U.S. patent application number 12/589319 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for wagering game using purchase change.
Invention is credited to Tony Gumina, Mickey Roemer.
Application Number | 20100120520 12/589319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42165737 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100120520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roemer; Mickey ; et
al. |
May 13, 2010 |
Wagering game using purchase change
Abstract
A gaming machine is associated with a point of sale device. A
party engages in a purchase transaction, such as the purchase of
goods or services from a merchant. The transaction is processed via
the point of same device. Upon rendering payment, if the party is
entitled to monetary change, the amount of the change may be
transferred to the gaming machine. That transferred change is
accepted as a wager at the gaming machine, which presents a
wagering game offering a chance for winnings. Winnings may be paid
via the point of sale device, such as in the form of money from a
cash register.
Inventors: |
Roemer; Mickey; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Gumina; Tony; (Rocky River, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEIDE & MILLER, LTD.
7251 W. LAKE MEAD BLVD., SUITE 530
LAS VEGAS
NV
89128
US
|
Family ID: |
42165737 |
Appl. No.: |
12/589319 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61196895 |
Oct 20, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 ;
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 5/24 20130101; G07F
17/3248 20130101; G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 ;
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming system comprising: a point of sale device configured to
process payment between a purchaser and a merchant; a wagering
gaming device, said gaming device configured to present at least
one wagering game, said game having one or more outcomes which are
designated as winning outcomes having associated awards; and at
least one communication link via which information regarding change
owed from the merchant to the purchaser from payment rendered at
said point of sale device is transmitted to said wagering gaming
device for use as a wager at same wagering gaming device.
2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said point of said device
comprises a cash register.
3. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said change owed is the
fractional portion of $1.00 in currency.
4. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said wagering gaming device
is configured to transmit monetary award information to said point
of sale device via said at least one communication link for payment
to said purchaser in the event said at least one wagering game
results in a winning outcome.
5. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising at least one
gaming server, said server configured to perform one or more of
player tracking, accounting, bonusing and promotion functions.
6. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said wagering gaming device
is configured to present a game selected from the group consisting
of: video poker, lottery, keno, bingo, mechanical slots or video
slots.
7. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising at least one
merchant server, said point of sale device coupled to said at least
one merchant server and wherein said at least one communication
link is between said wagering gaming device and said at least one
merchant server.
8. A method of presenting a wagering game comprising the steps of:
entering into a purchase transaction with a customer; accepting
tender of payment from said customer via a point of sale terminal;
transmitting information regarding an amount of change due said
customer from said point of sale terminal to a gaming device;
presenting at least one game utilizing said change due as a wager
at said gaming device; and determining an outcome of said at least
one game and determining any amounts won.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said amount of change due is the
fractional portion of $1.00 in currency.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of
transmitting award information from said gaming device back to said
point of sale terminal for issuance of said award to said
customer.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of
determining an amount of change due said customer, paying said
customer amounts due in whole values of $1.00 and transmitting
information regarding amounts due in fractional portions of $1.00
to said gaming device.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein one or more outcomes of said game
are designated winning outcomes and further comprising the step of
awarding winnings if said outcome is determined to be a winning
outcome.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein said point of sale terminal
comprises a cash-register.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein said gaming machine comprises a
slot machine configured to present a slot game.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/196,895, filed Oct. 20, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to gaming machines, and
particularly to a wager based gaming machine which utilizes funds
from an independent transaction as the source of a wager.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gaming continues to grow in popularity and is no longer
limited to traditional casinos. For example, gaming machines can be
found at racetracks, taverns and even grocery and convenience
stores. Still, there are various aspects of gaming that some
players find inconvenient or unfriendly. Gaming machine
manufacturers and operators continue to seek to solve these issues.
For example, traditional gaming machines awarded their payouts in
the form of coins. Players had to lug coins from the machine to a
casino cage for redemption to currency, or had to lug coins from
one machine to another when they desired to switch games. As a
result, most gaming machines now offer a player the opportunity to
cash out or be awarded winnings via a printed ticket having
associated value. Nonetheless, there still remains the need for
improvements to make gaming machine more accessible and player
friendly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is a gaming machine, gaming system and method
of presenting and playing a game. In one embodiment, a gaming
machine is associated with a point of sale device. The gaming
machine is configured to receive as a wager the change owed from a
purchase processed via the point of sale device.
[0005] In one embodiment, a gaming machine is linked to a point of
sale device. The point of sale device might comprise, for example,
a cash register. A purchase transaction, such as the purchase of
goods or services from a merchant, may be processed via the point
of sale device. Upon tender of payment, it is determined if the
customer is entitled to any monetary change. If so, the customer
may be provided the opportunity to wager the change, or a portion
thereof. The amount of the monetary change may be transmitted to
the gaming machine, which accepts the change as a wager. The gaming
machine may present one or more wagering games having outcomes that
have associated winnings. In the event of a winning, monetary
awards may be paid via the point of sale device. In one embodiment,
the gaming machine transmits winnings information back to the point
of sale device for payment.
[0006] In one embodiment, the value of the change that may be
wagered is the fractional portion of $1.00 (i.e. $0.01 to $0.99).
Various winnings may be paid, and the size of the winnings and/or
probability of winning may change depending upon the size of the
wager.
[0007] In accordance with the invention, a customer who engages in
a monetary transaction, such as a purchase transaction with a
merchant, is afforded the opportunity to engage in a wagering game
with the change left over from that transaction. The invention thus
offers a player a convenient opportunity for wagering and the
opportunity to wager funds that the player may have otherwise had
little value for.
[0008] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed
description which follows, when considered with the figures
provided herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a system of the present invention, the
system comprising one or more gaming machines and associated
devices linked to one or more point of purchase devices, such as a
cash register and an associated server; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the
present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in
the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these
specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not
been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
[0012] In general, the invention comprises a method of presenting a
wager game using as the wager therefore the monetary change
associated with a purchase transaction. The method also comprises a
gaming system including one or more point of sale devices, such as
a cash register.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a gaming machine or
device 100. Preferably, as detailed below, the gaming machine 100
is a wager-based gaming machine configured to present one or more
games to a player which offer the possibility of an award of
winnings.
[0014] In one embodiment, the gaming machine 100 defines a
generally enclosed interior space for housing one or more
components. As illustrated, the gaming machine 100 generally
comprises a housing or cabinet 102 for supporting and/or enclosing
various components required for operation of the gaming machine. In
the embodiment illustrated, the housing 102 includes a door located
at a front thereof, the door capable of being moved between an open
position which allows access to the interior, and a closed position
in which access to the interior is generally prevented. The
configuration of the gaming machine 100 may vary. In the embodiment
illustrated, the gaming machine 100 has an "upright" configuration.
However, the gaming machine 100 could have other configurations,
shapes or dimensions (such as being of a "slant"-type or other
configuration as is well known to those of skill in the art).
[0015] The gaming machine 100 preferably includes at least one
display device 104 configured to display game information. The
display device 104 may be a mechanical, electro-mechanical or
electronic display, such as one or more rotating reels, a video
display or the like. When the display device 104 is an electronic
video display, it may comprise a cathode ray tube (CRT), high
resolution flat panel liquid crystal display (LCD), projection LCD,
plasma display, field emission display, digital micro-mirror
display (DMD), digital light processing display (DLP), LCD
touchscreen, a light emitting display (LED) or other suitable
displays now known or later developed, in a variety of resolutions,
sizes and formats (e.g. 4:3, widescreen or the like). The display
104 may be capable of projecting or displaying a wide variety of
information, including images, symbols and other indicia or
information associated with game play, game promotion or other
events.
[0016] The gaming machine 100 may be configured to present a wide
variety of games. These may include games in Class III, such as
video poker games, slot-type games, and blackjack or other card,
dice or various other games now known or later developed, as well
as games in Class II, including central determinant games such a
video lottery, bingo and bingo-based games, and other games now
known or later developed. The games may also be skill based or
include one or more skill components. In one embodiment, certain
game outcomes may be designated as winning outcomes. Awards may be
provided for winning outcomes, such as monetary payments (or
representations thereof, such as award of credits), prizes or the
like. As is well known in the art, the number of winning outcomes
may vary dependent upon the desired payout or winning percentage
offered to the players as compared to wagers that are retained by
the gaming establishment.
[0017] The gaming machine 100 may include one or more player input
devices 108 (such as input buttons, a touch-screen display,
joystick, touch-pad or the like) that may be utilized by the player
to facilitate game play. As detailed below, the gaming machine 100
is configured to present one or more wagering games, wherein a
wager is provided to the machine in order to establish entitlement
to play the game. In a preferred embodiment, as detailed below,
wager information is transmitted to the gaming machine from a point
of sale device. However, the gaming machine 100 might additionally
include a coin accepting mechanism 112 for accepting coins and/or a
currency or bill acceptor 114 for accepting cash or paper currency.
It is also contemplated that other mechanisms may be provided for
accepting a wager, such as credit card, ticket readers or input
devices whereby a player may have funds paid from a remote
account.
[0018] In one preferred embodiment, the gaming machine 100 includes
a microprocessor or controller (not shown) for controlling the
gaming machine, including receiving player input and sending output
signals for controlling the various components of the machine 100
(such as generating game information for display by the display
104). The controller may be arranged to send signals for
determining winning combinations and to cause a display to display
winning amount information. In addition, the controller is
preferably arranged to determine if a round of game play has
resulted in a win, and if so, the amount to be paid to the player
for that win.
[0019] In operation, the player may initiate game play by placing a
wager. As detailed below, such a wager may be transmitted to the
gaming machine 100 from an associated point of sale device. In one
embodiment, the gaming machine 100 may present a game automatically
upon receiving a wager, or might do so only after a player provides
input, such as to a "start" button or the like.
[0020] The gaming machine 100 may include a means for paying a
player any winnings accumulated during game play. As detailed
below, in a preferred embodiment, winnings may be paid via a
secondary device, such as an associated point of sale terminal.
However, the gaming machine 100 may itself be configured to
dispense winnings or accrued or stored credits. For example, a
"cash out" button may be provided for permitting a player to be
paid the winnings or redeeming any credits initially paid into the
gaming machine 100. The term "cash out" is used herein to define an
event initiated by the player wherein the player receives a number
of coins or currency that is equivalent to the value of the
player's accrued credit base. Typically when a player cashes out,
the player receives either a paper currency voucher or currency in
the form of a coin disbursement. If the player decides to receive a
coin disbursement, the gaming machine 100 may activate a coin
hopper or coin handling device (not shown) which physically counts
and delivers the proper number of coins to the player. The coin
handling device is commonly configured to transport coins from a
supply source (hopper or bin filled with coins) to a coin tray 124
or payout receptacle where the player physically receives the
coins. The player might also elect to cash out by having a ticket
or other media dispensed, such as via a printer 114.
[0021] The gaming machine 100 may be configured as a stand-alone
device or be in communication with one or more external devices at
one or more times. For example, the gaming machine 100 may be
configured as a server based device and obtain game code or game
outcome information from a remote server. The gaming machine 100
may also communicate with one or more gaming servers 200. These one
or more gaming servers may be configured to perform accounting,
player tracking, bonusing, game generation, promotions or other
functions. Though not illustrated in FIG. 1, there may be multiple
gaming machines 100 which are in communication with the one or more
gaming servers 200.
[0022] In accordance with the invention, a gaming machine is
configured to receive a wager in the form of change resulting from
a purchase transaction. For example, a party may engage in a
purchase transaction with a merchant at a grocery store. The party
tenders payment for the purchase and it is determined if any
monetary change is due. Some or all of any monetary change which is
due may be utilized as a wager at the gaming machine. In a
preferred configuration, the monetary change which is used as the
wager is automatically transferred to the gaming machine.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system of the
invention and of an environment of a method of the invention. As
illustrated therein, the gaming machine 100 is associated with a
point of sale device or terminal 300. The point of sale device 300
preferably comprises a cash register. However, the point of sale
device 300 may comprise other devices. Preferably, the point of
sale device 300 is configured to generate or display an amount due
for a purchase and facilitate payment of the amount due for the
purchase. For example, when the point of sale device 300 is a cash
register, the cash register may be configured to calculate and
display an amount due for the purchase of goods or services.
Further, the cash register is configured as a medium for accepting
payment for the amount due, such as by accepting entry of a payment
amount and currency and/or coins provided to make that payment.
[0024] In one embodiment, the point of sale device 300 may be
associated with a merchant server 400, such as via one or more
communication links 402. The merchant server 400 may be configured
to provide information to the point of sale device 300, perform
accounting functions and the like. For example, as is known in the
art of merchant sales processing, goods which a party wishes to
purchase may be identified at the point of sale device 300. For
example, a good may have an identifier such as a barcode associated
therewith. This information may be routed to the merchant server
400 which identifies the good and the current price thereof, and
transmits the price back to the point of sale device 300. The point
of sale device 300 may utilize the individual pricing information
for the goods to calculate a total price for a transaction. In
addition, the point of sale device 300 may transmit information
regarding the identity of goods purchased, the amount of a purchase
transaction, and payment information to the merchant server
400.
[0025] Preferably, the gaming machine 100 is in communication with
the point of sale device 300 and/or the merchant server 400 via one
or more communication links 404. Preferably, the one or more
communication links 404 permit the gaming machine 100 to receive
information regarding monetary change from a purchase transaction
at the point of sale device 300. As detailed below, in that the
gaming machine 100 is configured to present a wagering game to a
party who engaged in a purchase transaction, the gaming machine 100
is preferably located in the vicinity of the point of sale terminal
300. For example, relative to a grocery store, the gaming machine
100 may be located at the check-out isle very close to the point of
sale device 300. In this regard, due to space or other constraints,
the gaming machine 100 need not be of the particular configuration
illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the gaming machine 100 could be
built into a check-out counter or the like. One advantage of having
the gaming machine 100 close to the check-out isle or a similar
high traffic area is that the display thereof can be configured to
display promotional, advertising or similar information when the
gaming machine is not presenting a game.
[0026] It will be appreciated that the various communication links
described herein may be wired and/or wireless. Further, the links
may utilize various communication protocols.
[0027] A method of the invention will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In a first step S1, a party engages in
a purchase transaction. Such a transaction may occur with a
merchant. Such a merchant may offer various goods or services and
might comprise, for example, a convenience store operator, a
grocer, or the like. As indicated above, as part of the
transaction, the merchant may calculate an amount owing for the
transaction.
[0028] In a step S2 the party tenders payment. As is known in the
art, the merchant might accept payment in various forms. For
example, the merchant might accept a credit or debit card, money in
the form of currency or coins, or other manners of payment. In a
step S3 it is determined if any change (i.e. a sum of money
comprising the difference between the amount tendered by the party
as payment and the amount owing; i.e. an "overpayment") is due. In
some cases, there may be no change due. For example, if a party
pays by a credit card or tendered the exact amount of money owing
for the transaction, then no change is due to the party from the
merchant.
[0029] However, in the event change is due, then in a step S4 the
party may be given the choice to wager the change. If the party
elects to wager the change that it owed to them, then in a step S5,
the change is transferred to the gaming device. In a preferred
embodiment, the player is permitted to wager only the amount of
change due less than $1.00, i.e. amounts in hundredths of a dollar
(pennies). For example, a party may purchase a gallon of milk for
$3.64 and tender payment in the amount of $5.00. In that event,
change is due back to the party in the amount of $1.36. In a
preferred embodiment, the merchant returns $1.00 to the party and
permits the party to wager the remaining amount due, $0.36. In a
preferred embodiment, the player is permitted to wager all of the
change due or none of the change due, but not partial amounts due
(for example, if the player is owed change in the amount of $0.68,
the player can't wager $0.50 of that amount).
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, if the player elects to place the
wager, the amount of change is transferred to or indicated to the
gaming machine. Referring to FIG. 1, for example, the operator of
the point of sale device 300 may provide input which causes
information regarding the amount of change due to be transferred
via the communication link 404 from the point of sale device 300 or
merchant server 400 to the gaming machine 100. For example, the
point of sale device 300 might send a signal to the gaming machine
100 that $0.64 is being transferred as a wager. Of course, in such
event, the point of sale device 300 or merchant server 400 may
track that wagering event in order to maintain a balance of amounts
owed and paid for the transactions processed thereby.
[0031] In a step S6, if a wager is placed using the change which is
owed, then the gaming machine is configured to present a game. The
particular game which is presented may vary, and may or may not
include player input. For example, the game might be a video or
reel slot-type game, a video poker game, a keno, bingo or other
game.
[0032] Preferably, the game has one or more outcomes which are
designated winning outcomes. An award may be awarded for each
winning outcome. In one embodiment, the awards may be monetary (or
equivalents/representations thereof). However, the awards might be
goods, services, discounts or the like. In one embodiment, the
awards might be in increments of $1.00, such as awards of $1.00,
$2.00, $3.00, $4.00, $5.00, $10.00, $20.00, $40.00, $100.00 and
$1000.00. The awards might also comprise goods, such as $5.00 worth
of gasoline, a credit such as a $5.00 store credit, or a discount
such as $5.00 off a $15.00 purchase.
[0033] If the outcome of the game is determined to be a winning
outcome, the award may be paid to the player via the point of sale
device, as in a step S7. For example, referring to FIG. 1, if the
outcome of the game is a winning outcome having an associated award
of $5.00, the gaming machine may send a signal to the point of sale
device 300 of the winning outcome and the amount owed. The operator
of the point of sale device 300 may then pay the player $5.00 in
currency.
[0034] Various additional aspects of the invention will now be
described. As indicated above, in one embodiment a player is
permitted to wager their change in the fractional amounts less than
$1.00 (i.e. amounts of $0.01, from $0.01 to $0.99). In order to
facilitate wagers of differing amounts, the gaming machine may be
configured with multiple pay tables or a dynamic pay table. For
example, the gaming machine may be configured to present a game of
video poker where different pay tables having one or more of
differing winning outcomes and/or differing awards may be provided.
In another embodiment, the paytable may remain static, providing
the same winning outcomes and the same awards, regardless of the
amount wagered. For example, the gaming machine may be configured
to present a slot-type gaming having 99 paylines. For each wager
increment of $0.01, an additional payline may be activated. In this
configuration, as the amount of the wager goes up, the odds of
receiving at least one winning combination increases (in some
configurations, the gaming machine may be configured so that
multiple winning combinations can be received, such as along
differing paylines, whereby multiple awards may be won).
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the player plays the game at the
time of the purchase, and the game outcome is determined at that
time. However, it is also possible for the game outcome to be
determined at a later time. For example, the player elect to wager
their change upon a keno or lottery type game where the results are
determined at predetermined times or intervals. In that instance,
the gaming machine might be configured to generate and dispense a
game ticket or receipt which the player can redeem at a later
time.
[0036] As indicated, when the game outcome is determined at the
time of the purchase transaction, the player might be paid their
winnings at that time. For example, the operator of the point of
sale device might pay the player their winnings in paper currency.
Alternatively, however, the player might be awarded their winnings
in the form of a ticket or other media which bears the game result
or amount won. Such a ticket might be redeemed for money, or be
utilized in other transactions, such as being accepted at another
gaming machine, a vending device or the like. In one embodiment,
the point of sale device of the merchant might be configured to
accept such tickets or media. For example, a player might win
$100.00 and be vended a ticket. The player might give that ticket
to the merchant the next time they are engaged in a transaction,
thus using the ticket as payment for goods or services. In
addition, the winnings might be transferred to a secondary system
for payment, such as a cashier station, ticket or voucher issuing
station (the winnings could be, for example, issued in the form of
a check or credit that is mailed to the player). Depending on the
type of award, the award might be transferred to another device.
For example, if the award is for free gasoline, the amount of free
gas might be credit to a gasoline pump. Awards might also be credit
to a player's credit card or a rewards card.
[0037] It will be appreciated that the various transactions may be
tracked via the various components of the system, such as the
merchant server 400 of the merchant's processing system and the
accounting server 200 of a game system. In this manner, amounts of
change that are wagered, amounts won, awards paid and the like may
be tracked through the various devices for reconciliation.
[0038] In one embodiment, one or more awards may be "progressive"
in nature. Such an award may grow over time, such as depending upon
the amounts of wagers placed or the number of games played. The
progressive award or jackpot may be won by receiving one or more
particular winning combinations. Such a jackpot may be associated
with multiple gaming machines in order to grow quickly to large
values.
[0039] In one embodiment, the amounts wagered might be donated to
charity. In such a configuration, awards might be donated or might
comprise promotional prizes.
[0040] As indicated, various prizes might comprise goods, services,
discounts or other "non-monetary awards". Such awards might be
awarded for particular outcomes of the game. In addition, the game
might offer a bonus spin or bonus game in which non-winning players
are offered a chance for a consolation prize. Such a prize might
comprise one of the non-monetary awards.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1 and as indicated above, the gaming
machine 100 may be linked to a server 200 which performs player
tracking functions. A player's play may be tracked (a player may be
required to identify themselves, such as via a player tracking
card, merchant card or the like). The player may then be awarded
bonuses such as free play, a second chance drawing or lottery
chance or the like. Use of such a card could eliminate the need to
issue a ticket to track wagers and game participation. In
particular, such "card" data could be tracked to monitor the
player's activities. Such tracking may be used by the merchant to
target specific offers to the player.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the amount that may be wagered is
the fractional portion of a whole value of currency, such as the
fractional portion of $1.00 (such a currency could be US dollars,
British Pounds, etc.). However, other amounts might be wagered (for
example, larger amounts including multiples of a denomination, such
as $1.00 or more), and/or the player might be permitted to
supplement their wager (such as by inserting additional coins to
the machine in order to increase the amount of their wager, or if
paying by a credit card, the player might add an amount of a wager
to their transaction and increase the amount of the charge on their
credit card).
[0043] The invention has numerous advantages. First, players are
afforded a convenient opportunity to play a wagering game. In
particular, players are afforded the opportunity to play when they
are already engaged in a transaction, at the same place and time as
that transaction. This eliminates the need for the player to travel
to another location to play a wagering game. Moreover,
inconveniences associated with placing a wager are entirely
eliminated. Currently a player locates a gaming machine and then
must access funds to place a wager, such as by locating change. In
accordance with the invention, a player can place a wager as part
of another transaction. Because the party was already engaged in
the purchase transaction, the transfer of the change to the machine
as a wager thus adds no additional steps or work to the party in
order to play the game.
[0044] The invention also adds instantaneous excitement to a
purchase event. For example, a party may not be particularly
excited about running to the store to purchase milk late in the
evening. However, to parties that enjoy gaming, the opportunity to
play a game as part of that purchase event greatly enhances the
purchasing event. For merchants, this may also increase sales. In
particular, parties that often made one or two trips for items
might make additional trips in order to gain additional changes to
wager their change. Also, parties are enticed to pay cash, since
they can then wager their change. This is beneficial to a merchant
(since credit card processors generally charge merchants a
processing fee on transactions paid for by credit cards). In
addition, the game offers a player the opportunity for game play
for a very low wager amount, simply comprising the loose change
that the player would have received back from their purchase. In
this manner, the player uses funds that they likely did not value
very much, and yet are permitted to engage in an exciting activity
for the chance at much larger winnings.
[0045] It will be understood that the above described arrangements
of apparatus and the method there from are merely illustrative of
applications of the principles of this invention and many other
embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
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