Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a service module. The service module is operable to electronically provide service documentation to a wagering game service technician via a user interface of the computerized wagering game system.

Abstract: The invention allows a casino, or other entity, via a game machine, to provide relevant information at appropriate times, and/or in response to appropriate events, to players using the game machine. A dynamic and flexible system adapted to interact with players on an individual basis by aiding in the management, determination, distribution, and delivery of promotional, inspirational, instructive, informational, communicative, incentive, and other types of messages, is provided. Various methods are provided to ensure that receiving messages at a game machine enhances a player's overall gaming experience by selectively outputting helpful and desirable messages to players while minimizing interference with the players' gaming and to avoid overwhelming players with unsolicited, unwanted, and/or irrelevant messages.

Abstract: A gaming machine having spinning reels and methods for operating the gaming machine use a computer and/or software instructions to align a home position of each spinning reel or a home position of a reel strip mounted on each spinning reel with a target position on the gaming machine. An optical detector unit using an optical strip on the spinning reel may be used to align a home position with a pay line on the gaming machine.

Abstract: Methods for providing gaming advice are provided. For example, regarding a blackjack game, one or more first player cards are identified for a first player and one or more second player cards are identified for a second player. The first and second player cards are displayed to the first player. A probability associated with a first one of the plurality of playing options is determined based at least on a set of predetermined statistical blackjack data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards. It is then determined, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing improvements in video poker games. A second draw can be offered to the player, allowing the player an additional chance to improve the player's hand. The second draw can be always offered or triggered upon predefined conditions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. A first community event is triggered and two or more gaming machines from the plurality of gaming machines are selected to participate in the first community event. A second community event is triggered—prior to completion of the first community event—and at least one gaming machine is selected from the plurality of gaming machines to participate in the second community event. The at least one gaming machine being different from the two or more gaming machines selected to participate in the first community event. A substitute-community-event award is provided to the at least one gaming machine without playing the second community event.

Abstract: The present invention in various embodiments provides a computerized wagering game method and apparatus that features an operating system kernel, a system handler application that loads and executes gaming program shared objects and features nonvolatile storage that facilitates sharing of information between gaming program objects. The system handler of some embodiments further provides an API library of functions callable from the gaming program objects, and facilitates the use of callback functions on change of data stored in nonvolatile storage. The nonvolatile storage also provides a nonvolatile record of the state of the computerized wagering game, providing protection against loss of the game state due to power loss. The system handler application in various embodiments includes a plurality of device handlers, providing an interface to selected hardware and the ability to monitor hardware-related events.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for processing gaming voucher images are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes recording voucher information on a gaming voucher, creating an image of the gaming voucher, causing the image to be stored, and dispensing the gaming voucher.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel method and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines and associated network devices. Some preferred implementations of the invention allow a target progressive pool size to be selected and apply payouts such that the actual progressive pool size is not likely to exceed greatly the target progressive pool size. Some such implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the current progressive pool size payable to players of a wagering game on the networked gaming machines. The function may be a function of a current progressive pool size, target progressive pool size and bet size.

Abstract: A wagering gaming device having a three-dimensional display device which includes a plurality display screens. The display screens display three dimensional images having an height, actual width and depth.

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods and systems for providing a gaming server system (Gaming System) for enabling a quality-of-service on-demand (QoS) broadcast system to provide a gaming computer or game console with premium levels of quality-of-service. The gaming server provides premium network connection service levels based upon customer profile, current activity, account status or other criteria.

Abstract: A entrance-exchange structure and method of execution thereof, comprising a house and an activity of uncertain outcome (e.g., game of chance, game of skill, etc.) that is entered by a participant (e.g., a participant such as a player). The house pays the participant a takehome in relevant scrip, or cash and relevant scrip, for an activity entered into by the participant, based on betting by the participant. An existing outside vendor may exchange the participant's scrip at a scrip-to-items exchange rate for at least one item provided by the outside vendor. The outside vendor may exchange the relevant scrip with the house for cash at an outside-vendor scrip-to-cash exchange rate. The house may also function as a vendor with whom the participant may exchange relevant scrip for cash at a house-vendor scrip-to-cash exchange rate. The relevant scrip is a virtual currency that may be generated by the entrance-exchange structure.

Abstract: A gaming system wherein a second game is triggered once a specific event occurs in a first game.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.

Abstract: A entrance-exchange structure and method of execution thereof, comprising a house and an activity of uncertain outcome (e.g., game of chance, game of skill, etc.) that is entered by a participant (e.g., a participant such as a player). The house pays the participant a takehome in relevant scrip, or cash and relevant scrip, for an activity entered into by the participant, based on betting by the participant. An existing outside vendor may exchange the participant's scrip at a scrip-to-items exchange rate for at least one item provided by the outside vendor. The outside vendor may exchange the relevant scrip with the house for cash at an outside-vendor scrip-to-cash exchange rate. The house may also function as a vendor with whom the participant may exchange relevant scrip for cash at a house-vendor scrip-to-cash exchange rate. The relevant scrip is a virtual currency that may be generated by the entrance-exchange structure.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a plurality of symbol groups which each include a plurality of symbols. In one embodiment, each of the symbols is associated with a probability of being generated. The gaming device includes a plurality of player selectable selections. The gaming device includes a plurality of outcome pools. Each pool includes the number of designated symbols which are generated for each selection. That is, each pool determines how many symbols will be generated for the indicated group for each selection. Each time a player picks one of the selections, the gaming device selects one of the pools. The gaming device generates the designated number of symbols associated with the picked selection which is determined by the selected pool. The gaming device provides the player an outcome or award, based at least in part, on the generated symbols.

Abstract: One or more gaming machines include an incentive supply storage, along with at least one play incentive dispenser to deliver play incentives to a player at a gaming machine. Play of each gaming machine includes definition of at least one incentive qualifying event, resulting in dispensing a play incentive to a player. Optionally, some of the play incentives have substantially nominal value and some of the play incentives have non-nominal value. Incentive qualifying events may be random or based on outcomes generated during play of a gaming machine. Optionally, a play incentive may be dispensed along with issuance of a prize awarded through a game of chance. A prize award may be indicated by or on the play incentive, which may be awarded along with the play incentive. Optionally, the play incentives may be concealed in a packaging.

Abstract: Uncarded play can be monitored by a gaming device or network to target incentives aimed at achieving player tracking system enrollment. A player is permitted to begin gaming device play. The player's play is monitored for triggering events suggesting a player's value to the casino and prompting notification of join-up incentives to the player. The player can be solicited to enroll and can be awarded join-up incentives following enrollment.

Abstract: A system for allocating loyalty reward points to a player at a gaming area, where the player has a loyalty reward card. The player further being associated with identifiable casino chips each having a radio frequency identification tag. The system has a recording device located in the vicinity of the gaming area for reading and recording the player details on the loyalty reward card, and RFID readers for detecting player casino chips located in play in the gaming area. The RFID reader is operatively connected to the recording device such that at the completion of bet placement the value of player casino chips in play in the gaming area detected by the RFID reader is communicated to the recording device thus enabling the value of bets placed by individual players to be calculated and thereby determining the allocation of loyalty reward points to individual players for the particular bet placement.

Abstract: A wagering gaming device having a three-dimensional display device which includes a plurality display screens. The display screens display three dimensional images having an height, actual width and depth.