Patent Publication Number: US-2019174915-A1

Title: Gaming table providing improved air curtain

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2017/050088, filed on 2 Feb. 2017 and entitled “Gaming table providing improved air curtain,” the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2017/050088 claims the benefit of Australian Patent Application No. 2016903263, filed on 17 Aug. 2016 and entitled “Gaming table providing improved air curtain,” the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments generally relate to a gaming table. In particular, embodiments relate to a gaming table providing an air curtain feature to shield a dealer position from fumes such as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) emanating from a player side of the table. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some casino environments include gaming areas within which tobacco smoking is permitted. Dealers at gaming tables may be required to spend a significant amount of time in proximity to players who are emitting ETS and such dealers may therefore be subject to exposure to such ETS if adequate safety measures are not put in place. 
     It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more shortcomings or disadvantages associated with prior gaming tables and/or techniques for shielding a dealer from fumes such as ETS emanating from the player side or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto. 
     Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. 
     Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments relate to a gaming table, comprising: 
     a table structure defining a dealer side and an opposite player side, and defining a dealer position on the dealer side, wherein the table structure comprises a table top having a dealer table area and a player table area; 
     a first air manifold on a first side of the dealer position, the first air manifold being positioned in the dealer table area and arranged to project multiple first air jets at a plurality of different angles; 
     a second air manifold on a second side of the dealer position opposite the first side, the second air manifold being positioned in the dealer table area and arranged to project multiple second air jets at a plurality of different angles; and a blower to provide positive air pressure to the first and second air manifolds to thereby project the first and second air jets; 
     wherein the first and second air manifolds are arranged to project the first and second air jets in front of and away from the dealer position to shield the dealer position from fumes emanating from the player side. 
     The first and second air manifolds and the blower may be arranged so that the speed of projection of air from at least one of each of the first and second air jets is not equal. The first air manifold may be arranged to cause the multiple first air jets to have air speeds that comprise different air speeds. The second air manifold may be arranged to cause the multiple second air jets to have air speeds that comprise different air speeds. Additionally, the velocity (i.e. speed and direction) of projection of air from ones of the first air jets may be different from each other and the velocity of projection of air from ones of the second air jets may be different from each other and/or different from ones of the first air jets. 
     The dealer position may coincide with a lateral centre-line of the table structure, the table structure being generally symmetric about the lateral centre-line, wherein the first and second air manifolds are not symmetrically positioned about the lateral centre-line. 
     The gaming table may further comprise a third air manifold on the first side of the dealer position, the third air manifold being positioned in the dealer table area and arranged to receive air from the blower and to project multiple third air jets away from the third air manifold. The third air manifold may project the third air jets at a plurality of different angles having at least some directional component toward the dealer position. The third air manifold may extend vertically above the table top and has a pole or tower shape. The third air manifold may be arranged so that at least one of the third air jets is projected in a downward direction having at least some directional component toward the dealer position and at least some directional component toward the player side of the table. 
     The first and second air manifolds may each have a low profile that extends minimally above a surface of the table top. The first and second air manifolds may have a substantially same or similar shape. The first and second air manifolds may be substantially dome shaped. 
     The gaming table may further comprise means to provide a flow of air up from a floor near the dealer position. The table structure may define at least one first air plenum below the table top on the first side of the dealer positon and at least one second air plenum below the table top on the second side of the dealer position, the table structure further comprising at least one first vent positioned below the table top to allow air out of the at least one first air plenum adjacent and/or near the dealer position and at least one second vent positioned below the table top to allow air out of the at least one second air plenum adjacent and/or near the dealer position. 
     The table structure may define a recess under the table top at the dealer position to accommodate legs of the dealer, wherein at least one first vent opens into the recess and at least one second vent opens into the recess. The at least one first vent may be positioned near a floor on the dealer side and at least one second vent is positioned near the floor on the dealer side. 
     The gaming table may further comprise a controller housed in the table structure and configured to control the blower. The gaming table further comprising a pressure sensor arranged to measure the air pressure provided to the first and second air manifolds, the pressure sensor providing output signals to the controller, wherein the controller controls the blower based on the output signals to maintain a substantially constant air pressure to the first and second air manifolds. The controller may be in data communication with a server, the controller transmitting pressure information to the server based on the output signals. 
     Some embodiments relate to a gaming environment comprising a room or area within which air flow can be controlled, the gaming environment comprising at least one gaming table according to any one of the embodiments described above, each at least one gaming table being coupled to a source of clean (i.e. ETS-free and/or fume-free) air. The air may be drawn from a dedicated external source of clean air from outside the environment. 
     Where at least one gaming table layout comprises at least two gaming tables, two of such gaming tables may be positioned so that the dealer sides of each of the tables are close to each other in a back-to-back configuration. This can assist the dealers of each table to be shielded against fumes such as ETS from behind them because the other table also serves as an air shield to direct fumes or ETS upward and away from the dealers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments are described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a gaming table according to some embodiments, illustrating approximate trajectories of air jets from air manifolds on a surface of the table; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the gaming table of  FIG. 1 , viewed from a dealer position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the gaming table of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan cross-sectional view of the gaming table of  FIG. 1 , where the cross-section is taken from under the level of the table surface; 
         FIG. 5  is schematic plan view illustration depicting conduits and connections for air flow distribution to the manifolds; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation cross-sectional view of the table of  FIG. 1  showing the air distribution conduits and a blower position; 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up schematic illustration of an air conduit to one of the air manifolds; 
         FIG. 8A  is an elevation view of a first air distribution manifold, showing aperture angles; 
         FIG. 8B  is a plan view of the first air distribution manifold, showing aperture angles; 
         FIG. 8C  is an elevation view of the first air distribution manifold, showing aperture diameters; 
         FIG. 8D  is a plan view of the first air distribution manifold, showing aperture diameters; 
         FIG. 9A  is an elevation view of a second air distribution manifold, showing aperture angles; 
         FIG. 9B  is a plan view of the second air distribution manifold, showing aperture angles; 
         FIG. 9C  is an elevation view of the second air distribution manifold, showing aperture diameters; 
         FIG. 9D  is a plan view of the second air distribution manifold, showing aperture diameters; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of an air distribution coupling to a third air manifold; 
         FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E  are schematic illustrations to show angle of orientation of air jet apertures in a third air distribution manifold shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a plan view of an alternative gaming table configuration according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 12B  is an elevation view of the alternative gaming table of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic perspective view of a gaming environment in which at least one gaming table is positioned; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic illustration of air flow intended to be induced around the gaming table; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic illustration to show deflection of fumes or ETS emanating from the player side of the table away from the dealer side; and 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of a gaming system comprising at least one gaming table communicatively coupled to a control network and a computer server system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments generally relate to a gaming table. In particular, embodiments relate to a gaming table providing an air curtain feature to shield a dealer position from fumes such as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) emanating from a player side of the table. 
       FIGS. 1 to 10 and 11A to 11E  show details of a gaming table  100  according to some embodiments. Generally, the gaming table  100  comprises a table structure  101  with a dealer side  105  and a player side  106  that are opposite one another and encompass the playing surface of the table. In other words, a dealer sits or stands on the dealer side  105  and faces the player side  106 , while the players sit or stand on the player side  106  and face the dealer side  105 . The gaming table  100  may be used to play card games, the outcome of which may be the subject of a wager, for example. In some embodiments, the gaming table  100  is particularly suitable for use in playing the game baccarat, although the gaming table  100  may be used for playing other games instead. However, in other embodiments, the gaming table (or various features or functions thereof relating to air curtains or shielding) may be used for other games that do not involve the use of cards but that nonetheless have a dealer area that can be shielded from a player area. 
     The table structure  101  has an upper table surface that defines: a player area  103  on the player side  106 , upon which players may place tokens, cards or other game items; and a dealer area  104  on the dealer side  105 . The dealer side  105  defines a recessed area to act as a dealer position  110 , where the dealer can sit or stand while conducting the play of the game. The dealer position  110  is recessed into the dealer area  104  sufficiently to allow the dealer to reach to his or her left and right into the dealer areas  104  on either side and also reach forward into the player area  103 . The player area  103  is defined at least in part by an outer boundary  102 , such as a cushion or other form of boundary, on the player side  106  and by the adjacent dealer area  104  on the other side. 
     The dealer area  104  and player area  103  together make up all or almost all of the table surface area. However, the surface areas of the dealer area  104  and player area  103  are not necessarily the same. A boundary between the dealer area  104  and player area  103  may be defined by a demarcation line or a surface transition, such as a transition of one material to another (i.e. a felt area transitioning to a wood or vinyl area). Alternatively, the boundary may be notional, rather than physical and may not be visibly defined. In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the player area  103  is demarcated and visibly distinguished from the dealer area  104  by a physical or notional straight line that extends laterally across the table  100  upper surface from an area where the outer boundary  102  starts on one lateral side and finishes on the other lateral side. In some embodiments, the boundary may not be straight. For example, the boundary may be curved, as is shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 12A . The boundary may be defined such that the area where the cards are laid by the dealer is in the player area, even those cards played by the dealer, while the dealer area  104  corresponds to the dealer&#39;s personal proximity (well within the dealer&#39;s personal reach without leaning forward) where the card shoe is positioned, the house betting chips are positioned and other dealer-only-access pieces, token or equipment is positioned. 
     The gaming table  100  is designed to facilitate the creation of an air curtain in front of the dealer position  110  in order to insulate and protect the dealer from fumes, such as fumes from e-cigarettes or other vapour-producing devices, or ETS emanating from the player side  106 , for example due to one or more players smoking tobacco or using non-tobacco fume or vapour-producing products. For this purpose, the gaming table  100  provides various structures and components to generate air flows around the gaming table  100  and in particular around the dealer position  110 . These air flows are described in further detail below. 
     The gaming table  100  comprises at least two air manifolds positioned on an upper surface of the table and the dealer area  104  to generate air flows above the table surface that are directed generally in front of and away from the dealer position  110  in order to shield the dealer from fumes or ETS emanating from the player side  106 . These air manifolds may include a first air manifold  120 , a second air manifold  140 , and optionally a third air manifold  160 . The first and second air manifolds  120 ,  140  are positioned respectively on opposite sides (to the left and right) of the dealer position  110 . Each of the first and second air manifolds  120 ,  140  defines a series of apertures  121 ,  141  from which air jets  122 ,  142  can be projected above the table surface in various directions. 
     Some prior air curtain arrangements direct air straight up in a vertical air wall from a long continuous line extending in between the dealer position and the player side, which can be disruptive or uncomfortable to players and/or dealers. This is because the upward air wall on the dealer side tends to make the dealer&#39;s hands cold and it can be annoying for the dealer to have to pass her or her hands and/or cards through while conducting the game. Such upward air walls can also have the undesired effect of causing the cards to flip as they are dealt, which can inadvertently reveal cards that are intended to remain secret. Further, air vents extending in a long continuous line tend to have significant pressure variations along the line of the vent, which can lead to the air wall having inconsistent air velocities and being uneven and less effective in directing fumes or ETS away from the dealer position. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein direct air in a different way from the mentioned vertical air wall arrangements, without using an air vent that extends in a long continuous line, and instead creating an air barrier in front of the dealer position that is created by air jets  122 ,  142  directed from each lateral side of the dealer position. The air jets  122 ,  142  from the two main laterally spaced air manifolds  120 ,  140  are generally not directed toward the table surface and generally are not projected with enough speed to be disruptive to the placement or handling of cards in the main playing surface between the dealer and the player positions. The air jets projecting from the first and second air manifolds are generally directed at an upward angle away from the table surface and in an arc excluding the direction (and angular range) toward the dealer position  110  from the respective manifold. The jets  122 ,  142  thereby form a barrier that tends to entrain any fumes or ETS emanating from the player side  106  (and even emanating from areas around the left and right sides of the table) and direct such air with entrained fumes or ETS upwardly and away from the dealer position  110 . Combined with low pressure clean air emanating from the table structure  101  under the table surface on the dealer side  105 , the effect of the air jets is to shield the dealer position from potentially harmful fumes or ETS from the player side  106  by restricting air from flowing from the player side  106  into the dealer side  105 . 
     In addition to the air manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  positioned on or above the table surface to effectively provide upper air flow direction means, the table structure  101  has lower air flow direction structure, for example in the form of walls defining apertures and plenums and including grates, to direct clean air from under the table structure on the dealer side  105  toward where the dealer&#39;s head would be when seated or standing at the dealer position  110 . The lower air flow direction structure aims to generate a positive air pressure from around the floor level and in the leg recess at the dealer position so that stale air does not accumulate in the lower areas at the rear of the table, thereby continuously flushing out the air from the floor level upwards so that the air can be extracted from ceiling level to filter and clean it. Rather than filtering and cleaning the air extracted from the environment, it may be simply exhausted from the environment without being re-used or recycled. For environments permitting smoking, it is beneficial to have frequent turnover of air through the whole environment in order to limit or minimise adverse health effects on workers working in or passing through that environment. According to some embodiments, the ventilation system for such environments can cause the entire volume of air in the room or area to be replaced with fresh air roughly every 1 to 5 minutes, for example about every 2 minutes or about 25-30 times per hour. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a plan view of a gaming table  100  is shown according to some embodiments. The gaming table  100  comprises a table structure  101  having a dealer side  105  and a player side  106  as described above, and defining a dealer position  110  as described above. 
     The gaming table  100  comprises a first manifold  120  positioned on the upper surface  109  of the table  100  to the left of the dealer position  110  and a second manifold  140  positioned on the upper surface of the table  100  to the right of the dealer position  110 . The first and second manifolds  120 ,  140  may be positioned at similar or different distances from the dealer position  110  and similar or different distances from a rearmost edge of the table  100 . For example, the first and second manifolds  120 ,  140  may be positioned slightly forward of the dealer position  110  towards the left and right sides of the table  100  respectively. The gaming table  100  may further comprise a third manifold  160  which may be positioned to extend vertically upward from the upper surface  109  of the table  100  to the left of the dealer position  110 . 
     Each of the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  may be supplied with pressurised air and comprise apertures  121 ,  141 ,  161  configured to form air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  having various characteristic velocities and emanating from the apertures  121 ,  141 ,  161  above the upper surface  109  of the table  100 . The characteristic velocities of the air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  may comprise different magnitudes and directions which are selected such that the air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  form an air curtain or barrier by entraining air from the player side  106  and transporting the entrained air upwards and away from the dealer position  110  by advection. Air from the dealer side  105  may also be entrained by the air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  and transported away from the dealer position  110  in a direction which is generally towards the player side  106  and upwardly away from the upper surface  109  of the table  100 . 
     An indication of the magnitude and direction of the characteristic velocities as well as the spread of the air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  is given by arrows emanating from the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  shown from a top perspective in  FIG. 1 , from a rear perspective in  FIG. 2 , and from a side perspective in  FIG. 3 . Certain jet characteristics may be achieved with careful design of the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160 , particularly the shape, configuration, position and orientation of each of the apertures  121 ,  141 ,  161 . Exemplary configurations of the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  are shown in  FIGS. 7 to 11 , which have been designed for a particular application and are described in detail below. 
     The table  100  may comprise a number of low pressure outlets below table top level to provide fresh clean air to the dealer side  105 . The low pressure outlets may comprise a number of panels or grilles  180  with apertures  181  in side walls  116  of the table structure  101  to form relatively low pressure air jets  182  emanating from the side walls  116 . That is, air jets  182  may be formed with a relatively low pressure differential and have relatively low characteristic velocities compared with the pressure differentials and characteristic velocities of the above table air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162 . Some of the low pressure air jets  182   a  and  182   b  may be directed into the dealer position  110  from the left and right sides respectively. Other low pressure air jets  182   c  and  182   d  may be directed rearwards from the back of the table structure  101  on the left and right sides respectively in a direction away from the player side  106 . 
     In some embodiments, the pressure differential across the low pressure outlets may not be sufficient to form well defined air jets, and instead, the air may flow out from the outlets at low velocity without forming a clearly defined jet. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a rear elevation of the table  100  is provided showing the table  100  from the dealer side  105 . The table  100  is shown installed on a floor  201 . The low pressure outlets may comprise a skirting board  210  just above floor level near a bottom of one or more of the side walls  116  and define a plurality of apertures  211  configured to form the low pressure jets  182 . For example, a left side skirting board  210   a  may be configured to form the left side rearward air jets  182   c  and a right side skirting board  210   b  may be configured to form the right side rearward air jets  182   d . The skirting boards  210  may be approximately 100 mm high, for example. The apertures  211  may comprise vertical slots with a height of approximately 80 mm and a width of approximately 5 mm spaced horizontally at about 50 mm centres, for example. The low pressure air jets  182   c ,  182   d  may have characteristic velocities of approximately 0.5 m/s measured at a distance of about 100 mm away from the skirting boards  210   a ,  210   b  respectively. 
     The low pressure outlets may further comprise one or more grilles  220  disposed in the side walls  116  adjacent the dealer position  110  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The grilles  220  may include a plurality of apertures  221  configured to form the low pressure air jets  182   a  and  182   b  directed to the dealer position  110 . The apertures  221  may be located at a range of heights above floor level and each grille  220  may cover a certain area of the side wall  116  on which it is disposed. For example, a left side grille  220   a  may be configured to form the left side air jets  182   a  directed towards the dealer position  110 , and a right side grille  220   b  may be configured to form the right side air jets  182   b  directed towards the dealer position  110 . The apertures  221  may comprise vertical slots with a height of approximately 100 mm and a width of approximately 5 mm spaced horizontally at about 15 mm centres and spaced vertically at about 110 mm centres, for example. The grilles  220   a ,  220   b  may each cover an area approximately 500 mm high and 350 mm wide. In some embodiments, the grilles  220   a ,  220   b  may comprise a perforated plate mounted behind the slots. The perforated plate may be approximately 50% open, for example. The low pressure air jets  182   a ,  182   b  may have characteristic velocities of approximately 0.2 m/s measured at a distance of 50 mm away from the grilles  220   a ,  220   b  respectively. 
     In use, clean fresh air supplied from the low pressure air jets  182  may provide positive pressure in and around the dealer position  110  and subsequently be drawn upwards over and around the dealer position  110 , entrained by the high pressure air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  and carried upwards and away from the dealer position  110  in a direction towards the player side  106 , thereby restricting air, fumes or ETS from the player side  106  from moving to the dealer position  110  and providing a local environment in the vicinity of the dealer position  110  containing the clean fresh air supplied by the low pressure air jets  182 . 
     The table  100  may further comprise a cabinet  214  formed in the table structure  101  below table level (i.e., below the table surface) in front of the dealer position  110 . The cabinet  214  may comprise one or more hinged doors and an interior storage space. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a plan view of the gaming table  100  is shown according to some embodiments, illustrating part of the lower structure below the level of the table surface  109 . The table  100  may comprise a base panel  404  positioned just above floor level to divide the space within the side walls  116  into a first plenum  420  (see  FIG. 6 ) and a second plenum  430 . The first plenum  420  may comprise a space formed between the floor  201  and the base panel  404 , and the second plenum  430  may comprise a space formed above the base panel  404  and below the upper table surface. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the first plenum  420  may further comprise a space to the left of the dealer position  110  bounded by a left side inner wall  422  and one or more of the side walls  116 . The first plenum  420  may also further comprise a space to the right of the dealer position  110  bounded by a right side inner wall  424  and one or more of the side walls  116 . The inner walls  422 ,  424  may be spaced from the side walls  116  by a distance of approximately 50 mm, for example. Both the first and second plenums  420 ,  430  may extend around the dealer position  110  within the table structure  101  from the left side to the right side. 
     The floor  201  may include one or more air outlets  401  to provide fresh clean air to the first plenum  420 . The air outlets  401  may have a diameter of approximately 200 mm, for example. The pressure in the first plenum  420  may be substantially lower than pressure developed in the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160 , but relatively higher than the pressure developed in the second plenum  430 . The first plenum  420  may supply air to the low pressure outlets to form the low pressure air jets  182 . 
     The base panel  404  may define an inlet  410  configured to allow air to flow from the first plenum  420  to the second plenum  430 . The inlet  410  may also provide access to run electrical or communications cables from within the table structure  101  to the floor  201 . The inlet  410  may have a diameter of approximately 75 mm, for example. The base panel  404  may further comprise a left side aperture  412  and a right side aperture  414  to allow the first plenum  420  to extend above the base panel  404  and include the spaces bounded by the side walls  116  and the inner walls  422 ,  424  respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a further illustration of the structure of the gaming table  100  below table level shows a high pressure system  501  configured to supply the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  with pressurised fresh air (from a source, such as an external source, outside of the gaming environment in which the table  100  is positioned) having a pressure substantially higher than that in the first and second plenums  420 ,  430 . 
     The high pressure system  501  comprises a blower  505 , which may be in the form of a compressor or fan. The blower  505  may be configured to draw clean fresh air from the second plenum  430  and increase the pressure of the air to supply pressurised air to the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  via a network of conduits. The conduits may comprise rigid and/or flexible conduits suitable for supplying pressurised air to the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  at the required pressure and flow rate. 
     For example, the network of conduits may comprise a rigid conduit network  530  connected to the fan  505  by a connector conduit  532  at connection point  534 . The location of the connection point  534  in the rigid conduit network  530  may be selected to balance the pressure required at the different manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  against the distance between each manifold  120 ,  140 ,  160  and the blower  505  to account for any pressure losses in the conduit network to allow a single blower  505  to be used to supply all of the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  simultaneously. 
     Each air distribution manifold  120 ,  140 ,  160  may have an associated high pressure outlet  520 ,  540 ,  560  connected to the rigid conduit network  530  by associated lengths of flexible conduit  522 ,  542 ,  562  respectively. Each length of flexible conduit  522 ,  542 ,  562  may be connected to the rigid conduit network  530  by connectors  536 . For example, the rigid conduit network  530  may be formed of PVC pipe with a diameter of around 80 mm, and the lengths of flexible conduit  522 ,  542 ,  562  may be formed of flexible plastic ducting with a diameter of around 65 mm. The connectors  536  may comprise adapters to transition between different diameters, and further adapters may be used at the high pressure outlets  520 ,  540 ,  560  if further diameter transitions are required. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the gaming table  100  is shown from a rear perspective, illustrating the position of the first and second plenums  420 ,  430 , the low pressure outlets  180 , the high pressure system  501 , and the high pressure outlet manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160 . As discussed previously, the first plenum  420  extends along the floor  201  under the base panel  404 , up through the left and right side apertures  412 ,  414  and alongside the left and right side walls  116  adjacent the dealer position  110  between the side walls  116  and the left and right side inner walls  422 ,  424 . The first plenum  420  receives clean fresh air from an under floor supply through the air outlets  401  (see  FIG. 4 ) at a pressure which is higher than ambient pressure in the room (or the immediate environment of the gaming table  100 ). The air may be supplied at the air outlets  401  at a pressure of approximately 180 Pa above ambient pressure in the room with a temperature of approximately 22.5° C. and a relative humidity of approximately 45-50% at a flow rate of approximately 30 L/s per square metre of floor area, in one non-limiting example. Air may be supplied at other pressures, temperatures, relative humidities and flow rates, depending on local requirements. Air from the first plenum  420  then flows through the apertures  211 ,  221  in the skirting boards  210  and grilles  220  to provide fresh clean air to the dealer position  110  and rear of the table  100  on the dealer side  105 . The air flow rate through each skirting board  210   a ,  210   b  may be approximately 35 L/s and the air flow rate through each of the grilles  220   a ,  220   b  either side of the dealer position  110  may be approximately 25 L/s, for example. 
     The first plenum  420  also supplies clean fresh air to the second plenum  430  through the inlet  410  in the base panel  404 . The average air pressure in the second plenum  430  may be similar to or less than the average air pressure in the first plenum  430  and may be similar to or greater than the ambient pressure in the room. For example, the average air pressure in the second plenum  430  may be in the range of about 0 Pa to 30 Pa above the ambient pressure in the room. The second plenum  430  extends around the dealer position  110  within the side walls  116  above the base panel  404  and below table top level. The clean fresh air in the second plenum  430  is then drawn into the blower  505  and pressurised to supply the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  with relatively high pressure clean fresh air via the high pressure system  501 . The blower  505  may increase the static pressure of the air by an amount in the range of about 180 Pa to 300 Pa, for example, to provide a static pressure in the high pressure system  501  and the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  in the range of about 360 Pa to 480 Pa above ambient room pressure, for example. The flow rate through the blower  505  may be in the range of about 11 L/s to about 15 L/s for example. 
     In some embodiments, the blower  505  may be configured to draw clean fresh air over or around heat generating equipment positioned within the second plenum  430  before pressurising the air. The heat generating equipment may be grouped together at a particular location within the second plenum  430  adjacent a flow path of the clean fresh air from the inlet  410  to the blower  505 . Such an arrangement may provide the advantages of cooling the equipment and heating the air supplied to the manifolds to a temperature which is more comfortable for the dealer and players than if the air had not been heated. Air may exit the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  at a temperature in the range of approximately 16 to 24 degrees C., for example. The temperature of the air exiting the manifolds may be controlled by a computerised control interface  1660  on computing device  1630 / 1650  issuing commands to an air curtain controller  1610  ( FIG. 16 ). The temperature may be selected or adjusted to be different at different times of year and/or depending on the ambient room conditions or outside air temperature. 
     High pressure air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  are then formed by the pressurised air flowing through the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  and particularly through the apertures  121 ,  141 ,  161  in the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160 . The high pressure air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  are configured to form an air curtain or barrier which restricts air fumes or ETS from the player side  106  from being transported to the dealer position  110 . This is achieved by configuring the high pressure air jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  to entrain air fumes or ETS from the player side  106  as well as fresh clean air from the dealer side  105  and dealer position  110  and transport the entrained air upwards above the player side  106  and away from the dealer position  110  and/or dealer side  105 . This effect may be controlled or enhanced by drawing air out of the environment  1300  through at least one exhaust vent  1310  in the room (see  FIG. 13 ) to draw stale air up and away from the dealer position. Such an exhaust vent  1310 , optionally assisted by a fan (not shown) may be positioned on a wall or ceiling of the room/environment  1300  at a location above the player side  106  or beyond the player side  106  in a direction away from the dealer position  110  or dealer side  105 . The exhaust vent  1310  may draw air from the environment  1300  at a flow rate equal to the flow rate of air supplied through the air outlets  401  in the floor  201 , such as a flow rate of approximately 30 L/s per square metre of floor area, for example. 
     The manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160  will now be described in further detail according some embodiments, with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 11 . It should be noted that numerous manifold configurations may be effective in any given application. However, the manifolds described here illustrate one exemplary configuration designed for a particular application according to some embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , manifold  120  is shown in further detail according to some embodiments. Manifold  120  comprises a dome shaped wall  123  defining an outer surface  124 , an inner surface  125  defining a manifold plenum  126 , and a plurality of apertures  121  extending between the inner surface  125  and the outer surface  124 . The apertures  121  may alternately be referred to as channels, passages or nozzles. In some embodiments, the apertures  121  may comprise circular cylindrical passageways as shown in the drawings. In other embodiments, the apertures  121  may comprise different geometries or structures configured to achieve certain selected jet characteristics, such as a tapered nozzle, for example. 
     The outer diameter of the dome shaped wall  123  may be approximately 120 mm. The inner diameter of the wall  123  may be approximately 60 mm. The apex of the outer surface  124  is approximately 45 mm away from the upper surface  109  of the table  100 . The thickness of the wall may be approximately 30 mm. The length of the channels or apertures  121  may be approximately 30 mm. In various embodiments, these dimensions may be adjusted to any suitable dimensions or proportions appropriate for a desired jet configuration. In particular, the length of the channels or apertures  121  may be selected to provide a suitable level of air flow stabilisation prior to the air issuing from the apertures  121  and forming the jets  122 . Similar considerations apply for all of the manifold apertures  121 ,  141 ,  161 . 
     The dome shaped wall  123  may be formed using additive manufacturing such as 3D printing, or cast or injection moulded to form the wall  123  and then drilled to form the apertures  121 , for example. The manifold  120  may be formed of any suitable material with sufficient dimensional stability to maintain the dimensions and geometry required to form jets  122  with appropriate characteristics. 
     In use, pressurised air supplied from the high pressure system  501  enters the manifold plenum  126  via the high pressure outlet  520  where the desired level of pressure is developed, thereby forcing the clean fresh air through the apertures  121  to form the jets  122 . 
     An exemplary configuration of the apertures  121  is shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8D  with the relevant dimensions listed below in Table 1. There are five apertures  121  shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8D  marked as  8 N 1  through to  8 N 5  and listed in Table 1. The axes shown are oriented such that the positive z-axis is vertical and extends perpendicularly away from the upper surface of the table  100 , the positive x-axis extends in a direction from the left side of the table  100  towards the right side of the table  100 , and the positive y-axis extends in a direction from the dealer side  105  towards the player side  106 . A similar convention is used in relation to  FIGS. 9 to 11  as well. 
       FIG. 8A  shows a right side elevation of manifold  120 . The angles provided represent the angle between a central axis of each aperture  121  and the horizontal xy-plane measured in a direction towards the vertical z-axis and are listed in Table 1 as the elevation angles. 
       FIG. 8B  shows a top plan view of manifold  120 . The angles provided represent the angle between a central axis of each aperture  121  and the horizontal positive x-axis measured in a direction towards the horizontal y-axis and are listed in Table 1 as the azimuth angles. 
       FIG. 8C  shows a right side elevation and  FIG. 8D  shows a top plan view of the manifold  120  illustrating the diameters of the apertures  121  in millimetres. The manifold  120  may further comprise a directional indicator marking or lug  128  configured to indicate the intended orientation of the manifold  120  and apertures  121  with respect to the gaming table  100 . For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the manifold  120  should be oriented with the indicator lug  128  pointing rearward of the table  100  in a direction from the player side  106  towards the dealer side  105 . 
     The configuration of the apertures  121  may result in the formation of a particular set of air jets  122  having particular selected characteristic velocities and/or other desired characteristics. Each of the apertures  121  varies in elevation and azimuth from other apertures  121  in the same manifold and may have a same or different diameter as another aperture. For example, the air jets  122  may be configured as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  with air jets  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c ,  122   d  and  122   e  corresponding to apertures  8 N 1  to  8 N 5  as shown in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Aperture 
                   
                 elevation 
                 azimuth 
                 Diameter 
               
               
                   
                 number 
                 Jet 
                 (degrees) 
                 (degrees) 
                 (mm) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 8N1 
                 122a 
                 102 
                 266 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 8N2 
                 122b 
                 76 
                 93 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 8N3 
                 122c 
                 42 
                 87 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 8N4 
                 122d 
                 2 
                 62 
                 4.5 
               
               
                   
                 8N5 
                 122e 
                 25 
                 45 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Manifold  140  is connected to the high pressure system  501  and comprises a similar dome structure, as described in relation to manifold  120  and  FIG. 6 , which may comprise materials and be formed as described in relation to manifold  120 . In use, pressurised air supplied from the high pressure system  501  enters a manifold plenum  146  of the manifold  140  via the high pressure outlet  540  where the desired level of pressure is developed thereby forcing the clean fresh air through the apertures  142  to form the jets  142 . 
     An exemplary configuration of the apertures  141  is shown in  FIGS. 9A to 9D  with the relevant dimensions listed below in Table 2. There are 8 apertures  141  shown in  FIGS. 9A to 9D  marked as  9 N 1  through to  9 N 8  and listed in Table 2. The axes shown are oriented as described with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 8D  and a similar convention is used to define the elevation angles, azimuth angles and dimensions. 
     The configuration of the apertures  141  may result in the formation of a particular set of air jets  142  having particular selected characteristic velocities and/or other desired characteristics. Each of the apertures  141  varies in elevation and azimuth from other apertures  141  in the same manifold and may have a same or different diameter as another aperture. For example, the air jets  122  may be configured as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  with air jets  142   a ,  142   b ,  142   c ,  142   d ,  142   e ,  142   f ,  142   g  and  142   h  corresponding to apertures  9 N 1  to  9 N 8  as shown in Table 2. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Aperture 
                   
                 elevation 
                 azimuth 
                 Diameter 
               
               
                   
                 number 
                 Jet 
                 (degrees) 
                 (degrees) 
                 (mm) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 9N1 
                 142h 
                 105 
                 304 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 9N2 
                 142g 
                 80 
                 44 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 9N3 
                 142f 
                 63 
                 73 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 9N4 
                 142e 
                 34 
                 81 
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 9N5 
                 142d 
                 2 
                 82 
                 4.5 
               
               
                   
                 9N6 
                 142c 
                 18 
                 101 
                 8 
               
               
                   
                 9N7 
                 142b 
                 11 
                 130 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 9N8 
                 142a 
                 50 
                 154 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The manifold  140  may further comprise a directional indicator marking or lug  148  configured to indicate the intended orientation of the manifold  140  and apertures  141  with respect to the gaming table  100  as described in relation to indicator lug  128 . 
     Lower jets directed into the space near the upper surface  109  of the gaming table  100 , such as jets  122   d  and  142   b , for example, may be configured to be less powerful with relatively smaller aperture diameters compared with the higher jets  122 ,  142  so as to avoid high air velocities and/or turbulence near the playing surface which might disrupt play. 
     The larger jets directed across the front of the dealer position  110 , such as jets  122   e  and  142   a , for example, may be configured so that they do not impinge on each other directly in front of the dealer position  110  so as to avoid excessive turbulence in the space between the dealer position  110  and the player side  106  which might cause discomfort for the dealer or disrupt play. For example, the left side jet  122   e  may be configured to be relatively less powerful than the right side jet  142   a  so that the two jets  122   e ,  142   a  meet at a location forward left of the dealer position  110 . 
     The jets  122 ,  142 ,  162  may generally be configured to direct entrained air up and over the players and away from the dealer position  110  and configured to avoid causing discomfort to the players or dealer due to excessively high air velocities or turbulence in the immediate vicinity of the players or dealer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a third manifold  160  is shown in more detail. The manifold  160  may generally be configured to direct air jets  162  across the front of the dealer position  110  to contribute to the air barrier effect. Manifold  160  may comprise a cylindrical pipe  164  with an end cap  165  both of which may be formed of a rigid material such as PVC, for example. The pipe  164  may extend approximately 420 mm away from the upper surface  109  and may have an inner diameter of about 40 mm, for example. In the example manifold shown in  FIG. 10 , the pipe  164  defines seven nozzles or apertures  161  marked as A 1  to A 7  in  FIGS. 10 and 11A to 11E , and listed below in Table 3 with the apertures  161  arranged in order with A 1  nearest the top of the manifold  160  and A 7  nearest the bottom of the manifold  160 . In other embodiments of the third manifold  160 , greater or fewer than 7 apertures  161  may be provided in the pipe  164 . Further, in some embodiments, the third manifold may use an air delivery structure other than a pipe to position apertures  161  and project air jets  162  from appropriate positions above the upper surface  109  of the table  100 . 
       FIG. 10  indicates the angle of each aperture  161  above horizontal and the height of each aperture above the upper surface  109 . These dimensions are given in Table 3 as the elevation and height, respectively.  FIGS. 11A to 11E  indicate diameter and the azimuth angle of each aperture  161  as defined with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , which are also given in Table 3. 
     The configuration of the apertures  161  may result in the formation of a particular set of air jets  162  having particular selected characteristic velocities and/or other desired characteristics. Each of the apertures  161  varies in height from other apertures  161  in the same manifold and may have a same or different, elevation, azimuth or diameter as another aperture. For example, the air jets  162  may be configured as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  with air jets  162   a ,  162   b ,  162   c ,  162   d ,  162   e ,  162   f  and  162   g  corresponding to apertures A 1  to A 7  as shown in Table 3. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Aperture 
                   
                 Height 
                 elevation 
                 azimuth 
                 Diameter 
               
               
                 number 
                 Jet 
                 (mm) 
                 (degrees) 
                 (degrees) 
                 (mm) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 A1 
                 162a 
                 390 
                 0 
                 40 
                 4 
               
               
                 A2 
                 162b 
                 360 
                 55 
                 60 
                 5 
               
               
                 A3 
                 162c 
                 295 
                 55 
                 40 
                 6 
               
               
                 A4 
                 162d 
                 250 
                 55 
                 60 
                 5 
               
               
                 A5 
                 162e 
                 110 
                 0 
                 50 
                 3 
               
               
                 A6 
                 162f 
                 85 
                 0 
                 50 
                 3 
               
               
                 A7 
                 162g 
                 60 
                 0 
                 50 
                 3 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The apertures  121 ,  141  and  161  are each configured to induce air jets  122 ,  142  and  162  having a particular velocity (speed and direction) as each jet exits a respective aperture. Additionally, the outlet position of each aperture is different from each other aperture. The velocity of each of the air jets  122 ,  142  is unique, at least because of the different direction component it has from other air jets. For air jets  162 , the velocity of some of the air jets are different and some may be approximately the same. Those air jets that have the same velocity may be projected from different heights/elevations. For example, apertures A 2  and A 4  listed in Table 3 above have the same elevation, azimuth and diameter but are positioned at different heights on the third manifold  160 . 
     In embodiments described herein, air flows from the jets  122 ,  142  and  162  are not likely to be strictly linear and instead will tend to be generally turbulent, in which case speed and direction will not be uniform and will be distributed across a cone-like envelope spreading out from the aperture. However, for present description purposes, the directional part of the velocity is considered to be given by the central axial direction of the air jet along the line of peak speed as the jet exits the respective aperture. The speed part of the velocity is considered to be the peak speed along the central axial direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , a table  1200  according to some embodiments is described. Table  1200  is functionally and structurally the same as table  100 , except for the table structure  1201  of table  1200  being of a shape somewhat resembling a crescent moon (rather than rounded player side and squared dealer side of table  100 ) and except that table  1200  may omit the third air manifold  160  and rely only on the air manifolds  120  and  140  to provide the air barrier fume-shielding effect. Like table  100 , table  1200  has low pressure air emanating from the base section of the table structure  1201  at the dealer side  105 . Table  1200  has a dealer side  105  with a dealer table area  104  and a player side  106  with a player table area  103 . The air manifolds  120  and  140  of table  1200  are positioned within the dealer side  105  but they are not symmetrically positioned with respect to the dealer position  110 , either laterally (left and right from the dealer position  110 ) or in the direction from the dealer side  105  to the player side  106 . 
     In some embodiments, the table  100 ,  1200  is one of a number of tables  100 ,  1200  within the environment  1300 . The tables  100 ,  1200  may be arranged in pairs back-to-back (i.e. with the dealers at their dealer positions  110  facing opposite directions) so that fresh air from the base of each adjacent and oppositely facing table  100 ,  1200  can, in conjunction with the air manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160 , assist to flush air in a direction from the dealer side  105  toward the player side  106  and generally upwardly. This back-to-back arrangement also assists to limit the amount of stale air that might be entrained about the dealer position from behind the dealer position, when compared to a table that is open to the environment  1300  (that may have fumes such as ETS circulating in the air) at the dealer side  105 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , some embodiments relate to a system  1600  that comprises one or more tables  100 ,  1200  with the environment  1300  that are subject to remote monitoring and control. Each table  100 ,  1200  has a blower (or air curtain fan)  405  that provides pressurised air to the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160 . Each table  100  also has at least one sensor  1605 , such as a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, arranged to sense conditions of the air supplied to the table  100 ,  1200 . For example, the at least one sensor  1605  may be arranged to sense the air pressure in one or more locations in the manifold air supply tubing  530  and alternatively or in addition at the outlet of the blower  405 . Further, the at least one sensor  1605  may be arranged to sense the air temperature of the air at one or more locations in the air supply conduit  530  and alternatively or in addition at the outlet of the blower  405 . 
     The at least one sensor  1605  provides output (feedback) signals to an air curtain controller  1610  that controls operation of the blower  405  so that the air curtain controller  1610  can increase or decrease the output of the blower  405  in order to generally maintain a constant air pressure within the high pressure system  501  of the table  100 ,  1200 . Additionally, if a temperature sensor function forms part of the functions of the at least one sensor  1605 , then outputs from the sensor  1605  to the air curtain controller  16120  may be used by the air curtain controller  1610  to increase or decrease the air temperature using a heating or cooling mechanism (not shown) to maintain an optimal air temperature at the outlets of the manifolds  120 ,  140 ,  160 . 
     The air curtain controller  1610  may be in communication with a distributed control network (DCN) interface  1620  for a local area within the gaming venue, which in turn may be in communication with air curtain controllers of a number of other tables  100 ,  1200  in the environment  1300  or in similar environments nearby. A computer  1630 , such as a desktop computer may provide a communication interface between the DCN  1620  and a server  1640 , or the server  1640  and DCN  1620  may be in communication with each other directly. The server  1640  can facilitate the storage of operational data and allow remote client devices to access data relating to operation of the tables  100 ,  1200  and potentially control operation (or operational parameters) of the blower  405  at each table. Such data access and control may be via a user interface  1660  on a tablet device  1650  (as one example of a client device) or via the computer  1630  (as another example of a client device). A summary display  1635  may be provided via the server  1640  and/or computer  1630  to enable operational personnel in an operation centre to view and monitor performance of the air flow systems of the tables  100 ,  1200  within system  1600 . 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.