Abstract: A system and method for use with a gaming system operating in a casino environment utilizes a plurality of player terminals networked to a game optimisation server. The game optimisation server provides or allows a player to access multiple games on each player terminal and stores in memory a record of the games played on each player terminal 1. A player may access a first terminal and request a map of the casino environment. The first terminal may be a first player terminal or other device connected to the network. The request is sent to the game optimisation server which sends data related to a physical arrangement of the player terminals, and to the games recently played on the player terminals in a local area, to the first terminal. The first terminal displays to the player a map showing the physical arrangement of the player terminals and a game played on each of the player terminals. The map may include an indication of which player terminals 1 are currently being played and which are not being played.

Abstract: A system and method for use with a gaming system operating in a casino environment utilizes a plurality of player terminals networked to a game optimisation server. The game optimisation server provides or allows a player to access multiple games on each player terminal and stores in memory a record of the games played on each player terminal 1. A player may access a first terminal and request a map of the casino environment. The first terminal may be a first player terminal or other device connected to the network. The request is sent to the game optimisation server which sends data related to a physical arrangement of the player terminals, and to the games recently played on the player terminals in a local area, to the first terminal. The first terminal displays to the player a map showing the physical arrangement of the player terminals and a game played on each of the player terminals. The map may include an indication of which player terminals 1 are currently being played and which are not being played.

Abstract: A system and method for use with a gaming system operating in a casino environment utilizes a plurality of player terminals networked to a game optimisation server. The game optimisation server provides or allows a player to access multiple games on each player terminal and stores in memory a record of the games played on each player terminal 1. A player may access a first terminal and request a map of the casino environment. The first terminal may be a first player terminal or other device connected to the network. The request is sent to the game optimisation server which sends data related to a physical arrangement of the player terminals, and to the games recently played on the player terminals in a local area, to the first terminal. The first terminal displays to the player a map showing the physical arrangement of the player terminals and a game played on each of the player terminals. The map may include an indication of which player terminals 1 are currently being played and which are not being played.

Abstract: A tracking system and method usable in a casino environment tracks biometric characteristics of persons on a continuous basis and tracks electronic devices unrelated to the casino environment that emit wireless signals and correlates the biometric characteristics and the electronic devices to calculate a match probability value representing a confidence level that the person being tracked by the biometric characteristic is a possessor of the electronic device. Other variations include filtering based on hotel registration data, assigning facilities to improve the ability of identifying which devices are carried by which customers, and detecting groups of players and where there is the potential for collusion between players, to assign seating such that the possibility of player collusion is reduced. A further aspect includes managing relationships between staff and customers, enabling staff to provide a more personalized service to customers.

Abstract: A system and method for use with a gaming system operating in a casino environment utilizes a plurality of player terminals networked to a game optimization server. The game optimization server provides or allows a player to access multiple games on each player terminal and stores in memory a record of the games played on each player terminal 1. A player may access a first terminal and request a map of the casino environment. The first terminal may be a first player terminal or other device connected to the network. The request is sent to the game optimization server which sends data related to a physical arrangement of the player terminals, and to the games recently played on the player terminals in a local area, to the first terminal. The first terminal displays to the player a map showing the physical arrangement of the player terminals and a game played on each of the player terminals. The map may include an indication of which player terminals 1 are currently being played and which are not being played.

Abstract: An enhanced method of Casino and hotel probable customer and customer demographic identification, game selection, advertising and customer service based on the identification.

Abstract: A gaming machine and a gaming system is described. Gaming machines may be reserved by operating a button panel. In certain embodiments the reserved gaming machine or a head system causes the printing of a ticket and when that ticket is read by a bill acceptor, the gaming machine unlocks. In other embodiments, reservation is made by other means, including player cards.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a gaming server, a plurality of gaming machines, and a communications system connecting each of the plurality of gaming machines to the gaming server. The gaming machines each have a display, player controls, a player tracking device, and a game processor which displays sequential game images of a game being played. Each game processor plays a game initiated by the player, where the game is one of a plurality of games available on the gaming machine and selectable by the player. Each gaming machine includes game selection means which displays a selection of games available on the machine for the player to play. The games offered for selection are ordered according to a ranking determined as a function of the player's past history of playing games and a history of games played by other players.

Abstract: Verification of software to be run in a secure environment is performed by comparing a critical portion of the executable boot program code in an EPROM with code stored in a logic circuit. The comparison may be performed before the code to be verified is run or while it is running in the event that the validation fails certain critical functions of the platform are inhibited to prevent fraudulent operation of the platform. The system is particularly applicable to gaming machines to avoid cheating.

Abstract: A gaming system having a server connected to a plurality of gaming machines for playing a game in which a player wagers credits held in a credit meter. The gaming machines having a player tracking apparatus to receive an identifier from a current player of the gaming machine. The gaming machine can be reserved by a player, in which case play of the gaming machine is prevented by any player other than a player with the same identifier for a predetermined period time. The ability to reserve gaming machines may be dependent on eligibility criteria.

Abstract: A gaming machine display (14) includes a game playing arrangement (16) mountable in a cabinet (62) of a gaming machine (10). An electronically controlled display element (50) overlies the game playing arrangement (16) so that, depending on a state of the display element (50), the game playing arrangement (16) is visible through the display element (50).

Abstract: A boot program held in a BIOS memory device of a processing system is authenticated. At system start-up, a BIOS protection device temporarily prevents execution of the boot program by the central processor of the processing system by control of address and data paths. The BIOS protection device interrogates the contents of the BIOS memory device to establish authentication. If the contents of the BIOS memory device are not authentic, execution of the boot program is prevented.

Abstract: A device such as a gaming console comprises a display screen and a game controller arranged to allow a player to play a game and awarding a prize or feature if a winning combination results. A mechanical display filter is configured to visually distinguish at least two portions of the display screen from one another. The mechanical display screen may have buttons, including buttons which actuate a touch screen. The display screen can be used to illuminate portions of the mechanical display screen to produce visual effects, including using complex lighting patterns. The display screen may be used to illuminate buttons forming part of a user interface, or a separate screen may be used to illuminate the buttons from behind the buttons.

Abstract: A method of protecting game program code of an electronic gaming machine (EGM) comprising: determining prior to execution of the game program code whether there is a dongle in data communication with the EGM that contains a valid game token corresponding to the game program code; and taking at least one protective action if a valid game token is not located.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a system controller, a means for establishing a credit on the system, a plurality of gaming machines, and a communications system connecting each of the plurality of gaming machines to the system controller. The gaming machines each have credit register, a player input device, a tracking input device and a game controller. Each game controller is arranged to play a game when a player has established a credit in the credit register of the respective gaming machine and the credit establishment means is arranged to establish a player credit and to associate that credit with a player tracking means (such as a magnetic stripe card or a fingerprint) of a player establishing the credit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method of gaming. A gaming system comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels or a video machine displaying “virtual” reels. One or more reels generated in play of a base game may be stored for later use in subsequent games. In a subsequent game or games, the game controller may select the stored reel to substitute for a reel generated by the game, in order to improve the game outcome. For example, the game outcome may become a “win” from a “lose” outcome. Or it may result in an improved win outcome. The one or more reels may be stored depending upon a trigger condition generated in the base game.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a primary game monitor arranged to monitor outcomes of a sequence of primary games. An outcome generator provided by the gaming system determines an outcome of a secondary game in dependence on the outcomes of the sequence of primary games.

Abstract: A device such as a gaming console comprises a display screen and a game controller arranged to allow a player to play a game and awarding a prize or feature if a winning combination results. A mechanical display filter is configured to visually distinguish at least two portions of the display screen from one another. The mechanical display screen may have buttons, including buttons which actuate a touch screen. The display screen can be used to illuminate portions of the mechanical display screen to produce visual effects, including using complex lighting patterns. The display screen may be used to illuminate buttons forming part of a user interface, or a separate screen may be used to illuminate the buttons from behind the buttons.

Abstract: A boot program held in a BIOS memory device of a processing system is authenticated. At system start-up, a BIOS protection device temporarily prevents execution of the boot program by the central processor of the processing system by control of address and data paths. The BIOS protection device interrogates the contents of the BIOS memory device to establish authentication. If the contents of the BIOS memory device are not authentic, execution of the boot program is prevented.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a display and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predetermined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. During the playing of a first game, symbols related to the at first game are displayed on the display. When a trigger condition occurs, a feature game is commenced in which an arrangement of at least some of the symbols of the first game are incorporated as part of a larger image which comprises an image of the feature game, the at least some symbols of the first game contributing to an outcome of the feature game.