Abstract: A card shuffler that moves cards one at a time to randomly designated single-card receptacle in a receiving or dealing rack, and a method for shuffling and for dealing cards.

Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the card storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least the first and second positions when a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area. Methods of card handling include employing the use of such a pivotal arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are set forth for playing a token collecting game based upon Blackjack. Using a card reading device the dealer completes their hand first according to the rules based on Blackjack before the players have to act. The card reading device reads the cards of the dealer's hand and instructs the dealer whether to draw another card for the dealer hand until the dealer's hand is completed. Thereafter the players compete their hands armed with the knowledge of the exposed card of the dealer's initial two-card hand and the number, but not the values of, cards required to complete the dealer's hand. After the players have completed their hands each player's hand is resolved against the dealer according to the rules of Blackjack.

Abstract: A gaming system includes an input device, an electronic display device, and game-logic circuitry. In response to the input device detecting a physical item associated with monetary value that establishes a credit balance, the game-logic circuitry initiates a wagering game responsive to an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance. The wagering game includes display of a gamescape that includes an award zone and a plurality of symbols moving around the gamescape on the display device. An award sequence is triggered when a predetermined threshold of the plurality of symbols are positioned completely inside the award zone. When the award sequence is triggered, the symbols inside the award zone stop moving and a corresponding award value is determined based on the symbols inside the award zone.

Abstract: A gaming system comprising a regulated gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game. The gaming machine includes an electronic display device and one or more electronic input devices and game-logic circuitry configured to detect, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance. The game-logic circuitry is further configured to initiate the casino wagering game in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance. The game-logic circuitry is further configured to increment a progressive jackpot associated with the wagering game. The game-logic circuitry is further configured to conduct a skill-based bonus game that awards portions of the incremented progressive jackpot based on skillful inputs of a player in response to a triggering event occurring during the wagering game.

Abstract: A unified wallet manager (UWM) virtualized as a single virtual service in which all transactions relative to the UWM are treated as immutable facts permanently stored in append-only queues or ledgers from the time of their creation. A rules engine reads conversion requests in request calls to the service, and determines which rule or rules to apply to convert funds from one ledger to another, in the same or different vertically scaled gaming systems. The UWM is a peer of other vertical gaming systems, and the gaming systems access the UWM via an API server and data egresses from the UWM through an ETL process from a database cluster. The immutable queues allow for data reconstruction using any desired data model. The ledger stores funds of many different types, including real money, points, play money, and others. Third parties can integrate with the UWM through an integration hub connected to the UWM.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes: requesting, from a player at the gaming machine, player account credentials associated with the player; receiving, at the gaming machine, the player account credentials, wherein the player account credentials are associated with a player's account on the account server and enable linking game play on the gaming machine to the player's account, and wherein the player account credentials are provided to the player's mobile phone in response to joining a players club prior to detection of the initiation event; transmitting, via the gaming machine, the player account credentials to the account server; receiving, from the account server, validation of the player account credentials based on comparing the received player account credentials with credentials stored on the account server; upon receipt of the validation, linking a wagering game session on the gaming machine with the player account.

Abstract: Methods of using automatic card shufflers may involve causing playing cards to be moved from a card input area to a temporary card storage utilizing a card input mechanism. A first number of playing card hands may be formed in a corresponding first number of designated card storage compartments of the temporary card storage when a control system of the automatic card shuffler is in a first operational mode. A second, different number of playing card hands may be formed in a corresponding second number of designated card storage compartments of the temporary card storage when the control system is in a second operational mode. The card storage compartments of the second number of designated card storage compartments may be distinct from the card storage compartments of the first number of designated card storage compartments.

Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper to grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insertion location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insertion locations.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a mechanical wheel display assembly including a mechanical rotatable bezel surrounding a mechanical wheel. The mechanical wheel display input assembly is suitable for use in a gaming terminal, a gaming cabinet or a gaming machine. Direction and speed of a manual rotation of the bezel is detected and interpreted. The result may be used to control various aspects of operation of the gaming terminal, gaming cabinet or gaming machine, including providing input for game play. The mechanical wheel may be rotated in real-time to reflect the rotation of the bezel. A motor may be coupled to the rotatable bezel to provide resistance, assistance or operator feedback.

Abstract: A game machine includes a table display defining a first portion on which a community game is displayed and second portions on which a wagering game is displayed to player stations. An outcome is displayed on the second portions. An entry into the community game is awarded to the player station in response to a first triggering event. The entry is applied to a game element of the community game in association with the player station, which persists with the game element for a plurality of plays of the community game. Responsive to a second triggering event, a play of the community game is conducted and an award is awarded to any player station having an entry applied to a game element in the community game responsive to an outcome of a play of the community game that is associated with the game element to which the entry is applied.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes: detecting a plurality of wagering game machines in proximity to the mobile phone, and selecting a first of the plurality of wagering game machines with which to establish a connection. The method can also include requesting the connection with the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, and transmitting, from the mobile phone to the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, player account information for configuring a wagering game. The method can also include receiving, from the first of the plurality of wagering game machines, content indicating a result of the wagering game, and presenting, on the mobile phone, the result of the wagering game.

Abstract: Games, networked gaming systems, gaming machines and methods are disclosed that provide various player-centric games and rewards the casino patrons, as well as systems games, rewards, and tournaments to the casino patrons.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, a masked area, a light source, and a diffused lighting area. The display device is within a cabinet enclosure and has an active area with an image surface, which is defined by a plurality of active edges and is configured to display images of a casino wagering game. The masked area is adjacent to the active area and lacks any display of the images of the casino wagering game. The light source is concealed from view relative to a player position and emits an initial light. The diffused lighting area is adjacent to the masked area, extends to overlap the adjacent peripheral edge of the cabinet enclosure, and includes a single diffuser that receives the initial light and transmits it towards the player.