Wagering game with virtual reward

• US 20070093299A1
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Spielo International Canada ULC (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Spielo International Canada ULC (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Napolitano, Thomas, Bergeron, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/521,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20070093299A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

A system and method for conducting a wagering game in accordance to a set of pre-determined game rules is disclosed. The system may include a host and a gaming terminal in communication with the host. The system may also include a game piece provided to a player, the game piece including game play data. A virtual reward redemption code may be included on the game piece. A virtual reward may be awarded to a player after submission of the virtual reward redemption code if game play data indicates the game piece is a winner in accordance to the set of pre-determined game rules.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a wagering game, comprising:

providing a game piece to a player, the game piece including game play data and a virtual reward redemption code;

redeeming the game piece for a monetary prize, the value of the monetary prize depending on the game play data;

submitting the virtual reward redemption code to a host;

using the virtual reward redemption code to determine if the player is a winner of a virtual reward; and

if the player is a winner of the virtual reward, providing the virtual reward as a prize to the player.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the virtual reward is a virtual object used in a video game.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein the virtual reward is an opportunity to participate in a virtual event.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein the virtual reward is an opportunity to modify an avatar.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein the virtual reward is a chance to win a reward.

6. A method of claim 1, wherein the virtual reward depends on the game play data.

7. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

reading a prize table to determine the virtual prize to be awarded.

8. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

redeeming the game piece for a second prize depending on a game play data included on the game piece, the second prize being a monetary award.

9. A method of claim 1, wherein the virtual reward code is submitted to the host over the Internet.

10. A method of claim 2, wherein the video game is a MMOG.

11. A method of claim 1, wherein the game piece is a scratch off lottery ticket.

12. A method of claim 1, wherein the game piece is a future draw game piece.

13. A method of claim 1, wherein the game piece is an online lottery ticket.

37. A method of claim 1, wherein the virtual reward is currency usable in a virtual casino.

14. A method of conducting a wagering game, comprising:

providing a game piece to a player, the game piece including a game piece identifier and game play data for the wagering game;

redeeming the game piece for a monetary prize in the wagering game, the prize depending on the game play data;

receiving a request to redeem the game piece for a virtual prize, the request including the game piece identifier;

determining if the game piece identifier is associated with a virtual reward winning game piece; and

if the game piece is a virtual reward winning game piece, providing the virtual reward as a prize to the player.

15. A method of claim 14, wherein the virtual reward is a virtual object used in a video game.

16. A method of claim 14, wherein the virtual reward is an opportunity to participate in a virtual event.

17. A method of claim 14, wherein the virtual reward is an opportunity to modify an avatar.

18. A method of claim 14, wherein the virtual reward is a chance to win a reward.

19. A method of claim 14, wherein the virtual reward is a category of prize to be awarded.

20. A method of claim 14, further comprising:

reading a prize table to determine the virtual prize to be awarded.

21. A method of claim 15, wherein the video game is a MMOG.

22. A method of claim 14, wherein the game piece is a scratch off lottery ticket.

23. A method of claim 14, wherein the game piece is a future draw game piece.

24. A method of claim 14, wherein the game piece is an online lottery game piece.

38. A method of claim 14, wherein the virtual reward is currency usable in a virtual casino.

25. A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming device, comprising:

providing a chance in the wagering game to a player;

determining if the chance is a winning chance in the wagering game;

providing a monetary prize to the player if the chance is a winning chance in the wagering game; and

providing a virtual reward as a prize to the player.

26. A method of claim 25, wherein the gaming device is a video lottery terminal.

27. A method of claim 25, wherein the gaming device is a slot machine.

28. A method of claim 25, wherein the virtual reward is a virtual object used in a video game.

29. A method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing a receipt to a player, the receipt including a win information.

30. A method of claim 29, wherein the prize is provided by a terminal after the player enters the win information into the terminal.

31. A system for conducting a wagering game in accordance to a set of pre-determined game rules, comprising:

a host;

a gaming terminal, the gaming terminal in communication with the host;

a game piece provided to a player, the game piece including game play data;

a virtual reward redemption code, the virtual reward redemption code included on the game piece; and

a virtual reward, the virtual reward awarded to a player after submission of the virtual reward redemption code if game play data indicates the game piece is a winner in accordance to the set of predetermined game rules.

32. A system for conducting a wagering game, comprising:

a host;

a gaming terminal, the gaming terminal in communication with the host;

a game piece provided to a player;

a game piece identifier, the game piece identifier included on the game piece; and

a virtual reward, the virtual reward awarded to a player after submission of the game piece identifier if the game piece identifier is associated with a winning game piece.

33. A lottery ticket, comprising:

a game data to indicate the outcome of a lottery game;

a ticket identifier; and

a virtual reward redemption code, the virtual reward redemption code configured to be submitted by a holder of the lottery ticket to receive a virtual reward in an MMOG.

34. The lottery ticket of claim 33, wherein the virtual reward redemption code is included in the ticket identifier.

35. A computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor, the instructions, when executed, defining a method for conducting a wagering game, the method comprising:

providing a game piece to a player, the game piece including game play data and a virtual reward redemption code;

redeeming the game piece for a monetary prize, the value of the monetary prize depending on the game play data;

submitting the virtual reward redemption code to a host;

using the virtual reward redemption code to determine if the player is a winner of a virtual reward; and

if the player is a winner of the virtual reward, providing the virtual reward as a prize to the player.

36. A computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor, the instructions, when executed, defining a method for conducting a wagering game, the method comprising:

providing a game piece to a player, the game piece including a game piece identifier and game play data for the wagering game;

redeeming the game piece for a monetary prize in the wagering game, the prize depending on the game play data;

receiving a request to redeem the game piece for a virtual prize, the request including the game piece identifier;

determining if the game piece identifier is associated with a virtual reward winning game piece; and

if the game piece is a virtual reward winning game piece, providing the virtual reward as a prize to the player.