Abstract: An electronic gaming system includes a display screen and a controller. The controller is configured to permit display of: a numerical value of a persistence award and a numerical value of a player's progress toward the persistence award; a non-numerical value of the persistence award and a non-numerical value of the player's progress toward the persistence award; and no persistence award. The controller is configured to permit an operator to select whether the gaming system displays the numerical value of the persistence award and the numerical value of the player's progress toward the persistence award, and/or the non-numerical value of the persistence award and the non-numerical value of the player's progress toward the persistence award, or no persistence award. A method for providing operator control over the display of persistence game information on an electronic display screen of an electronic gaming machine is disclosed.

Abstract: A video game or other amusement/entertainment device has a card reader that can be used to establish game play credits. The reader can also be used as an input device to communicate control codes to the game or other amusement/entertainment device control unit. The control codes can direct the control unit to switch from a normal game play or other amusement/entertainment mode to at least one alternate mode for special promotions, tournaments or the like. Alternately, the control codes can cause the game or other amusement/entertainment machine to enter maintenance or administrative modes.