Abstract: The invention provides for the use of a random number generator in a roulette wheel to play a game of roulette. The gaming apparatus may have a random number generator, a roulette wheel, and means for controlling the roulette wheel to indicate a first winning number corresponding to a first random number generated by the random number generator. The roulette wheel may have a top ring, outer ring, separator ring, and an inner ring and each ring may be decoupled from each outer to spin in different directions.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for facilitating tracking locations of players and/or wireless communication devices in a casino network. In at least one embodiment, an electronically switched Doppler antenna array may be utilized to detect a first wireless signal from a first signal source. Bearing information may be generated using information from the detected signal. In at least one embodiment, the bearing information may include a first directional bearing to the first signal source. Using at least a portion of the first bearing information, a first location of the first signal source may be determined. According to specific embodiments, the first signal source may correspond to a wireless communication device such as an RFID-enabled player tracking card or gaming chip. In at least one embodiment, a current location of the wireless communication device may be automatically tracked in real-time as the wireless communication device is moved through a first region of the casino.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use with an interactive gaming table. In one aspect, an administration tool is provided for use with an interactive gaming table. The interactive gaming table includes a playing surface for displaying a game, a signal source, and a signal collector. The administration tool includes a primary identifying indicia that uniquely identifies the tool to the gaming table by reflecting a signal emitted by the signal source such that the signal reflected by the primary identifying indicia is received and analyzed by the signal collector. The administration tool also includes a secondary identifying indicia that is recognized by the gaming table by reflecting the signal emitted by the signal source such that the signal reflected by the secondary identifying indicia is received and analyzed by the signal collector, wherein a present state of the displayed game is changed based on a player's action taken with the tool.

Abstract: Various aspects are directed to a gaming system configured or designed for use with a bar top or table top. In at least one embodiment, the gaming system may include a movable gaming unit, the movable gaming unit which is operable to be lowered below an upper surface of the bar top or table top, and which is operable to be raised, at least partially, above the upper surface of the bar top or table top. In at least one embodiment, the gaming system may be operable to control a wager-based game played on the gaming system. The gaming system may be further operable to lower the gaming unit below the upper surface of the bar top or table top in response to detecting at least one first condition or event. The gaming system may be further operable to raise a first portion of the gaming unit above the upper surface of the bar top or table top in response to detecting at least one second condition or event.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for facilitating tracking locations of players and/or wireless communication devices in a casino network. In at least one embodiment, an electronically switched Doppler antenna array may be utilized to detect a first wireless signal from a first signal source. Bearing information may be generated using information from the detected signal. In at least one embodiment, the bearing information may include a first directional bearing to the first signal source. Using at least a portion of the first bearing information, a first location of the first signal source may be determined. According to specific embodiments, the first signal source may correspond to a wireless communication device such as an RFID-enabled player tracking card or gaming chip. In at least one embodiment, a current location of the wireless communication device may be automatically tracked in real-time as the wireless communication device is moved through a first region of the casino.

Abstract: The invention provides for the use of a random number generator in a roulette wheel to play a game of roulette. The gaming apparatus may have a random number generator, a roulette wheel, and means for controlling the roulette wheel to indicate a first winning number corresponding to a first random number generated by the random number generator. The roulette wheel may have a top ring, outer ring, separator ring, and an inner ring and each ring may be decoupled from each outer to spin in different directions.

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: Various techniques are disclosed for controlling a wager-based game played at a gaming system. In one embodiment the gaming system may include a handheld device operable to communicate with a gaming controller. In one embodiment, the handheld device may include a gesture input interface device operable to detect movements gestures associated with one or more persons. The gaming system may further include a gesture interpretation component operable to identify selected movements or gestures detected by the gesture input interface device, and operable to generate gesture interpretation information relating to interpretation of the selected movements or gestures.

Abstract: Various techniques are described for controlling a wager-based game played at a gaming system. In one embodiment the gaming system may include a gesture input interface device operable to detect movements gestures associated with one or more persons, and a gesture interpretation component operable to identify selected movements or gestures detected by the gesture input interface device. In at least one embodiment, the gesture interpretation component may also be operable to generate gesture interpretation information relating to interpretation of the selected movements or gestures. In at least one embodiment, the gaming system may be operable to automatically detect a gesture by a player participating in a game session at the gaming system; interpret the gesture with respect to a set of criteria; generate gesture interpretation information relating to the interpretation of the gesture; and advance a state of the game session using at least a portion of the gesture interpretation information.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a combination inner video display and rotatable object. The inner video display and the rotatable object may be correlated together to form a reconfigurable object. Both the inner video display and the rotatable object can have segments wherein each segment may have an indicia associated with the segment, wherein the indicia can be a prize, a bonus multiplier, a progressive jackpot, a negative value, a bonus spin character, a loss of spin character, a blank space or a null character. The player will be rewarded with the corresponding prize(s) based upon the outcome of the combination inner video display and rotatable object.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display support structure; a display unit capable of generating video images and attached to said display support structure in a position that is non-rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by a front surface of said display unit, wherein said display unit comprises: a flat-panel display screen having a width and a height, said width of said flat-panel display screen being larger than said height of said flat-panel display screen, said width of said flat-panel display screen divided by said height of said flat-panel display screen forming an aspect ratio having a magnitude greater than or equal to 16/10; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager, said controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said disp

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically controlling gaming machines such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno, and/or bingo. Customer information such as denomination input, maximum coin input, maximum number of coins won, pay tables, pay lines, and the like may be changed electronically with an electronic ink display. The gaming machine may be updated electronically without shutting the game down and losing income or incurring additional costs from manually replacing static display inserts on the machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a gaming machine cocktail table. In some instances, it can include a cocktail table chassis and one or more display screens mounted in the cocktail table chassis. The display screens can face generally upward for viewing by two or more players seated proximate the cocktail table chassis. A master gaming controller can be connected to each of the display screens and can control games presented on each of the display screens. In some applications, a monolithic tabletop can be provided on the cocktail table chassis to cover components of the gaming machine, whereby player interaction with any of these gaming machine components is via the monolithic tabletop, thereby isolating the gaming machine components from environmental contamination.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus that includes a housing, a display unit that is capable of generating video images, a value input device, and a controller that is coupled to the display unit and the value input device, and includes a processor and a memory that are coupled to the processor. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager, cause a video image to be generated on the display unit, wherein the video image represents a game. The controller is programmed to determine, after the video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of the game. The apparatus also includes a beverage support structure coupled to the housing, and including a beverage present detector, a beverage temperature monitor, a beverage temperature altering mechanism, and a timer.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus, comprising: a display support structure; a display unit capable of generating video images and attached to said display support structure in a position that is non-rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane formed by a front surface of said display unit, wherein said display unit comprises: a flat-panel display screen having a width and a height, said width of said flat-panel display screen being larger than said height of said flat-panel display screen, said width of said flat-panel display screen divided by said height of said flat-panel display screen forming an aspect ratio having a magnitude greater than or equal to 16/10; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager, said controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said disp

Abstract: A gaming machine, specifically a slot machine, having a viewing region through which one or more internal reels are visible. The internal reels having a flexible display, mounted on the outer circumferential region of the reel, capable of displaying an infinite number of different indicia to a player of the machine. By allowing an infinite number of indicia to be displayed, the gaming machine may be programmed with a variety of gaming options and payouts.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus, comprising: a housing; a display unit associated with said housing and capable of generating video images; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager, said controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing a game selected from the group of games consisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo, said video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker, said video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots, said video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack, said video image comprising an image of a plurality