Abstract: A gaming machine having a utility shelf movably attached thereto wherein the utility shelf is adapted to move between a stowed position and a play position where the stowed position is substantially non-horizontal and the play position is substantially horizontal. In this manner, gaming machine players may play bingo (or other live, card-based games) simultaneously while playing a gaming machine.

Abstract: A system and method for awarding bonus prizes is paid responsive to the last two or more bingo balls called during a bingo game (e.g., last five balls form a predetermined combination of bingo letters). For example, if the last five balls called in a bingo game are an “O” ball, preceded by a “G” ball, preceded by an “N” ball, preceded by an “I” ball, and preceded by a “B” ball, the last five balls called or selected in the bingo game spell the word “BINGO” and accordingly, the winning bingo card is paid a jackpot prize. Another example of a bonus combination is the last three balls spelling the word “BIG.” Yet another example of a bonus combination is the word “BIG” being spelled by bingo balls selected by a pair of ball blowers working in tandem.

Abstract: A system and method using one or more remote controllers to control hands-free ball blowers. The remote controllers may be used by bingo callers and/or a designated bingo player. In addition, the remote controllers are configured to enable bingo callers to override a designated bingo player's control of the ball-blowers if needed, e.g., if a player delays a drawing of a bingo ball for too long a time. The system and method allows players to be more interactive with bingo games and similar draw-type games.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ball blower apparatus for facilitating games of chance. The ball blower apparatus has a motor-driven ball carriage mechanism that captures air-ejected balls from a ball mixing chamber and carries the captured ball to an inlet of a ball return tube that extends downward to a bottom of the ball mixing chamber. Captured balls travel down the tube under air pressure generated by an air blower. The air pressure also prevents the balls from electro-statically clinging to walls of the tube. The balls may be bar-coded and scanned by a barcode reader while being handled by the ball carriage mechanism. A computer interfaced with the barcode reader automatically controls the operation of the ball blower including the operation of the carriage motor, air blower(s) and a solenoid that controls the egress of balls from the ball return tube into the mixing chamber. A TV camera may also be utilized to capture and visually display numbers associated with the balls.