Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a primary game in which the gaming system provides monetary awards to a player and a secondary game in which the gaming system provides non-monetary skill units to the player. In one such embodiment, the gaming system initiates the play of the skill-based secondary game in response to a triggering even associated with a primary game of the gaming system, and forms a score for the player based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player during the play of the skill-based secondary game. The gaming system determines an amount of non-monetary skill units to provide the player based on the score, and provides the player with the non-monetary skill units. The player redeems any amount of non-monetary skill units for one or more virtual goods offered via a virtual marketplace.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a primary game in which the gaming system provides monetary awards to a player and a secondary game in which the gaming system provides non-monetary skill units to the player. In one such embodiment, the gaming system initiates the play of the skill-based secondary game in response to a triggering even associated with a primary game of the gaming system, and forms a score for the player based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player during the play of the skill-based secondary game. The gaming system determines an amount of non-monetary skill units to provide the player based on the score, and provides the player with the non-monetary skill units. The player redeems any amount of non-monetary skill units for one or more virtual goods offered via a virtual marketplace.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game, such as a Bingo game, in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. Once a player matches a game-winning pattern to win the occurrence of the wagering game, the gaming unit may display a plurality of selection symbols, at least one of which may correspond to a game-winning award or a further game array. In the embodiment with the further game array, the indicia on the game array may be compared to the randomly selected game indicia to determine the amount of game-winning award for the player.

Abstract: A disclosed slot reel peripheral has a slot reel, a drive mechanism and a peripheral controller. Using a standard communication protocol such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), the peripheral controller is configured to communicate with one or more master gaming controllers or other slot reel peripherals via a peripheral connection. The peripheral controller may drive the slot reel from position to position by operating the drive mechanism and may send operating instructions to other slot reel peripherals with peripheral controllers. Further, the peripheral controller may control one or more specialized “peripheral devices” (e.g., effects lights, back lights, bar code detectors, tampering sensors, position sensors, sound devices, electro-luminescent devices and stepper motors, etc. that perform specific functions of the slot reel peripheral).

Abstract: An electronic memory which cannot be modified or erased, such as one-time programmable or add-only (OTP/AO) memory is used for storing direct or indirect indications of characteristics of a gaming terminal or its components. Preferably, a plurality of gaming terminal boards includes memory that has one or more rows of OTP/AO memory for storing information such as memory or board serial numbers, manufacture date, processor speed or type, software or hardware version numbers, and the like. Such information is preferably used in connection with assuring the appropriateness of modifications or configurations of the gaming terminal, such as downloading software or other software modification and/or changes to hardware configuration. OTP/AO information can be used in connection with verifying identity or characteristics of software or hardware, e.g. for warranty purposes.

Abstract: A disclosed slot reel peripheral has a slot reel, a drive mechanism and a peripheral controller. Using a standard communication protocol such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), the peripheral controller is configured to communicate with one or more master gaming controllers or other slot reel peripherals via a peripheral connection. The peripheral controller may drive the slot reel from position to position by operating the drive mechanism and may send operating instructions to other slot reel peripherals with peripheral controllers. Further, the peripheral controller may control one or more specialized “peripheral devices” (e.g., effects lights, back lights, bar code detectors, tampering sensors, position sensors, sound devices, electro-luminescent devices and stepper motors, etc. that perform specific functions of the slot reel peripheral).

Abstract: A disclosed slot reel peripheral has a slot reel, a drive mechanism and a peripheral controller. Using a standard communication protocol such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), the peripheral controller is configured to communicate with one or more master gaming controllers or other slot reel peripherals via a peripheral connection. The peripheral controller may drive the slot reel from position to position by operating the drive mechanism and may send operating instructions to other slot reel peripherals with peripheral controllers. Further, the peripheral controller may control one or more specialized “peripheral devices” (e.g., effects lights, back lights, bar code detectors, tampering sensors, position sensors, sound devices, electro-luminescent devices and stepper motors, etc. that perform specific functions of the slot reel peripheral).

Abstract: A gaming machine includes main and secondary displays. The secondary display is disposed apart from the primary display and is used for presenting primary, secondary, or even tertiary information. The main display is controlled electronically by a gaming machine controller, which main display presents the results of a play on the gaming machine. In the case of a slot machine, the main display may be the glass display through which the spinning reels of a game play are viewed. In a video poker gaming machine, the main display is usually a cathode ray tube (“CRT”) which displays a video game image to the player and other information directly associated with the game play. The secondary display may be provided at various locations on the gaming machine such as in a top glass portion of the gaming machine or a belly glass portion of the gaming machine, which belly glass portion is located below a main display portion of the gaming machine.