U.S. patent application number 12/695023 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-27 for gaming methods with lottery ticket prize component.
This patent application is currently assigned to BALLY GAMING, INC.. Invention is credited to Robert A. Luciano, JR., Loren T. Nelson.
Application Number | 20100130284 12/695023 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46330082 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100130284 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Luciano, JR.; Robert A. ; et
al. |
May 27, 2010 |
GAMING METHODS WITH LOTTERY TICKET PRIZE COMPONENT
Abstract
A method of increasing player interest in gaming machines is
disclosed by the use of lottery tickets as prizes. Lottery ticket
purchasing pools are funded from either coin-in (wagers), coin-out
(winnings), or in networked gaming systems from player tracking
funding (promotional funding). The lottery ticket funding pools
build value to a predetermined level, and then individual game
machine printers are issued instructions to print lottery tickets
(or vouchers redeemable for lottery tickets) to players. This
enables an alternative to traditional progressives while providing
similar player interest and excitement while using fewer casino
resources than traditional progressives.
Inventors: |
Luciano, JR.; Robert A.;
(Las Vegas, NV) ; Nelson; Loren T.; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEPTOE & JOHNSON, LLP
2121 AVENUE OF THE STARS, SUITE 2800
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
US
|
Assignee: |
BALLY GAMING, INC.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
46330082 |
Appl. No.: |
12/695023 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12021200 |
Jan 28, 2008 |
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12695023 |
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10794430 |
Mar 5, 2004 |
7278068 |
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12021200 |
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10701166 |
Oct 31, 2003 |
7322885 |
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10794430 |
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60423105 |
Nov 1, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 ;
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3248 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/3258 20130101; G06F 11/0793
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 ;
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for increasing a player's interest while playing a
gaming machine, the method comprising: providing play of a base
game displayed on a screen of the gaming machine; detecting a
cash-out event on the gaming machine; presenting an option on a
screen of the gaming machine to participate in an event separate
from the base game in response to the cash-out event being
detected; providing the separate event to the player in response to
the player's option selection; and generating a cash-out event for
any credits remaining on the gaming machine after funding the
separate event.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the separate event is a lottery
ticket.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the option to
participate in the separate event in a pop-up window on the screen
of the gaming machine.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the option to
participate in the separate event using audio output.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the player's
option selection through the use of buttons associated with the
gaming machine.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the player's
option selection through the use of a touchscreen associated with
the gaming machine.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the separate event to
the player includes dispensing the separate event from a printer
associated with the gaming machine.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an
additional display that is separate and distinct from the game
display, wherein a lottery ticket may be selected by a player on
the additional display and stored in a player account or printed
out by a printer.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a default
lottery that enables issuing a ticket in response to a time-out by
a player.
10. A method for increasing a player's interest while playing a
gaming machine, the method comprising: allowing play of a base game
displayed on a screen of the gaming machine; detecting a cash-out
event on the gaming machine; inquiring if the player wants to
purchase an event separate from the base game in response to the
cash-out event being detected; receiving instructions from the
player in response to the inquiry to purchase the separate event;
and providing the separate event to the player in response to the
player's instruction.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising funding the purchase
of the separate event with credits accumulated on the gaming
machine.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a
cash-out event for any credits remaining on the gaming machine
after funding the separate event.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the separate event is a lottery
ticket.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein inquiring if the player wants
to purchase the separate event in a pop-up window on the screen of
the gaming machine.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein inquiring if the player wants
to purchase the separate event using audio output.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving instructions from the
player through the use of buttons associated with the gaming
machine.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving instructions from the
player through the use of a touchscreen associated with the gaming
machine.
18. The method of claim 10, wherein providing the separate event to
the player includes dispensing the separate event from a printer
associated with the gaming machine.
19. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing an
additional display that is separate and distinct from the game
display, wherein a lottery ticket may be selected by a player on
the additional display and stored in a player account or printed
out by a printer.
20. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a default
lottery that enables issuing a ticket in response to a time-out by
a player.
21. A method for allowing players to purchase an event separate
from a base game displayed on a screen of the gaming machine, the
method comprising: detecting a cash-out event on the gaming
machine; presenting an option on a screen of the gaming machine to
purchase the separate event in response to the cash-out event being
detected; providing the separate event to the player in response to
the player's option selection; funding the separate event with
credits accumulated on the gaming device; and generating a cash-out
event for any credits remaining on the gaming machine after funding
the separate event.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the separate event is a lottery
ticket.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein presenting the option to
purchase the separate event in a pop-up window on the screen of the
gaming machine.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein presenting the option to
purchase the separate event using audio output.
25. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving the
player's option selection through the use of buttons associated
with the gaming machine.
26. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving the
player's option selection through the use of a touchscreen
associated with the gaming machine.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein providing the separate event to
the player includes dispensing the separate event from a printer
associated with the gaming machine.
28. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing an
additional display that is separate and distinct from the game
display, wherein a lottery ticket may be selected by a player on
the additional display and stored in a player account or printed
out by a printer.
29. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing a default
lottery that enables issuing a ticket in response to a time-out by
a player.
30. A method of providing lottery tickets as a bonus to players of
electronic-wagering gaming machines, said method comprising:
accruing wagered funds to a promotional lottery ticket prize pool
based upon wagering from player in a group of gaming machines;
providing play of a base game displayed on a screen of the gaming
machine; and initiating a bonus award to one or more gaming devices
once the pool reaches a predetermined value, wherein the bonus
award is an entry into a lottery.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the entry into a lottery
comprises issuing a lottery ticket or lottery ticket voucher from
gaming machine printer.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein the lottery is run by state or
government owned entity.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein a random number generator is
used to determine the winning machine.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein the bonus award is only
available at a subset of the group of gaming machines.
35. The method of claim 30, wherein the predetermined value of the
pool that initiates the bonus award is determined by a random
number generator.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the predetermined value of the
pool that initiates the bonus award equates to a specific number of
lottery tickets that are awarded to the player.
37. The method of claim 30, wherein a networked gaming system
includes a data communications network operatively coupled to a
plurality of game devices and a player tracking server, each of the
plurality of game devices including a printer adapted for printing
a lottery ticket.
38. The method of claim 30, wherein a lottery manager maintains one
or more lottery pools and determines the issuances of lottery
tickets by way of the printers.
39. The method of claim 30, wherein a player chooses from which
lottery a ticket will be issued.
40. The method of claim 30, wherein an IP-based, server-controlled
printer is associated with a gaming machine identifier in a server,
enabling system-based printing to an IP-based, server-controlled
printer in a gaming machine.
41. The method of claim 30, further comprising providing an
additional display that is separate and distinct from the game
display, wherein a lottery ticket may be selected by a player on
the additional display and stored in a player account or printed
out by a printer.
42. The method of claim 30, further comprising providing a default
lottery that enables issuing a ticket in response to a time-out by
a player.
43. A method for providing dual port printing to provide printed
tickets to players of gaming machines, the method comprising:
providing one or more gaming machines connected via a network,
wherein the gaming machines enable play of a base game displayed on
a display screen of each gaming machine; providing a printer that
may be locally-controlled and server-controlled; accruing wagered
funds to a prize pool based upon wagering from players of the
gaming machines, wherein the prize pool is managed by a server
connected to the gaming machines via the network, wherein the
server initiates a bonus award to a printer at one or more of the
gaming machines; receiving input from a locally controlled input
device connected to the printer, wherein the input device
communicates with the game, and wherein the game communicates with
the printer; and printing a ticket in response to receiving
local-originating input or server-originating input.
44. A method for providing an opportunity for players of gaming
machines to win lottery tickets, the method comprising: providing
one or more gaming machines connected via a network, wherein the
gaming machines enable play of a base game; and accruing wagered
funds to a prize pool based upon wagering from players of the
gaming machines, wherein the prize pool is managed by a server
connected to the gaming machines via the network, and wherein a
winning event on a gaming machine initiates the award of at least
one lottery ticket funded from the lottery ticket prize pool.
45. A method for offering an opportunity to make a purchase while
cashing out a ticket from a gaming machine at a kiosk, the method
comprising: providing at least one display screen, wherein the
display screen presents information to a user in response to a user
inserting cash or a voucher at a kiosk; detecting a cash-out event
on the kiosk using a cash-out manager; offering the user an
opportunity to purchase a lottery ticket in response to a cash-out
event being detected; and generating a cash-out event for any
credits remaining on the kiosk after funding the purchase using a
cash-out dispenser system, wherein the cash-out dispenser system is
operatively associated with the kiosk.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/021,200 filed on Jan. 28, 2008, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,430 filed
Mar. 5, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,068, issued on Oct. 2, 2007,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/701,166 filed on Oct. 31, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,885,
issued on Jan. 29, 2008, which claims priority from provisional
application 60/423,105, filed on Nov. 1, 2002. The above referenced
applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entireties for all purposes. This application is also related to
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/694,999 concurrently
filed on Jan. 27, 2010, entitled GAMING SYSTEMS WITH LOTTERY TICKET
PRIZE COMPONENT, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD
[0003] This invention pertains generally to gaming systems. More
particularly, the present invention relates to gaming systems for
providing bonus lottery gaming chances as a winning event in games
of chance, thereby increasing player interest.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Game play in standard casino style games is centered around
the insertion and usage of coins, paper money, or in some cases
vouchers, which gives the player on the machine a certain number of
game credits. Game credits usually correspond to one pull of a
lever, a push of a game play button to initiate one game play, or
one play of the cards (depending on the game being played). Players
play the game and either win or lose that game. This is called the
primary game.
[0005] In order to enhance player interest and participation in the
primary game, gaming manufacturers have added two kinds of
additional game play to the primary game. The first kind of
additional play is called a bonus game play, where a secondary game
is played by a player upon the occurrence of certain events (sets
of gaming symbols or outcomes) in the primary game. "Wheel Of
Fortune".RTM. gaming machines by IGT.RTM. are a typical example.
Upon a certain winning sequence of symbols occurring in the primary
game, the player is sent to the bonus game, where a wheel spins.
The wheel stops on a number that acts as a multiplier for the
amount won in the primary game, awarding the player extra credits.
A significant limitation to player interest in games having a
secondary game or bonus game is their limited additional win
amounts. Only relatively small adders are available to be won in
single machine bonus games.
[0006] The second type of extra or bonus winnings comes from
"progressive bonuses" or simply "progressives." This was designed
to overcome the small payout associated with the bonus or secondary
games discussed above. Progressive bonus play differs from prior
bonus play in that multiple machines contribute to a common pool,
winnable by a player of an individual machine upon the occurrence
of specified randomized events. Progressives are funded by taking a
fixed portion (percentage) of each wager made by players at
individual machines, where the fixed portion of the wagers are
collected into a single pool or pot to be won by a single player.
Because a large number of machines are contributing to this common
pool (amount of money collected), it is significantly larger than
that available on a single machine. It is the larger pools that
create the additional player interest and excitement; however there
is a corresponding smaller amount of likelihood an individual will
be the winner of the larger pool.
[0007] There is a need to increase player interest and
participation in primary games through the use of incentives that
pay larger amounts than the single-gaming machine secondary games,
but are perceived by the players as having a higher likelihood of
winning as compared to the large, but very infrequently won,
progressive pools.
SUMMARY
[0008] Disclosed is a new and novel system and method for using
lottery tickets as prizes with games of chance. The games of chance
are traditional, Nevada-style games (typically slot machines,
either mechanical or video), games of chance in central
determination jurisdictions such as those used in Amerindian
casinos in Washington State, and games of chance conforming to
Class II requirements as defined in IGRA, 25 USC Section 2701 et
seq. The lottery tickets being used as prizes correspond to entries
into lotteries of any type. The lotteries may be external to the
casino (this is particularly attractive to smaller casinos who do
not have the volume or resources to have traditional progressives),
and are expected to be state-run, state-sponsored, or
state-sanctioned lotteries. The lottery may also be a private
lottery, run by a casino (would typically be a larger casino) or
other private entity or consortium.
[0009] Whatever lottery is being used as the source of the tickets
(may also be more than one lottery simultaneously), the present
invention enables gaming machines or a gaming system controlling
printers in the gaming machine or otherwise physically accessible
by players to issue lottery tickets for the chosen lotteries or
lottery. This is in addition to any other winnings and prizes
already available being issued to players, creating extra interest
and excitement.
[0010] There are several preferred embodiments for paying for the
lottery tickets issued as prizes to players. One is a percentage of
coin-in (wagered amounts), another is coin-out (winnings), and a
third is from promotional funds (those funds typically used by
casinos for player rewards such as diners, hotel rooms, etc.). The
present invention is not limited to those aforementioned funding
sources. Any funding method may be used that enables a casino to
purchase lottery tickets for a lottery and make the tickets
available to players. Further, if the lottery is an internal,
private lottery the funding may be unrelated to player input at
all; the casino may simply issue a predetermined number of tickets
or issue tickets over a predetermined amount of time upon the
occurrence of specified game or player events, and then hold the
drawing for the lottery. Note that the funding source for the
tickets themselves is not the same as the funding for the lottery.
The funding of the lottery is a completely separate issue from the
issue of funding the purchase of lottery tickets, as described
herein.
[0011] The lottery ticket prizes are issued directly by a game (a
game of chance), if the game has lottery tickets in its paytables.
If the game does not have lottery tickets in its paytables (the
more common situation, and which will be the situation when
retrofitting the present invention in existing casino
infrastructures), then there will be a software package called a
lottery ticket prize manager or lottery manager that will keep
basic accounting (the amount of credits or prizes in the lottery
ticket purchasing pool) and will issue tickets. The lottery manager
may reside in an individual gaming machine, another type of game
device such as a redemption kiosk, a game controller (controls a
bank of gaming machines, typically eight machines but is very
variable), or on a back-end system to which individual gaming
machines, or banks of machines, are networked. The methods used to
determine when and where to dispense lottery tickets are discussed
more fully below.
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a networked
gaming system includes a data communications network operatively
coupled to a plurality of game devices and a player tracking
server, each of the plurality of game devices including a printer
adapted for printing a lottery ticket. In accordance with one
embodiment, a lottery manager maintains one or more lottery pools
and determines the issuances of lottery tickets by way of the
printers. In accordance with another embodiment, a player chooses
from which lottery a ticket will be issued. In accordance with
another embodiment, the lottery manager is contained within a
standalone non-networked gaming device.
[0013] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example, the
features of the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an exemplar paytable according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a central determination gaming
system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of lottery ticket sales enabled at
cash/voucher kiosks and during cash-out at gaming machines in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gaming machine configured to
issue lottery tickets as game prizes in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a gaming system in accordance
with the one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a gaming system in offering a
player a plurality of lotteries from which to be awarded lottery
tickets, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the
following description of the present invention is illustrative only
and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention
will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the
benefit of this disclosure.
[0021] Referring to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the
present invention is shown embodied in FIGS. 1 through 6. It will
be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration and
as to details, implementation, and functionality of the parts, and
that the method may vary as to details, partitioning, and the order
of the acts, without departing from the inventive concepts
disclosed herein.
[0022] The present invention provides a method for making use of
both in-house and external lotteries by issuing tickets to the
lotteries as prizes for certain events while playing traditional
games of chance. External lotteries are typically run by the local
or state government but may be any lottery, public or private. The
present invention further provides for the issuance of lottery
tickets during player use of cash-in/cash-out machines or when
players use vouchers or cash-out slips during game play or for game
wins (cash-out slips are prominent in smaller casinos but are
uncommon in larger casinos; voucher use occurs in both small and
large casinos).
[0023] A distinct advantage of the present invention is that it
creates an easy, automated way for players to participate in the
additional excitement of lottery drawings as a result of playing
traditional games of chance, while requiring no or minimal
investment on the part of the casinos. This allows casinos using
the present invention to present players with a competing product
to progressives, or can be used as an addition to traditional
progressives. Smaller casinos may compete, using the present
invention, with casinos that have the internal resources to create
large progressives, while requiring a minimal investment of a
smaller casino.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment a traditional, Nevada-style gaming machine
includes, in its paytable, winning events that result in the
issuance of a lottery ticket as a prize. This can be characterized
as "built into" the game; that is, the issuance of lottery tickets
is part of the paytable of the game itself Later embodiments
illustrate methods of using lottery tickets as prizes that are not
part of the actual game's paytables, being usable with any game
without modifying it. Returning to the embodiment of issuing
lottery tickets as prizes built into the game, table 1B shows the
payouts as seen by a player, usually on the game glass. In addition
to issuing coins or credits, the reels have symbols, as shown in
this example called "Tix", which will result in the issuance to the
player of one or more lottery tickets rather than credits. Note
that the player may be issued lottery tickets directly (for
in-house lotteries and external lotteries enabling an electronic
connection to the casino), or may be issued a voucher, a token, or
a special cash-out ticket redeemable for a lottery ticket at a
cashier's station (in cases where an electronic link is prohibited
or unavailable). Table 1A shows the complete payout tables for a
machine according to the present invention. Note that this is a per
unit paytable, and the tickets are valued at one credit. Clearly,
this will be used in cases where the lottery that supplies the
source of tickets has a ticket purchasable for an equivalent sum.
Paytable amounts and lottery ticket prices must be convertible
between themselves. These are not necessarily identical. In a
preferred embodiment, the lottery tickets' retail value or purchase
price would be equal to, or an even multiple of, the credit or
wagering amount of the gaming machine being played. This is an
exemplar paytable. Any game of chance can be used with the present
invention by providing certain events that result in lottery
tickets being issued instead of credit or monetary payouts.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a central determination
gaming system configured for use with the present invention. A
central determination system refers to a system using a fixed
(pre-determined) result for game play results. A fixed pool or
predetermined outcome game is one in which a specified amount of
money or number of prizes (the prizes having calculable monetary
equivalents) are distributed into a set of individually-purchasable
and winnable units, some of which will be prizes and some of which
will be no-wins (zero-value game result units). Each individual
unit has a known cost, including the purchasable units having no
prize. Thus, the total amount of prizes, the prize distribution
(i.e., the number of prizes at each level), and the total return to
the casino if all individually purchasable units are sold are known
at the game's outset. Alternatively, the prize may be predetermined
using a random event on a central server upon each game play
request coming from an individual game machine.
[0026] The individually purchasable units are typically generated
and distributed as tickets. The two most common forms of tickets
are pull tab tickets, called pulltabs, and scratch-off tickets,
called scratchers. This also applies to traditional lotteries.
Returning to pull tab tickets, they are typically constructed from
paper of various thickness, having two layers. The first layer has
some type of indication of the purchaser's winnings, if any, and
the second layer covers the first. The second layer is typically
glued to the first layer around three edges, covering the results.
The fourth edge typically has a small tab, allowing the purchaser
to grab hold of it. The tab, upon being pulled, pulls the layers
apart and reveals the purchaser's winnings, if any. Scratchers use
an opaque material that covers portions of the ticket, where the
covered portions have the predetermined results on them. The
purchaser scrapes off the opaque material, revealing any
winnings.
[0027] When done in an electronic form, this is referred to as a
central determination game because there is a central electronic
pool (or a centrally generated outcome) from which game results are
selected (or generated) as sent to each game for each game play.
This is different than Nevada-style games, where each game play
result is determined by the game machine. A player puts credits or
money into a machine, shown in FIG. 2 as gaming machines 204a
through 204x. Each machine is connected via a network 202 to a
backend server 200 having a prize pool (or prize generator) 206
therein. A game play result (including empty or zero value results)
is randomly generated/selected and sent to the game, which displays
the result in various ways. The game machines, individually, do not
generate any game results; they display what they are sent by the
backend server.
[0028] Class II games are also included in the types of games
usable with the present invention. Some class II games are
configured similar to the Nevada-style games (standalone) described
earlier; and some are configured similar to, or the same as, the
central determination games just described. The present invention
is usable with both types.
[0029] Exemplar pool 206 shows individual prize pool elements 208
and 210 (as exemplar elements). Element 210 stands for a standard
monetary prize. Prize pool element 208 illustrates an element
according to the present invention; it equates to the player at a
participating game machine being awarded a lottery ticket rather
than credits (monetary prizes). Note that the lottery ticket itself
is preferably printed at the game machine and issued directly to
the player; if for some reason there is no electronic connection
between the lottery body (state run lottery or private lottery),
and then a voucher which a player can redeem for a lottery ticket
is issued. A further embodiment issues a player's vouchers
redeemable for lottery tickets at a later time, enabling the player
to choose when to enter the lottery (i.e., they can wait until the
lottery pool is large, for example, and then use the voucher to get
a ticket for the large drawing rather than a previous smaller one).
If prizes are generated using a random number generator, then there
will be a mapping of specified events that corresponds to the
issuance of lottery tickets.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates methods of enabling players to purchase
lottery tickets at other points in the playing process. This
embodiment is very flexible, being usable with or without the game
being played having lottery tickets in its paytables. Box 300
corresponds to a player playing a gaming machine (Nevada-style or
central determination). Continuing into box 302, the actions
carried out are those associated with a player indicating they want
to cash-out of the machine currently in use. Continuing into box
304, the machine responds by inquiring if the player wants to use
some or all of their credits to purchase lottery tickets. The
player can be made aware of his choice by text means on a screen,
including a pop-up bubble having a textual inquiry therein, or
using audio output in the form of an inquiry to the player, and the
like. The player will use either buttons or a touchscreen to
indicate how many tickets he would like. Continuing into box 306,
the game machine will then issue lottery tickets and credits, as
desired by the player.
[0031] Box 308 corresponds with a player converting cash to
vouchers (for cashless or bill-less gaming) or a voucher back to
cash. Although geared towards an automated kiosk, the process
applies to manned stations as well. A player presents either cash
or vouchers to an exchange kiosk. Upon receiving the player's cash
or the player's voucher, box 308 is left for box 310 which
corresponds to the kiosk indicating to the player (through the use
of text and/or icons on a display or audio messages, or if manned
being asked by the attendant) if they wish to have lottery tickets
as well as the cash/voucher to be issued. The player indicates,
typically through a touchscreen, the number of lottery tickets he
wants in addition to the changed cash/vouchers. This can be any
number from zero to the purchasing equivalent of the amount to be
exchanged. Continuing into box 312, the actions taken correspond to
those where the kiosk will issue a specified number of lottery
tickets (or, an appropriately valued single ticket) to the player,
and in addition will provide any remainder in the form of cash or a
voucher (whichever the player prefers or is not what was
inserted).
[0032] Continuing on to FIG. 4, illustrated in block form is a game
device 400, video or slot view area 402, a typical SMIB (Slot
Machine Interface Board) 408, a serial-protocol-based
communications means used over an electronic connection 418 to RGC
420, play buttons 404, an input button 406 to a locally-controlled
printer 410, a server-controlled printer 412 (as will be clear to a
person having skill in the art, printer 410 and 412 may be the same
physical printer, and button 406 has functionality that may be
embodied in any number of fashions such as a touch-screen), and a
local lottery ticket pool manager 416. Lottery ticket pool manager
416 is software operably disposed within the game as an addition to
the other software found in a typical gaming machine, all of which
runs on the game machine hardware having at least one programmable
processor and associated memory.
[0033] Reader 410 is shown connected to RGC 420 via an electronic
connection 414. In one preferred embodiment, this will be an
Ethernet connection and will interface to RGC 420 via RGC 420's
Ethernet port (be on the same Ethernet network 422 as the rest of
the backend machines) rather than using the typical serial protocol
interface currently found on SMIBs. It is anticipated that in the
near future, RGCs such as RGC 420 will no longer be used, in which
case printer 410 and game machine 400 would both be connected via
Ethernet (or any other operable communications means) directly to a
backend server or computer.
[0034] Note that any type of game machine 400 communications
devices, now known or not known, are operable with the present
invention (as are any type of future gaming machines). Thus, the
present invention, shown embodied in gaming machines and associated
communications devices currently deployed in use, is also
completely operable and usable with future gaming machines, gaming
system architectures, and communications technologies as each of
those areas continue to evolve.
[0035] Also shown in FIG. 4 is a local lottery ticket prize pool
manager 416 (or more simply called a lottery manager). A lottery
manager may reside in several places, depending on the chosen
implementation and the target market, including the game machine
itself, an RGC or floor controller (lottery manager 418), or a
backend system (not shown, but connected via network connect 422).
There is also a case where a separate lottery manager does not
exist, that being when the game itself has entries in its paytables
for lottery tickets. In that case, the game will trigger the
issuance of lottery tickets as part of the payout to the player,
and the accounting needed to pay for the lottery tickets by the
casino will be part of the accounting information for the game as a
whole. If the game itself does not issue lottery tickets as part of
the payout embedded within it (in the paytable), a lottery manager
will be used.
[0036] Example determinants on where to place the lottery manager
include retrofitting existing casinos with minimal expense, putting
new machines into an existing casino with or without networking
capabilities, building a casino from the ground up which allows
easy installation of an up-to-date communications infrastructure,
and, which type of lottery pool is desired. Lottery pools may
operate at the individual gaming machine level therefore being on a
per machine basis (416), a pool that operates for a bank of gaming
machines (418), a casino-wide pool, or a possible combination of
these. Note that this pool is used to pay for the lottery tickets
and is NOT the lottery itself, that is, it is not the lottery's
payment pool or the lottery amount.
[0037] A lottery manager will have some similar functions
regardless of where it is located (an individual gaming machine, an
RGC, or on a backend system), as well as differences. The common
functions include keeping a total credit amount (equivalent to a
dollar amount) and triggering the printing of a lottery ticket.
Upon triggering a ticket issuance event, the lottery manager will
debit the current pool the amount needed for the casino to pay for
the ticket.
[0038] For the purposes of this disclosure, "printing a lottery
ticket" includes printing, on-demand, an actual lottery ticket but
further includes printing a voucher, issuing any other physical
media, or crediting a virtual redemption ticket or token, where a
player can then trade-in or exchange the token, virtual ticket,
etc., for a lottery entry where a "lottery entry" includes any form
of entry accepted by a lottery. Lottery entries are typically
tickets, such as those used by state-run or state-sponsored
lotteries. However, it includes any type of method usable for
participating in a lottery, such as the storing of a number for a
lottery drawing in a database associated with a player, issuing
tokens with numbers on them, etc.
[0039] In its most basic form, the lottery manager needs to do
little more than already described. The lottery manager progresses
in complexity from there. If implemented in an RGC, the lottery
manager must keep track of the total contribution to the pool from
a bank of machines and keep track of lottery ticket issuance events
for the bank of machines. The same additional functionality is
required for a casino-wide lottery manager.
[0040] Pool funding may be accomplished in several ways. If the
game issues lottery tickets directly (the lottery tickets are in
the paytable), funding is accounted for in the same way it is for
the game in general, using money wagered. If there is a local
lottery manager (on the game machine), then the methods used to
build the pool to purchase lottery tickets are preferably a
percentage of coin-in (wagered amount), accounted for separately
from the game winnings paid out by the game paytables, or may be a
percentage of winnings, credited to the pool before the remaining
portion of the winnings are awarded to the player. The method used
by the lottery manager to issue tickets can vary from simple to
complex. The simplest method is to issue a lottery ticket each time
(i) the pool builds to the point of having enough value to purchase
a lottery ticket, and (ii) there is a winning event on the game of
any magnitude. This will appear to the player to be an "extra" or
bonus win on top of the regular win. An alternative embodiment,
preferably used when the pool is built up using coin-in or wagered
amount, is to issue a ticket as soon as there is enough value in
the pool, regardless of the player just having a winning event in
the game on the game machine being played. The ticket would be
issued upon completion of the next play after reaching the needed
value. This would appear to the player as a surprise bonus "win,"
being generated separately from the game wins.
[0041] In another embodiment, rather than issuing a single ticket
the pool is built in value until there is enough value for several
tickets. The lottery manager can then issue several tickets at a
time. A preferred embodiment would use a random number generator
output to determine how large to build the pool, within a
reasonable range (i.e., the purchasing equivalent of 1 to 10
lottery tickets). As soon as that limit was reached, the lottery
manager would then issue the tickets creating additional interest
and excitement in players. Upon issuance, another random number
between 1 and the maximum number would be generated, and the pool
built until it reached that number. That number of lottery tickets
would then be generated when a player next played the game and
issued at the end of the game play. Other variations of pool
building and ticket issuance will come to the mind of a person
skilled in the art and having the benefit of the present
disclosure.
[0042] Similar methods may be used by lottery managers when used
for a bank of gaming machines. The added benefit is that whatever
lottery pool funding method is used, the pool will build more
quickly than on a single machine which will enable tickets to be
issued more often (when viewed as an entire bank). In its simplest
form, the lottery manager will keep track of the funding
contributed by each machine and issue tickets from the same machine
as soon as the pool builds enough value. Alternatively, the funding
may all go to a common pool for the bank, and the lottery manager
may issue tickets as soon as the pool has enough value, based on
the next active game machine, the next winning event on any gaming
machine in the bank, or the use of the results of a random number
generator to pick a machine that will have a lottery ticket (or
tickets, as per the above description) issued to its player.
[0043] If the lottery manager is on a backend system, all the
methods previously described may be used, only spread over the
entire casino (e.g., all those gaming machines operably in
communications with the backend system). In addition to the options
already described, this location enables a further preferred
embodiment. The lottery ticket pool may now be funded using a new
source; the same funding as player tracking and reward systems use.
The pool may also be funded using a combination of sources, if that
were deemed preferable by the casino. The issuing of tickets may be
implemented, at the preference of the casino, in similar ways to
that described above. The game machine selection would be made from
all the connected machines, rather than just one bank. In a
further, preferred embodiment, the lottery manager would pick sets
of gaming machines (for example, to encourage game play on new or
underutilized game machines) and use the contributions from all the
gaming machines and/or the player tracking (promotional) source,
and then issue lottery tickets to players at the selected subset of
machines. This would significantly increase the issuance of tickets
on those machines, enough to be quite noticeable to players. In a
larger casino this could result in the issuance of a lottery ticket
for each game play on the selected machines, resulting in a real
feeling of winning for the players.
[0044] Turning now to FIG. 5, shown is an example of a gaming
system having the placement of the lottery managers in several
places or subsystems, that suits particular gaming machines (or
gaming devices: "GD" in FIG. 5). The subsystems are shown as 506,
508, and 510. FIG. 5 illustrates that a wide variety of systems and
subsystems may be utilized with the present invention. Subsystems
include those that are both connected and unconnected.
[0045] Subsystems 506 and 508 are each operatively coupled for
communication to a monitoring or traditional player tracking
machine 502 via a data communications network 504.
[0046] Subsystem 506 comprises a plurality of game devices coupled
to a remote game controller (RGC) 512, which could have a lottery
manager thereon. RGC 512 is coupled to communication network 504
for communication with backend machines 500 and 502, as well as any
other machines that can be addressed directly on the communications
network. Subsystem 506 includes individual game devices 514a-514x,
where there can be any number of individual gaming devices between
514d and 514x. If there are too many for one RGC to support, then
there will be more RGCs and each bank of gaming machines will
connect to one RGC.
[0047] Subsystem 506 also shows that each game device 514n has a
box labeled as "P" standing for "printer," where the box comprises
a printer as described in FIG. 4. The printers are connected
directly to the communications network 504.
[0048] Subsystem 508 is similar to subsystem 506, but shows an
installation where the game devices 520a-520x do not use an RGC,
but connect directly to backbone network 504 (in a preferred
embodiment, using Ethernet). In this configuration, the
functionality described as implemented in the RGC would instead be
implemented (in software) within either the player tracking machine
502 or the progressive server 500. Because each machine in
subsystem 508 is connected directly to the backbone network, the
printers shown do not have a separate connection illustrated. In a
preferred embodiment, each printer would use an Ethernet connection
into the rest of the network and may also be controlled by sending
printer control data and messages to the game machine software, if
the game machine software is configured to pass the information
through to the printer. Also illustrated are the printer's use with
table games ("TG"), service stations ("SS,") defined as any machine
that allows a player to swap between vouchers and cash, and a prize
station ("PS,") any device where a player may insert a voucher to
token to get an actual lottery ticket.
[0049] Subsystem 510, unlike subsystems 506 and 508, is not coupled
to communication network 504. Each gaming device will be configured
as a standalone device, having a lottery manager therein or having
lottery tickets in the game's paytable. Shown are gaming devices
524a to 524x, a prize station 526, and a service station 528.
[0050] Subsystem 506 is expected to be a typical installation.
Lottery managers may exist in all three locations at the same time,
but the preferred embodiment is to have either a lottery manager in
progressive server 500 or player tracking server 502.
[0051] RGC 512 (corresponding to RGC 420 in FIG. 4) is configured
during system initialization to properly correlate each printer (if
controllable separately from the gaming machine) with a particular
gaming device ("game device") which includes, but is not limited
to, a game, prize station, service station, player self-service
station, attendant service station, or table game station. This
association will be permanent until the system is reconfigured by
authorized personnel. In one preferred embodiment, this association
is managed by a software component residing in the RGC. Thus, all
the ticket or voucher data being sent to a printer will also be
known by its associated game device.
[0052] FIG. 6 shows the use of a plurality of external lotteries in
accordance with the present invention. One embodiment will have a
sign exemplified by block 600 which shows a plurality of currently
running lotteries and their present values. This sign will
preferably be visible to all or most players, or will be replicated
in various visible places in a casino. It will be driven through
the casino's backbone network 604, usually using a backend system
602 that receives the data from an outside source 608. The lottery
manager, running on system 602 and connected to gaming devices
shown generally as devices 606a-606x, will receive the player input
as to which lottery the player wants a ticket for from the device.
The device will require player input before printing (and will
typically have a default lottery from which to issue a ticket in
case of a time-out by a player), and is expected to be in the form
of a small touchscreen separate from the main screen on the gaming
device. If the device is a kiosk or similar device, rather than a
game, then the player input device is expected to be the main
screen which is also a touchscreen. The player will be shown a set
of buttons corresponding to the plurality of lotteries, and the
lottery manager will instruct the game device (or the printer
directly, depending on the type of connectivity) which lottery
ticket to print.
[0053] An important property of the present invention is that the
disclosed system may be inexpensively integrated into an existing
casino's infrastructure, rather than requiring the implementation
of an entire replacement system. In addition, there may be a
gradual replacement of existing systems, depending on the needs of
the casino. It is important to realize that a casino has the option
of using the present invention in any part or portion of the
casino--it does not need to be used everywhere to be effective. For
example, a casino may decide to implement the present invention in
areas designated as low-traffic to increase play in that area.
Alternatively, a casino may decide to implement the present
invention in a high traffic area and additionally implement the
system in certain areas (or on certain banks of game machines) in
the standard or lower-traffic areas of the casinos, allowing pool
funding from the higher traffic areas to find tickets in the lower
traffic areas.
* * * * *