METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMPLOYING FLAT RATE PLAY

• US 20070191094A1
• Filed: 03/26/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James, Gelman, Geoffrey, Santisi, Steven, Walker, Jay, Gilman, Norman, Tulley, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,568,219 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 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• 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 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided allowing a player to play a gaming device and receive a predetermined number of outcomes in exchange for a payment. The gaming device generates at least the predetermined number of outcomes, and adjusts a balance of the player device based on the outcomes. The player can continue playing regardless of whether the balance is less than zero.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a payment for a plurality of outcomes to be generated by a gaming device facilitating a wagering game, the payment being equal to a first monetary value; and

setting an initial balance of credits available for wagering on the plurality of outcomes to a first number of credits, the first number of credits being equal to a second monetary value that is different from the first monetary value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deducting, for each outcome of the plurality of outcomes that is generated after the payment is received, at least a portion of a credit from the balance of credits as a wager for the outcome.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first number of credits is zero.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, after the setting of the initial balance, a request to cash out a current balance of credits of the gaming device;

determining a threshold amount of credits;

determining whether the current balance exceeds the threshold amount; and

if the current balance exceeds the threshold amount, authorizing a cashout only for an amount by which the current balance exceeds the threshold amount.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein authorizing the cashout comprises:

authorizing a printing of a cashless gaming receipt for the amount by which the current balance exceeds the initial balance.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the threshold amount is equal to the initial balance such that determining the threshold amount comprises determining the initial balance.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a wager amount to be deducted from the initial balance; and

deducting the wager amount from the initial balance.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the initial balance is zero such that deducting the wager amount from the initial balance results in a balance of credits that is less than zero.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

updating the initial balance based on a placement of a wager for an outcome of the plurality of outcomes and further based on an amount of credits won as a result of an outcome of the plurality of outcomes, thereby tracking an updated balance of credits, wherein each wager is deducted from the updated balance of credits and each amount of credits won is added to the updated balance of credits.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a request for a cashout of a current balance of credits;

determining whether each of the purchased plurality of outcomes have been generated; and

only authorizing the cashout of the current balance of credits if each of the plurality of outcomes have been generated.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein authorizing the cashout of the current balance comprises an electronic transfer of funds from the current balance to a different balance.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the current balance comprises a balance associated with the plurality of rounds of the wagering game and the different balance comprises a balance of funds available for purchasing an additional plurality of rounds of the wagering game.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the payment if for an amount of time to play at least one of the wagering game and the gaming device, the amount of time encompassing the plurality of outcomes.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the payment is for a specified number of outcomes that comprises the plurality of outcomes.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an updated balance of credits over a course of the plurality of outcomes being generated by

increasing the initial balance by an amount of credits won as a result of an outcome of the plurality of outcomes but not deducting any wagers for any outcome of the plurality of outcomes from either the initial balance or the updated balance.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing to the player at least one of a product and a service the value of which is based on a difference between the first monetary value and the second monetary value.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing to the player at least one of a product and a service comprises providing to the player at least one of a coupon, voucher and gift certificate redeemable for the at least one of a product and a service.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of a cost of the at least one of a product and a service and a price of the at least one of a product and a service is equal to the difference between the first monetary value and the second monetary value.

19. An apparatus for facilitating a wagering game, the apparatus comprising:

a memory for storing a program to facilitate a wagering game; and

a processor operable with the memory to;

receive a payment for a plurality of outcomes to be generated by a gaming device facilitating a wagering game, the payment being equal to a first monetary value; and

set an initial balance of credits available for wagering on the plurality of outcomes to a first number of credits, the first number of credits being equal to a second monetary value that is different from the first monetary value.

20. A computer readable medium storing a program comprising instructions, the program, when read by a computer, causing the computer to:

receive a payment for a plurality of outcomes to be generated by a gaming device facilitating a wagering game, the payment being equal to a first monetary value; and

set an initial balance of credits available for wagering on the plurality of outcomes to a first number of credits, the first number of credits being equal to a second monetary value that is different from the first monetary value.