Method and apparatus for gaming vouchering system

Abstract

Method and apparatus for a shopping award system for gaming establishments and their affiliated retail stores, hospitality stores, service organizations, hotels, and other point-of-sale type businesses, which produces free play vouchers that are redeemable for free play credits by insertion into cashless enabled games located in the gaming establishment. The free play credits granted under the award system are related to the amount of any given purchase. The apparatus includes a reward control system connected to one or more servers managing various accounting and game control for the gaming establishment, and a network of printers located at point-of-sale locations which produce the free play vouchers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/690,135 filed Jun. 14, 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully stated herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the distribution of vouchers for use in a gaming machine and more specifically to distribution of free play vouchers based on point-of-sale transactions.

2. Description of the Related Art

Gaming machine manufacturers have introduced cashless enabled gaming machines to the market and these have found wide acceptance in the gaming industry. Cashless enabled gaming machines are so named because they conduct financial exchanges using a mixture of traditional currencies and vouchers produced by printers installed within a cashless enabled game. Typically, a cashless enabled gaming machine has a gaming printer to produce vouchers and a bill acceptor that supports automatic reading of vouchers.

To coordinate the activities of multiple cashless enabled gaming machines, one or more cashless enabled gaming machines are electronically coupled to a cashless enabled gaming machine system that controls the cashless operations of the cashless enabled gaming machines.

Gaming establishments use multiple promotion methods to induce individuals to patronize the gaming establishment or affiliated gaming establishments. One such promotion is a free play, wherein a gaming establishment offers a patron chips, tokens, coupons, or vouchers for the patron to play on gaming machines within the gaming establishment. These free play promotions are often used to promote certain gaming machines.

However, currently existing free play promotions suffer from the problem that patrons must request the free play while in the gaming establishment. This creates inconvenience for the patron. Additionally, the patron may have to apply for a complimentary card prior to playing the gaming machine.

Further, the effectiveness and redemption of promotions are reduced when the patron is not physically in the gaming establishment.

Another problem currently existing free play promotions suffer from is that promotions are sent via mail to patrons. This causes increased costs for the gaming establishment in creating and sending the promotion in, for example, printing, mailing, and handling redemption of the promotions.

Therefore, a need exists to provide a gaming vouchering system that allows for vouchers and promotions to be issued quickly to a patron that may not be physically present in the gaming establishment. A gaming vouchering system in accordance with various aspects of the present invention meets such a need.

Definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply:

“Free Play Credits”—gaming machine credits which allow a patron to play a game in a casino for free. free play credits typically can only be played and may not be redeemed for cash.

“Free Play Voucher”—a voucher, card, or other media which is generated by a printer or encoding device and contains indicia necessary to allow it to be inserted into a cashless enabled game to obtain free play credits.

“Gaming Establishment”—a location where gambling and wagering is conducted, such as a casino, hotel, associated shopping and recreation areas, and affiliated businesses and locations.

“Gaming Management System”—a management system used in gaming establishments such as a Lodging Management System, Player Tracking System, Casino Management System, Customer Relations Management System, Point of Sale System, Event Management System, Slot Management System, and Table Management System.

“Non-Gaming POS”—a retail store, hospitality store, service organization, attraction tickets sale location, hotel, or other point-of-sale location or business which is not part of a gaming establishment such as those located in proximity to a casino, but not within the casino.

“PTS”—Player Tracking System, a patron tracking and reward system within the gaming establishment which monitors the activity of participating players.

“RCS”—Reward Control System, a system which regulates, processes statistics on, and links to other systems for the issuance and redemption of free play Vouchers.

“RCS Printer”—a printer or encoding device used either standalone at a point-of-sale or other kiosk location, or a printer or encoding device installed in a cashless enabled game, which generates free play vouchers and other promotional vouchers.

“point-of-sale”—a location where a sale between a business and its patron is conducted, either within a gaming establishment, adjunct to it, at an affiliated gaming establishment, or at another participating point-of-sale establishment.

“POSS”—Point of Sale System. A system which monitors and controls transaction activity, typically through a cash register and other peripherals, at point-of-sale locations.

“TITOMS”—an acronym for TITO management system, the server system of the gaming establishment which controls the issuance and redemption of credit vouchers for the cashless enabled games within a gaming establishment. Cashless gaming is commonly referred to in the gaming industry as Ticket In Ticket Out, hence the TITO acronym.

“automated redemption machine”—a machine usually located on a gaming floor which provides patron self service redemption of TITO vouchers and other transactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a method of operating a Reward Control System (RCS) providing free play vouchers including credits used in a gaming machine is provided. Sales transaction data are input for a sales transaction from a point of sale system and an amount of free play credits for a free play voucher is calculated using the sales transaction data. Additionally, the method includes requesting the amount of free play credits from a Ticket-In Ticket Out Management System (TITOMS) and receiving the amount of free play credits from the TITOMS. The method also includes transmitting the amount of free play credits to a RCS printer located where the sales transaction has taken place. The RCS printer prints the free play voucher for the amount of credits for the patron involved in the sales transaction. The free play voucher is capable of being inserted into a cashless enabled gaming machine to obtain free game play.

In another aspect of the invention, the sales transaction data includes the amount of the purchase, the particular product or service purchased, the location where the purchase has taken place, the time of the purchase, the date of the purchase, or any of these transaction metrics combined with random chance.

In another aspect of the invention, the calculation of the amount of credits for the free play voucher includes using the amount of sale, the type of sale, the location where the sale occurred, the time of the sale, the date of the sale, the amount of margin made on this type of sale, the house advantage percentage for machines on the gaming floor, the amounts of discounts or other promotions associated with the transaction, the house adjustment percentage, whether a predetermined level of spending at participating locations by a particular patron has occurred, and whether a patron has recently joined a frequent player club.

In another aspect of the invention, the selection and weighting of the data used in the calculation of the amount of credits for the free play voucher can be set by an administrator.

In another aspect of the invention, the free play credits are for a specified gaming machine.

In another aspect of the invention, an alert is transmitted, to the location of the sales transaction, that creation of a free play voucher is being analyzed or processed.

In another aspect of the invention, the RCS includes means for processing, recording, and sending statistics on various parameters of participating point of sale locations, including the identity of the merchant, the location of the merchant, and the quantity of free play vouchers that have issued.

In another aspect of the invention, a notification of issuance of a free play voucher is appended to the patron's receipt.

In another aspect of the invention, an authorization code is provided to the patron at the point of sale. The authorization code is required to be entered into the RCS to print the free play voucher.

In another aspect of the invention, the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using player tracking data.

In another aspect of the invention, the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using player lodging data.

In another aspect of the invention, the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using patron shopping data. The patron shopping data is stored in a patron shopping account unique to each patron. The RCS receives identity information from a patron to create and modify the patron shopping account data.

This summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the components of the RCS and its interface ports in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating connection of the RCS to its voucher producing printer and the point-of-sale system within a gaming establishment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a gaming vouchering system illustrating a lodging check-in or check-out environment which utilizes the RCS, TITOMS, POS, PTS, and LMS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the correlation between the RCS and an accounting system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a point-of-sale environment and authorization code issuance process which involves the RCS, TITOMS and POSS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the algorithm related to issuing vouchers based on purchases at a point-of-sale location.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a patron check-in to the gaming establishment process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a patron check-out of the gaming establishment process in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process to provide an incentive for a patron to join the gaming establishment's frequent player club in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is diagram of various issuance methods for free play vouchers and free play credits using an authorization code in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a point-of-sale environment providing an alert to the patron and/or cashier in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the components of the RCS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, RCS 100 includes a processor 102, application code 104, memory 106, and storage 108. Storage 108 is a device for long term storage of data such as a disk drive or an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). The RCS further includes ports for interfacing with external devices and systems. Interface ports include Ticket In Ticket Out Management System (TITOMS) port 110, Lodging Management System (LMS) port 112, Player Tracking System (PTS) port 114, Point Of Sale System (POSS) port 116, Accounting port 118, Other port 120, Printers port 122, Keypads port 124, Patron Alert Device port 126, and Administrator Link port 128.

In operation, processor 102 of the RCS executes application code 104 stored in memory 106 to perform the functions of an RCS as described herein. TITOMS port 110 performs communication with a TITOMS for the purpose of creation of free play credits within the cashless gaming system of the gaming establishment and additionally receives a validation code from the TITOMS against which the credits are logged within the TITOMS. LMS port 112 performs communication with a LMS to monitor the activity of a patron and exchanges data so that the RCS can determine whether a free play voucher should be issued to the patron at check-in or check-out of lodging. PTS port 114 communicates with a PTS system and exchanges data so that the RCS can determine whether a free play voucher should be issued or enhanced as a result of the patron performing the transaction being a member of a frequent player or membership club of the gaming establishment.

POSS port 116 communicates with a POSS and exchanges data so that the RCS can determine if a particular transaction meets the criteria necessary to qualify for the creation of a free play voucher, and further to determine the amount of free play credits to be issued on the voucher. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the POSS port additionally communicates with the POSS to request and receive an authorization code from the POSS which is provided to the patron at the time of a transaction.

Accounting port 118 is used for communication with an accounting system of the gaming establishment and communicates data such as activity logs. Other port 120 is used for communication with other miscellaneous devices. Printer port 122 interfaces with printers in the RCS system for the purpose of creating a free play voucher at the location where a qualifying transaction has taken place. Keypad port 124 receives communications containing an authorization code from a keypad and provides the information to the RCS. Patron Alert Devices port 126 exchanges data so that the RCS may alert a patron that a free play voucher is being processed. Administrator link port 128 communicates with a system administrator to accept programming as to the data to be used by the RCS in the course of its point-of-sale transaction processing to determine whether a free play voucher should be created and the amount of the voucher.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating connection of the RCS to its voucher producing printer and a point-of-sale system within a gaming establishment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, RCS 100 is coupled to a POSS 200. The POSS is coupled to one or more registers such as register 210. The RCS is also coupled to TITOMS 202 and at least one RCS printer 208. The RCS may additionally be coupled to a PTS 204. A cashless enabled gaming machine 206 is coupled to the TITOMS and may additionally be coupled to the PTS. Free play voucher 212 is created by RCS printer 208 and is used in the cashless enabled gaming machine.

A plurality of RCS printers may simultaneously be in operation and connected to the RCS or other components of the reward control system. The RCS printers may additionally be connected to each other via a network, or coupled together. Further, the RCS printers may be distributed in essentially any location. RCS printers may also be physically combined with other components in the reward control system. For example, in one embodiment, RCS printer 208 and POSS 200 are combined into a single terminal device.

In operation, the POSS signals the RCS that a sales transaction has occurred at the register. The POSS also transmits data to the RCS such as the amount, location and makeup of the transaction. Using data from the POS, and analyzing the data according to its programming, the RCS determines the amount of free play credits for which a transaction is qualified. If credits are to be issued, the RCS requests the credits from the TITOMS. Upon receipt of the credits from the TITOMS, the RCS signals the RCS printer at the location where the transaction has taken place to issue a free play voucher for the amount of credits. Additionally, the RCS receives data from the PTS as to the player as a customer for the gaming establishment, which may be used as a metric within the calculation in the RCS to enhance the odds or quantity of free play credits to be issued. The free play vouchers printed by the RCS printer are inserted into the cashless enabled gaming machine, which in turn receives the free play credits from the TITOMS to which it has been coupled and which has logged the credits against the free play vouchers validation code.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a gaming vouchering system illustrating a lodging check-in or check-out environment which utilizes the RCS, TITOMS, POSS, PTS, TITOMS and LMS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, RCS 100 is coupled to POSS 200, TITOMS 202, PTS 204 and RCS printer 208. Additionally, the RCS is coupled to LMS 300. A cashless enabled gaming machine 206 is coupled to the TITOMS and may additionally be coupled to the PTS. Free play voucher 212 is created by the RCS printer and is used in the cashless enabled gaming machine. Front desk 214 is coupled to the LMS.

In operation, the RCS receives signaling from the LMS and PTS during the check-in or check-out of a patron for the gaming establishment's hotel. During a check-in event, the RCS utilizes data from the LMS and PTS to determine if a particular player's stature or purchasing activity merits issuance of free play credits. If so, the RCS signals the RCS printer installed at the check-in location (such as the front desk) to issue a free play voucher. During a check-out event, the RCS utilizes data from the LMS and PTS to determine if the level of purchasing activity during that patron's stay at the gaming establishment merits free play credits. If so, the RCS signals the RCS printer installed at the check-out location to issue a free play voucher.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the correlation between the RCS and an accounting system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, RCS 100 is coupled to accounting system 400 which manages and monitors financial activity within a gaming establishment.

In operation, free play parameters and data as described in Table 6 such as house advantage percentage and house adjustment percentage may be requested from the accounting system by the RCS. The RCS sends reports and logs regarding the amount of free play credits issued against transactions, so that the gaming establishment may perform accounting reconciliation of the RCS promotions within its financial system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a point-of-sale environment and authorization code issuance process which utilizes the RCS, TITOMS, and POSS in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, RCS 100 is coupled to POSS 200, TITOMS 202, RCS printer 208, and keypad 500. The TITOMS is coupled to cashless enabled gaming machine 206. Register 210 is coupled to the POSS. Receipt 502 is created by the register. Free play voucher 212 is created by the RCS printer and is used in the cashless enabled gaming machine.

In operation, the keypad is used to add a security feature to the system of FIG. 2. The purpose of the feature is to prevent unauthorized use or abuse of free play vouchers by either cashiers performing the transaction, or other parties which intend to steal the voucher when the patron is distracted or does not realize that a free play voucher has been issued to them. As a modification to the system activities described in FIG. 2, the RCS requests the POSS to append authorization code 510 to the transaction receipt given to the patron, rather than automatically printing a free play voucher. The patron is then required to enter the authorization code at the keypad (at that machine or another) in order to trigger printing of the free play voucher.

As an added level of security, a patron registers as a participant at a suitable location for where they were issued a shopper's card. The patron enters a personal identification number (PIN) to create a rewards account. When making purchases, the patron swipes their shopper's card and enters their PIN in order for the authorization code to be issued to the POSS to be appended to their receipt. To redeem the free play voucher, the patron again swipes their shopper's card and enters their PIN and authorization number from the receipt to cause the RCS to create a free play voucher. Once an authorization code is used to create a free play voucher, the RCS marks the authorization code as no longer valid.

Several combinations of the authorization code, shopper's card, and PIN are possible to ensure that the patron making the purchase at the POSS is actually the individual benefitting from the free play credits extended by the system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the calculation related to issuing vouchers based on purchases at a point-of-sale location. As shown in FIG. 6, the process begins at step 600 with a purchase being made by way of accommodations 650, restaurants/dining 652, bars/nightclubs 654, room service 656, shows/entertainment 658, merchandise 660, or other POSS 662. In step 602, the RCS calculates the data from the purchase to determine if the purchase meets the requirements for issuance of free play credits.

An example of a calculation to determine an amount of free play credits to issue is as follows:
$100 {transaction}−$10 {sale}−$50 {margin}=$40 {sub-total1}+$5 {sub-total2}−$2.25 {house}=$42.75 free play credits issued
where:

transaction=the amount of the transaction which has occurred sale=any promotional discounts applied to the sale, beyond the RCS system margin=margin for that particular product or service adj.=a positive or negative adjustment applied to a sub-total of the calculation which could be related to the particular product or service being purchased, or the location, date or time when the purchased happened. For example, during a particular month, purchase of women's clothes at a particular store could be cause 10% greater Free Play Credits to be extended.

house=the gaming establishment's percentage advantage on slot machines applied to total free play credits calculated.

If the purchase meets the requirement, then a free play voucher is issued in step 604. The process then ends at step 606. If the purchase does not meet the requirements, no free play voucher is issued and the process ends.

The process may additionally contain steps 608 and 610. In step 608, the RCS first accesses the PTS to determine the identification of a patron and the stature of that patron within the PTS. The amount of free play credits may then be enhanced depending on the PTS information. If the patron is not identified in the PTS system, the patron is offered membership in the PTS in step 610. The process then proceeds to step 602 as in the foregoing situation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of a patron check-in to the gaming establishment's lodging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the process begins in Step 700 with the patron checking in to the gaming establishment lodging. The process proceeds to step 702, wherein the RCS reviews the shopping history of the patron and determines, according to its programming, whether the shopping activity merits the issuance of free play credits. Additionally, the RCS may calculate in step 702 that a promotion is currently active and issue credits accordingly. If a free play voucher is to be issued, the RCS issues the free play voucher in step 704 and the process ends at step 706. If the RCS determines that no free play voucher is to be issued, no free play voucher is issued and the process ends.

The process may additionally contain steps 708 and 710. In step 708, the RCS first accesses the PTS to determine the identification of a patron and the stature of that patron within the PTS. The amount of free play credits may then be enhanced depending on the PTS information. If the patron is not identified in the PTS system, the patron is offered membership in the PTS in step 710. The process then proceeds to step 702 as in the foregoing situation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a patron check-out of the gaming establishment's lodging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the process begins in step 800 with the check-out of a patron from the gaming establishment's lodging. In step 802, the RCS requests the patron's shopping activity from the server. In step 804, the RCS reviews the shopping history of the patron and determines, according to its programming, whether the shopping activity merits the issuance of free play credits. Additionally, the RCS may calculate in step 804 that a promotion is currently active and issue credits accordingly. If a free play voucher is to be issued, the RCS issues the free play voucher in step 806 and the process ends at step 808. If the RCS determines that no free play voucher is to be issued, no free play voucher is issued and the process ends.

The process may additionally contain steps 810 and 812. In step 810, the RCS first accesses the PTS to determine the identification of a patron and the stature of that patron within the PTS. The amount of free play credits may then be enhanced depending on the PTS information. If the patron is not identified in the PTS system, the patron is offered membership in the PTS in step 812. The process then proceeds to step 802 as in the foregoing situation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process to provide an incentive for a patron to join the gaming establishment's frequent player club in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 appends a modification to the process described in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, in the case under FIG. 6 that it was determined that the patron was not part of the frequent player's club maintained in the PTS.

As shown in FIG. 9, the process begins in step 900 with the creation of a patron tracking incentive for the patron. For example, the patron could be offered an increased amount of free play credits to join the system. In step 902, it is determined whether the patron has accepted the incentive and thus decided to join the frequent player club. If the patron does not accept the offer, the process ends at step 908. If, however, the patron accepts the offer, the individual is registered in the PTS in step 904, and the incentive is issued to the patron in step 906. The process then ends at step 908.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of various issuance methods for free play vouchers and free play credits using an authorization code in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In addition to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 5, FIG. 10 illustrates additional issuance methods for free play vouchers and free play credits using an authorization code recorded on a transaction receipt, TITOMS, a cashier cage and/or an automated redemption machine.

As shown in FIG. 10, RCS 100 is coupled to TITOMS 202, automated redemption machine 1104, and cashier's cage 1106. The TITOMS is coupled to cashless enabled gaming machine 206. Receipt 1100 contains authorization code 510. The automated redemption machine is coupled to a keypad 1106 and a RCS printer 1108. The cashier's cage is coupled to keypad 1112 and RCS printer 1114. Free play voucher 1116 is printed by RCS printer 1108 or RCS printer 1114.

In operation, the TITOMS requests from the RCS validation of the authorization code entered on a cashless enabled gaming machine. The RCS verifies the authorization code and issues a free play voucher as previously discussed. The voucher may then be directly inserted into the cashless enabled gaming machine for redemption.

In another embodiment, the RCS is coupled to a cashier's cage or a plurality of such. A cashier uses a keypad to enter the authorization code appended to the patron's receipt. The RCS verifies the authorization code and issues a free play voucher through as previously discussed. The voucher may then be directly inserted into the cashless enabled gaming machine for redemption.

In still another embodiment, the RCS is coupled to an automatic redemption machine or a plurality of such. A patron enters the authorization code from the receipt into the automated redemption machine. The automated redemption machine requests validation of the authorization code from the RCS. The RCS verifies the authorization code and notifies the automated redemption machine of such. The redemption machine then signals the RCS printer to issue a free play voucher.

As indicated earlier under FIG. 5, any of redemption methods of FIG. 10 may employ any combination of the security measures disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 5 above, including a separate shopper's card and PIN.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a point-of-sale environment providing an alert to the patron and/or cashier in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system described in FIG. 11 is intended to add on to any of the overall system operation described earlier in the detailed descriptions of FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 10. The purpose of the alert is to help ensure that the patron is aware that a free play voucher is pending or in the process of being created by the RCS printer, and thus the voucher is given to the patron, not discarded or taken by another party.

As shown in FIG. 11, RCS 100 is coupled to POSS 200, RCS printer 1202 and alert device 1204. The POSS is coupled to a register 1200. Additionally, the alert device may be coupled to the RCS printer. In operation, the alert device receives an alert signal from the RCS and alerts the patron or cashier of the pending issuance of a free play voucher. The alert device may be driven by either the RCS or the RCS printer itself.

Tables 1 to 6 indicate partial listings of data elements and parameters for a gaming vouchering system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Table 1 discloses possible types of free game plays that may be issued by the RCS.

TABLE 1
Free Play Game Types
Specific Slot Machine
Any Slot Machine
Plurality of Slot Machines
Specific Video Game
Any Video Game
Plurality of Video Games
Specific Gaming Table
Any Gaming Table
Plurality of Gaming Tables
Any Denomination
Specific Denomination
Multiple Denominations

Table 2 illustrates possible parameters of a POSS purchase which may be used by the RCS to calculate the amount of free play credits to be issued.

TABLE 2
POSS Purchase Parameters
Total Purchase Amount
Purchase Amount per POS
Type of Purchase
Margin For Type of Purchase
Purchase Date
Purchase Time
Discount Amount
Discount Percentage

Table 3 lists possible parameters of merchant information which may be used by the RCS in calculation of the amount of free play credits that should be issued.

TABLE 3
Merchant Information Parameters
Merchant Unique ID
Merchant Name
Merchant Account Number
Merchant Location

Table 4 lists possible parameters of gaming establishment information which may be used by the RCS in calculation of the amount of free play credits that should be issued.

TABLE 4
Gaming Establishment Parameters
Unique ID
Name
Account Number
Location

Table 5 lists patron tracking incentive parameters which may be used by the RCS in calculation of the amount of free play credits that should be issued.

TABLE 5
Patron Tracking Incentive Parameters
Number of Additional Free Plays
Food/Beverages
Merchandise
Tickets
Other

Table 6 lists parameters for a free play that may be used by the RCS in calculation of the amount of free play credits that should be issued.

TABLE 6
Free Play Parameters
Promotion Begin Date
Promotion End Date
Promotion Begin Time
Promotion End Time
Voucher Issued Date
Voucher Issued Time
Voucher Number
RCS Printer Number
Authorization Code
Validation Code
House Advantage Percentage
House Adjustment Percentage
Limit on Promotion Per Patron
Limit Per Location
Validity with Other Promotions
Number of Vouchers Issuance
Game Identification
Cash Value
Amount of Credits
Number of Free Plays
Patron Alert

Claims

1. A method of providing a free play voucher used in a cashless gaming machine, comprising:

receiving sales transaction data for a sales transaction;

calculating an amount of free play credits for the free play voucher using the sales transaction data;

requesting the amount of free play credits from a Ticket-In Ticket Out Management System (TITOMS);

receiving the amount of free play credits from the TITOMS; and

printing the free play voucher including the amount of free play credits.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sales transaction data includes an amount of the purchase.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales transaction data further includes a particular product or service purchased.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales transaction data further includes a location where the purchase has taken place.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales transaction data further includes a time of the purchase.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales transaction data further includes a date of the purchase.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales transaction data further includes an amount of margin made on the type of sale.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the sales transaction data includes using random chance affecting the amount of free play credits.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using gaming establishment data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the gaming establishment data includes a house advantage percentage for a gaming machine.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the gaming establishment data further includes an amount of another promotion associated with the transaction.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the gaming establishment data further includes a house adjustment percentage.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the gaming establishment data further includes whether a predetermined level of spending at participating locations by a particular patron has occurred.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the gaming establishment data further includes whether a patron has recently joined a frequent player club.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a selection of sales transaction data used to calculate free play credits is provided by an administrator.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing the weighting of the sales transaction data to be used in the calculation by the administrator.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the free play credits are for a specified gaming machine.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting an alert to a location of the sales transaction that creation of the voucher is being processed.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing statistics on parameters of participating point of sale locations.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the statistics include an identity of a merchant.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the statistics further include a location of the merchant.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the statistics further include a quantity of vouchers that have issued.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein notification of issuance of the voucher is appended to a patron's receipt.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an authorization code to a patron at a point of sale before printing the voucher.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using player tracking data.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using patron lodging data.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using patron shopping data.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the patron shopping data is stored in a patron shopping account unique to each patron.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving identity information from a patron to create and modify the patron shopping account data.

30. A Reward Control System (RCS) for providing a free play voucher used in a cashless gaming machine, comprising:

means for receiving sales transaction data for a sales transaction;

means for calculating an amount of free play credits for the free play voucher using the sales transaction data;

means for requesting the amount of free play credits from a Ticket-In Ticket Out Management System (TITOMS);

means for receiving the amount of free play credits from the TITOMS; and

means for printing the free play voucher including the amount of free play credits.

31. The RCS of claim 30, wherein the sales transaction data includes an amount of the purchase.

32. The RCS of claim 31, wherein the sales transaction data further includes a particular product or service purchased.

33. The RCS of claim 31, wherein the sales transaction data further includes a location where the purchase has taken place.

34. The RCS of claim 31, wherein the sales transaction data further includes a time of the purchase.

35. The RCS of claim 31, wherein the sales transaction data further includes a date of the purchase.

36. The RCS of claim 31, wherein the sales transaction data further includes an amount of margin made on the type of sale.

37. The RCS of claim 31, wherein the sales transaction data includes using random chance affecting the amount of free play credits.

38. The RCS of claim 30, wherein the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using gaming establishment data.

39. The RCS of claim 38, wherein the gaming establishment data includes a house advantage percentage for a gaming machine.

40. The RCS of claim 38, wherein the gaming establishment data further includes an amount of another promotion associated with the transaction.

41. The RCS of claim 38, wherein the gaming establishment data further includes a house adjustment percentage.

42. The RCS of claim 38, wherein the gaming establishment data further includes whether a predetermined level of spending at participating locations by a particular patron has occurred.

43. The RCS of claim 38, wherein the gaming establishment data further includes whether a patron has recently joined a frequent player club.

44. The RCS of claim 30, wherein a selection of sales transaction data used to calculate free play credits is provided by an administrator.

45. The RCS of claim 44, further comprising means for providing the weighting of the sales transaction data to be used in the calculation by the administrator.

46. The RCS of claim 30, wherein the free play credits are for a specified gaming machine.

47. The RCS of claim 30, further comprising means for transmitting an alert to a location of the sales transaction that creation of the voucher is being processed.

48. The RCS of claim 30, further comprising means for processing statistics on parameters of participating point of sale locations.

49. The RCS of claim 48, wherein the statistics include an identity of a merchant.

50. The RCS of claim 48, wherein the statistics further include a location of the merchant.

51. The RCS of claim 48, wherein the statistics further include a quantity of vouchers that have issued.

52. The RCS of claim 30, wherein notification of issuance of the voucher is appended to a patron's receipt.

53. The RCS of claim 30, further comprising means for providing an authorization code to a patron at a point of sale before printing the voucher.

54. The RCS of claim 30, wherein the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using player tracking data.

55. The RCS of claim 30, wherein the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using patron lodging data.

56. The RCS of claim 30, wherein the calculation of the amount of free play credits further includes using patron shopping data.

57. The RCS of claim 56, wherein the patron shopping data is stored in a patron shopping account unique to each patron.

58. The RCS of claim 57, further comprising means for receiving identity information from a patron to create and modify the patron shopping account data.