Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for facilitating communication with a smart card in communication with a gaming machine. In some implementations, a smart card interaction device may be activated. A smart card interaction device coupled with an electronic gaming machine may be identified within an operating system running at the electronic gaming machine. The smart card interaction device may be capable of facilitating communication between the electronic gaming machine and a smart card in communication with the smart card interaction device. A communication protocol interface may be initiated within the operating system. The communication protocol interface may provide a mechanism for transmitting messages between the electronic gaming machine and devices in communication with the electronic gaming machine. A first message may be transmitted via the communication protocol interface between the smart card interaction device and a first host server via a network.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for linking a plurality of independent networks to a single central control system. In one embodiment, a casino accounting and reporting processing system provides a common back end to a plurality of networks. In one embodiment, the central server is coupled to at least one network using the same protocol so that no translation or interface is necessary. One or more other networks are coupled to the central server via an interface for translating communications and commands from the independent network to the host network protocol. In one embodiment, the interface is implemented using a standard interface referred to as “S2S”. An advantage of the invention is that it can be used to provide a common user interface, common accounting and security, and common player tracking management.