Apparatus and method for facilitating gaming activity and/or gambling activity

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

a memory device, wherein the memory device stores gaming account information for a gaming account associated with a user or users, wherein the gaming account information includes at least one user-defined limitation or restriction regarding a gaming activity or gaming activities involving the gaming account, wherein the at least one user-defined limitation or restriction is a name of a user or names of users allowed to use the gaming account, a gaming facility, place, location, or venue, where a gaming activity or gaming activities are allowed, a gaming facility, place, location, or venue, where a gaming activity or gaming activities are not allowed, a time period during which a gaming activity can occur, a time period during which a gaming activity is not allowed to occur, an allowed gaming activity or an allowed game or games which can be bet on, a disallowed gaming activity or a disallowed game or games which cannot be bet on, an allowed betting subject matter, a disallowed betting subject matter, a gaming facility at which the user or users can engage in a gaming activity or gaming activities using the gaming account, a gaming facility at which the user or users cannot engage in a gaming activity or gaming activities using the gaming account, a gaming activity or gaming activities which are allowed on the gaming account, a gaming activity or gaming activities which are not allowed on the gaming account, a betting limit or betting limits on the gaming account, an account spending limit or account spending limits on the gaming account, a daily betting amount limit or daily betting amount limits on the gaming account, a weekly betting amount limit or weekly betting amount limits on the gaming account, a monthly betting amount limit or monthly betting amount limits on a gaming account, a yearly betting amount limit or yearly betting amount limits on the gaming account, an allowed betting time period or betting time periods, a disallowed betting time period or betting time periods, an allowed team or allowed teams which can be bet on, an allowed player or allowed players which can be bet on, an allowed betting amount, a disallowed betting amount, or a stop loss limit, wherein the at least one user-defined limitation or restriction is transmitted from a first communication device associated with the user or users in a first communication transmission, wherein the first communication transmission is made via, on, or over, a first communication link established between the first communication device and the apparatus, and further wherein the at least one user-defined limitation or restriction is automatically received by the apparatus and automatically stored in the memory device;

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives a gaming activity request, wherein the gaming activity request is transmitted from the first communication device or from a second communication device associated with the user or users, and further wherein the gaming activity request is transmitted in a second communication transmission, wherein the second communication transmission is made via, on, or over, a second communication link between the first communication device or the second communication device and the apparatus and is established subsequent to a termination of the first communication link;

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes the gaming activity request, and further wherein the processing device generates a first message containing information regarding a gaming activity; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the first message to the first communication device or to the second communication device,

wherein the apparatus receives a bet message which contains information regarding a proposed bet for the gaming activity, wherein the bet message is transmitted from the first communication device or from the second communication device via, on, or over, the Internet or the World Wide Web, and further wherein the processing device determines whether or not the proposed bet is allowed using the at least one user-defined limitation or restriction regarding gaming activity on a gaming account and, if the proposed bet is allowed, the processing device places a bet which corresponds to the proposed bet, and further wherein the apparatus receives at least one gaming activity playing instruction from the first communication device or from the second communication device during the gaming activity after the gaming activity has commenced, and further wherein the processing device determines if the bet is a winning bet or a losing bet, and further wherein the apparatus transmits a gaming outcome message to the first communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the gaming outcome message contains information regarding whether the bet is a winning bet or a losing bet.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing device generates a gaming activity notification message containing information regarding the use of the gaming account in a bet, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the gaming activity notification message to the first communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the apparatus receives a response to the gaming activity notification message containing information regarding whether the gaming activity is allowed or disallowed and, if the gaming activity is disallowed, the apparatus cancels the bet or the gaming activity.

3 . An apparatus, comprising:

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives a bet message which contains information regarding a proposed bet for a gaming activity, wherein the proposed bet is placed on or involving a gaming account;

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes information regarding the proposed bet on or involving the gaming account, and further wherein the processing device generates a gaming activity notification message containing information regarding the use of the gaming account in connection with the proposed bet; and

a transmitter, wherein the transmitter transmits the gaming activity notification message to a first communication device associated with a user who is associated with the gaming account, wherein the gaming activity notification message is transmitted to the first communication device via, on, or over, the Internet or the World Wide Web, and further wherein the gaming activity notification message is transmitted to the first communication device before the proposed bet is placed,

wherein the apparatus receives a response to the gaming activity notification message, wherein the response to the gaming activity notification message is transmitted from the first communication device, wherein the processing device determines whether the proposed bet is allowed or disallowed and allows or disallows the proposed bet and, if the proposed bet is allowed, the apparatus places a bet corresponding to the proposed bet, and further wherein the apparatus determines whether the bet is a winning bet or a losing bet, and further wherein the apparatus transmits a gaming outcome message to the first communication device or to a second communication device associated with the user, and further wherein the gaming outcome message contains information regarding whether the bet is a winning bet or a losing bet.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processing device detects a posting of information regarding a gaming activity or a gaming event, and further wherein the processing device generates a notification message containing information regarding the gaming activity or the gaming event, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the notification message to the first communication device or to the second communication device.

5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processing device generates a gaming account withdrawal notification message containing information regarding a withdrawal from the gaming account, wherein the apparatus transmits the gaming account withdrawal notification message to the first communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the apparatus receives a response to the gaming account withdrawal notification message containing information regarding whether the withdrawal from the gaming account is allowed or disallowed on the gaming account and, if the withdrawal is disallowed, the apparatus cancels the withdrawal from the gaming account.

6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processing device determines an identity of an originating state associated with the bet, and further wherein the apparatus effectuates payment of a gaming fee to the originating state.

7 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processing device processes risk of loss information associated with the bet and identifies a credit derivative for reducing a risk of loss associated with the bet, and further wherein the processing device generates an offering message containing information regarding a credit derivative for reducing the risk of loss, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the offering message to the first communication device or to the second communication device, and further wherein the apparatus receives a purchase message containing information for purchasing the credit derivative, wherein the apparatus purchases the credit derivative for the user, and further wherein the processing device determines if the user is due to receive a payment pursuant to the credit derivative.

8 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processing device detects an occurrence of a notification event, wherein the processing device processes information regarding the occurrence, and further wherein the processing device generates a notification message containing information regarding at least one of a gaming loss insurance policy and a gaming loss insurance credit derivative, wherein the apparatus transmits the notification message to the first communication device or to the second communication device associated with the user, and further wherein the apparatus receives a purchase message containing information for purchasing the at least one of a gaming loss insurance policy and a gaming loss insurance credit derivative for the user, and further wherein the processing device determines whether the user is due to receive a payment pursuant to the at least one of a gaming loss insurance policy and a gaming loss insurance credit derivative.

9 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the gaming activity is a lottery, and further wherein the bet involves a purchase of a lottery ticket.

10 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the apparatus generates a betting odds change message containing information regarding a change in betting odds associated with a gaming activity or a gaming event, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the betting odds change message to the first communication device or to the second communication device.

11 . An apparatus, comprising:

a receiver, wherein the receiver receives a first signal, wherein the first signal is transmitted from a communication device associated with a user, wherein the first signal contains information regarding a selection of a gaming activity at a gaming venue;

at least one of a video recording device, an audio recording device, and a video conferencing device, wherein the at least one of a video recording device, an audio recording device, and a video conferencing device, obtains or records at least one of live video information regarding the gaming activity, live audio information regarding the gaming activity, and live videoconferencing information regarding the gaming activity; and

a processing device, wherein the processing device processes information contained in the first signal, and further wherein the processing device transmits at least one of live video information, live audio information, and live videoconferencing information, regarding the gaming activity to the communication device in response to the first signal;

wherein the receiver receives a second signal, wherein the second signal is transmitted from the communication device, and further wherein the second signal contains information regarding a bet placed by the user on or in the gaming activity, wherein the processing device processes the information contained in the second signal and automatically places the bet for the user.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the gaming venue is a casino, and wherein the gaming activity is a table game.

13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processing device processes information contained in a third signal transmitted from the communication device, and further wherein the processing device activates the at least one of a video recording device, an audio recording device, and a video conferencing device.

14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the processing device establishes a live video link or videoconferencing link between the user and a party at a gaming table associated with the gaming activity, and further wherein the processing device processes information regarding one or more virtual betting pieces or chips used by the user.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:

a display screen located at or in the vicinity of the gaming table, wherein the display screen displays the one or more virtual betting pieces or chips used by the user.

16 . The apparatus of claim of claim 11 , wherein the at least one of live video information, live audio information, and live videoconferencing information, is transmitted to the communication device via, on, or over, at least one of the Internet, the World Wide Web, a cable television network, or a satellite television network.

17 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the at least one of live video information, live audio information, and live videoconferencing information, is transmitted to the communication device via, on, or over, a wireless communication network.

18 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the communication device is a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, or a personal digital assistant.

19 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:

a memory device for storing information regarding a request by the user to be notified of a posting of a gaming activity or a gaming event, wherein the apparatus detects a posting of information regarding a gaming activity or a gaming event, wherein the apparatus generates a notification message containing information regarding the posted gaming activity or gaming event, and further wherein the apparatus transmits the notification message to the communication device.

20 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the communication device is an interactive television or a digital television.