Secured virtual network in a gaming environment

• US 7,515,718 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2005
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• 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., Wolf, Bryan D., Parrott, Greg, Oberberger, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nalven; Andrew L
• Application Number:
  US11/078,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20050192099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,489 Days
• Field of Search: 705/59, 705/77, 380/278
• US Class Current: 380/278
• 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 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. A gaming machine for providing wagering on a game of chance, the gaming machine comprising:

a master gaming controller designed or configured i) to generate a game of chance played on the gaming machine by executing a plurality of game software modules including a first game software module and a second game software module wherein the first game software module is executed according to rules specified in a first license;

ii) to validate that the first game software module is being used according to the rules specified in the first license;

iii) to request a first license token from a first remote gaming device for the first game software module;

iv) to download from a second remote gaming device the second game software module;

wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming devices including the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device and wherein a copy of the second game software module is stored on a portion of the plurality of gaming devices and wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to select between two or more of the gaming devices storing the second game software module and request a download of the second game software module from the selected gaming device;

a memory device for storing the plurality of game software modules;

a trusted memory device for storing authentication logic used to determine that the plurality of game software modules are authorized for use on the gaming machine;

a gaming operating system comprising logic to load and unload the plurality of game software modules into a RAM from the memory device and to control the play of the game of chance;

a non-volatile memory for storing state information wherein during play of the game of chance the gaming machine advances between a plurality of states and stores the state information for each of the plurality of states to the non-volatile memory and wherein when a malfunction occurs between a first state and a second state in the plurality of states the gaming machine is operable to restore itself to the first state using the state information for the first state stored in the non-volatile memory;

an input device for receiving cash or indicia of credit used for the wagering;

an output device for outputting cash or indicia of credit;

a display for displaying a presentation of the game of chance; and

a network interface for communicating with the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is first gaming machine operable to provide wagering on a first game of chance in a casino and wherein the first gaming machine includes a housing, a first input device coupled to the housing for receiving the cash or the indicia of credit, a first output device coupled to the housing for outputting the cash or indicia and a first display for displaying the first game of chance.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein memory device stores game software modules that require a license token.

4. The gaming machine of claim 3, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine which of the game software modules requires the license token.

5. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising:

executable logic for determining a response when the first license token is not available for the first game software module.

6. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein the executable logic is embedded in the first game software module.

7. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein executable logic is stored on the trusted memory device.

8. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein the response is one or more of 1) sending a message notifying an operator or user of the gaming machine that the license token is not available, 2) preventing execution of the second game software module, 3) disabling one or more features of the second game software module, 4) altering an output of data from the second game software module and 5) combinations thereof.

9. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first license token is required to execute the game of chance.

10. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is operable to execute a plurality of instances of the game of chance.

11. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein a first instance of the game of chance requires a license token for execution and wherein a second instance of the game of chance does not require any license token.

12. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein, when a request is made for the first instance of the game of chance and in response to the license token not being available for the first instance, the second instance of the game chance is executed.

13. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein a first instance of the game of chance is executed according to rules specified in the first license and a second instance of the game of chance is executed according to rules specified in a second license different from the first license.

14. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein the first instance of the game of chance is from a first game software content provider and wherein the second instance of the game of chance is from a second game software content provider.

15. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein a first instance of the game of chance and a second instance of the game of chance share a common license.

16. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to track usage information for each of the plurality of instances of the game of chance.

17. The gaming machine of claim 16, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to report the usage information to the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device.

18. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller, the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is further designed or configured to determine a licensing cost for playing the game of chance.

19. The gaming machine of claim 18, wherein the licensing cost is based upon one or more of 1) a popularity of the game of chance, 2) a time that the game of chance is played, 3) a wager amount that is made on the game of chance, 4) a type of gaming machine on which the game of chance is played, 5) a location in the casino of the gaming machine, 6) a fixed cost per game, 7) a fixed cost per game that varies as a function of time, 8) a fixed cost per game that varies according to a total number of times the game of chance has been played on the gaming machine, 9) a number of games of chance that are being played on the gaming machine simultaneously, 10) player information of a player playing the game of chance, 11) whether the gaming machine is linked to other gaming machines, 12) whether the gaming machine is linked to a progressive system, 13) whether the gaming machine is linked to a bonus system, 14) whether the gaming machine is linked to a central determination system, 15) a denomination of the game, 16) a fixed cost per game that varies according to a total number times the game of chance has been played on a group of gaming machines, 17) a discount provided to the gaming machine operator and 18) combinations thereof.

20. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the RAM is loaded with two or more game software modules that are executed according to rules specified in two or more different licenses.

21. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the RAM is loaded with two or more game software that each use a different license token.

22. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein an identity of the remote gaming device is authenticated using a zero knowledge proof.

23. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a product activation code from a remote gaming device for the first game software module.

24. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine its game software configuration and send information describing its game software configuration to the remote gaming device.

25. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device is the same gaming device.

26. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and wherein only a limited number of license tokens including the first license token are available to the gaming machines in the gaming system.

27. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and wherein only a limited number of copies of the second game software module are allowed to exist in the gaming system.

28. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether one or more of the plurality of game software modules is permitted in a gaming jurisdiction where the gaming machine is located.

29. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether a software configuration comprising one or more software configuration parameters for the plurality of game software modules is permitted in a gaming machine jurisdiction where the gaming machine is located.

30. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming devices including the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device and wherein a copy of the second game software module is stored on at least one of the plurality of gaming devices and wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to find the copy of the second game software module in the gaming system.

31. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the gaming machine is operable to find the copy of the second game software module by requesting device identification information for a first gaming device storing the copy of the second game software module from a second gaming device.

32. The gaming machine of claim 31, wherein the gaming machine is operable to contact the second gaming device using the device identification information received from the first gaming device and to request a download of the second game software module.

33. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the selection between the two or more of the gaming devices storing the second game software module is based upon one or more of a) a load status of each of the gaming devices, b) a traffic load on a network connecting the gaming machine to the two or more gaming devices, c) a distance over a network between the gaming machine and each of the gaming devices and d) combinations thereof.

34. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is operable to render on the display a list comprising one or more of 1) instances of the game of chance available for play on the gaming machine, 2) instances of bonus games available for play on the gaming machine and 3) instances of progressive games available for play on the gaming machine.

35. The gaming machine of claim 34, wherein the download of the second game software module is initiated in response to the master gaming controller receiving a selection from the list.

36. The gaming machine of claim 34, wherein the request for the first license token is initiated in response to the master gaming controller receiving a selection from the list.

37. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first license includes one or more expiration limits after which the first license expires.

38. The gaming machine of claim 37, wherein the one or more expiration limits are selected from the group consisting of a date, an interval of time and a number of uses.

39. The gaming machine of claim 37, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether the one or more of the expiration limits have been exceeded.

40. The gaming machine of claim 37, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a new license when the first license is near expiration or has expired.

41. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein first game software module includes a software certificate that is attached to or integrated into the first game software module wherein the software certificate comprises one or more of 1) licensing rules specified in the first license, 2) jurisdictional rules specifying use limitations in different gaming jurisdictions for the first game software module, 3) duplication rules specifying copying restrictions for the first game software module, 4) movement rules for determining whether the first game software module can be moved to another gaming device, 5) location rules specifying types of gaming devices allowed to store and execute the first game software module, 6) a download history for the first game software module, 7) an usage history for the first game software module and 8) combinations thereof.

42. The gaming machine of claim 41, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to periodically update the software certificate with usage information describing usage of the first game software module on the gaming machine.

43. The gaming machine of claim 41, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to send information stored on the software certificate to a remote gaming device.

44. The gaming machine of claim 41, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a new software certificate for the first game software module.

45. The gaming machine of claim 41, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to authenticate a validity of the software certificate.

46. The gaming machine of claim 41, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to generate a unique digital signature for the software certificate using at least information from the usage history stored on the software certificate.

47. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed to receive a request for a copy of the first game software module from a remote gaming device.

48. The gaming machine of claim 47, wherein the remote gaming device is a first gaming machine providing the play of a wagering game of chance.

49. The gaming machine of claim 47, wherein in response to receiving the request, the gaming machine is operable to generate the copy of the first game software module and send the copy to the remote gaming device.

50. The gaming machine of claim 49, wherein after the copy is sent to the remote gaming device, the gaming machine is operable to delete the copy of the first game software module stored on the gaming machine.

51. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is selected from a group consisting of a billing/accounting server, a player tracking server, a gaming machine, a wireless mobile gaming device, a game play hosting server and a game software hosting server.

52. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, prior to the download of the second game software module, to notify of the second remote gaming device of its hardware and software capabilities.

53. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, prior to the download of the second game software module, to request a specific version of the second game software module that it is compatible with the gaming machine.

54. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, after the download of the second game software module, to determine whether the second game software module is compatible with the gaming machine.

55. A gaming machine for providing wagering on a game of chance, the gaming machine comprising:

a master gaming controller designed or configured i) to generate a game of chance played on the gaming machine by executing a plurality of game software modules including a first game software module and a second game software module wherein the first game software module is executed according to rules specified in a first license;

ii) to validate that the first game software module is being used according to the rules specified in the first license;

iii) to request a first license token from a first remote gaming device for the first game software module;

iv) to download from a second remote gaming device the second game software module;

a memory device for storing the plurality of game software modules;

a trusted memory device for storing authentication logic used to determine that the plurality of game software modules are authorized for use on the gaming machine;

a gaming operating system comprising logic to load and unload the plurality of game software modules into a RAM from the memory device and to control the play of the game of chance;

a non-volatile memory for storing state information wherein during play of the game of chance the gaming machine advances between a plurality of states and stores the state information for each of the plurality of states to the non-volatile memory and wherein when a malfunction occurs between a first state and a second state in the plurality of states the gaming machine is operable to restore itself to the first state using the state information for the first state stored in the non-volatile memory;

an input device for receiving cash or indicia of credit used for the wagering;

an output device for outputting cash or indicia of credit;

a display for displaying a presentation of the game of chance; and

a network interface for communicating with the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device

wherein first game software module includes a software certificate that is attached to or integrated into the first game software module wherein the software certificate comprises an usage history for the first game software module; and

wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to generate a unique digital signature for the software certificate using at least information from the usage history stored on the software certificate.

56. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is first gaming machine operable to provide wagering on a first game of chance in a casino and wherein the first gaming machine includes a housing, a first input device coupled to the housing for receiving the cash or the indicia of credit, a first output device coupled to the housing for outputting the cash or indicia and a first display for displaying the first game of chance.

57. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein memory device stores game software modules that require a license token.

58. The gaming machine of claim 57, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine which of the game software modules requires the license token.

59. The gaming machine of claim 55, further comprising:

executable logic for determining a response when the first license token is not available for the first game software module.

60. The gaming machine of claim 59, wherein the executable logic is embedded in the first game software module.

61. The gaming machine of claim 59, wherein executable logic is stored on the trusted memory device.

62. The gaming machine of claim 59, wherein the response is one or more of 1) sending a message notifying an operator or user of the gaming machine that the license token is not available, 2) preventing execution of the second game software module, 3) disabling one or more features of the second game software module, 4) altering an output of data from the second game software module and 5) combinations thereof.

63. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the first license token is required to execute the game of chance.

64. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the gaming machine is operable to execute a plurality of instances of the game of chance.

65. The gaming machine of claim 64, wherein a first instance of the game of chance requires a license token for execution and wherein a second instance of the game of chance does not require any license token.

66. The gaming machine of claim 65, wherein, when a request is made for the first instance of the game of chance and in response to the license token not being available for the first instance, the second instance of the game chance is executed.

67. The gaming machine of claim 64, wherein a first instance of the game of chance is executed according to rules specified in the first license and a second instance of the game of chance is executed according to rules specified in a second license different from the first license.

68. The gaming machine of claim 67, wherein the first instance of the game of chance is from a first game software content provider and wherein the second instance of the game of chance is from a second game software content provider.

69. The gaming machine of claim 64, wherein a first instance of the game of chance and a second instance of the game of chance share a common license.

70. The gaming machine of claim 64, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to track usage information for each of the plurality of instances of the game of chance.

71. The gaming machine of claim 70, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to report the usage information to the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device.

72. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller, the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is further designed or configured to determine a licensing cost for playing the game of chance.

73. The gaming machine of claim 72, wherein the licensing cost is based upon one or more of 1) a popularity of the game of chance, 2) a time that the game of chance is played, 3) a wager amount that is made on the game of chance, 4) a type of gaming machine on which the game of chance is played, 5) a location in the casino of the gaming machine, 6) a fixed cost per game, 7) a fixed cost per game that varies as a function of time, 8) a fixed cost per game that varies according to a total number of times the game of chance has been played on the gaming machine, 9) a number of games of chance that are being played on the gaming machine simultaneously, 10) player information of a player playing the game of chance, 11) whether the gaming machine is linked to other gaming machines, 12) whether the gaming machine is linked to a progressive system, 13) whether the gaming machine is linked to a bonus system, 14) whether the gaming machine is linked to a central determination system, 15) a denomination of the game, 16) a fixed cost per game that varies according to a total number times the game of chance has been played on a group of gaming machines, 17) a discount provided to the gaming machine operator and 18) combinations thereof.

74. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the RAM is loaded with two or more game software modules that are executed according to rules specified in two or more different licenses.

75. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the RAM is loaded with two or more game software that each use a different license token.

76. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein an identity of the remote gaming device is authenticated using a zero knowledge proof.

77. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a product activation code from a remote gaming device for the first game software module.

78. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine its game software configuration and send information describing its game software configuration to the remote gaming device.

79. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device is the same gaming device.

80. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and wherein only a limited number of license tokens including the first license token are available to the gaming machines in the gaming system.

81. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and wherein only a limited number of copies of the second game software module are allowed to exist in the gaming system.

82. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether one or more of the plurality of game software modules is permitted in a gaming jurisdiction where the gaming machine is located.

83. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether a software configuration comprising one or more software configuration parameters for the plurality of game software modules is permitted in a gaming machine jurisdiction where the gaming machine is located.

84. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming devices including the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device and wherein a copy of the second game software module is stored on at least one of the plurality of gaming devices and wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to find the copy of the second game software module in the gaming system.

85. The gaming machine of claim 84, wherein the gaming machine is operable to find the copy of the second game software module by requesting device identification information for a first gaming device storing the copy of the second game software module from a second gaming device.

86. The gaming machine of claim 85, wherein the gaming machine is operable to contact the second gaming device using the device identification information received from the first gaming device and to request a download of the second game software module.

87. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming devices including the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device and wherein a copy of the second game software module is stored on a portion of the plurality of gaming devices and wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to select between two or more of the gaming devices storing the second game software module and request a download of the second game software module from the selected gaming device.

88. The gaming machine of claim 87, wherein the selection between the two or more of the gaming devices storing the second game software module is based upon one or more of a) a load status of each of the gaming devices, b) a traffic load on a network connecting the gaming machine to the two or more gaming devices, c) a distance over a network between the gaming machine and each of the gaming devices and d) combinations thereof.

89. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is operable to render on the display a list comprising one or more of 1) instances of the game of chance available for play on the gaming machine, 2) instances of bonus games available for play on the gaming machine and 3) instances of progressive games available for play on the gaming machine.

90. The gaming machine of claim 89, wherein the download of the second game software module is initiated in response to the master gaming controller receiving a selection from the list.

91. The gaming machine of claim 89, wherein the request for the first license token is initiated in response to the master gaming controller receiving a selection from the list.

92. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the first license includes one or more expiration limits after which the first license expires.

93. The gaming machine of claim 92, wherein the one or more expiration limits are selected from the group consisting of a date, an interval of time and a number of uses.

94. The gaming machine of claim 92, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether the one or more of the expiration limits have been exceeded.

95. The gaming machine of claim 92, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a new license when the first license is near expiration or has expired.

96. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein first game software module includes a software certificate that is attached to or integrated into the first game software module wherein the software certificate comprises one or more of 1) licensing rules specified in the first license, 2) jurisdictional rules specifying use limitations in different gaming jurisdictions for the first game software module, 3) duplication rules specifying copying restrictions for the first game software module, 4) movement rules for determining whether the first game software module can be moved to another gaming device, 5) location rules specifying types of gaming devices allowed to store and execute the first game software module, 6) a download history for the first game software module and 7) combinations thereof.

97. The gaming machine of claim 96, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to periodically update the software certificate with usage information describing usage of the first game software module on the gaming machine.

98. The gaming machine of claim 96, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to send information stored on the software certificate to a remote gaming device.

99. The gaming machine of claim 96, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a new software certificate for the first game software module.

100. The gaming machine of claim 96, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to authenticate a validity of the software certificate.

101. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed to receive a request for a copy of the first game software module from a remote gaming device.

102. The gaming machine of claim 101, wherein the remote gaming device is a first gaming machine providing the play of a wagering game of chance.

103. The gaming machine of claim 101, wherein in response to receiving the request, the gaming machine is operable to generate the copy of the first game software module and send the copy to the remote gaming device.

104. The gaming machine of claim 103, wherein after the copy is sent to the remote gaming device, the gaming machine is operable to delete the copy of the first game software module stored on the gaming machine.

105. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is selected from a group consisting of a billing/accounting server, a player tracking server, a gaming machine, a wireless mobile gaming device, a game play hosting server and a game software hosting server.

106. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, prior to the download of the second game software module, to notify of the second remote gaming device of its hardware and software capabilities.

107. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, prior to the download of the second game software module, to request a specific version of the second game software module that it is compatible with the gaming machine.

108. The gaming machine of claim 55, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, after the download of the second game software module, to determine whether the second game software module is compatible with the gaming machine.

109. A gaming machine for providing wagering on a game of chance, the gaming machine comprising:

a master gaming controller designed or configured i) to generate a game of chance played on the gaming machine by executing a plurality of game software modules including a first game software module and a second game software module wherein the first game software module is executed according to rules specified in a first license;

ii) to validate that the first game software module is being used according to the rules specified in the first license;

iii) to request a first license token from a first remote gaming device for the first game software module;

iv) to download from a second remote gaming device the second game software module;

wherein the master gaming controller is further designed to receive a request for a copy of the first game software module from a remote gaming device and wherein in response to receiving the request, the gaming machine is operable to generate the copy of the first game software module and send the copy to the remote gaming device and wherein after the copy is sent to the remote gaming device, the gaming machine is operable to delete the copy of the first game software module stored on the gaming machine;

a memory device for storing the plurality of game software modules;

a trusted memory device for storing authentication logic used to determine that the plurality of game software modules are authorized for use on the gaming machine;

a gaming operating system comprising logic to load and unload the plurality of game software modules into a RAM from the memory device and to control the play of the game of chance;

a non-volatile memory for storing state information wherein during play of the game of chance the gaming machine advances between a plurality of states and stores the state information for each of the plurality of states to the non-volatile memory and wherein when a malfunction occurs between a first state and a second state in the plurality of states the gaming machine is operable to restore itself to the first state using the state information for the first state stored in the non-volatile memory;

an input device for receiving cash or indicia of credit used for the wagering;

an output device for outputting cash or indicia of credit;

a display for displaying a presentation of the game of chance; and

a network interface for communicating with the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device.

110. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is first gaming machine operable to provide wagering on a first game of chance in a casino and wherein the first gaming machine includes a housing, a first input device coupled to the housing for receiving the cash or the indicia of credit, a first output device coupled to the housing for outputting the cash or indicia and a first display for displaying the first game of chance.

111. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein memory device stores game software modules that require a license token.

112. The gaming machine of claim 111, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine which of the game software modules requires the license token.

113. The gaming machine of claim 109, further comprising:

executable logic for determining a response when the first license token is not available for the first game software module.

114. The gaming machine of claim 113, wherein the executable logic is embedded in the first game software module.

115. The gaming machine of claim 113, wherein executable logic is stored on the trusted memory device.

116. The gaming machine of claim 113, wherein the response is one or more of 1) sending a message notifying an operator or user of the gaming machine that the license token is not available, 2) preventing execution of the second game software module, 3) disabling one or more features of the second game software module, 4) altering an output of data from the second game software module and 5) combinations thereof.

117. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein the first license token is required to execute the game of chance.

118. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein the gaming machine is operable to execute a plurality of instances of the game of chance.

119. The gaming machine of claim 118, wherein a first instance of the game of chance requires a license token for execution and wherein a second instance of the game of chance does not require any license token.

120. The gaming machine of claim 119, wherein, when a request is made for the first instance of the game of chance and in response to the license token not being available for the first instance, the second instance of the game chance is executed.

121. The gaming machine of claim 118, wherein a first instance of the game of chance is executed according to rules specified in the first license and a second instance of the game of chance is executed according to rules specified in a second license different from the first license.

122. The gaming machine of claim 121, wherein the first instance of the game of chance is from a first game software content provider and wherein the second instance of the game of chance is from a second game software content provider.

123. The gaming machine of claim 118, wherein a first instance of the game of chance and a second instance of the game of chance share a common license.

124. The gaming machine of claim 118, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to track usage information for each of the plurality of instances of the game of chance.

125. The gaming machine of claim 124, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to report the usage information to the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device.

126. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein the master gaming controller, the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is further designed or configured to determine a licensing cost for playing the game of chance.

127. The gaming machine of claim 126, wherein the licensing cost is based upon one or more of 1) a popularity of the game of chance, 2) a time that the game of chance is played, 3) a wager amount that is made on the game of chance, 4) a type of gaming machine on which the game of chance is played, 5) a location in the casino of the gaming machine, 6) a fixed cost per game, 7) a fixed cost per game that varies as a function of time, 8) a fixed cost per game that varies according to a total number of times the game of chance has been played on the gaming machine, 9) a number of games of chance that are being played on the gaming machine simultaneously, 10) player information of a player playing the game of chance, 11) whether the gaming machine is linked to other gaming machines, 12) whether the gaming machine is linked to a progressive system, 13) whether the gaming machine is linked to a bonus system, 14) whether the gaming machine is linked to a central determination system, 15) a denomination of the game, 16) a fixed cost per game that varies according to a total number times the game of chance has been played on a group of gaming machines, 17) a discount provided to the gaming machine operator and 18) combinations thereof.

128. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein the RAM is loaded with two or more game software modules that are executed according to rules specified in two or more different licenses.

129. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein the RAM is loaded with two or more game software that each use a different license token.

130. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein an identity of the remote gaming device is authenticated using a zero knowledge proof.

131. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a product activation code from a remote gaming device for the first game software module.

132. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine its game software configuration and send information describing its game software configuration to the remote gaming device.

133. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device is the same gaming device.

134. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and wherein only a limited number of license tokens including the first license token are available to the gaming machines in the gaming system.

135. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and wherein only a limited number of copies of the second game software module are allowed to exist in the gaming system.

136. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether one or more of the plurality of game software modules is permitted in a gaming jurisdiction where the gaming machine is located.

137. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether a software configuration comprising one or more software configuration parameters for the plurality of game software modules is permitted in a gaming machine jurisdiction where the gaming machine is located.

138. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming devices including the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device and wherein a copy of the second game software module is stored on at least one of the plurality of gaming devices and wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to find the copy of the second game software module in the gaming system.

139. The gaming machine of claim 138, wherein the gaming machine is operable to find the copy of the second game software module by requesting device identification information for a first gaming device storing the copy of the second game software module from a second gaming device.

140. The gaming machine of claim 139, wherein the gaming machine is operable to contact the second gaming device using the device identification information received from the first gaming device and to request a download of the second game software module.

141. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the gaming machine is part of a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming devices including the first remote gaming device and the second remote gaming device and wherein a copy of the second game software module is stored on a portion of the plurality of gaming devices and wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to select between two or more of the gaming devices storing the second game software module and request a download of the second game software module from the selected gaming device.

142. The gaming machine of claim 141, wherein the selection between the two or more of the gaming devices storing the second game software module is based upon one or more of a) a load status of each of the gaming devices, b) a traffic load on a network connecting the gaming machine to the two or more gaming devices, c) a distance over a network between the gaming machine and each of the gaming devices and d) combinations thereof.

143. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the master gaming controller is operable to render on the display a list comprising one or more of 1) instances of the game of chance available for play on the gaming machine, 2) instances of bonus games available for play on the gaming machine and 3) instances of progressive games available for play on the gaming machine.

144. The gaming machine of claim 143, wherein the download of the second game software module is initiated in response to the master gaming controller receiving a selection from the list.

145. The gaming machine of claim 143, wherein the request for the first license token is initiated in response to the master gaming controller receiving a selection from the list.

146. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the first license includes one or more expiration limits after which the first license expires.

147. The gaming machine of claim 146, wherein the one or more expiration limits are selected from the group consisting of a date, an interval of time and a number of uses.

148. The gaming machine of claim 146, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to determine whether the one or more of the expiration limits have been exceeded.

149. The gaming machine of claim 146, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a new license when the first license is near expiration or has expired.

150. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein first game software module includes a software certificate that is attached to or integrated into the first game software module wherein the software certificate comprises one or more of 1) licensing rules specified in the first license, 2) jurisdictional rules specifying use limitations in different gaming jurisdictions for the first game software module, 3) duplication rules specifying copying restrictions for the first game software module, 4) movement rules for determining whether the first game software module can be moved to another gaming device, 5) location rules specifying types of gaming devices allowed to store and execute the first game software module, 6) a download history for the first game software module, 7) an usage history for the first game software module and 8) combinations thereof.

151. The gaming machine of claim 150, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to periodically update the software certificate with usage information describing usage of the first game software module on the gaming machine.

152. The gaming machine of claim 150, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to send information stored on the software certificate to a remote gaming device.

153. The gaming machine of claim 150, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to request a new software certificate for the first game software module.

154. The gaming machine of claim 150, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to authenticate a validity of the software certificate.

155. The gaming machine of claim 150, wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured to generate a unique digital signature for the software certificate using at least information from the usage history stored on the software certificate.

156. The gaming machine of claim 109, wherein the remote gaming device is a first gaming machine providing the play of a wagering game of chance.

157. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the first remote gaming device or the second remote gaming device is selected from a group consisting of a billing/accounting server, a player tracking server, a gaming machine, a wireless mobile gaming device, a game play hosting server and a game software hosting server.

158. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, prior to the download of the second game software module, to notify of the second remote gaming device of its hardware and software capabilities.

159. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, prior to the download of the second game software module, to request a specific version of the second game software module that it is compatible with the gaming machine.

160. The gaming machine of claim 109 wherein the master gaming controller is further designed or configured, after the download of the second game software module, to determine whether the second game software module is compatible with the gaming machine.