Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes dealing a first hand of cards for a poker game. A draw input is received for a draw for the first hand of cards. The method deals one or more cards from at least one card for an additional hand during or after the draw for the first hand of cards and determines if a card in the first hand matches a card in the additional hand. If the match is determined, the method performs: determining a bonus feature and applying the bonus feature to game play of the poker game.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may optionally participate and be eligible to win all or a portion of the progressive jackpot. In one embodiment, the player may be eligible for the progressive jackpot by wagering at least a minimum wager amount, and perhaps the maximum bet for the wagering game. In another embodiment, the player may affirmatively elect to be eligible for the progressive jackpot by placing a wager or fee in addition to a wager on the wagering game. Graphics corresponding to the progressive jackpot may be optionally displayed only to players eligible to win the progressive jackpot.

Abstract: A candle device for a gaming machine including a secondary processor is described. The candle device can include a number of stages that when activated convey information about the status of the gaming machine. The secondary processor, disposed within a secure enclosure in the candle device, can be configured to control peripheral devices disposed with a main cabinet of the gaming machine that receive control commands from a game controller. In particular, the secondary processor can be configured to determine a size and a position of windows on the main touch screen display where a first window is for outputting video content from the game controller and a second window is for outputting video content from the secondary processor. The secondary processor can use the second window to add new features to the gaming machine, such as a verification interface for transactions involving mobile devices.

Abstract: A candle device for a gaming machine including a secondary processor is described. The candle device can include a number of stages that when activated convey information about the status of the gaming machine. The secondary processor, disposed within a secure enclosure in the candle device, can be configured to control peripheral devices disposed with a main cabinet of the gaming machine that receive control commands from a game controller. In particular, the secondary processor can be configured to determine a size and a position of windows on the main touch screen display where a first window is for outputting video content from the game controller and a second window is for outputting video content from the secondary processor. The secondary processor can use the second window to add new features to the gaming machine, such as a verification interface for transactions involving mobile devices.

Abstract: A gaming machine connected in a gaming network or operating as a stand-alone machine, is capable of accepting two or more currencies for wager game play. The machine operates internally using a native monetary type and converts non-monetary bills to native amounts in the form of restricted or cashable credits. The multiple currency capability of the machine is utilized to encourage the use of restricted credits by adjusting conversion rates, payback tables, and the like. These features, combined with the use of restricted credits, also enable ways to monitor abuse and illegal activity on the gaming machine and implement ways to limit losses by a player. Certain post-conversion processes are used to ensure that the player is returned non-converted amounts. The gaming machine has additional hard and soft meters to process multiple monetary types.

Abstract: 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 are described. 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.

Abstract: A gaming device for a gaming machine is described. The gaming device can be configured to implement commands related to performing maintenance operations on the gaming machine. The commands can be initiated from a remote device, such as mobile device, separate from the gaming machine and the gaming device. In one embodiment, the gaming peripheral can be coupled to a power switching device on the gaming machine. A number of devices on the gaming machine, such as game controller, can be configured to receive power that is routed through the power switching device. The gaming device can be configured to receive a command from a remote device to cycle power on the gaming machine using the power switching device. In one example, the power can be cycled on the gaming machine to clear an error condition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may optionally participate and be eligible to win all or a portion of the progressive jackpot. In one embodiment, the player may be eligible for the progressive jackpot by wagering at least a minimum wager amount, and perhaps the maximum bet for the wagering game. Graphics corresponding to the progressive jackpot may be optionally displayed only to players eligible to win the progressive jackpot.

Abstract: 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 are described. 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.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gaming network and a method for conducting an electronic wagering game, such as a pull-tab game or other instant win game, having a finite pool of outcome records from which outcomes are selected for the players. The method may include receiving value from a player, receiving game option selections for the wagering game from the player, and selecting a plurality of outcome records for the wagering game from the finite pool of outcome records for the wagering game based on the game option selections from the player. The method may further include determining whether each selected outcome record is a winning outcome or a losing outcome for the wagering game, and displaying the outcomes of the plurality of selected outcome records to the player in a single graphical outcome presentation. In one embodiment, the outcome presentation may be in the form of a printed ticket printed at a player terminal unit and presenting information relating to the outcomes selected for the player.

Abstract: A system, method and gaming device having a card reader and a receipt printer are provided. One processor of the gaming device communicates with a receipt printer and plays a game program. Another processor operates as part of an electronic funds transfer control unit that communicates with a card reader, keypad and display for prompting the player to enter fund transfer card information. The control unit sends out fund requests over a wide area network to a remote fund repository. If the repository approves of a fund request, the approval travels back to the ticket validation system, which instructs the gaming device to: (i) issue a direct transfer of funds via the credit meter, a hopper or a lottery and (ii) issue a receipt for the transfer to the player.

Abstract: An operator configurable cash out menu that is displayed when a player presses the cash out button of a gaming device. The present invention provides for more flexible cash outs than in known gaming systems, wherein the player can select one or more methods of payment. The player can select an amount of money to be transferred to a casino account. The player can also select an amount of money to issue on a ticket that the gaming device prints and provides to the player, whereby the player can redeem the ticket for cash. The present invention also enables the player to select different amounts of money to cash out. The player can choose: (i) to have some or all of the amount transferred to the casino account; (ii) to have some or all of the amount issue as cash printed on a ticket; or (iii) to have some be transferred to the account and some issue on a ticket.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game, such as a Bingo game, in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. The outcome of the multi-player wagering game may be displayed to the player at the gaming unit, along with an alternate outcome display at two or more alternate outcome display devices at the gaming unit. In one embodiment, an outcome of a Bingo game may be mapped to an outcome of a slot machine having a bonus feature such as a wheel. Outcomes of the Bingo game may then be displayed on the plurality of alternate display devices as outcomes of the slot game and accompanying bonus feature.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for electronically transferring funds at a gaming device. The gaming device has a ticketing system that includes a ticket reader. The system also includes an electronic fund transfer (“EFT”) kiosk that enables a patron, using a credit, debit, smart, casino or combination type card to enter a request for funds. The kiosk has a controller that sends a request out over a banking network for approval or denial. If approved, the kiosk includes a ticket printer that prints a ticket having a bar coded fund transfer. The player can use the ticket at one of a variety of gaming devices to receive game credits or redeem the ticket for cash.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus is provided with a display unit, a promotional credit member processing apparatus, and a controller that may be programmed to allow a person to obtain a first number of promotional gaming credits in response to processing of a promotional credit member by the promotional credit member processing apparatus, to allow a person to make a wager using at least one of the promotional gaming credits, and to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit. The controller may also be programmed to determine a second number of promotional gaming credits based on the first number of promotional gaming credits based on the first number of promotional gaming credits and at least one wager and to cause the promotional credit member processing apparatus to record the second number of promotional gaming credits on a promotional credit member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game, such as a Bingo game, in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. The outcome of the multi-player wagering game may be displayed to the player at the gaming unit, along with an alternate outcome display at two or more alternate outcome display devices at the gaming unit. In one embodiment, an outcome of a Bingo game may be mapped to an outcome of a slot machine having a bonus feature such as a wheel. Outcomes of the Bingo game may then be displayed on the plurality of alternate display devices as outcomes of the slot game and accompanying bonus feature.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may sleep interim pattern awards and progressive jackpot awards by failing to claim the awards by acknowledging the awards at the gaming unit within a finite sleep time period. The slept interim pattern awards and slept progressive jackpot awards may be added to a progressive jackpot pool.

Abstract: After the main ball drop of a bingo game, a player may be given a free extra bingo number. A probability of awarding a free ball may be determined, at least in part, according to a desired paytable percentage for the bingo game (or vice versa). Some implementations of the invention provide multi-card bingo games. A player may be required to hit a predetermined pattern on more than one bingo card in order to obtain a progressive award. The number of hits in the pattern(s) and/or the number of bingo cards involved may be determined according to a desired progressive award size and/or a desired probability of obtaining the progressive award. Players may have an opportunity to purchase one or more additional bingo numbers after the main ball drop of a bingo game. A player may be provided the option of purchasing a block of more than one additional bingo number after the main ball drop.

Abstract: A gaming machine connected in a gaming network or operating as a stand-alone machine, is capable of accepting two or more currencies for wager game play. The machine operates internally using a native monetary type and converts non-monetary bills to native amounts in the form of restricted or cashable credits. The multiple currency capability of the machine is utilized to encourage the use of restricted credits by adjusting conversion rates, payback tables, and the like. These features, combined with the use of restricted credits, also enable ways to monitor abuse and illegal activity on the gaming machine and implement ways to limit losses by a player. Certain post-conversion processes are used to ensure that the player is returned non-converted amounts. The gaming machine has additional hard and soft meters to process multiple monetary types.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing low denomination payline and wagering options for “penny” gaming machines and systems are disclosed. A gaming machine or system configurator can provide various operator adjustable settings, including minimum overall wager, maximum overall wager, available denominations for play, minimum number of paylines that must be played, and incremental amount of paylines to be played. The configurator can include manual devices, an interface to a remote server or internal gaming machine logic. Player adjustable game parameters can include a play denomination, an overall wager, the number of paylines played and the number of credits per payline. Parameters not set by the player are automatically calculated by the gaming machine for faster game play. Residual awards or credit balances of less than a whole coin can be squared by payout mechanisms including a ticket printer, a player accounting system, a charity feature or a bonus play feature.