Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: A wagering game award system is described herein. In some embodiments, the wagering game award system detects a player identifier associated with a wagering game award system, where the wagering game award system supports a plurality of award types. The system can also determine a number of awards of a first type, wherein the number of awards are associated with the player identifier, and wherein the first type is one of the award types. The system can also detect a request to exchange some of the number of awards for awards of a second type, wherein the second type is one of the award types. The system can also submit the request.

Abstract: A method of exchanging assets within a wagering establishment computer-based marketplace layer including the acts of accessing a wagering establishment marketplace layer using a peripheral device, offering a first asset for exchange in the wagering establishment marketplace layer to all participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer. The method also includes the acts of receiving an offer to exchange a second asset for the first asset from an anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, accepting the offer to exchange the second asset for the first asset from the anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, and transferring the first asset in exchange for the second asset.

Abstract: A method of dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit associated with a wagering activity includes the acts of establishing a line of credit for a player and monitoring at least one factor associated with a player's wagering activity. The method further includes the acts of calculating a credit factor related to the monitored at least one factor and applying the credit factor to a player's line of credit to adjust a player's line of credit one of upwardly and downwardly responsive to the monitored at least one factor.

Abstract: Embodiments of a wager gaming network that includes handheld wager gaming units and hotspots are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, in a handheld wager gaming unit, a wager associated with a wagering game. The method can also include wirelessly connecting the handheld wager gaming unit to a wireless access point in a wager gaming network. The method can also include transmitting, via the wireless access point, information from the handheld wager gaming unit to a device on the wager gaming network.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.

Abstract: A wireless computerized wagering game system comprises a gaming module operable to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a wireless communications module operable to connect the wireless wagering game system to at least one wireless peripheral device. The wireless computerized wagering game is portable, is operable to couple to fixed and portable peripheral devices, and is operable to couple to user-provided and gaming establishment-provided peripherals in various embodiments.

Abstract: A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a plurality of game cards that may be read by one or more card readers of the gaming machine. The game cards may provide a variety of enhancements for the gaming machine, including enhanced game features, enhanced rules of game play, enhanced game characters, and the like. Players may collect the game cards for use in the gaming machine in hopes of increasing their likelihood of achieving a desirable outcome or altering the characteristics of the game to offer more entertaining variations on game play. The players may also trade the game cards with one another and with the casino, thereby creating excitement and interest in the gaming machine. Special interest groups and even entire industries may be formed to facilitate the collecting and trading of the game cards.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and at least one rotatable reel. The reel comprises a reel strip arranged about the periphery of a cage. The reel strip, buttons on the machine, a player tracking card, and/or a gaming machine credit ticket may each comprise alterable film for displaying a plurality of indicia, including images, text, and other information. The gaming machine further comprises a controller operative to alter the appearance of items displayed on the film.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game on a handheld gaming machine includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play the wagering game and an external system configured to regulate wagering game play on the handheld gaming machine.

Abstract: A system for presenting audio-video programming with alternative content comprises a first input port for receiving a first signal containing at least one audio-video program, the at least one audio-video program having at least one default component associated therewith and a second input port for receiving a selected alternative content stream, the selected alternative content stream selected from a plurality of available alternative content streams. The system further comprises a first output port for transmitting a modified audio-video program to an output device, and at least one controller in communication with the first input port, the second input port and the first output port. The at least one controller is operative to (i) synchronize the at least one audio-video program and the selected alternative content stream to form the modified audio-video program and (ii) transmit the modified audio-video program via the first output port.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and at least one rotatable reel. The reel comprises a reel strip arranged about the periphery of a cage. The reel strip comprises an alterable film for displaying a plurality of symbols. The gaming machine further comprises a controller operative to alter the appearance of at least one of the plurality of symbols displayed on the film.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system has a surface conduction electron emitter display. In various further embodiments, the display is a main system display, a top box display, or a side panel display.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game includes conducting a wagering game at a gaming terminal, and receiving inputs from a player that relate to a profile of the player. The inputs exclude a player's true identity. The method includes comparing the player inputs with a plurality of player-profile data sets to match the player inputs with a particular player-profile data set. In response to this comparison yielding a matched player-profile data set, the method includes activating one or more personalized attributes at the gaming terminal associated with the matched player-profile data set. The method can be practiced within a gaming system comprising a database, a controller, and at least one gaming terminal. The database stores the player-profile data sets. Each data set is associated with and maintains anonymity of a respective player. An input device at the gaming terminal receives player-profile inputs for comparison to the player-profile data sets.

Abstract: A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a wager-input device and a display for displaying the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input received via the wager-input device. The plurality of outcomes include at least one outcome that awards standard credits and bonus tokens. A credit output device outputs a value of the standard credits and the bonus tokens in response to achieving the at least one outcome. The bonus tokens are exchangeable for a special event on a second gaming terminal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a secure gaming system includes at least one gaming terminal and at least one gaming system server. The terminal(s) and server(s) communicate over a communication network. In one embodiment, a server forwards unapproved gaming software over the communication network to a lab, where the lab is configured to test compliance of the unapproved gaming software with a plurality of regulations. The server receives a notification of approval of the unapproved gaming software, where the notification of approval indicates compliance of the unapproved gaming software with the plurality of regulations. The server changes the status of the unapproved gaming software to form approved gaming software. When the server receives a request for a license to use the approved gaming software, along with an indication of payment for the license, the server downloads the approved gaming software to the requestor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a secure gaming system includes at least one gaming terminal and at least one gaming system server. The terminal(s) and server(s) communicate over a communication network. In one embodiment, a gaming system server authenticates a gaming terminal, applies an encryption technique to encrypt a gaming software program, and transmits the encrypted gaming software program to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal authenticates the gaming system server, receives the encrypted gaming software program from the gaming system server, and applies a decryption technique to decrypt the encrypted gaming software program, which produces the gaming software program. In one embodiment, a certification authority and/or a registration authority generate a signed gaming terminal digital certificate and/or a signed gaming system server digital certificate, which are used to authenticate the gaming terminal and the gaming system server, respectively.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a secure gaming system includes at least one gaming terminal and at least one gaming system server. The terminal(s) and server(s) communicate over a communication network. Selected ones of the terminal(s) and server(s) include one or more security elements. The security elements include secure communication apparatus, access control apparatus, and integrity apparatus, in one embodiment. A secure communication apparatus may provide network access control for gaming information exchanged between a gaming terminal and/or a server over the communication network. An access control apparatus may prevent unauthorized access to gaming information within a gaming terminal and/or server. An integrity apparatus may ensure integrity of the gaming information within the gaming terminal and/or server.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a secure gaming system includes at least one gaming terminal and at least one gaming system server. The terminal(s) and server(s) communicate over a communication network. In one embodiment, a gaming system server is capable of performing an authentication routine of an executable gaming software program, by exchanging messages with a gaming terminal over the communication network. The authentication routine results in a determination of whether a copy of the executable gaming software program stored at the gaming terminal is substantially identical to a copy of the executable gaming software program accessible by the gaming system server.