COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING GAMING SERVICES

1 . A computer-implemented method of providing gaming services, the method comprising:

at a first electronic device comprising one or more processor, a memory, and one or more programs stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors:

causing, via a communications network, a second electronic device to display a graphical user interface corresponding to a game having at least one successful outcome,

wherein the graphical user interface comprises a user affordance for switching between a non-monetary sweepstakes entry and a virtual gaming token,

wherein the game is configured to be open for entry to one or more eligible players;

receiving from the second electronic device, via the communications network, an indication that the at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry has been assigned to the game by a player;

after receiving the indication, causing the game to be played to obtain an outcome;

determining an allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries based on the outcome of the game to the player; and

causing the second electronic device to provide an output indicative of the allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries.

2 . The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

allowing the player to accumulate non-monetary sweepstakes entries for use in subsequent sweepstakes games.

3 . The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

allowing the player to redeem one or more non-monetary sweepstakes entries for a monetary reward.

4 . The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving from the player, via the communications network, a request to purchase a quantity of virtual gaming tokens for use in an online game;

calculating, based on the quantity of the virtual gaming tokens requested, an amount of non-monetary sweepstakes entries to be allocated to the player; and

allocating to the player, via the communications network, the requested quantity of virtual gaming tokens and the calculated amount of non-monetary sweepstakes entries.

5 . The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving from the player a request to receive a free quantity of non-monetary sweepstakes entries; and

allocating to the player, via the communications network, the free quantity of nonmonetary sweepstakes entries.

6 . (canceled)

7 . The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a sweepstakes pool based on a total number of non-monetary sweepstakes entries assigned to the game by the one or more eligible players; and

randomly selecting one or more of the eligible players as a winner or winners of the game.

8 . The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein the allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries is based on a quantity of non-monetary sweepstakes entries assigned by the player to the game.

9 . A system of providing gaming services, the system comprising:

a computer server accessible through a communications network, the computer server arranged to receive gaming data through the communications network; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the computer server,

wherein the processor is configured to:

cause, via the communications network, a second electronic device to display a graphical user interface corresponding to a game having at least one successful outcome,

wherein the graphical user interface comprises a user affordance for switching between a non-monetary sweepstakes entry and a virtual gaming token,

wherein the game is configured to be open for entry to one or more eligible players;

receive from the second electronic device, via the communications network, an indication that the at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry has been assigned to the game by a player;

after receiving the indication, cause the game to be played to obtain an outcome;

determine an allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries based on the outcome of the game to the player; and

cause the second electronic device to provide an output indicative of the allocation of nonmonetary sweepstakes entries.

10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

allow the player to accumulate non-monetary sweepstakes entries for use in subsequent sweepstakes games.

11 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

allow the player to redeem one or more non-monetary sweepstakes entries for a monetary reward.

12 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive from the player, via the communications network, a request to purchase a quantity of virtual gaming tokens for use in an online game;

calculate, based on the quantity of the virtual gaming tokens requested, an amount of nonmonetary sweepstakes entries to be allocated to the player; and

allocate to the player, via the communications network the requested quantity of virtual gaming tokens and the calculated amount of non-monetary sweepstakes entries.

13 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive from the player a request to receive a free quantity of non-monetary sweepstakes entries; and

allocate to the player, via the communications network, the free quantity of nonmonetary sweepstakes entries.

14 . (canceled)

15 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a sweepstakes pool based on a total number of non-monetary sweepstakes entries assigned to the game by the one or more eligible players; and

randomly select one or more of the eligible players as a winner or winners of the game.

16 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries is based on a quantity of non-monetary sweepstakes entries assigned by the player to the game.

17 . A method as performed by a gaming application installed on a mobile communication device or computing device, the method comprising:

authenticating the gaming application with a computer server;

receiving from the computer server, via a communications network, a first gaming data indicative of at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry for use in a sweepstakes game;

sending to the computer server, via the communications network, a second gaming data indicative of an assignment of the at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry to the sweepstakes game; and

receiving from the computer server, via the communications network, a third gaming data indicative of an allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries representing winnings associated with the at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry assigned to the sweepstakes game.

18 . The method according to claim 17 , further comprising:

sending to the computer server, via the communications network, a request to redeem one or more non-monetary sweepstakes entries for a monetary reward.

19 . A non-transient computer-readable medium including instructions for performing a method of providing gaming services, the method comprising:

causing, via a communications network, a second electronic device to display a graphical user interface corresponding to a game configured to open for entry to one or more eligible players, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a user affordance for switching between a non-monetary sweepstakes entry and a virtual gaming token;

receiving from the second electronic device, via the communications network, an indication that the at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry has been assigned to the game by a player;

after receiving the indication, causing the game to be played to obtain an outcome;

determining an allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries based on the outcome of the game to the player; and

causing the second electronic device to provide an output indicative of the allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries.

20 . A computer server for providing gaming services, the computer server comprising:

a communication port to communicate with one or more user devices;

a database to store multiple records of gaming data; and

a processor configured to:

authenticate the one or more user devices with the computer server;

send to the one or more user devices, via a communications network, a first gaming data indicative of at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry for use in a sweepstakes game;

receive from the one or more user devices, via the communications network, a second gaming data indicative of an assignment of the at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry to the sweepstakes game;

store in the database the second gaming data received from the one or more user devices;

play the sweepstakes game; and

send to the one or more user devices, via the communications network, a third gaming data indicative of an allocation of non-monetary sweepstakes entries representing winnings associated with the at least one non-monetary sweepstakes entry assigned to the sweepstakes games.