Sony has filed a patent for an e-sports betting platform

ps4.0.jpg

Sony might be attempting to scope out the idea of implementing an e-sports betting platform on Playstation systems, going off of patent they filed. The patent, which was filed back in 2019, but only made public as of this May, proposes a system that would allow players to bet on winners of game matches, complete with varying betting odds, calculated by a player's previous performance history. There's also mention of varying types of bets, like flat outcomes, or more specific wagers, such as how long a match might take before a given player loses. Sony's possible plans also account for prospective betters offering up not only real-world money, but also bitcoin or digital in-game items. It's worth remembering that patents don't always guarantee that a company will go through with those concepts, but it is a curious thing to see, especially coupled with the fact that Sony bought out the e-sports tournament EVO earlier this year.

SUMMARY
Accordingly, a system includes at least one computer simulation controller and at least one computer simulation source configured to receive input from the computer simulation controller to control presentation of a computer simulation presented on at least one display. The computer simulation source, which may be established by a network server or a simulation console, includes at least one processor and at least one storage accessible to the processor with instructions executable by the processor to establish, for at least one simulation proposition, wagering odds. The instructions are executable to overlay on the computer simulation at least one user interface (UI) configured to enable input, using the simulation controller, of a bet using the wagering odds. Further, the instructions are executable to, based on an outcome of the simulation proposition, present indication of a winner of the bet.
The instructions can be executable to remove the UI from the computer simulation responsive to input from the simulation controller. In some examples the instructions are executable to present recommended wagers output by a recommendation engine. If desired the instructions may be executable to present a list of available bets. The instructions can be executable to accept input of a custom bet.
The wagering odds may be established parimutuelly. The wagering odds may be established using past simulation play statistics.
In another aspect, a method includes establishing odds for at least one future event in a computer simulation, and overlaying onto at least one presentation of the computer simulation at least one user interface (UI) showing the odds and indicating the event to permit a viewer to select to bet on the future event occurring or not.
In another aspect, an apparatus includes at least one computer storage that is not a transitory signal and that includes instructions executable by at least one processor to overlay on a computer simulation being presented on a display at least one wagering proposition related to the computer simulation. The instructions are executable to send acceptance of the wagering proposition to a wagering source.
The details of the present application, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

:arrow: Source
 

Veho

The man who cried "Ni".
Former Staff
Joined
Apr 4, 2006
Messages
11,326
Trophies
3
Age
42
Location
Zagreb
XP
39,278
Country
Croatia
Yaaay, gambling.

I wonder what the legality of this is, and what hastily-written new laws get put in place once there's a public outcry.
Technically Sony can limit it to ages 18+ and areas where online betting/gambling is legal, but VPNs are a thing, and the usual age protection on the internet is "Are you 18+? You sure? Okay then." So yeah.
 

MikaDubbz

Well-Known Member
Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2017
Messages
3,836
Trophies
1
Age
36
XP
7,149
Country
United States
Definitely not crazy about this, especially if the plan is to integrate the betting service directly into our Playstations. That's just giving ammo to overly concerned parents that video games are bad and shouldn't be in their child's lives at all.

Now if it's just a side thing outside of the Playstation ecosystem, like it's own mobile app or just a website, then I really don't have any real issue with that. But I can't imagine that's the route Sony intends to pursue
 
Last edited by MikaDubbz,
  • Like
Reactions: Xzi and JavaScribe

Tom Bombadildo

Dick, With Balls
Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2009
Messages
14,572
Trophies
2
Age
29
Location
I forgot
Website
POCKET.LIKEITS
XP
19,170
Country
United States
Yaaay, gambling.

I wonder what the legality of this is, and what hastily-written new laws get put in place once there's a public outcry.
Technically Sony can limit it to ages 18+ and areas where online betting/gambling is legal, but VPNs are a thing, and the usual age protection on the internet is "Are you 18+? You sure? Okay then." So yeah.
As someone who worked as an account manager for an online betting site, legality issues are taken very, very seriously as failing to monitor that kind of thing will get you fined out the ass/shut down basically immediately if you don't comply with regulations. The sites I worked for will log all your IP address's and insta-ban you if it detects a VPN or proxy, we required phone numbers and would insta-ban you if you used a VOIP to fake your location, if we thought you weren't from wherever you claimed you were from we would request proof of ID and if it didn't match whatever you'd put we'd insta-ban you. And we were on the more lenient side, I know of a few online betting sites that would require ID and proof of address to even register :lol:


And in the US, there are only like a dozen or so states that allow online betting at all, everywhere else is actually very strictly anti-online when it comes to betting because the "in-person" legitimate betting places have been bribing "donating" money to politicians to keep it that way. Outside the US is where most online betting is allowed, so it wouldn't surprise me if Sony just didn't include the US in this kind of thing whatsoever. That is, assuming it's for real money and not like...fake stuff :lol:
 

sloppycrap

Well-Known Member
Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
146
Trophies
0
XP
801
Country
Afghanistan
My state passed a law where you can register with them and say "I have a gambling problem" and they'll say "Great! We'll put you on a list and if you show up at a casino we'll throw your ass in jail and fine you $1000"

I personally think that's pretty fucked up.
 

eriol33

Well-Known Member
Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Messages
1,250
Trophies
1
Location
Amsterdam
XP
3,241
Country
Netherlands
What's with game companies and gambling? Nintendo tried to do Horse betting online on the Nes, but because it was late eighties Internet it completely failed.
in a long run, you will lose, because people think there is a such thing as luck, although when it comes to gambling such as slot machine, it is all about probability, and your winnings are just outliers to the statistics. just don't gamble money you cannot afford to lose. better gamble it on crypto ;)
 

Veho

The man who cried "Ni".
Former Staff
Joined
Apr 4, 2006
Messages
11,326
Trophies
3
Age
42
Location
Zagreb
XP
39,278
Country
Croatia
As someone who worked as an account manager for an online betting site, legality issues are taken very, very seriously as failing to monitor that kind of thing will get you fined out the ass/shut down basically immediately if you don't comply with regulations. The sites I worked for will log all your IP address's and insta-ban you if it detects a VPN or proxy, we required phone numbers and would insta-ban you if you used a VOIP to fake your location, if we thought you weren't from wherever you claimed you were from we would request proof of ID and if it didn't match whatever you'd put we'd insta-ban you. And we were on the more lenient side, I know of a few online betting sites that would require ID and proof of address to even register :lol:

So that's a fair amount of manual labour per customer. Is that something you believe Sony / PSN will implement? I was under the impression their network was staffed by bots and hamsters, with an actual human visiting once a week to check up.
 

I_AM_L_FORCE

Unban me from Discord
Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2015
Messages
1,064
Trophies
0
Age
23
Location
London
XP
1,537
Country
United Kingdom
Yaaay, gambling.

I wonder what the legality of this is, and what hastily-written new laws get put in place once there's a public outcry.
Technically Sony can limit it to ages 18+ and areas where online betting/gambling is legal, but VPNs are a thing, and the usual age protection on the internet is "Are you 18+? You sure? Okay then." So yeah.
I'd be surprised if this can even touch the console in EU (and UK) countries considering the strict standards on advertising gambling to minors.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

My state passed a law where you can register with them and say "I have a gambling problem" and they'll say "Great! We'll put you on a list and if you show up at a casino we'll throw your ass in jail and fine you $1000"

I personally think that's pretty fucked up.
Bet it works, though.
 

Site & Scene News

Popular threads in this forum

General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    straferz @ straferz: Anybody know why this is happening to my ACWW town...