System and method for using time-sensitive tickets as player awards in gaming machines
First Claim
1. A method for creating player excitement using time-sensitive tickets in a gaming environment having game events at least partially determined by random events, the method comprising:
- providing on-line access to a ticket database between a casino and a ticket provider;
allocating a block of tickets from said database designated as purchasable by said casino for an event that will occur at a designated future time;
assigning a ticket value level applicable to each ticket in said allocated block of tickets;
associating a gaming event having a same value level as said ticket value level in one of a gaming machine, a bonus game, or, a progressive pool, to said allocated block of tickets;
having said gaming event occur before said designated future time;
reserving a ticket from said allocated block of tickets by said casino;
updating said on-line database; and
,awarding said reserved ticket to a player at said casino.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A new system and method for use in dynamic gaming environments such as Nevada-style casinos and Amerindian casinos is presented that enables using time-sensitive tickets as prizes. Block of tickets for a future event are allocated to a casino, which constitutes a “found” market (the ticket seller expends no funds for the tickets sold to the casino). This block may also be sold through normal reseller channels; the allocated block acts as a cap to the number of tickets potentially channeled through a casino rather than being a casino exclusive. This enables the casino to purchase the tickets at a steeper discount rates than is otherwise possible, and by associating tickets with payout events on games or progressives (instead of cash awards), enables time-sensitive tickets to be awarded as prizes on an on-going basis.
47 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for creating player excitement using time-sensitive tickets in a gaming environment having game events at least partially determined by random events, the method comprising:
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providing on-line access to a ticket database between a casino and a ticket provider; allocating a block of tickets from said database designated as purchasable by said casino for an event that will occur at a designated future time; assigning a ticket value level applicable to each ticket in said allocated block of tickets; associating a gaming event having a same value level as said ticket value level in one of a gaming machine, a bonus game, or, a progressive pool, to said allocated block of tickets; having said gaming event occur before said designated future time; reserving a ticket from said allocated block of tickets by said casino; updating said on-line database; and
,awarding said reserved ticket to a player at said casino. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A gaming system usable for creating player excitement in a gaming environment having gaming events determined at least partially by a random event and using time-sensitive tickets, comprising:
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means for providing on-line access to a ticket database between a casino and a ticket provider; means for allocating a block of tickets from said database to said casino usable for an event that will occur at a designated future time; means for assigning a ticket value level to each ticket in said allocated block of tickets; means for assigning a gaming event at a same value level as said ticket value level in one of a gaming machine, a bonus game, or, a progressive pool, to said allocated block of tickets; means for reserving a ticket from said allocated block of tickets on said database by said casino when said gaming event occurs; and
,means for delivering said reserved ticket to a player at said casino. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing tickets at a cost that is below normal discount rates to gaming establishments and enabling gaming establishments to use the tickets as prizes, the tickets being time-sensitive, the method comprising:
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linking a plurality of games of chance into a bank of games; funding a ticket purchasing pool associated with said bank of games; linking said bank of games to an on-line ticket system having a ticket database thereon, said database having tickets usable for an event to occur at a future time; allocating a block of tickets for reserving by said gaming establishment; allowing at least one other entity to also reserve tickets from said allocated block of tickets, where said at least one other entity receives a normal discount rate; using a steeper discount rate for said gaming establishment; reserving and selling tickets at the normal discount rate through said at least one other entity; reserving tickets from said allocated block of tickets by said gaming establishment upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; charging said gaming establishment said steeper discount rate for each ticket reserved; awarded said reserved ticket to a player at a game machine in said bank of game machines; paying for said ticket from said ticket purchasing pool; and
,continuing to reserve tickets from said allocated block of tickets until said block of tickets becomes one of;
sold out;
or, out of date. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification