Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines or devices. The gaming machines include an interactive game and a wager triggering event. Upon the occurrence of the wager triggering event during play of the interactive game, the gaming machine causes the placement of a wager component and randomly determines a wagering outcome. Upon completion of the interactive game, the gaming machine provides the player with an interactive game outcome and provides the player with any awards based on any determined wagering outcomes. The players are ranked in the interactive game. Upon a triggering event, the gaming system provides one or more ranked players of the interactive game an award from funds derived from a marketing or advertising account.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided in which multiple gaming machines are linked. Each of the machines plays its game and generates at least one outcome. The top or best outcome of each machine is submitted, e.g., to a comparator or server computer for ranking. An award is provided for a certain percentage such as one-half of the highest ranked outcomes. The award is made available to the gaming machine, but a player must be wagering on the associated outcome producing event (such as the payline) to receive the award. For example, if a player plays only payline one of a multi-line slot machine and payline five of that machine generates the highest ranked result of all linked gaming machines, the award is made available to the gaming machine, but the player does not receive the award. In an embodiment, each linked gaming machine participates in play (all paylines) regardless of whether a player is playing that gaming machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing free-play credits in a video poker game are disclosed. The methods and apparatus enable a video poker player to play a plurality of poker hands. The poker game awards free-play credits for lower ranking hands (e.g., below a threshold such as a straight) and monetary credits for higher ranking hands (e.g., at or above a threshold such as a straight). Free-play credits have a lower value than monetary credits. As a result of this lower value, awarding free-play credits instead of monetary credits creates a surplus of money that can be used to further reward the player without changing the overall payback percentage of the poker game. The surplus can be used to increase the payback of the higher ranking hands (e.g., increase the jackpot associated with a royal flush) and/or as a bonus award for frequent players (e.g., award one bonus free-play credit for every twentieth free-play credit earned).

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for displaying filtered casino-related information on a mobile device. In one implementation aspects of the inventions may be embodied in a mobile device which includes at least one interface operable to provide a wireless communication link to other network device in a casino data network. According to various embodiments, casino information relating to various casino activities may be acquired by the mobile device and/or other devices in the casino network. Geolocation information relating to a current location of the mobile device may also be acquired. A first set of filter parameters may be identified and/or generated for use in generating filtered casino information. Filtered casino information may be generated by applying the first set of filter parameters and geolocation information to the acquired casino information. At least a portion of the filtered information may be displayed to a user via a display at the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for metering accounting activities on gaming machines are disclosed. Remote metering can be had for a gaming machine having a master gaming controller, an external cabinet housing a display device and one or more acceptors, dedicated meters, and communication paths between the master gaming controller and display device, and between meters and acceptors. Dedicated meters are located outside and remote from the external cabinet, and are adapted to track continuously at least one item of accounting information associated with the gaming machine. Such meters can be recognized by a gaming regulator as the official meters for the gaming machine, and can be located at a central location in close proximity to other dedicated meters associated with other gaming machines. Such meters can be individual discrete physical devices secured along dedicated communication lines, or can be electronic meters residing on a single server.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for customizing a game application for play of a game of chance on a gaming machine. A plurality of attributes are provided. The attributes include at least one attribute relating to gaming behavior of associated individuals. Values of selected attributes associated with ones of a set of individuals are compared with values of the selected attributes associated with others of the individuals. This comparison is performed to determine at least one attribute difference representing a difference among the values of the attributes. A subset of the set of individuals is defined. Each of the individuals in the subset has the one attribute difference in common. Player identification information is received for the player. Responsive to receiving the player identification information, player attributes for the player are retrieved. Based on the retrieved player attributes for the player, it is determined whether the player belongs to the subset of individuals.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine may securely communicate with devices over a public network such as the Internet. The gaming machine utilizes a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption that allows a single gaming machine to securely communicate with a remote server using a public network. The secure communication methods may be used to transfer gaming software and gaming information between two gaming devices, such as between a game server and a gaming machine. For regulatory and tracking purposes, the transfer of gaming software between the two gaming devices may be authorized and monitored by a software authorization agent.

Abstract: In a first step (S1), a prospective gaming patron preferably enrolls to establish entitlement to participate in a gaming event. This step includes the patron providing a variety of information, including identification information. Preferably, this information is of a nature which permits the gaming event provider to verify the patron's identity. For example, the patron may provide a state drivers license, a federal Social Security number or card, birth certificate, passport or the like for the purpose of ensuring that the individual who is enrolling is the person they purport to be. In a step (S2), a file is created regarding the patron. Generally, this file will only be created in the event the patron is determined to meet the requirements for participating in a gaming event. In a step (S3), the player establishes communication with the game server. In a step (S4), the user transmits authentication information to the game server.