Abstract: A system and method for playing a wagering game uses a wireless gaming device including an identification code, entry apparatus for entering wagering information by a player, and a transmitter. A receiver receives the identification code and the wagering information transmitted by the transmitter of the wireless gaming device. The receiver polls the wireless gaming device to determine whether the player has entered wagering information to be transmitted to the receiver.

Abstract: A computer program displays a virtual environment and a character in the virtual environment. The character includes a body and a replaceable head. Player control signals from an input device control replacement of the character's replaceable head and other character actions in the virtual environment. The computer program may attribute play characteristics to the character based on the head in place on the character at a given time. These characteristics may be thematically consistent with the displayed appearance of the head in place. The program may allow a player to select a set of character heads for use with the character. The program may allow the player to collect heads from the virtual environment and store the collected heads for use. The program may offer communication with other connected computer systems facilitating a multi-player or on-line interact hosted game.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a network server connected to a plurality of gaming devices that are adapted to provide a video payout on each play based on a set of payout parameters. Memory at each gaming device stores payout parameters that correspond to each possible gaming result or outcome. When a play is initiated by a player, a gaming result is generated at a gaming device. The gaming device responds by accessing a corresponding payout parameter from the memory which may be a monetary amount, a video presentation segment or a combination thereof. If the payout is video, the network server receives the payout parameter and transmits video presentation segment to the gaming device accordingly. The gaming device then provides a video payout, in the form of displayed video presentation, to the player. The player thus receives at least one form of payment on each play.

Abstract: A game apparatus and a method of replaying a game display a moving entity which moves in a given area on a display screen. The game apparatus has a memory for storing, for a predetermined period of time, absolute coordinates in the predetermined area of a moving entity which moves in the predetermined area in response to a control signal entered by an operator while a game is in progress, and a display data generating unit or reading the absolute coordinates from the memory in response to a replay request from the operator and processing the absolute coordinates into display data depending on processing information supplied from an input unit by the operator.

Abstract: A high-score display system for a video game includes a memory and a display coupled to a game controller of a video game. The game controller causes the display to show active game play sequences responsive to player inputs and simulated game play during an attract mode. Information associated with prior plays of the video game, including high score player identifiers, are stored in the memory. The controller causes selected ones of the high score player identifiers to be displayed in a plurality of available display areas of the video game including static display areas, movable display areas and conditional display areas.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an intelligent gaming system that includes a game engine, simulation engine, and, in certain embodiments, a static evaluator. Embodiments of the invention include an intelligent, poker playing slot machine that allows a user to play poker for money against one or more intelligent, simulated opponents. The simulation engine generates actions for the simulated player(s). The simulation engine allows a real person, or user, to play against intelligent, simulated opponents. In addition, in certain embodiments a static evaluator offers another level of play in which the user can play against a predetermined criteria for winning. In one embodiment of the invention, the user plays against simulated opponent(s). In another embodiment of the invention, the user plays against simulated opponent(s) and against the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method of motivating players to return to a casino includes receiving a request to convert a predetermined value of casino currency to cash. Upon the receipt of the request, a premium value is calculated based at least in part on the predetermined value. Subsequently, the customer is provided an instrument having a total value equal to the predetermined value plus the premium value when the instrument is used at the casino. The instrument may comprise a check having a negotiable value equal to the predetermined value, and a second pay-line defining the total value with the premium to be provided if the check is cashed at the issuing casino.

Abstract: A computerized lottery (or wagering) system that permits players to select game parameters from remote locations, transfers the selected parameters to a game generator and broadcasts the lottery game on television for public viewing. The broadcasted game may be a race and the game parameters are numbers associated with the participants in the race. Examples of the games contemplated include horse races, dog races, car races and motorcycle races. At a predefined time of day, selection of the game parameters is ended and the game is then broadcast on television so that the players can watch the game and root for their selections. In addition, the system of the present invention determines which players are eligible for a grand prize pool and after the broadcast of the game announces the grand prize winner.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus and method allows participants to compete in an interactive game, such as a contest or sporting event, occurring in real time or as a taped broadcast of a real time event. The event with which the participant may interact is broadcast live or previously taped but not aired. At home, participants can play along with the broadcast on a real time basis as a previously taped segment of the television show is aired. Interactive play may be accomplished by access to an on-line version of the game while the corresponding game show airs live or is rebroadcast to the participant for the first time on television.

Abstract: A gaming device and method of operation thereof are provided in which the gaming device receives a loan request, which includes a loan amount, to establish a balance without having received payment therefor. The device sends a request signal to a controller of the gaming device communicating the loan request, and a balance is established with the gaming device. The gaming device in turn receives an approval signal from the controller of the gaming device regarding approval of the loan request. The loan amount may be less than or equal to the requested amount. A cash-out mechanism of the gaming device is enabled in accordance with the approval signal before the approval signal is received.

Abstract: A network server provides control functions for gambling devices of the type which provide intermittent monetary payments to players at a point-of-play. The point-of-play includes an interactive display device for displaying messages to the player and for receiving player responses which are then transmitted to a network server. Memory at the network server stores product and product purchase information and customer profile data. The network server causes transmission of product and product purchase information to the interactive display device and monitors each of the gambling devices to detect an occurrence of a player win that requires a monetary payout. The network server is responsive to the detection of the player win and to an entry from the player which indicates the purchase of a product (as offered by a locally displayed advertisement), to credit the purchase price of the product against the anticipated monetary payout.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a customer tracking and recognition program that encompasses customers' gaming and non-gaming activity alike at a plurality of affiliated casino properties. Customer information is accumulated at each affiliated casino through one or more LAN-based management systems, updated to a central patron database (CPDB) that is coupled to each casino LAN through a WAN, and made available to each affiliated casino property as needed. Customer accounts are automatically activated and provided with data from the CPDB when a customer from one casino property first visits an affiliated casino property. Customer accounts are updated with new activity data whenever a management system associated with the casino receives customer data from input devices, such as card readers, workstations, and dumb terminals, located at various venues throughout the casino. Customers are awarded points, based on their tracked activity at all affiliated casino properties.

Abstract: The progress of each player in playing an auxiliary incentive game simultaneously with a primary card game is controlled and displayed at a gaming table. A prize display (34) is attached to the table and the prize display indicates at least one prize available to the player who accumulates a predetermined number of bonus points playing the auxiliary game. A player interface unit (30) is positioned on the table adjacent to each player. The player interface unit displays the number of bonus points received by the associated player. A dealer interface unit (32) is positioned on the table adjacent the dealer. The dealer interface unit includes control elements to allow the dealer to display the bonus points awarded to each player on the associated player interface unit and to activate a prize award control element on the player interface unit. The winning player selects a randomly indexed prize indicated on the prize display by manipulating the prize award control element on their player interface unit.

Abstract: An electronic gaming device defines a set of all possible elements of a game. For example, in a slot machine-type game, the set of possible elements includes the symbols for cherries, bell, bar, orange, plum and seven. The gaming device further generates a set of location assignments for each of the elements, and assigns a location to each element in accordance with the set of location assignments. The player is presented with the locations and prompted to select one or more locations, depending on the type of game. The displayed locations to select are typically arranged in one or more rows of possible selections. Typically, each of the possible selections is hidden or obscured until selected by the player. The player provides his selection(s), and at least one corresponding selection signal(s) are received by the gaming device. Each received selection signal indicates an element from the set of possible elements.

Abstract: A video game machine, which comprises a CPU for executing a program and a memory in which, based on the control provided by the CPU consonant with the execution of the program, are stored data that are read from the program and concern a plurality of characters to be displayed on a display device, provides a pseudo-sense of reality, as though a character projected on a display were a living entity. In such a video game machine, inheritance probabilities are defined for individual portions, of the data concerning a plurality of characters, that constitute the characters, and under a predesignated condition available during the execution of the program, a portion constituting one character, of portions constituting two characters, is maintained at a predetermined inheritance probability that has been defined, and data for new characters are prepared.

Abstract: A toy includes a housing with pressure sensitive sensors on each face of the housing. The toy instructs players as to which parts of their body they should use in pressing one or more of the sensors on the toy. A number of games can be played with the toy. Players can pass the toy from one player to another using the body parts the toy calls out and try to set records for the number of passes possible without mistake, or can try to set records for the number of passes that can be made within a two minute time period. A third game involves three or four players trying to cover five or six of the sensors in accordance with the toy's instructions. The players maneuver their bodies to maintain pressure on the sensors being held while pressing holding a new sensor called out by the toy. The voice used in the toy also tries to challenge the players to improve on their previous scores.

Abstract: A computer implemented electronic game includes a wheel of fortune game with odds of a jackpot greatly in excess of the number of indicia on a simulated wheel. In one embodiment, a virtual mapping allows a bonus indicium of the wheel to be given a 1:M chance of being landed on, even though the bonus position is one of N positions on the simulated wheel. A random number L is chosen between 1 and M and this number is mapped to a number between 1 and N. The display of the wheel if controlled to simulate stopping of the wheel at the Ith indicium where L is mapped to I. In one embodiment, by using successive wheel spins, the odds of moving to the next round are multiplied to achieve an overall odds of winning a jackpot.

Abstract: A gaming device, such as a slot machine, determines a balance and a “dispensed amount” that is less than the balance. The dispensed amount may be determined by, for example, receiving signals from one or more key presses that specify the dispensed amount. Alternatively, the dispensed amount may be determined in accordance with one or more “balance management rules”. The gaming device in turn dispenses the dispensed amount, for example, by dispensing an amount of currency, transferring the dispensed amount to an account or adjusting a balance of a remote gaming device. The balance is adjusted by the dispensed amount, and this adjusted balance is available for initiating a subsequent play of the gaming device.

Abstract: A system of linked gaming machines has each of the linked gaming machines connected to a common controller. In a normal mode of play, each of the linked gaming machines operates like a conventional machine where the generation of certain combinations of symbols provide awards to the individual players whose machines generate such combinations. In addition to this normal mode of play, a bonus feature is added where the generation of combinations of bonus symbols is used by a central controller to build up a pooled bonus value based upon the values of the combinations of bonus symbols generated by all the linked gaming machines. When a player hits a combination which causes the accumulated bonus value to meet or exceed a predetermined value, a bonus award is given to the player which caused the threshold to be exceeded.

Abstract: A computer-implemented game includes a wheel of fortune portion. The wheel is positioned in a location spaced from the main game housing. In this way even relatively large wheels can be provided without undesirable dimensional enlargement of the main housing.