Cashless slot machine and/or amusement device with special features

• US 7,341,518 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2004
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympian Gaming, LLC (Costas, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Olympian Gaming, LLC (Costas, Inc.)
• Inventors: Muskin, Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau; Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hu; Kang
• Application Number:
  US10/771,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20040254011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 463/23, 463 25- 27, 463/42, 463/16, 463/17, 463/20, 463/21, 463/43
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A slot machine gaming device and method which targets a monetary ticket to operate in selected gaming devices. A video poker game can also provide a player with an improved paytable. The slot machine can also pay a player using a special ticket instead of cash.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

assigning to a first monetary ticket both a first ticket value and a predetermined modified paytable

receiving the first monetary ticket in a first gaming machine and crediting the first ticket value into the first gaming machine to create credited funds;

allowing a player to play a gambling game on the first gaming machine using the predetermined modified paytable using the credited funds, the predetermined modified paytable being different from a default paytable on the first gaming machine;

receiving a ticket out request on the first gaming machine;

issuing a second monetary ticket to the player and assigning both a second ticket value and the predetermined modified paytable to the second monetary ticket, the second ticket value reflecting an amount of credits on the first gaming machine when the ticket out request was received,

receiving the second monetary ticket in a second gaming machine and crediting the second ticket value into the second gaming machine to create second credited funds; and

allowing the player to play on the second gaming machine using the predetermined modified paytable using the second credited funds, the predetermined modified paytable being different from a default paytable on the second gaming machine,

wherein the predetermined modified paytable becomes unavailable to the player on the first gaming machine when the player loses all funds from the first monetary ticket on the first gaming machine,

wherein the predetermined modified paytable becomes unavailable to the player on the second gaming machine when the player loses all funds from the second monetary ticket on the second gaming machine.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising restricting use of the first monetary ticket to a particular patron.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

inserting, by the player, cash into the gaming machine;

determining, by the gaming machine, that the gaming machine is using the predetermined modified paytable and preventing the cash from being wagered using the predetermined modified paytable.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the preventing comprises rejecting the cash by returning the cash to the player.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

an assigning unit assigning to a first monetary ticket both a first ticket value and a predetermined modified paytable;

a first gaming machine performing;

receiving the first monetary ticket and crediting the first ticket value into the first gaming machine to create credited funds;

allowing a player to play a gambling game on the first gaming machine using the predetermined modified paytable using the credited funds, the predetermined modified paytable being different from a default paytable on the first gaming machine,

receiving a ticket out request on the first gaming machine;

issuing a second monetary ticket to the player and assigning both a second ticket value and the predetermined modified paytable to the second monetary ticket, the second ticket value reflecting an amount of credits on the first gaming machine when the ticket out request was received; and

a second gaming machine performing;

receiving the second monetary ticket and crediting the second ticket value into the second gaming machine to create second credited funds; and

allowing the player to gamble on the second gaming machine using the predetermined modified paytable using the second credited funds, the predetermined modified paytable being different from a default paytable on the second gaming machine,

wherein the predetermined modified paytable becomes unavailable to the player on the first gaming machine when the player loses all funds from the first monetary ticket on the first gaming machine,

wherein the predetermined modified paytable becomes unavailable to the player on the second gaming machine when the player loses all funds from the second monetary ticket on the second gaming machine.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein use of the first monetary ticket is restricted to a particular patron.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein predetermined the modified paytable becomes unavailable to the player on the gaming machine after a predetermined amount is played by the player.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the predetermined modified paytable becomes unavailable to the player on the gaming machine after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the gaming machine comprises:

a rejection unit, upon insertion of cash by the player in the gaming machine, determines that the gaming machine is using the predetermined modified paytable and prevents the cash from being wagered using the predetermined modified paytable.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the preventing comprises rejecting the cash by returning the cash to the player.