High integrity golf wagering system
A system and method for providing a high integrity golf wagering game. The system includes a driving range with hitting bays where players hit balls at targets. Individual balls are associated with a particular player and are tracked from the tee in a hitting bay to a target. If a player hits a ball into a target, a wagering game is offered that awards prizes to a player depending on the outcome of the game. The game itself may take many different forms including a slot type game. The system and method include variants for randomization of game results or results based in whole or in part on a player's skill in hitting targets.
1. A high integrity golf wagering system, comprising:
at least one golf ball with an electronic identification component;
a range with at least one bay from which a player hits the at least one golf ball;
a bay ball reader for detecting and recording ball identification information associating the ball with a player;
at least one target placed a distance from the bay and into which the player attempts to hit a ball, each target further comprising:
a target entry for receiving a ball;
a target ball reader for detecting and recording ball identification information;
a game randomizer;
a target control unit connected to the target ball reader and game randomizer that receives ball identification information from the target ball reader and controls game randomizer functions; and
a computer connected to the bay ball reader and the target control unit for receiving ball identification information from the bay ball reader and the target ball reader, tracking the at least one golf ball associated with a player and tracking wagers and awards for winning plays.
2. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising a network for connecting the computer to the bay ball reader and the target control unit.
3. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising a progressive system connected to the computer and at least one other computer of another high integrity golf wagering system, and configured to provide progressive prize awards to players playing games on any high integrity golf wagering system connected to the progressive system.
4. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising at least one point of sale station connected to the computer for receiving information related to funding a player account and redemption of prizes.
5. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising at least one management terminal connected to the computer for managing game configuration, controlling system operation and providing financial and other data reports related to system operation.
6. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising at least player interface unit in the hitting bay at which the player interfaces with the computer, including to place wagers on play.
7. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising a randomizer connected to the computer that provides a random chance opportunity to win a prize for a ball detected in a target.
8. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising at least one display at the hitting bay and connected to the computer for displaying game results and other information to a player.
9. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising a player identification reader for identifying a player and authorizing access to a player account.
10. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 , further comprising at least ball monitoring device for capturing, recording and tracking activity of a golf ball from the group comprising: (a) a camera; (b) a sensor frame; (c) infrared detectors; (d) radar detectors; and/or (e) optical detectors.
11. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising software running on the computer for performing game functions to provide a game of chance for a ball detected in a target.
12. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising software running on the computer for performing game functions based on a game of skill for a ball detected in a target.
13. The high integrity golf wagering system of claim 1 further comprising software running on the computer for performing game functions to provide a game of chance with a skill element for a ball detected in a target.
14. A method of playing a game on a high integrity golf wagering system, comprising:
detecting ball identification information from a ball using a sensor in a hitting bay where one or more players are positioned;
recording the ball identification information and storing the ball identification information in a tracking database accessible by a controller receiving the ball identification information from the sensor;
associating the ball with a particular player in the database;
providing at least one target placed a distance from the hitting bay and into which one or more players attempts to hit a ball;
receiving balls at the at least one target hit by the one or more players;
detecting balls hit into the target using a target sensor;
receiving ball identification information for detected balls at the controller from the target sensor;
randomizing the result of game play based on the ball identification information for play by the one or more players; and
using the controller to track the at least one golf ball associated with the players; and
tracking wagers and awards provided for winning plays.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises a network for connecting the controller to the sensor and the sensor.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises a progressive system connected to the controller and at least one other controller of another high integrity golf wagering system, and configured to provide progressive prize awards to players playing games on any high integrity golf wagering system connected to the progressive system.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises at least one point of sale station connected to the computer for receiving information related to funding a player account and redemption of prizes.
18. The system of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises at least one management terminal connected to the controller for managing game configuration, controlling system operation and providing financial and other data reports related to system operation.
19. The system of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises at least player interface unit in the hitting bay at which the player interfaces with the controller, including to place wagers on play.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises a randomizer connected to the controller that provides a random chance opportunity to win a prize for a ball detected in a target.
21. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises at least one display at the hitting bay and connected to the controller for displaying game results and other information to a player.
22. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises a player identification reader for identifying a player and authorizing access to a player account.
23. The method of claim 14 , wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises at least ball monitoring device for capturing, recording and tracking activity of a golf ball from the group comprising: (a) a camera; (b) a sensor frame; (c) infrared detectors; (d) radar detectors; and/or (e) optical detectors.
24. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises software running on the controller for performing game functions to provide a game of chance for a ball detected in a target.
25. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises software running on the controller for performing game functions based on a game of skill for a ball detected in a target.
26. The method of claim 14 wherein the high integrity golf wagering system further comprises software running on the controller for performing game functions to provide a game of chance with a skill element for a ball detected in a target.