Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game is provided which includes a plurality of gaming machines (10a-1Of) configured to play a wagering game and to participate in a community-event. A movable member (99) is disposed substantially adjacent to the plurality of gaming machines and is configured to move relative to the plurality of gaining machines from a first position to a second position during a community-event (S500) in response to a single triggering event (S505).

Abstract: A method and system of operating a wagering game having simulated mechanical reels includes receiving a wager to play the wagering game. A first set of video images are displayed on a curved surface approximately a radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The first set of video images simulates movement of a first set of reel symbols. In response to a triggering event, a second set of video images are displayed on the curved surface. The second set of video images simulate a transitioning from the first set of reel symbols to a second set of reel symbols.

Abstract: A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media.

Abstract: This description describes wagering game systems that include docking stations. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a presentation unit configured to present a wagering game and a docking controller configured to detect when the apparatus is docked with a docking station and to detect when the apparatus is undocked from the docking station. The apparatus can also include a docking port, the docking port including at least one of a dock power unit configured to receive power via the docking station and a dock communication unit configured to receive wagering game content associated with the wagering game, the dock communication unit configured to receive the wagering game content when the apparatus is docked with the docking station. The apparatus can also include a wireless communication unit configured to receive the wagering game content when the docking controller when the apparatus is undocked from the docking station.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes a method of conducting a wagering game. The method includes identifying a player as a member of certain group, and offering the player options related to the wagering game. The options are unavailable to players who are not members of the certain group.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: A method of exchanging assets within a wagering establishment computer-based marketplace layer including the acts of accessing a wagering establishment marketplace layer using a peripheral device, offering a first asset for exchange in the wagering establishment marketplace layer to all participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer. The method also includes the acts of receiving an offer to exchange a second asset for the first asset from an anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, accepting the offer to exchange the second asset for the first asset from the anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, and transferring the first asset in exchange for the second asset.

Abstract: This description describes wagering game systems that include docking stations. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a presentation unit configured to present a wagering game and a docking controller configured to detect when the apparatus is docked with a docking station and to detect when the apparatus is undocked from the docking station. The apparatus can also include a docking port, the docking port including at least one of a dock power unit configured to receive power via the docking station and a dock communication unit configured to receive wagering game content associated with the wagering game, the dock communication unit configured to receive the wagering game content when the apparatus is docked with the docking station. The apparatus can also include a wireless communication unit configured to receive the wagering game content when the docking controller when the apparatus is undocked from the docking station.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.

Abstract: This description describes wagering game systems that include docking stations. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a presentation unit configured to present a wagering game and a docking controller configured to detect when the apparatus is docked with a docking station and to detect when the apparatus is undocked from the docking station. The apparatus can also include a docking port, the docking port including at least one of a dock power unit configured to receive power via the docking station and a dock communication unit configured to receive wagering game content associated with the wagering game, the dock communication unit configured to receive the wagering game content when the apparatus is docked with the docking station. The apparatus can also include a wireless communication unit configured to receive the wagering game content when the docking controller when the apparatus is undocked from the docking station.

Abstract: This description describes wagering game systems that include docking stations. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a presentation unit configured to present a wagering game and a docking controller configured to detect when the apparatus is docked with a docking station and to detect when the apparatus is undocked from the docking station. The apparatus can also include a docking port, the docking port including at least one of a dock power unit configured to receive power via the docking station and a dock communication unit configured to receive wagering game content associated with the wagering game, the dock communication unit configured to receive the wagering game content when the apparatus is docked with the docking station. The apparatus can also include a wireless communication unit configured to receive the wagering game content when the docking controller when the apparatus is undocked from the docking station.

Abstract: A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.