Method and apparatus for motivating players to return to a casino using premiums

• US 20070173317A1
• Filed: 06/23/2004
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James, Sparico, Thomas, Walker, Jays
• Granted Patent: US 7,641,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/209 Specified transaction journal output feature, e.g. printed receipt or voice output
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A method of motivating players to return to a casino includes receiving a request to convert a predetermined value of casino currency to cash. Upon the receipt of the request, a premium value is calculated based at least in part on the predetermined value. Subsequently, the customer is provided an instrument having a total value equal to the predetermined value plus the premium value when the instrument is used at the casino. The instrument may comprise a check having a negotiable value equal to the predetermined value, and a second pay-line defining the total value with the premium to be provided if the check is cashed at the issuing casino.

Claims

1. A method of motivating players to return to a casino, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request to convert a predetermined value of casino currency to cash;

calculating a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value; and

offering an instrument having a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value when said instrument is redeemed at said casino.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said casino currency is selected from the group comprising chips and negotiable coins.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of calculating said premium value is further based on a gaming history of a player.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of calculating said premium value is further based on a rating of a player.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing an instrument comprises providing a negotiable check for said predetermined value.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said negotiable check is usable at said casino for said total value.

7. A system for calculating awards for casino patrons, comprising:

electronic memory; and

a processing unit connected to said electronic memory;

said processing unit in combination with said electronic memory operative to receive a predetermined value indicative of casino currency,

calculate a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value, and output a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said processor is further operative to initiate the printing of an instrument having a value equal to said total value.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said instrument comprises a negotiable check having a negotiable value equal to said predetermined value and an additional award value usable only at said casino and equal to said premium value.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said electronic memory includes a database storing information relating to casino customers, including customer identification numbers and gambling-related information.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said fiction of calculating said predetermined value is further based on said gambling-related information.

22. The system of claim 7 wherein said premium value is based at least in part on gambling history information.

12. A system for generating awards for casino customers, comprising:

an electronic user input for receiving a predetermined value indicative of casino currency held by a casino customer;

electronic memory connected to said user input;

a processing unit connected to said user input and to said electronic memory;

said processing unit in combination with said electronic memory operative to receive said predetermined value,

calculate a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value, and

output a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value.

13. The system of claim 12 and further including means for initiating the printing of a negotiable instrument based on said total value.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said negotiable instrument comprises a check having a face value equal to said predetermined value and an award value usable only at said casino and equal to said total value.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein said memory further includes a database storing information relating to casino customers, including customer identification numbers and gambling-related information;

and

said function of calculating said predetermined value is further based on said gambling-related information.

23. The system of claim 12 wherein said premium value is based at least in part on gambling history information.

16. A computer program product containing encoded instructions operative on a processing unit to perform the steps of:

receiving a predetermined value indicative of casino currency held by a casino customer;

calculating a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value; and

outputting a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value.

17. Said computer program product of claim 16 and further including an encoded instruction operative on a processing unit to perform the step of initiating the printing of a negotiable instrument based on said total value

18. A method of receiving a casino payout, comprising the steps of:

requesting to convert a predetermined value of casino currency into cash;

receiving an offer of an instrument having a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value;

accepting said offer; and

receiving an instrument having a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value when said instrument is used at a said casino.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said casino currency is selected from the group comprising chips and negotiable coins.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein said instrument comprises a negotiable check for said predetermined value.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said negotiable check is usable at said casino for said total value.

24. A slot machine, comprising:

electronic memory; and

a processing unit connected to said electronic memory;

said processing unit in combination with said electronic memory operative to store electronic credits,

receive a request to convert a predetermined value of stored electronic credits to coins,

calculate a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value, and

output a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value.

25. The slot machine of claim 24 wherein said processing unit in combination with said electronic memory are farther operative to initiate the display of a message offering to store said total value in an electronic account in lieu of converting said predetermined value to coins.

26. The slot machine of claim 25 and further including means for displaying said message to a human player.

27. The slot machine of claim 24 and further comprising means for receiving a player identification and using said player identification in establishing said electronic account.