Abstract: One embodiment of the gaming system disclosed herein enables a player to place at least one wager on at least one play of a wagering game, determines if a cash out request by the player occurs and in response to determining the occurrence of the cash out request by the player, if a credit meter balance associated with the player is at least equal to a designated value, enables the player to accept or reject an offer for the purchase of an entry into a gaming drawing at the designated value. If the player accepts the offer, the gaming system generates: (i) a gaming ticket confirming the entry into the gaming drawing, and (ii) a payout ticket.

Abstract: Methods for processing online gaming operations. One method includes determining that a player has completed a game of chance. The game is accessible from a plurality of devices having online access. Completing the game includes a requirement that a player of the game must play from more than one of the devices. The requirement that the player must play from more than one of the devices includes a requirement that the player must present an identifier at each of the more than one of the devices during completion of the game. A requirement is provided that the player needs to collect specific outcomes when playing from the devices. The method further includes providing a reward to the player in response to determining that the player has completed the game. The method is executable by a processor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for facilitating group play by a team of members associated with a casino slot club. The method includes the steps of identifying the team members, identifying a set of rules designated by the team for rewarding the team members when a payout is due to one of the team members, detecting a payout due to one of the team members, and rewarding the team members in accordance with the set of rules.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a method provides for facilitating play of a game on a mobile device by recognizing inputs provided by a user, at least one of the inputs causing progress in the game. In accordance with one embodiment, a code is received at the mobile device, in response to which code access to an outcome is provided. Upon an outcome redemption request being received, a benefit associated with the outcome may be provided. The benefit may, in some embodiments, be capable of changing play of the game by the user.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. In some embodiments, a count is adjusted throughout a multiple play session based on point values associated with symbols on the reels of a slot machine, and payouts are awarded in accordance with (i) a finishing count, and/or (ii) a “virtual average speed”.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for a gaming device to determine when to offer a player an opportunity to play using a “jackpot only” pay table. The player may choose to accept the gaming device's offer to switch from using a conventional pay table to using a pay table that only pays top payout amounts. Play with a jackpot only pay table may only require a small wager amount as compared to play with a conventional pay table. Play with a jackpot only pay table may be automated to generate outcomes quickly to allow a player to relatively inexpensively avoid spending time playing a gaming device perceived to be in a “cold period.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining whether a first condition associated with a first player of a gaming device is satisfied, determining whether a second condition associated with a second player of the gaming device is satisfied, and awarding, in the case that both the first and second conditions are determined to be satisfied, a benefit to the first player.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for determining and achieving an optimized rate of play of a gaming device for a given player. The system monitors play at a gaming device, determines whether adjustments to parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play should be made, and makes the appropriate adjustments. Monitoring play includes measuring such things as force applied to input buttons and tracking unnecessary button presses at inappropriate times (i.e., while the reels are still spinning). Parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play include reel resolution time, length of bonus displays, payout rate, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling a player to take a tour of a secondary game at a game machine. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes offering to enable entry of a player into a bonus round of a game machine in exchange for a fee, receiving the fee from the player, and enabling entry of the player into the bonus round. The method further includes receiving an indication of at least one player selection during the bonus round, and determining an outcome based on the at least one player selection. In other embodiments, the method includes providing a prize to the player based on the outcome.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a method provides for determining that a qualifying outcome has been obtained as a result of a game play conducted on a gaming device and determining a buy-in amount for a current play session in which the game play is included. The method further provides for setting, in response to the obtainment of the qualifying outcome, a credit meter balance to the buy-in amount, thereby providing a payout for the qualifying outcome.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for playing video games in a network environment are provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a game for a player of a first network connected device and enabling a second player from a second networked connected device to play the game. The method also enables transfer of currency between the first and second players using the network for playing the game. The method debits an account of a player that transferred the currency and credits an account of a player that that received the currency. The method then enables purchases in the game using the credited currency and displays an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device, and displays an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein an event experienced by a player is documented and the documentation of the event is stored. One example of an event experienced by a player is an outcome obtained by a player on a gaming device. In such an embodiment the documentation of the event may comprise an image of the player's reaction to the outcome and/or a still or video image of the outcome. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention a player may subsequently access an output of the documentation. In one embodiment an outcome of a prior game play that was documented is replayed. When the outcome of the prior game play is output, the outcome may be output in a manner that indicates to a viewer that the outcome is an outcome of a prior game play and not an outcome of a current game play.

Abstract: Some systems, processes, apparatus and articles of manufacture provide for selling lottery entries. In one example, a request is received to purchase a multiplier and a set of play indicia for a lottery game.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices are presented. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and apparatus may facilitate an offer engine for providing one or more offers to a user of the gaming device, wherein an offer comprises an offer for a payment to be made to the user in exchange for an action by the user, wherein the one or more offers are distinct from indications of awards the user may qualify for during play of a game playable via the gaming device. In one embodiment the methods and apparatus may provide for determining whether to adjust the first feature based on the measure of performance.

Abstract: Methods for processing online gaming operations. One method includes determining that a player has completed a game of chance. The game is accessible from a plurality of devices having online access. Completing the game includes a requirement that a player of the game must play from more than one of the devices. The requirement that the player must play from more than one of the devices includes a requirement that the player must present an identifier at each of the more than one of the devices during completion of the game. A requirement is provided that the player needs to collect specific outcomes when playing from the devices. The method further includes providing a reward to the player in response to determining that the player has completed the game. The method is executable by a processor.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for a gaming device to determine when to offer a player an opportunity to play using a “jackpot only” pay table. The player may choose to accept the gaming device's offer to switch from using a conventional pay table to using a pay table that only pays top payout amounts. Play with a jackpot only pay table may only require a small wager amount as compared to play with a conventional pay table. Play with a jackpot only pay table may be automated to generate outcomes quickly to allow a player to relatively inexpensively avoid spending time playing a gaming device perceived to be in a “cold period.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for acquiring a physical measurement, and for creating a cryptographic certification of that measurement, such that its value and time can be verified by a party that was not necessarily present at the measurement. The certified measurement may also include corroborative information for associating the actual physical measurement process with the certified measurement. Such corroborative information may reflect the internal or external state of the measurement certification device, as well as witness identifiers of any persons that may have been present at the measurement acquisition and certification. The certification may include a signal receiver to receive timing signals from a satellite or other external source. The external timing signals may be used to generate the time included in the certified measurement, or could be used to determine the location of the measurement certification device for inclusion in the certified measurement.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to a player (e.g., player may access the video presentation online). This allows a player to purchase a video presentation of (e.g., predetermined) outcomes in a jurisdiction in which gambling is legal yet view the presentation at the player's convenience (e.g., from any jurisdiction and at any time). A player who purchases such a video presentation may subsequently redeem it for a redemption value associated therewith.

Abstract: A billing and collection system comprising an access management computer for enabling payment for a service provided over a data network to be made for a telephone connection to a shared revenue billing network where the telephone connection to the billing network regulates access to the service provided over the data network, the data network including at least one information provider presenting at least one service for on-line access by a user with a user computer through the data network, the billing network and access management computer adapted for controlling access to the information provider and billing the user for access to the information provider, the access management computer communicating with the data network to enable and terminate access to the information provider through the user computer with the billing network sharing revenues for the telephone connection with the information provider.