Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gaming environment. One aspect of the invention relates to integrating player tracking and cash access transactions by allowing a player to utilize a player tracking card for each financial transaction conducted in a gaming environment, wherein financial account information for the player, such as bank or credit card information, is linked to their player tracking account and card.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for facilitating the funding of gaming and preferably the purchase of gaming vouchers with commercial bank cards and/or with casino and/or new credit accounts and/or the prompting of opening of a new credit account, including an automated kiosk located on a gaming floor proximate to gaming machines but separate from particular gaming machines, including reading and printing equipment in communication with a voucher host; also including a prompt to open new a gaming oriented line of credit in response to a refusal of an EFT transaction, including a preferred gaming oriented credit card account and card having cash advance limits commensurate with credit limits for gaming oriented transaction, the approval of the account preferably based on EFT gaming transaction history.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for conducting a checkless cash access settlement are provided. In one embodiment, a cash advance method includes the following: a customer initiates a cash access transaction via a cash access system; the customer receives authorization or denial; the customer provides identification and the financial card to a cashier or attendant; the cashier or attendant validates the customer's identity, retrieves the transaction information, and completes the cash advance application; the application prints a non-negotiable instrument, such as a transaction receipt; the customer signs the receipt confirming the transaction with a physical receipt or electronic capture.

Abstract: An improved financial terminal automatically reconfigures into different financial processing terminal types. In one embodiment, the terminal comprises a housing; a card reader configured to accept at least a portion of a card having an integrated circuit; at least one display; at least one processor; and at least one memory configured to store machine readable code, the machine readable code comprising a first kernel corresponding to a first transaction type and a second kernel corresponding to a second transaction type.

Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: A casino credit access instrument comprises a source of funds for a player, such as for placing wagers to play casino-style games or to purchase other goods or services. The instrument defines a period of timed during which credit may be accessed up to a predetermined amount, defines a redemption period during which any accessed credit may be re-paid, and defines settlement terms if the instrument is not redeemed. Credit may be granted based upon financial collateral, which collateral may be executed upon to settle the instrument. The instrument provides a convenient source of funding for player at low risk to the casino or other lender.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for performing a cashless gaming ticket redemption transaction for a customer in a casino environment. The system includes a gaming machine, such as a slot machine, that the customer plays. Rather than issuing cash to the customer, the gaming machine issues a redemption ticket with a unique identifier to the customer. The unique identifier and the amount of the customer's winnings accrued on the gaming machine are stored and associated on a redemption ticket database. When the customer wishes to redeem the winnings, the redemption ticket is introduced to a multi-function ATM. To perform the ticket redemption transaction, the ATM is adapted to electronically accept the redemption ticket and read the unique identifier. The ATM then electronically communicates with the redemption database to retrieve the predetermined dollar value associated with the unique identifier. Finally, the ATM transfers to the customer an award equal to the predetermined dollar value in cash or credit.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for facilitating financial transactions using an IC type financial card via a terminal. A user is provided a list of transaction types, such as PIN-based, signature-based, etc., and a requested transaction is processed via a first selected transaction type. If the transaction is unsuccessful, the terminal automatically presents a list of remaining available transaction types from which the user may select and the transaction is processed by the next selected transaction type. If the transaction is successful, funds are provided to the user, such as in the form of currency/coins or funds transfer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gaming environment. One aspect of the invention allows for fund access and management wherein gaming machines, such as slot machines or on-line virtual gaming machines, receive playable credits directly from a patron's banking or credit card account. Another aspect of the present invention relates to integrating player tracking and cash access transactions by allowing the players to provide a player tracking card for each financial transaction conducted in a gaming environment. In return, the casino issues gaming or bonus points to the players for allowing their transactions to be tracked. Yet another aspect of the present invention consolidates the players' financial account information into a single casino database.

Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for facilitating financial transactions using an IC type financial card via a terminal. A user is provided a list of transaction types, such as PIN-based, signature-based, etc., and a requested transaction is processed via a first selected transaction type. If the transaction is unsuccessful, the terminal automatically presents a list of remaining available transaction types from which the user may select and the transaction is processed by the next selected transaction type. If the transaction is successful, funds are provided to the user, such as in the form of currency/coins or funds transfer.

Abstract: A system for a casino having gaming machines comprises at least one kiosk and a back-end server. The kiosk is configured to perform one or more financial transaction for a player, such as to access funds from a player's bank account via a credit or debit card, or to cash-out a value ticket. The kiosk is also configured to, at one or more times, disburse a feature ticket readable by a gaming device and having at least one feature triggering indicia operable to initiate at least one game feature in a wagering game at the gaming device. The back-end server is configured to validate a feature ticket presented to a gaming machine and to facilitate generation of the ticket which is disbursed by the kiosk.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for facilitating the funding of gaming and preferably the purchase of gaming vouchers (slot vouchers) with commercial bank cards and/or with casino and/or new credit accounts (private label) and/or affiliate/Networking permanent or temporary) and/or the prompting of opening of a new credit account, including an automated kiosk located on a gaming floor proximate to gaming machines but separate from particular gaming machines, and including method and apparatus for the purchase and redemption of vouchers at a gaming table, including reading and printing equipment in communication with a voucher host; also including a prompt to open new a gaming oriented line of credit, associated with a refusal of an EFT transaction, preferably a credit/debit card cash advance request, and including a preferred gaming oriented credit card account and card (private label and/or affiliate/Networking permanent or temporary) (including a patron selection coded card) having cash advance limits commensurate with

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for conducting a checkless cash access settlement are provided. In one embodiment, a cash advance method includes the following: a customer initiates a cash access transaction via a cash access system; the customer receives authorization or denial; the customer provides identification and the financial card to a cashier or attendant; the cashier or attendant validates the customer's identity, retrieves the transaction information, and completes the cash advance application; the application prints a non-negotiable instrument, such as a transaction receipt; the customer signs the receipt confirming the transaction with a physical receipt or electronic capture.

Abstract: A casino credit access instrument comprises a source of funds for a player, such as for placing wagers to play casino-style games or to purchase other goods or services. The instrument defines a period of timed during which credit may be accessed up to a predetermined amount, defines a redemption period during which any accessed credit may be re-paid, and defines settlement terms if the instrument is not redeemed. Credit may be granted based upon financial collateral, which collateral may be executed upon to settle the instrument. The instrument provides a convenient source of funding for player at low risk to the casino or other lender.

Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gaming environment. One aspect of the invention allows for fund access and management wherein gaming machines, such as slot machines or on-line virtual gaming machines, receive playable credits directly from a patron's banking or credit card account. Another aspect of the present invention relates to integrating player tracking and cash access transactions by allowing the players to provide a player tracking card for each financial transaction conducted in a gaming environment. In return, the casino issues gaming or bonus points to the players for allowing their transactions to be tracked. Yet another aspect of the present invention consolidates the players' financial account information into a single casino database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating player tracking and cash access in a casino or other gaming environment. One aspect of the invention allows for fund access and management wherein gaming machines, such as slot machines or on-line virtual gaming machines, receive playable credits directly from a patron's banking or credit card account. Another aspect of the present invention relates to integrating player tracking and cash access transactions by allowing the players to provide a player tracking card for each financial transaction conducted in a gaming environment. In return, the casino issues gaming or bonus points to the players for allowing their transactions to be tracked. Yet another aspect of the present invention consolidates the players' financial account information into a single casino database.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for performing a cashless gaming ticket redemption transaction for a customer in a casino environment. The system includes a gaming machine, such as a slot machine, that the customer plays. Rather than issuing cash to the customer, the gaming machine issues a redemption ticket with a unique identifier to the customer. The unique identifier and the amount of the customer's winnings accrued on the gaming machine are stored and associated on a redemption ticket database. When the customer wishes to redeem the winnings, the redemption ticket is introduced to a multi-function ATM. To perform the ticket redemption transaction, the ATM is adapted to electronically accept the redemption ticket and read the unique identifier. The ATM then electronically communicates with the redemption database to retrieve the predetermined dollar value associated with the unique identifier. Finally, the ATM transfers to the customer an award equal to the predetermined dollar value in cash or credit.