Abstract: A gaming system that provides game play in exchange for monetary input per game played is disclosed. The gaming system includes a game server and a plurality of game units connected to the game server via a network. In this gaming system, at least a portion of the network is a wireless network, and wherein the game system enables wireless real time gaming.

Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: A method for providing games over a wide area network is disclosed. The invention includes several methods for providing at least one game accessible over a wide area network by a plurality of users. One method comprises receiving a request from a user to play a game, the request comprising an identification of the user; verifying that the user is eligible to play the game; receiving a payment method from the user; and enabling the game responsive to completing the steps verifying that the user is eligible and receiving a payment method.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed herein that provides game play in exchange for monetary input per game played. The gaming system includes: a game server, a plurality of game units connected to the game server via a network, and a progressive controller. The progressive controller enables time based progressive gaming in which a progressive award is incremented by time unit. The progressive controller manages the progressive award that is incremented over time at intervals rather than being incremented by coin input. In one embodiment, the time intervals are random. In another embodiment, the incrementing intervals are calculated during the course of a game to produce a dynamic progressive increment rate. In still another embodiment, communication with the game server is only required once at a beginning of a game to downloading an incrementing rate and the progressive award.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a network gaming system is disclosed. The system comprises at least one database server accessible through a wide area network for storing account information for the users, the database server being configured for communicating with at least one game server supporting at least one game on a client, for providing at least a portion of the account information to the game server upon receiving a user identification from the game server, and for updating the account information by the at least one database server upon receiving an update from the game server either during or after completion of a game play by one the users.

Abstract: A method and interface for a network gaming system is disclosed. The invention includes a method for providing a game interface for a multi-player game accessible over a wide area network by a plurality of users. This method comprises transmitting an identification of a user over a wide area network to a database server; retrieving a number of units associated with the user from the database server; executing a game on a display; indicating on the display the number of units associated with the user; updating on the display the number of units granted to the user based on a game activity of the user; depicting a link on the display for allowing use of the units by the user; and deducting from the number of units the specified member of units responsive to the use of the units by the user.

Abstract: A method and interface for advertising in a software application accessible over a computer network by a plurality of users is disclosed. A software application is executed on a display interface for interaction by a user and an advertisement is provided for display to the user on the display interface during the interaction of the user with the software application, wherein a content of the advertisement corresponds to the interaction of the user with the display interface.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that provides game play in a tournament in exchange for monetary input per game played. The gaming system includes: a game server, a plurality of game units, and a tournament administration controller. Each game unit is a game of chance or other game that does not rely primarily on the skill of the player. The casino-based game units enable the play of linked wheel games. The tournament administration controller enables an operator to designate tournament characteristics.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize, in response to game play. The gaming system includes a game server and a plurality of game units connected to the game server over a network. In one aspect, the gaming system enables real-time game play on the game units via the network connection to the game server. The gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the game server to one or more gaming units. Notably, a game that is downloaded to a gaming unit is stored and executed locally by a processor of the gaming unit without requiring further interaction with the server to operate the game.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for implementing a user profile-driven gaming and prize redeeming system is disclosed. The user profile-driven gaming and prize redemption system allows for the tailoring of a user's experience of playing a computer implemented game on a network gaming system by first receiving an identifier selected from a group of identifiers including a user identifier relating to the user (i.e., player) of the network gaming system, a game identifier relating to a particular game played by the user of the network gaming system, and a site identifier relating to the location (i.e., web site) from which the game is being played. The network gaming system then alters the computer-implemented game played by the user in a manner based upon the selected identifier. The foregoing technique may also be applied to a prize redemption system.

Abstract: A gaming system that provides game play in exchange for monetary input per game played is disclosed. The gaming system includes a game server and a plurality of gaming units connected to the game server over a network. The game server stores one or more games in electronic form. The gaming units are at least partially connected to the game server using a wireless network. The gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the game server to one or more gaming units.

Abstract: A method for providing a network gaming system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a request at a server from a user for credits, wherein the credits are usable within the network gaming system; depositing the credits into an account of the user; receiving a second request for an object available within the network gaming system; and debiting the account of the user by an amount equal to a value assigned to the object.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture for implementing a user profile-driven gaming and prize redeeming system is disclosed. The user profile-driven gaming and prize redemption system allows for the tailoring of a user's experience of playing a computer implemented game on a network gaming system by first receiving an identifier selected from a group of identifiers including a user identifier relating to the user (i.e., player) of the network gaming system, a game identifier relating to a particular game played by the user of the network gaming system, and a site identifier relating to the location (i.e., web site) from which the game is being played. The network gaming system then alters the computer-implemented game played by the user in a manner based upon the selected identifier. The foregoing technique may also be applied to a prize redemption system.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed herein that provides game play in exchange for monetary input per game played. The gaming system includes: a game server, a plurality of game units connected to the game server via a network, and a progressive controller. The progressive controller enables time based progressive gaming in which a progressive award is incremented by time unit. The progressive controller manages the progressive award that is incremented over time at random intervals rather than being incremented by coin input.

Abstract: A method and interface for a network gaming system is disclosed. The invention includes a method for providing a game interface for a multi-player game accessible over a wide area network by a plurality of users. This method comprises transmitting an identification of a user over a wide area network to a database server; retrieving a number of units associated with the user from the database server; executing a game on a display; indicating on the display the number of units associated with the user; updating on the display the number of units granted to the user based on a game activity of the user; depicting a link on the display for allowing use of the units by the user; and deducting from the number of units the specified member of units responsive to the use of the units by the user.

Abstract: A method for providing games over a wide area network is disclosed. The invention includes several methods for providing at least one game accessible over a wide area network by a plurality of users. One method comprises receiving a request from a user to play a game, the request comprising an identification of the user; verifying that the user is eligible to play the game; receiving a payment method from the user; and enabling the game responsive to completing the steps verifying that the user is eligible and receiving a payment method.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that provides game play in a tournament in exchange for monetary input per game played. The gaming system includes: a game server, a plurality of game units, and a tournament administration controller. Each game unit is a game of chance or other game that does not rely primarily on the skill of the player. The casino-based game units enable the play of linked wheel games. The tournament administration controller enables an operator to designate tournament characteristics.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed herein that provides game play in exchange for monetary input per game played. The gaming system includes: a game server, a plurality of game units connected to the game server via a network, and a progressive controller. The progressive controller enables time based progressive gaming in which a progressive award is incremented by time unit. The progressive controller manages the progressive award that is incremented over time at random intervals rather than being incremented by coin input.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a network gaming system is disclosed. The system comprises at least one database server accessible through a wide area network for storing account information for the users, the database server being configured for communicating with at least one game server supporting at least one game on a client, for providing at least a portion of the account information to the game server upon receiving a user identification from the game server, and for updating the account information by the at least one database server upon receiving an update from the game server either during or after completion of a game play by one the users.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that provides game.pjay in a tournament in exchange for monetary input per game played. The gaming system includes: a game server, a plurality of game units, and a tournament administration controller. Each game unit including one or more display screens, a monetary input device, a player input device, and a processor that is implemented as part of a control system and connected to the game server via a casino gaming network. Each game unit is a game of chance or other game that does not rely primarily on the skill of the player. The casino-based game units enable the play of linked wheel games. The tournament administration controller enables an operator to designate tournament characteristics.