Gameplay method and system

Abstract

A method for generating a filtered wager set comprising one or more filtered wager options, comprising: obtain an odds dataset comprising one or more data structures each corresponding to a wager option, wherein each wager option is associated with a wager offered in relation to a specified event and defines at least one win condition relating to possible outcomes of the event, wherein each wager option is associated with an adjusted win probability, wherein the adjusted win probability associated with a particular wager option is derivable from information stored within the data structure of the wager option; analysing the one or more wager options in order to determine a win probability for each wager option, wherein, for a particular wager option, the win probability is derived from the adjusted win probability associated with the particular wager option, wherein the win probability is derived, at least in part, by removing an effect of an operator margin from the adjusted win probability; and filtering the one or more wager options to identify one or more filtered wager options in accordance with a predefined selection rule, wherein, for each wager option, the predefined selection rule is applied to at least the determined win probability associated with the wager option, to thereby generate the filtered wager set, and related system.

Description

GAMEPLAY METHOD AND SYSTEMRelated Application^)

[0001] The present application claims priority to Australian provisional patent application no. 2024903966 (filing date 29 November 2024), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.Field of the Invention

[0002] At least one embodiment of the invention may be understood as relating to methods for providing gameplay utilising disparate underlying event outcomes for determining game outcomes.Background to the Invention

[0003] In recent times, particularly in jurisdictions which, until recently, have prohibited online or sports gaming or wagering, there has been a significant increase in participation in these newly approved jurisdictions.

[0004] Sports or fantasy sports, online casinos, slots and a myriad of online gaming options are rapidly increasing in market share globally. As such "new" online options become more prevalent, market share of traditionally approved operators, working withing the confines of highly regulated but well-established gaming systems, is deteriorating. Market share of the "old" wagering systems such as Keno, Slots, Lotto, Pools, Bingo, Casino Table Games and the like are being significantly eroded by competition from newly approved gaming options and particularly sports and fantasy betting and other on-line offerings.

[0005] At the same time, such legacy gaming systems are heavily government controlled and regulated and are required to adhere to a strict auditing and operational requirements to enable the delivery of such product offerings to end users, who are therefore legislatively protected from any potentially unscrupulous operators. Such "legacy" wagering system operators have significant sunk costs and ongoing investment in existing processes and infrastructure, which often support local employment and generate significant taxation revenue.

[0006] The increase in sports betting is being driven, in part, by users who are seeking greater excitement and often to secure a larger potential return for a small stake or investment through the use of "accumulators". These bet types are also known as patent, multi's, all-ups, parlays, ladder bets and other tags used to describe a multi event bet iterative series where the returns are determined by the probability of each individual iterative event in the series. Reports suggest that approximately 90% of such "accumulator" betting includes four or more underlying events or selections. The use of such accumulator betting styles adds to the potential return from the underlying standalone betting propositions and purport to offer participants greater returns, potentially greater time of participation and consequently user heightened enjoyment and interaction. This search for heightened enjoyment and longer time of participation may mask the relative disparity between the true probability of success of this accumulation style of participation and that offered by existing sports betting platforms for this style of investment.

[0007] Many new players to such sports accumulator betting have a limited understanding of underlying odds or probability of potential payouts in real mathematical terms. As such, users find payouts based on the exact mathematical probability of each underlying iteration across a combination of underlying selections, confusing at best or shrouded in mystery. This often acts as a barrier to entry.

[0008] One or more embodiments herein described have been developed with the above in mind.Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for generating a filtered wager set comprising one or more filtered wager options , comprising: obtain an odds dataset comprising one or more data structures each corresponding to a wager option, wherein each wager option is associated with a wager offered in relation to a specified event and defines at least one win condition relating to possible outcomes of the event, wherein each wager option is associated with an adjusted win probability, wherein the adjusted win probability associated with a particular wager option is derivable from information stored within the data structure of the wager option; analysing the one or more wager options in order to determine a win probability for each wager option, wherein, for a particular wager option, the win probability is derived from the adjusted win probability associated with the particular wager option, wherein the win probability is derived, at least in part, by removing an effect of an operator margin from theadjusted win probability; and filtering the one or more wager options to identify one or more filtered wager options in accordance with a predefined selection rule, wherein, for each wager option, the predefined selection rule is applied to at least the determined win probability associated with the wager option, to thereby generate the filtered wager set.

[0010] Optionally, the predefined selection rule defines a probability range, and a particular wager option is identified as a filtered wager option upon determining that its associated win probability is within the probability range, such that the filtered wager set comprises filtered wager options each associated with a win probability with the probability range. The probability range may include 50%. The probability range may include and be centred on 50%. The probability range may be approximately 45-55%.

[0011] The method optionally comprises: receiving odds data from at least two event data sources, wherein the odds data of each event data source comprises one or more wager options, wherein the odds dataset is obtained by combining the odds data of the at least two different event data sources.

[0012] Optionally, each wager option defines a wager type indicating the type of wager associated with the wager option, and at least one wager option has a wager type different to the wager type of at least one other wager option. Optionally, the event associated with at least one wager option is different to the event associated with at least one other wager option.

[0013] The method optionally comprises: maintaining conversion database storing two or more conversion rules; and for each wager option: selecting a particular one of the conversion rules on the basis that the selected conversion rule is suitable for determining the win probability for the wager option; and applying the selected conversion rule to the wager option to thereby determine the win probability associated with the wager option. The selected conversion rule for a particular wager option may be selected, at least in part, on the basis of one or more of: a wager type defined by said wager option; the event associated with said wager option; an identity of an event data sources from which said wager option is source; and an identity of a betting entity offering the wager associated with said wager option.

[0014] The method optionally comprises: generating one or more wager packages, the, or each, wager package may be associated with a combination of two or more wager options and a wager package win probability, for a particular wager package, the wager package win probability may be determined by combining the win probabilities of the two or more associated wager options,and each wager package may have a wager package win probability satisfying a predefined construction rule. The, or each, wager package may define a wager package win condition for determining whether an outcome associated with the wager package is a win, and the wager package win condition may be dependent on results associated with the two or more associated wager options. The predefined construction rule may require the wager package win probability be equal to the probability range specified by the predefined selection rule or be encompassed by the probability range specified by the predefined selection rule.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wagering system comprising a game server configured for data communication with one or more data feed sources, wherein the game server is configured to implement the method according to the previous aspect.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of facilitating gameplay by a player of a game instance of a game , comprising: maintaining a filtered wager set comprising filtered wager options, wherein each filtered wager option is derived from a unique one of a plurality of wager options, wherein each wager option is associated with a wager offered in relation to an event and defines at least one win condition relating to possible outcomes of the event, and wherein each filtered wager option is associated with a win probability meeting a predefined selection rule; receiving a request from a wager terminal associated with the player, said request being for participation in a selected game instance; identifying a game selection rule associated with the selected game instance; determining a game option set comprising one or more game options comprising at least one first game option, wherein the, or each, first game option is uniquely associated with one of the one or more filtered wager options meeting the game selection rule and thereby associated with the win condition of its associated filtered wager options; communicating at least a portion of the game option set to the wager terminal; receiving, from the wager terminal, a personalised game configuration comprising one or more selected game options and an outcome prediction for each selected game option; and undertaking gameplay of the game instance in accordance with the received personalised game configuration to thereby facilitate gameplay of the game instance for the player.

[0017] Optionally, the filtered wager set is generated in accordance with the first aspect.

[0018] Optionally, the selected game instance is associated with a game comprising a plurality of game instances, wherein each game instance may be associated with a unique time or date, or arange thereof, and wherein the, or each, first game option of the game option set may be determined by identifying one or more filtered wager options associated with events occurring at or within the unique time or date, or a range thereof associated with the selected game instance.

[0019] Optionally, the game instance is associated with a predefined selection requirement specifying a number of game options required for selection in order to proceed with gameplay of the game instance, and wherein the received personalised game configuration may be required to comprise a number of game options equal to the that specified by the predefined selection requirement.

[0020] Optionally, the outcome prediction for each selected game option associated with a first game option is in the form of an agreement indicator with respect to the associated win condition, wherein each agreement indicator is indicative of one of: an agreement that the associated win condition will occur; or a disagreement that the associated win condition will occur.

[0021] Optionally, the filtered wager set comprises one or more wager packages, the, or each, wager package may be associated with a combination of two or more wager options, a wager package win condition, and a wager package win probability, for a particular wager package, the wager package win probability may be determined by combining the win probabilities of the two or more associated wager options in accordance with the wager package win condition, and each wager package may have a wager package win probability satisfying a predefined construction rule, and the one or more game options of the game option set may comprise at least one second game option, and the, or each, second game option may be uniquely associated with one of the one or more wager packages. The outcome prediction for each selected game option associated with a second game option may be in the form of an agreement indicator with respect to the associated wager package win condition, and each agreement indicator may be indicative of one of: an agreement that the associated wager package win condition will occur; or a disagreement that the associated wager package win condition will occur.

[0022] Optionally, undertaking gameplay of the game instance in accordance with the received personalised game configuration comprises: obtaining results data suitable for determining a result outcome for each game option of the personalised game configuration; and for at least one game option of the game options: determining, by reference to the results data, a success status selected from: a success, indicating that the outcome prediction is consistent with the result outcome of the associated event; or a failure, indicating that the outcome prediction is not consistent with the resultoutcome of the event. Undertaking gameplay of the game instance in accordance with the received personalised game configuration may comprise: determining a game instance outcome in accordance with predefined game rules associated with the game instance, wherein the game rules define one or more win outcome conditions and a loss outcome condition, and wherein at least one win outcome condition requires a predefined number of the success statuses indicate a success; determining that the game instance outcome corresponds to one of the one or more win outcome conditions; and determining and awarding a game prize in accordance with the determined game instance outcome.

[0023] The game rules may define one win outcome condition, and the win outcome condition may specify that the predefined number of the success statuses indicating success is equal to the number of game options required for selection specified by the predefined selection requirement. The game rules may define at least a first win outcome condition and a second win outcome condition, wherein: the first win outcome condition may specify that the predefined number of the success statuses indicating success is equal to the number of game options required for selection specified by the predefined selection requirement; and the second win outcome condition may specify that the predefined number of the success statuses indicating success is smaller than the number of game options required for selection specified by the predefined selection requirement, preferably one smaller, wherein a first game prize is awarded when the game instance outcome corresponds to the first win outcome condition and a second game prize is awarded when the game instance outcome corresponds to the second win outcome condition, and wherein the second prize is of lower value than the first prize.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for facilitating gameplay for a plurality of player s in respect of a particular game instance of a game, comprising: for each player, facilitating gameplay of the game instance according to the method of the above aspect, wherein the personalised game configuration of a first player comprises at least one selected game option not present in the personalised game configuration of a second player.

[0025] Optionally, a value of at least one game prize is dependent, at least in part, on a number of directly preceding game instances to the current game instance in which the win outcome condition associated with the game prize was not achieved by any player.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wagering system comprising a game server configured for data communication with one or more data feed sources and one or more wager terminals, wherein the game server is configured to implement the methods according to the above aspects.

[0027] Optionally, the system comprises the one or more wager terminals.

[0028] As used herein, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:Figure 1 shows a wagering system according to an embodiment;Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the game server according to an embodiment;Figure 3 shows a method for generating a filtered wager set according to an embodiment;Figure 4 shows a method for providing a game, according to an embodiment;Figure 5 shows an example of a selection page suitable for allowing the player to select one or more game options;Figure 6 shows an example of a player selection with respect to the selection page of Figure 5;Figures 7A-7C show an embodiment utilising wager packages; andFigure 8 shows a variation to the embodiment of Figure 2, comprising a statement generation module.Description of Embodiments

[0030] Figure 1 shows a wagering system 10 according to an embodiment. The wagering system 10 comprises a game server 11 is data communication with one or more wager terminals 12 (three wager terminals 12a, 12b, 12c are shown in the figure). The game server 11 is also in data communication with one or more event data sources 13 (two event data sources 13a, 13b are shown in the figure). Typically (as shown), the data communication between the game server 11 and the one or more wager terminals 12, as well as the game server 11 and the one or more data feed sources 13, is via a data network 15, which typically comprises the Internet. However, an embodiment is envisaged in which at least one data feed 13 is implemented by the game server 11 (e.g., said at least one data feed 13 is effectively in direct data communication with the game server 11, without utilising data network 15).

[0031] The figures may show several different instances of a more general feature. The present disclosure may make reference to the feature generally. The present disclosure may instead make reference to one or more of the specific instances of the feature. A reference to the feature in a general sense utilises a number, for example, reference may be made to the wager terminals 12 (or, equivalently, the one or more wager terminals 12 or the at least one wager terminal 12). In cases where it is necessary to distinguish different ones of the specific instances of the feature, a lowercase suffix is appended to the number. So, for example, wager terminal 12a can be distinguished from wager terminal 12b and wager terminal 12c. Labels such as “first”, “second”, and “third” may also be utilised to distinguish different specific instances of the feature, for example, considering Figure 1, reference may be made to a / the first wager terminal 12a, a / the second wager terminal 12b, and a / the third wager terminal 12c.

[0032] The game server 11 in a general sense is a computer capable of executing computer programs (in the form of executable code) to implement the functionality herein described to it. However, reference to “the game server 11” in the singular is not intended to be limiting and various different configurations are envisaged. For example, the game server 11 can be implemented in appropriate hardware as desired. For example, the game server 11 can be implemented in dedicated computing hardware. The dedicated computing hardware can have a monolithic design. Alternatively, the game server 11 can be implemented in a distributed computing environment (e.g., several computing systems in communication with one another, for example, via a data network such as a local intranet, the Internet, or a combination thereof). Thegame server 11 can therefore correspond to several physically and / or logically distinct computer systems working together to implement the functionality described herein.

[0033] Similarly, the game server 11 can be implemented (at least in part) by a cloud-based computing environment, such as provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and Oracle Cloud, in which the game server 11 is implemented as one or more virtual servers.

[0034] Irrespective of the particular implementation, generally the game server 11 is associated with one or more computer processors and computer memory. The memory can comprise both volatile and non-volatile memories. Typically, the memory can be understood as comprising a working memory for storing transient data generated during execution of respective computer programs and a storage memory for storing both the computer program(s) used by the game server 11 as well as data for use by and generated by the game server 11. The game server 11 is also associated with a network interface providing means for the game server 11 to communicate with the one or more wager terminals 12 and the one or more event data sources 13 via the network 15. The network interface can provide one or more means for communicating with the network 15, which can be selected from wired standards (e.g. via Ethernet) and / or wireless standards (e.g. WiFi — such as one or more of the various IEEE 802.11 standards).

[0035] The game server 11 is described herein as implementing several different “modules”. A particular module is described as implementing functionalities associated with the various embodiments herein described. It should be understood, however, that the use of the term “module” is not intended to imply any particular computer programming language or paradigm. Instead, the term “module” provides a convenient mechanism for identifying and distinguishing various functions of the game server 11. Relevantly, in cases where the game server 11 is implemented in a distributed computing environment, a particular module can optionally correspond to one or more interrelated computer programs executed of different computer systems making up the distributed computing environment. Also relevantly, within a distributed computing environment, one module can be implemented by a different one or more computer systems to another module. As the present disclosure refers to modules in terms of functionality associated with the described embodiments, it should be understood that the functionality (or components parts thereof) of two or more described modules can optionally be implemented within a common computer program or other callable unit of software logic (e.g., as may be referred to as a function, method, subroutine, routine, or subprogram).

[0036] Similarly, the one or more wager terminals 12 in a general sense are each a computer capable of executing program programs (i.e., in the form of executable code) to implement the functionality herein described to it. In an example, the hardware of a wager terminal 12 corresponds to a general-purpose consumer-focused computing devices, such as a personal computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, smartphone, smartwatch, or similar.

[0037] In one example, in order to implement the functionality of the one or more wager terminals 12, such general-purpose computing devices can be provided (“loaded”) with a dedicated computer application configured to cause the general-purpose computing device to implement said functionality. Such a dedicated computer application may be known colloquially as an “app”. It is common for such dedicated computer applications (“apps”) to be accessible via a so-called “App Store”, such that a user of a particular general-purpose computing device can direct the general-purpose computing device to obtain (e.g., “download”) the dedicated computer application from the App Store. Software for automating the download and installation of the dedicated computer application is typically provided with the general-purpose computing device.

[0038] In another example, the general-purpose computing device can be provided with a web browser which can be directed (e.g., via a user input) to access a web resource configured to enable the web browser to implement the functionality described herein in relation to the one or more wager terminals 12. The web resource can correspond to a web page (identifiable with a web address, typically in the format of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)). The web resource can include dynamic “backend” processing responsive to commands received from the web browser. The web resource can also (or instead) provide the web browser with web browser executable code (such as JavaScript) to enable the web browser itself to implement part or all of the functionality described herein with reference to the one or more wager terminals 12.

[0039] One or more wager terminals 12 can instead correspond to a publicly accessible kiosk, which although typically comprises general-purpose computing hardware, is typically dedicated to operating as a wager terminal 12. Such a kiosk may be physically located at venue associated with wagering, such as a sports bar or club. Such kiosks are often presented in such a way as to be easily associated with a game provider, for example, by having a form factor and graphical information identifying the game provider.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the game server 11 implementing a conversion module 20, filter module 30, game engine module 40, and user selection module 50.Also shown are first data feed source 13a and a second data feed source 13b, each being shown in data communication with the conversion module 20. The user selection module 50 is shown in data communication with a wager terminal I la.

[0041] For the purposes of the present disclosure, a wager is a bet made on an outcome associated with a future event. A wager has a related wager type, defining the nature of the wager. For example, in the case of sports getting, one wager type may be “head-to-head” and another wager type may be “total (over / under)”. Therefore, for a particular event, each wager type is associated with two or more possible outcomes of the event.

[0042] In general, for a particular event, results data is generated at completion of the event, where the results data associated with one or more wager types. The results data is then used to determine which wagers made in relation to the particular event are winning wagers (as a general concept, a prize is awarded to the, or each, winning wager). Therefore, a particular wager also specifies a specific one of the two or more possible outcomes associated with the wager type of the wager, which is referred to herein as the “win condition” associated with the wager. If the actual outcome of the event is equal to a wager’s win condition, that wager is a winning wager.

[0043] In general, a particular event has a well-defined end condition. The state of the event once the end condition is satisfied is utilised to determine winning wagers for that event. For example, where the event is a specific sports game, the end condition can be completion of the sports game. In another example, where the event is a play instance of a game of chance, the end condition is completion of that instance of the game of chance. However, the end condition may not be well-defined in terms of time. For example, a sports game may not finish on time. In another example, a specific instance of a game of chance may not have a specific start or end time.

[0044] The win condition can indicate the relevant end condition at which time the determination of whether the wager is a winner or not is to be determined.

[0045] In an embodiment, a particular event can be associated with an event type, such as to enable identification of different events associated with the same event type. In one example, the future event is a discrete sports event, for example, a specific sports game between two sporting teams. The event is associated with an event type which can be, for example, the particular league associated with the event (e.g., the event type can correspond to one of the: NFL, NBA, NHL, AFL, etc). The event type can also, or instead, include information such as the type of sportindependently of the particular league (e.g., corresponding to rugby as opposed to, or in addition to, a particular rugby competition).

[0046] In terms of sports betting, various different wager types can be associated with the specific sports game, including for example: moneyline, point spread, totals or over / under, parlays, teasers, prop bets, live betting, points betting, and same game parlays.

[0047] In the case of a particular sports game, there may in fact be several different associated events. For example, a first event can be the overall outcome of the sports game (i.e., the results data is determined by the status of the game after it is completed). However, for example, one or more other events can correspond to outcomes determined throughout the performance of the sports game (sometimes referred to as “live-betting”).

[0048] In another example, an event is the overall outcome of a sporting competition made up of a number of sports games. The associated wagers are sometimes referred to as “futures wagers”, as the outcome of such an event is only determined once all underlying sporting games have been completed. However, it should be noted that by definition all wagers are associated with predicting the correct outcome of an event occurring in the future (with respect to the time at which the wager is made).

[0049] In another example, the future event is a particular instance of a performance of a game of chance, such as roulette or a lottery. These games of chance are distinguished from sporting events on the basis that the odds are well understood and typically mathematically defined. For example, on a standard double-zero “American” style roulette table, the probability of the roulette ball landing on a black number (or, alternatively, a red number) is about 47% (i.e., there are 18 black numbers out of 38 total numbers, with equal probability of the ball landing on any particular number). However, as with the example of a sporting event, there can be several different possible wager types. For the roulette example, wager types include at the following: straight / single; split; street; corner / square; six line / double street; trio / basket; first four; top line; outside bets; 1 to 18, or; red or black; even or odd; dozen bet; column bet; and snake bet. Also in the roulette example, a particular event is typically a single spin of the roulette wheel.

[0050] Other event types are envisaged, for example, wagers made on the outcome of a social or political event, such as an election. Typically, such other event types are similar in nature to sports betting, in that the probability of a particular outcome occurring is not mathematically well- defined. This is in contrast to games of chance, as defined herein, which have well-definedmathematical probabilities of various outcomes occurring (assuming that the games are “fair”). Typically, such wagers, which might also be known as novelty wagers, are bets made on events where probability of a particular result occurring is not easily assessed in handicapping terms and are offered for novelty value. Such examples could also include the winner of a reality TV show, nominating the man of the match or man of the series, and such similar style of event.

[0051] In general, the one or more data feed sources 13 are representative of sources of odds data. Conceptually, each data feed source 13 is associated with a odds data provider, being an entity (e.g., a company) whose business includes the provision of odds data. Herein, “odds data” comprises available wagers that may be made in respect of one or more future events. The wagers are recorded within data structures referred to herein as “wager options”.

[0052] A particular wager option is associated with a data structure, and therefore, the one or more data feed sources 13 communicate the data structures of currently available wager options to the game server 11. Herein, reference to a “wager option” should be understood as including the data structure associated with the wager option.

[0053] A particular wager option is typically associated with a particular betting entity, such as a particular bookmaker, betting market, or other provider of gambling products such as a casino or lottery. Such association can be implied; for example, in a case where a particular data feed source 13 is associated with one specific betting entity (e.g., said betting entity operates the particular data feed source 13). In this case, the game server 11 can maintain a record identifying the received wager option with the implied associated betting entity (e.g., in order to distinguish the wager option from those received via from another data feed source 13). However, in other cases, the wager option comprises information enabling identification of the particular betting entity associated with the wager option (for example, said information can be stored within a data field of the data structure of the wager option).

[0054] The particular format of the data contained with the data structure of a particular wager option can vary between different wager options. For example, the format can vary depending on the wager type of the wager option. In another example, the format can vary depending on the data feed source 13 from which the wager option is received. The format may vary in dependence on the number of data fields present and the particular data stored in each data field. However, according to one or more embodiments, a particular wager option is expected to include information from which the following can be determined:i) The particular event associated with the wager option; ii) The particular wager type associated with the wager option; iii) The win condition which will result in a prize being awarded in dependence of the outcome of the event; and iv) An odds indication representing information on a likelihood of the win condition being satisfied (i.e., the likelihood of the associated wager paying out)

[0055] The odds indication can take different forms, depending on the particular wager option. For example, the odds indication can be expressed as one or more of: a prize associated with the wager option; a price associated with the wager option; or an explicit expression of the likelihood of the win condition occurring.

[0056] A “prize” associated with a wager option is an indication of the value that will be returned to a purchaser of the wager option in the event that the win condition is satisfied. The prize can be expressed, for example, as an amount in a relevant currency (herein, reference will be made to “dollars”, but this is not intended to be limiting) for every unknit of that currency spent by the purchaser when purchasing the wager option (e.g., the prize may specify $2 for every $1 invested). Relevantly, the prize of a wager option can be expressed differently, depending on, for example, the particular data feed source 13, wager type, and / or the betting entity. For the present purposes, the value associated with a particular wager option incorporates information regarding the cost of the wager option and the prize amount that will be won if the winning condition eventuates. In some cases, the prize may refer to a total prize pool (e.g., in the case of parimutuel betting).

[0057] In setting the prize for a particular wager option, the betting entity typically accounts for either a known probability (e.g., in terms of games of chance) or predicted probability (e.g., in terms of sporting events) of the winning condition occurring (both concepts are referred to herein as a “win probability” associated with the wager option). In some cases, the win probability is explicitly included with the wager option (e.g., is included as a field of the underlying data structure). However, in many cases, the actual win probability is not explicitly included with the wager option. For example, instead an adjusted win probability is included with the wager option, which incorporates an operator margin. The operator margin effectively is the fee charged by the operator for providing its services. The adjusted win probability therefore does not explicitlyindicate the known or predicted probability of the winning condition occurring. In effect, the adjusted win probability corresponds to the actual win probability (whether it is a known probability or a predicted probability) modified to reflect the operator margin.

[0058] For example, in the case of a head-to-head wager type for a specific event being a sports game between two teams (“Team A” and “Team B”), there are effectively two wager options: a Team A win wager option; and a Team B win wager option. Assuming that the win probability for each team is 50%, then absent the operator margin, it would be expected that a winning wager would pay as a prize $2 for every $1 invested. Instead, the wager option in each case can specify a different prize having a lower payout, such as paying $1.90 for every $1 invested. In this example, the prize suggests a probability of each team winning as being approximately 53%, which is higher than the actual win probability for either team. In this way, the operator can make a profit, without itself making a wager.

[0059] The first and second data feed sources 13a, 13b shown in Figure 2 are representative of two different sources of odds data. Each data feed source 13 is associated with a controlling entity referred to herein as a wagering data provider. At least one of the first and second data feed sources 13a, 13b is typically a third-party data feed sources 13 (i.e., the wagering data provider is an entity different to the system operator). It may be that every data feed source 13 is a third-party data feed source 13. Wagering data providers are known in the art. Although not intended to be limiting, in general, wagering data providers offer services subject to the jurisdiction, platform type, and event type required. Such feeds primarily are designed to provide odds data and wager options in a data format expected in a specific jurisdiction. The presentation styling of the odds and returns (e.g., prizes) associated with particular wager options varies. For example, such presentation can be in the form of American, decimal, or fractional odds formats. In cases where the event types are associated with mathematically well-defined odds (e.g., games of chance), such as a live roulette data feed, a wagering data provider may merely provide information indicating or identifying upcoming instances of the event type (e.g., by identifying an upcoming spin of a roulette wheel using an identifier).

[0060] In a general sense, a particular data feed source 13 provides associated odds data to the game server 11. Therefore, reference is made to “first odds data” being odds data derived from the first data feed source 13a and “second odds data” being odds data derived from the second data feed source.

[0061] Odds data can be provided by a data feed source 13 in response to a request issued to it by the game server 11. The odds data can be provided automatically to the game server 11.

[0062] For a particular data feed source 13, the odds data comprises information regarding one or more wager options currently offered by one or more betting agencies. A betting agency of the one or more associated betting agencies can correspond to the same entity as the wagering data provider associated with the data feed source 13. However, the wagering data provider can provide the data feed source 13 as a service, which has access to data representing currently available wager options of one or more unrelated betting agencies, such that odds data associated with one or more legally unrelated betting agencies are provided by the one data feed source 13.

[0063] A method for generating a filtered wager set is now described with reference to Figure 3. The filtered wager set comprises a plurality of filtered wager options, where each filtered wager option is derived from at least one wager option provided by one or more data feed sources 13.

[0064] Additionally, each filtered wager option is associated with a win probability matching a predefined selection rule. The predefined selection rule can be a system parameter. For example, the predefined selection rule can define a predefined probability range, which can be a system parameter defined by a system operator. However, in this example and for the purposes of the present disclosure, unless otherwise stated, it is assumed that the predefined probability range encompasses a 50% win probability. More specifically, it is assumed unless otherwise stated that the predefined selection rule comprises a predefined probability range such as to select win probabilities between 45% and 55%.

[0065] At step SI 00, the game server 11 obtains an odds dataset comprising, preferably up-to- date, odds data from one or more data feed sources 13. The game server 11 can request at this point new odds data from at least one of the one or more data feed sources 13 or can rely upon recently received odds data, if received sufficiently recently to be presumed likely to be still up to date (e.g., within a predefined time, wherein the predefined time is can be an adjustable system parameter). In any event, the odds dataset is assumed as a result of step SI 00 to comprise a plurality of currently available wager options.

[0066] Next, at step S 101, the conversion module 20 of the game server 11 analyses the plurality of wager options of the odds dataset to determine a win probability for at least one of the wager options (optionally, the conversion module 20 determines a win probability for every one of the wager options or, at least, every one of the wager options in which a win probability has notpreviously been determined). The win probabilities can be stored in a suitable win probability data structure, enabling the game server 11 to identify the determined win probability for each wager option. For example, the win probability data structure can correspond to a collection of modified wager options, wherein each modified wager option comprises a data structure being a modification to the data structure of its associated wager option (e.g., each wager option is effectively updated to explicitly include the associated determined win probability). In another example, a win probability database is maintained by the game server 11 comprising suitable database entries to enable cross-referencing each wager option with its determined win probability.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the conversion module 20 maintains one or more conversion rules in memory, for example, by maintaining a conversion database comprising the one or more conversion rules. Typically, a conversion rule is associated with or more corresponding wager types and defines a procedure for determining a win probability from information stored as part of the wager option(s) of the one or more corresponding wager types.

[0068] Additionally, in an embodiment, a conversion rule is associated with one or more additional parameters. This may advantageously provide capacity for different conversion rules in cases where different wager options associated with the same wager type may have different data structure formats depending on the one or more additional parameters. For example, an additional parameter can correspond to the identity of the data feed source 13, such that there can be two or more conversion rules for wager options of the same wager type, differentiated by the data feed source 13 from which the respective wager options are sourced. In another example, an additional parameter can correspond to the identity of the betting entity providing the wager option, such that there can be two or more conversion rules for wager options of the same wager type, differentiated by the particular betting agency associated with each of the wager options.

[0069] In at least one embodiment, one or more conversion rules are configured to determine a win probability for an associated wager option based at least in part on the prize associated with the wager option. As previously described, the prize associated with the wager option may not reflect the win probability but instead an adjusted win probability. In such cases, the conversion module 20 is configured to undertake suitable conversion processing in order to determine the win probability based at least in part on the prize and therefore based at least in part on the adjusted win probability. This may be advantageously applicable, for example, for sports betting and other bets associated with a predicted probability rather than a known probability.

[0070] In at least one embodiment, one or more conversion rules are configured to determine a win probability for an associated wager option based at least in part on the wager type of the wager option. This may be advantageously applicable for example for wager types associated with a known probability, such as games of chance, wherein the probability of different outcomes is mathematically well-defined. In such cases, it be may sufficient to identify the particular wager type (e.g., in roulette, knowing that a wager type is for “black” is sufficient to know that win probability is about 47.4% for “American roulette” (two green zeroes) or about 48.6% for European roulette (one green zero)).

[0071] In an embodiment, a wager option can be modified in order to change the win probability associated with the wager option by including the possibility that a different event to that specifically associated with the wager option is utilised, in defined circumstances, to determine a result for that wager option. The circumstances in which the different event, and the relationship of the different event to the original event associated with the wager option, are typically specifically defined by the conversion rules. This may be particularly applicable to wager types associated with a known probability, such as games of chance, wherein the probability of different outcomes is mathematically well-defined, where the event is one of a sequence of equivalent events. An example is a live feed of the results of spins at a particular physical or virtual roulette table. As previously mentioned, the chance of a “black” result in roulette is about 47% (European roulette) or 48% (American roulette), on account of the presence of one or two green results (respectively) which count as neither a black nor red result and which, in effect, physically represent at least a component of the operator margin. A modified wager option may therefore include a rule that, if the result of the associated event is a green result, it is ignored and the result of the next event (i.e., next spin) is taken. Of course, if the next event also results in a green result, the rule may be that it is also ignored and the result of the next event (being the 2ndsubsequent event from the initial event) is taken (etc.). In this way, although in a regular case the win probability for selecting “black” in roulette is about 47.4% or 48.6%, it may be modified to be closer to, or exactly, 50% by allowing for the result of the original event associated with the wager type to be ignored in specifically defined circumstances. This example in relation to roulette can be extended to other wager types and may be particularly applicable to games of chance and the like where the operator margin is incorporated into the odds of a result occurring. Such modified wager options may be particularly suitable where there is a relatively short time between subsequent related events; for example, the time between subsequent roulette table spins may be of the order of 1 minute.

[0072] In at least one embodiment, one or more conversion rules are configured to determine a win probability for an associated wager option based at least in part on one or more additional fields, for example, the identity or nature of the event associated with the wager option. It may be that the win probability is determined in accordance with the one or more additional fields as well as either or both of the prize and the wager type. For example, in the roulette example above, it may be necessary to also know whether it is a single zero or double zero roulette game as well as the wager type.

[0073] Therefore, according to an embodiment, at step S101, the conversion module 20 analyses each wager option (or at least, each wager option for which a win probability has not already been determined) by identifying a suitable conversion rule for the wager type associated with the wager option. Depending on the embodiment, the suitable conversion rule is also identified based on one or more additional parameters. For example, the game server 11 can maintain a record associated with each wager option of the data feed source 13 that the wager option is sourced. At least one additional parameter can correspond to information contained within the wager option, for example, the data structures of the wager options can include information identifying the associated betting entity.

[0074] For each applicable wager option, the conversion module 20 then applies the identified conversion rule to determine the associated win probability for that wager option. This determined win probability can be stored in memory as a value associated with the wager option. In this way, each wager option is assigned a win probability, determined according to an associated conversion rule. Depending on the embodiment, the assigned win probability can be dependent on one or more of the prize, wager type, and additional fields of the wager option.

[0075] It is anticipated that, for some implementations, there exists wager options from which the win probability is expressly stated (e.g., rather than a prize based on an adjusted win probability). In embodiments, the applicable conversion rule(s) for such wager options may correspond to identifying, directly from the wager option, the win probability without additional processing.

[0076] Therefore, as a result of step S 101, there is a win probability stored in the memory of the game server 11 identifiable with each received wager option.

[0077] At step SI 02, the filter module 30 analyses the determined win probabilities to determine the filtered wager set. The filter module 30 applies the predefined selection rule in orderto identify win probabilities meeting the rule. The filtered wager set is thereby generated by adding filtered wager options based on each wager option having a win probability satisfying the predefined selection rule. In embodiments in which the predefined selection rule defines an inclusive probability range, a filtered wager option is added to the filtered wager set for each win probability within the probability range.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, the predefined selection rule defines a probability range including 50%, optionally where the probability range is centred on 50%. The probability range can be relatively small. In an example preferred embodiment, the probability range encompasses probabilities between 45% and 55%, such that the filtered wager options of the filtered wager set reflect win conditions with an approximately even chance of occurring (i.e., approximately the same chance of occurring, such that a wager corresponding to the originating wager option would be expected to win approximately half of the time).

[0079] Advantageously, a predefined selection rule defining a probability range results in a filtered wager set wherein each filtered wager option is associated with an outcome with approximately the same probability of occurring (i.e., as defined by the probability range). Unless further specified by the predefined selection rule there is no requirement for the filtered wager options to relate to the same event, or even the same event type. There is also no requirement for the filtered wager options to relate to the same type of betting products; for example, the filtered wager set may comprise filtered wager options associated with one or more different types of sports betting and other filtered wager options associated with one or more different types of games of chance.

[0080] A method for providing a game is now described with reference to Figure 4. The game engine module 40 is configured to offer or facilitate one or more games of chance (herein, “games”) for gameplay by players via respective user terminals 12. The player interface module 50 provides an interface between the game engine module 40 and the various wager terminals 12. To aid in disclosing embodiments, the following focuses on one game and one wager terminal 12. As a general principle, a game requires a randomising element such that the outcome of the game cannot be known in advance. For example, a dice game relies upon the random nature of the outcome of rolling one or more dice. For the present purposes, the game provided by the game engine module 40 is dependent at least in part on the randomising element (the game can also, depending on the embodiment, incorporate a skill-based component wherein a skill of the playeris tested when determining the outcome of a particular game instance). Furthermore, as will be apparent, the randomising element of the game is not necessarily strictly truly random.

[0081] The player interface module 50 is configured to interact with a user interface presented on the wager terminals 12. It is assumed that the user interface primarily comprises a graphical user interface (GUI), although this is not intended to be limiting. The GUI can be presented via a web browser or dedicate application running on the wager terminals 12. The presentation of the GUI is at least partially dependent on game information communicated from the player interface module 50 to the wager terminals 12. The presentation of the GUI can be at least dependent on GUI control information communicated from the player interface module 50 to the wager terminals 12. The GUI control information can include, for example, webpage data (e.g., comprising one or more of: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) code, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript code).

[0082] In one or more embodiments, the player interface module 50 further implement, via communication with the wager terminals 12a, 12b, typical user management functionality. For example, a player can be required to create an account before being able to undertake gameplay via the game server 11, in which case the player interface module 50 provides functionality for enabling a player to create an account, as well modify and delete an existing account. The player interface module 50 can be configured to enable a player to log into, and also log out of, their account from various different player terminals 12. In order to undertake gameplay, it is generally expected (although not necessarily required) that players will be required to have positive credit, in which case the player interface module 50 can provide functionality to enable a player to undertake a financial transaction in order to increase the credit associated with their account. Similarly, it is generally expected that players will be able to convert any positive credit in their account into a cash payment, in which case the player interface module 50 can provide functionality to enable a player to undertake a financial transaction in order to receive a payment and thereby reduce the credit associated with their account.

[0083] At step S200, a player accesses the game server 11 in order to play a game instance of a game, for example the player “logs into” the game server 11 from a wager terminal 12 via the wager terminal 12 communicating with the player interface module 50.

[0084] At step S201, the player interface module 50 receives a new game request from the wager terminal 12, indicating that the player intends to play a game instance of a game providedby the game engine module 40. In embodiments in which multiple games are offered by the game server 11, the new game request typically includes an identity of one of the particular games.

[0085] At step S202, the game engine module 40 identifies, from the filtered wager set, any filtered wager options satisfying a game selection rule associated with the game instance. In one or more embodiments, the game selection rule specifies a temporal requirement.

[0086] In at least one embodiment, the temporal requirement comprises a time period specification such that only filtered wager options associated with events occurring within the time period specification are identified. As mentioned above, although an event typically has a well- defined end condition, it may not have a specific end time. It is more likely that an event has a well-defined start time, in which case the game selection rule can be configured to identify events beginning within the time period. In an embodiment, the game selection rule is configured to determine an event end time estimate where a specific end time is not known, based on expected completion times. The event end time estimate can include a buffer, such that the event end time estimate is sometime later than the actual estimated event end time.

[0087] In at least one embodiment, the temporal requirement defines an earliest event start time, such that filtered wager options are only identified for events beginning after the even start time. The earliest event start time can be required to be in the future (i.e., at a point of time later than the time at which the new game request is received).

[0088] In one or more embodiments, a selected game instance may be one of many instances of a particular game. For example, the selected game instance can be a particular instance of the game associated with a particular time and / or date, or range thereof. For example, it may be that a game is played every week, in which case a particular game instance is associated with a specific week (i.e., the particular game instance corresponds to is the play of the game that week). In another example, it may be that a game is played every day, in which case a particular game instance is associated with a specific date (i.e., the particular game instance corresponds to the play of the game on the associated date). Depending on the implementation, the player may be limited to selection of one game instance of a particular game (e.g., the “next” game instance to occur), or alternatively, the player may be able to choose from a number of available game instances (e.g., in a case where each game instance corresponds to a particular week or date, it may be the “next” predefined number of game instances are available, enabling the player to select a particular weekor date for which they would like to play the game). Therefore, the game selection rule can define a temporal requirement in accordance with the particular game instance of the game.

[0089] In at least one embodiment, the game selection rule includes one or more additional selection rules to the temporal requirement (or, optionally, instead of the temporal requirement). For example, an additional rule can specify one or more allowable wager types, such that only filtered wager options associated with the one or more allowable wager types can be selected. In another example, an additional rule can require that the events associated with identified filtered wager options are located within specified geographic regions (e.g., this might be required in certain jurisdictions for regulatory reasons).

[0090] At step S203, the game engine module 40 generates game selection data for the selected game instance. The game selection data comprises a plurality of selectable game options generated based on the filtered wager options identified at step S202.

[0091] Each identified filtered wager option comprises information identifying its associated event, wager type, and win condition. The game engine module 40 is configured to analyse at least one or more of said: event; wager type; and win condition, for each identified filtered wager option and to generate a corresponding game option accordingly.

[0092] In one or more embodiments, a game option comprises information for presentation to the player at their wager terminal 12 which identifies to the player the event, wager type, and win condition. However, the game engine module 40 can be configured to generate as the game option a statement describing the event, wager type, and win condition which is different to the manner in which the original wager option may present the information. In one or more embodiments, the statement can be tailored so that the player can choose to “agree” or “disagree” with the statement. Equivalently, the player may be able to choose “yes” or “no” in relation to the statement. The statement thereby generated can be understood as associated with binary outcomes (i.e., there are two possible outcomes, success or failure).

[0093] At step S204, the game selection data is communicated to the player’s wager terminal 12 via the player interface module 50.

[0094] The player is enabled to create, via the GUI presented on their wager terminal 12 (for convenience, the state of the GUI allowing selection is referred to as a “selection page”), apersonalised game configuration by selecting one or more game options and, for each selected game option, making an outcome prediction.

[0095] At step S205, the personalised game configuration is communicated to the player interface module 50 from the wager terminal 12. For example, this can occur responsive to a specific player command (e.g., selecting a “finalise” command presented on the GUI on their wager terminal 12). It should be understood that the player can be enabled to modify the personalised game configuration for the game instance up until a specified time (e.g., up until a time near to but before the earliest event time).

[0096] Figure 5 shows an example of a selection page 90 suitable for allowing the player to select one or more game options. The selection page 90 in this case includes eight statements 91a- 91h, each identifying a different game option. The selection page 90 also includes outcome prediction selectors 92a-92h for each statement 91a-91h, allowing the player to select one of two outcome predictions (in this case, worded as “yes” or “no”) for each statement 9 la-91 h (and therefore each game option).

[0097] In an embodiment, the player is required to select an outcome prediction for every presented statement 91. However, in a preferred embodiment, the player is enabled to make an outcome prediction for a number of statements 91 equal to or smaller than the actual number of selectable statements 91. The action of selecting a particular outcome prediction (i.e., either yes or no) can also correspond to selecting the associated game option.

[0098] Figure 6 shows an example of a player selection. In this case, the player made outcome predictions for the first four statements 9 la-9 Id, comprising “yes” selections in relation to statements 91a, 91b, 91c and a “no” selection in relation to statement 91d (the selections are shown with background shading; unselected options are shown without background sharding). Therefore, the player has, in effect, selected the game options associated with statements 9 la-9 Id. On the other hand, by not making an outcome prediction for the final four statements 91e-91h, the player has, in effect, not selected the game options associated with these statements.

[0099] Assuming that Figure 6 reflects (in this example) the player’s final selection of game options and associated outcomes, the personalised game configuration received by the game server 11 is for the following outcomes:Table A: Example of player selection of game options in respect of a game instance of a game.

[0100] Note, however, that the player is not required to know the wager types or how their selections correspond to the possible outcomes for the associated wager types. Instead, the player is provided with a relatively simple to understand proposition expressed as a simple “yes” or “no” (equivalent to “true” or “false”, and other ways of expressing binary outcomes using language).

[0101] Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the player is also not presented with a probability for each statement 91. This is possible due to the actions of the conversion module 20 and filter module 30, as all of the filtered wager options are associated with wagers having close to the same probability as one another. It may be particular advantageous where the predefined selection rule defines a probability range encompasses a 50% win probability, for example, a small range centred on the 50% probability. This is because the binary nature of the selections is easily associated with a 50% outcome; the player may advantageously intuitively associate the binary outcome selection (e.g., as expressed by the options of selecting “yes” and “no”, or equivalently, “true” and “false”) with a selection of two options with approximately equal likelihood of occurring.

[0102] Referring back to Figures 5 and 6, the selection page 90 includes additional elements, including player selectable filters 93a, 93b enabling the player to filter through possibly a largenumber of statements 91 (i.e., game options) based on their personal preferences. For example, the player can use the “Event Type” filter 93b to show only statements 91 associated with a particular type of sports game, such as basketball games. Also shown is “Event Name” filter 93a which may allow a player to enter a text string for filtering purposes (e.g., showing only results including an entered text string, allowing flexibility in filtering for the player). Also shown are date related filters: “Start Date” filter 93c and “End Date” filter 93d. These may allow a player to filter the results to those in which the event begins after a selected Start Date 93c and / or being a selected End Date 93d. It should be understood that the selection page 90 can encompass multiple “pages” presented to the user, accessible for example via scrolling and / or selecting different “tabs” (not shown), where each tab effectively filters the statements 91 according to predefined filter rules associated with the respective tabs. For example, tabs can be provided corresponding to different sports leagues, such that activating a particular tab causes the selection page 90 to display only statements 91 associated with the particular sports league associated with that tab. Relevantly, previous player selections of game options are preferably retained as the player activates different filters. A filter may be provided allowing the player to view all previously selected game options (for the particular game instance).

[0103] Referring to Figures 7A and 7C, according to one or more embodiments, the game server 11 is further configured to implement a wager package construction module (“construction module”) 60. The construction module 60 is configured to generate one or more wager packages based on the wager options received from the data feed source(s) 13. A wager package is assigned a wager package win probability (equivalent to the win probability of an individual wager option) and comprises two or more wager options selected such that the combination of win probabilities of each of the two or more wager options satisfies a predefined construction rule. The wager package win probability of a particular wager package is calculated from the two or more wager options of the particular wager package, in dependence on a wager package win condition defining, at least in part, which results associated with the two or more wager options individual define a win in relation to the wager package.

[0104] Typically, the predefined construction rule is similar to the predefined selection rule, thereby generating wager packages with a wager package win probabilities are comparable to the win probabilities of the filtered wager options (e.g., where the predefined selection rule defines a probability range, the predefined construction rule defines the same probability range). Typically, therefore, the construction module 60 is configured to generate one or more wager packages having the same probability of resulting in a win for the player as the wager options identified bythe filter module 30. Conceptually, the filter module 30 and the construction module 60 may be understood to operate independently of one another and are therefore shown positioned in parallel in Figure 7A.

[0105] According to one or more embodiments, the filtered wager set comprises the filtered wager options and the one or more wager packages. In this way, the game engine module 40 can be adapted to utilise both the filtered wager options and the one or more wager packages when facilitating gameplay of one or more games.

[0106] According to one or more embodiments, the wager packages are represented by a wager package data structure suitable for use by the game engine module 40 (and other components of the game server 11, where necessary). It is expected that the wager package data structure defines similar information to that of the filtered wager options, for example: i) The particular event(s) associated with each of the two or more wager options of the wager package; ii) The particular wager types associated with each of the two or more wager options of the wager package; iii) The particular win conditions associated with each of the two or more wager options of the wager package; and iv) A wager package win condition.

[0107] More generally, it is anticipated that products offered according to embodiments utilising wager packages allow for players to select game options corresponding to filtered wager options and game options corresponding to wager packages. Although not considered in detail in the present disclosure, it is envisaged that a product can be offered only comprising game options corresponding to wager packages (i.e., no game options are presented to the player corresponding to filtered wager options).

[0108] The wager package win condition for a particular wager package defines how the results of the underlying two or more wager options are to be interpreted in deciding whether the wager package is associated with a win.

[0109] In at least one embodiment, the wager options of a particular wager package are combined according to a Boolean “OR” function; that is, the wager package will result in a win ifany one or more of the associated wager options is associated with a win. An advantage of this embodiment may be that a wager package can be constructed from two or more wager options having win conditions that do not satisfy the predefined selection rule, in particular, wager options in which the determined win probability is below a range specified by the predefined selection rule (e.g., a range centred on 50%).

[0110] Accordingly, in order to generate a wager package in which the wager package win condition satisfies the predefined construction rule, a combined probability estimate is determined from the individual win probabilities of the two or more wager options of the wager package. In cases where the wager options are combined only using an “OR” function, a combined probability estimate can be determined by calculating the inverse of the probability of none of the wager options being associated with a win.[OHl] Other techniques for combining wager options are envisioned. For example, in at least one embodiment, two or more wager options of a wager package can be combined using a Boolean “AND” function (i.e., all of the wager options must result in a win for the wager package itself to result in a win). A Boolean “AND” function may advantageously allow for wager packages to comprise wager options with a relatively high probability of a win (as the “AND” function will result in a wager package win probability lower than any of the wager options combined using the “AND” function). It is also envisioned that an embodiment may utilise both “OR” and “AND” functions when combining wager options when generating wager packages.

[0112] As there are effectively unlimited number of unique wager packages that may be generated from the received wager options, the construction module 60 can be configured to implement a wager package construction limiter (“construction limiter”). The construction limiter is configured to limit which wager options can be selected for particular wager packages. For example, the construction limiter may limit selection such that each wager package is associated with a particular event or particular events (such as a particular sports game or all sports games played in respect of a specific round of a competition); in this case, the wager options selected for a wager package must be associated with the same event or events. The construction limiter can also be configured to require a specific number of wager options for each wager package or to limit the number of wager options to no more than a specific number.

[0113] In one or more embodiments, the construction limiter can also define one or more package time period specifications, such that, when generating a particular wager package, onlywager options associated with events occurring within a selected package time period specification are available for selection for the wager package. This may be particularly applicable where a selected game instance is also associated with a particular time and / or date, or range thereof. In this case, the package time period specification applied when generating a particular wager package can be dependent on a particular game instance for which the wager package is being generated. In this way, each wager package can comprise information enabling identification of the particular package time period specification utilised when generating the wager packages.

[0114] The construction module 60 thereby generates one or more wager packages useable by the game engine module 40. Typically, the game engine module 40 can select from both the filtered wager options and the one or more wager packages when presenting game options to a player (e.g., each game option is associated with either a filtered wager option or a wager package).

[0115] A particular advantage may result when the predefined construction rule selects wager packages having probabilities that would also satisfy the predefined selection rule (e.g., within a same range of probabilities as specified by the predefined selection rule). In some embodiments, in order to reduce the effects of variability, the predefined construction rule a smaller probability range compared to that specified by the predefined selection rule (although wholly encompassed by the probability range specified by the predefined selection rule). In effect, the combination of the wager packages set (representing one or more wager packages selected according to the predefined construction rule) and the filtered wager set (representing one or more wager options selected according to the predefined selection rule) represents a combined wager set, being a data structure representing both the selected one or more wager packages and the one or more filtered wager options (which can be, for example, implemented as a database). Each member of the combined wager set can be assumed, by the game engine module 40 (and also, by the player), as being associated with approximately the same (overall) win probability.

[0116] Figure 7B shows a modification of the method of Figure 3, according to an embodiment. Steps S200 and S202 proceed as described in reference to Figure 3. New step S202A is shown occurring in parallel to step S202, however, the particular ordering of steps S202 and S202A is not intended to be limited to occurring in parallel.

[0117] At step S202A, the game engine module 40 identifies, from the wager packages set, any wager packages satisfying the game selection rule associated with the game instance. In embodiments in which the game selection rule specifies a temporal requirement, only wagerpackages associated with the temporal requirement are identified (e.g., wager packages comprising wager options associated with events occurring within a period of time defined by the temporal requirement). The restriction(s) of which wager packages can be identified can be similar to the restriction(s) on which filtered wager options can be identified at step S202.

[0118] Step S203 is modified such that the game selection data generated by the game engine module 40 comprises a plurality of selectable game options generated based on the filtered wager options identified at step S202 and the one or more wager packages identified at step S202A.

[0119] Finally, the personalised game configuration received at step S205 can include a player selection of one or more game options associated with filtered wager options (i.e., each said game option associated with a particular filtered wager option and including an outcome prediction made by the player) and / or a player selection of one or more game options associated with wager packages (i.e., each said game option associated with a particular wager package and including an outcome prediction made by the player). The outcome prediction associated with a wager package is a prediction of whether the wager package win condition will occur, and generally not whether the underlying wager options will individually result in a win.

[0120] With reference to the example of Figure 7C (which shows a modified selection page 90 with respect to that shown in Figure 5), it is generally expected that game options associated with wager packages will be represented on the selection page 90 presented to the player at their wager terminal 12 in a manner which clearly indicates to the player the nature of the wager package. For example, a statement can be constructed for each individual wager option of a wager package (as explained herein in relation to game options associated with filtered wager options), and these statements can be combined into a combined statement 94 clearly indicating whether the wager options are combined using an “OR” function, an “AND” function, or some combination thereof.

[0121] Figure 7C shows an example of a selection page 90 comprising two combined statements 94a, 94b each representing a different wager package, as well as four statements 91a- 91d associated with filtered wager options. Note that the combined statements 94a, 94b each clearly define two different outcomes and also clearly indicate that only one of the two need result in a win for the combined statement 94a, 94b to result a win. However, each combined statement 94a, 94b is associated with a single (combined) outcome selection 95a, 95b. That is, for example, the player can select either “YES” or “NO” for the first combine statement 94a, with a “YES” result associated with either or both of the following events occurring: Team 6 winning by2 runs or more, and the total points of the particular game between Team 6 and Team 7 being more than 11 points. In this example, the “NO” result requires neither of these two outcomes occurring.

[0122] Referring to Figure 8, according to one or more embodiments, the game server 11 is further configured to implement a statement generation module 70. The statement generation module 70 is configured to analyse filtered wager options in order to generate statements for the filtered wager options indicating to the player (when presented on their wager terminal 12) the win condition for each of the filtered wager options. Equivalently, the statement generation module 70 can analyse received wager options in order to generate statements. In either case, the statement generation module 70 records each generated statement in association with its filtered wager option (or wager option). The statement can be stored within the data structure of the filtered wager option (or wager option), or in a suitable separate data structure (e.g., implemented as a database) enabling cross reference between a generated statement and its associated filtered wager option (or wager option). Although Figure 8 shows a construction module 60, it should be understood that one or more embodiments can comprise the statement generation module 70 without also requiring the construction module 60.

[0123] In embodiments utilising wager packages, the statement generation module 70 can be further configured to generate combined statements for each wager package. For example, the statement generation module 70 can generate individual statements for each wager option of a particular wager package, and then generate the combined statement based on the statements and the manner in which the wager options are combined (e.g., using “OR” function(s), “AND” function(s), or a combination thereof).

[0124] An advantage of the statements (and, where applicable, combined statements) generated by the statement generation module 70 can be that the statements are not required to explicitly reference a win probability and / or prize amount associated with the underlying wager options, as the underlying win probabilities of each filtered wager option are known to correspond to those allowed by the predefined selection rule (and, where applicable, the wager package win probabilities of each wager package are known to correspond to those allowed by the predefined construction rule). Instead, advantageously, a statement which is relatively easy to understand to the player may be generated. This may be particularly useful where the predefined selection rule (and, where applicable, predefined construction rule) ensure that each statement (and, where applicable, each combined statement) is associated with a filtered wager option (or, where applicable, wager package) associated with an approximately 50% likelihood of resulting in a win.The statement generation module 70 can therefore advantageously present relatively complicated betting propositions in an easy to understand binary manner (e.g., allowing a player to make a true or false (equivalently yes or no) outcome prediction for the filtered wager option or wager package).

[0125] The Applicant envisages the approaches described herein as being suitable for utilisation with different games playable by a player via the player’s wager terminal 12. Such games may advantageously be enabled, or at least provision of the games made simpler, by utilising the filtered wager options and optionally wager packages described herein. This may advantageously, at least in part, be due to the pre-processing (corresponding to the functionality of the conversion module 20, filter module 30, and optionally the construction module 60) ensuring that each filtered wager option and optionally each wager package meets the predefined selection rule and optionally the predefined construction rule; in particular, where these rules ensure the filtered wager options and optionally wager packages have a predicted likelihood of resulting in a win within a predefined range. It may be particularly advantageous to select filtered wager options and to generate wager packages associated with approximately a 50% chance of a win (e.g., 45-55% chance).

[0126] Example games are now described. For simplicity, the games are described as utilising filtered wager options only. However, unless stated otherwise, the games should be understood as being able to utilise wager packages as well as filtered wager options.First Game Example: Accumulator-type

[0127] According to a first game example, an accumulator-like game is provided (the analogy to accumulator games is provided for convenience and is not intended to limit the functionality of the first game example). An accumulator game (or accumulator wager) is known in the art; these are wagers which combine several different individual wagers into a single accumulator wager. Other names for such games include: parlay; all-up; and multi-bet. For example, in sports betting, an accumulator wager can combine a first wager being a prediction of a specific team winning a particular game, a second wager predicting that a specific player in another game is the first to score, and a third wager being a prediction that the total combined score of two teams playing in yet another game exceeds a defined amount (or the individual wagers can be in respect of the same game). In the prior art, each individual wager selected for an accumulator is associated with its own cost and its own prize in the event that the wager wins (e.g., the first wager may pay out a specified multiple of its cost in the event that the specific team does win its game). Typically, theaccumulator wager requires each of the component wagers to be successful, and then the prize paid out corresponds to the individual prizes of the component wagers combined (e.g., by multiplying) together.

[0128] However, existing accumulator wagers utilise individual wagers in which an operator margin is already incorporated into the determination of the prize. In the terminology of the present specification, the prize of the individual wagers is existing accumulator wagers is based on an adjusted win probability, and not the actual predicted or known win probability associated with the underlying event. When these prizes are multiplied together, the operator margin component is also (in effect) multiplied together, resulting in an operator margin of the accumulator wager much higher than any of the individual component wagers.

[0129] An accumulator-like game utilising embodiments described herein allows a player to select a plurality of game options and to make an outcome prediction for each selected game option (e.g., by selecting “YES” or “NO” for each desired game outcome, with reference to Figures 5 and 6), which are effectively combined into a single personalised game configuration.

[0130] According to this example game, the player is required to select a predefined number of game options associated with a particular game instance of a particular game. The predefined number of game options can be game specific. For example, the game server 11 can offer multiple games, each game differentiated from the at least one other game at least in part based on the predefined number of game options applicable to that game. For example, one game may require the player to select twenty game options, while another game requires the player to select ten game options.

[0131] Advantageously, one or more embodiments herein described enable a particular player to select a different set of game options (e.g., equal to the predefined number of game options) when compared to another player, for the same game instance of the same game. Said another way, at least one game option selected by a first player can be different to any of the game options selected by a second player. Advantageously, the first player and the second player (and any other players) are enabled to partake in the same game instance of the same game because the filtered wager options and, optionally, wager packages, available to the game engine module 40 for the particular game instance are subject to the same predefined selection rule, and where applicable, the same predefined construction rule. Therefore, one or more embodiments herein describedenable players to be associated with their own personalised game configurations, which can be different for different players.

[0132] Typically, a game instance outcome is determined for a particular game instance and a particular player’s personalised game configuration, at some point after completion of the underlying one or more events associated with the one or more game options of the player’s personalised game configuration.

[0133] Therefore, in at least one embodiment, the game engine module 40 is configured to obtain results data comprising information (such as event results) suitable for determining, for each game option, whether it is a success or a failure.

[0134] For a particular game option, a success corresponds to the outcome prediction associated with the game option being consistent with the result outcome of the event associated with the game option. For example, if the player picks “YES” (or equivalent) for a particular game option (thereby indicating that the player is making a prediction that the associated wager package win condition will occur), then that game option is a success if the underlying win condition is determined to have occurred, by reference to the results data. In another example, if the player picks “NO” (or equivalent) for a particular game option (thereby indicating that the player is making a prediction that the associated wager package win condition will not occur), then that game option is a success if the underlying win condition is determined to not have occurred, by reference to the results data.

[0135] Similarly, for a particular game option, a failure corresponds to the outcome prediction associated with the game option not being consistent with the result outcome of the event associated with the game option. For example, if the player picks “YES” (or equivalent) for a particular game option (thereby indicating that the player is making a prediction that the associated wager package win condition will occur), then that game option is a failure if the underlying win condition is determined to not have occurred, by reference to the results data. In another example, if the player picks “NO” (or equivalent) for a particular game option (thereby indicating that the player is making a prediction that the associated wager package win condition will not occur), then that game option is a failure if the underlying win condition is determined to have occurred, by reference to the results data.

[0136] Typically, a particular game instance (or, more generally, a particular game) is associated with predefined game rules which enable determination of whether to award a prize inrelation to a particular player’s personalised game configuration. Typically, the game rules define one or more win outcome conditions (the number of win conditions being a defined feature of the particular game instance or game), each defining a situation in which a prize is awarded. The game rules may also specifically define a loss outcome condition, defining a situation in which a prize is not awarded, or this can be implied (e.g., a loss outcome condition occurs if no win outcome condition occurs). A prize should be understood broadly, and represents a state dependent outcome (e.g., whether a win condition has been met or not) of a game instance for a particular personalised game configuration. A prize can be fixed for a particular win condition or may be variable, depending on one or more additional factors (e.g., based on an amount wagered by the player).

[0137] In an embodiment, a particular game is associated with a single win outcome condition and associated prize (and therefore, all game instances according to this game are also associated with the single win outcome condition). In an example implementation, the win outcome condition is that every one of the selected game instances of a player’s personalised game configuration must be associated with a success for a prize to be awarded. Otherwise, no prize is awarded.

[0138] In another embodiment, a particular game is associated with two or more win outcome conditions, each with a different associated prize (and therefore, all game instances according to this game are also associated with the two or more win outcome conditions). In an example implementation, a first win outcome condition is that every one of the selected game instances of a player’s personalised game configuration must be associated with a success, and if this is the case, a first prize is awarded. In this example implementation, a second win outcome condition is associated with a specific number of the game instances being failures, while the remaining game instances are successes, in which case a second prize is awarded (typically smaller than the first prize). In one specific example of game rules, a first win outcome condition awarding a first prize requires all game options to be a success, a second win outcome condition awarding a second prize requires all but one of the game options to be a success (i.e., any one game option is associated with a failure), and third win outcome condition awarding a third prize requires all but two of the game options to be a success (i.e., any two game options are associated with a failure).

[0139] Advantageously, embodiments described herein may allow for flexibility in setting a particular win outcome condition on the basis that each game option can be treated as associated with the same probability of occurrence. For example, a particular win outcome condition may correspond to a requirement that none of the selected game options are associated with a success (i.e., all selected game options result in a failure). This particular win outcome condition has thesame probability of occurring as a win outcome condition in which every selected game option results in a success (there are no failures), which may therefore advantageously offer interesting or novelty value to a player (e.g., by being rewarded for not having any of the player’s game options be associated with a success).

[0140] In one or more embodiments, the prize or prizes associated with a game instance or game are associated with a monetary value. The particular monetary value of a particular prize can be determined in accordance with the predefined selection rule (an, where applicable, the predefined construction rule), by estimating a probability of the associated win outcome condition occurring. For example, when the predefined selection rule (and optionally, predefined construction rule) defines a probability range centred on a specified probability (e.g., 50%), the estimated probability of a particular win outcome condition occurring can be calculated on the basis that each game option has the specified probability of occurring. A prize can then be calculated based on the estimated probability of the particular win outcome occurring, the price associated with playing the particular game instance, and a game margin specified for the game instance (or game). The game margin typically has the effect of reducing the value of the prize with respect to the price for partaking in the game instance. In embodiments utilising multiple prizes, each calculated prize can also account for the probability of one or more, for example all, of the other win outcome condition occurring (i.e., as well the probability of its associated win outcome condition occurring).Second Game Example: Jackpot Prizes

[0141] A second game example is now described, which in some implementations may be considered an extension of the described first game example, is considered in which one or more additional prizes (herein, reference is made to one “jackpot prize”) are available for players to win. A particular game can offer a jackpot prize (additionally, or alternatively, to the above described prizes), a feature of which is that the value of the jackpot prize of a particular game instance is dependent on the results of one or more immediately preceding game instances. For example, a jackpot prize may not be awarded each game instance, but only on the occurrence for a jackpot condition occurs. For example, the jackpot condition may be that at least one player’s personalised game configuration is determined to have successes for all selected game options. A portion of the price of entry to a particular game instance can be set aside as a jackpot component of a jackpot pool, which increases for each game instance (in a sequence) in which the jackpot condition does not occur (notably, the jackpot component associated with the price paid for every player in each game instance is added to the jackpot pool). In a game instance in which the jackpot condition isdeemed to occur, the player associated with the corresponding personalised game configuration is awarded the jackpot prize. Depending on the implementation, if multiple players meet the jackpot condition, the game rules can specify a mechanism for selecting one player to win the jackpot prize, a mechanism for sharing the jackpot prize among said one or more players, or some other means for awarding the jackpot prize. It is also envisaged that the jackpot condition requires only one player’s personalised game configuration in a particular game instance to meet the jackpot condition (if multiple players’ personalised game configurations could meet it, then no player wins the jackpot prize).

[0142] One or more embodiments herein described may be advantageously suitable for providing a game having a jackpot prize, while allowing players to select different game options for their respective personalised game configurations. Such a jackpot prize is feasible despite the different personalised game configurations on account of the game options available to the players for selection being subject to the common predefined selection rule, and optionally, predefined construction rule. Therefore, an advantage of one or more embodiments may be that the available game options to players for selection are assumed to have approximately the same win probabilities, thereby enabling a common jackpot prize to be awarded.

[0143] In an example implementation, two or more wager terminals 12 are provided as kiosks or other player accessible devices at a common physical domain, such as a games room. According to this example implementation, the two or more wager terminals 12 comprise an identifiable getup (e.g., the getup comprising visual elements) allowing players to recognise that the two or more wager terminals 12 are associated with a particular game. In a variation, the two or more wager terminals 12 can be associated with multiple games and a player is enabled to select a particular desired game of the multiple games to partake in game play of the desired game, and the getup can enable a player to determine that said multiple games are playable at the two or more wager terminals 12.

[0144] According to this example implementation, the getup can also comprise means for displaying a current jackpot value associated with at least one game associated with the two or more wager terminals 12. As this jackpot value is common to all of the two or more wager terminals 12 implementing the game, the getup may display the current jackpot value in a manner enabling players to identify not only that the two or more wager terminals 12 can be utilised in order to play the associated game, but also identify the current jackpot value. Such an implementation may be known as a linked jackpot due to the getup indicating to players that thetwo or more wager terminals 12 can each be utilised to play an upcoming game instance at which the common jackpot may be awarded.

[0145] Further modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the specification.

[0146] For example, in at least one embodiment, the game server 11 is further configured to identify wager options associated with the same event, wager type, and win condition. Typically, wager options sharing the same event, wager type, and win condition differ in relation to at least one other parameter. For example, the wager options can differ based on the identities of the data feed sources 13 from which the wager options are obtained. For example, the wager options can differ based on the identities of the betting entities associated with the wager options. The win probabilities can therefore be different, despite the wager options being for the same event, wager type, and win condition. This can be due to different expert opinions, different market valuations, or otherwise different consensus views of the win probability for said event, wager type, and win condition.

[0147] In an example embodiment, the game server 11 is configured to maintain a ranking to enable it to identify a preferred wager option of two or more wager options associated with same event, wager type, and win condition. The game server 11 therefore discards the one or more wager options not corresponding to the preferred wager option. In another example embodiment, the game server 11 is configured to combine (e.g., by averaging) the win probabilities of two or more wager options associated with same event, wager type, and win condition into a single combined wager option representing the two or more wager options. This can be effected, for example, by discarding the two or more wager options and creating a single wager option comprising the common information and the combined win probability.

[0148] It should be understood that, conceptually, this functionality of the game server 11 can be implemented by the conversion module 20 (e.g., such that the generation of a single wager option representing the two or more wager options having the same event, wager type, and win condition occurs before the filter module 30). Alternatively, this functionality of the game server 11 can be implemented by the filter module 30, such that the filtered wager options reflect, where applicable, the single wager option representing the two or more wager options having the same event, wager type, and win condition).

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for generating a filtered wager set comprising one or more filtered wager options, comprising: obtain an odds dataset comprising one or more data structures each corresponding to a wager option, wherein each wager option is associated with a wager offered in relation to a specified event and defines at least one win condition relating to possible outcomes of the event, wherein each wager option is associated with an adjusted win probability, wherein the adjusted win probability associated with a particular wager option is derivable from information stored within the data structure of the wager option; analysing the one or more wager options in order to determine a win probability for each wager option, wherein, for a particular wager option, the win probability is derived from the adjusted win probability associated with the particular wager option, wherein the win probability is derived, at least in part, by removing an effect of an operator margin from the adjusted win probability; and filtering the one or more wager options to identify one or more filtered wager options in accordance with a predefined selection rule, wherein, for each wager option, the predefined selection rule is applied to at least the determined win probability associated with the wager option, to thereby generate the filtered wager set.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predefined selection rule defines a probability range, and wherein a particular wager option is identified as a filtered wager option upon determining that its associated win probability is within the probability range, such that the filtered wager set comprises filtered wager options each associated with a win probability with the probability range.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: the probability range includes 50%; the probability range includes 50% and is centred on 50%; or the probability range is approximately 45-55%.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: receiving odds data from at least two event data sources, wherein the odds data of each event data source comprises one or more wager options,wherein the odds dataset is obtained by combining the odds data of the at least two different event data sources.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: each wager option defines a wager type indicating the type of wager associated with the wager option, and wherein at least one wager option has a wager type different to the wager type of at least one other wager option; and / or the event associated with at least one wager option is different to the event associated with at least one other wager option.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: maintaining conversion database storing two or more conversion rules; and for each wager option: selecting a particular one of the conversion rules on the basis that the selected conversion rule is suitable for determining the win probability for the wager option; and applying the selected conversion rule to the wager option to thereby determine the win probability associated with the wager option.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the selected conversion rule for a particular wager option is selected, at least in part, on the basis of one or more of: a wager type defined by said wager option; the event associated with said wager option; an identity of an event data sources from which said wager option is source; and an identity of a betting entity offering the wager associated with said wager option.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: generating one or more wager packages, wherein the, or each, wager package is associated with a combination of two or more wager options and a wager package win probability, wherein, for a particular wager package, the wager package win probability is determined by combining the win probabilities of the two or more associated wager options, and wherein each wager package has a wager package win probability satisfying a predefined construction rule.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the, or each, wager package defines a wager package win condition for determining whether an outcome associated with the wager package is a win, wherein the wager package win condition is dependent on results associated with the two or more associated wager options.

10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the predefined construction rule requires the wager package win probability be equal to the probability range specified by the predefined selection rule or be encompassed by the probability range specified by the predefined selection rule.

11. A wagering system comprising a game server configured for data communication with one or more data feed sources, wherein the game server is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method of facilitating gameplay by a player of a game instance of a game, comprising: maintaining a filtered wager set comprising filtered wager options, wherein each filtered wager option is derived from a unique one of a plurality of wager options, wherein each wager option is associated with a wager offered in relation to an event and defines at least one win condition relating to possible outcomes of the event, and wherein each filtered wager option is associated with a win probability meeting a predefined selection rule; receiving a request from a wager terminal associated with the player, said request being for participation in a selected game instance; identifying a game selection rule associated with the selected game instance; determining a game option set comprising one or more game options comprising at least one first game option, wherein the, or each, first game option is uniquely associated with one of the one or more filtered wager options meeting the game selection rule and thereby associated with the win condition of its associated filtered wager options; communicating at least a portion of the game option set to the wager terminal; receiving, from the wager terminal, a personalised game configuration comprising one or more selected game options and an outcome prediction for each selected game option; and undertaking gameplay of the game instance in accordance with the received personalised game configuration to thereby facilitate gameplay of the game instance for the player.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the filtered wager set is generated in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. The method according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the selected game instance is associated with a game comprising a plurality of game instances, wherein each game instance is associated with a unique time or date, or a range thereof, and wherein the, or each, first game option of the game option set is determined by identifying one or more filtered wager options associated with events occurring at or within the unique time or date, or a range thereof associated with the selected game instance.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the game instance is associated with a predefined selection requirement specifying a number of game options required for selection in order to proceed with gameplay of the game instance, and wherein the received personalised game configuration is required to comprise a number of game options equal to the that specified by the predefined selection requirement.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the outcome prediction for each selected game option associated with a first game option is in the form of an agreement indicator with respect to the associated win condition, wherein each agreement indicator is indicative of one of an agreement that the associated win condition will occur; or a disagreement that the associated win condition will occur.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the filtered wager set comprises one or more wager packages, wherein the, or each, wager package is associated with a combination of two or more wager options, a wager package win condition, and a wager package win probability, wherein, for a particular wager package, the wager package win probability is determined by combining the win probabilities of the two or more associated wager options in accordance with the wager package win condition, and wherein each wager package has a wager package win probability satisfying a predefined construction rule, and wherein the one or more game options of the game option set comprises at least one second game option, wherein the, or each, second game option is uniquely associated with one of the one or more wager packages.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the outcome prediction for each selected game option associated with a second game option is in the form of an agreement indicator with respect to the associated wager package win condition, wherein each agreement indicator is indicative of one of: an agreement that the associated wager package win condition will occur; or a disagreement that the associated wager package win condition will occur.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein undertaking gameplay of the game instance in accordance with the received personalised game configuration comprises: obtaining results data suitable for determining a result outcome for each game option of the personalised game configuration; and for at least one game option of the game options: determining, by reference to the results data, a success status selected from: a success, indicating that the outcome prediction is consistent with the result outcome of the associated event; or a failure, indicating that the outcome prediction is not consistent with the result outcome of the event.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein undertaking gameplay of the game instance in accordance with the received personalised game configuration comprises: determining a game instance outcome in accordance with predefined game rules associated with the game instance, wherein the game rules define one or more win outcome conditions and a loss outcome condition, and wherein at least one win outcome condition requires a predefined number of the success statuses indicate a success; determining that the game instance outcome corresponds to one of the one or more win outcome conditions; and determining and awarding a game prize in accordance with the determined game instance outcome.

21. The method according to claim 20 when dependent on claim 15, wherein the game rules define one win outcome condition, and wherein the win outcome condition specifies that the predefined number of the success statuses indicating success is equal to the number of game options required for selection specified by the predefined selection requirement.

22. The method according to claim 20 when dependent on claim 15, wherein the game rules define at least a first win outcome condition and a second win outcome condition, wherein: the first win outcome condition specifies that the predefined number of the success statuses indicating success is equal to the number of game options required for selection specified by the predefined selection requirement; and the second win outcome condition specifies that the predefined number of the success statuses indicating success is smaller than the number of game options required for selection specified by the predefined selection requirement, preferably one smaller, wherein a first game prize is awarded when the game instance outcome corresponds to the first win outcome condition and a second game prize is awarded when the game instance outcome corresponds to the second win outcome condition, and wherein the second prize is of lower value than the first prize.

23. A method for facilitating gameplay for a plurality of players in respect of a particular game instance of a game, comprising: for each player, facilitating gameplay of the game instance according to the method of any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the personalised game configuration of a first player comprises at least one selected game option not present in the personalised game configuration of a second player.

24. The method according to claim 23 when dependent on claim 20, wherein a value of at least one game prize is dependent, at least in part, on a number of directly preceding game instances to the current game instance in which the win outcome condition associated with the game prize was not achieved by any player.

25. A wagering system comprising a game server configured for data communication with one or more data feed sources and one or more wager terminals, wherein the game server is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or 12 to 24.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, comprising the one or more wager terminals.

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