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

• US RE38,733 E1
• Filed: 10/28/2002
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/282,090
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463 29- 30, 463 12- 13, 463 40- 42, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/139, 273292-293, 273/143.R, 235/380, 235/382, 283/56, 283/58, 902/23, 705 16- 17, 705/24, 705/35, 705/41, 705 44- 45
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 19/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications specially adapted for specific functions G06F17/00; data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q; healthcare informatics G16H
• 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

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 the predetermined value; and

offering a negotiable check having a negotiable value equal to said predetermined value and a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value when said negotiable check 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. 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 request to convert a predetermined value of casino currency to cash, calculate a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value, and offer a negotiable check having a negotiable value equal to said predetermined value and a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value when said negotiable check is redeemed at said casino.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said processor is further operative to initiate the printing of said negotiable check.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said premium value is based at least in part on gambling history information.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said electronic memory includes a database storing information relating to casino customers, including customer identification numbers and gambling-related information.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said function of calculating said premium value based on said gambling-related information.

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

an electronic user input for receiving a request to convert a predetermined value of casino currency to cash;

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 request to convert said predetermined value to cash, calculate a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value, and offer a negotiable check having a negotiable value equal to said predetermined value and a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value when said negotiable check is redeemed at said casino.

11. The system of claim 10 and further including means for initiating the printing of said negotiable check.

12. The system of claim 11 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 premium value is further based on said gambling-related information.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein said premium value is based at least in part on gambling history information.

15. Said computer program product of claim 12 and further including an encoded instruction operative on said processing unit to perform the step of initiating the printing of said negotiable check.

14. A computer program product containing encoded instructions operative on a processing unit to perform 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 a negotiable check having a negotiable value equal to said predetermined value and a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value when said negotiable check is redeemed at said casino.

16. 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 a negotiable check having a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value;

accepting said offer; and

receiving the negotiable check having a negtotiable value equal to said predetermined value and a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value when said negotiable check is used at said casino.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said casino currency is selected from the group comprising chips and negotiable coins.

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 a negotiable instrument having a premium value based at least in part on the predetermined value;

accepting the offer; and

receiving the negotiable instrument having a negotiable value equal to the predetermined value and a total value equal to the predetermined value plus the premium value when the negotiable instrument is used at the casino.

19. A method comprising:

receiving a request to convert casino currency having a first value, into cash;

offering a negotiable instrument having a second value based at least in part on the first value;

receiving acceptance of the offer; and

providing the negotiable instrument having a negotiable value equal to the first value and a total value equal to the first value plus the second value when the negotiable instrument is used at the casino.