WO2001031524A1

WO2001031524A1 - System and method for providing information pertaining to a sporting event wager

Info

Publication number: WO2001031524A1
Application number: PCT/IB2000/001603
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moshe Mesilati
Original assignee: Myost, Eran; Friedman, Mark, M.
Priority date: 1999-10-20
Filing date: 2000-10-16
Publication date: 2001-05-03
Also published as: AU7940700A; IL148987A0; EP1236143A1

Abstract

A system for providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is provided. The system includes a communication network (12) including a plurality of communication devices (16), each being at the disposal of a specific user; and a database system (18) for receiving and storing information pertaining to at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the database system (18) further receiving and storing information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event, the database system (18) including a processing unit (24) for comparing the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to the information pertaining to the status of the at least one sporting event, such that information pertaining to a status of the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is providable thereto via the communication device (16).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO A SPORTING EVENT WAGER

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing information to a user pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user.

Legalized gambling on sporting events, commonly referred to as "sports betting," or "sports wagering" is an organized activity undertaken in many parts of the world.

In the United States, wagering on sporting events typically involves betting on a single sporting event, such as, for example, a basketball game, or on any number of games which are conducted at the same time or over a period of time and which are typically individually chosen by the person wagering. In Europe and Israel, sports wagering is more institutionalized and typically involves the wagering on preselected sporting events, such as for example, soccer matches. For example, Europeans can wager on the outcome of soccer matches played as part of the "INTERTOTO" cup (for further detail please see, http://www.intertoto.org/english/index_e.asp). To do so a person placing a wager fills out and submits a dedicated form indicating the outcome (winning team or draw) of each match played. Optionally, a person placing an INTERTOTO wager can fill out a multiple column form in which case more than one outcome for a specific match or a number of matches is selected. In any case, when placing a sports wager, either on a singular sporting event or on a plurality of events, a person must keep track of both the status of the sporting event(s) wagered and the type of wager made. When wagering on a large number of sporting events which are conducted at roughly the same time, such as the case with INTERTOTO wagering, especially when a person fills out a multiple column INTERTOTO form which includes more than one possibility of out come for some of the matches conducted, this task becomes an impossibility. There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a system which allows a person placing a wager to track the status of the wager in real-time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the system comprising: (a) a communication network including a plurality of communication devices each being at the disposal of a specific user; and (b) a database system communicating with the communication network, the database system being for receiving and storing information pertaining to at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the database system further being for periodically receiving and storing information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event, the database system including a processing unit, the processing unit being for comparing the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to the information pertaining to the status of the at least one sporting event, such that information pertaining to a status of the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is providable thereto via the communication device.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a communication network including a plurality of communication devices each being at the disposal of a specific user; (b) providing a database system communicating with the communication network; (c) inputting information into the database system pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user; (d) periodically inputting into the database system information pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event; and (c) comparing the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to the information pertaining to the status of the at least one sporting event, such that information pertaining to a status of at least one wager placed by the user can be provided thereto via the communication device.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the communication network is a cellular communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein the communication devices are cellular communication devices.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the communication network is a computer communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein the communication devices are computers.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the cellular communication devices are each a cellular telephone.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the information pertaining to the status of the at least one wager placed by the user is providable via a control channel of the cellular communication device.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the information pertaining to a status of at least one wager placed by a user is provided via a voice channel of the cellular communication device. According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the communication network is a pager communication network and further wherein the communication devices are pagers.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the database system also communicates with an Internet server, the Internet server providing the database system with the information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the information pertaining to the status of the at least one wager placed by the user is providable thereto in a format selected from the group consisting of a textual format, an audio format and an image format.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the step of inputting information into the database system pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is effected by the user via a method selected from the group consisting of telephony, facsimile and the Internet.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the step of periodically inputting into the database system information pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event is effected by a method selected from the group consisting of telephony, facsimile and the

Internet.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one sporting event is a team sporting event selected from the group consisting of soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey and football.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is a wager on the outcome of a plurality of soccer matches. According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the system comprising: (a) a database system being for periodically receiving and storing information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event, (b) a plurality of communication devices each being at the disposal of a specific user, and each capable of communicating with the database system via a communication network, each of the communication devices including a processing and storage unit, the processing and storage unit being for receiving and storing information pertaining to at least one wager placed by the user, and for comparing the information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to the information pertaining to the status of the at least one sporting event received from the database system, such that information pertaining to a status of the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is providable thereto via a communication device of the plurality of communication devices.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a communication network including a plurality of communication devices each being at the disposal of a specific user; (b) providing a database system communicating with the communication network and being for receiving and storing information pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event; (c) inputting information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user into a communication device of the plurality of communication devices; (d) periodically receiving in the communication device the information pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event; and (e) comparing, in the communication device, information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to the information pertaining to the status of the at least one sporting event, such that information pertaining to a status of at least one wager placed by the user can be provided thereto via the communication device. According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the information pertaining to the status of the at least one sporting event is provided to the cellular communication device via a control channel thereof.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the information pertaining to the status of the at least one sporting event is provided to the cellular communication device via a voice channel thereof.

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the step of inputting information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user into the communication device is effected by the user via a user interface of the communication device.

The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing a system and method for providing information pertaining to a status of a wager placed by a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a system according to one aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of the system according to another aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is of a system and method which can be used to provide a user placing a wager with information pertaining to the status of the wager. Specifically, the present invention utilizes a preexisting network of communication devices to provide a user placing a wager with updated information as to the status of the wager. The principles and operation of the system and method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying descriptions.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring now to the drawing, Figure 1 illustrates the system for providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, which is referred to hereinunder as system 10. System 10 includes a communication network 12 including a communication server 14 communicating via a wire or wireless communication modes (indicated by 15) with a plurality of communication devices 16, one of which is shown in Figure 1. Each communication device 16 is at the disposal of a specific user.

System 10 further includes a database system 18 which communicates with communication network 12 via a wire or wireless communication (indicated by 20). Database system 18 serves for receiving and storing information pertaining to at least one sporting event wager placed by the user. As used herein the phrase "sporting event wager" refers to a bet placed on the outcome of a sporting event. This bet which is placed by a bettor typically attempts to predict a winning team (or draw), although bets on the specific score or point spread in team sporting events such as, for example, a basketball game, are also placed. As used herein the phrase "sporting event" refers to an event in which individuals or teams of individuals compete to win. Team sporting events include, but are not limited to, soccer, basketball, baseball, football and the like. Individual sporting events can either be multi-participatory such as, for example, track and field, or alternatively individual sporting events can include two opponents such as the case for boxing.

The wager information can be communicated to database system 18 via any one of several methods. For example a bettor can forward the information via a telephone, a facsimile, the Internet or the user's communication device. In one case the information is received by an operator of system 10 in which case the information is manually fed into database server 18. Alternatively and preferably the information is received by an automated response system and is automatically fed into database system 18. Database system 18 also periodically receives and stores information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event. Since sporting events such as, for example, team sporting events are played daily with each game lasting up to several hours (for example a baseball game) database system 18 is periodically updated of a status (current score or outcome) of all the sporting events which are played. This information can be received by any one of several ways as further described hereinbelow.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention database system 18 communicates, either through a dialup connection or through a local area network, with an Internet server 22 as indicated by 26. Internet server 22 serves for providing database system 18 with the sporting events information. It will be appreciated that since many sports channels and web sites exist on the Internet, such channels and sites can serve as a source for up to date sporting event information. With the advent of push technology, information on sporting events can readily be provided to database system 18 automatically, thus keeping database system 18 constantly updated as to the status of any sporting event. Alternatively sporting event information can be manually fed into database system 18 by an operator which tracks sporting events via for example, media reports. Database system 18 further includes a processing unit 24. Processing unit 24 serves for comparing the sporting event(s) wager placed by the user to the sporting event information periodically received thereby. That is to say, the predicted outcome of a sporting event or events as indicated in the wager placed by the user is compared to information pertaining to the status of the sporting event or events. This comparison can be effected periodically or upon demand of the user by, for example, a user command relayed to database system 18. In order to effect this comparison, processing unit 24 is provided with the necessary software and/or hardware for comparing data and providing a comparison output. Software programs utilizable for such an application are well known in the art and can readily be incorporated into the system of the present invention. In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art could easily create a software program utilizable for such an application. The comparison output from processing unit 24 provides the user with information as to the status of the wager placed. This information can be provided in any format as further detailed hereinbelow.

Thus, a user which inputs information pertaining to a wager, can be provided, either on demand, or at regular time intervals, with information regarding the status of the wager. This information is providable to the user while the sporting event wagered upon is still being played or at any time following the conclusion of the sporting event.

According to the present invention the information pertaining to a status of the sporting event(s) wager placed by the user is provided to the user's communication device.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention communication network 12 is a computer communication network and as such communication devices 16 are personal desktop or laptop computers or computerized television systems which serve both as a television and as an interface to access the internet. As used herein the phrase "computer communication network" refers to either an area network which may or may not be part of the world wide web or to the entire world wide web and typically includes dialup connections and permanent line connections. In any case, the user operating a computer can receive information on the status of a sporting event(s) wager by communicating with a server which is in communication with database system 18.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention communication network 12 is a pager communication network and as such communication devices 16 are pagers. In this case, the status information is typically provided as textual messages which detail the status of the wager placed.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention communication network 12 is a cellular communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein communication devices

16 are cellular communication devices. Examples of cellular communication devices include but are not limited to cellular telephones and personal digital assistant (PDA) with cellular capabilities such as the Nokia Communicator^1" and the like. In this case the information can be provided to the user via either the control or voice channels of the cellular communication device. It will be appreciated that either the voice or control channels can also be used to provide wager information to system 18. Further detail relating to cellular communication networks can be found in a plurality of text books, an example of which is Cellular Telephones and Pagers, An overview" Stephen W. Gibson, 1997, Butterworth-Heinemann, USA.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information pertaining to the status of the sporting event(s) wager placed by the user can be provided in a format such as, but not limited to, textual format, audio format and an image format. For example, when using a PDA with cellular capabilities such as the Nokia Communicator^τ, a user can receive image data depicting the status of the wager placed. If the wager was placed on a plurality of sporting events such an image can detail the status of each event wagered upon. Regardless of the format, the status information is provided to the user in a clear and concise manner so as to enable the user to easily comprehend the status of the wager placed. For example, if a user wager includes bets on several sporting events, such as, for example, several soccer matches played as part of a single round of league play or cup play, then the information provided to the user includes current status of each bet separately and the status of the entire wager placed. It will be appreciated that system 10 of the present invention can also inform the user of the particulars of each match bet upon such, as for example, time remaining in the match, score and the like.

Regardless of the nature of the communication network and the communication device utilized, a user must be identified to database system 18 before providing wager information or receiving wager status information. Such an identification can be provided via a personal identification number and the like.

Thus the present invention provides a user placing a wager on a sporting event with real-time information pertaining to the status of the wager. It will be appreciated that although such a system does not present appreciable benefits to users which typically place bets on a single sporting event, the advantages of the present invention become clear when a wager includes a large number of sporting events, such as the case for INTERTOTO wagering. In this case, a wager placed on the outcome of a series of matches, for example 15 soccer matches played as part of a single round of the INTERTOTO cup, cannot be easily tracked in real-time by the user. Typically a user wishing to track the status of an INTERTOTO wager needs to follow the matches played, either in a stadium, on television, the radio or the Internet, while, at the same time, compare the current game score to that included in the wager made. This can prove to be a difficult task especially when a wager includes more than one outcome prediction on a particular match or matches. That is to say, the outcome of one or more matches of an INTERTOTO wager is a multiple outcome. For example, a multiple prediction on a match or matches which is typically referred to as multiple betting, can be similar to betting up to three times on the same match. For example, a wager including a multiple bet on a match indicating a win for either of the two teams, a win for both and a draw is essentially similar to betting on this match three times. In addition, since an INTERTOTO wager is not limited by the number of times any particular match series can be wagered upon, a single INTERTOTO wager form can include more than one wager on that series of soccer matches.

As shown in Figure 2, and according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, which is referred to herein as system 50.

System 50 includes a database system 52 which serves for periodically receiving and storing information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event. This is achieved in a fashion similar to that described for database system 18 of system 10. System 50 further includes a plurality of communication devices 54, of which one is shown in Figure 2. Device 54 is at the disposal of a specific user of system 50, and is capable of communicating with database system 52 via a communication network 56, which includes a communication server 57. Device 54 and communication network 56 are similar to device 16 and communication network 12 of system 10 described hereinabove and as such includes the various embodiments thereof which are described in detail hereinabove.

According to this aspect of the present invention device 54 further includes a processing and storage unit 58. Unit 58 serves to store the information pertaining to the wager placed by the user. Unit 58 also serves to process this information along with information received thereby from database system 52 and which pertains to the status of at least one sporting event. The information pertaining to the at least one sporting event is received in device 54 either on command or periodically, via a mode of communication which depends on the nature of device 54. This information is received from database system 52 via communication server 57 of communication network 56. Thus, device 54 serves the function of performing the comparison between the wager placed by the user and the information pertaining to the sporting event received thereby. It will be appreciated that in the case that communication device 54 is a cellular telephone, or a pager a processing and storage unit can be added therein or attached thereto so as to function with the device. If device 54 includes storage and processing capabilities, such as the case with personal computers and PDAs which are capable of cellular communication, then such innate capabilities can be used to effect the comparison providing a suited software program is included therein.

Thus, according to this aspect of the present invention a user utilizes device 54 to receive information pertaining to at least one sporting event, and to compare this information at any given time to wager information which is stored within device 54. It will be appreciated that information pertaining to the wager placed by the user can be stored within device 54 by any method suitable including, but not limited to, using an interface of device 54 to key in the information, or by establishing communication between a personal computer and device 54 and relaying this information from the personal computer to device 54. It will be appreciated, that in the case of INTERTOTO and other similar institutionalized wagering, dedicated forms are typically filled in by the user wishing to place a wager. Since these forms are first submitted to a processing station through which the wager is placed, such a processing station can be equipped with suitable hardware and software so as to enable a user to both submit the forms and to have the wager information either automatically relayed to database system 18 of system 10 or alternatively downloaded directly into device 54 of system 50.

Since systems 10 and 50 of the present invention receive and store the sporting information and compare it at any given time to the wager placed, it is of great advantage to sport events wagering especially in cases described hereinabove wherein a multiplicity of sporting events such as for example a number of soccer matches, are wagered upon a multiplicity of times.

Since the systems of the present invention provide users with real-time status of wagers placed thereby, such systems can also be used to notify users of their winnings and/or their present win status. For example, in the case of INTERTOTO wagering monetary prizes are divided amongst users which have correctly predicted the outcome of the same number of matches. Since the systems of the present invention can track the status of wagers placed by users thereof, it can also provide, either during or following the matches, the status of the user's winnings, which status depends on both the number of matches which were correctly predicted by the user and the number of users which have correctly predicted the outcome of the same number of matches.

It will be appreciated that since in the case of system 50 the comparison between the wager information and the sporting event information is performed in the communication device, to be notified of winnings a user of system 50 must relay the information pertaining to the status of the wager to the database server of system 50.

An additional benefit of the systems of the present invention to a user can be generated from the sporting event and wager information stored and accumulated therein. Since systems 10 and 50 receive and store information pertaining to both sporting events and to user wagers, such information can be utilized by a user thereof for planning wager strategies, by for example, analyzing the performance of a particular team when matched up with another particular team etc.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the system comprising:

(a) a communication network including a plurality of communication devices each being at the disposal of a specific user; and

(b) a database system communicating with said communication network, said database system being for receiving and storing information pertaining to at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, said database system further being for periodically receiving and storing information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event, said database system including a processing unit, said processing unit being for comparing the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to said information pertaining to the status of said at least one sporting event, such that information pertaining to a status of the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is providable thereto via said communication device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication network is a computer communication network including a plurality of commumcation cells and further wherein said communication devices are computers.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication network is a cellular communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein said communication devices are cellular commumcation devices.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said cellular communication devices are each a cellular telephone.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said information pertaining to said status of the at least one wager placed by the user is providable via a control channel of said cellular communication device.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said information pertaining to a status of at least one wager placed by a user is provided via a voice channel of said cellular communication device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication network is a pager communication network and further wherein said communication devices are pagers.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an Internet server being in communication with said database system and being for providing said database system with information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said information pertaining to the status of the at least one wager placed by the user is providable thereto in a format selected from the group consisting of a textual format, an audio format and an image format.

10. A method of providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a communication network including a plurality of communication devices each being at the disposal of a specific user;

(b) providing a database system communicating with said communication network; (c) inputting information into said database system pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user;

(d) periodically inputting into said database system information pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event; and

(c) comparing the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to said information pertaining to the status of said at least one sporting event, such that information pertaining to a status of at least one wager placed by the user can be provided thereto via said communication device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said communication network is a computer communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein said communication devices are computers.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said communication network is a cellular communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein said communication devices are cellular communication devices.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said cellular communication devices are each a cellular telephone.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said information pertaining to said status of the at least one wager placed by the user is providable via a control channel of said cellular communication device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said information pertaining to a status of at least one wager placed by a user is provided via a voice channel of said cellular communication device.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said communication network is a pager communication network and further wherein said communication devices are pagers.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said database system also communicates with an Internet server, said Internet server providing said database system with said information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said information pertaining to the status of the at least one wager placed by the user is providable thereto in a format selected from the group consisting of a textual format, an audio format and an image format.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of inputting information into said database system pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is effected by the user via a method selected from the group consisting of telephony, facsimile and the Internet.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of periodically inputting into said database system information pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event is effected by a method selected from the group consisting of telephony, facsimile and the Internet.

21. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one sporting event is a team sporting event selected from the group consisting of soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey and football.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein said at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is a wager on the outcome of a plurality of soccer matches.

23. A system for providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the system comprising:

(a) a database system being for periodically receiving and storing information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event,

(b) a plurality of communication devices each being at the disposal of a specific user, and each capable of communicating with said database system via a communication network, each of said communication devices including a processing and storage unit, said processing and storage unit being for receiving and storing information pertaining to at least one wager placed by the user, and for comparing said information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to said information pertaining to the status of said at least one sporting event received from said database system, such that information pertaining to a status of the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is providable thereto via a communication device of said plurality of communication devices.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said communication network is a computer communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein said communication devices are computers.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein said communication network is a cellular communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein said communication devices are cellular communication devices.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said cellular communication devices are each a cellular telephone.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said information pertaining to the status of said at least one sporting event is provided to said cellular communication device via a control channel thereof.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein said information pertaining to the status of said at least one sporting event is provided to said cellular communication device via a voice channel thereof.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein said communication network is a pager communication network and further wherein said communication devices are pagers.

30. The system of claim 23, further comprising an Internet server being in communication with said database system and being for providing said database system with information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event.

31. The system of claim 23, wherein said information pertaining to the status of the at least one wager placed by the user is providable thereto in a format selected from the group consisting of a textual format, an audio format and an image format.

32. A method of providing information to a user pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event wager placed by the user, the method comprising the steps of:

(b) providing a database system communicating with said communication network and being for receiving and storing information pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event; (c) inputting information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user into a communication device of said plurality of communication devices;

(d) periodically receiving in said communication device said information pertaining to a status of at least one sporting event; and

(e) comparing, in said communication device, information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to said information pertaining to the status of said at least one sporting event, such that information pertaining to a status of at least one wager placed by the user can be provided thereto via said communication device.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said communication network is a computer communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein said communication devices are computers.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said communication network is a cellular communication network including a plurality of communication cells and further wherein said communication devices are cellular communication devices.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said cellular communication devices are each a cellular telephone.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein said information pertaining to said status of the at least one sporting event is provided to said cellular communication device via a control channel thereof.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein said information pertaining to said status of the at least one sporting event is provided to said cellular communication device via a voice channel thereof.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein said communication network is a pager communication network and further wherein said communication devices are pagers.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein said database system also communicates with an Internet server, said Internet server providing said database system with said information pertaining to the status of at least one sporting event.

40. The method of claim 32, wherein said information pertaining to the status of the at least one wager placed by the user is providable thereto in a format selected from the group consisting of a textual format, an audio format and an image format.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein said step of inputting information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user into said communication device is effected by the user via a user interface of said communication device.

42. The method of claim 32, wherein the at least one sporting event is a team sporting event selected from the group consisting of soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey and football.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is a wager on the outcome of a plurality of soccer matches.

44. A communication device comprising hardware and software being for communicating with a database system via a communication network, the communication device including a processing and storage unit, said processing and storage unit being for receiving and storing information pertaining to at least one wager placed by the user, and for comparing information pertaining to the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user to said information pertaining to the status of said at least one sporting event received from said database system, such that information pertaining to a status of the at least one sporting event wager placed by the user is providable thereto.