Patent Publication Number: US-10332356-B2

Title: System and method for providing a roulette game based on multiple financial market indicators

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/075,997 filed on Mar. 21, 2016 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/913,848 filed Jun. 10, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,293,004 issued on Mar. 22, 2016) which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/032,141, filed Feb. 15, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,085 issued on Jun. 11, 2013), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/963,088, filed Dec. 21, 2007, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/963,158, filed Dec. 21, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,758,108 issued on Jun. 24, 2014), each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates in general to gaming systems and methods and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing a roulette game based on multiple financial market indicators. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The rules to playing slot machines are quite simple. A player deposits money and spins the reels. In a physical casino, the player spins the reels by either pushing a button or yanking on a lever. In an online casino, the player uses a mouse or any suitable computer key to click on the button or lever. A slot machine has one or more horizontal lines, or paylines, across the window of the slot machine. If a certain combination of symbols falls on a horizontal line when the reels stop, the player is a winner. Payouts vary by machine, and by the number of lines the player chooses to play. 
     In prior slot machines, the combination of symbols that line up on the reels of a slot machine is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG). A RNG may also be used to determine the result of a roulette game or baccarat game that is executed on a video gaming machine. A RNG may be a computer program inside the machine that is used to generate a sequence of numbers in milliseconds. A random number generated by the RNG may correspond to a reel combination, to a pocket of a roulette wheel, or to a card for a baccarat game. Even when a video gaming machine is not being used, the RNG keeps doing its job of generating numbers. Whatever random number was generated the split second the player pulled the handle, spun the roulette wheel, or submitted a bet will result in the corresponding reel combination, card, or other game event that appears on the screen. The RNG does not care how much was bet, whether the player pulled the handle or hit the spin button, whether it is the player&#39;s first play or last, whether the player is winning or losing, or whether the player is playing with or without a slot card. It just continually generates random numbers. If the player happens to be the lucky player that plays the very split second the RNG generated a number corresponding to a winning result, the player will be a winner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In some embodiments, a system comprises a client operable to communicate a bet regarding a spin of a virtual roulette wheel. The system further comprises a controller communicably coupled to the client and operable to determine a result of the spin of the virtual roulette wheel, the result based at least in part upon one or more digits of at least one financial market indicator at a configurable point in time. The system is further operable to determine an outcome of the bet based at least in part on the determined result. 
     According to certain embodiments, a system comprises a client operable to communicate a bet regarding a baccarat game. The system further comprises a controller communicably coupled to the client and operable to determine a result of the baccarat game, the result based at least in part upon one or more digits of at least one financial market indicator at a configurable point in time. The controller is further operable to determine an outcome of the bet based at least in part on the determined result. 
     In another embodiment, a wagering system comprises a client coupled to a controller. The client communicates a bet regarding a spin of the reels of a slot machine. The controller determines a first value for a first reel of the slot machine based at least in part upon the value of a digit of a first financial market indicator. The controller continues to determine a second value for a second reel of the slot machine, and a third value for a third reel of the slot machine. The controller then determines the outcome of the bet based at least in part upon the first value, the second value, and the third value. 
     In another embodiment, a method for wagering is provided. The method starts by receiving a bet indicating the value of a multi-digit number. The method continues by determining a first value based at least in part upon the value of a digit of a first financial market indicator, and by determining a second value based at least in part upon the value of a digit of a second financial market indicator. The method proceeds by determining a winning number based at least in part upon the first value and the second value. The method concludes by comparing the winning number against the value of the multi-digit number indicated by the bet, and by determining an outcome of the bet based at least in part upon the comparison. 
     In yet another embodiment, another method for wagering is provided. The method starts by receiving a bet regarding a spin of the reels of a slot machine. The method continues by determining a first symbol for a first reel of the slot machine based at least in part upon a first value and a second value. The first value is associated with a value of a digit of a first financial market indicator at a first point in time, and the second value is associated with the value of a digit of a second financial market indicator at the first point in time. The method continues by determining a second symbol for a second reel of the slot machine, and by determining a third symbol for a third reel of the slot machine. The method concludes by determining an outcome of the bet based at least in part upon the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol. 
     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 with gaming based upon the value of financial market indicators. Thus, a bettor may place a bet, such as a bet regarding the spin of the reels of a slot machine, in which the inputs for the game are determined based on the value of financial market indicators rather than the numbers generated by a Random Number Generator. Another advantage is that when financial market indicators are unavailable, such as on the weekends and holidays when financial markets are typically closed, the system determines inputs for the game based on some other type of non-random but unpredictable event. 
    
    
     
       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 wagering based on financial market indicators in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a slot machine used with the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart depicting one example method for wagering based on financial market indicators; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a slot machine used with the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart depicting another example method for wagering based on financial market indicators; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a client that is configured to provide a roulette game, according to certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart depicting an example method for executing a roulette game based at least in part on financial market indicators; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a client that is configured to provide a baccarat game, according to certain embodiments; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flowchart depicting an example method for executing a baccarat game based at least in part on financial market indicators. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a system  10  that includes clients  20  coupled to a controller  40  using communication network  30 . Controller  40  is further coupled to one or more data sources  60  using communication network  50 . In general, system  10  provides for wagering based at least in part upon event information  64 , such as financial market indicators. 
     Clients  20  are various users of system  10  that may place a bet  22  comprising bet parameters  24  and receive bet results  26 . Clients  20  may also refer to the devices used by various users of system  10 . Examples of these devices include a computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone, a kiosk or point of sale terminal, or any other device that can interoperate with the elements of system  10  to perform the functions described herein. In a particular embodiment, clients  20  comprise physical slot machines. In other embodiments, clients  20  comprise devices, such as those described above, that can display a virtual slot machine to a user.  FIG. 2  illustrates one example of such a slot machine  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a slot machine  20 , whether physical or virtual, includes any suitable number of reels  102 , paylines  104 , and symbols  106 . Each reel  102  comprises a cylindrical spinning piece, or virtual display thereof, around which the symbols  106  are displayed. Each payline  104  comprises a line (e.g., horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or other) in the visible playing section of the slot machine  20 . Each symbol  106  comprises a graphic, picture, image, or icon that is displayed on a reel  102 . The symbols  106  may comprise, for example, blanks, cherries, bananas, oranges, diamonds, bells, lemons, numbers, bars, double bars, or any other recognizable images. The more reels  102  that are associated with the slot machine  20 , the more permutations or possible combinations of symbols  106  are able to appear on the one or more paylines  104 . The slot machine  20  illustrated in  FIG. 2  is only one type of slot machine  20 . The look and feel of slot machine  20  could change based on any number of factors associated with system  10 , such as the type of data that is used to create the inputs for the slot machine  20 . For example, if financial information  64  is used, then the look and of slot machine  20  feel (e.g., symbols  106 , buttons, display, etc.) may be customized for financial markets. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , communication networks  30  and  50  may comprise any suitable number and combination of local area networks, wide area networks (e.g., the Internet), wireless networks, or any other type of network that transfers data between controller  40  and the other elements of system  10 , such as clients  20  and data sources  60 . Although illustrated as two separate networks, all or a portion of networks  30  and  50  may be common to one another. Moreover, all or a portion of communication networks  30  and  50  may be a proprietary network. The transfer of data on network  30  may include the transfer of bets  22  and bet results  26 . The transfer of data on network  50  may include a transfer of event data requests  62 , such as financial market requests  62 , and event information  64 , such as financial market information  64 . 
     Controller  40  comprises a processor  42  coupled to a memory  44 . Processor  42  may comprise any suitable processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other microprocessor, and may include any suitable number of processors working together. Memory  44  may comprise any suitable combination of volatile and non-volatile memory that stores bets  22 , bet parameters  24 , bet results  26 , event data requests  62 , event information  64 , gaming rules  66 , input values  68 , input symbols  70  (used interchangeably with symbols  106 ), payouts  72 , and wagering system software application  80 . Processor  42  executes application  80  to process bets  22  based at least in part upon event information  64 . Although the description detailed below discusses the controller  40  performing particular functions, it should be understood that some or all of the functions described as being performed by the controller  40  may be performed by clients  20 . 
     Data sources  60  comprise any suitable source of real-time or substantially real-time event information  64 . For example, data sources  60  may comprise a source of financial market information  64 , such as market centers, market data vendors, news services, and the like. Financial market information  64  comprises information regarding the value, price, volume, or any other suitable indicator of a financial market index or any other suitable financial instrument (e.g., stocks, bonds, futures contracts, derivatives, etc.), referred to generally as a financial market indicator, during or at the end of a predetermined period of time or after one or more relevant transactions. For example, a financial market indicator may comprise the value of a certain financial market index, foreign or domestic, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), the NASDAQ, the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE), the S&amp;P 500, the New York Stock Exchange, or any other suitable financial market index. In another example, the financial market indicator may comprise the value of a particular stock, bond, futures contract, or any other suitable financial instrument. The financial market indicator may be rounded, such as to the nearest whole point (e.g., a financial market indicator of 9,314.62 may be rounded up to 9,315), and/or include any suitable number of decimal places to provide an appropriate level of granularity. Therefore, each financial market indicator may comprise a plurality of numerical digits associated with the value of a corresponding financial market index or other financial instrument. As described in greater detail below, controller  40  may determine the outcome of bets  22  based at least in part upon the value of one or more digits that comprise a particular financial market indicator. 
     Although the description of system  10  is detailed with reference to financial markets, it should be understood that system  10  provides for the contingency whereby financial markets (and therefore financial market indicators) are unavailable at a given point in time. For example, financial markets may be closed at various times of the day, on weekends, or during holidays so that financial market indicators are unavailable at these times. In those instances, controller  40  uses event information  64  from other sources  60  to create inputs for the games, such as a slot machine game. The event information  64  may comprise any suitable numerical data that is not randomly generated but that is also not predictable. For example, the event information  64  may be related to the weather in one or more locations at a particular time; the U.S. national debt at a particular time; power consumption of a city at a particular time; the number of television shows tuned in to a particular channel or program at a particular time (e.g., television ratings); the power output of a facility at a particular time; horse race, dog race, jai alai, or other sporting event results at a particular time; or any other substantially changing numerical data that is related to non-random events. 
     In operation, controller  40  receives a bet  22  comprising bet parameters  24 . In one embodiment, the bet  22  comprises a bet regarding a spin of the reels  102  of a slot machine  20 . In another embodiment, the bet  22  comprises a bet regarding a “lottery” number. The bet parameters  24  comprise one or more of the identity of the client  20  that originated the bet  22 ; the amount of the bet  22 ; the time the bet  22  was placed; the type of bet  22  (e.g., slot machine bet, lottery bet, or other type bet); a period of time used to determine the appropriate financial market information  64 ; a particular digit of a financial market indicator (e.g., first digit, last digit, nth digit); and information that identifies one or more financial instruments used to determine the appropriate financial market information  64 . In the embodiment where the type of bet  22  comprises a lottery bet  22 , the bet parameters  24  may further include a multi-digit lottery number. 
     Controller  40  processes the bet  22  based at least in part upon financial market information  64 . For example, suppose bet  22  specifies the DJIA, the S&amp;P 500, and the NASDAQ, as financial market indices to be used to determine the outcome of bet  22 . Suppose further that bet  22  specifies that the financial market indicators for these financial market indices should be captured ten seconds after the bet  22  is placed, as represented, for example, by a timestamp associated with bet  22  (other bets  22  could indicate that the financial market indicator that is used coincide in time with the timestamp communicated with the bet  22 ). In this example, controller  40  generates a financial market request  62  for the appropriate financial market information  64 . In response to the financial market request  62 , controller  40  receives the following financial market indicators representing the value of the DJIA, the S&amp;P 500, and the NASDAQ ten seconds after the bet  22  was placed: DJIA—10,155; S&amp;P 500—1112; and NASDAQ—1959. Suppose further that the bet parameters  24  of the bet  22  specified the use of the last digit of each of these financial market indicators to determine input values  68 . Controller  40  therefore determines a first input value  68  of “5” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the DJIA); a second input value  68  of “2” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the S&amp;P 500); and a third input value  68  of “9” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the NASDAQ). 
     In other examples, the input values  68  may be determined based on other digits of a financial market indicator or by applying any suitable mathematical formula that uses one or more digits of one or more financial market indicators as operands. In still other examples, a second input value  68  may be based at least in part upon a second digit of a first financial market indicator (e.g., first input value  68  is the n th  digit of DJIA and second input value  68  is the m th  digit of DJIA). 
     Controller  40  determines the outcome of bet  22  based upon the first input value  68 , the second input value  68 , and the third input value  68 . For example, suppose that bet  22  comprises a slot machine type bet  22 . In this example, controller  40  maps the input values  68  to appropriate input symbols  70  for a slot machine  20 , according to rules  66 . In particular, controller  40  maps the first input value  68  to a first input symbol  70  for a first reel  102  of slot machine  20 . Controller  40  maps the second input value  68  to a second input symbol  70  for a second reel  102  of slot machine  20 . Controller  40  maps the third input value  68  to a third input symbol  70  for a third reel  102  of slot machine  20 . The first reel  102 , the second reel  102 , and the third reel  102  may be arranged in any suitable order in the slot machine  20 , so that the ordering of the financial market indicators when applied to the reels  102  of the slot machine  20  may comprise one of “529,” “592,” “259,” “295,” “952,” or “925” based upon rules  66  or bet parameters  24 . 
     Rules  66  specify a mapping of numeric digits to particular input symbols  70 . For example, rules  66  may specify the following mapping:
         “0”=Blank   “1”=Cherry   “2”=Banana   “3”=Orange   “4”=Diamond   “5”=Bell   “6”=Lemon   “7”=Seven   “8”=Bar   “9”=Double Bar       

     Of course, controller  40  may use any suitable mapping of numeric digits to input symbols  70 , and the mapping provided above is only an example of one such mapping. Moreover, particular embodiments of system  10  use bonus symbols  70  to create a jackpot. For example, from time to time, any of the numeric digits from “0” to “9” could result in a bonus symbol  70 , such as a “$,” “+,” “#,” “£,” “¥,” etc. If one or more of the reels  102  results in a bonus symbol  70 , then the user wins an enhanced payout  72 . For example, if one reel  102  results in a bonus symbol  70 , the user may win a higher payout  72  than normal. If two reels  102  result in a bonus symbol  70 , the user may win a still higher payout  72 . If all three reels  102  result in a bonus symbol  70 , the user may win a jackpot payout  72 . The occurrence of a bonus symbol  70  for any given reel  102  could be based upon predetermined odds. For example, the odds of receiving a bonus symbol  70  for any given reel  102  may be 100-1. The odds of receiving a bonus symbol  70  for two reels  102  would therefore be 1000-1. The odd of receiving a bonus symbol  70  for all three reels  102  would therefore be 1,000,000-1. The payouts  72  for each of these results could then be predicated upon the predetermined odds, taking into account a predetermined house advantage. 
     Using the mapping set forth above, controller  40  therefore determines that the spin of the reels  102  of slot machine  20  associated with bet  22  resulted in a combination of “Bell,” “Banana,” and “Double Bar” at the payline  104 . Controller  40  applies rules  66  to determine bet results  26 . That is, controller  40  applies rules  66  to determine whether this combination of symbols  70  results in a “win,” a “loss,” or a “tie”. Controller  40  also applies rules  66  to determine a payout  72  based upon the resulting combination of symbols  70  and the amount of the bet  22 . In this regard, rules  66  include the winning combinations of symbols  70 , the payout odds associated therewith, and any other factors used to determine a bet result  26  and/or a payout  72 . Controller  40  communicates bet results  26  and any other data used to display the appropriate symbols  70  on the reels  102  of slot machine  20 . 
     Controller  40  may also determine the outcome of bet  22  based upon the first input value  68 , the second input value  68 , and third input value  68  if bet  22  comprises a lottery type bet  22 . In this example, suppose the bet parameters  24  specified a multi-digit lottery number of “529” and specified that this number was to be formed using the last digit of the DJIA, S&amp;P 500, and NASDAQ, in that order, ten seconds after the bet  22  was placed. Based upon the financial market indicators described above, controller  40  determines a winning number of “529.” In other examples, the winning number may be determined by applying any suitable mathematical formula that uses one or more determined input values  68  (or financial market indicators) as the operands. 
     Controller  40  compares the multi-digit lottery number of “529” specified by the bet parameters  24  with the winning number “529” determined according to financial market information  64  to determine the outcome of lottery type bet  22 . In this example, controller  40  determines that bet  22  “wins.” Controller  40  determines an appropriate payout  72  for the winning bet  22  based at least in part upon the amount of the bet  22  and/or the payout odds associated with such a bet  22  as specified by rules  66 . For example, with respect to a three-digit lottery type bet  22 , rules  66  may specify payout odds of 500-1. Therefore, if the amount of the bet  22  was $1, then the payout  72  would comprise $500.00. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart  110  depicting one example method for wagering based on financial market indicators. At step  112 , controller  40  receives a bet  22  from a client  20 . The bet  22  may specify particular financial instruments and a predetermined period of time to be used to determine one or more financial market indicators. For example, the bet  22  may specify to capture financial market indicators for the DJIA, the S&amp;P 500, and the NASDAQ ten seconds after the bet  22  is placed. Bet  22  may further specify additional bet parameters  24 . Controller  40  communicates appropriate financial market requests  62  at step  114  and receives appropriate financial market information  64  at step  116 . In other embodiments, controller  40  may simply capture the appropriate financial market information  64  without issuing any requests  62 . In still other embodiments when financial market indicators are unavailable, controller  40  captures other event information  64  for use in later steps of the method. 
     Execution proceeds to step  118  where controller  40  determines the input values  68  based upon the financial market information  64  received at step  116 . Controller  40  may determine any suitable number of input values  68  from any suitable number and combination of financial market indicators using any suitable techniques described in greater detail above with regard to  FIG. 1 . From here, execution proceeds along path  120  if the bet  22  is a slot machine type bet  22 , and along path  122  if the bet  22  is a lottery type bet  22 . 
     Proceeding along path  120 , controller  40  maps input values  68  determined at step  118  to input symbols  70  at step  124 . Controller  40  determines the arrangement of input symbols  70  on the one or more paylines  104  of the slot machine  20  at step  126 . This arrangement may be based at least in part upon bet parameters  24 . For example, the bet parameters  24  may dictate that the financial market indicators for the DJIA, the S&amp;P 500, and the NASDAQ should be used in that specific order. 
     Proceeding along path  122 , controller  40  determines the winning number, at step  130 , based at least in part upon the input values  68  determined at step  118 . Controller  40  compares the winning number determined at step  130  to the lottery number specified by the bet  22 , at step  132 . 
     Whether execution proceeded along path  120  or path  122 , execution now proceeds to step  134  where controller  40  determines one or more outcomes of the bet  22  and payouts  72 . Controller  40  communicates bet results  136  to client  20  at step  136 . Execution terminates at step  138 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a slot machine that may be used in system  10 . As with the slot machine  20  of  FIG. 2 , slot machine  200  includes any suitable number of reels  102 , paylines  104 , and symbols  106 . Slot machine  200  further includes a symbol matrix  210 . Symbol matrix  210  comprises an n-dimensional array of symbols  106 . As illustrated, symbol matrix  210  is a two-dimensional array having rows  212  of symbols  106  that intersect with columns  214  of symbols  106 . Rows  212  and columns  214  are associated with input values  68 . As described above, input values  68  may be determined according to the values of one or more digits of one or more financial market indicators at various points in time. Each symbol  106  associated with a particular reel  102  may be determined according to an intersection of rows  212  and columns  214  based at least in part on input values  68 . Slot machine  200  further includes a timer  230 , input selections  232  and betting windows  234 . 
     In operation, controller  40  receives a bet  22  comprising bet parameters  24 . In one embodiment, the bet  22  comprises a bet regarding a spin of the reels  102  of slot machine  200 . Alternatively, or in addition, the bet  22  comprises a bet regarding a lottery number selected in betting windows  234 . The bet parameters  24  comprise one or more of the identity of the client  20  that originated the bet  22 ; the amount of the bet  22 ; the time the bet  22  was placed; the type of bet  22  (e.g., slot machine bet, lottery bet, or other type bet); one or more periods of time used to determine the appropriate financial market information  64 ; a particular digit of a financial market indicator (e.g., first digit, last digit, nth digit); and information that identifies one or more financial instruments used to determine the appropriate financial market information  64  (e.g., from input selections  232 ). In the embodiment where the type of bet  22  comprises a lottery bet  22 , the bet parameters  24  may further comprise multiple symbols  106  that are selected in betting windows  234 . This bet  22  is therefore a bet on the predicted composition of symbols  106  associated with the reels  102  of the slot machine  200 . 
     Controller  40  processes the bet  22  based at least in part upon financial market information  64 . For example, suppose bet  22  specifies the FTSE and the DJIA as financial market indices to be used to determine the outcome of bet  22 . Suppose further that bet  22  specifies that the financial market indicators for these financial market indices should be captured ten seconds, twenty seconds, and thirty seconds after the bet  22  is placed, as represented, for example, by a timestamp associated with bet  22 . In this example, controller  40  generates a financial market request  62  for the appropriate financial market information  64 . In response to the financial market request  62 , controller  40  may receive the following financial market indicators representing the value of the FTSE and the DJIA at the appropriate time intervals specified in the bet: 
     After ten seconds: FTSE—4,460.10
         DJIA—10319.20       

     After twenty seconds: FTSE—4,460.17
         DJIA—10319.26       

     After thirty seconds: FTSE—4,460.05
         DJIA—10,319.07       

     Suppose further that the bet parameters  24  of the bet  22  specified the use of the last digit of each of these financial market indicators to determine input values  68  for each time interval of the bet  22 . For the first time interval of ten seconds after the bet  22  is placed, controller  40  therefore determines a first input value  68  of “0” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the FTSE), and a second input value  68  of “0” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the DJIA). Controller  40  then determines that the intersection of “0” and “0” in the symbol matrix  210  corresponds to the symbol  106  of “BAR”. Controller  40  therefore associates the symbol  106  of “BAR” with the first reel  102  of the slot machine  200 . 
     For the second time interval of twenty seconds after the bet  22  is placed, controller  20  determines a first input value  68  of “7” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the FTSE), and a second input value  68  of “6” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the DJIA). Controller  40  then determines that the intersection of “7” and “6” in the symbol matrix  210  corresponds to the symbol  106  of “£”. Controller  40  therefore associates the symbol  106  of “£” with the second reel  102  of the slot machine  200 . 
     For the third time interval of thirty seconds after the bet  22  is placed, controller  20  determines a first input value  68  of “5” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the FTSE), and a second input value  68  of “7” (e.g., the last digit of the financial market indicator associated with the DJIA). Controller  40  then determines that the intersection of “5” and “7” in the symbol matrix  210  corresponds to the symbol  106  of a “Cherry.” Controller  40  therefore associates the symbol  106  of a cherry with the third reel  102  of the slot machine  200 . 
     Controller  40  therefore determines that the spin of the reels  102  of slot machine  200  associated with bet  22  resulted in a combination of “BAR,” “£,” and “Cherry” at the payline  104 . Controller  40  applies rules  66  to determine bet results  26  based on this combination of symbols  106 . That is, controller  40  applies rules  66  to determine whether this combination of symbols  106  results in a “win,” a “loss,” or a “tie”. Controller  40  also applies rules  66  to determine a payout  72  based upon the resulting combination of symbols  106  and the amount of the bet  22 . In this regard, rules  66  include the winning combinations of symbols  106 , the payout odds associated therewith, and any other factors used to determine a bet result  26  and/or a payout  72 . Controller  40  communicates bet results  26  and any other data used to display the appropriate symbols  106  on the reels  102  of slot machine  200  (e.g., as symbols  106 ). 
     In other examples, the input values  68  may be determined based on other digits of the financial market indicators or by applying any suitable mathematical formula that uses one or more digits of one or more financial market indicators as operands. In still other examples, the symbols  106  for different reels  102  of the slot machine  200  may be derived from different financial market indicators. In particular, referring back to the example above, the symbol  106  for the second reel  102  of the slot machine  200  may be derived from the value of a digit of financial market indicators besides the FTSE and the DJIA. Moreover, the symbol  106  for the second reel  102  of the slot machine  200  may be derived from the value of a digit of one or the other of the FTSE and the DJIA in combination with the value of a digit of a financial market indicator besides the FTSE and the DJIA. In this regard, any suitable combinations of financial market indicators and/or digits associated therewith can be used to derive the symbols  106  of the different reels  102  of the slot machine  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the symbols  106  of the symbol matrix  210  may change until the bet  22  is placed, at which time they become fixed. Alternatively, or in addition, the symbols  106  may change in between the various time intervals and become fixed at the expiration of each of the time intervals. For example, the symbols  106  may be constantly changing until the bet  22  is placed and the first time interval expires, such as ten seconds after the bet  22  is placed. At this point in time, the symbols  106  become fixed so that a particular symbol  106  may be determined for the first reel  102  of the slot machine  200 . Once the symbol  106  for the first reel  102  is determined, the symbols  106  may continue to change until the expiration of the second time interval, such as twenty seconds after the bet  22  is placed. At this point in time, the symbols  106  become fixed once again so that a particular symbol  106  may be determined for the second reel  102  of the slot machine  200 . Once the symbol  106  for the second reel  102  is determined, the symbols  106  may again continue to change until the expiration of the third time interval, such as thirty seconds after the bet  22  is placed. At this point in time, the symbols  106  become fixed once again so that a particular symbol  106  may be determined for the third reel  102  of the slot machine  200 . 
     Controller  40  may also determine the outcome of a lottery type bet  22 . In this example, suppose the bet parameters  24  predicted the composition of symbols  106  to be “2,” “4,” and “9” as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Based upon the financial market indicators described above, and the resulting symbols  106  that appear on the payline  104  (e.g., “BAR,” “£,” and “Cherry”), controller  40  would determine that none of the symbols  106  of the lottery type bet  22  match the symbols  106  appearing in the payline  104 . Therefore, controller  40  would determine the lottery type bet  22  to be a “loss.” In particular embodiments, the controller  40  could determine the result of the bet  22  (e.g., a “win,” “loss,” or “tie”) and the payout  72  associated therewith based on the number and type of symbols  106  from the bet  22  that match the symbols  106  ultimately appearing in the payline  104  of the slot machine  200 . The payout  72  could further be determined based on the amount of the bet  22  and/or the payout odds associated with such a bet  22  as specified by rules  66 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart  300  depicting one example method for wagering based on multiple financial market indicators. At step  302 , controller  40  receives a bet  22  from a client  20 . The bet  22  may specify particular bet parameters  24 . Controller  40  communicates appropriate financial market requests  62  at step  304  and receives appropriate financial market information  64  at step  306 . In other embodiments, controller  40  may simply capture the appropriate financial market information  64  without issuing any requests  62 . In still other embodiments when financial market indicators are unavailable, controller  40  captures other event information  64  for use in later steps of the method. 
     Execution proceeds to step  308  where controller  40  determines the input values  68  based upon the financial market information  64  received at step  306 . Controller  40  may determine any suitable number of input values  68  from any suitable number and combination of financial market indicators using any suitable techniques described in greater detail above with regard to  FIG. 4 . At step  310 , controller  40  maps input values  68  determined at step  308  to a symbol  106  using matrix  210 . Controller  40  arranges the symbol  106  determined at step  310  onto a particular reel  102  at payline  104  at step  312 . 
     If another time period associated with timer  230  is applicable, as determined at step  314 , controller  40  repeats any suitable number and combination of steps  304 - 312  to determine and arrange another symbol  106  on another reel  102  at the payline  104 . In some embodiments, one or more of steps  304 - 308  are performed only once to determine the appropriate input values used to determine the symbols  106  used in steps  310 - 312 . If another time period is not applicable, as determined at step  314 , execution proceeds to step  316  where controller  40  determines the outcome and payout of the bet  22  on payline  104 . If a lottery type bet  22  was also placed, execution proceeds to step  318  where controller  40  determines the outcome and payout of the lottery bet  22 . The bet results are communicated to the client  20  at step  320  and execution terminates at step  322 . 
     In some embodiments, system  10  is operable to provide a roulette game associated with financial market information  64 .  FIG. 6  illustrates client  20  that is configured to provide a roulette game, according to certain embodiments. Client  20  may be a video gaming machine, computer, personal digital assistant, mobile phone, kiosk, point of sale terminal, and/or any suitable device. The components displayed by client  20  may be physical and/or virtual. In some embodiments, client  20  displays a roulette wheel  602  and a roulette board  604 . 
     Roulette wheel  602  may comprise a plurality of pockets  606 . Each pocket  606  may be associated with a respective pocket number  614 . Some pockets  606  of roulette wheel  602  may be shaded a first color (e.g., black) and other pockets  606  of roulette wheel  602  may be shaded a second color (e.g., red). In some embodiments, one or more pockets  606  may be shaded a third color. For example, the particular pocket  606  with pocket number  614  of “0” may be shaded green. According to some embodiments, roulette wheel  602  comprises a respective pocket  606  for pocket numbers  614  of “00”, “0”, and “1” to “36”. 
     Roulette wheel  602  may be associated with a ball  608 . During a game, controller  40  may cause roulette wheel  602  to spin. In some embodiments, as roulette wheel  602  stops spinning, ball  608  may come to rest in a particular pocket  614  of roulette wheel  602 . The particular pocket  614  in which ball  608  comes to rest may be referred to as the “winning pocket”  610 . For a given game, controller  40  may determine the particular pocket  614  in which ball  608  comes to rest. This determination may be based at least in part on financial market information  64 . 
     Client  20  is operable to display roulette board  604 . Roulette board  604  may comprise a plurality of board spaces  612 . Each board space  612  may indicate a respective prediction regarding the outcome of a given roulette game. In some embodiments, roulette board  604  comprises a respective board space  612  for each pocket  614  of roulette wheel  602 . For example, assume that roulette wheel  602  comprises a black pocket  606  with a pocket number  614  of “2” and a red pocket  606  with a pocket number  614  of “9”. In this example, roulette board  604  may comprise a black board space  612  with a pocket number  614  of “2” and a red board space  612  with a pocket number  614  of “9”. 
     Roulette board  604  may further comprise a plurality of board spaces  612  that correspond to one or more “outside” bets  22 . An outside bet  22  refers to a particular bet  22  based on positional groupings of pockets  606 , colors of pockets  606 , and/or on whether winning pocket  610  is odd or even. For example, roulette board  604  may comprise board space  612  for a particular bet  22  that pocket number  614  of winning pocket  610  will be even, will be odd, will be between “1” and “18”, will be between “19” and “36”, will be within the first twelve board spaces  612  of roulette board  604 , will be within the second twelve board spaces  612  of roulette board  604 , and/or will be within the third twelve board spaces  612  of roulette board  604 . As another example, roulette board  604  may comprise board space  612  for a particular bet  22  that winning pocket  610  will be red or black. 
     In conjunction with displaying roulette board  604 , client  20  may display one or more chips  616 . In some embodiments, a particular chip  616  may be associated with a particular amount of money. To place bet  22 , a user may place chip  616  on one or more board spaces  612  of roulette board  604 . For example, to make a particular bet  22  that winning pocket  610  will have pocket number  614  between “1” and “18”, the user may place chip  616  on board space  612  that indicates “1-18”. In this example, if controller  40  determines that ball  608  comes to rest in a particular pocket  606  with a particular pocket number  614  between “1” and “18”, then the user may win bet  22 . Accordingly, controller  40  may determine and transmit to the user an appropriate payout  72 . User may use any suitable interface component associated with client  20  to position chip  616  on one or more board spaces  612 . 
     In some embodiments, controller  40  determines the outcome of a given game based at least in part on financial market information  64 . Controller  40  may cause client  20  to display one or more financial market indicators as input selections  232 . For example, client  20  may display a respective value for each of the FTSE 100, the DJIA, the Hang Seng, and/or any suitable financial market indicator. Based at least in part on one or more digits of the financial market indicators from input selections  232 , controller  40  may determine winning pocket  610  for the given game. 
     Rules  66  may comprise any suitable guidelines and/or criteria for using financial market information  64  to determine the outcome of a game. For example, rules  66  may specify that, if the digit in the second decimal place (hundredth place) of the first financial market indicator is even, then ball  608  will come to rest in a black pocket  606 . 
     In some embodiments, a first financial market indicator displayed by client  20  may be associated with a first color and a second financial market indicator displayed by client  20  may be associated with a second color. Rules  66  may direct controller  40  to compare a particular digit from the first financial market indicator with a particular digit from the second financial market indicator. Controller  40  may determine winning pocket  610  based at least in part on the comparison. For example, the FTSE 100 may be the first financial market indicator and the DJIA may be the second financial market indicator. The FTSE 100 may be associated with the color black and the DJIA may be associated with the color red. In this example, rules  66  may instruct controller  40  to compare the digit in the first decimal place (tenth place) of the FTSE 100 with the digit in the second decimal place (hundredth place) of the DJIA. If the digit in the first decimal place of the FTSE 100 is greater than the digit in the second decimal place of the DJIA, then rules  66  may specify that winning pocket  610  be a black pocket  606 . Otherwise, rules  66  may specify that winning pocket  610  be a red pocket  606 . In this example, if the user correctly predicted the color of winning pocket  610 , then controller  40  may transmit to the user an appropriate payout  72 . 
     According to certain embodiments, system  10  may provide payout  72  if bet  22  is associated with at least part of pocket number  614  of winning pocket  610 . For example, a user may place bet  22  by placing chip  616  on board space  612  indicating number “18”. In this example, rules  66  may specify that the particular bet  22  is a winning bet  22  if (1) the digit in the second decimal place of the S&amp;P 500 is the same as the digit in the tens place of the number in the selected board space  612 , and (2) the digit in the second decimal place of the DJIA is the same as the digit in the ones place of the number in the selected board space  612 . 
     In this example, after roulette wheel  602  begins spinning, controller  40  transmits financial market request  62  for the current values of the S&amp;P 500 and the DJIA. In this example, the current value of the S&amp;P 500 is 1482.21 and the current value of the DJIA is 10,217.28. Accordingly, controller  40  determines that the digit in the second decimal place of the S&amp;P 500 (i.e., “1”) matches the digit in the tens place of the number in the selected board space  612  (i.e., “18”). Controller  40  further determines that the digit in the second decimal place of the DJIA (i.e., “8”) matches the digit in the ones place of the number in the selected board space  612  (i.e., “18”). Because the particular digits from the respective financial market indicators match the respective digits of the number in the selected board space  612 , controller  40  may cause ball  608  to come to rest in pocket  606  with pocket number  614  of “18”. In this example, controller  40  may then transmit to the user an appropriate payout  72 . 
     The foregoing examples describe the use of particular financial market indicators (e.g., FTSE 100, DJIA, S&amp;P 500) to determine the outcome of a roulette game. It should be understood, however, that controller  40  may be configured to use any suitable financial market information and/or non-random values to determine the outcome of the roulette game. 
     The foregoing examples describe particular rules for associating particular digits of financial market indicators with particular colors of pockets  606  and/or with particular pocket numbers  614 . It should be understood, however, that rules  66  may comprise any suitable guidelines and/or criteria for using financial market information  64  to determine winning pocket  610  in a roulette game. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart  700  depicting an example method for executing a roulette game based at least in part on financial market indicators. At step  702 , controller  40  receives one or more bets  22  from client  20 . A particular bet  22  may specify one or more bet parameters  24 . In some embodiments, bet  22  comprises a prediction associated with one or more board spaces  612  displayed by client  20 . At step  704 , controller  40  transmits financial market request  62  to one or more data sources  64 . At step  706 , controller  40  receives financial market information  64  from one or more data sources  64 . Financial market information  64  may comprise one or more financial market indicators. In some embodiments, when financial market information  64  is unavailable, controller  40  may capture other non-random values for use in later steps of the method. Controller  40  may use any suitable non-random values such as, for example, a financial market indicator, a local or national death rate, a local or national birth rate, an amount of collected taxes, a time of day, a temperature in a particular location, an amount of national debt, an amount of power consumption or power output, and a result in a sporting event. 
     At step  708 , controller  40  uses the received financial market information  64  to determine one or more input values  68 . In some embodiments, input value  68  may be a particular digit of a financial market indicator from the received financial market information  64 . In some embodiments, rules  66  specify which financial market indicator(s) and/or which digit(s) to use to determine input value(s)  68 . 
     At step  710 , controller  40  determines winning pocket  610  based at least in part on the determined input value(s)  68 . At step  712 , controller  40  may cause client  20  to display roulette wheel  602  stopping with ball  608  coming to rest in the determined winning pocket  606 . At step  714 , controller  40  may determine the outcome and appropriate payout  72  for the one or more received bets  22 . At step  716 , controller  40  may communicate one or more bet results  26  to client  20 . The method then ends. 
     In some embodiments, system  10  is operable to provide a baccarat game associated with financial market information  64 .  FIG. 8  illustrates client  20  that is configured to provide a baccarat game, according to certain embodiments. The components displayed by client  20  may be physical and/or virtual. In some embodiments, client  20  displays a baccarat table  802 , a banker hand  804 , and a player hand  806 . 
     Baccarat table  802  may comprise a tie wager section  808 , a banker wager section  810 , and a player wager section  812 . Client  20  may further display one or more chips  616  in association with baccarat table  802 . To place bet  22 , a user may place one or more chips  616  in a section of baccarat table  802 . In particular, to place bet  22  that banker hand  804  will win, the user may place one or more chips  616  in banker wager section  810  of baccarat table  802 . To place bet  22  that player hand  806  will win, the user may place one or more chips  616  in player wager section  812  of baccarat table  802 . To place bet  22  that player hand  806  will equal banker hand  804 , the user may place one or more chips  616  in tie wager section  808  of baccarat table  802 . 
     At the start of a baccarat game, controller  40  may cause two cards to be dealt to player hand  806  and two cards to be dealt to banker hand  804 . This may be referred to as the initial deal. The cards in player hand  806  may be added together to form a player hand total  816 . Similarly, the cards in banker hand  804  may be added together to form a banker hand total  814 . 
     Banker hand total  814  and player hand total  816  may be determined according to rules  66 . Rules  66  may specify that cards two through nine are worth face value and that tens and face cards (Jack, Queen, and King) are worth zero. Rules  66  may further specify that Aces are worth one point. In some embodiments, rules  66  may further specify that, when the total value of cards in a hand equals or exceeds ten, the tens digit is dropped. For example, a hand consisting of a six of clubs and a seven of diamonds is worth three (i.e., 6+7=13=3) instead of thirteen because the tens digit (i.e., 1) is dropped. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the highest possible score is nine. 
     Depending on player hand total  816  after the initial deal, one or more additional cards may be dealt to player hand  806  after the initial deal. Controller  40  may determine whether to deal one or more additional cards to player hand  806  based at least in part on a “Tableau”  818 . Based at least in part on Tableau  818  and on player hand  806 , one or more additional cards may then be dealt to banker hand  804 . 
     Tableau  818  refers to a Baccarat “table of play” that specifies the conditions for dealing additional cards. For example, Tableau  818  may specify that, if player hand total  816  after the initial deal is between zero and five, then an additional card is dealt to player hand  806 . It should be understood that Tableau  818  may comprise other criteria and/or conditions for dealing additional cards to player hand  806  and/or banker hand  804 . 
     After the dealing of cards is complete, controller  40  may compare player hand total  816  with banker hand total  814 . If player hand total  816  is higher than banker hand total  814 , then bets  22  in player wager section  812  are considered winning bets  22 . If banker hand total  814  is higher than player hand total  816 , then bets  22  in banker wager section  810  are considered winning bets  22 . If banker hand total  814  equals player hand total  816 , then bets  22  in tie wager section  808  are considered winning bets  22 . Controller  40  is operable to determine and transmit to user an appropriate payout  72  for a winning bet  22 . 
     In some embodiments, controller  40  is operable to determine the outcome of a baccarat game based at least in part on financial market information  64 . In particular, controller  40  may determine one or more cards in player hand  806  and/or one or more cards in banker hand  804  based at least in part on financial market information  64 . In some embodiments, client  20  is operable to display financial market information  64 . In particular, client  20  may display one or more financial market indicators in input selections  232 . Rules  66  may specify that a particular digit of a particular financial market indicator displayed by client  20  corresponds to a particular card of player hand  806  or banker hand  804 . For example, controller  40  may be configured to determine the first card of player hand  806  based at least in part on the digit in the second decimal place of the S&amp;P 500. In this example, if the value of the S&amp;P 500 is 1436.24, then controller  40  may deal a card having a value of four (e.g., a four of diamonds) as the first card for player hand  806 . As another example, controller  40  may be configured to determine the second card of banker hand  804  based at least in part on the digit in the first decimal place of the DJIA. In this example, if the value of the DJIA is 1127.56, then controller  40  may deal a card having a value of five (e.g., a five of clubs) as the second card of banker hand  804 . In some embodiments, each card that is dealt may depend on a respective digit of a respective financial market indicator. 
     In some embodiments, rules  66  may comprise a matrix  820  for mapping financial market information  64  to particular cards from a deck of cards. According to certain embodiments, matrix  820  comprises a plurality of rows and columns. Each row and column of matrix  820  may comprise a plurality of cards. Each row and column may further be associated with a respective number from zero to nine. 
     In some embodiments, rules  66  specify that the numbers associated with the rows of matrix  820  correspond to a first financial market indicator and that the numbers associated with the columns of matrix  820  correspond to a second financial market indicator. For example, rules  66  may specify that the digit in the first decimal place of the FTSE 100 is associated with the rows and that the digit in the second decimal place of the DJIA is associated with the columns of matrix  820 . In this example, if the FTSE 100 is 4328.35 and if the DJIA is 10527.72, then controller  40  may identify the particular card in matrix  820  at the intersection of row “3” and column “2” as the appropriate card to deal. In some embodiments, matrix  820  may comprise one or more “wild” cards and/or one or more extra cards from more than one deck of cards. According to certain embodiments, controller  40  may use financial market information  64  from a first time to determine the first card for player hand  806 , may use financial market information  64  from a second time to determine the second card for player hand  806 , may use financial market information  64  from a third time to determine the first card for banker hand  804 , and so forth. In some embodiments, client  20  may display matrix  820  to the user. 
     Although the foregoing examples illustrate the use of particular digits of particular financial market indicators, it should be understood that any suitable digit of any suitable financial market indicator and/or non-random value may be used by controller  40  to determine one or more cards of player hand  806  and/or banker hand  804 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flowchart  900  depicting an example method for executing a baccarat game based at least in part on financial market indicators. At step  902 , controller  40  receives one or more bets  22  from client  20 . A particular bet  22  may specify one or more bet parameters  24 . In some embodiments, bet  22  comprises a prediction that banker hand total  814  will exceed player hand total  816 , a prediction that player hand total  816  will exceed banker hand total  814 , or a prediction that banker hand total  814  will equal player hand total  816 . 
     At step  904 , controller  40  transmits financial market request  62  to one or more data sources  64 . At step  906 , controller  40  receives financial market information  64  from one or more data sources  64 . Financial market information  64  may comprise one or more financial market indicators. In some embodiments, when financial market information  64  is unavailable, controller  40  may capture other non-random values for use in later steps of the method. 
     At step  908 , controller  40  uses the received financial market information  64  to determine one or more input values  68 . In some embodiments, input value  68  may be a particular digit of a financial market indicator from the received financial market information  64 . In some embodiments, rules  66  specify which financial market indicator(s) and/or which digit(s) to use to determine input value(s)  68 . 
     At step  910 , controller  40  determines one or more cards for player hand  806  and/or one or more cards for banker hand  804  based at least in part on the determined input value(s)  68 . At step  912 , controller compares player hand total  816  with banker hand total  814 . Based at least in part on the comparison, controller determines, at step  914 , the game outcome and the appropriate payout  72  for the one or more received bets  22 . At step  916 , controller  40  may communicate one or more bet results  26  to client  20 . The method then ends. 
     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 wagering based on financial market indicators. 
     Although roulette, baccarat, and slots are described above, it should be understood that system  10  may provide any suitable wagering and/or casino-style games based at least in part on financial market information  64 . For example, system  10  may use financial market information  64  to provide craps, pai gow, blackjack, poker, faro, pachinko, bingo, and/or any suitable game. 
     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.