Patent Publication Number: US-8123618-B2

Title: Systems for distributing entertaining episodes and crediting payouts to authorized remote-player&#39;s wagers

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to virtual regulated casino-type gaming systems and business processes and, more particularly, to an improved casino on-site, regulated off-site and regulated Internet remote gaming experience. 
     2. Prior Art 
     A Hodges et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,424 discloses a remote gaming system for use with a wagering or gambling establishment such as a casino. A player participates in a selected one of a plurality of live wagering games from a remote location. The system includes a croupier station, a credit station, and a remotely located player station. The player station includes a live game display for displaying a selected one of a plurality of games being played at the croupier station, such as craps, roulette, or keno. The player station includes a separate, changeable playboard for displaying a selected one of a plurality of wagering possibilities corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of games being played and for displaying the results of the game being played at the croupier station. The player station also includes a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the live game display and the operation of the separate, changeable playboard. The betting decisions required by the remote player for the croupier games are just as complicated as the actual games and no card games are mentioned. The Hodges et al. system is not practical because state gaming laws also require that the eligibility of a remote player be initially established and also be periodically verified by security personnel. No mention is made in the Hodges et al. patent for any player authentication at the remotely located player station, such as a hotel room, or convenience store or other “licensable” off-site locations. 
     A Molnick patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,268, also discloses a method by which a remote player may participate in a live casino game from a location remote from a casino. A player establishes an information link with a casino from an interface station which includes a video monitor and a keypad, where the keypad is game specific and unchangeable. The Molnick patent also uses cameras and discloses table card games. The betting scheme of Molnick is just as complicated as the actual table game. The system of Molnick is also not practical. While modems and phones lines are used, compression and encryption are not. Molnick also does not use player eligibility authentication. Molnick displays to the remote player an entire gaming table with a number of “live” players, which would enable card counting and team playing by the remote players, both of which are not acceptable to casinos. 
     A need exists for a practical remote casino-type gaming system that would meet state gaming regulations, which are promulgated mainly to ensure the fairness of the game and eligibility of the players, such as age and creditworthiness. A need also exists for a system which would provide a smooth progression from regulated casino gaming to regulated remote on-site and off-site gaming and eventually to regulated Internet gaming. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a practical but remote player-friendly casino-type gaming system that meets the gaming legal regulations, as promulgated by the various governmental jurisdictions. The key benefits are: (a) ease of play, (b) retains most of the excitement of actual live participation, (c) ability to control rate of play, thereby reducing player stress, (d) ensures a greater level of privacy, thereby limiting embarrassment, (e) better utilization of the existing personnel and facility infrastructure, (f) enables gaming multimedia video product creation, advertising and branding by the casino, (g) enables regulated off-site gaming, including Internet, and (h) facilitates effective novice player education. 
     Some of the technical features of a system according to the invention include data compression with a video Codec using, for example, J/MPEG and other application-specific compression techniques. Data encryption is provided using, for example, DES 128 and strong RSA encryption. Various communication pathways are used such as copper, fiber-optic, and wireless, to interconnect the disclosed subsystems. Various communication network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.XX, ITU/CCITT V Series protocol, TCP/IP) and network topologies (e.g., ring, star) are used to implement networks such as, for example, LAN, WAN, VPN, Cable Modems, ADSL, Satellite (e.g., QAM), Internet, wherein the forward path from the multimedia video source needs, for example, about one megabyte per second (1 MB/sec) data bandwidth capability and the return path needs capability in the range of about ten kilobytes per second (10 KB/sec), with further reductions provided with evolving MPEG.x technology. A communication distribution hub enables multiple games to be fed in and routed to multiple remote player stations. Legally certified random number generators (RNGs) are uses to randomly select one source for video multimedia signals from several incoming gaming video multimedia sources, in an autonomous manner, for each game episode presented to the remote player, at the remote player station. 
     The system includes a number of features. Virtual gaming at a remote site uses legally randomized live video or pre-recorded video. Pre-recorded video could be obtained from prior casino security video storage tapes or from tapes of closed regulated tournaments. If a random pre-recorded gaming episode is selected by the remote player, then its playback can be slowed down to reduce player stress. A remote on-site or off-site player bets, for or against, a live player while viewing either a live casino video signal or a pre-recorded casino video from any secure multimedia storage repository (e.g., disk, tape). Wagering rules for the games are simple as compared to more complicated live casino game wagering rules resulting in a new way of wagering on existing games, as well as the creation of new wagering games. Due to the simplicity of the betting rules, a remote player can concurrently play several dissimilar games at the same remote gaming station. The remote player can, in effect, virtually roam around a casino and virtually participate in a plurality of games without leaving the remote gaming station. 
     For remote gaming stations off-site of the casino premises, the remote gaming station is periodically monitored and recorded with a return path multimedia video camera/audio channel. Various biometric sensing systems are also used to validate a player&#39;s identity. By using currently available videotapes or disks of all licensed table games that are recorded and stored as per currently promulgated regulatory requirements, surveillance and security functions for all the live casino tables can be cost-shared with the disclosed remote gaming system. Casino surveillance and security is enhanced by the superior quality of the live game multimedia video data used for the disclosed remote gaming station purposes. The off-site remote gaming player station is at the same security level as a bank ATM machine, perhaps including even the co-located security guards. The touch screen is spill and shatterproof and an audible alarm makes the remote player stations substantially tamperproof. 
     The multimedia video data stream for a live or pre-recorded game can be processed in real-time to generate and remotely display multimedia synthetic video signal which show, for example, enhanced images of cards, dice or roulette, as well as the progress and outcome of selected live or pre-recorded casino games. 
     Regulated live play or pre-recorded restricted access storage repository-based multimedia video, of hired casino shills or invited professional gamblers or invited celebrities at the gaming tables, enables a licensed casino to become a provider of multimedia gaming content, certified by government gaming authorities, similar to the movie/television entertainment production industry. The equipment required includes that which is currently used in the entertainment video production, video cable-based and Internet-based video content delivery systems. Moreover, in an instructional mode of operation, novice players are instructed by example, on how to play the various games in a relatively stress-free environment, by recognized gaming experts. Moreover, the video presentation can be slowed down to enable ease of viewing of the gaming action for a novice player. 
     The present invention includes a legally-authorized remote gaming system which includes a multimedia video source at a casino which provides a live video or pre-recorded restricted-access video signal depicting a legally-authorized live casino game. A player accounting and tracking subsystem manages the accounts, player compensation rating and surveillance for a remote off-site player, as well as the on-site player on casino premises. A communication distribution hub connects the multimedia video source and the player accounting and tracking subsystem to the remote player station. The remote player station includes a display for displaying to a remote player the live multimedia video or the pre-recorded multimedia video signal depicting the legally-authorized, live or pre-recorded, actual casino game. The remote player station also provides gaming information which enables the remote player to place a bet and otherwise provide inputs via a touchscreen or other means. The remote player station also provides gaming information to enable the remote player to receive a payout by electronic means or by mechanical means for the casino game currently being displayed on the station display. Moreover, the display can be a conventional color monitor or a stereo 3D head mounted goggles. The goggles can also be used to restrict viewing access, to only the eligible individual players. Biometric sensors can also be incorporated into the head-mounted remote player station. Furthermore, the entire remote player station can be wall-mounted, to facilitate ease of installation and better space utilization. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a comprehensive schematic block diagram illustrating a remote virtual gaming system which uses actual regulated casino live games or pre-recorded actual casino games. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a remote virtual gaming system according to the invention which is entirely on the premises of a casino. 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic block diagram of a “minimal” equipment remote virtual gaming system including data compression and encryption features. 
         FIG. 4  is a corresponding simplified video display incorporated in a “cashless” remote player station. 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified block diagram illustrating a remote virtual gaming system which uses image processing and data compression to provide images for a synthetic display and to provide an output having substantial data bandwidth reduction for sending, for example, an encoded image of a five of diamonds playing card, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing a RNG array based game distribution system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram of a remote player virtual gaming system which provides remote player authentication from a remote off-site location. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example electromechanical acceptor-validator sub-system, for use by a remote player. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a touch-sensitive area of an example video display sub-system for use by a remote player. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example video display presentation on a display sub-system response screen. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a typical sequential series of player actions which produce various responses. 
         FIG. 13  is a view of a player interface for a remotely-located player station showing on one screen three simultaneous dissimilar gaming response display panels and three corresponding player-friendly, touch-sensitive display screen areas. 
         FIG. 14  is a data and control flowchart illustrating operation of a remote gaming system according to the invention. 
         FIG. 15  shows a typical set of play mode related interprocessor information transfer sequences. 
         FIG. 16  shows a typical set of casino E-commerce roam mode related interprocessor information transfer sequences. 
         FIG. 17  is a comprehensive functional block diagram of the disclosed multimedia virtual gaming method and system, including interconnections to other casino-based systems. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     The psychology of what makes a particular game “exciting” to a player is not clearly understood, as conceded even by veterans in the casino business. A typical approach to validating the attractiveness and consequently the potential success of a game is to conduct for a few months an expensive “field trial” on a casino floor and to monitor the “excitement and appeal” of the game, in terms of player usage and the consequential generation of actual revenue. However, this inventor asserts that a simplistic betting scheme involving only a minuscule amount of decision-making in a non-confrontational non-public environment is preferred by most players. This hypothesis is validated by economic data that about two-thirds of a casino&#39;s revenue is attributed to slots in contrast to revenue obtained from table games (e.g., cards) and other games (e.g., craps, keno, roulette). Moreover, due to the complexity of the required gaming infrastructure (e.g., equipment, trained personnel), the profit margin for slots is about twice that for all of the other games. On the other hand, many players, particularly younger players below the age of forty, consider video slot gaming to be quite boring. 
     The present invention makes the playing of non-slot games into “no-brainers” like slot games, without also eliminating the player “excitement and appeal” that non-slot games generate, so that a player can participate without the stress and potential public shame arising from a player&#39;s misjudgment and associated losses at a live gaming table. No other player can see what any particular player has lost, just like at a slot machine, and without player tracking, even the casino doesn&#39;t know. On the other hand, the present invention does not preclude the welcome recognition and acclaim that casinos typically bestow on winners in the casino. 
     An additional incentive for casinos to implement this invention is that they have a substantial long standing/traditional investment in non-slot gaming and it is generally acknowledged that non-slot gaming needs to improve its return on investment (ROI). However, the recent advent of unregulated Internet-based gaming with its computer-based random number generators (RNG) has put tremendous uncertainty into the previously sound business rationale for making billion dollar” (co-located casino/hotel/entertainment/shopping) fixed casino investments. Moreover, RNG-driven video slots can be inexpensively replicated by thousands of unregulated entities on the Internet, subject only to mostly unenforceable regulatory issues, while it takes a substantial capital investment to maintain a live table (e.g., cards, craps, roulette) gaming facility with the associated player “excitement and appeal”, that can only be generated by a live casino type of operation. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a remote multimedia distributed, virtual gaming system  10  which interacts with a remote player  12 . The system includes a multimedia virtual gaming content generation array  20  which is monitored by a virtual multimedia content acquisition sensor array  22 . The outputs of the sensor array  22  are sent on a data/signal bus  24  to a regulatory surveillance control center server  26  and to a raw multimedia virtual gaming episode processing array  28 . Processed output signals from the processing array  28  are sent on a bus  30  to a multimedia virtual gaming content playback array  32  for storage or directly to a multimedia virtual gaming content distribution center server, or hub,  34 . Alternatively, a bus  33  provides stored processed signals to the hub  34  and to the surveillance control center server  26 . The distribution center server is connected by a bus  36  to a player E-commerce server  38  and by a bus  40  to a player accounting, VIP tracking, and authentication server  42 . A hotel reservation server  41  is connected through a bus  43  to the player E-commerce server  38  and to the player accounting, VIP tracking, and authentication server  42 . The hotel reservation server  41  provides VIP player information to the accounting server  42 . These servers  38 ,  41 ,  42  provide ancillary services to the system  10 . The communication server includes a random number generator which randomly selects game content. The communication server  34  is connected by a virtual private network (VPN) signal line  44  to a remote player station  46  on the casino gaming premises. The communication server  34  is also connected by a signal line  48  to a regulated Internet server portal  50 , which is connected through the Internet  52  to a remote virtual gaming station  54 , which is located off of the casino floor site and which provides for presentation of games to a player, and which provides for player participation. 
       FIG. 1  provides a remote multimedia virtual gaming system  10  which presents a remote player  12  with virtual gaming video and audio information from actual casino games. By actual casino games is meant games which are actually being played by real players or restricted access pre-recorded games which have been actually but previously played by real players, both of which are played in a real, licensed casino or in a licensed restricted access tournament (e.g., invitation-only high stakes poker, celebrity poker). The multimedia gaming system uses live video and live audio presentations to provide a live casino environment to the remote player  12 . Alternatively, pre-recorded restricted access video and audio are played back to the remote player  12  in an autonomous legally randomized sequence to provide a licensable virtual casino gaming environment. 
     The content generation array  20  diagrammatically shows three exemplary casino games being monitored/acquired according to the invention using the multimedia content acquisition sensor array  22  comprised of either analog or digitized video and audio sensors. A first live video image sensing camera system  60  and a first pair of stereo audio sensing microphones  62 ,  64  monitor a live roulette game table  66  in a licensed casino. A second live video image sensing camera system  70  and a second pair of stereo audio sensing microphones  72 ,  74  monitor a live card game table  76  in a licensed casino or at a tournament. A third live video image sensing camera system  80  and a third pair of stereo audio sensing microphones  82 ,  84  monitor a live craps game table  86  in the licensed casino. The video image sensing camera systems  60 ,  70 ,  80  are, for example, one or more (e.g., stereo mode) color and/or black and white video cameras commercially provided by companies such as Sony, Panasonic, CoStar, Kodak and Hitachi, with a nominal digital resolution of 640×480 (comparable to current consumer TV) pixels (or more), compliant with any video format, including NTSC, PAL, DTV, ATSC or other appropriate SMPTE standard, selected by those skilled in the art. 
     The output of this multimedia acquisition sensor array  22  is then processed in the processing array  28  to create a virtual gaming episode package for each game. The first step in this process is performed in a real-time content edit processing array  90  to, autonomously or manually, rapidly edit out images and audio that detract and distract from the game, including information that may enable the viewer (e.g., remote player) of the video to identify the individual live player, due to privacy considerations. Then this game episode captured on tape or computer memory is compressed in a real-time multimedia content compression processing array  92  using J/MPEG (or equal) for video and MP3 (or equal) for audio or other appropriate SMPTE standard as approved by the appropriate regulatory agency. Then the compressed episode is encrypted in a real-time multimedia encryption processing array  94  using DES (e.g., 128 bit), and/or RSA (e.g., 1024 bit public key exchange) or any authorized encryption standard, as per the gaming control board (GCB) that has jurisdiction. Note that the underlying theoretical foundation for encryption and RNG are related. The required video rate (e.g., 30 Hz) edit/compress/encrypt preferred by TV studio quality equipment can be purchased from Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Tektronics, Quantel, AVID or equal. This, preferably real-time, encrypted/compressed/edited multimedia game episode package is then stored in the playback array  32  on a disk, tape, or CD, or any other secure storage media for subsequent gaming content distribution. This episode package can also be directly routed, in near real-time, to the content distribution center server, or multimedia communication/distribution hub,  34 . 
     The securely encrypted and compressed live video and audio signals from the video camera systems and the stereo microphones are also connected to, recorded, and then subsequently played back with a VCR array, hard disk array or solid state disk array, as typically illustrated by utilizing a secure, compressed virtual gaming episode data base using disk or tape farm system  96 . The VCRs are commercially provided by Sony, Magnavox, Panasonic, RCA and others. The disks are provided by Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum, Loronics, IBM and others. Other bulk storage media include optical and DVD, from Toshiba, JVC and others. 
     The multimedia communication distribution hub  34  has a number of input/output (I/O) ports connected, directly or indirectly, to the I/O ports of the cameras, microphones, and disk/tape VCRs. The multimedia communication distribution hub  34  controls distribution of video, audio, and control signals. The communication hub  34  also functions as a switching router with audio/video output signals being selected from inputs provided by video camera systems or disk/VCRs, using a random selection method controlled by a certified random number generator (RNG), of the numerous multimedia video packets. The communication hub  34  is, for example, a bank of video, analog or digital, switches commercially provided by companies such as Cisco, Lucent, Maxim, Brocade, Gennum, Elantec or Analog Devices, controlled by a certified RNG, running on a fast microprocessor such as a 400 MHz Intel Pentium II microprocessor from Intel, IBM, Compaq or equivalent from Sun, Motorola or others. The communication hub  34  functions as a RNG driven multiport switch for selecting among incoming multimedia video channels to outgoing distribution channels, including 1000 base-T fiber-optic or video coax or copper wired or wireless (spread spectrum) transceivers or other physical layer communication pathways. 
     The communication hub  34  has an I/O port which is connected by a virtual private network (VPN) signal line  44 , which provides a wired, fiber-optic, wireless, or other connection link to the main input port of the remote player station  46 . The security of the remote player station  46  is controlled by the casino, by virtue of it being on the casino gaming premises or by being under the direct physical control of the casino, such as in a casino hotel room that has appropriate sensors, as described later. The communication connection link  44  is, for example, a fiber-optic 1000 base-T rated cable or equivalent communication pathway. Various communication protocols (e.g., IEEE, 802.XX, ITU/CCITT V Series) and topologies (e.g., star, ring) can be used to implement the required secure authorized virtual private network interprocessor connectivity. 
     The remote on-site player terminal  46  includes a remote processor  100  which performs appropriate command, control and routing functions. The remote processor  100  sends video, audio and control signals to a video monitor  102  and to speakers  104 . A wager acceptor subsystem  106  and a wager payout  108  subsystem provide betting information and payouts to the remote player  12 . The remote processor  100  is a 16 to 128 bit microprocessor from Intel, AMD, Lucent, Texas Instruments, Phillips, Motorola, Hitachi, Sony, SGI, Sun or equal, using various real-time operating system (OS) software such as Windows CE (from Microsoft), PSOS (from Integrated Systems), Inferno (from Lucent), or any secure compact real-time operating system, that has been approved by a governmental gaming control board GCB. The remote processor and associated I/O interface  100  can also be implemented using field programmable gate arrays (FPGA&#39;s) from Altera, Xylinx, Lucent or equal. Using FPGA&#39;s provides an additional level of security by protection (e.g., tamper-proofing). The remote processor  100  is coupled to the video monitor  102  with an 8 Mbyte buffered memory display screen with a 256×256 point or better touch screen provided by Microtouch or equivalent. Alternatively, a monoscopic or stereoscopic (3D) color or black and white display is presented to a player  112  with head-mounted goggles  114 . Typically, no remote terminal disk, CD, or tape drive usage is required by the designer to implement the functionality, nor is it encouraged by the regulators. The remote player station  46  is contained in a tamperproof, rugged, spill-proof, alarmed safe-like enclosure. 
     Another I/O port of the communication hub  34  is connected by the signal line, or communication link  48  to an I/O port of an authorized Internet server  50 , located in a legally sanctioned gaming property in a sovereign state or Native American territory, which communicates through the Internet media  52  with a 2-wire or 4-wire telephone cable or other secure communication link to an off-site licensed Internet remote player station  54 . The regulated Internet remote off-site player station  54  includes an Internet client Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack  120 , a remote player station  122  (similar to the on-site casino station noted above), and biometric authentication equipment  124 , from Sensar or equal for retinas, from Digital Privacy or equal for fingerprints, from Symbol Technology or equal, for 2D bar code based photo ID/driver&#39;s license, which are used jointly or severally, to continuously (e.g., every 5 seconds) verify the identity and eligibility of the player at that remote station. The off-site player station  54  or the remote player station  46  array include a flat panel plasma or liquid crystal or cathode ray tube video display  130  such as commercially provided by Sony, Sharp, Fujitsu, NEC, Toshiba, or equivalent with a touchscreen provided by Microtouch or equal and typically shown in  FIG. 1 . The off-site player station  122  typically has no disk, CD, or tape drive, while being enclosed in a tamperproof ATM kiosk-like container, otherwise functionally similar to the on-site player station  46 . 
     The flat panel plasma or liquid crystal or cathode ray tube video display  130  is adapted to be mounted, for example, on a wall  132  of a casino premises. In this case, the flat panel video display is part of a gaming station which is connected by a cable  134  or, alternatively, by a cable  136  to the communication server  34 . The cable  134  is embedded in the wall  132  of the casino premises, and alternatively, the cable  136  is routed along the lower edge of the wall  132  near the floor  138  of the casino. These cables are then connected to a signal path  140  which connects to the VPN signal line  44 . For use in the Internet player station  54 , the signal path  140  is appropriately connected to the Internet system  52 . For a casino location, the signal path  140  can be a power distribution wire in the casino, which is adapted for carrying data signals or an infra red communication link, which also carries data signals. 
     To support a large array of remote player stations (e.g.,  46 ,  54 ) will typically require a corresponding array of processors within the communication distribution hub  34 . This is due to the corresponding array of rapidly executing (e.g., at most 10 millisec/random #) RNG&#39;s, required by GCB, for each player station, as well as, the corresponding array of multimedia virtual gaming episode packets to be managed (e.g., routed), by the distribution hub  34 . 
     It is noteworthy, that the disclosed high speed certified RNG array embedded in the communication distribution hub  34 , also provides a means of transmitting and distributing a certified encrypted array of random numbers to a corresponding array of on-site or off-site player stations  46  or  54 , thereby significantly reducing the required secure communication link  44  or  54  bandwidth. This functionality can also be utilized to implement local area (e.g., casino) or wide area virtual private network-based (e.g., covering an entire state) progressive gaming systems. 
     Another I/O port of the communication hub  34  is connected through the bus  40  to an I/O port of the player accounting server  42 , which also provides player authentication, usage tracking and rating compensation functions. The accounting server  42  is, for example, a 400 MHz or better, dual or otherwise 24 hour×7 day fail-safe Pentium II personal computer with a 128 Mbyte SDRAM, 32 Mbyte display RAM, and a 144 Gbyte hard disk farm operating at a sustained 40 Mbyte/sec rate or the equivalent thereof, from IBM, Dell, Intel, Compaq, Gateway, Sony, Hitachi, HP, Motorola, Apple, Sun or others. The player eligibility authentication function ensures that the player is really who he or she claims to be. The tracking function non-intrusively determines a player&#39;s gaming habits and intercepts the actual utilization of the various gaming facilities by each player. That information is then used to appropriately “rate and compensate” a player with promotional and other bonus offers, such as travel/hotel/food/entertainment reimbursements. The compensation and promotion budget for each of the five major properties in Las Vegas, for example, is currently a significantly large dollar amount (e.g., $100M per year). 
     Although only three dissimilar types of games are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the gaming choices for the remote players  12  or  112 , include a large number of card games such as, for example, Blackjack, Stud Poker, Baccarat, and other games such as Roulette, Craps, Keno, slots and other newly deployed slot type games such as Monopoly. The present invention also allows a remote virtual slot players to participate in the outcome of a particular lucky slot machine, which is being played by a live slot player. 
     The terms “game” and “gaming,” as used herein, include not only actual casino games with live players but also all types of electronic, electromechanical or mechanical gambling and casino game facsimiles (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 11719(a) (2) or (3)). These include games such as Faro, Monte, Roulette, Keno, Bingo, Fan-tan, Twenty-One, Blackjack, Seven-and-a-Half, Big Injun, Klondike, Craps, Poker, Chuck-a-Luck, Chinese Chuck-a-Luck (Dai Shu), Wheel of Fortune, Chemin de Fir, Baccarat, Pai Gow, Beat the Banker, Panguingui, slot machines, video Poker machines, etc.; games of skill and/or strategy such as Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, board games such as Monopoly and Scrabble, card games such as Pinochle, Hearts, Spades; video-based games such as Doom, Riven, Pong, Pac Man, Myst; video games based on sports such as golf, baseball, football, basketball, soccer, rugby; arcade type games; non-house stake and parimutual games between two or more players; and games defined by IGRA (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) as Class II games. 
     For the pre-recorded mode of play, the communication hub/switcher  34  autonomously provides legally randomized video playback which precludes card counting based wagering strategies, as detailed for example in the book “Beat the Dealer” by Thorp. Recordings of actual games are obtained, for example, from previously recorded casino security tapes, or from closed tournaments, such as invitation-only high-stakes poker tournaments for professional gamers or celebrities. 
     It is noted that governmental bodies such as the Nevada (NV) Gaming Control Board (GCB) currently have surveillance requirements, which require the deployment of at least one video camera at every ongoing licensed casino game. In addition, the video cameras that are monitored by lightly manned surveillance facilities are also backed up by continuous video recordings (e.g., VHS video tape) and by security personnel on the casino floor. The present invention enables the casino security and surveillance functions in the surveillance control center server  26  to be cost-shared with the remote gaming system  10  via communication buses  24  and  33 . 
     The disclosed remote gaming system will typically have video quality which is an improvement over that currently used to meet a casino&#39;s regulatory security and surveillance requirements. As a result, improvement in the quality of a casino&#39;s camera surveillance system can be cost-justified by sharing the increased resolution and superior video data quality required of a remote virtual gaming system, to ensure remote player appeal. For surveillance purposes, an entire card table is typically acquired on video tape using a single video camera. A remote virtual gaming system will typically require better video image quality or more than one video camera to be deployed at each card table to capture what is happening at each live player&#39;s station. Consequently, superior quality video data is made available for surveillance, for either on-line or off-line purposes, thereby improving the surveillance system effectiveness. Note that disputes between casinos and customers can expose casinos to unfavorable publicity and even to litigation. Many of these disputes are currently resolved, both in and out of court, using the casino&#39;s existing surveillance video tapes and disks. VHS recorders from Panasonic, RCA, Sony and others are typically used. Disk farms from IBM, Loronics and others are typically used. Casinos are typically required by GCB regulations to continually record and retain the surveillance video tapes for a period of one week, after which they may be erased and reused. This disclosure makes these video tapes a more valuable casino asset by productizing each game episode into a reusable multimedia gaming episode content. However, it is noted that due to privacy, confidentiality and security considerations, the faces and other identifying features of individual ad-hoc live players cannot typically be replayed, unless the casinos have prior authorization to do so. 
     Casinos often have individuals on their payroll, called shills, or house players or celebrities under contract, who play various card games such as Blackjack or other games such as Roulette and Craps to generate gaming “excitement” on the casino floor to attract visiting prospective casino players. The present invention extends this legal activity of these hired players by having one or more house gaming tables completely reserved for these skilled professional house players or for celebrities hired for this purpose. These legally-authorized games are then electronically acquired on multimedia video and electronically routed to the remote player stations, on-site or off-site via the distribution hub  34 . Indeed, the live players at these house tables could be world-class card players, tournament poker players, and other professional game players. Since these house players are employed by the casinos and are not independent live players, the casinos do not lose money at these live restricted house-only tables, nor are they exposed to privacy issues. Play at these restricted tables is an “entertainment show” designed to stimulate the visiting casino player&#39;s enthusiasm and reduce their nervousness or fear for playing at the various table and other games offered by the casino. 
     Moreover, the games at the live house tables can also be played in a closed “secure” casino-controlled environment, recorded and then autonomously randomly selected and routed to the remote player stations. These legally randomized recorded games can also be sequentially routed to remote player stations, provided there is no possibility of a “sting” situation in which the gaming episode encrypted multimedia video signal can be intercepted and the game outcome can be either modified or substituted for. This invention enables a licensed casino to become a video gaming content provider with content which is (almost automatically) certified by a governmental agency such as the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) at the point of creation. This multimedia video gaming content product is conceptually similar to that produced by the movie/TV entertainment industry, which produces and records video entertainment content for sale to audiences. Indeed, this disclosure further blurs the distinction between the gaming and entertainment industries. 
     In order to conduct a legally certified game, a governmentally licensed and regulated casino is liable and responsible for ensuring that each of their games is executed “fairly” by their house employees, such as card dealers, in a procedurally predefined manner within a published set of rules. Any changes to a certified game, such as procedural changes, look-feel changes and pay table changes, require recertification by a appropriate governmental gaming control board such as those found for example in Nevada (NV), New Jersey (NJ), Illinois (Ill.), Wisconsin (WI), Michigan (MI), Colorado (CO), Mississippi (Miss.), Louisiana (LA), and the various Native American nations. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a remote gaming system  150  which is on the premises of a casino or which is otherwise monitored by the security/surveillance department of a casino. As in  FIG. 1 , a number of video camera systems and microphone arrangements as represented by reference characters  152 ,  154 , are provided in a multimedia virtual gaming content acquisition array  156  to monitor various respective casino games  160 ,  162  in a multimedia content generator array  164 . In this context, a disk or tape playback farm  170  is provided, as previously disclosed as part of a multimedia content playback array  172  to both record video signals and to subsequently randomly playback pre-recorded video signals. The output signals of the video acquisition array  156  and the playback array  172 , are provided to a communication hub and switcher arrangement in a multimedia virtual gaming content episode packaging and distribution system  176  which includes a video switch/distributor/selector and digitizer  178  such as a video switch commercially provided by Maxim, Analog Devices, or Elantec. The video switch/distributor/selector and digitizer  178  includes a legally approved autonomous random number generator (RNG) for selection of one of a plurality of video sources or prestored episodes, the signals from which are transmitted to a virtual gaming episode player presentation and participation station array  180  which includes a number of remote player stations, typically shown as  182 ,  184 ,  186 , through secure authorized direct connections or secure virtual private network (VPN) connections, as previously illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic block diagram of a simplified remote gaming system  200  for use within premises controlled by a casino. An acquisition system  202  includes an analog video camera system  204  and microphones  206 ,  207  provide signals from a live regulated game  208  to a digitizer, compression, and encryption module  210  which, if necessary, converts the analog camera video and audio signals with a digitizer from, for example, Analog Devices or Maxim, to a digital format. Compression is done, for example, with MPEG2 standard compression chip sets provided by C3 Microsystems or Zoran or equal. Encryption is done with chip sets and firmware from RPK, or Cylink or Phillips or equal. The multimedia video and audio data are provided through a secure physical communication pathway  214 , fabricated from fiber-optic or coax or power cable or wireless link, to a player terminal  216 , which is part of a presentation and participation system  218 , for appropriate decryption, decompression and then presentation on a display. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the importance of data security in practicing the present invention. Casino management and the governmental regulatory agencies are very concerned with electronic intruders tapping into the casino communication network and manipulating any player terminal, including a slot machine, to fraudulently declare a jackpot. This type of intrusion could be done with or without collusion by casino employees. Consequently, all communication datalinks are encrypted with triple DES encryption, RSA (public key exchange) encryption, or other approved secure encryption means. Otherwise the entire system is impractical and undeployable, because it will not be approved by governmental agencies. Prior to encryption, the video data has an appropriate identification (ID) attached such as, for example, a “product source watermark” incorporating the casino/table ID, for example. A date/time and video frame ID may also be inserted to provide an additional level of tamper-proofing. As noted earlier, the video data is then compressed using, for example, J/MPEG, wavelet, or any other proprietary but GCB approved techniques. It can not be overemphasized that the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) will not license a player station which lacks an adequate level of secure communication, utilizing encryption based protection. 
       FIG. 4  shows a simplified display layout  250  for a player interaction screen shown on the video monitor of player stations as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . Starting at the bottom of this Figure, a display area  252  displays the player credit balance of $XXXX. Above this is shown a display area  254  for a simple pay table 2× which means that, for every one dollar wagered, a remote player can win two dollars. Above that a screen area  256  presents the result of the game in dollars won. Above that a screen area  258  shows the actual amount wagered and the particular player number (P#) selected. When the selected game is in progress, the screen display area  260  at the top end of the player station display, displays the live or secure pre-recorded video episode image stream, preferably at the eye level of the remote player. This remote player station can be floor mounted r wall mounted or a handheld portable, subject to GCB approval. Note that wall mounted player stations are particularly attractive because of their space and cost effectiveness. Indeed video gaming stations currently deployed in casinos could also be repackaged in a wall mountable version. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a remote gaming system  300  suitable for use with player stations which are off-the-premises of the casino and therefore beyond the immediate reach of the physical security personnel of the casino. A content creation and acquisition system  302  provides multimedia video information from various game specific cameras  304 ,  306 ,  308 , provided to a content distribution server array  310  which includes an authorized Internet communication server  312  within casino premises or within casino-controlled premises. The server  312  provides image processing to enhance the raw images from the video sources by creating synthetic video images using image enhancement techniques. The synthetic video images are data compressed and are transmitted at a much smaller bit rate than the incoming game related multimedia camera video signals through an authorized Internet portal  314  located in a sovereign state or Native American territory with a low speed, e.g. 28.8 Kbps, modem. Encryption is also provided for secure transmission through the authorized Internet portal  314  to a remote player station  316 . The server  312  also provides an encoded display (ED) signal to display, for example, the image of a five of diamonds playing card, prestored at the remote player station as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Thus, rather than transmitting the image of a “five of diamonds”, an encrypted digital word representing the “five of diamonds” is transmitted over the regulated Internet or other gaming related virtual private network. For example, the four suit of cards are encoded as hearts (11), diamonds (10), clubs (01), spades (00) in the two right most LSB&#39;s. The thirteen cards are encoded as four higher order bits, thereby resulting in a 6 bit code (010110) providing a binary representation of “five of diamonds”. This binary code is then encrypted using DES, for example, resulting in a much larger word length that is then distributed or otherwise utilized by the disclosed secure regulated gaming system. 
     Thus, by using real-time image processing techniques to generate encoded video, the video data stream from each of the live games is processed in real-time to generate and remotely display the progress and outcome of each of the ongoing games. For instance, as previously mentioned, the cards played in a card game can be identified via image processing at each live player&#39;s seat at a casino table and then transmitted to the remote off-casino site player gaming station in real-time. By encoding the current status, progress and outcome of each game (e.g., via image processing) at the live player&#39;s gaming station in the casino, the video communication bandwidth required from the virtual private network or Internet is significantly reduced. This type of image processing can also be used to enhance the utility of the current casino video surveillance tape with a 7-day archive requirement, imposed by the GCB of various states, such as Nevada, Colorado, and New Jersey. 
       FIG. 7  shows a RNG array based game distribution system  320 . The remote terminal #K  322  or #K 1   324  located on-site or off-site are connected via a secure Internet  326  or a secure virtual private network (VPN)  328 . A secure Internet portal  330  and the VPN head end  332  is co-located with the high performance computing array based server  334 . A multiprocessor array  336  embedded in the server  334  generates a vector of random numbers  338 , that are generated using RNG&#39;s that have been certified by the appropriate GCB. The multiprocessor array can be a multiprocessor board from Mercury Computer Systems or Sky Computer or Alacron or Analog Devices or equal. Each of remote terminals  322 ,  324  receives one of the encrypted random numbers and interprets it to generate the game outcome in conjunction with the particular game selected by the remote player. The available games can be built into the remote terminal player station  322 ,  324 , or can be inserted via a cartridge  340  into the player station. This architecture is similar to conventional standalone video gaming terminals except that the RNG is located at a centralized multiprocessor based distribution server, rather than at each individual player station. The game related video does not have to be sent down from the distribution server  334 , but can be locally stored and retrieved based on the specific random number received by the remote terminal player station  322 ,  324 . However, in the Internet segment of this architecture, the selected game can also be downloaded from the server to the player station, using JAVA or equal software technology, subject to GCB approval. 
     A new generation of games based on receiving a multiple set of random numbers sequentially can be designed and implemented by those skilled in the art. Note that the remote player station  322 ,  324  cannot be readily tampered with to declare a false win, because the distribution server  334  “knows” all the random numbers that were generated. Moreover, this random number distribution architecture is very reliable and efficient and is directly adapted to wide area progressive gaming with several roving jackpots. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a remote gaming system  350  which provides player authentication from a remote player terminal site through communication links such as, for example, from a regulated Internet portal located in a territory, such as a sovereign state or Native American territory. For remote, otherwise “insecure” gaming stations outside of a casino, such as, for example, hotel/motel rooms or convenience stores, the present invention requires that the player activity at each of these remote gaming stations be continuously monitored and recorded at periodic intervals, such as every five seconds, subject to GCB concurrence, with a return path multimedia video-camera/audio channel. Other techniques such as, for example, biometric-fingerprints/retina, driver&#39;s license pictures, and credit cards are also employed to ensure that, at all times, each individual player at a remote otherwise “insecure” site is of a legal age (e.g., over 21). Variants of the “V” chip, which are currently used in consumer TV sets from RCA, Sony and others, and which enable parents to control the access by underage individuals, can also be gainfully employed as an additional protective measure in a “layered defensive” access control implementation strategy. Additionally, the display device can be monoscopic or stereoscopic head-mounted goggles that restrict viewing to the wearer. Other restrictions that could be promulgated include prohibitions on underage individuals being within 12 feet of the player station with stiff penalties (e.g., $10K) for violation, including imprisonment, for example, for one year. A GCB will not approve or certify any off-site remote player station without a player eligibility verification feature that is not susceptible to deception by the player and/or his cohorts. Thus the off-site room (e.g., hotel room) must be instrumented with additional cameras and other sensors (e.g., motion detection) to ensure that only eligible individuals are in the proximity of the player station in the room. 
     The remote gaming system  350  of  FIG. 8  includes a content generation  351  and acquisition array  352  which includes a plurality of video camera systems with microphones  354 ,  356 , which monitor a plurality of corresponding live games  358 ,  360 . The video and audio information is fed to input terminals of a distribution server  362  which includes an authorized Internet gaming portal server  364  located in a sovereign state or Native American territory, which provides digitization, video/audio streaming, data compression, and data encryption. The gaming distribution server  364  is, for example, a 400 MHz dual redundant Pentium II with 128 MB of SDRAM, 32 MB of display RAM from Intel or Sun, or NEC or Sony or equal, a TCP/IP or other appropriate protocol stack, a video Codec from Intel, Analog Devices or equal, a compression chip set from C3 Micro, Zoran or equal, and an encryption chip set from a DES and/or a RSA licensee. Downloaded data is sent through an authorized Internet pathway  366  at, for example, a 1 MB/sec rate to a presentation and participation module  370  which includes a remote licensed player station  372 . Uploaded data is sent through the authorized Internet  366  at, for example, a reduced 10 KB/sec rate back to the server  364 . The player station  372  provides player information back to the server  364 . The player station  372  thereby provides a game display and a player touchscreen. The player station also decrypts and decompresses data. A biometrics sensor module  374  exports face, eye, and/or voice information packet, from a video camera system  376  to the player station  372  for transmission to the gaming server  364 . The player station also provides the gaming server  364  with driver&#39;s license related bar coded information using a Symboltech, or equal, 2D bar code system, a digital identity card using Drexler technology, or equal, and finger print data from Digital Privacy, or equal, for example. 
     Casino floor space is one of the most expensive kinds of developed real estate, ranging in price from $1000 per square foot and on up. Consequently, utilization of wall space, for example, along corridors, for player gaming stations is an important embodiment of the present invention. With GCB approval, an entire remote player station can be built into appropriate walls of a casino, for example, along corridor walls with the “attract” mode of the player station being active. Both conventional video gaming play stations and the multimedia player gaming stations according to the present invention can be implemented in a wall-mounted configuration, using flat panel displays (FPD)s from Sony, Panasonic, NEC, Hitachi, or equal. Physical layer connectivity is provided by cable either imbedded in the walls or along the lower edge of the wall at floor level. This is important from a cost perspective because it enables existing casino facilities to be economically retrofitted to accommodate a remote player station according to the present invention. Digging underground passages for cables and conduits on an existing casino floor is very disruptive and expensive. An alternative to using cables is to use secure wireless communication components from Harris, Texas Instruments, QualComm, Philips, or equal. Note that the implementation of the player station front panel as disclosed, for example, in  FIG. 3  is further simplified by using “cashless” wagering with no coins or bills and using only credit cards, smart cards, or other casino-issued cash equivalent. 
       FIGS. 9-12  diagrammatically illustrate an example of one embodiment of several elements of a remote player interface for a remotely-located player station. 
       FIG. 9  diagrammatically shows an electromechanical acceptor-validator subsystem  400  for a video display station. This subsystem physically handles inputting and outputting money and money equivalents to the system by a remote player. This subsystem includes, for example, four generic physical input and output ports. A coin slot  404  accepts or dispenses coins, tokens, chips, or the like. A currency slot  406  accepts currency. A card slot  408  receives cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, or the like for debiting and crediting money to a remote player&#39;s account. Note that the player is paid back in the same currency denominations and currency type that was originally inserted into the remote player station. This currency matching procedure is necessary to comply with the federal (IRS) and state anti-laundering laws (e.g., NV Reg. 6). A coupon slot  410  is provided so that, if the payout amount is large, then the casino typically prints out a coupon that can be converted to cash at the casino cashier&#39;s cage. Note that the computer/terminal at the cashier&#39;s cage is linked to the casino hotel/VIP server and the player accounting server, which in turn is linked to the remote player stations, to ensure ease of authentication and regulatory compliance. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a touch-sensitive area  420  of a video screen for a remote player station. The touch-sensitive area  420  includes a number of smaller touch-sensitive selection areas, called action buttons. As described below, action buttons are touched by a player to select certain game functions. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a video presentation and response screen area  430  which displays various video responses and/or graphic presentations by the system to the action buttons. The multimedia video presentation can also be provided by using head mounted monoscopic or stereoscopic (3D) goggles, such as those available from Kaiser Aerospace, or equal, particularly if they enhance the virtual gaming experience for younger, age 21 to 35, players. Moreover, head mounted goggles restrict unauthorized access to gaming and enhance player privacy (e.g., win/loss and net credit balance is hidden from passers by. Furthermore, by incorporating a miniature camera to within the head mounted goggle assembly to acquire an image of the remote player&#39;s retina also enables the player accounting server  42  of  FIG. 1  to periodically authenticate the player, as noted earlier in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a number of action-step balloons, labeled (nA) which are used to represent various sequential steps followed by a remote player in the operation of the remote player station. A remote player touches the action buttons shown in  FIG. 10  to make his or her selections.  FIG. 11  shows a number of response-step balloons, labeled (nR) which indicate corresponding system responses to the action-step balloons (nA), where these system responses are displayed on the video presentation and response screen area  430  of  FIG. 11 . This representative action (A), response (R) sequence is shown in  FIG. 11  the logical design process for facilitating player friendly interaction to enable those skilled in the art to implement other possible game presentation sequences. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 , a typical play sequence is described, as follows: 
     First, in activity step  1 A, the remote video player initially inserts money, in an acceptable form, such as coins, bills, or credit card, or smart card, or “cashless” player tracking card, into one of the respective slots  404 - 410  in the electromechanical acceptor-validator subsystem  400  of  FIG. 9  to establish the remote video player&#39;s creditworthiness and age eligibility, that is, over age 21, based on his possession of the appropriate data on a legally issued card. Note that this does not preclude insertion of stolen or otherwise unauthorized cards by a dishonest player. In the corresponding response step  1 R, the system responds by having a presentation and response screen area  450  display the remote video player&#39;s current credit balance in a credit balance area  451 . 
     Second, in activity step  2 A, a remote player touches one of the action buttons in another touch-sensitive subarea  452  of the video screen. These action buttons include, for example, a roam button  460 , a card game button  462 , a dice button  464 , a roulette wheel button  466 , or a button for any other game offered by a licensed gaming property. In response step  2 R, the presentation screen responds, for example, with an appropriate live or pre-recorded multimedia video episode package in a response screen area  470 . When the roam action button  460  is selected, the remote video player gets a video tour of the entire casino property. A specific gaming area is selected by touching the respective card, dice, or wheel buttons  460 - 466  in step  2 A concurrently. Below the roam button  460 , the live button  472  enables the remote player to view the ongoing live game type selected. Otherwise, a playback speed control mode is active and the playback viewing rate can be accelerated or de-accelerated, as selected by the remote player with a playback speed slider  474 . By de-accelerating the presentation rate of the “playback” mode, the remote player can reduce the level of stress. Note that casinos expect their card dealers to average about 50 card games per hour; this can be very stressful, particularly for a novice player sitting down at a live casino table. 
     Non-gaming related selections shown in the alternative screen area  480  in  FIG. 10  are activated by double-clicking the roam button  460 . Optionally, this casino specific tour includes various shops and entertainment shows available. Product and service purchases and show reservations can be made and personal messages such as e-mail and voice-mail can be received and sent, using the touch screen display, if desired, by selecting E-commerce related buttons  482 ,  484 , and  486 , respectively. As noted above, these choices are visible only after double-clicking the roam button  460  of  FIG. 10 . A corresponding roam video stream is presented in a response screen area  470  of  FIG. 11 . Specific choices associated with E-commerce shopping, entertainment shows, and interactive messaging including even stock/commodity trading are casino property management dependent and can be appropriately implemented subject to GCB concurrence. Double-clicking the roam button  460  also causes the card button  462 , the dice button  464 , and the roulette-wheel button  466  to be no longer visible and therefore not selectable on the touch screen. Below the roam button  460 , the live button  472  enables the remote player to view the ongoing live non-gaming activities offered by the casino property (e.g., trailer of available shows). The rate at which this multimedia video is displayed in the response screen  470  of  FIG. 11 , can be controlled by the player, by adjusting the playback speed control slider  474 , provided the live button  472  has not been previously selected. 
     The primary purpose of “roaming” is to enable the remote video player to decide what specific table number (T#) and player number (P#), either live or pre-recorded, to wager on, either for or against, the selected player. Typically, the identity of the live or pre-recorded player is not disclosed, visually or otherwise, because of privacy issues. However, the identity of the live or pre-recorded player may be disclosed, if the selected table/game is a game sponsored by the casino using casino employees, professional gaming invitees, or celebrities such as, for example, the cast members from the movie “Casino” or “Rounders”, depicting poker players. As a result of this roaming mode, a remote video player can choose to participate in one or more ongoing or pre-recorded, regulated gaming activities such as cards, dice/craps, roulette wheel, etc. Any new games introduced by the casino can also be seamlessly integrated into this disclosed system, by installing a multimedia video content acquisition sensor array to monitor any new live game. 
     Third, in activity step  3 A, the remote video player touches one of the action buttons in a touch-sensitive subarea  490  of the video screen. The action buttons in this area include an “any” action button  492  or a “specific” action button  494 . The “any” action choice is simpler and directs the system to use certified random number generators (RNG) to randomly select an ongoing live or pre-recorded game in an autonomous manner and to present that game on the response screen area  370  of the player station and to present the table (T#)/player (P#) in a response screen area  496 . Moreover, a “simple” set-up button  495  is also available, as a part of the above-mentioned “third” group (i.e.,  3 A) of actions, thereby “setting up” all the subsequent choices for the novice player. For instance, the wager amount could be automatically set to the smallest allowable amount (e.g., $1.00), the lowest risk player would be selected (i.e., player # 0 ), etc., as per  498  and  520  in  FIG. 10 . 
     The selection of the “specific” action button  494  requires the remote video player to also input a specific table (T#)/player (P#). The player first selects T# by repeatedly pushing a T# touch button  496  that causes the T# to be automatically indexed upwards, until the player stops at XX. Then the player selects the P# by repeatedly pushing a P# touch button  498  that causes the P# to be automatically indexed upwards, until the player stops at YY. Note that player # 0  is the house/dealer. A response screen area  500  now displays a pay table  502 , which shows what the remote video player will receive, if the live player (P) # on whom the wager is placed wins. Typically, wagering with the house (i.e., player # 0 ), results in a significantly smaller win payback, for example 10%, whereas a win against the house, by any other player, is typically “double your money back” or 100%. The pay table  502  on the screen informs the remote video player, in advance, what can be gained or lost, if a wager were to be made by him in a timely manner. 
     The NV GCB considers each “distinct” set of “wagering rules” with a corresponding “pay table” as a “distinct” game that must be separately “certified”. Thus, even when one of the rules is changed with a corresponding pay table change, recertification is required. The following details the significantly simplified wagering rules for currently deployed casino floor games that are played remotely, as per the present invention. Each variation is considered to be a separate game with a good example of variants being the numerous video poker variants. The disclosed novel wagering concept enables any current or future game that requires one or more “live players” (LP), to be included in this novel gaming paradigm. All current or future games, by definition, entail at least one live player in a regulated casino environment. Therefore, this disclosure also includes these future games or other games not mentioned herein, because of the broad applicability of the disclosed simple but novel “for or against” wagering concept. 
     In all cases, remote player station touch screens are implemented to enable a remote player to make wagers and decisions in a relatively stress-free and timely manner, as compared to the stress experienced by the live player at a table in the casino. As noted earlier, casinos train and expect the card dealer to deal about 50 games per hour in a procedurally correct manner, otherwise the “productivity” of the dealer comes under the close scrutiny of the casino floor supervisor. 
     One important aspect of this invention is that it enables the “remote player” (RP) to place a wager on a “live player” (LP), thereby making the wagering decision simple, just like placing a wager, without serious thinking, in favor of one of two opposing teams or a particular horse in a horse race. Even a “one horse race with a time deadline” can be accommodated within this paradigm, and so can live slot gaming. Live player based wagering can be done for any card table game such as, for example, Blackjack, Multi-Action  21 , Mini/Baccarat, Pai Gow, Caribbean Stud, 7 Card Stud, and Texas Hold&#39;em. Simple “for or against” wagering can also be done on Craps, Roulette, and Slots. Those skilled in the art can also devise more complicated wagering schemes and the corresponding pay table odds, subject to player appeal and excitement generated. 
     The remote player (RP) doesn&#39;t need to know the specific rules of the selected game that he wishes to virtually participate in. The remote player only needs to be lucky and/or smart enough to pick a live player on a winning streak. This wagering paradigm only requires “matching up” with or “wagering on” a specific live player. A simple pay table is 2×, if the selected live player wins. If a remote player is diligent enough to learn the specific rules and play attentively, then the remote virtual player might as well play at the live gaming table, like a typical live player does. Note that by playing a virtual game at a remote player station that can also be slowed down using slider  474 , the novice player can reduce his anxiety of playing at a live table with others watching; this is the underlying instructional facet of this disclosure. 
     Other simple wagering variants that do not always require “matching up” with a specific live player are disclosed in the following examples of simplified games which are variants of conventional casino games; the card game specific remote player input screens as in  FIG. 10  must be appropriately designed, by those skilled in the art to accommodate these are other games not mentioned or detailed herein: 
     Craps/Dice: DICE-MATCH™ or EASY-DICE™—simply “match” the dice #: (A) Match totals: call 2 or 12, pay 30×; call 3 or 11, pay 15×; call 4 or 12, pay 10×; call 5 or 9, pay 6×; call 6 or 8, pay 4×; call 7 pay 3×, (B) Match BOTH dice: call “specific same” (e.g., 1&amp;1, . . . , 6&amp;6), pay 30×; call “specific different” (e.g., 4 &amp; 6, 3 &amp; 5), pay 15×, (C) call “same”, pay 3×; call “different”, payback 1.1× (i.e., net gain 10%). 
     Roulette: BALL-MATCH™ or COOL-ROLL™—simply “match” the ball location (e.g., #, or color, or odd #, or even #), pay winner as per usual Roulette pay table. Note that the remote player (RP) is discouraged from placing multiple/complicated wagers that a live player (LP) can place. 
     Card games: CARD-MATCH™—simply “match” the “live player (i.e, LP # 0 ”:dealer) or associated card totals; (A) BJ/21—BLACK-WHAMMY™ or EASY-JACK™, (B) mini-Baccarat, (C) Caribbean Stud, and (D) LET-IT-ROLL™. When wagering “for or against” the pay table is 1.1×, if the live player # 0  wins; note that all pay tables are subject to both casino and GCB concurrence. 
     Slots: SLOT-MATCH™—simply “match-up” with a particular live slot player on a winning streak, as per card games above. This game could have been included as a part of card games, as disclosed above, but has been separated out to emphasize its novelty. The remote player (RP) can concurrently wager on multiple (e.g., 3) live players (LP), who could be celebrities, for example, on slot machines at various locations on the casino floor. The remote station pay table can mimic that which is presented to the live player (LP), subject to casino and GCB concurrence. Note that the remote gaming station disclosed herein also supersedes the currently-deployed single and multiple game video slot gaming station in all the licensed gaming establishments including casinos, because all the functions in a video slot gaming station including multiple games, can also be implemented on the disclosed remote virtual gaming player station. 
     All the regulated games offered by the casino, including those noted above, can be augmented by the disclosed simple betting rules: “for or against”, thereby also enabling other relatively novice players to participate in a live actual game, without all the attendant stress and embarrassment of actually sitting down at a casino table and making numerous real-time decisions. To enable this participation at an actual table, appropriate means can be provided to enable this “second tier” of remote players to: (a) view the ongoing game using mirrors or cameras and monitors, for example, from a seat overlooking the actual live table on the casino floor, (b) collect their wagers prior to the start of the game, and (c) give them their appropriate payout at the end of the game. Note that casino player tracking or other cashless cards can be very useful in making this an efficient process in a live casino floor environment. This disclosed “second tier” gaming participation is particularly attractive to relatively novice players when the actual table has players who are either professional gamers or celebrities. 
     This disclosed virtual gaming system provides that each and every regulated casino game that is trasacted on the live casino floor can be recorded and subsequently distributed, or immediately distributed, after appropriate compression and encryption, thereby automatically creating copyrightable video content, similar to an episode or scene in a video movie product. Currently, all casinos in states such as NV, CO, NJ, Miss., continuously record and retain gaming video material for a week to comply with surveillance regulations. The present invention provides for the reusability, repurposing, and branding of such casino generated video content. This invention provides casino games with very simple wagering rules and provides various regulatory and anti-cheating/theft measures such as encryption and watermarking. Practical distribution is facilitated using data compression. The quality of the virtual video is superior because, for example, a color image resolution of 640×480 pixels or better is used and the casino can also provide a 3-D perspective view of a game by utilizing multiple cameras, if required, for enhanced remote player appeal. 
     Moreover, a “bonus jackpot” such as, for example, cash, or consumer product (such as, for example, appliances, autos, and homes) can be displayed in this screen area  470 , thereby creating additional player excitement. This bonus jackpot can move randomly, using a certified server-based RNG, amongst the various player stations on the casino floor and also include the regulated off-site locations, such as a licensed bar or other licensed route locations. Note that the remote video player does not have to have the skill level required to maintain a winning streak, such as that required, for example, in Poker. Nor does the remote player even need to understand the rules of the game. In this system, the remote video player&#39;s skill or luck occurs in selecting the specific live or pre-recorded player. 
     Fourth, in activity step  4 A, audio is selected in the touch-sensitive subarea  510  of the video screen. Specific audio is obtained from a specific table number (T#) using a specific action button  512 . General audio is a conventional casino soundtrack, unrelated to a selected game and selected with the touch-sensitive subarea  514  of the video screen. The present invention also enables novice players to be instructed on how to play new or existing games in a relatively stress-free environment, using expert players. This virtual playing mode is more interesting than watching the currently-available instructional video tapes. The remote player stations could be put into an “instructional” mode for an hourly fee, if desired. This mode is selected using button  516  in  FIG. 10 , which provides the play panel video for the selected table game, an instructional audio track, and superimposed video captioning. 
     Fifth, in activity step  5 A, a selection is made in the touch-sensitive subarea  520  of one of a number of action buttons indicating the dollar amount of a wager. This amount is consistent with the remote video player&#39;s available credit  451  and with the house wagering limits. The portion  430  of the video screen continues to show the gaming action for the selections made. In particular, the player can see whether a game is: (a) in progress  526  and no wagers can be accepted, (b) the outcome  500  of the last game: “win-or-lose” and the corresponding pay table  502 , if the remote player had placed a wager, or (c) a flashing “wager now” message  528 , letting the remote player know that wagers are still being accepted, prior to the start of the next virtual game. 
     The remote player can bet, either “for or against”, the live or pre-recorded player. As a result, the skill level of the remote video player is comparable to that required of a conventional slot machine player and can be considered to be a “no-brainer”. There is no unique game related decision making learning curve, anxiety, time or peer pressure associated with any game, old or new. The pay table  502  for winning a game is as per the casino published pay table, as pre-approved by GCB. One possible pay table, for this simple wagering disclosed herein, is to double the player&#39;s bet—if the selected live player wins, that is, for a $10 bet, $20 is paid. However, if the player bets that the house-dealer (i.e., player # 0 ) will win, then the player&#39;s payback is only “110% of the bet”, that is, for a $10 bet, $11 paid if the dealer wins. A remote licensed multimedia secure player station with a such as a simple pay table and wagering decision is an important aspect of the present invention. 
     More complex wagering schemes are also supported by the presentation screen although these extend the simple wagering concept advanced by the present invention. More sophisticated and professional gamblers may choose to play with the usual complex wagering and playing rules, which can be activated by pushing an additional “Complex” button during the above-mentioned “second” group of remote video player actions. However, the presentation screen for each game becomes as complex as the usual live casino games. Moreover, this “complex wagering” button disclosure still contributes several novel concepts including (a) game pre-recording/branding, (b) secure game distribution, (c) random game presentation (e.g., prevents card counting and team play, which is discouraged by NV casinos). 
     Sixth, in activity step  6 A, a remote video player signals that he or she wishes to play in the next regulated virtual game by activating the play action button  524  in the touch-sensitive subarea  522 . Subsequently, the remote video player only pushes the play action button  524  in a timely manner before the in-progress light  526  in a viewing area  528  comes on. The credit balance  451  in the response screen area  450  is automatically updated at the end of each game to display the remote video player&#39;s current credit balance. 
     A remote video player can stop playing and can leave the remote player station at any time by pushing a cash out action button  525  in the touch-sensitive subarea  522 . The player is paid back in the same denomination and currency type that was originally inserted into the player station, to comply with the federal and state anti-laundering money laws. If the payout amount is large, then the casino can print out a coupon at the player station that can be converted to cash at the cashier&#39;s cage. 
     The off-site remote player station is packaged at the same security level or better than a business safe or a bank ATM machine and includes an audible alarm to make it significantly tamperproof and to satisfy the certification requirements of government gaming agencies. The touch screen is spill and shatter proof. Note that remote video player stations which are on the premises of the casino are closely monitored by casino security personnel as required by the GCB, unlike the off-site remote video player stations, which therefore need additional protection measures to be incorporated, as disclosed herein. 
     Slot jackpot winners typically have the opportunity to win a bonus jackpot such as a car, a vacation, and other products. The remote video player stations can also display in screen area  470  of  FIG. 11 , a roaming bonus jackpot that moves from station to station to thereby serve as an advertising banner similar to those typically displayed on the Internet. Since all the player stations are controlled by the gaming content distribution/communication hub ( 34 ), the jackpot can also be a progressive jackpot, either within a casino or amongst several casinos, via a virtual private network (VPN), subject to GCB approval. 
       FIG. 12  shows the baseline player actions and the corresponding player station responses in a logical sequence for one embodiment of a player station graphical player interface (GPI) as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11  and  12 . Those skilled in the art can devise other player-friendly interaction schemes based on any other logical “action-response” sequence that may be preferred, because of the nature of the regulated virtual games being offered or the skill level and demographics of the anticipated players. For instance, another button can be added to enable the virtual player to accelerate or slow down the time per game in the prestored mode of play. Those skilled in the art realize that cluttering up the player station with too many choices and displays will only serve to discourage the “novice” virtual player from playing. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates three concurrent games in the upper portion of the video response area, as might be played by an intermediate level gambler. The action and response steps are similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 ,  11  and  12  for only one game. The juxtapositioning of these apparently dissimilar games, illustrates the disclosed wagering similarity between these three different games, as provided on a remote player station. Displaying the games in this manner is intended to facilitate adjustment of a player&#39;s mental frame of reference and learning curve to that of a typical relaxed slot player. A remote video player makes selections using the action buttons on the touch-sensitive screen. The system responds such that the presentation and response screen area provides a video response. A typical remote video player operates an action button on the video display console with an activity step (nA) that produces a corresponding response (nR). As illustrated in the left side of  FIG. 13 , an activity step (nA) produces a corresponding response step (nR). 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a Black Jack (BJ) game, a crap dice game, and a roulette game.  FIG. 13  illustrates an important feature of the present invention, which is that a remote virtual video player, particularly a younger one, at an intermediate skill level, can concurrently play several dissimilar games on the same gaming station; variants of this feature could be referred to as “game within a game.” This type of multiple concurrent gaming is enabled by the disclosed simplicity of the wagering rules. The remote video player can virtually roam around a casino and participate in a plurality of games that are just beginning, without leaving his remote gaming station seat. The player can also purchase products and entertainment shows, while in the roaming mode, without leaving his seat. 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart  600  illustrating operation of a simplified wagering-based remote gaming system according to the invention. This flowchart shows acquisition of multimedia content for a regulated casino game. The subsequent distribution and presentation processes are also shown. The upper portion of  FIG. 14  shows electronic processing within a governmentally licensed and regulated casino virtual gaming control center, or distribution complex. The lower portion of  FIG. 14  shows the activity on a typical play station #K used by a remote video player.  FIG. 14  covers both on-site and off-site locations for a remote video player station. On-site locations are inside the premises of a casino and are physically controlled by the casino security staff. Off-site locations are at licensed locations not physically controlled by the casino, such as, for example, bars, adult clubs, card rooms, and licensed convenience stores. An initialization block  602  in  FIG. 14  shows virtual gaming system operation beginning with a system power-up, initialization, and diagnostics process for the casino virtual gaming control center. 
     A decision block  604  in  FIG. 14  receives information to determine whether a live player has actually sat down to play at a remote play station #K. If no live player has sat down at the remote player station #K, the system as per block  606 , assembles or otherwise builds a “screen saver” type of multimedia packet for transmission to the remote play station #K. At the remote play station #K, a “screen-saver” mode is activated to present periodically updated advertisements or other special offers and to “attract attention” of potential players, using, for example, special-offer ads. This process is executed for all stations: 1, . . . , K, . . . , N. 
     If a live player has sat down at the remote play station #K, then the decision block  604  terminates the “attract attention” mode and initiates the player housekeeping mode block  605  which perform various system housekeeping functions. One of these functions is tracking a player&#39;s gaming profile through communication links to a player accounting and tracking module  608 . Another function is authentication of a remote video player&#39;s financial and age eligibility using, for example, biometric data recorded on disks in a disk farm  610 . Block  612  illustrates another function which is monitoring of the system for maintenance and dispatching of service personnel through a maintenance dispatch server system. These functional modules  608  and  610  reside within the player accounting server  42  of  FIG. 1 . 
     A decision block  614  of  FIG. 14  determines if a player has newly “logged on” at an off-site location, such as a sanctioned remote-player site connected to an authorized Internet portal  52  of  FIG. 1 . If the player has just logged on, a download block  616  causes a “streaming multimedia player”, such as the ones from Real Video, or Microsoft or Netscape or Lucent, or equal, to be downloaded, for example, through the regulated Internet portal  52  of  FIG. 1  and installed at the remote player station #K. This enables the remote video player to begin play using a stream of compressed/encrypted, video/audio multimedia gaming data, being transmitted from the casino server  34  of  FIG. 1  through various types of distributed networks, including the regulated Internet  50  of  FIG. 1 . 
     A decision block  618  determines if the game to be played is live or pre-recorded. If the game is live, a certified autonomous RNG selector  620  is used to select output video and audio signals from a live video camera  622  in response to the choice of casino game selected by the remote video player. Alternatively, an optional bypass  621  is used to directly select video and audio signals from camera  622 , subject to GCB approval. If the game is pre-recorded, a certified autonomous RNG selector  624  is used to select video and audio output video signal from a multimedia video database  626 , such as a secure disk, tape, CD or other storage media-based farm  96  of  FIG. 1 , where the virtual gaming episode data is compressed, encrypted, encapsulated and then pre-stored. 
     In block  628  of  FIG. 14  a compressed/encrypted streaming audio/video data packet is staged for routing via one of several possible communication pathways to the remote player station #K. In the download block  630 , a selected multimedia video/audio data packet or a screen saver packet from block  606 , as appropriate, is sent to the remote video player station #K from the casino virtual gaming server control center  34  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The remote player station block  632  of  FIG. 14  illustrates the remote video player station #K first receiving, next de-encrypting, and then de-compressing the data packet from the casino virtual gaming server control center  48  of  FIG. 1 . A decision block  634  illustrates an authentication check of the off-site remote video player at the beginning of each game packet and periodically, for example, every 5 seconds using the pre-stored biometrics of the player, for example. The biometric data is provided, for example, as a video camera image of the player&#39;s face or retina (e.g., Sensar), fingerprint (e.g., Digital Privacy), driver&#39;s license, credit card, signature, voiceprint (e.g., Lucent), or casino player rating/tracking ID card. If the authentication check fails at the player accounting server  42  of  FIG. 1 , a block  636  provides that a session termination-and-notification packet is generated and sent to the casino virtual gaming server control center  48  of  FIG. 1  so that the session is immediately terminated and local security personnel are informed and dispatched via messages to the surveillance server  26  of  FIG. 1  as appropriate. 
     If the off-site unauthorized remote video player is accessing the casino gaming facility via the authorized Internet portal  50  of  FIG. 1 , then it is very difficult to dispatch local security personnel to apprehend a violator in a timely manner. However, a practical remote off-site player authentication process for a casino can also require that a large (e.g., $10,000) deposit or bond be posted at a neutral financial institution (i.e., a Bank) by the player, and that the deposit or bond is forfeited, if the biometrics authentication fails. To deter violations of gaming laws, additional criminal penalties including prison time and appropriate written waivers of legal rights can also be imposed. Gaming jurisdictions typically maintain that “gaming is a privilege and not a right”. Prevention of underage gaming is a significant regulatory concern and typically requires continuous, unrestricted access by the regulators to any gaming related player station at any time. A 12-foot radius, for example, in front of the display can be monitored, using cameras and other electronic sensing means (e.g., motion detectors), to ensure that there are no underage (less than 21) individuals present, at all times. Gambling addiction is another problem that the regulated and responsible gaming community wants to curb. Continuous periodic multimedia biometrics authentication, together with bond forfeiture is disclosed as a means of meeting regulatory requirements by a casino. Biometric data can be continuously recorded at the game distribution processing complex using, for example, return path camera video, thereby enabling violations to be detected and recorded on-line and then prosecuted successfully. Continuous video taping of casino gaming areas is already required by the NV/CO/NJ State GCB. Thus, video/biometric monitoring of the remote player cannot be construed as an “invasion of privacy”. 
     If the player is authenticated, a block  638  provides that the multimedia data stream is presented at the video display and speaker output ports of the player station #K, as per  54  and  46  in  FIG. 1 . 
     A decision block  640  of  FIG. 14  illustrates monitoring of player input actions for a game when the player touches an action button on the touch-sensitive screen as per  FIG. 10 . Player input action requests made via a touch screen at the remote play station are continuously monitored. Block  640  tests whether a player has made a game input action or not. If a game input action has been made, a block  642  provides for assessment of that specific game input and for a local response, within  54  or  46  of  FIG. 1 , as appropriate, or for transmission of information to the casino virtual gaming server control center  34  of  FIG. 1 . If various other action button on the touch-sensitive screen are touched, the block  640  illustrates routing of that information to a block  644  which illustrates building of a command/status data packet. The block  644  also illustrates receipt of authentication failure information from the block  636 . 
     The block  644  of  FIG. 14  illustrates that the player station  54  or  46  of  FIG. 1  builds an appropriate time-stamped data packet which includes current: (a) game progress/results as per  FIGS. 12 ,  13 , (b) player inputs as per  FIGS. 11 ,  13 , and (c) biometrics authentication sensor array data  374  of  FIG. 1 . Note the contents of this data packet are also determined by the requirements of the player accounting server  42  of  FIG. 1  at the particular casino property. Block  646  shows that this packet is then compressed using, for example, PKZIP, encrypted using, for example, DES128 (as per NV-GCB) or RSA (key exchange). Recent cryptocode breaking advances indicate that the RSA key may have to be 1024 bits or larger. A block  648  illustrates a transmit request and transmission of an appropriate command/status packet for the remote video player station #K back to the virtual gaming distribution complex of the casino server control center  34  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Block  650  of  FIG. 14  shows that the casino virtual gaming server control center of  FIG. 1  receives and decodes the command/status packet for the remote video play station #K. The command/status information is then processed by being cycled through the processes in the casino server control center, as previously described. 
     Typically, all the secure communication pathways support bi-directional data packets that are asymmetric, that is, the forward path to the play station has a relatively high data rate of, for example, about 1 Mbps due to color video content. Whereas, the return path data rate is about 10 Kbps. However, the return path data rate can also be significantly greater, for example, if a video camera image of the player is continuously monitored for biometric authentication purposes. 
       FIG. 15  in conjunction with  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary protocol implementation of an interprocessor information transfer sequence, that is initiated by the remote player, when he sits down at the remote site player station  54  of  FIG. 1 . Biometric sensors  124  are immediately activated to collect appropriate biometric data and transfer a biometric data packet ( 650 ) to the player (e.g., VIP) accounting server ( 42 ) of  FIG. 1  via the communication server ( 34 ) of  FIG. 1 , at appropriate (e.g., 5 second) intervals, as noted earlier. The accounting server ( 42 ) of  FIG. 1  together with the possibly co-located casino hotel reservation/VIP guest server  41  of  FIG. 1  rapidly (e.g., within 5 seconds) authenticates the biometric data ( 650 ) by comparing it to prestored or other credit reference database and acknowledges the eligibility (e.g., age, credit) of the remote player ( 651 ). The authentication must be done rapidly and the newly seated player must be “entertained”, for example, with the casino&#39;s daily special offer, while this is being accomplished, otherwise the player will get impatient and may walk away from the remote player station  46  or  54  of  FIG. 1 . If there is an eligibility failure, then an information package ( 652 ) is also forwarded to the security dispatch center via the surveillance server ( 26 ) of  FIG. 1 . This authentication may also include additional surveillance sensor information processing to ensure that no underage individuals are in the regulated vicinity of the remote player station  46  or  54  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Then, the remote player can roam and select a particular table (T#) and player (P#) and place a wager dollar amount, as described previously via  FIGS. 9-12 .  FIG. 15  shows that the T#/P# information is captured by the communication server ( 34 ) of  FIG. 1  to send out the appropriate randomized video/audio stream ( 661 ) and the wager information ( 662 ) is noted by the accounting server ( 42 ) of  FIG. 1  to send out a wager acknowledgment signal. The duration of each card table game is typically 50 seconds, as noted earlier. 
     Upon completion of the playback of the randomly selected video/audio stream ( 661 ), the win or loss result packet ( 670 ) of  FIG. 15  can be determined by the remote station ( 54 ) or ( 46 ) based processor ( 100 ) and/or by the communication server ( 34 ), and/or the Internet Server ( 50 ) and/or by the player accounting server ( 42 ), as engineered by those skilled in the art of  FIG. 1 . Note that  FIG. 15  shows the implementation, wherein the win or loss result packet ( 670 ) is determined by the remote processor ( 100 ) and then reported to the player accounting server ( 42 ) via the communication server ( 34 ) and/or Internet Server ( 50 ). The display ( 102 ) of  FIG. 1  is appropriately updated with the game result ( 671 ) of  FIG. 15 , as shown. Note that the information packets between the various server processors are typically encrypted and compressed, as shown. Moreover, the win/loss report ( 670 ) of  FIG. 15  first goes all the way back to the player (e.g., VIP) accounting server ( 42 ) of  FIG. 1 , so that in the credit card or cashless mode of wagering, the credit balance can be appropriately updated. Similar information packet transfer diagrams can be specified and then implemented by those skilled in the art to describe the information transfer sequence, when the remote player is in the (a) roam mode prior to making a gaming related selection, or (b) roam mode associated with the casino sponsored E-commerce ( 38 ) of  FIG. 1  related products and services preview, as depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 16  shows the activation message ( 680 ) for the E-commerce product and services (P &amp; S) roam mode, which is forwarded to both the accounting ( 42 ) and the E-commerce server ( 38 ) of  FIG. 1 , via the communication server ( 34 ) or Internet server ( 50 ) of  FIG. 1 . The E-commerce server ( 38 ) sends the P &amp; S video preview stream ( 681 ) of  FIG. 16  back to the remote station ( 122 ) of  FIG. 1 . The “relaxed” remote player ( 12 ) views the streaming multimedia P &amp; S video (2D or 3D) and makes a purchase decision ( 990 ), akin to putting an item in a virtual shopping cart. The player accounting server ( 42 ) of  FIG. 1  responds with a confirmation ( 691 ) of  FIG. 16  of the buy decision, including a display ( 102 ) of  FIG. 1  update at the remote player station on-site ( 46 ) or off-site ( 54 ) of  FIG. 1 . The multicomputer architecture facilitates the remote player to continue roaming ( 692 ) or to make additional buy decisions ( 693 ) as shown in  FIG. 16 . Note that the biometric authentication ( 652 ) is repeated every 5 seconds, or as per GCB directives. Also the E-commerce roam mode can be viewed indefinitely ( 682 ), but the eligible remote player casino policy can limit E-commerce roam time, if required. 
       FIG. 17  provides a comprehensive business process functional block diagram of the disclosed multimedia virtual gaming method and system based on actual regulated casino games comprised of three main elements, namely, (a) content creation  700 , (b) content distribution  800 , and (c) content presentation  900 . 
     Gaming episode package content creation  700  consists of: (a) event generation  710 , (b) acquisition of a series of “raw” episodes  720 , and (c) gaming episode packaging  730 . 
     Gaming content distribution  800  consists of retrieval or staging from: (a) storage medium  810  of virtual gaming episodes or direct feed of a live episode  820 , (b) random episode selection based on a GCB certified RNG  830  or bypass  821 , and (c) virtual episode package distribution  840 . Note that near real-time delivered live episodes not susceptible to a “sting”, may or may not be randomly selected, subject to GCB approval and casino policy. Moreover, content distribution  800 , particularly via the regulated Internet Server ( 50 ) of  FIG. 1 , must be physically located in a sovereign state or Native American territory wherein Internet gaming is legally sanctioned. 
     Content presentation  900  consists of a player station which provides for: (a) casino property multimedia roaming and service selection/purchase, (b) presenting the selected virtual gaming episode, and (c) player authentication, in terms of biometric and other player attributes, and (d) player participation in terms of cash or credit or cashless wagering. The physical implementation of the ATM-like tamper-proof player virtual gaming station  46  or  54  of  FIG. 1  is location dependent: versions include (1) casino floor, (2) casino wall, (3) casino hotel room, (4) off-site licensed facility (e.g., restricted GCB license), such as a (a) bar, (b) mall, (c) convenience store (e.g., 7-11), (d) department store, (e) motel (lobby, rooms), and (4) GCB authorized route operator sites (e.g., diners, restaurants, truck stops). Content presentation may also have to be in a physical location wherein gaming is legally sanctioned, particularly if credit cards are used for wagering purposes by the player. Note that GCB typically limits credit card losses on a per day basis, to deter problem gambling. 
     Additionally, the present invention discloses economically and technically important synergistic information communication links to ancillary systems necessary to meet requirements from both the GCB and the casino, to: (a) the surveillance multimedia control system  960 , (b) the player accounting and authentication system  910 , (c) casino-sponsored E-commerce product-service buy/sell/convenience system (e.g., shops, shows, discount offers, services, messages, securities)  920 , (d) casino-hotel reservation (VIP) system  930 , (e) the security dispatch system, and (f) maintenance and diagnostics system, interconnected by secure communication pathways  750 ,  760 ,  850 , and  950 , as per  FIG. 17 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of generic and specific embodiments of examples of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.