Abstract: A restricted-access progressive game is accessed only by a single player or a select group of players. The invention includes a method of operating a wagering game that comprises conducting the wagering game at a gaming terminal (10) that is capable of providing access to the restricted-access progressive game. The method further comprises determining, via a player-identification input, whether a player has access to the restricted-access progressive game, and activating the restricted-access progressive game in response to the determining step being positive. To conduct the method, a gaming terminal (10) comprises a player-identification device (24) providing information to the gaming terminal (10). The information is used for determining whether the player has access to the restricted-access progressive game. The gaming terminal (10) further comprises a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game and the outcome of the restricted-access progressive game.

Abstract: A gaming terminal comprises an input device for receiving a player card during a wagering game. The input device has a reading component(s) for reading at least two different media on the game card. The gaming terminal includes a display for displaying a randomly selected game outcome and information related to different functions associated with the two different media on the game card. A method of operating a wagering game comprises storing data in at least one database and receiving, at a gaming terminal, a player card from a player. The player card includes first and second distinct media. The first and second media provide information to the gaming terminal. The method includes performing a first function in response to comparing the information on the first media with the data, and performing a second function in response to comparing the information on the second media with the data.

Abstract: A gaming network includes a directory service, wagering game machines and service providers. The directory service receives requests for information from the wagering game machines and service providers on the gaming network and provides information relevant to the request to the requester. The directory service and service providers may be implemented as web services with a gaming services framework. The gaming services framework comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture that includes wagering game machines and servers. Systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon intemetworking technology and web services concepts.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a restricted-access progressive game comprises a database containing data, including a list of players having access to the restricted-access progressive game. The system includes a gaming terminal with a connection port for coupling the gaming terminal to the data-base. The gaming terminal has a player-identification device providing player information. The information is compared with data in the database to determine whether the restricted-access progressive game can be activated and game information displayed at the gaming terminal. A method of operating the progressive game comprises receiving a player-identification input at the gaming terminal and transmitting a player-identifier signal from the gaming terminal to a remotely located controller that determines accessibility to the progressive game.

Abstract: A method of operating a progressive wagering game comprises conducting multiple sessions of a wagering game at a gaming terminal by receiving wagers from first and second players and providing access to a restricted-access progressive game to only the first player. The progressive game has a progressive jackpot funded by a portion of the first player's wagers. Alternatively stated, the method includes denying access to the progressive game to the second player such that only the first player is eligible to win the jackpot. Further, the restricted-access progressive game may comprise conducting, at a gaming terminal, a first set of sessions of a wagering game with a first group of players, and a second set of sessions of a wagering game with a second group of players. A first progressive jackpot is eligible to only the first group, while a second progressive jackpot is eligible to only the second group.

Abstract: A gaming services framework comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture that includes gaming machines and servers. Systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon internetworking technology and web services concepts. One aspect of the systems and methods includes a progressive service that operates to publish service details, receive registration requests from gaming machines and other clients, and provides progressive gaming services to the gaming machines and other clients.

Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allowing a player to be eligible for a progressive jackpot having an actual value. The method comprises conducting the wagering game that has a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes, and displaying a displayed value of the progressive jackpot to the player. The method further includes increasing the displayed value by increments of a first denomination, and awarding a player an award value of the progressive jackpot in response to the player achieving the progressive jackpot. The award value is greater than the displayed value and is equally divisible by a second denomination that is larger than the first denomination. Other methods are provided for creating an escrow pool for funding the difference between the displayed and award values, and also for awarding multiple jackpots from a plurality of progressive jackpots.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to wagering games and, more particularly, to a gaming network linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming network has a plurality of servers dedicated to providing a shared game to a plurality of gaming terminals. The shared game may be either competitive or collaborative between players and may be a combination of both competitive and collaborative game play. The dedicated game servers are connected to a core support network that has commonly used computer resources. The communication link between the gaming terminals and servers are supported by a communication server with message directing software that allows events that occur at individual gaming terminals to be broadcast to all other gaming terminals and servers associated with that shared gaming events.

Abstract: A gaming machine network includes a plurality of gaming machines and a central controller. Each gaming machine further includes an associated peripheral device electronically coupled to the gaming machine. The peripheral device includes an audio speaker system broadcasting an audio output to a player of the gaming machine. The central controller is electronically coupled to each of the plurality of gaming machines and sends audio instructions for controlling the audio outputs from the audio speaker systems within the peripheral devices. Alternatively, or in addition to the aforementioned operation, the central controller may receive audio instructions from the peripheral device associated with one of the gaming machines and the central controller further transmits the audio instructions to selected other ones of the plurality of gaming machines. The peripheral device may be, for example, a top box for the gaming machine or a contoured chair for the gaming machine.

Abstract: A message director service for a gaming network including gaming machines provides systems and methods for processing messages between entities on the gaming network. The gaming services framework comprises a set of services, protocols, XML schemas, and methods for providing gaming system functionality in a distributed, network based architecture that includes gaming machines and servers. The systems and methods provide a service-oriented framework for gaming and property management based upon internetworking technology and web services concepts.