Abstract: The present invention integrates the concepts of interactive player based promotions, games, and bonusing that utilize a touch screen display on a gaming system associated with a remote player tracking system. The promotions are configured at a remote configuration workstation by selecting system criteria defining the particular bonus promotion to thereby create a “bonus rule.” Promotions have four primary criteria. The first is the “Trigger” which is the criterion that determines when the bonus screen is activated to display a promotion. The second is the “Interface” that determines what will be displayed on the bonus screen. The third is the “Award” in which the nature of the bonus payment, including the method of choosing the value to award and the required player interaction to receive the promotion, is determined. And finally, the “Currency” system determines the method of payment to the player for earning or receiving the promotion.

Abstract: A gaming machine award system acts over a gaming machine network having a plurality of gaming devices coupled thereto. The award system includes a bonus server coupled to the network and having stored thereon a trigger condition. A game play tracker tracks game play across the network of gaming devices and detects an occurrence of the trigger condition. The bonus server sends out a selection signal over the network to a selected gaming machine responsive to the detected trigger condition. A printer associated with the selected gaming machine is structured to generate a mystery ticket printed output responsive to receipt of said selection signal including machine-readable indicia corresponding to a record of value stored at the bonus server, and human readable indicia that indicates only a range of possible values of the ticket but not a specific value.

Abstract: Players are selected to celebrate the win. A portion of the bonus pool is divided among the celebrating players. The amount to be received by each player can be verified to meet minimum and maximum amount requirements. The celebration pay is delivered to the gaming machines used by the celebrating players.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a configurable reel lighting apparatus for gaming devices. In one embodiment, a gaming device having a plurality of spinnable reels includes a molded frame visually separating the reels and having a plurality of openings. The gaming device also includes a plurality of individual light sources corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of openings, where each light source is associated with one of the plurality of spinnable reels.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a chair sled locking mechanism for use with a gaming device. In one example embodiment, a chair sled includes a sled body having a chair attachment connector disposed at a first end of the sled body and a cavity disposed at a second end of the sled body. A latching unit is disposed in the cavity of the sled body along with a spring that is configured to hold the latching unit in a locked position. A latch cover covers the cavity of the sled body. At least one of the latch cover or sled body includes an opening that allows an operator to manipulate the latching unit to an unlocked position.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a gaming device having a plurality of dynamically connectable modular gaming table components that provide a variety of configuration options. In one example embodiment, the gaming device includes a first modular gaming table component and a second modular gaming table component, where the first modular gaming table component and second modular gaming table component are connectable in a variety of arrangements. Each of the first and second modular gaming table components may include at least one gaming station having a gaming display, gaming control circuitry, structural connection means, and communication connection means, whereby the structural and communication connection means of the two components may be dynamically connectable in a variety of component arrangements.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a gaming device with a player interaction mechanism included in a gaming machine handle. In one embodiment, a gaming device operable by a player includes a gaming cabinet housing a processor to operate gaming sessions on the gaming device and having a display to visually represent the outcome of the gaming session. The gaming device also includes a first player interaction mechanism arranged on the gaming cabinet, a gaming handle attached to the gaming cabinet, and a second player interaction mechanism located on the gaming handle.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is an access mechanism that provides access to a plurality of internal portions of a gaming device through a plurality of securing mechanisms. In one embodiment, a gaming device includes first and second internal cabinet portions, a first interface device, a second interface device, and an actuator unit. The first and second interface devices secure access to the first and second internal cabinet portions, respectively. The actuator unit is structured to allow access to the first secured cabinet portion in response to a first valid key being applied to the first interface device and to allow access to the second secured cabinet portion in response to a second valid key being applied to the second interface device.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a plurality of touchscreen arranged on a single monolithic structure of a multi-player gaming device. In one embodiment, a gaming device having a base structure and an upper structure arranged to define a layout of gaming stations each with a gaming display includes a substantially transparent monolithic substrate, an electrically conductive coating, and a protective layer. The monolithic substrate may be arranged over the upper structure to cover at least the plurality of gaming displays. The electrically conductive coating may be formed on the monolithic surface over at least the plurality of gaming displays such that conductive coating over each of the gaming displays is electrically isolated from the remainder of the conductive coating. The protective layer may be formed over the conductive coating and monolithic substrate and have a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for administering payouts in gaming machines are disclosed. More particularly, improved techniques for distributing large payouts with minimal interruption of a gaming session at a gaming apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming method includes displaying an image of a multilayer game including a plurality of layers, each layer having at least one plane with at least one symbol position in which at least one symbol is disposed, at least two layers of the plurality of layers being displayed such that the planes of the at least two layers are not coplanar, and at least one layer of the at least two layers having a plurality of symbol positions in which a plurality of symbols are disposed. The method also includes determining a game outcome associated with the plurality of symbols disposed in the plurality of symbols positions of the at least one layer, and a multilayer game outcome associated with at least one symbol in each of the at least one symbol positions of the at least two layers. Gaming apparatuses and gaming systems are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game and an associated instant win game having a finite pool of outcomes, with an outcome for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game being determined, and an outcome for the instant win game being selected from the finite pool of outcomes. The multi-player wagering game may be a multi-player Bingo game wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia. Players may win an award for the instant win game if the outcome selected from the finite pool is a winning outcome. The players may optionally participate in the instant win game based on input information and wager amounts.

Abstract: In a method for configuring a first computing device to send or receive formatted data is provided, wherein the formatted data includes a plurality of formatting tags, an indication of a set of formatting tags recognized by a second computing device may be received via a network. A mapping of identifiers to formatting tags in the set of formatting tags may be determined. At least one of an encoder, a decoder, and a parser of the first computing device may be configured with the mapping.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player's wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool. In addition, the main pool may be reseeded from the reserve pool after a progressive jackpot is awarded.

Abstract: A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player in terms of one or more credits, displaying an image representative of a game, and determining an outcome associated with the game. The method further includes determining if an event has occurred, calculating a purchase cost for each payout in a plurality of payouts when the event occurs, displaying an image representing the plurality of payouts, the image including the payout cost for each payout in the plurality of payouts, receiving a selection from the player of one of the plurality of payouts, receiving from the player the purchase cost of the one of the plurality of payouts selected by the player, and transmitting a request to provide the one of the plurality of payouts to the player.

Abstract: A gaming method includes determining if a first event has occurred, distributing an e-coupon to a player if the first event has occurred, the e-coupon being storable on a machine accessible medium, having an identifier associated therewith, and redeemable for a payout, associating a first payout with the identifier according to the first event, determining if a second event has occurred, and associating a second payout with the identifier according to the second event, the second payout being different than the first payout and the first payout no longer associated with the identifier.

Abstract: A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a first player, displaying an image representative of a game, determining an outcome for the game represented by the image, and associating a first payout with the first player according to the outcome. The method also includes receiving an exchange of communications between the first player and a second player regarding an exchange of the first payout and a second payout, associating the second payout with the first player, and associating the first payout with the second player.

Abstract: For a user having a user input actuator, a virtual interface device, such as for a gaming machine, for determining actuation of a virtual input by the input actuator is disclosed. The device comprises a position sensing device for determining a location of the user input actuator and a controller coupled to the position sensing device, the controller determining whether a portion of the user input actuator is within a virtual input location in space defining the virtual input.

Abstract: A gaming method and system includes determining if at least one first trigger event has occurred, dispensing at least one game piece if the at least one trigger event has occurred, the at least one game piece having at least one hidden image and at least one concealing image disposed thereon, the at least one concealing image limiting the visibility of the at least one hidden image, determining if a second trigger event has occurred, receiving at least one identifier associated with the at least one game piece if the second trigger event has occurred, determining a payout according to the at least one identifier, and causing a display unit to generate a reveal pattern, the reveal pattern cooperating with the at least one concealing image of the at least one game piece to make the at least one hidden image visible if the second trigger event has occurred.