the central computer and the individual game computer remains intact, but crucial information in~ ting the outcome of the game, for eY~mple, in blac~ r-k) the value of the dealer's face-down card, is not ceccible through the central co-"~ul~r.
In order to play the gambling games, players in the casino are provided with betting cards 401 as shown in Figure 4. The betting cards may be credit cards, bank cards, smart cards or other standard debit cards which at least comprise a variable secure memory and, more applopliately, comprise both a secure micr~rocessor and memory. They may also be betting cards issued by the casino itself. For example, a player pays money to the cashier at a casino bank to set up a registered account. In return, the player receives a personal betting card 401 for use in all gambling games offered in the casino. The betting card 401 includes at least balance information and data identifying the player. For example, player identification data can identify the player by name, social security number, a random number, or other ap~ropriate in~llllalion. Anonymous accounts may also be setup in which the player's i-l~ntifiMtion is not revealed by the betting card 401. Instead, the betting card 401 is ~sci~n~d a number which COll~ sponds to the account number.

In the casino operating system of the present invention, a number of individual game co~ u~ s are n~lw~lk~d to central co---puhl 200 via appropliate comml~nication links such as electrical wire, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, or radio frequency. The individual game computers are located either within a gaming appaldt~s or nelwolked to a gaming app~d~us from a remote location. The individual game computers, such as individual game co---puler 207, receive inputs from the central con.yultr~ the playa consoles, the dealer consoles, and the sensory devices located within the gaming app~dt~s that monitor activity during play of a gambling game. Using these inputs, the individual game computer generates display signals enabling the player con~ s and the dealer consoles to display appropliate options and info~n.~tion to the players and dealer l~pec~ ely. Once play is concluded, the individual game co..-~ulel utilizes all of the above describe~ inputs to determine the outcome of the game, i.e., who wins and loses, and the amount of winnings and losses for each player. This information is then tr~ncmi~d by the individual game co-,lyulel to the player consoles which will further be described herein, for example, in connection with the rliscu~cion of Figures 5, 6, 8, and 13, and also to the central COlllpU~l in order to update the credit information stored on each player's betting card. The central co--lpuler 200 updates its stored credit records based on the information gen~ Atçd and tr~ncmitte~ by the individual game CG~ uhr, for eY~mple, individual game co~ uler 207. Further, the player consoles update the il~fo. ~ n stored on the player's betting card through a card reader\writer (for ~mple, 501 in Figure 5) ~çllP~ to the player console.
The following paragraphs will discuss the structure of the gaming m~ç~ines or tables for each type of gambling station. As each game has dir~nt rules and operations, the individual game computers must be morlifi~ to monitor each type of gambling game.

Further modific~tions of the individual comp~ters are possible to accommodate new types of games.
SLOT MACHINES
Slot m~t~hines for use in the casino op~rating system of the present invention include the following features. As shown in Figure S. each slot machine 500 is provided with a card reader\writer 501, such as a m~gnPtic, fiber-optic, or bar-code reader, or any card reader/writer device. The card reader 501 is capable of reading betting cards issued by the casino, credit cards, bank cards, smart cards. ~nd o ther types of cards capable of indicating a credit balance. The card reader 501 inclu~.es a delay circuit such that when the player presses the release button to release the card fr~m the card reader 501, the release of the card will be delayed. This is to prevent someone from taking a player's card while the player is turned facing another direction.
As illustrated in Figures S and 6, the siot m~hine also incol~ldtes a player console having a control panel 502, for exarnple, similar to an ATM type m~hine. The control panel 502 may also be positioned above the betting wheels (tumblers) on the slot m~chinto 500. The control panel 502 displays the balance on the player's card, for example, on text screen 601, and also has different buttons sucil as 6()2 and 603 to allow the player to start play without coins from the card balance or obtain additional coins off of the card balance.
Control panel 502 also includes a mJmeric keypad 605 enabling the player to enter betting amounts and other col""~nds. In an ~lt~rn~tive embo~im~ont, text screen 601 and buttons 602 and 603 may be conveniently replaced by a touch screen. Such a touch screen embodiment is driven by a video or graphic display geneldtor, and the touch screen reports the location of the player's touch to the individual game computer for proce~ing the selected data entry. Optional features that may be provided on the player console include:

WO 95/30944 2 1 9 7 '1 4 ~ PCT/US95/05018 - an indication signal located on the control panel to indicate that the player has won a random door price offered by the casino as a perk to frequent gamblers.
- electronic menus from the casino listing food and beverages available to the player, and buttons for placing an order with the casino kitch~on - call buttons for waitress service or for a telephone, for eY~mp~
- a display screen providing information on sporting events and betting options for placing bets on the sporting events.
- a display screen providing video gambling games such that the player can play a video game while also playing the slot m~hinP.
- a display screen and command buttons allowing the player to bet on a network lottery, bingo, keno, or any system game run casino-wide or even worldwide while playing the slot m~rhin~
- a display screen and co.,--..and buttons allowing the player to view information on horse races and place off-track bets.
- a display screen and cG------and button pe~ Ling the player to view and place bets on other garnes being played elsewhere in the casino.
Several of these fea~ul~ s are displayed as choices on main menu 604.
A number of the optional fealu~es described above enable the player to play a number of gambling games simultaneously, in~lu-ling that game at which the player is sitting and video games or network games. These options will further increase profitability of a casino because people will be able to play multiple games cimlllt~n~ously, and thus more betting will occur in a given period of time.

WO 95/3094'1 PCTIUS95/05018 '- 2197 l~8 In order to provide network access to the individual player consoles in the casino, the central colllpu~el 200 will receive network communications from a remote location via remote link 209, for example, one or more modems coupled to central computer 200. When a player selects a network activity on the player's console, the player console will send an access request to the central col-.puler 200 via the individual game computer over a communic~tions link. The central computer then transmits the network communic~tions to the player console via the individual game co-ll~ul~l, for example, individual game comyuler 207. Prior to tr~n~mitting network communir~tions, the central computer 200 may also be pro~rammed to check the player's current betting card balance to insure that the player has sl-fficiPnt credit to participate in network games or activities. Further, in systems in which no cent~li7PA co---pu~er is utili_ed, the individual game co---pu~er may receive network co.,....ui-i~tion~ di~ ly, for eY~mp1P via a modem.
Where the player con~oles include a .~r~g.~mmable display controller, the individual player consoles also allow the player to choose the language in which information is to be displayed on the screen, thereby allowing people to gain access to the games and other information in their native language.
In all embo~im~nt~, the individual player consoles are designed to be user friendly with colorful displays and easy-to-read real.lres. For example, a player's winnings can be displayed as stacks of chips even where no chips are actually used in the game.
According to the present invention, two options are available to the player. The player can play solely from the credit balance on the card such that no coins are involved, or the player can have the m~rhine issue coins from the balance on the card into coin tray 503 and then play the slot m~t~hine with these coins.

WO 95/30944 219 7 ~ A 8 PCT/US95/05018 The player's card remains inserted in the card reader S01 during play until the game play is over. The individual game co-,-pu~er, for example, individual game co...pulel 207, then debits the card or credits the card depen~ing on winnings.
The individual game co...puler will also include a mech~ni~m to count the number of coins flispen~ed by each slot m~rhinç 500. The counting mech~ni~m can be any used in conventional slot m~hines, but the output of the counter is provided to the individual game computer in addition to the slot m~chine 500.
Coin counting serves several functions. Counting will ensure an adequate supply of coins in each m~rhin~. Counting will also ensure that the number of coins won equals the number of coins actually paid out to the player. If the number of coins suppose to be dispensed does not equal the number of coins actually dispensed, a silent or audible alarm signal is sounded. In an ~lternative embo-lim~nt in addition to sounding an alarm, a message is displayed to the player to await the arrival of security pelsonnel. Thus, coin counting protecls the casinos from theft due to slot m~chine tampering.
According to the casino O~aling system of the present invention, a conventional slot machine may be provided with a standard m~gnetic card reader. However, bar code scanners, smart card readers, or laser scann~r~ may also be used.
Any number of variations of the arrangement of features of the embo~iim~-ntc described above are possible depen~1ing upon the needs of the casino, limited only by the required functions of the individual player consoles 502, the individual game computer 207, and the garning ap~d~us 500. The position and arrangement of each of the components can vary according to the r~uilel.,el.~ and designs of the casino.
Each row of slot m~rhin~s 206 is in~er~onne~t~A with one individual game co"-p-lttr 207 via a cable as sho vn in Figure 2. The cable transmits the information read by the card - 2i97~48 readers, be they magnetic, fiber-optic, bar code, or any other suitable equivalent, to the individual game co.~pu~el 207 which is then connected to the central computer 200. The central co..lputer 200 monitors winnings and losses of the individual players at the slot m~f hines 206. The central co...pu~er 200 may also be programmed to report the winner's amounts by social se~;ulily number, for eY~mple, for purposes of accounting to the Internal Revenue Service, via remote link 209.
BLACKJACK
A bl~rkj~rk table for use in the casino operating system of the present invention incl~ldes the following Çealures. As illustrated in Figure 7, on a bl~rkj~k table 700, an individual console panel 701 is provided for each player, of which four are shown. The bl~rkj~r, k table 700 may include more or fewer player positions as are a~pr~,iate. A similar console panel 702 is provided for the dealer. These con~oles 701 and 702 can be similar to an ATM m~hinP with a keyboard, or touch sensitive (re-programmable) screen, or have any other known display configuration which OpeldleS to display the neces~, ~ information to the player and accept player co,-"-,~n~. Ret ~rning to Figure 7, the size of the player console 701 allows the player to see the cards dealt to him as well as the amount bet and the outcome of the game. As shown in Figure 8, the player is provided with a means such as 801, 802 and 803 to in~lir~te whether the player wishes to pass or take a card in the game as well as a button or other means for entering a split option or any other options allowed in the game.
House rules determine the number of splits and other possible options allowed in the game.
Additional options available on the console are information about the last sequence of the player's games, the average wins and losses, and other information displayed on text screen 804, or access to services and ~m~nities such as those shown on main menu 808 and those described relating to the slot m~chine player console, and insurance options depen~ing on W O 95/30944 PC~rrUS95/05018 - 20 - 2 I 9 ~ ~ 4 8 house rules. All options listed above with respect to the slot m~chine consoles are also available for bl~kj~ck con~oles. Furthermore, the individual game con.p~lel can be programmed to accommo~te any house rules or options.
The player console 701 also includes a card reader 703 such as a m~gnetic card reader, a bar code reader, a smart card reader, or an optical scan reader. The card readas 703 read the credit limit from the player's betting card, credit card, bank card, or otha credit-bearing card. The card readers 703 are prograrnmed with a delay function to prevent immedi~te release of the card out of the card reader. For this embo~im~ont, the card may not be accepted until the pe~.onal data entered by the player m~tçhçs the data stored in the card.
fi~rring to Figure 9, mon;l ..;i g of the cards dealt during play is accomplish~d, for eY~mrle, using one or more laser scanne,~ within a scanner window 901 that are positioned to read optical codes 902 such as bar codes off of the cards 903 dealt from the card shoe 707 held by the dealer. Other known types of codes and sc~nning means may also be used, for eY~mrle, infrared or m~gn.otic codes and scamlelS. As shown in Figure 9, an in~ tor, such as a red and a green light or a light emitting diode (not shown), is provided on the card shoe, withm the scal~ler window 901, or on the table to in~lic~t~ when the cards 903 have been plopelly sc~nn~l- Play is stopped until proper sc~nning occurs. The cards 903 may have a one or more codes 902, for eY~mrl~ two id~nti~l codes in different positions, on the face of each card. The individual gaming co---puler for the bl~ c~ table 700 will be plogl~llllllcd to assign the cards dealt in a certain order to each player. As a result, the cards of each player will be displayed on their individual player console 701 . The console display screen for displaying cards can be as simple as a number or letter plus one of the four symbols (hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds) or more elaborate and user-friendly, for eY~mr~le, displaying images of the cards dealt 805 as shown in Figure 8. In this way, the wo 95/3094~1 2 1 9 7 4 4 8 PC~r/USsS/05018 individual game computer (not shown) for the table knows which cards are dealt to each player as well as the dealer and is able to calculate the outcome of the game. Winnings and losses information is calculated for each player by the individual game computer and sent to the individual player consoles 701 for crediting or debiting the individual player card. The winnings and losses information is also sent to the central computer for accounting ~u~yoses to m~int~in an accurate record of the player's credit balance on the betting card 401.
Rl~ekjaCk tables set up in this manner can be operated in two different ways. One way is to use betting cards exclusively such that there are no actual betting chips used in the game. However, as betting chips are often plere.led by players, this system can be modified to use both cards and chips in play.
If betting chips are used, the playa inserts a betting card into the console card reader 703 and enters a comm~n-l, for example, using numeric keypad 806 and button 807, for the individual game co..-~u~- to issue a certain value of chips to the player. The value of the chips is subtracted from the player's betting card, and the chips are distributed to the player from inside the table into a fecessed tray 704 in the table, for example, positioned in front of the player, similar to a slot m~rhin~ tray. As shown in Figure 7, in the prefell~d embo-lim~ont the l~SS~I tray 704 is position~ within the surface of the bl~ k table 700 such that the players' hands remain above the table at all times during play of the game.
Further, a chip receiving structure 705 is provided such that the chips bet by each individual player are placed into the chip receiving structure 705 and dropped into a central location once betting has been closed. When the chips are dropped down into the table, they are sc~nned to d~ --ine their value. ~ltPrn~tive means, such as a ~l~nting rack structure, may also be used to hold the chips in a betting position such that the amount of the bet may be aulo...atically dele,..-ined. As shown in Figure 7, in the plef~l~d emboAim~nt, the chip WO 95/30944 219 7 ~ 4 8 PCT/US95/05018 receiving structure 705 is positioned in front of the player console to enable the dealer to more easily monitor player betting activity When a player has fini~hed playing at a particular table, the player may cash out by sçl~ting this option on the player console and inserting all of the player's chips into the chip receiving structure 705. The sensed value or the chips will be credited to the player's betting card 401.
There are a number of possible ways of sc~nning these chips according to the present invention. With reference to Figure 18, G~le possibility is to provide a colllpu~e~ chip or other memory device 1801 inside each bettl~g chip indicatir.g the value of the gaming chip to create a smart betting chip 1800, or sma . currency. In the prefe,led embotliment the in~rn~l conlpul~l chip 1801 tr~n~mits identification information, for example, as radio frequency data, which in~iic~tes the identification and value of the smart betting chip 1800.
In this way, a remote reader (not shown) within the bl~cl~c~ table 700 can read the value of the smart betting chip as the it falls past the reader by receiving and proce~s;llg the id~ntific~tion info,l,laLion ~n~mitted by the chip 1801 within the smart betting chip 1800.
If an internal conlpulel chip is used in each smart betting chip, the int~rn~l co"lp~ler chip can be prugl~unmed to have a day and month code as w~ll as a casino identific~tion code to in-iic~te which casino issued the smart betting chip and for what period of time the smart betting chip is valid. This type of identific~tiQn will prevent counterfeiting of the chips. The smart currency may also be ~~iog,dmmed on a daily or monthly basis.
In an alternative embodiment, sensors may also be provided to detect, for example, the color, size or weight of the chip if chips of difrel~. t values have dirr~rent colors, weights and sizes. Once ~e individual gaming table has c~lcul~t~d the winnings and losses of each individual player based on the cards dealt, the players who have won will be paid out through W O95/30944 219 ~ ~ 4 8 PCTrUS95/05018 the recessed tray 704 in the table. As in a slot m~chine, the number of chips or the amount of chips will be counted as the chips are distributed to the individual players in the recessed trays 704.
As illllctratP~ in Figure 10, the console panel 702 provided for the dealer includes the following fealules. Buttons such as 1006, 1007, and 1008 are provided to enable the dealer to play the gambling game. Garne information is displayed on text screen 1005. An in-liçatinn iS provided that is visible to the players inr~iC~ting that no more bets are allowed for the current game, for exarnple, intlic~tor light 1001. An in~ic~tQr may also be provided on the individual player concolPs 701. If chips are used, when this light or indicator goes on, the chips stacked in the trays are released into the table for counting. If only betting cards are used, the player console 701 in~j~tP~s to the player that betting is closed. The dealer panel 702 also displays the dealer's hand, for eY~mple, in display windows 1002, and the winnings or losses of the individual players, for example, in display windows 1004 or text window 1003. The winnings are distributed to the appropliate players by the individual garne co"~ ter (not shown) located within the table either in chips or as a credit to the playa's betting card b~l~nce An ~rltlition~l function of the dealer is to provide chips or credit in exchange for cash at the table, for eY~mr'~, using a nume~ic keypad 1009 and change button 1010. This may be accompli~hP~ by having the dealer deposit money into a drop box or slot 706 which is kept locked and which is picked up by a pit boss periodically. The money in the box is then taken to a cashier for counting to ensure the amount stated to be in the box is in fact in the box. According to another embo~imPnt of the present invention, money is sent via a pnellm~tic tube system (not shown), such as banks use for collecting and distributing to remote drivers from teller windows, to a cashier for counting imme~i~tPly. The capsule used WO 95/3094~ 2 1 9 ~ ~ 4 ~ PCTrUS95/05018 -in the pneum~tic tube cont~ining the money preferably will also be encoded with the identity of the .epolling table. Collection will be done per hour or as frequently as every ten minutes. In exchange for money, the dealer provides chips or betting card credit to the players by entering the a~propliate comm~nds into the dealer console 702.
Any number of variations of the arrangement of features of the emb~iimpntc described above are possible depen-ling upon the needs of the casino, limited only by the required functions of the individual player consoles 701, the dealer console 702, the individual game cGn,puter (not shown) within the gaming appa dlus, and the gaming apparatus 700. The position and arrangement of each of the cGmponents can vary according to the requirements and designs of the casino.
POK~
Referring to Figure 11, in the game of poker, an i~,lpol~nt issue is the accurate moniluling of the amount of money in the center pile (the pot) which has been bet by all of the players. Two possible ways of accomplishing this are: (1) to count the center pile as it is distributed to the winning player, or (2) to m~int~in a cumulative count of the center pile as each individual player adds money to the pile. Ther~fole, a poker table for use in the casino o~,~dting system of the present invention has a number of realures as shown in Figure 11, including a recess 1101 in the center of the poker table 1100 into which the betting chips are fed and a flat transparent table top 1107 onto which cards can be dealt. The poker table 1100 may also have an oval shape to f~rilit~te dealing of the cards.
To count the betting chips after the pile has been won, a chute is provided to each individual player with a sensor for reading the value of the chips passing through the chute to the individual player's recessed tray 1102. Smart betting chips 1800 are used in the prerell~d embodiment, wherein the IC chip 1801 within the smart betting chips 1800 WO 95/30944 2 1 9 7 ~ ~ ~ PCT~TSgS/050l8 transmits identity and value information to the sensor as the smart betting chips 1800 slide past the scanner in the chute. Thus, when a player wins the pot, the chips in the pot are distributed to the player through a chute. The chute contains a sensor that counts the value of the chips distributed to the player.
To cum~ tively count the tray as incividual players place bets, a feature similar to bl~c~ k tables is provided whereby players aeposit the smart betting chips 1800 into a chip receiving structure 1103, for example, a slot or recessed tray within the surface of the table with an opening leading into the central recess 1101. The smart betting chips 1800 will then fall through the chip receiving structure llG~ into the center recess 1101 of the table 1100.
A sensor within the slot is provided to read he value of the smart betting chips 1800 being fed to the central recess 1101 of the table. The system in which smart betting chips are counted as each player bets is preferable bec~use this allows the individual gaming colllpuLel for the table to keep track of the individual w innings and losses of each player. Further, by counting the pile in the middle of the table cnce betting has been completed, the individual game conl~u~el (not shown) located within the poker table 1100 signals the dealer console 1104 and calculates the amount ~s~nL;ng the house percentage. In poker, the amount taken by the house is a per~entage of the amount in the pile. In the prefel.ed embo~lim~nt smart betting chips 1800 in the amount of the house percentage are subtracted autom~tic~lly from the smart betting chips 1800 paid out to the winner of the game.
The individual player consoles 1105 for poker players include a betting card reader 1106 to allow players to bet the balance on the card. As in blackjack, players can use chips, such as smart betting chips 1800, or betting cards only. All of the optional features described with respect to slot m~ine consoles are also possible for the player consoles in poker. Unlike in bl~ r~ in poker, the console need not display the hands dealt to each WO 9S/30944 ~ 19 7 4 4 8 PCT/US9S/05018 player. The crucial information to be displayed and/or maintained in a secure manner in the garne is the amount in the pot.
The cash out option described with respect to bl~ jack is also available at the poker table in the casino operating system of the present invention. Players deposit all of their chips into the chip receiving structure 1103, and their individual player console 1105 credits their betting card with the amount of the deposited chips.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the player consoles 1105 are mounted on the top of the poker table. The card readers 1106 are positioned next to the player consoles, and the recessed trays 1102 are also provided in the surface of the table.
Any numba of variations of the arrangement of featurcs of the embo~im~ntc described above are possible depe-ntling upon the needs of the casino, limited only by the required functionc of the individual player consoles 1105, the dealer console 1104, the individual game co...l.ulcr (not shown) within the gaming app~d~us, and the gaming appal~lus 1100. The position and arpng~m~nt of each of the co---pollents can vary according to the requirements and designs of the casino.
ROULETTE
Referring to Figure 12, a roulette table for use in the casino operating system of the present invention includes the following fcalulcs. The roulette wheel 1200 is provided with a system in which sensors, for eY~mple, proximity sensors, are placed in each position 1202 on the roulette wheel 1200 such that when the ball lands in a position 1202, the sensor in(liC~teS this position to the individual gaming co...pulcr (not shown) for the roulette game located within the structure sllppol~ing roulette wheel 1200. In ~dition, the rotations per minute of the wheel or the speed of travel of the ball can be sensed, for eY~mple, by an infrared motion sensor 1201, and reported to the individual game co---puLer to be co...pared WO 95/30944 219 7 ~ 4 8 PCTrUS95/05018 against a predetermined minimllm speed. If the speed is less than the predetermined minimum, the co"~pu~er will in~ te on each of the individual player consoles 1203 that betting is no longer possible. An additional option is an indication of the speed of the ball or betting time rem~ining on each player console 1203 SO that the players (P) would know how long they had re.,.~ ing to place bets in the game.
Each player console 1203 in the game of roulette includes a card reader 1206 such as a m~gnPtic card reader to allow people to bet from the balance on their betting card, a credit card, bank card, smart card, or other credit-bearing card. A delay release feature is also provided for the card readers 1206. As shown in Figure 13, the player console 1203 is similar to that for blackjack in that it in~ tps the credited balance of the player, the amount of the bets placed and the winning number in the game, for example, on text screen 1301. It also provides ~ ition~l fe~ul~s such as those described with respect to slot marhinP consoles, inclu~ing the main menu of options 1302.
Several of the possible embo.l;...~ of the roulette game according to the open architecture casino opel~-til-g system of the present invention will now be described with eÇe~ence to Figures 12, 13 and 15.
With reference to Figure 12, one embo~imPnt of the roulette game includes a betting marker (not shown), for example, a light pen or betting wand, which contains a integrated chip in~i~ating the identity of the player and tr~ncmitting signals addressed to its coll~sponding player console 1203. One betting marker is linked to each individual player console 1203 either by physical means, such as a coaxial or fiber optic cable, or through ~ncmitted co""-~unications, such as radio frequency, infrared, or ultrasonic data. Players use the betting Illdlk~ to read betting positions on the roulette betting table 1204. In this way, players place bets on positionc on the table. One possible type of betting marker W095/30944 2 1 9 7 ~ 4 ~ PCTrUS95/05018 includes an LED on the end of the wand that signals a sensor in the table the position desired by the player. In this type of apparatus, the betting marker may also indicate to the sensor on the table which player is placing the bet. The betting marker may include an in~ic~t~r light to in~ic~te to the player that the marker has been correctly sensed by the table sensor or that the marker has correctly sensed the betting position on the table. For this embodiment of the present invention, the individual player consoles 1203 are positioned around the edges of betting tables 1204 as shown in Figure 12. The betting table 1204 incl~ldes table sensors (not shown) positioned within the surface of the betting table 1204 at each possible betting position.
With reference to Figures 13 and 15, an ~ltern~tive embodiment of the roulette table for use in the open afcl.;~ casino opeldting system of the present invention eli..,in~es the need for betting tables 1204 shown in Figure 12 such that the individual player consoles 1503 may be positioned directly on the betting tables as shown in Figure 15. A det~ d view of the individual player consoles 1503 used in this embodiment are shown in Figure 13.
These individual player consoles 1300 include a small version of the entire betting table 1303 on the console screen. In this embo~iment players use a touch screen, for example, to indi~te the position~ on the table where they wish to place bets. Players in~ te the amount of each bet and each position by using the touch screen features provided on the console, for example, by using numeric keypad 1304. The individual player console is capable of all functions described above with respect to slot m~hine~ and Figure 6, for example, those listed in Main Menu 1302.
In an ~lt~rn~tive embodiment (not shown), instead of a touch screen, a drawing of the betting table is provided on the console with buttons in the different betting positions. In this W O 95/3094~ 2 1 9 7 4 4 8 PCTAUS95/05018 embodiment, the player places bets by hitting the button marking the chosen position on the betting table.
As in Figure 12, Figure 15 also illustrates a roulette wheel 1500, sensors 1501, landing positions 1502 for a roulette ball, card readers 1506, and a dealer console 1505.
With reference to Figures 12, 15, and 16, in an alternative embodiment of the roulette game according to the open archi~ casino opeldling system of the present invention, players who want to play at a particular roulette table but are unable to gain access to one of the individual player consoles 1203 or 1503 may obtain a two-way remote system access .,linal (RSAT), a remote betting console as shown in Figure 16.
The RSAT 1600 is a portable two-way controller which tr~n~mit~ information to a sPlPctP~ individual game co~,pule~ and receives inl~ll"alion from the sel~ctP~d individual game co",~.~ler. The RSAT includes at least a leceiving means, for example, a radio frequency receiver; a tr~n~mitting means, for e~mple, a radio frequency tr~nsminer; a processor in~ ling a central proces~;ng unit, a random access memory, and a read only memory; a input means, such as a ~yl,oard, push buttons, or a touch sensitive multi-function user input; and a display means, for example, a liquid crystal display, an LED display, a braille reader, or a CRT device.
With reference to Figure 16, a player obtains an RSAT 1600 by inserting a betting card 401 into an RSAT holder (not shown) to release the RSAT 1600. When the player inserts a betting card 401 into a RSAT holder, the RSAT 1600 downloads player information incl~ ing credit balance information from the betting card 401 into the random access memory. Once the RSAT 1600 has downlo~e~ the player information from the betting card 401, the RSAT holder releases the RSAT 1600 which is portable and can be carried around the casino by the player. The player's betting card 401 remains in the RSAT holder until W0 95/30944 2 1 9 7 ~l 4 8 PCT/US95/05018 the RSAT 1600 is returned to the holder. Once the player has returned the RSAT 1600 to the RSAT holder, winnings and losses information from the RSAT 1600 generated during the player's use of the RSAT 1600 is downloaded from the RSAT 1600 into the betting card 401. Once downln~ing is complete, the betting card 401 is released from the RSAT holder.
The RSAT holders may be located at the periphery of the roulette table adjacent to the player consoles 1503, at the casino cashier booth, at the opeldto- s station at the roulette wheel 1500, or in any other convenient location in the casino. The RSATS 1600 are either ~ccign~ a table number coll~;s~nding to one roulette table in the casino, or the RSATs1600 are provided with a selection means, such as a selection key or a scanner to read a table number, to ensure that the player using the RSAT is in contact with the individual game co",l.uler at the table on which the player wishes to place bets.
The RSATs 1600 co.. l-ni~te with the individual game co",puler monilo.;ng the game on which the remote player is betting. Each RSAT 1600 transmits player id-~ntifi~tion information and betting h~foill,ation to the individual game co,,,yulel (not shown) within the roulette table. Once play of the game is completed, the individual game co~ uter transmits winning and loss inform~tion to the RSAT 1600. The individual game collll,uler also tr~ncmitc the winning and losses information to the central colll~uler 200 along with the player id~ntifiration information from the RSAT 1600. In this way, the central colllpu~l 200 m~int~inc an ~c~u i-te re~ord of the credit balance of the player. In systems in which only a central co",l~ulel 200 is used to ,..o,~itor gaming activities instead of individual game CCSIlllJul~l~, the RSAT co"""~nir~t~s with the central cG",~lter directly.
Astlicc~-cse~ above, when the player returns the RSAT 1600 to the RSAT holder and retrieves the betting card 401, the RSAT updates the betting card credit balance and releases the betting card 401 to the player.

WO 95/30944 21 ~ 7 4 A 8 PCTrUS95/05018 Communic~tiQns between the RSAT 1600 and the individual game computers can be preferably accomplished using radio frequency tr~ncmic~ions. However, infrared, ultrasonic, and other types of known communication may also be used.
In one embo~iim~nt of the RSAT 1600 illustrated in Figure 16, a player uses numeric keypad 1608, arnount button 1607, and a bet button 1609 to send a bet to the individual game CO"~ulC~ at a selected table. The player uses the numeric keypad 1608 and the table button 1606 to select the number on the table on which the player wishes to place the bet. The player enters the position of the desired bets using buttons 1602, 1603, 1604, and 1605. A
display screen 1601 displays information to the player, and a power button is provided to enable the player to shut off the RSAT 1600, for example, while the player is watching play at a number of tables to determine where to play. A cancel button 1610 iS also provided to clear the current bet before it is sent to the table or to cancel a bet placed at a table before the end of play.
In each of the embodimpnt~ described above, the roulette wheel operator (O) is also provided with a con~Ql~ 1205 or 1505 for the pul~se of providing credit to players in exchange for cash. This could be accomplished as describe~ above with respect to b and poker.
The roulette table for use in the open ar~hit~ture casino operating system of the present invention may also be configured to accommod~te the use of betting chips, such as smart betting chips 1800.
Any number of v~ri~tioTl~ of the arrangement of fealules of the embodimPnt~
described above are possible depen~ing upon the needs of the casino, limited only by the required functions of the individual player consoles 1203 or 1503, the RSAT 1600, the dealer console 1205 or 1505, the individual game co...pu~r (not shown) within the gaming app~d~us, and the gaming appaldLus 1200 or 1500. The position and arrangement of each of the colllponents can vary according to the requirements and designs of the casino.
CR~PS
As shown in Figure 14, a craps table 1400 for use in the casino operating system of the present invention includes player consoles 1401 with card readers 1404 and a house console 1402.
The final position of dice rolled in the craps game is detect~P~ in a number of different ways. In one embc~imPnt, sensors are provided above the table to read the dots on the top face of the two dice. In an ~ltern~tive emb~limPnt the dice are provided with intrrn~l inlegld~ed circuit chips or m~gnetic memory rlPmrntC which indicate to an ap~rop,iate sensor in the table the position in which the dice land. This ~etection method has the ~litis~n~l benefit of enCllring that the dice used in the game are the dice owned by the casino and not a player's substitution. In yet another embc~imPnt the dealer simply enters into the dealer console the dice pattern rolled in the game.
Several of the possible embo~ of the craps game according to the open archi~e~t..~ casino ope~ g system of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15.
With reference to Figure 14, one embodiment of the craps game includes a betting marker (not shown), for eY~mple, a light pen or betting wand, which contains a integrated chip intlir~tin~ the identity of the player and tr~ncmittin~ signals addressed to its COll~ ~nding player console 1401. One betting marker is linked to each individual player console 1401 either by physical means, such as a cable, or through transmitted co,l,l"ul-ic~tions, such as radio frequency data. Players use the betting ",alk~l~ to read betting pocitir~nc on the craps betting table 1403. In this way, players place bets on positions WO 95/30944 2 1 9 i '1 ~ 8 PCT/US95/05018 -on the betting table 1403. One possible type of betting marker includes an LED on the end of the wand that signals a sensor in the table the position desired by the player. In this type of app~tus, the betting marker may also in~ tP to the sensor on the table which player is placing the bet. The betting marker may include an in~ tor light to in~ te to the player that the marker has been coll~tly sensed by the table sensor or that the marker has correctly sensed the betting position on the table. The betting table 1403 includes table sensors (not shown) positioned within the surface of the betting table 1403 at each possible betting position.
In ~lt~rn~tive embo limPnt of the craps table for use in the open architP~tme casino O~ld~ g system of the present invention, the individual player con~oles 1401 include a small version of the entire betting table on the console screen, very similar to the roulette betting table 1303 shown on the co~olc 1300 in Figure 13. In this embo~limpnt~ players use a touch screen, for eAa".ple, to in~ tP the positions on the table where they wish to place bets.
Players in~ te the ~mount of each bet and each position by using the touch screen fea~ur~s provided on the individual player con~olP 1401, for example, by using numeric keypad similar to the num~Pric keypad 1304 shown in Figure 13. The individual player console 1401 is capable of all functions dPsrrihed above with respect to slot m~chines and Figure 6.
In an ~ ive embo~iment, instead of a touch screen, a drawing of the betting table 1403 is provided on the individual player console 1401 with buttons in the dirÇ~lcilt betting po~itinn~ In this embo~imP-nt, the player places bets by hitting the button m~rking the chosen position on the betting table.
With reference to Figures 14 and 17, in an ~ltPm~tive embodiment of the craps game according to the open arcl~;te~lu~ casino opcldting system of the present invention, players who want to play at a particular craps table but are unable to gain access to one of the W095/3094~ ~ 1 9 7 4 ~1 8 PCTrUS95/05018 individual player consoles 1401 may obtain a two-way remote system access terminal (RSAT), a remote betting console as shown in Figure 17.
The RSAT 1700 is a portable two-way controller which tr~ncmit~ information to a selected individual game co~ ,ule~ and receives information from the selected individual game co"~u~r. The RSAT includes at least a receiving means, for example, a radio frequency receiver; a tr~ncmitting means, for example, a radio frequency tr~ncmittpr; a processor including a central processing unit, a random access memory, and a read only memory; a input means, such as a keyboard, push buttons, or a touch sensitive multi-function user input; and a display means, for e~mple, a liquid crystal display, an LED display, a braille reader, or a CRT device.
With reference to Figure 17, a player obtains an RSAT 1700 by inserting a betting card 401 into a tabulator holder (not shown) to release the RSAT 1700. When the player inserts a betting card 401 into an RSAT holder, the RSAT 1700 downloads player information inclu-1ing credit balance inrol",alion from the betting card 401 into the random access memory. Once the RSAT 1700 has downln~1P~ the player information from the betting card 401, the RSAT holder releases the RSAT 1700 which is portable and can be carried around the casino by the player. The player's betting card 401 remains in the RSAT
holder until the RSAT 1700 is returned to the RSAT holder. Once the player has returned the RSAT 1700 to the RSAT holder, winnings and losses information from the RSAT 1700 generated during the player's use of the RSAT 1700 is downlo~e~ from the RSAT 1700 into the betting card 401. Once downloa~ing is complete, the betting card 401 iS released from the RSAT holder.
The RSAT holders may be located at the ~liphcry of the craps table ~ ent to the player consoles 1401, at the casino cashier booth, at the opeldtor's station 1402, or in any WO 95130944 2 1 ~ 7 ~ 4 8 PCT~TSgS/050l8 other convenient location in the casino. The RSATs 1700 are either assigned a table number collc;~l onding to one craps table in the casino, or the RSATs 1700 are provided with a selection means, such as a selection key or a scanner to read a table number, such that the player using the RSAT is in contact with the individual game co...puler corresponding to the table on which the player wishes to place bets.
The RSATs 1700 co....... ,l.nir~t~ with the individual game computer monitoring the game on which the remote player is betting. The RSAT 1700 tr~ncmit~ player idPntific~tion information and betting information to the individual game co".l uler (not shown) within the craps table. Once play of the game is complPtP~, the individual game col"puLer tr~n~mit~
winning and loss information to the RSAT 1700. The individual game con,~uter also tr~n.~mit~ the winning and losses information to the central co",puter 200 along with the player i~Pntific~tion infoi",alion from the RSAT 1700. In this way, the central computer 200 in~;n~ an accurate record of the credit balance of the player. In systems in which only a central CO~ JU~ 200 is used to monitrJr gaming activities instead of individual game co".pu~, the RSAT 1700 cG------nni~tPs with the central co,--pu~er 200 dilec~ly.
As ~ cuscP~ above, when the player returns the RSAT 1700 to the RSAT holder and retrieves the betting card 401, the RSAT updates the betting card credit balance and releases the betting card 401 to the player.
Commlmit~tion~ bel~n the RSAT 1700 and the individual game co,-,pu~els can be preferably accompli~hed using radio frequency tr~n~mi~ions. However, infrared, ultrasonic, and other types of known co.. l.nic~tion may also be used.
In one embo~im~nt of the RSAT 1700 illustrated in Figure 17, a player uses nllmeric keypad 1703 and bet button 1704 to send a bet to a s~lpct~p~ table. An optional table number 1706 may be ~ignPd to the RSAT 1700 or a table button (not shown) is used to select that WO9S/3094~ 7 l18 PCTIUS95/05018 , ~

table on which the player wishes to place bets. The player enters the position of the desired bets using the buttons in betting area 1701. A display screen 1702 displays information to the player, and a power button is provided to enable the player to shut off the RSAT 1700, for example, while the player is watching play at a number of tables to detern~ine where to play. A cancel button 1705 is also provided.
The craps table for use in the open architecture casino operating system of the present invention may also be configured to accommo~i~te the use of betting chips, such as smart betting chips 1800.
Any number of variations of the arrangement of features of the embo~iments described above are possible dep~n~iing upon the needs of the casino, limited only by the uir~d functions of the individual player consoles 1401, the RSATs 1700, the dealer console 1402, the individual game co~ ul~l (not shown) within the gaming a~p~dlus, and the gaming app~a~us 1400. The position and arrangement of each of the cGIllponents can vary according to the r~uirt,..ents and designs of the casino.
The RSATs 1600 and 1700 may also be altered to be colllpatible with other types of betting games to enable players to make "over-the-shoulder" bets at a crowded game. The RSATs may also be mo lifi~ to enable a player access other types of games, electronic menus, sporting events and any other console fea~u~s discussed above with reference to Figure 6 and the slot m~ ine player consoles 502.
The casino opeldting system described above can clearly save casino owners a large amount of money both in employee salaries and in survei~ ce and security costs. The number of employees r~uir~d to actually run the games is decreased and the number of people required to survey the games to prevent çh~ting and theft is also decreased. Further, an accol,ntillg of the monetary tranC~ctions that take place in gambling is produced. The wo 95/30944 2 1 9 7 '1 4 8 PCT/US95/05018 central computer 200 can be programmed to provide an accounting of transactions, for example, to the Tnt~.rn~l Revenue Service, to accounting firms, state regulators, or any entity requiring this type of information via remote link 207. The central co,l-~u~r can also be progr~mmPd to autom~ti~lly deduct from player winnings an amount representing the tax owed on the winnin~c.
The casino opeldLing system of the present invention also provides COIIIl)Ute';7~d stAtictil ~l data about player behavior in the casino through the use of the betting cards via central co,l,puler 200. Casinos can determine which m~hines are most popular, the average bets placed in the various games, the most popular times to gamble, and other information that is useful in ~Csescing the efficiency and profitability of the casinos. Further, casinos are able to detr~".ine at any time how much money they have taken in during a sperifi~d period of time. This h~fol...ation is available on dem~nd from the central co,llpuler and co~ltinllously upt~t~.
The above casino ope~d~ g system provides a unique combination of comput~ri7~d gambling services with actual play. The activities that go on in the game are preserved but dealer discretion is largely removed. The system provides an ideal combination of collll.ul~.;7ed mol~itoling of funds and actual playing of games (instead of COIllpu~, simulations).
A further benefit of the present system is its ability to simultaneously offer multiple gambling games to players. For example, players playing at a poker table can also play video gambling games or n~wolk games, such as keno or bingo, or bet on remote sporting events, such as horse races, via remote link 209 as they are playing poker. This feature of the casino operating system will further increase profitability of casinos because players can play more games, and, more hllpol~tly, place more bets in a given period of time.

- 2197~48 THE CASINO OPERATING SYSTEM OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
INTEGR~TED w~ A SERVICE AND ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK
As shown in Figure 19, the casino operating system according to the present invention may also be incorporated within a service and entert~inmPnt network in which players may access all casino options provided by the casino ope.dLing system in addition to other entert~inmPnt options and services.
In the embodiment of the system according to the present invention shown in Figure 19, the casino operating system 1901 is incol~ldted within a larger network 1900 inclu~ing networks 1904 and 1906, thus providing extensive entell~inmPnt and service options to users of the system. Each nelwolk col,lponent (1901, 1904, and 1906) of the larger network 1900 is linked via a commllni~tion network such as 1903 and 1905, for example, using a coaxial cable network, local area n~l~olk~ ~tellit~ collllll~ tion network, or other type of communic~tions network. With in the network 1900, each casino network 1901 and each subscriber establi~hmPnt network 1906 is located at a specific establi~hmPnt, while network 1904 connects all casino and subscriber establi~hmPnt networks to one another and provides access to entert~inment and services options, for example, sports, network games, shopping, locale/entert~inmPnt, jai-lai, horse racing, virtual reality functions, financial tr~nsactions, greyhound racing and other options as shown in Figure 19. Local colll~ ter~ 1902 and 1907 are used by each casino and subscriber establi~hmPnt to monitor operation of the local nelwolk~ 1901 and 1906 l~ ely. Function~ of the local co~ ltel~ 1902 and 1907 include repo~Ling functions, system management, and storage of local enlellAinmçnt options.
The local colllpuler 1901 may include the central computer 200 shown in Figure 2 and other Collll)Utel~ as needed to provide the desired local service options to both the casino/subscriber establi~hmPnt and the users of the system. In the embodiment of the casino opelating system WO 95/3094~1 2 1 9 7 'I 4 ~ PCT/US9S/05018 according to the present invention as shown in Figure 2, the central computer 200 may be linked within the network 1900 of Figure 19 through remote link 209.
The integration of the casino o~ldling system according to the present invendon may be accomplished in a numba of ways to provide a variety of services and options to users of the system in varying enviro.~ . For e~mrle~ according to one embodiment of the casino opeldLing system according to the present invention, a number of restaurants, hotels and other hospitality establi~l-.n~-ntc are conn~t~d within the network 1900, thereby effectively creadng a single large casino o~ldting over a large geographical area. Each user in each hospitality establi~hment linked into the network 1900 may access any of the entert~inm~nt and service opdons offered by the system. Each user may access the network using, for eY~mple, a touchscreen unit built in to the tables in the hospitality establi~hm~ont, G touchscreen unit which can be plugged into the n~two.k from access ports throughout the hospi~lity establi~hm~nt, or from a wi~.less louchs~leen remote such as an RSAT clesrrihed above with reference to Figures 16 and 17 with eYr~n~e~ menu and display opdons (design~ted as 1908 and 1909 in Figure 19).
Off-track betdng opdons may also be provided by the system according to the present invendon, enabling users to access race infol.l.adon, view events, place bets, and collect any winmnE~.
Further, users may access virtual reality options provided by the network, for eY.~mple, by wearing virtual reality visors to participate in virtual reality gambling games offered by the system. This option allows users to remotely experience the atmosphere of a casino and also co--.p~ against other real players using the network. Other virtual reality opdons, for eY~mrle, virtual reality video games, may also be açces~ed through the network.

WO95/30944 219 ~ l ~ 8 PCT/US95/05018 Other options that may be incorporated within the system according to the present invention include a business opeldling system which enables users to enter food and other service orders (1910) from their access terminals and pay for the services through a financial network such as an automatic teller machine (ATM) network, wherein the cost of the food and services may be debited directly from their bank accounts or autom~tic~lly charged to credit cards. RllcinPcces may also issue smart cards to their patrons which enable patrons to access the system and include a credit balance from which the patron can gamble or charge network entel!~in,~Pnt and service selections The system according to the preser.t im~ention may also provide shopping options wherein a user may view merch~ lice offe:~d by participating stores and select purchases with the touch of the screen for home delive~y. The cost of the purchases may be paid, for example, through a debit (ATM) neLwolk, a credit card service, or utili7ing smart card technologies. Software options provided by the system may enable users to try on clothing by s~le~ting a body type similar to the user's body to determine the look of the clothing on the user without having to actually try on t~e clothing. An image of the user's body may also be stored in the system, for example in the local d~t~b~ce of local co.,.puler 1902 or 1907 or in a smart card (see Figure 4) issued by a ca~ino or subscriber establichm~nt Virtual reality shopping options may also be provided by the system.
While the present invention has been particularly described with reference to the preferfed emb~imPntc, it should be readily appa~ t to those of Gldin~y skill in the art that changes and mo-lifi~ations in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intPnded that the appended claims include such changes and modific~tions.

Claims

I claim:

1. A casino operating system for enabling at least one player to gamble against a representative of a casino comprising:
at least one computerized player console for enabling a player to monitor a gambling game, to enter commands necessary to play the gambling game, and to place bets, wherein said computerized player console is activated upon insertion into said computerized player console of a betting card on which at least player identification and cash balance data are stored, said computerized player console displaying the cash balance data of the player, game information and command data, and winnings and losses data of the player, and updating said data stored on the betting card;
a dealer console for enabling a dealer to monitor the gambling game, and to enter commands necessary to play the gambling game, said dealer console being interconnected with said computerized player console; and a gaming apparatus for playing the gambling game interconnected with said at least one computerized player console and said dealer console, said gaming apparatus including encoded game pieces and encoded game chips and sensors that automatically generate play data of the gambling game, said gaming apparatus transmitting said play data to said computerized player console said computerized player console displaying said game information and said winnings and losses data of the player and automatically updating said cash balance data stored on said betting card in response to said play data.

2. The casino operating system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one computerized player console includes means for receiving said betting card provided by the player, wherein said betting card stores at least player data and player credit balance data, means for generating approval or denial data based on stored financial transaction data in said computerized player console indicating whether the value of said player credit balance data is sufficient to play the gambling game, means for receiving commands from the player enabling the player to play the gambling game, means for displaying player betting data entered by the player and said play data generated by said gaming apparatus, and means for generating said winnings and losses data based on said play data received from said gaming apparatus and said player betting data.

3. A casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino, said casino operating system comprising:
a central computer for receiving, storing and supplying financial transaction data for the casino;
at least one individual game computer coupled to said central computer for supplying said financial transaction data resulting from a gambling game to said central computer and receiving said financial transaction data from said central computer;
at least one player console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a player to play a gambling game, wherein said individual player console includes means for receiving a betting card provided by the player, wherein said betting card stores at least player data and player credit balance data, means for transmitting the player data stored on the betting card to said individual game computer, means for receiving approval or denial data from said individual game computer based on stored financial transaction data in said central computer indicating whether the value of said player credit balance data is sufficient to play the gambling game, means for receiving commands from the player enabling the player to play the gambling game, means for displaying game data, player betting data, and player winnings and losses data to the player related to the gambling game to be played by the player, and means for providing said player betting data to said individual game computer;
a dealer console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a dealer to play the gambling game and to provide credit to players, wherein said dealer console includes means for displaying said game data, said player betting data, and said player winnings and losses data to the dealer, means for receiving commands from the dealer enabling the dealer to play the gambling game, and means for adjusting said player credit balance data stored on the betting card provided by the player; and a gaming apparatus for generating said game data and said player betting data, said gaming apparatus including encoded gaming pieces and encoded gaming chips for use in playing the gambling game, sensor means for identifying said encoded gaming pieces and encoded gaming chips and transmitting said game data and said player betting data to said individual game computer, said individual game computer providing said game data, said player betting data and said player winnings and losses data to said player console and said dealer console, and further providing said winnings and losses data to said central computer to update said stored financial transaction data, wherein said player console automatically updates said player credit balance data stored on said betting card in response to said game data, said player betting data, and said player winnings and losses data.

4. A casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino, said casino operating system comprising:
at least one individual game computer for receiving, storing, and providing financial transaction data;
at least one player console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a player to play a gambling game, wherein said individual player console includes means for receiving a betting card provided by the player, wherein said betting card stores at least player data and player credit balance data, means for transmitting the player data contained on the betting card to the individual game computer, means for receiving approval or denial data from said individual game computer based on stored financial transaction data in said individual game computer indicating whether the value of the player credit balance data is sufficient to play the gambling game, means for receiving commands from the player enabling the player to play the gambling game, means for displaying game data, player betting data, and player winnings and losses data to the player related to the gambling game to be played by the player, and means for providing said player betting data to said individual game computer;
a dealer console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a dealer to play the gambling game and to provide credit to players, wherein said dealer console includes means for displaying said game data, said player betting data, and said player winnings and losses data to the dealer, means for receiving commands from the dealer enabling the dealer to play the gambling game, and means for adjusting player credit balance data stored on the betting card provided by the player; and a gaming apparatus for generating said game data and said player betting data, said gaming apparatus including playing cards having a suit and a face value with encoded identification markings indicating said suit and said face value of each of said playing cards, first holding means for holding said playing cards wherein said playing cards are dealt from said holding means to the player and to the dealer, said holding means including sensing means for reading said encoded identification data on each of said playing cards dealt to the player and the dealer, and for providing said game data to said individual game computer, a plurality of encoded betting chips for placing bets, second holding means for holding the encoded betting chips bet during play of said gambling game, and chip value sensing means for sensing a value of the encoded betting chips bet during play of said gambling game and transmitting said player betting data to said individual game computer, wherein said individual game computer provides said game data, said player betting data and said player winnings and losses data to said player console and said dealer console and updates said stored financial transaction data stored in said individual game computer, and wherein said player console automatically updates said player credit balance data stored on said betting card in response to said game data, said player betting data and said winnings and losses data.

5. The casino operating system according to claim 4, further comprising a central computer for receiving, storing and providing financial transaction data concerning monetary transactions in the casino, wherein said central computer keeps a current record of all financial transactions taking place in the casino.

6. The casino operating system according to claim 4, wherein said player console further enables the player to play remote gambling games or to view and place bets on remote sporting events provided by a remote network system to said player console via said individual game computer.

7. The casino operating system according to claim 4, wherein said player console further enables the player to play computer-generated games generated and displayed by said player console.

8. The casino operating system according to claim 4, wherein said gaming apparatus further includes collecting means for collecting the encoded betting chips bet during play of said gambling game, and distributing means for distributing winnings to the player based on the value sensed by said chip value sensing means and said player winnings and losses data generated by said individual game computer.

9. The casino operating system according to claim 8, wherein said distributing means comprises a slot machine style chip distributor and a recessed tray for receiving the encoded betting chips distributed by said slot machine style chip distributor.

10. The casino operating system according to claim 4, wherein said gaming apparatus further comprises a plurality of encoded betting chips for placing bets, and a gaming table including a central recessed area in the gaming table for receiving said encoded betting chips, and mechanical receiving means for receiving player deposits of said encoded betting chips to be bet such that said encoded betting chips are deposited into said mechanical receiving means and fall into said central recessed area, said mechanical receiving means containing scanning means for scanning the encoded betting chips inserted into said mechanical receiving means in order to determine a value of the encoded betting chips, said scanning means transmitting betting data indicating the scanned value of the encoded betting chips to said individual game computer, said individual game computer monitoring betting activity, transmitting said betting data to said player console for display, and calculating and transmitting a value of house percentage data representing a house percentage amount.

11. The casino operating system according to claim 10, wherein said gaming apparatus further includes distributing means for distributing winnings to the player based on the value scanned by said scanning means and said player winnings and losses data generated by said individual game computer.

12. The casino operating system according to claim 11, wherein said distributing means comprises a slot machine located within said gaming table including a recessed tray positioned at each player position on said gaming table for receiving the encoded betting chips distributed by said slot machine.

13. The casino operating system according to claim 4, wherein said means for receiving said betting card provided by the player includes a delay means for delaying release of said betting card from said means for receiving said betting card for a predetermined period of time.

14. A casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino, said casino operating system comprising:

at least one individual game computer for receiving, storing, and providing financial transaction data;
at least one player console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a player to play a gambling game, wherein said individual player console includes means for receiving a betting card provided by the player, wherein said betting card stores at least player data and player credit balance data, means for transmitting the player data contained on the betting card to the individual game computer, means for receiving approval or denial data from said individual game computer based on stored financial transaction data in said individual game computer indicating whether the value of said player credit balance data is sufficient to play the gambling game, means for receiving commands from the player enabling the player to play the gambling game, means for displaying game data, player betting data, and player winnings and losses data to the player related to the gambling game to be played by the player, and means for providing said player betting data to said individual game computer; and a slot machine for generating said game data and said player betting data, said slot machine including two or more betting wheels having a series of images printed on an outer rim of said betting wheels, means for spinning said betting wheels in response to the movement of a lever, wherein a pull of said lever spins said betting wheels for a period of time, said betting wheels stopping in a final position after said predetermined period of time such that a combination of said images is displayed, and wherein said combination of said images determines whether the player wins or loses and, if the player wins, how much the player wins, and first sensing means for determining a final resting position of said betting wheels and for transmitting said game data to said player console, a coin slot for receiving coins, such that insertion of a coin into said coin slot enables said lever, thereby allowing the player to commence play, and second sensing means for counting said received coins and transmitting said player betting data to said player console, wherein operation of said slot machine is controlled by commands entered into said player console by said player, winnings and losses are automatically added and subtracted respectively from said player credit balance data stored on the betting card of the player by said player console in response to said game data and said player betting data, and wherein said player winnings and losses data is generated by said player console and transmitted to said individual game computer to update said stored financial transaction data.

15. The casino operating system according to claim 14, wherein said period of time during which said betting wheel spins is a predetermined fixed period of time.

16. The casino operating system according to claim 14, wherein said period of time during which said betting wheel spins is a variable period of time.

17. The casino operating system according to claim 14, further comprising a central computer for receiving, storing and providing financial transaction data concerning monetary transactions in the casino, wherein said central computer keeps a current record of all financial transactions taking place in the casino.

18. The casino operating system according to claim 14, wherein said player console further enables the player to play remote gambling games or to view and place bets on remote sporting events provided by a remote network system to said player console via said individual game computer.

19. The casino operating system according to claim 14, wherein said player console further enables the player to play computer-generated games generated and displayed by said player console.

20. The casino operating system according to claim 14, wherein said means for receiving said betting card provided by the player includes a delay means for delaying release of said betting card from said means for receiving said betting card for a predetermined period of time.

21. A casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino, said casino operating system comprising:
at least one individual game computer for receiving, storing, and providing financial transaction data;
at least one player console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a player to play a gambling game, wherein said individual player console includes means for receiving a betting card provided by the player, wherein sàid betting card stores at least player data and player credit balance data, means for transmitting the player data contained on the betting card to the individual game computer, means for receiving approval or denial data from said individual game computer based on stored financial transaction data in said individual game computer indicating whether the value of the player credit balance data is sufficient to play the gambling game, means for receiving commands from the player enabling the player to place bets, means for displaying game data, player betting data, and player winnings and losses data to the player related to the gambling game to be played by the player, and means for updating said player credit balance data in response to said player winnings and losses data;
a dealer console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a dealer to play the gambling game and to provide credit to players, wherein said dealer console includes means for displaying said game data, said player betting data, and said player winnings and losses data to the dealer, and means for adjusting the player credit balance data stored on the betting card provided by the player; and a gaming apparatus for generating said game data and said player betting data, said gaming apparatus comprising a plurality of encoded betting chips for placing bets, and a gaming table including a central recessed area in the gaming table for receiving said encoded betting chips, and at least one sloped chute for receiving player deposits of said encoded betting chips to be bet such that said encoded betting chips are deposited into one end of said sloped chute and fall through said sloped chute into said central recessed area, said sloped chute containing scanning means for scanning the encoded betting chips inserted into said sloped chute as the encoded betting chips slide through said sloped chute in order -to determine a value of the encoded betting chips, said scanning means transmitting said player betting data indicating the scanned value of the encoded betting chips to said individual game computer, said individual game computer monitoring betting activity, transmitting said player betting data and said winnings and losses data to said player console for display, and calculating and transmitting a value of house percentage data representing a house percentage amount.

22. The casino operating system according to claim 21, wherein said gaming apparatus further includes distributing means for distributing winnings to the player based on the value sensed by said chip value sensing means and said player winnings and losses data generated by said individual game computer.

23. The casino operating system according to claim 22, wherein said distributing means comprises a slot machine located within said gaming table including a recessed tray positioned at each player position on said gaming table for receiving the encoded betting chips distributed by said slot machine.

24. The casino operating system according to claim 21, further comprising a central computer for receiving, storing and providing financial transaction data concerning monetary transactions in the casino, wherein said central computer keeps a current record of all financial transactions taking place in the casino.

25. The casino operating system according to claim 21, wherein said player console further enables the player to play remote gambling games or to view and place bets on remote sporting events provided by a remote network system to said player console via said individual game computer.

26. The casino operating system according to claim 21, wherein said player console further enables the player to play computer-generated games generated and displayed by said player console.

27. The casino operating system according to claim 21, wherein said means for receiving said betting card provided by the player includes a delay means for delaying release of said betting card from said means for receiving said betting card for a predetermined period of time.

28. A casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino, said casino operating system comprising:
at least one individual game computer for receiving, storing, and providing financial transaction data;
at least one player console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a player to play a gambling game, wherein said individual player console includes means for receiving a betting card provided by the player, wherein said betting card stores at least player data and player credit balance data, means for transmitting the player data contained on the betting card to the individual game computer, means for receiving approval or denial data from said individual game computer based on stored financial transaction data in said individual game computer indicating whether the value of said player credit balance data is sufficient to play the gambling game, means for receiving commands from the player enabling the player to play the gambling game, means for displaying game data, player betting data, and player winnings and losses data to the player related to the gambling game to be played by the player, and means for providing said player betting data to said individual game computer;
a dealer console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a dealer to play the gambling game and to provide credit to players, wherein said dealer console includes means for displaying said game data, said player betting data, and said player winnings and losses data to the dealer, means for receiving commands from the dealer enabling the dealer to play the gambling game, and means for providing credit to the betting card provided by the player;
and a gaming apparatus for generating said game data, said gaming apparatus comprising a roulette ball, a roulette betting table, and a roulette wheel adapted to permit said roulette ball to circle, wherein first sensing means are provided at least one position on said roulette wheel for detecting a final resting position of said roulette ball, such that said first sensing means provides said game data indicating said final resting position of said roulette ball to said individual game computer, said individual game computer providing said game data to said dealer console and to said player console, and second sensing means are positioned on said roulette wheel for sensing circling speed of said roulette ball and for providing said circling speed to said individual game computer which compares said circling speed with a pre-set speed value, such that if said pre-set speed value is less that said circling speed, said individual game computer provides data to said dealer console and said player console that betting is closed.

29. The casino operating system according to claim 28, further comprising a central computer for receiving, storing and providing financial transaction data concerning monetary transactions in the casino, wherein said central computer keeps a current record of all financial transactions taking place in the casino.

30. The casino operating system according to claim 28, wherein said player console further enables the player to play remote gambling games or to view and place bets on remote sporting events provided by a remote network system to said player console via said individual game computer.

31. The casino operating system according to claim 28, wherein said player console further enables the player to play computer-generated games generated and displayed by said player console.

32. The casino operating system according to claim 28, wherein said means for receiving said betting card provided by the player includes a delay means for delaying release of said betting card from said means for receiving said betting card for a predetermined period of time.

33. The casino operating system according to claim 28, wherein said gaming apparatus further comprises a third sensing means for detecting rotational speed of said roulette wheel.

34. The casino operating system according to claim 28, wherein said circling speed of said roulette ball is transmitted from said individual game computer to said player console and displayed on said player console to indicate an approximate amount of time left before betting will be closed.

35. The casino operating system according to claim 28, wherein said circling speed of said roulette ball is transmitted from said individual game computer to said dealer console and displayed on said dealer console to indicate an approximate amount of time left before betting will be closed.

36. The casino operating system according to claim 28, wherein said player console displays a miniaturized image of said roulette betting table, wherein the player places a bet by entering a bet amount on said player console and touching a position on said miniaturized image to indicate a desired betting position of the player.

37. The casino operating system according to claim 28, wherein said player console includes a betting marker wherein the player places a bet by entering a bet amount into said player console and touching a position on said roulette betting table with said betting marker to indicate a desired betting position of the player, and wherein said roulette betting table is provided with sensing means at possible betting positions on said roulette betting table for sensing proximity of said betting marker.

38. A casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino, said casino operating system comprising:
at least one individual game computer for receiving, storing, and providing financial transaction data;
at least one player console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a player to play a gambling game, wherein said individual player console includes means for receiving a betting card provided by the player, wherein said betting card stores at least player data and player credit balance data, means for transmitting the player data contained on the betting card to the individual game computer, means for receiving approval or denial data from said individual game computer based on stored financial transaction data in said individual game computer indicating whether the value of said player credit balance data is sufficient to play the gambling game, means for receiving commands from the player enabling the player to play the gambling game, means for displaying game data, player betting data, and player winnings and losses data to the player related to the gambling game to be played by the player, and means for providing said player betting data to said individual game computer;

a dealer console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a dealer to play the gambling game and to provide credit to players, wherein said dealer console includes means for displaying said game data, said player betting data, and said player winnings and losses data to the dealer, and means for providing credit to the betting card provided by the player;
and a gaming apparatus for generating said game data, said gaming apparatus comprising a pair of dice provided with indicating means for indicating a final resting position of each of said pair of dice, and a craps table onto which said pair of dice are thrown, said craps table having sensing means for reading position data from said indicating means indicating the final resting position of each of said pair of dice, wherein said sensing means generates and transmits said game data to said individual game computer, said individual game computer providing said game data to said player console and to said dealer console.

39. The casino operating system according to claim 38, further comprising a central computer for receiving, storing and providing financial transaction data concerning monetary transactions in the casino, wherein said central computer keeps a current record of all financial transactions taking place in the casino.

40. The casino operating system according to claim 38, wherein said player console further enables the player to play remote gambling games or to view and place bets on remote sporting events provided by a remote network system to said player console via said individual game computer.

41. The casino operating system according to claim 38, wherein said player console further enables the player to play computer-generated games generated and displayed by said player console.

42. The casino operating system according to claim 38, wherein said means for receiving said betting card provided by the player includes a delay means for delaying release of said betting card from said means for receiving said betting card for a predetermined period of time.

43. In a casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino, said casino operating system comprising a gaming apparatus for generating game data and player betting data including encoded game pieces and encoded game chips and sensors and at least one individual game computer coupled to said gaming apparatus for monitoring play of said gambling game and receiving, storing, and providing financial transaction data, the play of said gambling game being automatically entered into said individual game computer by said sensors enabling said individual game computer to monitor the gambling game and calculate corresponding player winnings and losses data:
at least one player console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a player to play a gambling game, wherein said individual player console includes means for receiving a betting card provided by the player, wherein said betting card stores player data and player credit balance data, means for transmitting the player data contained on the betting card to the individual game computer, means for receiving approval or denial data from said individual game computer based on stored financial transaction data indicating whether the value of said player credit balance data is sufficient to play the gambling game, means for receiving commands from the player enabling the player to play the gambling game and place bets, and means for displaying said game data, said player betting data, and said player winnings and losses data to the player related to the gambling game to be played by the player and automatically updating said player credit balance data stored on said betting card.

44. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further enables the player to play remote gambling games or to view and place bets on remote sporting events provided by a remote network system to said player console via said individual game computer.

45. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further enables the player to play computer-generated games generated and displayed by said player console.

46. The casino operating system according to claim 43, further comprising a central computer for receiving, storing and providing financial transaction data concerning monetary transactions in the casino, wherein said central computer keeps a current record of all financial transactions taking place in the casino and monitors activity of said at least one individual game computer.

47. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further enables the player to access a menu of food and beverage items available from a casino kitchen and to place orders such that an order entered into said player console by the player is transmitted by said player console to said central computer via said individual game computer for delivery to said casino kitchen.

48. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further notifies the player when the player wins a door prize randomly awarded by said central computer.

49. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further enables the player to call for waitress service or telephone service by entering a service command such that said service command is transmitted by said player console to said central computer via said individual game computer for delivery to a service department.

50. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further displays sporting event information provided by a remote network system to said player console via said individual game computer and enables the player to place bets based on said displayed sporting event information.

51. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further displays off-track betting information provided by a remote network system to said player console via said individual game computer and enables the player to place off-track bets via said remote network.

52. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further comprises a display screen and command buttons permitting the player to view and place bets on other gambling games being played at other locations in the casino.

53. The casino operating system according to claim 43, wherein said player console further enables the player to choose a language in which said player console will display said game data, said player betting data, and said player winnings and losses data.

54. In a casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino comprising at least one gaming apparatus for playing a gambling game comprising encoded parts and sensors that automatically generate play data of the gambling game and processing means to generate winnings and losses data based on betting data input by the player:
a remote system access terminal (RSAT) which enables the player to enter commands necessary to place bets on the gambling game, wherein said RSAT is activated upon insertion into an RSAT holder of a betting card on which at least player identification and cash balance data are stored, said RSAT storing the cash balance data of the player, transmitting betting data entered by the player to said gaming apparatus, and receiving and storing winnings and losses data of the player generated by said gaming apparatus and transmitted by said gaming apparatus to said RSAT.

55. The casino operating system according to claim 54, wherein said RSAT
further enables the player to enter play commands to play the gambling game monitored by said gaming apparatus, said play data transmitted to said RSAT to enable the player to play said gambling game.

56. The casino operating system according to claim 54, further comprising:
at least one computerized player console adapted to permit a player to monitor a gambling game, to enter commands necessary to play the gambling game, and to place bets, wherein said computerized player console is activated upon insertion into said computerized player console of a betting card on which at least player identification and cash balance data are stored, said computerized player console displaying the cash balance data of the player, game information and command data, and winnings and losses data of the player, and updating said data stored on the betting card; and a dealer console adapted to permit a dealer to monitor the gambling game, to enter commands necessary to play the gambling game, and to place bets, said dealer console further adapted to be interconnected with said computerized player console;
said gaming apparatus transmitting said play data to said computerized player console and to said RSAT.

57. In a casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino comprising a gaming apparatus for playing a gambling game including encoded parts and sensors that automatically generate play data of the gambling game:
a smart betting chip comprising an integrated circuit chip, wherein said integrated circuit chip transmits identification information indicating at least a value for the smart betting chip; and sensing means for receiving said identification information transmitted by said integrated circuit within said smart betting chip, wherein said sensing means transmits said identification and value to said gaming apparatus to be used in generating said play data.

58. In a casino operating system for monitoring play and controlling the flow of funds in a casino, said casino operating system comprising a gaming apparatus for playing a gambling game including encoded parts and sensors, at least one individual game computer coupled to said gaming apparatus for monitoring play of said gambling game and receiving, storing, and providing financial transaction data, and at least one player console coupled to said individual game computer for enabling a player to play a gambling game, wherein said individual player console including means for receiving a betting card provided by the player storing player data and player credit balance data, the play of said gambling game being automatically entered into said individual game computer by said sensors enabling said individual game computer to monitor the gambling game and calculate player winnings and losses, a method of verifying of said player credit balance data prior to allowing the player to commence play of the gambling game comprising the steps of:
reading player credit balance data from said betting card inserted into said individual player console;
transmitting said read player credit balance data to said individual game computer;
transmitting said read player credit balance data to said central computer;
processing said read player credit balance data by comparing said read player credit balance data with reference player credit balance data stored in said central computer;
if said read player credit balance data differs from said reference player credit balance data, transmitting a denial signal to said individual player console via said individual game computer, said individual player console ejecting said betting card and displaying denial information to said player;
if said read player credit balance data is identical to said reference player credit balance data, comparing said read player credit balance data to a predetermined value to determine whether said read player credit balance data is greater than or equal to said predetermined value;

if said read player credit balance data is not greater than or equal to said predetermined value, transmitting said denial signal to said individual player console via said individual game computer, said individual player console ejecting said betting card and displaying said denial information to the player; and if said read player credit balance data is greater than or equal to said predetermined value, transmitting an enable signal to said individual player console via said individual game computer, said individual player console displaying said player data and enabling player to commence play of said gambling game.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein said reference player credit data is received by said central computer from a remote system via a communication link.

60. A system for providing a plurality of entertainment and service options to a plurality of users in both on-premises and remote locations, comprising:
a casino operating system adapted to permit at least one player to gamble against a casino comprising at least one computerized player console adapted to permit a player to monitor a gambling game, to enter commands necessary to play the gambling game, and to place bets, wherein said computerized player console is activated upon insertion into said computerized player console of a betting card on which at least player identification and cash balance data are stored, said computerized player console displaying the cash balance data of the player, game information and command data, and winnings and losses data of the player, and updating said data stored on the betting card, a casino console adapted to permit monitoring of the gambling game and entry of commands necessary to play the gambling game and to place bets, said casino console further adapted to be interconnected with said computerized player console, and a gaming apparatus for playing the gambling game adapted to be interconnected with said at least one computerized player console and said casino console, said gaming apparatus including encoded parts and sensors that automatically generate play data of the gambling game, said gaming apparatus transmitting said play data to said computerized player console; and a subscriber establishment operating system including a computerized user terminal that enables a user to access said casino operating system to play said gambling game, said subscriber establishment operating system linked to said casino operating system via a communications network.

61. A system according to claim 61, further comprising an entertainment and services network coupled to said casino operating system and said subscriber establishment operating system via said communications network, said entertainment or services network providing users of said casino operating system and said subscriber establishment operating system with access to entertainment and service options via said communications network.

62. A system according to claim 62, wherein said entertainment and service options include one of the following options:
sporting events;
network video games;
shopping options;
locale/entertainment options;
jai-lai gambling options;
horse racing gambling options;
virtual reality options;
financial transaction information and options; and greyhound racing gambling options.