Abstract: A multi-property comp bank is provided which allows comp points to be earned and redeemed in an aggregated manner at a plurality of affiliated casino properties. The comp bank includes two constituents, namely a first bank account of comp points for each casino patron having a balance that is visible to the patron, accessible by the patron, and directly redeemable by the patron, and a second bank account of comp points having a balance that is invisible to the patron, accessible only by authorized casino employees, and redeemable on a discretionary basis only by authorized casino employees. Each award of comp points is apportioned between the patron's first and second bank accounts according to a predetermined ratio. The comp points in the first bank account can be aggregated across properties and redeemed at any property, whereas the comp points in the second bank account can only be redeemed at the property in which they were earned.

Abstract: A gaming voucher is printed with first and second machine readable indicia. The first machine readable indicia represents a unique gaming voucher number. The monetary value of the gaming voucher and additional information about the gaming voucher is stored in a database remote from the gaming machine in association with the unique gaming voucher number. The second machine readable indicia represents the asset number of the gaming machine that produced the gaming voucher, the value of the gaming voucher, and a portion of the unique gaming voucher number. The gaming voucher is self-validating during a counting process in a count room, and thus no access to the remote database is required to initially verify the authenticity of the gaming voucher. The information encoded in the first and second machine readable indicia may also be used in conjunction with the data in the remote database during a voucher redemption process to verify the authenticity of the gaming voucher.

Abstract: Casino patrons are allowed to possess multiple identities at different casino properties within an affiliation of casino properties or at the same casino property within the casino enterprise, yet still be identified as the same patron. Patron identities are matched up based on identifying information provided by the patron, and a universal patron identifier number is assigned to each local patron account.

Abstract: A slot machine offers a player an increased number of pulls on the slot machine in return for additional wager amounts at the beginning of a new game. Depending upon the amount of the additional wager, the slot machine will offer the player one or two additional pulls of the slot machine. If the additional wager is in an amount sufficient to pay for one additional pull, after the first pull occurs and the reels of the slot machine come to rest, the player is informed by the slot machine that an extra pull can be made at no additional cost. If the additional wager is in an amount sufficient to pay for two additional pulls, after the second pull, the player is again informed by the slot machine that a second extra pull can be made at no additional cost.

Abstract: A slot machine allows the interaction of objects displayed outside a symbol matrix with objects displayed inside a symbol matrix (“Interactive Symbols”) to generate new forms of awards. Interactions include “bouncing” in which logarithmic functions accounting for the objects' shapes, sizes, and velocities, control the result of two objects colliding inside of the symbol matrix, and “catching” in which the collision of two objects does not cause a “bounce” effect, but instead results in the disappearance of one object into the other object. Awards may be issued for each “bounce,” “catch” or other interaction of objects inside the symbol matrix, according to an Interactive Symbols award schedule.