Secure Transaction Terminal for Online Poker Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Online poker platforms face challenges such as lack of assurance that players are interacting with live individuals, potential for collusion, and cheating due to the presence of poker bots and unregulated sites, which discourages participation.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system featuring secure transaction terminals that only allow human operation, with servers managing head-to-head poker games and monitoring player locations to prevent collusion, ensuring that players interact with verified live opponents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If online poker platforms allow remote play via home computers and web browsers, then geographic accessibility and player convenience are improved, but the risk of cheating, collusion, and participation by poker bots increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces secure transaction terminals as an intermediary between players and the online poker platform. These terminals are located within regulated gaming venues and act as verified access points, mediating the connection between remote players and the game server. This intermediary structure allows players to access games conveniently from home while ensuring that the connection is established through a trusted, regulated channel that prevents cheating and bot participation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a hybrid model that combines elements of both online and brick-and-mortar poker. By requiring secure transaction terminals at physical gaming venues to authenticate and manage online games, the system adds a physical/dimensional layer to the otherwise virtual experience. This dimensional addition ensures game integrity while maintaining online accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If unregulated online poker sites are used to increase accessibility, then player participation is improved, but the risk of collusion and cheating increases due to lack of regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The secure transaction terminal acts as a regulated intermediary that bridges unregulated online access with regulated gaming oversight. The terminal is located in a regulated gaming venue and controlled by authorized personnel, ensuring that even though players can participate remotely, the transaction and game management occur within a regulated environment that prevents collusion and cheating.
3Productivity
If poker bots are allowed to participate in online games, then game availability and response time are improved, but the authenticity of player interaction is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification at the secure transaction terminal before allowing game participation. The terminal and its controller verify that the player is a legitimate human user and authenticate the player's identity and authorization to play. This preliminary action ensures game availability while preventing bot participation, as the verification occurs before the game session begins.
4Reliability
If brick and mortar casino venues are used for in-person poker, then game integrity and player verification are improved, but travel time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The secure transaction terminal serves as a mediator that brings the benefits of brick-and-mortar verification to online play. Players can remain at home while the terminal at the casino venue performs the verification and authentication functions that would otherwise require physical presence. This eliminates travel time while maintaining game integrity through the regulated intermediary.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a gaming system is described herein. The gaming system includes at least one server having a memory, a network interface, and a processor. The method includes generating a plurality of games. The method further includes determining whether a game is available for play at a first gaming device, including: (a) selecting a first game from the plurality of games, (b) selecting a second gaming device currently granted access to the first game, (c) determining first location information associated with the first gaming device and second location information associated with the second gaming device, (d) determining whether the first game is available for play at the first gaming device, and (e) repeating b), c) and d), for a first group of gaming devices. The method includes sending a message to the first gaming device including information regarding the games available for play at the first gaming device.