Abstract: A rewards system awards a prize to a player of a gaming machine, where the prize is awarded separate from any winnings awarded by the gaming machine for a winning wagering game outcome. The rewards system may comprise an automated prize redemption device having a housing which defines a prize storage area and a rewards server configured to compare activity information obtained from the gaming machine to criteria associated with stored prize events and when met, command the gaming machine to issue a media from a media dispenser of the gaming machine to the player. The player may present the media to the automated prize redemption device to cause it to dispense the awarded prize.

Abstract: A rewards system awards a prize to a player of a gaming machine, where the prize is awarded separate from any winnings awarded by the gaming machine for a winning wagering game outcome. The rewards system may comprise an automated prize redemption device having a housing which defines a prize storage area and a rewards server configured to compare activity information obtained from the gaming machine to criteria associated with stored prize events and when met, command the gaming machine to issue a media from a media dispenser of the gaming machine to the player and store information regarding the media and an awarded prize, and when the media is read by a media reader of the prize redemption unit and compare the information regarding the media received from the prize redemption unit against the stored information to determine if the media is valid, and if so, cause the controller of said prize redemption to issue the awarded prize.

Abstract: A gaming system particularly configured to present a Class II bingo game such as bingo includes a game host, at least two player hosts, and a sentinel. The sentinel receives a request for a bingo card purchase from a player of a player interface and upon authorizing the player request transmits the request to one of the player hosts. The player host then makes a bingo card purchase with the game host and plays a bingo card provided by the game host in relation to a set of called bingo balls. The outcome of the play of the bingo card is provided to the sentinel and the game outcome is displayed as an alternative entertaining display at the player’s player interface.

Abstract: A gaming system particularly configured to present a Class II bingo game such as bingo includes a game host, at least two player hosts, and a sentinel. The sentinel receives a request for a bingo card purchase from a player of a player interface and upon authorizing the player request transmits the request to one of the player hosts. The player host then makes a bingo card purchase with the game host and plays a bingo card provided by the game host in relation to a set of called bingo balls. The outcome of the play of the bingo card is provided to the sentinel and the game outcome is displayed as an alternative entertaining display at the player's player interface.

Abstract: A “dual” gaming unit or machine is configured to implement both one or more traditional casino-style wagering games, such as games having outcomes determined primarily by chance and not skill, and one or more games which are traditionally not casino style games, such as amusement-type games or games having amusement-type game components, such as games where the outcome is determined substantially by skill. The wagering game portion of the gaming machine may award monetary awards to the player for winning wagering game outcomes, and the amusement portion of the gaming machine may be used to award promotional prizes to the player. A player rewards system may include such dual gaming units or other award dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: A rewards system awards a prize to a player of a gaming machine, where the prize is awarded separate from any winnings awarded by the gaming machine for a winning wagering game outcome. The rewards system may comprise an automated prize redemption device having a housing which defines a prize storage area and a rewards server configured to compare activity information obtained from the gaming machine to criteria associated with stored prize events and when met, command the gaming machine to issue a media from a media dispenser of the gaming machine to the player and store information regarding the media and an awarded prize, and when the media is read by a media reader of the prize redemption unit and compare the information regarding the media received from the prize redemption unit against the stored information to determine if the media is valid, and if so, cause the controller of said prize redemption to issue the awarded prize.

Abstract: Games, gaming machines and gaming systems are provided wherein a player playing a first wagering game may be awarded one or more free game plays (e.g. without the player having to place an additional wager) of a second wagering game which comprises a different game instance than the game that the player is playing. The one or more free games may be awarded based upon events or criteria occurring in the game that the player is playing or based upon events or criteria external thereto, or combinations thereof. The free games may comprise different game instances of the same game that the player is playing, or may comprise plays of different games, such as of games that the player may or may not select to play. The free games may be presented immediately or at a later time.

Abstract: A “dual” gaming unit or machine is configured to implement both one or more traditional casino-style wagering games, such as games having outcomes determined primarily by chance and not skill, and one or more games which are traditionally not casino style games, such as amusement-type games or games having amusement-type game components, such as games where the outcome is determined substantially by skill. The wagering game portion of the gaming machine may award monetary awards to the player for winning wagering game outcomes, and the amusement portion of the gaming machine may be used to award promotional prizes to the player. A player rewards system may include such dual gaming units or other award dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: A “dual” gaming unit or machine is configured to implement both one or more traditional casino-style wagering games, such as games having outcomes determined primarily by chance and not skill, and one or more games which are traditionally not casino style games, such as amusement-type games or games having amusement-type game components, such as games where the outcome is determined substantially by skill. The wagering game portion of the gaming machine may award monetary awards to the player for winning wagering game outcomes, and the amusement portion of the gaming machine may be used to award promotional prizes to the player. A player rewards system may include such dual gaming units or other award dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: Games, gaming machines and gaming systems are provided wherein a player playing a first wagering game may be awarded one or more free game plays (e.g. without the player having to place an additional wager) of a second wagering game which comprises a different game instance than the game that the player is playing. The one or more free games may be awarded based upon events or criteria occurring in the game that the player is playing or based upon events or criteria external thereto, or combinations thereof. The free games may comprise different game instances of the same game that the player is playing, or may comprise plays of different games, such as of games that the player may or may not select to play. The free games may be presented immediately or at a later time.

Abstract: A gaming system particularly configured to present a Class II bingo game such as bingo includes a game host, at least two player hosts, and a sentinel. The sentinel receives a request for a bingo card purchase from a player of a player interface and upon authorizing the player request transmits the request to one of the player hosts. The player host then makes a bingo card purchase with the game host and plays a bingo card provided by the game host in relation to a set of called bingo balls. The outcome of the play of the bingo card is provided to the sentinel and the game outcome is displayed as an alternative entertaining display at the player's player interface.

Abstract: Games, gaming machines and gaming systems are provided wherein a player playing a first wagering game may be awarded one or more free game plays (e.g. without the player having to place an additional wager) of a second wagering game which comprises a different game instance than the game that the player is playing. The one or more free games may be awarded based upon events or criteria occurring in the game that the player is playing or based upon events or criteria external thereto, or combinations thereof. The free games may comprise different game instances of the same game that the player is playing, or may comprise plays of different games, such as of games that the player may or may not select to play. The free games may be presented immediately or at a later time.

Abstract: A “dual” gaming unit or machine is configured to implement both one or more traditional casino-style wagering games, such as games having outcomes determined primarily by chance and not skill, and one or more games which are traditionally not casino style games, such as amusement-type games or games having amusement-type game components, such as games where the outcome is determined substantially by skill. The wagering game portion of the gaming machine may award monetary awards to the player for winning wagering game outcomes, and the amusement portion of the gaming machine may be used to award promotional prizes to the player. A player rewards system may include such dual gaming units or other award dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: A “dual” gaming unit or machine is configured to implement both one or more traditional casino-style wagering games, such as games having outcomes determined primarily by chance and not skill, and one or more games which are traditionally not casino style games, such as amusement-type games or games having amusement-type game components, such as games where the outcome is determined substantially by skill. The wagering game portion of the gaming machine may award monetary awards to the player for winning wagering game outcomes, and the amusement portion of the gaming machine may be used to award promotional prizes to the player. A player rewards system may include such dual gaming units or other award dispensing mechanisms.

Abstract: An improved apparatus, system and method for presenting multiple systems, games, and/or services on a common Player Interface, for example, any component or components of a gaming system, including an electronic or technologic aid—including, but not limited to terminals, player stations, handhelds, fixed units, etc.—that directly enables player interaction in a game, and create, monitor, translate, record, and communicate data such as accounting information, player transactions, etc.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a multi-dimensional player loyalty rewards system and method. Certain embodiments of the method include dynamically defining rewards based on at least one of player activity and historical data, and assigning values to the rewards based on at least one criterion, wherein the values change as the at least one criterion changes. The method may further include accumulating player earnings in a base unit of measure. Player earnings may be accumulated in a base unit of measure using multiple rates of earning, for example. One or more rewards may be redeemed using the values assigned to the rewards and the accumulated player earnings, for example. The at least one criterion may include at least one earning rate, for example. The at least one criterion may include at least one criterion tailored to a player, a player characteristic, a location, a game, and/or a game characteristic, for example.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a system and method for improved promotional messaging for a gaming environment. Certain embodiments include a method for improved promotional broadcast messaging. The method includes composing a promotional message for a gaming environment; selecting one or more recipients for the promotional message; associating contact information with one or more recipients; relaying the promotional message with the recipient contact information for broadcasting; and broadcasting the promotional message to one or more recipients using the recipient contact information. In an embodiment, the contact information comprises a cellular phone number, for example. The method may also include generating a status message when the promotional message is delivered to a communication device associated with the recipient contact information. In addition, the method may include generating a report based on the promotional message.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a system and method for improved promotional messaging for a gaming environment. Certain embodiments include a method for improved promotional broadcast messaging. The method includes composing a promotional message for a gaming environment; selecting one or more recipients for the promotional message; associating contact information with one or more recipients; relaying the promotional message with the recipient contact information for broadcasting; and broadcasting the promotional message to one or more recipients using the recipient contact information. In an embodiment, the contact information comprises a cellular phone number, for example. The method may also include generating a status message when the promotional message is delivered to a communication device associated with the recipient contact information. In addition, the method may include generating a report based on the promotional message.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a multi-dimensional player loyalty rewards system and method. Certain embodiments of the method include dynamically defining rewards based on at least one of player activity and historical data, and assigning values to the rewards based on at least one criterion, wherein the values change as the at least one criterion changes. The method may further include accumulating player earnings in a base unit of measure. Player earnings may be accumulated in a base unit of measure using multiple rates of earning, for example. One or more rewards may be redeemed using the values assigned to the rewards and the accumulated player earnings, for example. The at least one criterion may include at least one earning rate, for example. The at least one criterion may include at least one criterion tailored to a player, a player characteristic, a location, a game, and/or a game characteristic, for example.