Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.

Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.

Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a gaming machine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electronic processing board that is coupled to first and second data interfaces as well as a ticket printer. The electronic processing board responds to a cashout signal by communicating with the gaming machine via the first data interface, communicating with a computer system via the second data interface, and communicating with the printer to issue a ticket.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.

Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: An apparatus (312) for use with a gaming machine (102), the apparatus (312) comprising: an electronic processing board (144); a first data interface (366) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144); a second data interface (126) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144); and a ticket printer (318) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144), wherein the electronic processing board (144) is arranged to perform the following steps in response to a cashout signal (134): communicate with the gaming machine (102) via the first data interface (366) in order to effect a removal of wagerable credits from the gaming machine (102); communicate with a computer system (120), which is remote to the gaming machine (102), via the second data interface (126) so as to: provide the computer system (120) with details of the removal of wagerable credit; and receive from the computer system (120) ticket data that is associated with the removal of

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A preexisting gaming machine is adapted or retrofitted to print valid tickets for a game player at low cost. The preexisting gaming machine includes a game microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and includes a cashout signal input. A game interface is fitted to the gaming machine and coupled to the game microprocessor for controlling ticket printing and redemption in conjunction with a central authority. A memory in the game interface stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is fitted into the gaming machine and coupled to the game interface for printing a ticket that includes game credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia. The game interface controls printing in response to a cashout signal. After the ticket is printed, the game interface obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.