Patent Publication Number: US-2022237988-A1

Title: System and method for mapping results from sporting events to game inputs

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/451,360 filed Jun. 25, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/615,501 filed Sep. 13, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,360,764), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/847,661 filed Sep. 2, 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,293,009), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/623,901 filed Jan. 17, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,754), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/836,975 filed Apr. 29, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,807), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to gaming systems and methods and, more particularly, to a system and method for mapping results from sporting events to game inputs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Wagering in casinos, online, at racetracks, and at off-track betting parlors (OTB) is a large and growing industry throughout the world. Various types of betting products and systems exist that facilitate betting on the outcome of a particular game. For example, a patron in a casino or a person using an online betting service may bet on a hand of blackjack, a spin on a slot machine, a roll of the dice, etc. The result of each bet, such as whether the bet is a winning bet, a losing bet, or a “push” (i.e., a tie) is determined based on a number of inputs. For example, inputs for a blackjack game include the cards dealt to each player and the dealer, inputs for a craps game include each roll of the dice, and inputs for a roulette game include each spin of the roulette wheel. Such inputs are typically detemlined by chance or by some combination of skill and chance. For example, in a roulette game, each spin of the roulette wheel is determined by chance. However, in a blackjack game, the cards dealt to each player are determined by a combination of skill and chance: the player does not know which cards will be dealt from the deck but has some control over how many cards he wishes to draw for his hand. 
     In certain games, such as blackjack, craps and roulette, the payout for each winning bet is determined based on odds predetermined by the casino or online betting service provider. For example, in roulette, a winning bet on red or black typically pays 1-1 odds to the bettor, while a winning bet on a single number typically pays 35-1 odds to the bettor. For other types of betting, such as betting on horse races or dog races for example, the payout for each winning bet may be determined in a pari-mutuel manner. In a pari-mutuel betting system, all bets regarding a particular event are aggregated, a commission (or “take-out”) is taken by the track, and the remainder is distributed among the winning bettors in proportion to the amount of each winning bet. Pari-mutuel betting systems are commonly used in North America (and other various places throughout the world) for betting on horse races. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a method of mapping sporting event results to game inputs is provided. One or more event results of a particular sporting event having a particular number of participants are received, and a set of rules is selected from a plurality of sets of rules based on the particular number of participants in the particular sporting event. For each of a plurality of bets, one or more inputs for a game are determined by applying the selected set of rules to the received one or more event results of the particular sporting event. A result of the game is then determined for each of the plurality of bets based at least on the one or more determined inputs for that bet. 
     In another embodiment, a method of mapping sporting event results to cards in a card game is provided. One or more event results of a sporting event are received. For each of a plurality of bets, one or more simulated playing cards are determined from a plurality of playing cards by applying a set of rules to the one or more event results from the sporting event. A result of a card game are then determined for each of the plurality of bets based at least on the one or more simulated playing cards determined for that bet. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of mapping sporting event results to die rolls is provided. One or more event results of a sporting event are received. For each of a plurality of bets, a result of a simulated first die roll is determined by applying a set of rules to the one or more event results from the sporting event, a result of a simulated second die roll is determined by applying the set of rules to the one or more event results from the sporting event, and a result of a craps game is determined based at least on the determined results of the simulated first die roll and the simulated second die roll. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of mapping sporting event results to roulette spins is provided. One or more event results of a sporting event are received. For each of a plurality of bets, the result of a simulated roulette spin is determined by applying a set of rules to the one or more event results from the sporting event, and a result of a roulette game is determined based at least on the determined result of the simulated roulette spin for that bet. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of mapping sporting event results to spins of slot machine reels is provided. One or more event results of a sporting event are received. For each of a plurality of bets, a result of a simulated spin of a first slot machine reel is determined by applying a set of rules to a first portion of the one or more event results from the sporting event, a result of a simulated spin of a second slot machine reel is determined by applying the set of rules to a second portion of the one or more event results from the sporting event, and a result of a simulated spin of a third slot machine reel is determined by applying the set of rules to a third portion of the one or more event results from the sporting event. Each of the determined results of the simulated spins of the first, second and third slot machine reels for each bet comprises one of a plurality of slot machine symbols. A result of a slots game is determined for each of the plurality of bets based at least on the determined results of the simulated spins of the first, second and third slot machine reels. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may benefit from numerous advantages. It should be noted that one or more embodiments may benefit from some, none, or all of the advantages discussed below. 
     One advantage is that systems and methods provide bettors pari-mutuel gaming based on sporting event results. Thus, a bettor may place a bet on a game, (such as blackjack, craps or roulette, for example) in which the inputs for the game (such as the cards, dice roll, or roulette spin, for example) are determined based on the results of a sporting event (such as the finishing positions of each horse in a horse race, for example). The amount that the bettor wagers is entered into a pari-mutuel pool that is distributed (at least partially) in a pari-mutuel manner to all winning bettors. A pari-mutuel gaming provider may offer such gaming as an alternative to, or in addition to, traditional pari-mutuel gaming, such as traditional pari-mutuel betting on horse racing. 
     Another advantage is that such pari-mutuel gaming based on sporting event results may be provided online such that bettors may place bets through one or more websites associated with a betting provider. The bettors need not travel to a casino, track or OTB parlor to place such bets. Another advantage is that systems and methods provide rules for each game for mapping results from a sporting event (such as the finishing positions of each horse in a horse race, for example) to various inputs used in a game (such as the cards in a blackjack hand or a roll of each die in a craps game, for example). For a particular game, a number of sets of such mapping rules may be provided, each corresponding to a particular number of participants in a sporting event. Thus, for example, one set of rules may be used to determine a roll of the dice for a craps game based on the finishing positions of horses in an eight-horse race, while a different set of rules may be used to determine a roll of the dice for the craps game based on the finishing positions of horses in a twelve-horse race. Thus, inputs for games may be determined from various sporting events regardless of the number of participants in such sporting events. 
     Yet another advantage is that an indication of the progress of a sporting event to which a bettor&#39;s bet is assigned may be communicated to the bettor via a communication network. In certain embodiments, a video feed of all or portions of the sporting event (such as a horse race, for example) may be communicated to the bettor via the Internet. In some embodiments, the indication of the progress of the sporting event may be communicated to the bettor in real time or substantially in real time. For example, in particular embodiments, a video feed of the sporting event is communicated to the bettor in real time or substantially in real time. Thus, the bettor may witness the sporting event that will be used to determine the result of his bet. 
     Other advantages will be readily apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and for further features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example system for providing pari-mutuel gaming based on results from sporting events in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a chart illustrating several examples of game inputs for various games in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates example rules for determining game inputs for a craps game based on results from a horse race according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates example rules for determining inputs for a blackjack game based on results from a horse race and selected finishing positions according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates example rules for determining inputs for card games in general based on results from a horse race according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate example rules for determining inputs for a slots game based on results from a horse race and selected finishing positions according to one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example method of providing pari-mutuel gaming based on results from a sporting event in accordance with the system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example system  10  for providing pari-mutuel gaming based on results from a sporting event in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In general, system  10  allows users to place bets for which the results of such bets are determined at least in part by the results of sporting events, such as, for example, a horse race, a dog race, an auto race, a jai alai game, a baseball game, a football game, a soccer game, a hockey game, a basketball game, or a cricket match. Users of system  10  may place bets on various games, such as standard casino games. In one embodiment, each bet is assigned to one of a number of sporting events, such as horse races or dog races. Funds associated with each bet are included in a wager pool associated with the sporting event to which that bet is assigned. The outcome of each bet is_determined based at least in part on the results of the sporting event to which that bet is assigned, such as the finishing positions of horses participating in a horse race, for example. For each winning bet, a payout is determined in a pari-mutuel manner from the wager pool associated with the sporting event to which that winning bet was assigned. 
     System  10  includes a betting system platform  12 , a plurality of clients  14 , and one or more pari-mutuel wager pool hosts  16 . Clients  14  may be coupled to betting system platform  12  via a communication network  18  to provide users  20  access to betting system platform  12 . Betting system platform  12  may be generally operable to manage bets  26  received from users  20  of clients  14 . Pari-mutuel wager pool hosts  16  may be coupled to betting system platform  12  via a communication network  22  and may host one or more pari-mutuel wager pools  30 . In some embodiments, betting system platform  12  functions as an Internet betting provider that provides Internet account wagering by providing online betting accounts to clients  14 . Using an online betting account, a client  14  may interface with one or more websites associated with betting system platform  12  in order to fund the account, view betting information regarding betting events, and place bets  26 . Such online betting accounts may include one or more various types of accounts, such as deposit accounts, credit accounts, stop-loss accounts, and hybrid accounts, for example. 
     Communication network  18  couples and facilitates wireless or wireline communication between clients  14  and betting system platform  12 , while communication network  22  couples and facilitates wireless or wireline communication between pool hosts  16  and betting system platform  12 . Each communication network  18  and  22  may include one or more servers, routers, switches, repeaters, backbones, links and/or any other appropriate type of communication devices coupled by links such as wireline, optical, wireless, or other appropriate links. In general, each communication network  18  or  22  may include any interconnection found on any communication network, such as a local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, portions of the Internet, or any other data exchange system. In certain embodiments, communication networks  18  and  22  may be completely distinct, partially overlapping or integrated, or completely overlapping or integrated. 
     Pool hosts  16  may include any entity suitable to host a pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , pool hosts  16  include one or more sporting event locations  44 , such as one or more horse tracks or dogs tracks, for example, and one or more offtrack betting (OTB) entities  46 , such as one or more OTB parlors or casinos, for example. As shown in  FIG. 1 , each pool host  16  may maintain one or more pari-mutuel wager pools  30 , as well as sporting event information  66  for each sporting event associated with that pool host  16 . Each pari-mutuel wager pool  30  is a pool of the funds associated with bets  26  assigned to a particular sporting event that is distributed in an at least partially pari-mutuel manner to users  20  who placed winning bets  26 . 
     Sporting event information  66  includes various information regarding sporting events scheduled to occur at each sporting event location  44  or associated with each OTB entity  46 , such as the type of the sporting event, the number of participants (such as the number of horses or dogs, for example) in the event, information regarding each participant in the event (such as the jersey number of each player or the number of each horse or dog, for example), the scheduled time for the start of the event, and an approximate duration of the event, for example. Each pool host  16  may communicate sporting event information  66  to betting system platform  12  at various times. For example, in certain embodiments, each pool host  16  may communicate sporting event information  66  to betting system platform  12  at the beginning of each day and send real-time or substantially real-time updates for such sporting event information  66  to betting system platform  12  throughout the day and night. 
     In some embodiments, pari-mutuel wager pools  30  are hosted by betting system platform  12  such that the funds associated with bets  26  are not transferred between betting system platform  12  and sporting event locations  44  or OTB entities  46 . In other embodiments, pari-mutuel wager pools  30  are hosted by both betting system platform  12  and one or more pool hosts  16  such as one or more sporting event locations  44  or OTB entities  46 . 
     As discussed above, betting system platform  12  may be generally operable to manage bets  26  received from clients  14  via communication network  18 . Each bet  26  is defined by one or more bet parameters  28  such as the identity of the user  20  who placed the bet  26 , a unit stake  29  of the bet  26 , the time the bet was placed, the game associated with the bet, the particular type of bet, and one or more selected finishing positions  31 , for example. The unit stake  29  of a bet  26  represents the amount that the user  20  placing the bet wishes to wager on the bet  26 . The unit stake  29  may be defined as a monetary value, such as in dollars or pounds for example, as a number of betting credits, or in any other suitable manner. 
     System  10  may offer bets  26  regarding any number of games that have one or more game inputs  34  that are typically determined based at least in part on luck or by chance. Games offered by system  10  may include casino games (such as craps, blackjack, roulette, slots, keno, baccarat, war, money wheel, poker, pai gow poker, and hold&#39;em, for example), games that are similar to, or based on, such casino games, and other games having one or more game inputs  34 . As discussed above, game inputs  34  include one or more inputs for a game that are typically determined at least in part on luck or by chance.  FIG. 2  is a chart illustrating several examples of game inputs  34  for various games offered by system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     One or more types of bets may be available for various games offered to users  20  by betting system platform  12 . Some of such types of bets may be similar or identical to types of bets offered by a casino or other betting provider, while other types of bets may not. For example, for a craps game, example types of bets  26  may include a 7 or 11 bet, a field bet, a place bet, or a hardways bet. As another example, for a roulette game, example types of bets  26  may include a bet on black or red, a bet on odd or even, a straight bet (a bet on an individual number), a two-number bet, a three-number bet, a four-number bet, a column bet, and a dozen bet. Thus, in such situations in which more than one type of bet  26  is available for a particular game, parameters  28  for each bet  26  on that game may define the type of that bet  26 . 
     In some embodiments, such as where sporting events include races (such as horse races, dog races or auto races, for example), one or more selected finishing positions  31  are associated with certain bets  26 . Each selected finishing position  31  represents a particular finishing position in a race event, such as, for example, the winning position, the 4th place position, or the 9th place position. As discussed in greater detail below, the selected finishing positions  31  associated with a bet  26  are used to determine one or more game inputs  34  for that bet  26  based on the number of the participant in the race event that finishes in each selected finishing position  31 . For example, if the selected finishing positions  31  of “2nd” and “4th” are associated with a particular bet  26 , and the bet  26  is assigned to a particular horse race, the numbers of the horses finishing “2nd” and “4th” in the particular horse race may be used in determining one or more game inputs  34  for the particular bet  26 . In certain embodiments, selected finishing positions  31  are selected automatically for various bets  26  received from users  20 . For example, selected finishing positions  31  may be determined randomly for each bet  26 . In other embodiments, a user  20  may select, or have the option to select, one or more finishing positions  31  for bets  26  placed by that user  20 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more finishing positions  31  associated with each bet  26  assigned to a particular sporting event, or for each bet  26  on a particular type of game, are the same. In other embodiments, different bets  26  assigned to a particular sporting event, or different bets  26  on a particular type of game, may have different associated finishing positions  31 . For example, if two bettors place bets  26  that are assigned to the same particular horse race, one of the bettors may have selected finishing positions  31  of 1st, 4th and 6th for his bet  26 , while the other bettor may have selected finishing positions  31  of 2nd, 3rd and 4th for his bet  26 . In this example, suppose that the one or more game inputs  34  for each bet  26  are determined based on the horses that finish in each of the selected finishing positions  31  associated with that bet  26 . Thus, the two bets  26  may have different game inputs  34 , as well as different bet results  40 . 
     Betting system platform  12  may include a processor  50  coupled to a memory  52  and is generally operable to manage bets  26  received from users  20  of clients  14 . Processor  50  is generally operable to execute various algorithms or calculations to determine various data such as game inputs  34 , bet results  40 , pool values  53  of each pari-mutuel wager pool  30 , and payouts  42 , for example. Processor  50  may comprise any suitable processor that executes a betting system software application  54  or other computer instructions, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other microprocessor and may include any suitable number of processors working together. 
     Memory  52  may comprise one or more memory devices suitable to facilitate execution of the computer instructions, such as one or more random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), fast cycle RAMs (FCRAMs), static RAM (SRAMs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), microcontrollers, or microprocessors. 
     Memory  52  is generally operable to store various information that may be used by processor  50  in determining game inputs  34 , bet results  40 , pool values  53  of each pari-mutuel wager pool  30 , and payouts  42 . For example, memory  52  may comprise any suitable number of databases, which may be co-located or physically and/or geographically distributed. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , memory  52  may store any or all of the following: account information  60  for users  20 ; bet information  62  regarding bets  26  received from users  20 ; sporting event information  66 ; event results  32 ; game inputs  34 ; a set of rules  36  for each game offered by betting system platform  12 ; bet results  40 ; payouts  42 ; and pool values  53  of pari-mutuel wager pools  30  hosted by pool hosts  16 . 
     Account information  60  may include various information regarding one or more accounts maintained for each user  20  of system  10 , such as, for example, personal information regarding the user  20 , an account ID, a user password, the type of each account maintained for the user  20 , and an account balance  64  for each account. In certain embodiments, account information  60  for each user  20  may be managed by betting system platform  12 . For example, betting system platform  12  may manage the account balance  64  for each account associated with a user  20 , which may include, for example, adding funds received from users  20 , moving funds between accounts and pari-mutuel wager pools  30  as appropriate, and allowing users  20  to withdraw funds from their accounts. 
     Bet information  62  regarding received bets  26  may include the parameters  28  defining each bet  26  received from a user  20 , such as the identity of the user  20  who placed the bet  26 , the unit stake  29  of the bet  26 , the time the bet was received by betting system platform  12 , the game associated with the bet, the particular type of bet, and one or more selected finishing positions  31 , for example. In addition, bet information  62  regarding each bet  26  may identify other information regarding the bet  26 , such as the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  (if any) to which the bet  26  is assigned by betting system platform  12 ; the status of the bet  26 , such as whether the bet  26  is pending, completed or cancelled, and if the bet  26  was completed, the bet result  40  of the bet  26  (for example, whether the bet  26  was determined a win, loss, or push); and the status of the funds associated with the bet  26 , for example. 
     As discussed above, sporting event information  66  includes various information regarding various sporting events. Betting system platform  12  may receive sporting event information  66  from race hosts  16  at various times. For example, as discussed above, in certain embodiments, betting system platform  12  may receive sporting event information  66  from each pool host  16  at the beginning of each day, as well as receive real-time or substantially real-time updates to such sporting event information  66  throughout the day and night. Thus, sporting event information  66  maintained by betting system platform  12  may be kept substantially updated. 
     Event results  32  may include results from various types of sporting events, such as a horse race, a dog race, an auto race, a jai alai game, a baseball game, a football game, a soccer game, a hockey game, a basketball game, or a cricket match, for example. Event results  32  may include results of completed events or in some embodiments, results of events within the duration of a sporting event. Event results  32  for a horse race, a dog race, or an auto race may include, for example, the finishing position of each participant (such as the finishing position of each horse, dog or automobile, for example) in the race event, the number or other indicia assigned to each participant (such as each horse, dog, or automobile) in the race event, the position of particular participants at a certain point within the race event (such as the leading car at the end of a particular lap in an auto race, for example), the time of the finish of the race event, and the time of the official results for the race event. In certain embodiments, event results  32  for race events are received from a sporting event location  44  and/or OTB entity  46  after the completion of the race event or after the results of the race event have been made official. 
     Event results  32  for a baseball game may include, for example, whether the next pitch is a ball or a strike, or the outcome of the next at-bat in the game. Event results  32  for a football game may include, for example, the result of the next play from scrimmage (such as the number of yards gained or lost, or the number of the player who carries the ball or makes a tackle, for example), the score at the end of a quarter, or the score at the end of the game. Event results  32  for a jai alai game may include, for example, points scored by particular players. Event results  32  for a soccer game may include, for example, the number of the player who scores the next goal, takes the next shot or commits the next foul, or the time of the next goal scored, the next foul, or the next corner kick. Event results  32  for a hockey game may include, for example, the number of the player who scores the next goal, takes the next shot or commits the next penalty, or the time of the next goal scored, the next penalty, or the next whistle. Event results  32  for a basketball game may include, for example, the score at the end of the game, the score at a particular point in the game (such as at the end of a quarter or half), the number of the player who scores the next basket, or the number of points scored in a particular period of time. Event results  32  for a cricket match may include, for example, (see above). 
     As discussed above, game inputs  34  include one or more inputs for a game that are typically determined at least in part on luck or by chance, and  FIG. 2  illustrates a table  90  defining example game inputs  34  for various games in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Table 90 includes a first column  92 , a second column  94  and a number of rows  96 . First column  92  indicates various games, while second column  94  indicates one or more game inputs  34  for each game listed in column  92 . Each row  96  associates a particular game with one or more one or more game inputs  34  for that game. For example, row  96   a  indicates that example game inputs  34  for a roulette game may be (1) the numerical result of a simulated roulette spin—a single number from 1 to 36, or 0 or 00; or (2) the color of the result of a simulated roulette spin—either black, red or green. 
     Rules  36  for Determining Inputs  34  for Games and Bet Results  40  for Bets  26   
     The one or more set of rules  36  for each game offered by betting system platform  12  may include any rules suitable to define that game. The rules  36  for each game may be identical, similar, or different from the rules used to define such game by a particular betting services provider, such as a casino or online gambling service, for example. In addition, the rules  36  for each game define how to determine game inputs  34  from event results  32  and/or parameters  28  of bets  26 , such as selected finishing positions  31 , for example. 
       FIGS. 3-6  illustrate several examples sets of rules  36  for various games that define how to determine game inputs  34  for such games based on (1) event results  32  from horse races and, in some cases, (2) selected finishing positions  31  for each bet  26 . Multiple sets of rules  36  are provided for each game such that each set of rules  36  for a particular game corresponds to one or more particular numbers of horses in the relevant horse race. In some embodiments, a different set of rules  36  may be provided for each anticipated number of horses in a horse race that may be used for determining game inputs  34 . It should be noted that although  FIGS. 3-6  illustrate a first set of rules  36  for a horse race having 8 horses and a second set of rules  36  for a horse race having 12 horses, additional sets of rules  36  may be provided for each game for horse races having other numbers (i.e., other than 8 or 12) of participating horses. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates example sets of rules  36  for determining inputs  34  for a craps game based on received event results  32  from horse races having either 8 or 12 horses according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  illustrates example rules  36  for determining inputs  34  for a blackjack game based on (1) received event results  32  from horse races having either 8 or 12 horses and (2) selected finishing positions  31  according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates example rules  36  for determining inputs  34  for card games in general based on received event results  32  from horse races having either 8 or 12 horses according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate example rules  36  for determining inputs  34  for a slots game based on (1) received event results  32  from horse races having either 8 or 12 horses and (2) selected finishing positions  31  according to one embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that rules  36  shown in  FIGS. 3-6  are merely examples. Rules  36  may be similarly provided for determining game inputs  34  for other types of games, as well as for determining game inputs  34  from event results  32  of other types of sporting events, such a horse race, a dog race, an auto race, a jai alai game, a baseball game, a football game, a soccer game, a hockey game, a basketball game, or a cricket match, for example. 
     Rules  36  may also define how to determine a bet result  40  for each bet  26  based on game inputs  34  determined from event results  32  and/or parameters  28  of bets  26 , such as the type of each bet  26 . For example, rules  36  for a blackjack game may define that (1) if the total value of the cards determined as inputs  34  for that bet  26  is between 18 and 21 (including 18 and 21), the bet  26  is a “win”; (2) if the total value of the cards determined as inputs  34  is less than 17 or greater than 21, the bet  26  is a “loss”; and (3) if the total value of the cards determined as inputs  34  is equal to 17, the bet  26  is a “push.” 
     In some embodiments, rules  36  may also define how to determine payouts  42  for winning bets  26 . Rules  36  for certain games may define that payouts  42  per unit stake  29  for winning bets  26  on a particular game may be based on (1) the type of each winning bet  26  and/or (2) the one or more inputs  34  determined for each winning bet  26 . Thus, rules  36  may prescribe different payouts  42  for two winning bets  26  having the same unit stake  29  if (1) the bets  26  were different types of bets  26 , as indicated by parameters  28  of each bet  26  and/or (2) one or more different inputs  34  were determined for each bet  26 . For example, suppose a slots game in which the inputs  34  (the spin of each of three reels) are determined from event results  32  using the example rules  36  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B  above. Rules  36  may also define various payouts for different combinations of inputs  34  for winning bets  26 . For example, suppose that rules  36  define that a bet  26  is a winning bet if the three inputs  34  are either (1) three cherries, (2) three lemons, (3) three oranges or (4) three bars, and all bets having any other combination of inputs  34  are losing bets. Rules  36  may further define, for example, that the payout  42  for winning bets  26  having three cherries as inputs  34  will be three times the payout  42  for winning bets  26  having three lemons, three oranges, or three bars as inputs  34 . Thus, in this example, the payout  42  for a $10 bet  26  for which three cherries are determined as inputs  34  will be twice the amount of a $10 bet  26  for which three oranges are determined as inputs  34 . Other variations of rules  36  may be implemented in other examples to achieve different results. 
     Bet results  40  include results of each bet  26 , which may be determined by betting system platform  12  based at least on the set of rules  36  for the particular game and one or more game inputs  34  determined for that bet  26 . In certain embodiments, bet results  40  may comprise one or more of the following: “win,” “loss,” “push,” or “no action.” 
     Determining Pari-Mutuel Payouts  42  for Winning Bets  26   
     Pool values  53  of each pari-mutuel wager pool  30  represent the current value of funds within each pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . Betting system platform  12  may communicate with each pool host  16  in order to maintain pool values  53  current for each pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . In certain embodiments, betting system platform  12  may use pool values  53  for determining other data, such as payouts  42  for winning bets  26 , for example. 
     Payouts  42  may be determined in a pari-mutuel manner by betting system platform  12  for each winning bet  26 . For example, payouts  42  for each winning bet  26  for a particular sporting event are determined based on the unit stake  29  associated with that bet  26 , the total of the unit stakes  29  associated with all winning bets  26 , the value of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  associated with the particular sporting event and/or rules  36  regarding the game that are relevant to determining payouts  42  for winning bets  26 . As discussed above, betting system platform  12  may use a pool value  53  corresponding with the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  for determining payouts  42 . In certain embodiments, one or more values may by subtracted from the value of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  before payouts  42  are determined for winning bets  26 . For example, the unit stakes  29  of “push” bets  26  and/or “no action” bets  26  may be subtracted from the value of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  before payouts  42  are determined. In addition, a take-out may be subtracted from the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  before payouts  42  are determined. In certain embodiments, the take-out is a predetermined percentage of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . In a particular embodiment, the take-out is 10% of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . The take-out for a pari-mutuel wager pool  30  may be associated with the pool host that hosts that pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . For example, a sporting event location  44  that hosts a pari-mutuel wager pool  30  for a horse race occurring at that sporting event location  44  may subtract and keep at least a portion of a take-out from the pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . In certain embodiments, the take-out may be distributed between a pool host  16  and betting system platform  12  according to some predetermined arrangement. 
     Thus, in certain embodiments, the payout for winning bets  26  for a particular sporting event may be calculated as follows. First, “push” bets  26  and/or “no action” bets  26  are subtracted from the pool value  53  corresponding to the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  for the particular sporting event. Next, a take-out, which is a predetermined percentage of the remaining pool value  53 , is subtracted from the remaining pool value  53 . The remaining pool value  53  may then be divided among all winning bets  26 , in proportion to the unit stake  29  of each winning bet  26 . 
     For example, suppose that the unit stakes  29  of winning bets  26  placed by Client A and Client B for a particular horse race are $50 and $100, respectively. Further suppose that the pool value  53  corresponding to the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  for the particular horse race is $5,000, the total unit stake  29  of all “push” bets  26  is $2,000, the total unit stake  29  of all winning bets  26  is $1,000, and the take-out is 10%. To determine the payout  42  for Clients A and B, first the $2,000 for the “push” bets  26  is subtracted from the $5,000 pool value, leaving a pool value of $3,000. Next the 10% take-out ($300) is removed, leaving a pool value of $2,700. The remaining $2,700 is then divided among all winning bets  26  in proportion to the unit stake  29  of each winning bet  26 . Since the unit stake  29  of Client B&#39;s winning bet  26  ($100) accounts for 1/10 of the total unit stake  29  of all winning bets  26  ($1,000), the payout  42  for Client B&#39;s bet  26  will be ( 1/10)*($2,700)=$270. Similarly, since the unit stake  29  of Client A&#39;s winning bet  26  ($50) accounts for 1/20 of the total unit stake  29  of all winning bets  26  ($1,000), the payout  42  for Client A&#39;s bet  26  will be ( 1/20)*($2,700)=$135. 
     In certain embodiments, betting system platform  12  may be associated with or comprise one or more web servers  56  operable to store websites and/or website information  58  in order to host one or more web pages  72 . Web servers  56  may be coupled to communication networks  18  or  22  and may be partially or completely integrated with, or distinct from, betting system platform  12 . Each client  14  may include a browser application  74  operable to provide an interface to web pages  72  hosted by web servers  56  such that users  20  may communicate information to, and receive information from, betting system platform  12  via communication network  18 . For example, one or more web pages  72  may allow a user  20  to select various parameters for a bet  26 , such as the type of game, the type of the bet  26 , the unit stake  29  for the bet  26  and/or one or more selected finishing positions  31 , for example, and to submit the bet  26  having such selected parameters. 
     One or more web pages  72  may be operable to communicate various information to the user  20 , such as, for example, various account information  62 , information regarding available bets  26  that may be placed by user  20  (such as the current pari-mutuel wager pool  30  for a particular sporting event or the amount wagered by all users  20  on particular types of bets  26 , for example), information regarding the status of bets  26  placed by the user  20  (such as the sporting event to which each bet  26  is assigned, and the current pari-mutuel wager pool  30  for that sporting event, and the amount wagered by all users  20  on particular types of bets  26  for that sporting event, for example). 
     Assigning Bets  26  to Sporting Events and/or Pari-Mutuel Wager Pools  30   
     As discussed above, betting system platform  12  manages the assignment of each received bet  26  to a particular sporting event and submits the funds associated with that bet  26  to a pari-mutuel wager pool  30  corresponding to that sporting event. The management of this assignment of bets  26  to pari-mutuel wager pools  30  may be done in any suitable manner. In certain embodiments, betting system platform  12  may determine the particular sporting event (and corresponding pari-mutuel wager pool  30 ) to which to assign each bet  26  based on various sporting event information  66  regarding sporting events scheduled to occur around the time that the bet  26  was received by betting system platform  12 . Such sporting event information  66  for a particular sporting event may include, for example, the type of the sporting event, the number of participants in the sporting event, information regarding the participants in the sporting event, the scheduled time of the sporting event, and an approximate duration of the sporting event. In some embodiments, betting system platform  12  may execute one or more suitable algorithms to manage the assignment of bets  26  to pari-mutuel wager pools  30  based on such sporting event information  66  and/or various other information. 
     Betting system platform  12  may also take into account one or more bet parameters  28  associated with each bet  26  in determining the sporting event and/or pari-mutuel wager pool  30  to which to assign each bet  26 . For example, in some embodiments, only bets  26  on a particular game (for example, craps, blackjack or roulette), or particular types of bets on a particular game (for example, bets on red or black, but not bets on individual numbers, in a roulette game), are assigned to a particular sporting event. In other embodiments, more than one pari-mutuel wager pool  30  may correspond with each sporting event. For example, for a particular sporting event, different pari-mutuel wager pools  30  may be used for bets  26  on different games (for example, separate pools  30  for bets  26  on craps, bets  26  on blackjack, and bets  26  on roulette), or for particular types of bets on a particular game (for example, a first pool  30  for bets  26  on red/black in a roulette game and a second pool  30  for bets  26  on individual numbers in a roulette game). In such embodiments, betting system platform  12  may determine for each bet  26  both (1) the sporting event to which to assign the bet  26 , and (2) the appropriate one of the one or more pari-mutuel wager pools  30  corresponding to that sporting event, based on the bet parameters  28  of the bet  26 . In other embodiments, a pari-mutuel wager pool  30  is provided for each sporting event and is used for all bets  26  assigned to that sporting event, regardless of the game (for example, craps, blackjack or roulette) or the type of each bet  26 . 
     In some embodiments, betting system platform  12  determines (or attempts to determine) which sporting event will be the next in time—such as the next race to begin, the next race for which the betting will be closed, the next race to finish, or the next race for which official results will be posted, for example—and assigns particular received bets  26  to that sporting event. In other embodiments, betting system platform  12  assigns particular bets  26  to the sporting event that is (a) determined to be next in time and (b) that meets one or more other criteria for the bet  26 . For example, suppose that according to the set of rules  36  for blackjack games, game inputs  34  (card values) can only be determined from event results  32  of a race (such as a horse race, a dog race or an auto race, for example) having at least 8 race participants. In such instance, betting system platform  12  assigns each received bet  26  for a blackjack game to the next race that has at least 8 participants. 
     Communicating Progress Data  80  Regarding Sporting Events to Users  20   
     In some embodiments, betting system platform  12  may also receive progress data  80  from one or more sporting event locations  44  and/or OTB entities  46  via communication network  22  regarding the progress of particular sporting events. Progress data  80  may include for example, an indication of the respective positions of each participant in a sporting event as the sporting event progresses. In certain embodiments, progress data  80  includes a video of a sporting event, and in a particular embodiment, progress data  80  includes a live (or substantially live) video feed of a sporting event. 
     Betting system platform  12  may communicate such progress data  80  to users  20  via communication network  18 . In certain embodiments, betting system platform  12  may communicate such progress data  80  to users  20  via one or more web pages  72  that may be viewed using browser application  74 . For example, betting system platform  12  may communicate to a user  20  one or more web pages  72  indicating progress data  80  regarding a sporting event to which a bet  26  placed by that user  20  has been assigned such that the user  20  may track the progress of the sporting event. In certain embodiments in which progress data  80  includes a video of a sporting event, betting system platform  12  may communicate such video to a client  14  via communication network  18 . In a particular embodiment, betting system platform  12  may communicate a live (or substantially live) video feed of the sporting event to client  14  via communication network  18 . In various embodiments, betting system platform  12  may communicate progress data  80  to users  20  in real-time, substantially in real-time, or with some delay. 
     General Operation of System  10   
     As discussed above, in operation, betting system platform  12  may allow users  20  to place bets  26  in which the results of the bets  26  are determined at least in part by the results of sporting events, such as a horse race, a dog race, an auto race, a jai alai game, a baseball game, a football game, a soccer game, a hockey game, a basketball game, or a cricket match, for example. Each bet  26  is defined by one or more bet parameters  28  such as the identity of the user  20  who placed the bet  26 , the unit stake  29  of the bet  26 , the time of the bet, the game associated with the bet, the particular type of bet, and in some instances, one or more selected finishing positions  31 , for example. Bets  26  received by betting system platform  12  from various users  20  within a particular time period are assigned to a particular sporting event and the unit stake  29  of the bet  26  is included in a pari-mutuel wager pool  30  corresponding to the particular sporting event. 
     After the sporting event is completed, event results  32  of the sporting event may be received by betting system platform  12 . For example, if the sporting event is a horse race, event results  32  may include the number of the horse finishing in each position in the race. Betting system platform  12  may then determine for each bet  26  one or more game inputs  34  for the game. In situations or embodiments in which game inputs  34  are the same for each bet  26 , betting system platform  12  may determine the one or more game inputs  34  based at least on (1) the received event results  32 ; and (2) relevant rules  36  regarding the game. For example, assuming the sporting event is a horse race, in an embodiment in which betting system platform  12  uses the rules  36  for craps shown in  FIG. 3 , betting system platform  12  may determine as game inputs  34  for a craps game a first simulated die roll and a second simulated die roll based on (1) the received results  32  of the horse race and (2) the rules  36  shown in  FIG. 3 . In using the rules  36  shown in  FIG. 3 , betting system platform  12  may select the appropriate set of rules corresponding to the number of participants in the race. The determined first simulated die roll and a second simulated die roll are used for each bet  26 . 
     Alternatively, in situations or embodiments in which different game inputs  34  are used for different bets  26 , betting system platform  12  may determine the one or more game inputs  34  for each bet  26  based at least on (1) the received event results  32 ; (2) relevant rules  36  regarding the game; and, in some instances, (3) one or more bet parameters  28  of that bet  26 . For example, again assuming the sporting event is a horse race, suppose an embodiment in which each bet  26  for a slots game has three finishing positions  31  randomly assigned to that bet  26 . Betting system platform  12  may determine as game inputs  34  for each slots bet  26  the results of a simulated spin of a first slot-machine reel, a second slot machine reel, and a third slot machine reel based on (1) the received results  32  of the horse race; (2) the rules  36  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6B ; and (3) the three finishing positions  31  assigned to that bet. In particular, for each bet  26 , betting system platform  12  may use rules  36  to map the numbers of the horse that finish in the three finishing positions  31  to the results of simulated spins of a first, second, and third slot machine reel, which results are used as game inputs  34  for that bet  26 . Since different finishing positions  31  may be assigned to different bets  26 , the results of the simulated spins of the first, second, and third slot machine reels may be different for different bets  26 . 
     After determining the game input(s)  34  for each bet  26 , betting system platform  12  may then determine a bet result  40  of the game for each bet  26  assigned to the particular race based at least on (1) relevant rules  36  regarding the game; (2) the determined game input(s)  34 ; and, in some instances, (3) one or more parameters  28  of that bet  26 . In some embodiments, betting system platform  12  may determine a bet result  40  of “win,” “loss,” or in some cases, “push,” for each bet  26 . For example, in the craps example discussed above, the parameters  28  associated with each bet  26  may define the type of the bet, such as a “7 or 11” bet, a “field” bet, or a “place” bet on a particular number, for example. A “7 or 11” bet  26  is determined a “win” if the total value of the two simulated dice rolls equals 7 or 11. A “field” bet  26  is determined a “win” if the total value of the two simulated dice rolls equals 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12. A “place” bet  26  is determined a “win” if the total value of the two simulated dice rolls equals a number selected by the user who placed the bet  26  (which selected number may be stored as a bet parameter  28  for that bet  26 ). 
     After determining the bet result  40  for each bet  26 , betting system platform  12  may then determine how to distribute the pari-mutuel wager pool  30 , or at least a portion of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30 , in a pari-mutuel manner. For example, betting system platform  12  may determine a distribution of at least a portion of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  among all winning bets  26 , including determining a payout  42  for each winning bet  26  based at least on (1) the portion of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  to be distributed among winning bets  26 ; (2) the total of the unit stakes of all winning bets  26 ; (3) the unit stake of that winning bet  26 ; and, in some situations, (4) payout odds based on the type of that bet  26 . In some situations, one or more bets  26  may be determined to be “pushes.” For example, in a particular embodiment, a blackjack bet  26  in which the cards (i.e., game inputs  34 ) determined for the user total  17  is determined a “push.” In certain embodiments, the unit stake of all bets  26  determined to be “pushes,” if any, may be withheld in the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  (i.e., not distributed) and carried over to a subsequent race or other sporting event. 
     Example Management of Craps Bets 
     As a more particular example of the operation of system  10 , suppose the game is craps, the particular sporting event is a particular horse race having eight horses, and the game inputs  34  for the craps game are two die rolls determined according to the rules  36  shown in  FIG. 3 . Further suppose that according to the rules  36  for the craps game, the types of bets  26  available to users  20  may include the following: 
     (1) a “pass line bet”—the user  20  wins if the total of the two dice equals 7 or 11; the user  20  loses if the total of the two dice equals 2, 3 or 12; and the user  20  pushes if the total of the two dice will equals any other number; 
     (2) a “field bet”—the user  20  wins if the total of the two dice equals 3, 4, 9, 10, or 11; the user  20  wins enhanced odds if the total of the two dice equals 2 or 12; and the user  20  loses if the total of the two dice equals 5, 6, 7 or 8; and 
     (3) a “place bet”—the user  20  selects a number from 2-12 and wins enhanced odds if the total of the two dice equals the selected number; the user  20  loses if the total of the two dice equals any other number. 
     Further suppose that a number of bets  26  are received from various users  20  and assigned to the particular horse race. The bets assigned to the particular horse race include first bet  26  defined by bet parameters  28  as a “pass line bet,” a second bet  26  defined by bet parameters  28  as a “field bet,” and a third bet  26  defined by bet parameters  28  as a “place bet on the number  4 .” Further suppose that the horse race is run, and the horses finish in the following order: horse #2 (win), horse #8 (place), horse #7 (show), horse #4, horse #1, horse #3, horse #5, horse #6. 
     Betting system platform  12  first determines the appropriate set of rules  36  based on the number of horses in the race. Thus, betting system platform  12  selects from the rules  36  shown in  FIG. 3  the set of rules  36  corresponding to a horse race having eight horses. Betting system platform  12  then determines the game inputs  34  for the craps game—namely, the first and second simulated die rolls. According to the rules  36  shown in  FIG. 3  for an eight-horse race, since the winning horse is horse #2, the first simulated die roll is a 2. Further, since the 2nd place horse is horse #8, betting system platform  12  looks at the 3rd place horse to determine the second simulated die roll. Since the 3rd place horse is horse #7, the second simulated die roll is the same as the first simulated die roll—namely, a die roll of 2. Thus, the total of the first and second simulated die rolls equals 4. 
     Betting system platform  12  then determines a bet result  40  of the craps game for each bet  26  assigned to the particular horse race. The first bet  26  (the “pass line bet”) is determined a “push” based on the rules discussed above for a “pass line bet” and a total two-dice roll of 4. Thus, the unit stake  29  for the first bet  26  (along with the unit stake  29  for all other bets  26  determined to be “pushes”) is assigned to a carry-over pool. The carry-over pool is withheld in the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  (i.e., not distributed) and carried over to a subsequent race or other sporting event. After the unit stakes  29  for all “push” bets  26  are assigned to the carry-over pool, a take-out may be determined and withdrawn from the remaining value of pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . For example, in one embodiment, I 0% of the remaining value of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  may be removed as a take-out. 
     The second bet  26  (the “field bet”) is determined a “win” based on the rules discussed above for a “field bet” and a total two-dice roll of 4. The third bet  26  (the “place bet on the number  4 ”) is also determined a “win” since the total of the dice roll is 4. Payouts  42  from the remaining portion of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  (i.e., the portion remaining after the take-out and the unit stakes of all “pushes” are subtracted) are then be determined for each winning bet  26 , including the second bet  26  and third bet  26 , in a pari-mutuel manner. The payout  42  for the winning second bet  26  may be determined by dividing the unit stake  29  of the second bet  26  by the total of the unit stakes  29  of all winning bets  26  and multiplying the quotient by the remaining portion of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30 . The payout  42  for the winning third bet  26  may be determined by dividing the unit stake  29  of the third bet  26  by the total of the unit stakes  29  of all winning bets  26 , multiplying the quotient by the remaining portion of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30 , and doubling the resulting product. The payout  42  for the winning third bet  26  is doubled since the rules  36  discussed above indicate that the user  20  wins enhanced odds for winning “place bets.” 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example method of providing casino game betting based on pari-mutuel racing in accordance with the system of  FIG. 1 . At step  100 , web pages  72  providing various betting information and offering one or more types of bets  26  for various games are communicated from betting system platform  12  to clients  14  and displayed by browser applications  74 . At step  102 , a user  20 A of system  10  interacts with one or more web pages  72  to define and submit a bet  26 A to betting system platform  12 . Bet  26 A is at least partially defined by a number of parameters  28  selected by user  20 A. The parameters  28  for bet  26 A include the identity of user  20 A, the unit stake  29 , the time that the bet was submitted, the particular game (such as craps, blackjack, slots or roulette, for example), the particular type of bet, and for certain games, one or more selected finishing positions  31 . 
     At step  104 , betting system platform  12  receives sporting event information  66  for various horse races and dog races from one or more sporting event locations  44  and/or OTB entities  46 . The sporting event information  66  for each race includes at least the type of the race, the number of participants in the race, the number assigned to each participant in the race, the scheduled time for the start of the race, and an approximate duration of the race. 
     At step  106 , betting system platform  12  executes a set of algorithms to determine how to assign bet  26 A to a particular race based on various sporting event information  66  received at step  104 , including the number of horses or dogs participating in each race and the scheduled time for the start of each race. In this embodiment, betting system platform  12  assigns bet  26 A to the race that is (a) determined to be next in time and (b) that has a sufficient number of participants for the type of bet  26 A. At step  108 , betting system platform  12  transfers funds in the amount of the selected unit stake  29  for bet  26 A into a pari-mutuel wager pool  30  corresponding with a particular horse race to which bet  26 A was assigned. At step  110 , betting system platform  12  adds the unit stake  29  of bet  26 A to the pool value  53  corresponding with the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  and subtracts the unit stake  29  of bet  26 A from an account balance  64  maintained for user  20 A. As discussed above, in some embodiments, betting system platform  12  may also take into account one or more bet parameters  28  associated with bet  26 A in determining the race and/or pari-mutuel wager pool  30  to which to assign bet  26 A. For example, in some embodiments, betting system platform  12  may assign bet  26 A to a particular pari-mutuel wager pool  30  that corresponds to the particular game (for example, craps, blackjack or roulette) of bet  26 A and/or the type of bets on that particular game (for example, a bet on red or black in a roulette game). 
     At step  112 , betting system platform  12  closes the betting for the particular horse race, thus assigning no more bets  26  to the particular horse race. At step  114 , the particular horse race begins. At step  116 , progress data  80  indicating the progress of the particular horse race is communicated from the sporting event location  44  hosting the particular horse race to betting system platform  12  and to client  14  being used by user  20 A such that user  20 A can track the progress of the particular horse race in real-time or substantially in real-time. As discussed above, progress data  80  may include a live or substantially live streaming video feed of the particular horse race. 
     At step  118 , after the completion of the particular horse race, event results  32  are determined at sporting event location  44  and communicated to betting system platform  12 . Event results  32  include the assigned number and finishing position of each horse in the particular horse race. At step  120 , betting system platform  12  selects a set of rules  36  from a plurality of sets of rules  36  associated with the particular game (such as craps, blackjack, slots or roulette, for example) for which bet  26 A regards. In certain embodiments, betting system platform  12  maintains, for each type of game, different sets of rules  36  for different numbers of race participants and at step  120 , selects the set of rules  36  corresponding to the number of horses in the particular horse race to which bet  26 A was assigned. 
     At step  122 , betting system platform  12  uses the set of rules  36  selected at step  120  to determine one or more game inputs  34  for bet  26 A based on event results  32  and/or parameters  28  of bet  26 A, such as finishing positions  31  selected by user  20 A at step  102 . Game inputs  34  for each other bet  26  assigned to the particular horse race are also determined. At step  124 , betting system platform  12  uses the set of rules  36  selected at step  120  to determine the bet result  40  of bet  26 A, as well as the bet results  40  of each other bet  26  assigned to the particular horse race. In this embodiment, the bet result  40  for bet  26 A is either “win,” “lose,” or “push.” 
     If bet  26 A is determined a “win” at step  124 , a payout  42  is determined for bet  26 A, as well as for each other winning bet  26  assigned to the particular horse race, by betting system platform  12  at step  126 . The payout  42  for bet  26 A is determined based on the unit stake  29  of bet  26 A, the total of the unit stakes  29  of all winning bets  26  (including bet  26 A) assigned to the particular horse race, the value of the pari-mutuel wager pool  30  and/or rules  36  that are relevant to determining payouts  42  for winning bets  26 . As discussed above, the payouts  42  for each winning bet  26 , including bet  26 A, may be determined in a pari-mutuel manner after removing (1) the total unit stake  29  for all “push” bets  26  that were assigned to the particular horse race and (2) a take-out. At step  128 , the payout  42  determined for bet  26 A is added to the account balance  64  associated with user  20 A. 
     If bet  26 A is determined a “loss” at step  122 , no payout  42  is determined for bet  26 A at step  130 . If bet  26 A is a determined a “push” or “no action” at step  124 , no payout  42  is determined for bet  26 A at step  132 , but the funds for bet  26 A (in the amount of the unit stake  29 ) are entered into a carry-over pool (along with the funds for each other “push” bet  26 ). The funds in the carry-over pool are maintained within pari-mutuel wager pool  30  and the method returns to step  114  such that bet  26 A (along with each other “push” bet  26 ) is kept alive for the next race or other sporting event. In other embodiments, the funds in the carry-over pool are removed from pari-mutuel wager pool  30  and the method returns to step  106  to reassign the funds in the carry-over pool to one or more other pari-mutuel wager pools  30 , as appropriate. Thus, user  20 A does not need to wait until the next horse race hosted by the same sporting event location  44  that hosted the particular horse race. 
     It should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the present invention contemplates using methods with additional steps, fewer steps, different steps, or steps in different sequential order so long as the steps remain appropriate for providing and managing casino game betting based on pari-mutuel racing. 
     Although embodiments of the invention and their advantages are described in detail, a person skilled in the art could make various alterations, additions, and omissions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.