Abstract: A distributed manufacturing and distribution process for lottery tickets is disclosed. The manufacturing/vending system comprises a centralized ticket manufacturing controller located at a centralized location and one or more vending devices located at remote sites. Each vending device is operatively coupled for communication with the centralized ticket manufacturing controller, normally via a network connection. Each vending devices is further equipped with a printer and ticket media, so that a customer is able to purchase on-demand tickets from vending device in communication with the centralized ticket manufacturing controller. Additionally, the vending devices may be configured as electronic aid to display the results of the purchased lottery tickets in entertaining ways to the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining player's game state (award credits or game pieces) in a gaming environment is disclosed. In particular, the player may restore the game state from previously played games either from the same game device or from another game device. The invention also provides for award redemption of the award credits (or game pieces) earned by a player during game play.

Abstract: Voucher-enabled player terminals having games of chance thereon, for use in a gaming system having a network connection and a central server, are disclosed. The terminals can both read and print vouchers, and are active in processing the vouchers. One specific functional aspect of the terminals is that they are enabled to generate unique transaction identifiers that are used with a value (game credits or prize redemption values) to enable printing of voucher when cash-out occurs. Upon cash-out from a player terminal (or other terminal type), a player will be issued a new voucher having a transaction ID generated by the terminal, the transaction ID being unique to the particular system installation and associated with the value of the voucher, which the player may then take to a different terminal to continue game play.

Abstract: A new player footrest is disclosed, usable as part of a gaming machine. The new footrest is mounted higher on the gaming cabinetry than was previously known in the art, providing a new and invigorating way to make significant changes to foot position, and therefore body position, during long game play periods. Further, in one embodiment the footrests are adjustable, providing even more player comfort and positional diversity.

Abstract: Voucher-enabled player terminals having games of chance thereon, for use in a gaming system having a network connection and a central server, are disclosed. The terminals can both read and print vouchers, and are active in processing the vouchers. One specific functional aspect of the terminals is that they are enabled to generate unique transaction identifiers that are used with a value (game credits or prize redemption values) to enable printing of voucher when cash-out occurs. Upon cash-out from a player terminal (or other terminal type), a player will be issued a new voucher having a transaction ID generated by the terminal, the transaction ID being unique to the particular system installation and associated with the value of the voucher, which the player may then take to a different terminal to continue game play.

Abstract: A countdown game which is played in conjunction with a primary game on a gaming device or other game player terminal is disclosed herein. The countdown game enhances bonus game play by providing a “countdown indicator” which advances and retreats through various stages or levels of play. The player further accumulates a prize amount which may be won, lost or increased during play.

Abstract: A progressive system (local and wide) where a primary and secondary progressive meter is maintained is disclosed. When a progressive win event occurs, there are two payouts: the first payout (defined by the primary meter) is paid to the player triggering the progressive payout event; the second payout (defined by the secondary meter) is paid to other players (or game devices) having “active” or “enrolled” status at the time of the primary payout event. The present invention provides a method for automating the “shared” win, including means for readily determining “active” players. A countdown meter may be used to enable the player a sufficient amount of time to continue play and be considered “active.” Additionally display meters may be used to indicate the status of the player or to warn the player of an imminent change in status. The progressive prizes may be funded using traditional methods (e.g., percentage of wagers, marketing budget).

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining player's enhanced game play state in a gaming environment is disclosed. In particular, the player may restore enhanced game play states from previously played games either from the same game device or from another game device, the enhanced game play states typically being enhancements to casino games and including reel nudges, alternate pay table use, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for providing more than one simultaneous and different bingo game, using single bingo ball draws from a central location. The present invention further provides for players to be highly distributed, for example throughout the US, while still using the single centralized ball draw and still supporting different bingo games in parallel.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining player's game state (award credits, partial award states, and non-award or non-credit states) in a gaming environment is disclosed. In particular, the player may restore the game state from previously played games either from the same game device or from another game device. The invention also provides for award redemption of the award credits (or game pieces) earned by a player during game play.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting a player with simulated poker play is disclosed, where the result is actually based on a predetermined outcome. In order to create a realistic play scenario, the present invention never corrects or overrides a player's choices during the play of a hand. Rather, a new solution which incorporates a specially indicated, separately drawn card is used. If a player makes choices while playing a hand that precludes the game machine from creating a final hand having a value equivalent to the predetermined amount of a win, a separate card from those in the hand is used to create a bonus award that makes up any difference. In addition, the way in which the separate card is implemented includes the issuance of seemingly random bonus awards, allowing both good and poor poker players to receive such bonuses. This further increases the realism of the play.

Abstract: A system and method for using two authenticators to identify a player in a gaming environment is disclosed, where the second authenticator is based on biometric data. The two authenticators allow a two-level authorization process providing very high assurance that a player at a gaming machine is who they claim to be, and where the second authenticator, being based on biometric data, enables a player to quickly and easily authenticate documents and/or authenticate age while continuing to play at game machines.

Abstract: The system of the present invention provides for cashless transactions in Nevada-style casinos, bingo halls, Amerindian casinos, and the like. The system has a central database running on a server networked to player terminals, cashier's terminals (or stations), and unmanned voucher/cash exchange terminals. Individual transactions are recorded in the database using a unique transition ID where a transaction corresponds to vouchers being inserted into a terminal or vouchers being issued from a terminal. Each transaction stands alone and is recorded separately in the database; there is no logical connection between transactions unlike systems working from a central account. The present invention is particularly robust as it enables terminals to generate unique transaction IDs and print vouchers having a unique transaction ID and player's credits and other information thereon, before confirmation from the central server that the transaction has been stored in the database.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a voucher-based gaming transaction system, wherein vouchers are used for game credits rather than any form of coins or bills. Further disclosed are gaming machines that have the ability to fully transact using vouchers, including the ability to read, write, encrypt, and decrypt vouchers and create unique transaction IDs for each transaction (per voucher). The vouchers are independent of any type of player tracking or player accounts, and are operationally independent of each other. The system further includes a backend computer with a database which uses the unique transaction IDs for storing data associated with each transaction, primarily value and time of issuance information.

Abstract: A distributed manufacturing and distribution process for lottery tickets is disclosed. The manufacturing/vending system comprises a centralized ticket manufacturing controller located at a centralized location and one or more vending devices located at remote sites. Each vending device is operatively coupled for communication with the centralized ticket manufacturing controller, normally via a network connection. Each vending devices is further equipped with a printer and ticket media secured from potential customers, so that a customer is able to purchase on-demand tickets from vending device in communication with the centralized ticket manufacturing controller. Additionally, the vending devices may be configured as electronic aid to display the results of the purchased lottery tickets to the customer.

Abstract: A new player footrest is disclosed, usable as part of a gaming machine. The new footrest is mounted higher on the gaming cabinetry than was previously known in the art, providing a new and invigorating way to make significant changes to foot position, and therefore body position, during long game play periods. Further, in one embodiment the footrests are adjustable, providing even more player comfort and positional diversity.

Abstract: A system and method for using two authenticators to identify a player in a gaming environment is disclosed, where the second authenticator is based on biometric data. The two authenticators allow a two-level authorization process, where the second authenticator, being based on biometric data, allow a player to quickly and easily authenticate documents while remaining at game machines, authenticate electronically based transfers into and out of accounts at game machines, and further allow casinos and other establishments having age requirements and operating in an open environment to confirm that an underage person is not enabling the game play button (making use of the game machine thereby).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing prizes in a gaming environment which does not require the operator of the gaming environment to maintain a large inventory of such prizes is disclosed. In general, the purchases or sale of prizes are not carried out until the prize award process to a player is carried out.