Abstract: A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.

Abstract: A system and method include determining a recipient of an offer; and for determining an offer which includes an activity and a benefit. The system and method further include transmitting, to a representative, instructions to provide the offer to the recipient. The system and method further include determining whether the recipient has performed the activity, and if so providing the benefit to the recipient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided for use by a first container that is adapted to store a first medicine. The method includes storing information regarding the first medicine and wirelessly communicating a signal between the first container and a second container adapted to store a second medicine. In a second embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining if a first container for storing a first medicine is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with a second container for storing a second medicine. The method further includes generating data based at least in part on whether the first container is positioned so as to wirelessly communicate with the second container.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment, the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.

Abstract: A keno game is tied to video content such that events in the video content determine the outcome of the keno game. The outcome determinative events are selected from a set of potential outcome determinative events and marked with cues when the video content is displayed to the keno players and other video content watchers. The cues may be audible or visual and accentuate the fact that an outcome determinative event has occurred. If the player's wager has enough of the outcome determinative events selected relative to the actual outcome determinative events, the player may receive a benefit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided wherein an indication of a plurality of product categories is received, each product category being associated with a plurality of products. For example, the indication of the plurality of product categories may be received from a buyer. Buyer offer information, including an indication of an offer amount associated with the plurality of product categories, is also received. A subset of the plurality of products is selected for each of the product categories, and an indication of the selected products is provided. The buyer's offer may then be evaluated. If the buyer's offer is accepted, the selected products may be provided to the buyer in exchange for payment of the offer amount.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.

Abstract: A billing statement according to one aspect of the invention includes a description of a transaction and an offer pointer associated with the transaction, wherein the offer pointer includes information that may be used to review an offer. In one example of this aspect, the offer pointer is a telephone number printed adjacent to a description of a transaction on a credit card billing statement. The telephone number accesses a voice response system presenting conditional branches through which a consumer can navigate to review an offer. In another example, a hyperlink is positioned adjacent to a total amount owed listed on an electronically-displayed billing statement. The hyperlink may be selected to access a website presenting offers for review by the consumer. The offers reviewed in each of these examples may be customized based on details of the transaction such as the product purchased or the amount of the purchase, the identity of the consumer, and/or on other data.

Abstract: A billing statement according to one aspect of the invention includes a description of a transaction and an offer pointer associated with the transaction, wherein the offer pointer includes information that may be used to review an offer. In one example of this aspect, the offer pointer is a telephone number printed adjacent to a description of a transaction on a credit card billing statement. The telephone number accesses a voice response system presenting conditional branches through which a consumer can navigate to review an offer. In another example, a hyperlink is positioned adjacent to a total amount owed listed on an electronically-displayed billing statement. The hyperlink may be selected to access a website presenting offers for review by the consumer. The offers reviewed in each of these examples may be customized based on details of the transaction such as the product purchased or the amount of the purchase, the identity of the consumer, and/or on other data.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A gaming device such as a slot machine may be operated in an automated play mode in which the need for player input is reduced or eliminated. Game play cycles may be continuously performed in the automated play mode without player input. One or more parameters for controlling the automated play mode may be determined based on player input and/or data or a program stored in the gaming device and/or data or a program stored in a controller in communication with the gaming device. Termination of the automated play mode may result from player input and/or may be determined on the basis of a parameter that may be determined on the basis of player input or may be determined automatically by the gaming device or by a controller in communication with the gaming device.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A gaming device such as a slot machine may be operated in an automated play mode in which the need for player input is reduced or eliminated. Game play cycles may be continuously performed in the automated play mode without player input. One or more parameters for controlling the automated play mode may be determined based on player input and/or data or a program stored in the gaming device and/or data or a program stored in a controller in communication with the gaming device. Termination of the automated play mode may result from player input and/or may be determined on the basis of a parameter that may be determined on the basis of player input or may be determined automatically by the gaming device or by a controller in communication with the gaming device.

Abstract: A gaming establishment may determine the existence of problem gamblers within its halls by monitoring player behavior with one or more sensors from an array of sensors. The player's behavior is then compared to normal behavior and/or problem gambling behavior to determine if the player is potentially a problem gambler. Behavior patterns that may be tracked are player movement, player betting patterns, facial expressions, physical clues, nonverbal clues, and the like.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.