WO1998013114A1

WO1998013114A1 - Method and system for validating bets for a game, effected from an autonomous electronic housing

Info

Publication number: WO1998013114A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/001693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anne Bailly
Original assignee: Info Telecom
Priority date: 1996-09-27
Filing date: 1997-09-26
Publication date: 1998-04-02
Also published as: FR2753909A1; JP2001502450A; FR2753909B1; EP1007170A1; UY24732A1; CA2266657A1; EP1007170B1; DE69716776D1; AU4463997A; ATE226844T1

Abstract

In order to validate a bet, a housing identifier and a validating datum representative of a reserve of available game units are stored in a file (MMP) of a main validating device (DVP). When the betting data are introduced by the player in the housing (BO), a restitution information containing these betting data as well as the housing identifier is constituted and this information is restored in sound form to a telephone station (PT). The corresponding telephone signal is then transmitted to a voice server (SV) which restores the data introduced by the player in decrypted form. The game units corresponding to the betting data received are then compared with the reserve of game units, for validating or not validating the bet. Thus there is no transmission of any indication concerning an effective payment for the bet by the telephone line between the housing (BO) and the voice server (SV).

Description

Method and system for validation of taking bets for a game, carried out from an autonomous electronic unit.

The invention relates to the validation of taking bets for a game, carried out from at least one autonomous electronic unit.

The invention applies in particular to all types of games, the outcome of which depends on an event occurring after the close of the registration of bet takes, for example a drawing of numbers in a centralized lottery system , for example a national draw. That said, the invention can also be applied to the validation of bet stakes for horse racing.

Currently, in a lottery application, players obtain from specialized retailers, bulletins on which they tick the different numbers they have chosen and will then have these bet stakes validated by a retailer equipped with a device. specific validation linked to a central computer of the organization carrying out the subsequent national lottery. Such a system, in addition to the fact that it requires the use of paper support, obliges the players, to validate their bet stakes, to move to specific places.

Lottery systems are also known comprising computer terminals, for example microcomputers, which can connect via the Internet, to a central computer.

The organization, 'managing this central computer as well as the subsequent centralized draw, then distributes specific software comprising cryptography means, generally sophisticated, so that the players, having a microcomputer equipped with such software, can transfer in encrypted form, in order to avoid any piracy of the transmitted data, their bet takings as well as information concerning the actual payment of the bet bet sent, for example a bank card number.

Such a system, if it offers the advantage of eliminating any paper support, however has the disadvantage of being able to carry out the wagering only from a specific computer terminal. In addition, it requires the use of software encryption means, which is penalizing from the point of view of cost of use.

The invention aims to provide a solution to these problems. An object of the invention is to propose the taking of a bet from a portable autonomous electronic box and of reduced size, in possession of the player, and the validation of this taking of bet from any place equipped with a telephone set, for example at home or from a public phone booth.

Another object of the invention is to allow the validation of such a bet, with regard to the effective payment of the transaction, without resorting to the use of encryption / decryption means.

The invention therefore provides a method for validating at least one pay bet for a game, carried out using at least one portable autonomous electronic unit. According to this method, a validation information containing an identifier of the box and an indication is stored in a main validation device, for example a central file of an organization managing a lottery game, prior to the reception of the bet bet. prepayment associated with this identifier and intended for effective payment of the bet taken. Said identifier is stored in the box as well as bet data having been introduced into the box on the initiative of the player and representative for said game of at least one bet taken associated with a quantity, 'pre-established game units paid. On the outside of the box and in the direction of a telephone set, in response to the activation of an activation member located on the box, an acoustic restitution information item containing the bet data and the identifier of box and free of any indication relating to an effective payment of this bet data. The telephone signal containing said restitution information is received at the main validation device. We extract the box identifier and the bet data. The bet taken thus received is validated or not from the quantity of game units associated with said bet data and said prepayment indication and, in the event of validation, the bet data received is stored in a main memory of device play. The invention is therefore remarkable in that the return information transmitted to the main validation device does not contain any payment transaction information associated with the bet data transmitted, for example a bank card number. It is therefore unnecessary to provide in the stand-alone box, information encryption software, which consequently minimizes the memory size required in the box, and therefore the silicon surface used, and which has a direct impact. on the cost of the case. The prepayment indication associated with this box is stored directly in the main validation device prior to receipt of any bet taken, by other means not involving the telephone link used for the transmission of bet data. Each autonomous electronic unit is therefore only a portable terminal for taking bets and is in no case a payment transaction terminal associated with these taken bets.

Several solutions are possible for prepayment. According to a simplified variant of the invention, a player can obtain from a merchant an autonomous box, a non-volatile memory of which contains the box identifier, for example its serial number. The box also has an indication on one of its faces, for example a detachable label on which appears the bar code of the box corresponding to its serial number. The player then detaches _, chard label and transmits it, by mail for example, to the centralized body by attaching his bank card number serving as a prepayment indication. In this case, while the box identifier and the prepayment indication are stored when this mail is received, the telephone line receives the box identifier and associated bet data , will make it possible to automatically debit the player's account according to the bet data received and thus to validate the taking of bet.

It is also possible, in another variant, for the prepayment indication to be validation data representative of an available reserve of game units. In this case, on reception of the telephone signal, the quantity of units of game associated with said bet data with this validation data, said bet data is validated or not according to the result of the comparison, and, in the event of validation, the bet data received is stored in the main game memory of the device and a new validation data associated with this box identifier is updated from the old validation data and the quantity of game units corresponding to the stored bet data.

Thus, provision can be made for the player to send by mail to the main validation device, in addition to the box identifier, a check representative of a reserve of playing units which he wishes to constitute. Upon receipt of this letter, we proceed, at the main validation device, to computer input of the box identifier, possibly the player's contact details, and the validation data corresponding to the amount of money received. This validation information (identifier and validation data) are then stored, conventionally, in memory means of the validation device.

In another variant of the invention, it is possible to provide that a player obtains from a merchant an autonomous box already associated with a predetermined number of available game units, the financial value of these game units being included in the purchase price of the case. In this case, the storage of the validation information in the main device is carried out only in the presence of a specific indication of storage. For example, it is only when the main validation device has received by mail the box identifier, meaning that the box has been purchased by a player, that entering this identifier associated with the preset validation data , will be stored in the memory means of the main validation device. According to another variant of the invention, the housing can be made to cooperate with at least one auxiliary validation station. The box identifier is then transferred to the station. The prepayment indication associated with this box is introduced into this station (for example bank card number or validation data) and said validation information is transferred from the station to the main device by an external communication means, for example a specific data transmission link, possibly secure. Such a variant has the advantage for a player of not transmitting by mail the box identifier and / or a payment check and / or a bank card number. In fact, according to this variant, the player presents himself at an auxiliary validation station. The box is then brought into contact with the station, for example by electromagnetic or capacitive coupling, and the box identifier is then transferred to the validation station. In addition, the player pays, for example on the spot, the amount corresponding to the reserve of game units that he wishes to build up and the corresponding validation data is entered into the validation station so as to be associated with the identifier of housing to thereby form said validation information. This validation information is then transmitted to the main device by the dedicated link and is automatically stored, in software, in the memory means of this main device.

While it is generally planned to enter the betting data into the box, directly from the box, for example using the keys of a keyboard operated by the player, it is also possible to enter the betting data. bet in the box through an auxiliary validation station. This is particularly the case when it is desired to introduce fixed bet data, corresponding to a game subscription. In other words, although such bet data are introduced at the initiative of the player who chooses them, they are not directly introduced by him.

In this regard, the expression "at the initiative of the player" must be understood according to the invention in a very broad sense, also including the actuation, by the player or at his request, of a specific control member capable of activate a pseudo-random generator delivering the bet data.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least part of the bet data contained in the restitution information received is restored to the loudspeaker of the telephone set. In other words, we can plan at the level of main validation device a voice server restoring in plain language the numbers (for example) chosen by the player so that the latter can in particular verify that these numbers correspond to those which he introduced in his box and which were transmitted under acoustic form then telephone to the validation device.

The invention also provides an electronic validation system for at least one paying bet for a game, comprising: at least one portable autonomous electronic box comprising a player interface for user-initiated introduction of the box, representative bet data for said game of at least one bet taken associated with a predetermined quantity of paid game units, a box memory capable of containing the bet data as well as an identifier of the box, restitution means capable, in response to the activation of an activation member, in restoring outside the box, in the direction of a telephone set, acoustic restitution information containing the bet data and the identifier of box and free of any indication relating to an effective payment of these data of bet, and a principal device of validation, comprising means of introduction to introduce in the disposi tif validation information containing the identifier of the box and a prepayment indication _ associated with this identifier and intended for effective payment of the bet taken, main processing means capable of delivering validation information to means of main memory, main reception means connected to the main memory means and to said telephone set to receive the telephone signal containing said restitution information, the main processing means being further able to extract from the received telephone signal, the box identifier and the bet data, to validate or not the bet taken thus received from the quantity of game units associated with said bet data and said prepayment indication, and, in the event of validation, to store the bet data. bet received in a main game memory. According to one embodiment, the prepayment indication is a validation data representative of an available reserve of game units and the main processing means are able to compare the quantity of game units associated with said bet data with said validation data, whether or not to validate said bet data as a function of the result of the comparison, and, in the event of validation, in storing the bet data received in the main game memory and in updating a new validation data associated with this box identifier from the old validation data and the quantity of game units corresponding to the stored bet data. According to one embodiment, the box comprises an interface-box connected to the memory-box and the introduction means then comprise:

- at least one auxiliary validation station, comprising a first station interface capable of cooperating with the box interface to receive the box identifier, a second station interface for introducing the prepayment indication into the station associated with this unit, a station memory for storing the prepayment indication and the unit identifier, a third station interface connected to an external communication means, station processing means capable of delivering from the content of the station memory, said validation information on the external communication means, and

- a main interface connected to the external communication means and to the main processing means to receive said validation information.

The player interface located on the box can be the box interface, the bet data being introduced into the box via the second and first station interfaces of an auxiliary validation station.

The player interface can also include a set of keys.

The box advantageously includes a display for displaying the bet data entered.

The box may also preferably include a validation memory capable of containing said validation data, as well as a means of displaying the content of this validation memory. The box then includes box-processing means able to update the content of the validation memory after each bet bet. It is thus possible for the player to view directly on his box the number of game units that he has left. According to one embodiment of the invention, the reception means comprise at least one voice server capable of restoring in plain language to the loudspeaker of the telephone set, at least part of the bet data contained in the restitution information received. According to one embodiment of the invention, the restitution information being made up of a plurality of bits, the restitution means comprise: coding means capable of delivering, for one bit of said restitution information having the logical value "1", a logic signal having the high state for a first predetermined duration and a low state for a second predetermined duration, and for one bit of said restitution information having the logic value "0", a logic signal having the low state during all of the first and second durations, and an electro-acoustic transducer delivering no acoustic signal in response to a logic signal in the low state, and delivering in response to a logic signal in the high state an acoustic signal monofrequency whose frequency is located substantially in the center of the bandwidth of the telephone line. However, other forms of acoustic coding are possible.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description of an embodiment and implementation, in no way limiting, and the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 very schematically illustrates a mode for producing a system according to the invention, FIG. 2 very schematically illustrates the internal architecture of an autonomous housing according to the invention; Figure 3 schematically illustrates one of the faces of a housing according to the invention; and Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a mode of transmission of the acoustic restitution information.

It is now assumed, although the invention is not limited thereto, that the validation system applies to wagering for a game of the lottery type.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the validation system S Y comprises a plurality of boxes BO, or portable betting terminals, of which only one of them has been shown for simplification purposes. Each box is autonomous from the point of view of power supply in particular, and has a reduced size allowing it to be easily held in one hand. Each box BO includes a box interface II which will be discussed in more detail below on the function. This box BO is able to cooperate acoustically with the handset of a PT telephone set connected to the PSTN switched telephone network. On this switched telephone network is also connected a main DVP validation device comprising main reception means 16 able to receive a telephone signal transmitted by the PT telephone set. There are also provided within this DVP device main processing means MTP associated with at least one voice server SV and main memory means MMP. Finally, a main interface 17 is intended to be connected via an external communication means MCO, for example a specialized data transmission link, to a network of auxiliary after-sales validation stations (only one being shown).

In FIG. 1, the different means constituting the main validation device have been grouped together within the same main station. Of course, some of these means can be physically separated and located in different places. Thus, it is conceivable that the voice server SV, physically produced in a conventional manner by software means and voice cards, is connected by a data transmission link, possibly secure, to the main processing means MTP, also produced in a conventional manner. in software form. The after-sales service validation station is articulated very schematically around MTS station processing means implemented in software within a microprocessor. A first station-interface 12 is connected to these MTS processing means, capable of cooperating, for example by electromagnetic or capacitive coupling, with the box interface II, a second station-interface 13 for introduction into the station. validation data associated with the box, a third station-interface 14 connected to the external communication means MCO, as well as a station memory M5, for example a random access memory capable of containing the validation information comprising the identifier of a box and the associated validation data, and intended to be transferred to the main validation device DVP via the MCO communication means.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the box BO contains processing means-box MTB also functionally produced in software form and incorporated within a microprocessor or a microcontroller. To these MTB processing means are connected a display screen ECR, a set of keys forming a keyboard CL, a memory M1 intended to contain the box identifier as well as the bet data entered for example by the player, by means of the CL keyboard. There is also advantageously provided a validation memory M2 intended to store the quantity of game units still available for the box.

To these MTB processing mbyens are also connected MRS restitution means comprising MCS coding means functionally implemented in software and incorporated within a 4-bit microcontroller or else directly incorporated within the microprocessor forming the means MTB processing. The restitution means also comprise an electro-acoustic transducer BZ, for example a buzzer, intended to transmit outside the case an acoustic restitution information containing the case identifier and the bet data stored in the case. These restitution means are activated by the control of a manual OG activation member.

Figure 3 illustrates in more detail the front face of the box of Figure 2. We find the ECR display screen materializing in the example describes a LOTO grid (registered trademark). The CL keyboard has a certain number of TT keys, possibly provided with an IS zone for a specific entry. Some of these keys can be used to move a cursor on the display screen, while another key can be used to confirm the cursor position and therefore the number chosen. Finally, the activation member OG is here materialized by a push button on which is represented a telephone handset.

We will now describe from the operation of this system, an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

It is assumed here that the player has obtained the box BO from a specialized dealer and that this box BO contains in a rewritable memory (not shown in the figures) his identifier, for example his serial number. To be able to play and take bets, that is to say in this case, choose LOTO numbers, the player goes to a retailer equipped with an after-sales service validation station and makes his BO box cooperate with the validation device equipping this station via interfaces II and 12. The MTS processing means of the after-sales service station will, for example, extract from the rewritable memory of the box the identifier of the latter and transfer it to the memory station M5. In addition, the player pays the retailer an amount representing a certain quantity of paid game units. For example, it provides a sum of money corresponding either to a bet taken on a multiple grid, or to several bet bet on single grids. These indications are then introduced into the after-sales service station via the interface 13, for example consisting of a keyboard, and are converted into validation data representative of a reserve of game units available for the box BO. . This validation data is then transferred to the memory

M5 to form validation information with the box identifier. This validation information is then extracted from the memory M5 by the processing means MTS and transmitted via the interface 14, the communication means MCO and the interface 17 by means of main processes MTP of the main device of validation. These then store the validation information received in the main memory means MMP.

In addition, the validation data entered in the validation station and corresponding to the payment made by the player is also advantageously stored in the validation memory M2 of the box via the interfaces II and 12. The indication of the number of game units is then advantageously displayed on the ECR screen of the box.

Subsequently, the player decides to take a bet for the next lotto draw.

He then dials the numbers he chooses using the TT keys on the CL keyboard. It is assumed in the present case that he only wishes to carry out a simple grid with eight numbers, for example, the financial value of which corresponds to a game unit. The chosen numbers are then stored in the memory Ml of the box and then part of bet data for this bet take. It is also possible to incorporate into this bet data, the number of grids played, in this case one. The player then picks up the handset of a telephone set, for example his own or that of a public telephone booth, and dials the call number of one of the voice servers of the main DVP validation device. When communication is established, the player places the BZ transducer against the handset microphone and actuates the OG push button. In response to this activation, the MRS restitution means restore, in acoustic form, restitution information from the content of the memory M1, into which, for example, the identifier of the box has been transferred, and containing in addition this identifier, bet data.

This acoustic information passes in the form of a telephone signal to the voice server which is equipped with means for decoding the frame thus transmitted. After decoding the restitution information, the voice server retransmits in clear on the telephone line in the direction of the loudspeaker of the telephone handset and intended for the player, the numbers which it has actually chosen. This one can then check that there is no error, these numbers unencrypted refunds authentic for the subsequent payment of winnings.

The main processing means of the main validation device determine the number of game units, that is to say in fact the amount of money, corresponding to the bet data received, in this case a game unit since 'there was only one grid transmitted, and verify that the reserve of game units associated with this box identifier, and contained in the main memory means MMP, is sufficient to authorize the validation of the data of bet received. If this is the case, the data is effectively stored in the main memory means MMP in correspondence with the identifier of the box and the validation data stored in the main memory means is updated, that is to say that it is here decremented by one.

Likewise, this decrementation is advantageously also carried out by the processing means MTB of the box so as to develop a new validation data item stored in the memory M2 and displayed on the screen so as to indicate to the player the remaining quantity of units of game available.

During the official draw, if the winning numbers are those associated with the box identifier, the organization can then (if the player has, when sending a letter to the organization, give his contact details) send him the rules at his home.

To transmit acoustic restitution information over the telephone line, it is particularly advantageous, in particular in order to avoid disturbing the transmission of data with parasitic frequencies, to use coding of the restitution information in the form of a acoustic barcode. Concretely, MCS coding means are provided, which can be implemented in software form within a microcontroller. These coding means are capable, for a bit of logic value "1" of the acoustic information transmitted, to deliver a logic signal having a high state for a first predetermined duration and a low state for a second predetermined duration. On the other hand, for a bit of logical value "0", the coding means deliver a logic signal having the low state during all of the first and second durations. In combination, the BZ transducer will not deliver any acoustic signal in response to a logic signal in the low state, and, in response to a logic signal in the high state, will deliver a single frequency acoustic signal whose frequency is substantially in the center of the bandwidth of the telephone line.

A frequency of 2048 Hz will therefore preferably be used, which is moreover easily usable from a conventional 4-bit microcontroller, since this frequency is a multiple of two. The logic signals S I and S2 corresponding to bit codings having logic values 1 and 0 respectively, are illustrated in the figure

4. The total transmission time T of a bit is 15.625 ms, which corresponds to approximately three times the time constant of a carbon microphone fitted to a telephone set. With regard to the signal SI, the duration Tl during which the logic signal is in the high state, is taken equal to 1 1.71875 ms, while the duration T2 is equal to 3.90652 ms.

In fact, only the mask of the signal SI is represented for the purposes of simplification in FIG. 4 and we will nevertheless speak of a high state for the signal SI for the duration Tl although in reality, during this duration, the signal consists of a plurality of peaks at the frequency of 2048 Hz.

This transmission time of 15.625 ms, corresponding to a transmission speed of 64 baud, was adopted here because of its ease of implementation. It is nevertheless possible to choose an optimal transmission speed between 15 baud and 16 baud, which makes it possible to obtain a stable transmission signal taking into account the time constant of a carbon microphone.

Data transmission takes place by sending successive frames. The reception, at the server level, is then of synchronous type, that is to say that there is a synchronization carried out on the header of each transmitted frame. This synchronization allows in particular the adjustment of the reception levels by an automatic gain control device, the detection of the transmission speed, and the setting of the reception means. The adjustment of the reception level by an automatic gain control device allows good reception of the frames and compensates for the loss of levels due to the carbon microphone (if used), or by means of amplification of a signal produced by an electronic microphone. The means for decoding the transmission frames are also implemented in software. A transmission frame is illustrated in FIG. 5. The duration of the header of a frame is 575 ms and is broken down into a logic signal S3 in the high state for a duration T3 of 400 ms maximum, allowing the control automatic gain, followed by a signal in the low state S4 for a duration T4 of 50 ms allowing the setting of the reception means of the server and / or the radio-frequency receiver, finally followed by a synchronization byte S5 comprising alternating bits 1 and bits 0 for 125 ms. The signals SI and / or S2 corresponding to the restitution information are then transmitted.

Claims

1. Method for validating at least one paying bet bet for a game carried out using at least one portable autonomous electronic unit, in which a main validation device is stored before reception of the bet bet, validation information containing an identifier of the box and a prepayment indication associated with this identifier and intended for effective payment of the bet taken, the identifier is stored in the box (BO) as well as bet data having been entered in the box at the initiative of the player and representative for said game of at least one bet taken associated with a preset amount of paid game units, it is returned outside the box and towards a telephone set, in response to the activation of an activation member (OG) located on the box, acoustic restitution information containing the bet data and the box identifier third and free from any indication relating to an effective payment of these bet data, we receive at the main validation device (DVP) the telephone signal containing said return information, we extract the box identifier and the bet, we validate or not the bet taken thus received from the quantity of game units associated with said bet data and said prepayment indication, and, in the event of validation, we store the bet data received in a main game memory (MMP) of the device.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the prepayment indication is a validation data item representative of an available reserve of game units, and by the fact that on reception of said telephone signal, a comparison is made the quantity of game units associated with said bet data with said validation data, said bet data is validated or not depending on the result of the comparison, and, in the event of validation, the bet data received is stored in the main game memory (MMP) of the device and a new validation data associated with this box identifier is updated from the old validation data and the quantity of game units corresponding to the stored bet data.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing is made to cooperate with at least one auxiliary validation station (SAV), the housing identifier is transferred to the station, the station is introduced into the station l prepayment indication associated with this box, and said validation information is transferred from the station to the main device by means of external communication (MCO).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the bet data is entered into the box via an auxiliary validation station (SAV).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that we introduce the bet data into the box (BO) directly from the box.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the validation information is stored in the main device (DVP) in the presence of a specific indication of storage.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in clear language, is restored to the loudspeaker of the telephone set (PT), at least part of the bet data contained in the restitution information received .

8. Electronic validation system for at least one paying bet for a game, comprising at least one portable autonomous electronic box (BO) comprising- a player interface (CL) for the introduction on the initiative of a user of the box, representative bet data for said game of at least one bet bet associated with a preset amount of paid game units, a box memory (Ml) capable of containing the bet data as well as a identifier of the box, restitution means (MRS) capable, in response to the activation of an activation member (OG), to restore outside the box, in the direction of a telephone set, information of acoustic reproduction containing the bet data and the box identifier and free from any indication relating to an effective payment of these bet data, and a main validation device (DVP), comprising introduction means (SAV) for entering in the d ispositive one validation information containing the identifier of the box and a prepayment indication associated with this identifier and intended for effective payment of the wagering, main processing means (MTP) capable of delivering validation information to means of main memory (MMP), main reception means (16) connected to the main memory means and to said telephone set to receive the telephone signal containing said restitution information, the main processing means being further able to extract from the received telephone signal , the box identifier and the bet data, to validate or not the bet taken thus received from the quantity of game units associated with said bet data and said prepayment indication, and, in the case of validation , storing the bet data received in a main game memory (MMP).

9. System according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the prepayment indication is validation data representative of an available reserve of game units and by the fact that the main processing means (MTP) are capable of compare the quantity of game units associated with said bet data with said validation data, to validate or not valid said bet data according to the result of the comparison, and, in the event of validation, to store the bet data received in the main game memory (MMP) and to put in jqϋr a new validation data associated with this box identifier from the old validation data and the quantity of game units corresponding to the stored bet data.

10. System according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the housing comprises an interface-housing (II) connected to the memory- housing, by the fact that the introduction means comprise at least one auxiliary validation station ( After-sales service), comprising a first station interface (12) capable of cooperating with the box interface (II) to receive the box identifier, a second station interface (13) for entering the station into the prepayment indication associated with this box, a memory station (MS) for storing the prepayment indication and the box identifier, a third station interface (14) connected to a communication means external (MCO), station processing means (MTS) capable of delivering from the content of the station memory, said validation information on the external communication means, and a main interface (17) connected to the communication means external and to the main processing means, to receive said validation information.

1 1. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the ace-player interface located on the housing is the housing interface (II).

12. System according to one of claims 8 or 10, characterized in that the ace-player interface (CL) comprises a set of keys

(TT). _,

13. System according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the housing includes a display (ECR) for displaying the bet data entered.

14. System according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the box includes a validation memory (M2) capable of containing said validation data, as well as a display means (ECR) of the content of this validation memory, and by the fact that the box comprises box processing means (MTB) capable of updating the content of the validation memory (M2) after each bet bet.

15. System according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that IQS 'main reception means comprise at least one voice server (SV) capable of rendering in plain language to the loudspeaker of the telephone set (PT) , at least part of the betting data contained in the restitution information received.

16. System according to one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the restitution information being made up of a plurality of bits, the restitution means comprise coding means (MCS) capable of delivering, for a bit of said restitution information having the logical value "one", a logic signal having a high state for a first predetermined duration and a low state for a second predetermined duration, and for a bit of said restitution information having the logical value " zero ", a logic signal having the low state during the whole of the first and second durations, and - an electroacoustic transducer (BZ) delivering no acoustic signal in response to a logic signal in the low state, and delivering in response to a logic signal in the high state, a monofrequency acoustic signal whose frequency is located substantially in the center of the bandwidth of the telephone line.