Systems and methods for post-play gaming benefits

• US 20060073884A1
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Fincham, Magdalena M., Tedesco, Robert C., Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,814,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• 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 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining whether a first condition associated with a first player of a gaming device is satisfied, determining whether a second condition associated with a second player of the gaming device is satisfied, and awarding, in the case that both the first and second conditions are determined to be satisfied, a benefit to the first player.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining whether a first condition associated with a first player of a gaming device is satisfied;

determining whether a second condition associated with a second player of the gaming device is satisfied; and

awarding, in the case that both the first and second conditions are determined to be satisfied, a benefit to the first player.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing at least one outcome of the gaming device to the first player of the gaming device; and

terminating play of the first player at the gaming device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining of whether the second condition associated with the second player is satisfied occurs subsequent to the termination of play of the first player at the gaming device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

notifying the first player of the awarding of the benefit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the notifying comprises providing an indication to the first player via at least one of:

(i) another gaming device;

(ii) a telephone associated with the first player;

(iii) a pager associated with the first player;

(iv) a PDA associated with the first player;

or

(v) a computer associated with the first player.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

notifying the second player of the awarding of the benefit to the first player.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the notifying comprises providing an indication to the second player via the gaming device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the indication is provided during a session of the second player at the gaming device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

registering the first player for the opportunity to receive the benefit.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the registering is accomplished via at least one of:

(i) the gaming device;

(ii) another gaming device;

(iii) a kiosk;

(iv) a customer service desk;

or

(v) a website.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first condition comprises at least one of, a requirement that the first player:

(i) play at the gaming device, wherein the gaming device is a specific gaming device of a plurality of gaming devices;

(ii) play at the gaming device, wherein the gaming device is a gaming device of a specific manufacturer;

(iii) play a specific type of game at the gaming device;

(iii) play at the gaming device for a certain duration;

(iv) play at the gaming device and one or more other associated gaming devices;

(v) establish a balance of credits at the gaming device;

(vi) establish a balance of credits at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(vii) purchase a specific number of outcomes of the gaming device;

(viii) purchase a specific number of outcomes of the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(ix) wager a certain amount at the gaming device;

(x) achieve a certain rate of play at the gaming device;

(xi) win a certain amount at the gaming device;

(xii) win a certain amount at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xiii) not win a certain amount at the gaming device;

(xiv) not win a certain amount at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xv) lose a certain amount at the gaming device;

(xvi) lose a certain amount at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xvii) obtain a certain outcome at the gaming device;

(xviii) obtain a certain outcome at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xix) not obtain a certain outcome at the gaming device;

(xx) not obtain a certain outcome at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xxi) use a player tracking card associated with the first player;

(xxii) sign up for a player tracking card;

(xxiii) purchase a premium player tracking account;

(xxiv) earn a certain number of complimentary points;

(xxv) earn a certain number of complimentary points at the gaming device;

(xxvi) register at a hotel;

(xxvii) register at a casino;

(xxviii) complete a purchase;

or

(xxix) apply for a credit card.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first condition comprises the first player playing at the gaming device during at least one of:

(i) a specific time of day;

(ii) a specific day of the week;

(iii) a specific day of the month;

(iv) a specific day of the year;

(v) a specific week of the month;

(vi) a specific week of the year;

or

(vii) a specific month of the year.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming device comprises a first gaming device and the first condition comprises at least one of, a requirement that the first player:

(i) play at a second gaming device;

(ii) play at a second gaming device that is the same type of gaming device as the first gaming device;

(iii) play at a second gaming device that is specifically spatially related to the first gaming device;

(iv) play at a second gaming device that is at a certain location;

or

(v) play at a second gaming device and achieve a certain value of a specific parameter associated with the second gaming device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the second condition comprises at least one of, a requirement that the second player:

(i) play at the gaming device, wherein the gaming device is a specific gaming device of a plurality of gaming devices;

(ii) play at the gaming device, wherein the gaming device is a gaming device of a specific manufacturer;

(iii) play a specific type of game at the gaming device;

(iii) play at the gaming device for a certain duration;

(iv) play at the gaming device and one or more other associated gaming devices;

(v) establish a balance of credits at the gaming device;

(vi) establish a balance of credits at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(vii) purchase a specific number of outcomes of the gaming device;

(viii) purchase a specific number of outcomes of the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(ix) wager a certain amount at the gaming device;

(x) achieve a certain rate of play at the gaming device;

(xi) win a certain amount at the gaming device;

(xii) win a certain amount at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xiii) not win a certain amount at the gaming device;

(xiv) not win a certain amount at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xv) lose a certain amount at the gaming device;

(xvi) lose a certain amount at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xvii) obtain a certain outcome at the gaming device;

(xviii) obtain a certain outcome at the gaming device within a specified period of time;

(xix) not obtain a certain outcome at the gaming device;

(xx) not obtain a certain outcome at the gaming device within a;

specified period of time;

(xxi) use a player tracking card associated with the first player;

(xxii) sign up for a player tracking card;

(xxiii) purchase a premium player tracking account;

(xxiv) earn a certain number of complimentary points;

(xxv) earn a certain number of complimentary points at the gaming device;

(xxvi) register at a hotel;

(xxvii) register at a casino;

(xxviii) complete a purchase;

or

(xxix) apply for a credit card.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the second condition comprises the second player playing at the gaming device during at least one of:

(i) a specific time of day;

(ii) a specific day of the week;

(iii) a specific day of the month;

(iv) a specific day of the year;

(v) a specific week of the month;

(vi) a specific week of the year;

or

(vii) a specific month of the year.

16. A method, comprising:

providing at least one outcome of a gaming device to a first player of the gaming device;

terminating play of the first player at the gaming device;

determining, after the terminating, the occurrence of an event, wherein the event is at least in part associated with a second player; and

awarding, based at least partially upon the occurrence of the event, a post-play benefit to the first player.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

registering the first player for the post-play benefit.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the awarding comprises:

providing the post-play benefit to the first player via another gaming device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the event comprises at least one of:

(i) initiation of play by a second player at the gaming device;

(ii) the achieving of a certain value of a parameter associated with play of the gaming device by a second player;

(iii) the performing of a non-play event by the second player at the gaming device;

(iv) the occurrence of a specific time associated with the second player;

(v) the registering of the second player at a hotel;

(vi) the registering of the second player at a casino;

(vii) the completion by the second player of a retail purchase;

or

(viii) the applying by the second player for a credit card.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing a program that when executed by the processor results in;

determining that a first player of a first gaming device failed to achieve winnings equal to or greater than a first pre-determined amount from the first gaming device during a first session of play at the first gaming device;

determining that a second player of the first gaming device achieved winnings equal to or greater than a second pre-determined amount from the first gaming device during a second session of play at the first gaming device; and

instructing, subsequent to and based at least in part upon both determinations, a second gaming device to provide a benefit to the first player.