Location-based mobile gaming system and method

A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least computer program code for an software program stored thereon, the software program being executable by a computing device, comprising:

• computer program code for determining whether the computing device is in a wagering authorized location or a wagering unauthorized location;
• computer program code for operating a software program in a non-wagering mode if the location of the portable electronic device is located in a wagering unauthorized location, and wherein, when the software program is operated in the non-wagering mode, the software program supports operation of a non-wagering game and at least one player account of the non-wagering game is able to earn a reward or advantage from its play of the non-wagering game;
• and
• computer program code for operating the software program in a wagering mode if the location of the portable electronic device is located in a wagering authorized location, and wherein, when the software program is operated in the wagering mode, the software program supports operation of a wagering game and the at least one player account of the wagering game is able to utilize the reward or advantage that the at least one player account previously earned from its play of the non-wagering game.

An electronic gaming system comprising:

• a portable electronic device operable to support mobile gaming;
• and
• a game controller comprising a processor and memory, the memory storing program code including instructions, the game controller executing the instructions which cause the game controller to, at least:
• determine whether the portable electronic device is in a wagering authorized location or a wagering unauthorized location;
• operate a software program in a non-wagering mode if the determining determines that the location of the portable electronic device is located in a wagering unauthorized location or a wagering authorized location, and wherein, when the software program is operated in the non-wagering mode, the software program is able to earn a reward or advantage from its play of the software program in the non-wagering mode;
• and
• operate the software program in a wagering mode if the determining determines that the location of the portable electronic device is located in a wagering authorized location, and wherein, when the software program is operated in the wagering mode, the software program is able to utilize the reward or advantage previously earned from play of the software program in the non-wagering mode.