Secured virtual network in a gaming environment

• US 7,168,089 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Oberberger, Michael M., Parrott, Gregory Hopkins
• Primary Examiner(s): Revak; Christopher
• Application Number:
  US10/116,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20020116615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/105 Arrangements for software license management or administration, e.g. for managing licenses at corporate level
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3281 wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0435 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply symmetric encryption, i.e. same key used for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for symmetric key encryption H04L9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/045 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply hybrid encryption, i.e. combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements using a plurality of keys or algorithms H04L9/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality

Abstract

A disclosed gaming machine may securely communicate with devices over a public network such as the Internet. The gaming machine utilizes a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption that allows a single gaming machine to securely communicate with a remote server using a public network. The secure communication methods may be used to transfer gaming software and gaming information between two gaming devices, such as between a game server and a gaming machine. For regulatory and tracking purposes, the transfer of gaming software between the two gaming devices may be authorized and monitored by a software authorization agent.

Claims

1. In a software authorization agent, a method of generating a gaming software transaction record used to facilitate a transfer of gaming software between two gaming devices, the method comprising:

receiving a gaming software transaction request from a first gaming device;

authenticating an identity of the first gaming device;

generating a gaming software transaction record comprising gaming software transaction information that is used to approve or reject the transfer of gaming software from a second gaming device to the first gaming device

sending an authorization message to the first gaming device wherein the authorization message includes information indicating whether the first gaming device is authorized to transfer the gaming software to the second gaming device and wherein the first gaming device and the second gaming device are separate from the software authorization agent;

wherein the gaming software is for at least one of a) a game of chance played on a gaming machine, b) a bonus game of chance played on a gaming machine, c) a device driver for a for a device installed on a gaming machine, d) a player tracking service on a gaming machine and e) an operating system installed on the gaming machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video blackjack game, a video lottery game, and a video pachinko game.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gaming device is at least one of a gaming machine, game server and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming software transaction request comprises access information and gaming software identification information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the access information is one or more of operator identification information for the first gaming device, machine identification information for the first gaming device, operator identification information for the second gaming device and machine identification information for the second gaming device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the gaming software identification information is one or more of a gaming software title, a gaming software provider identifier, a gaming software version number and a gaming software identification number.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing access information in the gaming software transaction request with access information stored in a database.

8. The method of claim 7, when the compared access information does not match the access information stored in the database,

denying the gaming software transaction request.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing gaming software identification information in the gaming software transaction request with gaming software identification information stored in a database.

10. The method of claim 9, when the gaming software identification information does not match the access information stored in the database,

denying the gaming software transaction request.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating an identification sequence;

encrypting the identification sequence with a public encryption key for the first gaming device wherein information encrypted with the public encryption key is decrypted with a private encryption key used by the first gaming device;

sending the encrypted identification sequence to the first gaming device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the identification sequence is a symmetric encryption key used to encrypt gaming software transferred between the first gaming device and the second gaming device.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving from the first gaming device a second identification sequence encrypted with a public encryption key used by the software authorization agent,

decrypting the second identification sequence with a private encryption key corresponding to the public encryption key used by the software authorization agent;

comparing the second identification sequence to the identification sequence sent to the first gaming device to authenticate the identity of the first gaming device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second identification sequence is a symmetric encryption key used to transfer gaming software between the first gaming device and the second gaming device.

15. The method of claim 13, when the second identification sequence received from the first gaming device does not match the identification sequence sent to the first gaming device;

denying the gaming software transaction request.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming transaction information is one or more of a transaction encryption key, a transaction number, a time stamp, a transaction expiration time, a destination identifier, a machine identification number, a gaming software identification number, a gaming software provider identifier, a transaction number, a number of allowable downloads and combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the gaming transaction record information to a transaction database.

18. The meted of claim 1, further comprising:

sending gaming software transaction information to the first gaming device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the gaming software transaction information is one or more of a one or more of a transaction encryption key, a public encryption key used by the second gaming device, a transaction number, a time stamp, a transaction expiration time, a destination identifier, a destination machine identification number, a gaming software identification number, a gaming software provider identifier, a number of allowable downloads, a transaction number and combinations thereof.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a notification message to a gaming software provider identified in the gaming software request of a pending gaming software download request.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the software authorization agent communicates with the first gaming device using an local area network, a wide area network, a private network, a virtual private network, the Internet and combinations thereof.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the software authorization agent and the first gaming device communicate with another using at least one of a satellite communication connection, a RF communication connection and an infrared communication connection.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer of gaming software is performed at least one of manually and electronically.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming software comprises one or more gaming software components for the game of chance, the bonus game of chance, the device driver, the player tracking service and the operating system.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming software is used to upgrade a gaming software component on the first gaming device.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming software is used to correct an error in a gaming software component on the second gaming device.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting a list of gaming software installed an a gaming device.

28. In a software authorization agent, a method of regulating a transfer of gaming software between two gaming devices, the method comprising:

receiving a gaming software download request message with gaming software transaction information from a first gaming device;

validating the gaming software download request using the gaming software transaction information;

sending an authorization message to the first gaming device wherein the authorization message includes information indicating whether the first gaming device is authorized to transfer the gaming software to a second gaming device and wherein the first gaming device and the second gaming device are from the software authorization agent;

wherein the gaming software is for at least one of a) a game of chance played on a gaming machine, b) a bonus game of chance played on a gaming machine, c) a device driver for a for a device installed on a gaming machine, d) a player tracking service on a gaming machine and e) an operating system installed on a gaming machine.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second gaming device is at least one of a game server and a gaming machine.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video blackjack game, a video lottery game, and a video pachinko game.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the gaming transaction information is one or more of a transaction encryption key, a transaction number, a time stamp, a transaction expiration time, a destination identifier, a machine identification number for the first gaming device, a machine identification number for the second gaming device, a gaming software identification number, operator information for the first gaming device, operator information for the second gaming device, a transaction number and combinations thereof.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

comparing the gaming transaction information in the gaming software download request message with gaming transaction information stored in a transaction database to validate the gaming software download request.

33. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

sending a message to the first gaming device denying authorization for the first gaming device to transfer gaming software to the second gaming device.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

decrypting the download request message.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving a first download acknowledgement message from the first gaming device and receiving a second download acknowledgement message from the second gaming device.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

comparing gaming software transaction information in the first download acknowledgement message with gaming software transaction information in the second download acknowledgement message to validate that the gaming software has been correctly transferred.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the gaming software transaction information in the first download acknowledgement message includes at least a first digital signature determined for the gaming software and the gaming software transaction information in the second download acknowledgement message includes at least a second digital signature determined for the gaming software.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein the first gaming device a game server in communication with one or more gaming machines and the second gaming device is a gaming machine.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein the first gaming device is a game server maintained by a gaming software provider and the second gaming device is a game server in communication with one or more gaming machines.

40. The method of claim 28, wherein the first gaming device is a game server maintained by a gaming software provider and the second gaming device is a gaming machine.

41. The method of claim 28, wherein the software authorization agent, the first gaming device and the second gaming device communicate with one another a local area network, a wide area network, a private network, a virtual private network, the Internet and combinations thereof.

42. The method of claim 28, wherein the software authorization agent the first gaming device and the second gaming device communicate with another using at least one of a satellite communication connection, a RF communication connection and an infrared communication connection.

43. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving the gaming software from the first gaming device;

validating the gaming software; and

sending the gaming software to the second gaming device.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

determining a digital signature for the gaming software; and

comparing the digital signature with an approved digital signature for the gaming software stored in a database to validate the gaming software.

45. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

storing gaming software transaction information indicating that a status of the download request.

46. The method of claim 28, wherein the status is at least one of authorized, pending, completed and void.

47. The method of claim 28, wherein the transfer of gaming software is preformed at least one of manually and electronically.

48. The method of claim 28, wherein the gaming software comprises one or more gaming software components for the game of chance, the bonus game of chance, the device driver, the player tracking service and the operating system.

49. The method of claim 28, wherein the gaming software is used to upgrade a gaming software component on the second gaming device.

50. The method of claim 28, wherein the gaming software is used to correct an error in a gaming software component on the second gaming device.

51. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

requesting a list of gaming software installed on a gaming device.

52. In a software authorization agent, a method of providing gaming software transaction information, the method comprising:

receiving a gaming software transaction information request from a gaming device;

authenticating an identity of the gaming device;

querying a gaming software transaction database for a set of gaming software transaction information requested by the gaming device, said gaming software transaction database comprising a plurality of records of gaming software transactions wherein each gaming software transaction is related to a request to authorize a transfer of gaming software received by the software authorization agent; and

sending the requested gaming software transaction information to the gaming device;

sending an authorization message to a first gaming device wherein the authorization message includes information indicating whether the first gaming device is authorized to transfer the gaming software to a second gaming device and wherein the first warning device and the second gaming a device are separate from the software authorization agent;

wherein the gaming software is for at least one of a) a game of chance played on a gaming machine, b) a bonus game of chance played on a gaming machine, c) a device driver for a for a device installed on a gaming machine, d) a player tracking service on a gaming machine and e) an operating system installed on a gaming machine.

53. The method of claim 52,

wherein each gaming software transaction record includes gaming software transaction information that describes a transfer of gaming software from a first gaming device to a second gaming device.

54. The method of claim 52,

wherein the gaming software transaction database includes a record of gaming software installed on one or more gaming devices.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein the gaming software transaction database includes a record of gaming software usage on one or more gaming devices.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein the gaming transaction information is one or more of a transaction number, a time stamp, a transaction expiration on time, a destination identifier, a machine identification number for the first gaming device, a machine identification number for the second gaming device, a gaming software identification number, operator information for the first gaming device, operator information for the second gaming device, a transaction number and a transaction completion time.

57. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

generating a gaming transaction report that presents the set of gaming software transaction requested by the gaming device.

58. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

generating a distribution of gaming software on a plurality of gaming machines at a specified time using the gaming software transaction information stored in the gaming software transaction database.

59. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

generating a distribution of gaming software on a plurality of gaming machines for a plurality of times using the gaming software transaction information stored in the gaming software transaction database.

60. Tho method of claim 52, further comprising:

generating a billing report.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

generating a fee for the billing report based upon a number of times a first gaming software has been used on the gaming device.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein a usage fee charged each time the first gaming software is used varies with time.

63. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

requesting a list of gaming software installed on the gaming device.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

storing the list of gaming software installed on the gaming device to the gaming software transaction database.

65. In a first gaming device, a method of requesting a transfer of gaming software from a second gaming device, said method comprising:

generating a gaming software transaction request;

sending the gaming software transaction request to a gaming software authorization agent that approves or rejects the transfer of gaming software from the second gaming device; and

receiving an authorization message from the gaming software authorization agent wherein the authorization message includes information indicating whether the first gaming device is authorized to transfer the gaming software to the second gaming device and wherein the first gaming device and the second gaming device are separate from the gaming software authorization agent;

wherein the gaming software is for at least one of a) a game of chance played on a gaming machine, b) a bonus game of chance played on a gaming machine, c) a device driver for a for a device installed on a gaming machine d) a player tacking service on a gaming machine and e) an operating system installed on a gaming machine.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the gaming software authorization agent, the first gaming device and the second gaming device communicate with one another a local area network, a wide area network, a private network, a virtual private network, the Internet and combinations thereof.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the gaming software authorization agent, the first gaming device and the second gaming device communicate with another using at least one of a satellite communication connection, a RF communication connection and an infrared communication connection.

68. The method of claim 65, wherein the gaming software transaction request comprises access information and gaming software identification information.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the access information is one or more of operator identification information for the first gaming device, machine identification information for the first gaming device, operator identification information for the second gaming device and machine identification information for the second gaming device.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the gaming software identification information is one or more of a gaming software title, a gaming software provider identifier, a gaming software version number and a gaming software identification number.

71. The method of claim 65, wherein the gaming software transaction information is one or more of a one or more of a transaction encryption key, a public encryption key used by the second gaming device, a transaction number, a time stamp, a transaction expiration time, a destination identifier, a destination machine identification number, a gaming software identification number, a gaming software provider identifier, a number of allowable downloads, a transaction number and combinations thereof.

72. The method of claim 65, wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video blackjack game, a video lottery game, and a video pachinko game.

73. The method of claim 65, further comprising:

sending authentication information used to identify the first gaming device to the gaming software authorization agent.

74. The method of claim 65, further comprising:

sending a message requesting the gaming software to the second gaming device.

75. The method of claim 65, further comprising:

receiving the gaming software from the second gaming device.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

determining a digital signature for the gaming software and

sending a message with at least the digital signature to the gaming software authorization agent.

77. The method of claim 65, further comprising:

authenticating an identity of the second gaming device.

78. The method of claim 65, wherein the first gaming device is a gaming machine and the second gaming device is a game server.

79. The method of claim 65, wherein the first gaming device is a game server in communication with a plurality of gaming machines and the second gaming device is a game server maintained by a gaming software content provider.

80. The method of claim 65, wherein the transfer of gaming software is preformed at least one of manually and electronically.

81. The method of claim 65, wherein the gaming software comprises one or more gaming software components.

82. The method of claim 65, wherein the gaming software is used to upgrade a gaming software component on the gaming machine.

83. The method of claim 65, wherein the gaming software is used to correct an error in a gaming software component on the gaming machine.

84. In a first gaming device, a method of transferring gaming software to a second gaming device, said method comprising:

receiving a gaming software transaction request from the second gaming device;

sending the gaming software transaction request to a gaming software authorization agent that approves or rejects the transfer of gaming software;

receiving an authorization message from the gaming software authorization agent wherein the authorization message includes information indicating whether the first gaming device is authorized to transfer the gaming software to the second gamma device; and

transferring the gaming software to the second gaming device;

wherein the gaming software is for at least one of a) a game of chance played on a gaming machine, b) a bonus game of chance played on a gaming machine, c) a device driver for a for a device installed on a gaming machine, d) a player tracking service on a gaming machine and e) an operating system installed on a gaming machine.

85. The method of claim 84, further comprising:

receiving an approval of the gaming software transaction request from the gaming software authorization agent.

86. The method of claim 84, further comprising:

prior to transferring the gaming software, receiving a denial of the gaming software transaction request from the gaming software authorization agent; and

terminating the transfer of the gaming software.

87. The method of claim 84, wherein the software authorization agent;

the first gaming device and the second gaming device communicate with one another a local area network, a wide area network, a private network, a virtual private network, the Internet and combinations thereof.

88. The method of claim 84, wherein the software authorization agent, the first gaming device and the second gaming device communicate with another using at least one of a satellite communication connection, a RF communication connection, an infrared communication connection and combinations thereof.

89. The method of claim 84, wherein the gaming software transaction request comprises access information and gaming software identification information.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the access information is one or more of operator identification information for the flit gaming device, machine identification information for the first gaming device, operator identification information for the second gaming device and machine identification information for the second gaming device.

91. The method of claim 89, wherein the gaming software identification information is one or more of a gaming software title, a gaming software provider identifier, a gaming software version number and a gaming software identification number.

92. The method of claim 84, wherein the gaming software transaction information is one or more of a one or mare of a transaction encryption key, a public encryption key used by the second gaming device, a transaction number, a time stamp, a transaction expiration time, a destination identifier, a destination machine identification number, a gaming software identification number, a gaming software provider identifier, a number of allowable downloads, a transaction number and combinations thereof.

93. The method of claim 84, wherein the game of chance is a video slot gain, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video blackjack game, a video lottery game, and a video panchinko game.

94. The method of claim 84, further comprising:

determining a digital signature for the gaming software and

sending a message with at least the digital signature to the gaming software authorization agent.

95. The method of claim 84, wherein the first gaming device is a gaming server and the second gaming device is a gaming machine.

96. The method of claim 84, wherein the first gaming device is a gaming machine and the second gaming device is a gaming machine.

97. The method of claim 84, wherein the first gaming device is a game server maintained by a gaming software content provider and the second gaming device is a game server maintained by a gaming entity.

98. The method of claim 84, wherein the first gaming device is a game server maintained by a gaming software content provider and the second gaming device is a gaming machine maintained by a gaming entity.

99. The method of claim 84, wherein the transfer of gaming software is performed at least one of manually and electronically.

100. The method of claim 84, wherein the gaming software comprises one or more gaming software components.

101. The method of claim 84, wherein the gaming software is used to upgrade a gaming software component on to gaming machine.

102. The method of claim 84, wherein the gaming software is used to correct an error in a gaming software component on the gaming machine.

103. A software authorization agent for facilitating the transfer of gaming software between a plurality of gaming devices, the software authorization agent comprising:

a network interface allowing the authorization agent to communicate with each of the plurality of gaming devices; and

a processor configured at designed to (i) receive gaming software transfer requests via the network interface from a first gaming device for the transfer of gaming software from the first gaming device to a second gaming device (ii) approve or reject the gaming software transaction request; and

iii) send an authorization message to the first gaming device wherein the authorization message includes information indicating whether the first gaming device is authorized to transfer the gaming software to a second gamma device;

wherein, the gaming software is for at least one of a) a game of chance played on a gaming machine, b) a bonus game of chance played on a gaming machine, c) a device driver for a for a device installed on a gaming d) a player tracking service on a gaming machine and e) an operating system installed on a gaming machine.

104. The software authorization agent of claim 103, further comprising:

a transaction database containing gaming software transaction information.

105. The software authorization agent of claim 104, wherein the gaming software transaction information is one or more of a transaction number, a time stamp, a transaction expiration time, a destination identifier, a machine identification number for the first gaming device, a machine identification number for the second gaming device, a gaming software identification number, operator information for the first gaming device, operator information for the second gaming device, a transaction number and a transaction completion time.

106. The software authorization agent of claim 105, further comprising a memory containing software allowing the processor to analyze the gaming software transaction information stored in the transaction database and generate gaming software distribution reports based upon the gaming software transaction information.

107. The software authorization agent of claim 105, further comprising:

a memory containing software allowing the processor to analyze the gaming software transaction information stored in the transaction database and generate gaming software billing reports based upon the gaming software transaction information.

108. The software authorization agent of claim 103, further comprising:

a database storing public encryption keys for one or more of the plurality of gaming devices.

109. The software authorization agent of claim 103, further comprising:

a database storing identification information for one or more of the plurality of gaming devices.

110. The software authorization agent of claim 103, further comprising:

a database storing identification information for the gaming software that is transferred from the second gaming device to the third gaming device.

111. The software authorization agent of claim 110, wherein the identification information for the gaming software is a digital signature, a title, a manufacturer, an identification number and combinations thereof.

112. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the first gaming device is a hand-held computing device and the second gaming device is a gaming machine.

113. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the first gaming device is a first gaming machine and the second gaming device is a second gaming machine.

114. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the first gaming device is a first game server and the second gaming device is a second game server.

115. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the first gaming device is a first game server and the second gaming device is a gaming machine.

116. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video black jack game, a video lottery game, and a video pachinko game.

117. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the software authorization agent, the first gaming device and, the second gaming device communicate with one another a local area network, a wide area network, a private network, a virtual private network, the Internet and combinations thereof.

118. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the software authorization agent the first gaming device and, the second gaming device communicate with another using at least one of a satellite communication connection, a RF communication connection and an infrared communication connection.

119. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the transfer of gaming software is performed at least one of manually and electronically.

120. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the gaming software comprises one or more gaming software components.

121. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the gaming software is used to upgrade a gaming software component on one of the gaming devices.

122. The software authorization agent of claim 103, wherein the gaming software is used to correct an error in a gaming software component on one of the gaming devices.

123. A first gaming device comprising:

a network interface allowing communications between the first gaming device, a software authorization agent and one or more other gaming devices; and

a processor configured or designed to (i) send a request for the transfer of gaming software from the first gaming device to a second gaming device via the network interface to the software authorization agent (ii) receive an authorization message from the software authorization agent wherein the authorization message includes information indicating whether the first gaming device is authorized to transfer the gaming software to the second gaming device and wherein the first gaming device and the second gaming device are separate from the software authorization agent;

wherein the gaming software is for at least one of a) a game of chance played on a gaming machine, b) a bonus game of chance played on a gaming machine, c) a device driver for a for a device installed on a gaming machine, d) a player tracking service on a gaming machine and e) an operating system installed on a gaming machine.

124. The first gaming device of claim 123, further comprising:

a memory device that stores gaming software.

125. The first gaming device of claim 123, further comprising:

a master gaming controller that controls a game of chance played on the first gaming device.

126. The first gaming device of claim 123, further comprising:

a memory device that stores public encryption keys for one or more of the plurality of gaming devices and the software authorization agent.

127. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the network interface is connected to at least one of a local area network, a wide area network, a private network, a virtual private network, the Internet and combinations thereof.

128. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the network interface provides at least one of a satellite communication connection, a RF communication connection and an infrared communication connection.

129. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the first gaming device is a portable gaming device.

130. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the first gaming device is a first gaming machine and, the second gaming device is a second gaming machine.

131. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the first gaming device is a first game server and, the second gaming device is a second game server.

132. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the first gaming device is a first game server and, the second gaming device is a gaming machine.

133. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a lottery game, a video poker game, a video blackjack game, a video lottery game, and a video pachinko game.

134. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the gaming software comprises one or more gaming software components.

135. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the gaming software is used to upgrade a gaming software component on one of the gaming devices.

136. The first gaming device of claim 123, wherein the gaming software is used to correct an error in a gaming software component on one of the gaming devices.