Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a contract is established for a session comprising two or more plays of at least one gaming device. Information about the game play session, such as outcomes generated at the at least one gaming device, is communicated to a player device. The information is presented to a player via the player device.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and system is provided for determining whether a player requires attention as a problem gambler. The apparatus and system are further operable to dispatch an event, the event for interacting with the problem gambler. The interaction may be targeted, for example, at curbing a player's inappropriate or potentially problematic gambling behavior.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for outputting an outcome for a game of a gaming device is presented, wherein the method comprises first outputting an apparent outcome for the game and then outputting an actual outcome for the game. In one or more embodiments, a benefit corresponding to the apparent outcome may not be provided to the player playing the gaming device. For example, a hopper may be prevented from dispensing a payout associated with the apparent outcome. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a character (e.g., an animated character) may be displayed as changing the apparent outcome into the actual outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for establishing online a buyer price for a first plurality of products. In one embodiment, the buyer price is lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products, the first plurality of products to be picked up during a subsequent transaction at a retailer. Thereafter, a second plurality of products that the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. A penalty may be assessed if the first and second plurality of products do not correspond.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving a request to display at least one product. A substitute product for the at least one product is selected from a plurality of substitute products. The selection may be based on, for example, expected revenue from display of the selected substitute product, expected revenue for purchase of the selected substitute product, or a substitution success rate. The selected substitute product is then displayed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: Purchasing, redemption and settlement systems and methods are provided wherein a buyer takes possession of a product at a retailer. A purchasing system may communicate with a buyer through a communication network to establish a first price for a product between the buyer and a seller. The purchasing system may also arrange for the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the product for sale at a second price. Verification information, which enables the retailer to authorize the buyer to take possession of the product, is transmitted to the retailer. The buyer provides a payment, based on the first price, to the purchasing system in exchange for the right to take possession of the product at the retailer. In one embodiment, the purchasing system receives a buyer offer, including an offer price, related to the product. In another embodiment, the purchasing system transmits redemption information, including a redemption code, to the buyer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method provides for determining a first payout to potentially be provided for a current game play of a gaming device, wherein the gaming device is operable to facilitate a wagering game and providing the first payout only upon the satisfaction of a plurality of conditions. The plurality of conditions may comprise, for example, (i) indicia indicative of the first payout being disposed along a payline of the gaming device, wherein the payline is a component of a first display area of the gaming device, and (ii) a characteristic of audio/video content associated with the current game play satisfying a requirement for providing the first payout, wherein the audio/video content is output via a second display area of the gaming device.

Abstract: A network of vending machines is interfaced via a controller to a network of devices installed at retail establishments. When a customer goes to a vending machine and requests a transaction such as dispensing a product from the vending machine, the vending machines outputs an offer to the customer in response to the received request and based on a condition that has been identified at one of the retail establishments. The identified condition may be a lack of customer traffic at the retail establishment. The offer outputted at the vending machine may be a discount coupon to induce the customer to visit the retail establishment. Preferably, the retail establishment is nearby to the vending machine which outputted the offer. The vending machine may also output offers when the vending machine is out of stock of the item requested by the customer.

Abstract: A network of vending machines is interfaced via a controller to a network of devices installed at retail establishments. When a customer goes to a vending machine and requests a transaction such as dispensing a product from the vending machine, the vending machines outputs an offer to the customer in response to the received request and based on a condition that has been identified at one of the retail establishments. The identified condition may be a lack of customer traffic at the retail establishment. The offer outputted at the vending machine may be a discount coupon to induce the customer to visit the retail establishment. Preferably, the retail establishment is nearby to the vending machine which outputted the offer. The vending machine may also output offers when the vending machine is out of stock of the item requested by the customer.

Abstract: A network of vending machines is interfaced via a controller to a network of devices installed at retail establishments. When a customer goes to a vending machine and requests a transaction such as dispensing a product from the vending machine, the vending machines outputs an offer to the customer in response to the received request and based on a condition that has been identified at one of the retail establishments. The identified condition may be a lack of customer traffic at the retail establishment. The offer outputted at the vending machine may be a discount coupon to induce the customer to visit the retail establishment. Preferably, the retail establishment is nearby to the vending machine which outputted the offer. The vending machine may also output offers when the vending machine is out of stock of the item requested by the customer.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes providing an offer to enter into a forward commitment agreement, and then receiving an acceptance of the offer. A code is made available after receiving the acceptance. It is determined whether the code has been presented to a vending machine after the step of making the code available. A product is dispensed from a vending machine after the step of determination.

Abstract: Gaming systems and methods of operation thereof are disclosed. Such gaming systems and methods allow a player of a gaming device, such as a slot machine or an arcade video game, to access entertainment services, such as broadcast television programming, web sites, pay-per-view services and shared-revenue telephone services, such as 900 or 976 services, for enhanced player retention. In accordance with one or more embodiments, when play is initiated, a predefined establishment-specific criteria is evaluated to determine whether the player should be provided with access to entertainment services. A player entitled to access such services may be presented with a list of available entertainment services. Upon receipt of the player's selection, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a connection may be established between the gaming device and the provider of the selected entertainment service.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a preestablished duration that may span, for example, a predetermined period of time or a period of time that ends upon the occurrence of a predetermined number of game plays or handle pulls, or upon the occurrence of another event. In one or more embodiments, a player is offered a surrender payout and fractional surrender payouts are accumulated for a player until an end of a flat rate play session. In one embodiment, a session strategy may be determined and implemented for a game play of the flat rate play session. The session strategy may be determined, for example, based on a current value of a parameter associated with the flat rate play session (e.g., a value of a credit meter balance and/or a remaining duration of the flat rate play session).

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided that comprises determining a first strategy for play of a game and a second strategy for play of the game, selecting at least one final outcome of the game that cannot result from the first strategy, and increasing a payout ratio associated with the selected at least one final outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus, systems and methods for a gaming device operable to support a negative credit balance. For example, in some embodiments, a gaming device may be configured to: (i) determine a current credit balance, (ii) determine a wager amount, (iii) determine whether the wager amount would result in a negative balance of credits, (iv) determine if it is permissible to allow a negative balance of credits, and if so (v) adjust a current balance such that is equal to the negative balance, and (vi) display an indication of the negative credit balance.