Abstract: A gaming network is disclosed which includes point to point cabling infrastructure connectable to at least one first gaming machine and connectable to at least one second gaming machine. Each first gaming machine is arranged to communicate using a master/slave protocol, and each second gaming machine is arranged to communicate using a point to point protocol. The gaming network also includes an interface device having a communications bus connectable to a master/slave control device and to the point to point cabling infrastructure such that each first gaming machine is connected to the communications bus and is controllable by the master/slave control device through the point to point cabling infrastructure. The point to point cabling infrastructure is also connectable to a point to point control device such that at least one second gaming machine is controllable by the point to point control device through the point to point cabling infrastructure.

Abstract: A computer based gaming system for operating a game of combined skill and chance, comprising a gaming machine configured to operate a game of skill and chance; a gaming server communicatively coupled to the gaming machine; a skill/chance game control configured to control the relation between a skill element and a chance element of said game dependent on predetermined rules.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing random numbers for a gaming system. A random number generator (RNG) processor is arranged to select a plurality of RNG system components and configure them in an RNG pipeline, to provide random numbers to a gaming system. In one embodiment, a true random number generator (TRNG) is used to generate seeds for a pseudo random number generator in the pipeline. Analysers, loggers and other elements may also be included in the pipeline.

Abstract: A computerized gaming system operates a plurality of gaming machine terminals coupled to a gaming server. A game session is initiated by a player for one gaming machine terminal. The game player thereafter identifies a second gaming machine terminal to be coupled to the same game session.

Abstract: A computerized gaming system operates a plurality of gaming machine terminals coupled to a gaming server. A game session is initiated by a player for one gaming machine terminal. The game player thereafter identifies a second gaming machine terminal to be coupled to the same game session.

Abstract: A plurality of games are implemented at a plurality of gaming machines. At least one server (30, 36, 38) serves game play and non-game play related data to at least one gaming machine (12, 12?), and a resource control unit (50, 202) obtains information indicative of bandwidth usage of a plurality of gaming machines (12, 12?), and controls the level of non-game play related data served to at least one gaming machine based on the information.

Abstract: Methods of controlling migration to new version game code during an active game session are disclosed. In an embodiment, new version game code is received at a game server. In response to receipt of a game request from a gaining client at a gaming server, the current version code an active game session is employing is determined. The active gaming session is migrated to the new version code if the new version code is compatible. The migration to be performed is controlled by a reconnect if the new version code contains a new sub-component related to the client. Also, related gaming servers, gaining systems, methods of controlling game code updates in gaming systems, and game version distribution controllers are disclosed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing random numbers for a gaming system. A random number generator (RNG) processor is arranged to select a plurality of RNG system components and configure them in an RNG pipeline, to provide random numbers to a gaming system. In one embodiment, a true random number generator (TRNG) is used to generate seeds for a pseudo random number generator in the pipeline. Analysers, loggers and other elements may also be included in the pipeline.

Abstract: A method of processing a jackpot win in a gaming network comprising: providing a jackpot server: receiving jackpot claim data at the jackpot server; locking a jackpot record corresponding to the jackpot claim data; aggregating any outstanding jackpot contributions for the jackpot record from contributing parts of the gaming network to form a prize; and communicating prize data corresponding to the prize to a network destination identified by the jackpot claim data.

Abstract: A gaming network is disclosed which includes point to point cabling infrastructure connectable to at least one first gaming machine and connectable to at least one second gaming machine. Each first gaming machine is arranged to communicate using a master/slave protocol, and each second gaming machine is arranged to communicate using a point to point protocol. The gaming network also includes an interface device having a communications bus connectable to a master/slave control device and to the point to point cabling infrastructure such that each first gaming machine is connected to the communications bus and is controllable by the master/slave control device through the point to point cabling infrastructure. The point to point cabling infrastructure is also connectable to a point to point control device such that at least one second gaming machine is controllable by the point to point control device through the point to point cabling infrastructure.

Abstract: A method of processing a jackpot win in a gaming network comprising: providing a jackpot server: receiving jackpot claim data at the jackpot server; locking a jackpot record corresponding to the jackpot claim data; aggregating any outstanding jackpot contributions for the jackpot record from contributing parts of the gaming network to form a prize; and communicating prize data corresponding to the prize to a network destination identified by the jackpot claim data.

Abstract: A computerized gaming system operates a plurality of gaming machine terminals coupled to a gaming server. A game session is initiated by a player for one gaming machine terminal. The game player thereafter identifies a second gaming machine terminal to be coupled to the same game session.

Abstract: Methods of controlling migration to new version game code during an active game session are disclosed. In an embodiment, new version game code is received at a game server. In response to receipt of a game request from a gaining client at a gaming server, the current version code an active game session is employing is determined. The active gaming session is migrated to the new version code if the new version code is compatible. The migration to be performed is controlled by a reconnect if the new version code contains a new sub-component related to the client. Also, related gaming servers, gaining systems, methods of controlling game code updates in gaming systems, and game version distribution controllers are disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming machine that provides a game in which a plurality of symbols are selected and presented and if a winning combination occurs in the selected symbols, the gaming machine awards an award, the gaming machine comprising a communication interface for receiving and sending data to a remote device and an alphanumeric keypad and in response to operation of the alphanumeric keypad the gaming machine causes a message to be generated using predictive text input technology, wherein the gaming machine is further arranged to send the generated message to the remote device over the communication interface, and wherein the gaming machine further includes a display that is controlled to display messages generated by and sent by the gaming machine and messages received by the gaming machine.

Abstract: A partition management system is disclosed for a database comprising at least one database table. The system comprises a partition controller arranged to automatically create at least one table partition in advance so that at least one table partition is available prior to when the table partition is required by the database. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming system for multiple region game play includes a gaming server and gaming clients including a first client located in a first region having a first currency and a second client located in a second region having a second currency. The server is arranged to execute a game instance for each of the clients to enable players to engage in game play wherein game outcomes are based in part on an amount of game credits wagered in the game play. A value of game credits is derived directly from a denomination of a local currency of each of at least the first and second regions in local region play such that the value is different in system base credits in different regions and the value of game credits is the same in system base credits for each of at least the first and second regions in interregional play.

Abstract: A method of conducting transactions in a gaming system comprising: providing a back end database; providing a front end database comprising at least one front end transactional data table partitioned into a plurality of time interval partitions; (a) conducting transactions for a client in one of the time interval partitions of the front end transactional data table; (b) locking the time interval partition in which transactions have been conducted; and (c) updating the back end database with transactions from the locked partition to synchronize the back end database to the front end database.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a transaction processing system including a back end database server storing a client data record of a client; and a front end database server in data communication with the back end database server. The front end database server is arranged to retrieve data from the client data record when the client connects to the front end database server and to thereafter process transactions related to the retrieved data. The front end database server is further arranged to communicate data to the back end database server to update the client data record based on the processed transactions.