FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tickets having associated stored credit and in particular to a tickets having stored gaming credit. The invention has been developed primarily for allowing the use of a gaming ticket for non gaming purchases and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and tickets can be used in any other suitable industry such as purchasing goods and other services in any suitable environment.

This application is related to Australia patent applications 2009900872 and 2009900874 which are incorporated herein in their entirety by way of reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In this specification unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge; or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Inventions in the gaming industry have allowed gaming machines to accept and dispense tickets in place of cash. As such when a gamer "cashes out" and requests that the balance of credit from a machine be returned to them, instead of being paid in coins (which can be cumbersome and difficult to manage), the gaming machine prints out a ticket onto which the credit is stored. Typically the ticket has a unique identifier and the details of the ticket and the credit associated with the ticket are stored on secure servers within the gaming venue. The gamer can then take the ticket to a cashier where they can redeem the ticket and receive the cash amount or they can insert the ticket into another gaming machine at the venue which then allocated the credit associated with the ticket to the machine and allows the gamer to play the chosen game. If the gamer cashes out again, then a new ticket, separate to the ticket initially inserted into the machine, is printed out for the gamer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A disadvantage of the prior art is that if a gamer has credit associated with a ticket then the gamer can only use the credit to place further wagers on a gaming machine or redeem the ticket at a cashier to obtain the cash amount stored on the ticket.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention advantageously allows a gamer to use the credit stored on a ticket to make non gaming purchases. That is, a gamer or player does not need to redeem the ticket for cash at a cashier in order to purchase non gaming goods or services such as food and beverages.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for allowing a gaming ticket to be used for a non gaming purchase, the system including: a central server for storing information relating to the ticket, the information relating to the ticket including a ticket credit value; a point of sale terminal (POS) in communication with the central server for reading information stored on the ticket and for requesting sale authorisation from the central server.

Preferably the system includes an interface connected between the POS and the central server, the interface communicating with the POS and the central server such that the POS and the central server are prevented from communicating directly.

Preferably the POS terminal is used to pay for non gaming products and/or services.

Preferably the POS terminal is separate from a gaming hall in which gaming machines are located.

Preferably the central server grants the sale authorisation only if the ticket credit value is greater than a sale amount.

Preferably the central server is a gaming server and the ticket was issued by the central sever and printed at a gaming machine.

Preferably the ticket has information stored thereon, the information capable of being rewritten.

Preferably information is stored on the ticket is stored by way of any of the following: magnetic strip; barcode; microchip; or any other suitable means.

Preferably the communication between the interface and the central server is through one of the following: the Internet; a WAN; a VPN; or any other suitable means.

Preferably the communication between the interface and the POS is through a serial port connection on the POS terminal.

Preferably the information relating to the ticket on the central server is updated after the sale authorisation is granted.

Preferably the information stored on the ticket is updated after the sale authorisation is granted. Preferably the credit stored on the ticket is decreased by the sale amount after the sale authorisation is granted.

Preferably the ticket can be inserted into the gaming machine that printed the ticket or any other suitable gaming machine and the credit stored on the ticket used to wager on the outcome of a game at the or any suitable gaming machine.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for allowing a gaming ticket to be used for a non gaming purchase, the method including the steps of: providing a central server for storing information relating to the ticket, the information relating to the ticket including a ticket credit value; providing a point of sale terminal (POS) in communication with the central server for reading information stored on the ticket and for requesting sale authorisation from the central server.

Preferably the method includes the step of connecting an interface between the POS and the central server, the interface communicating with the POS and the central server such that the POS and the central server are prevented from communicating directly.

Preferably the method includes the step of using the POS terminal to pay for non gaming products and/or services.

Preferably the method includes the step of separating the POS terminal from a gaming hall in which gaming machines are located.

Preferably the method includes the step of the central server granting the sale authorisation only if the ticket credit value is greater than a sale amount.

Preferably the central server is a gaming server and the method includes the step of the central server issuing the ticket and the step of printing the ticket at a gaming machine.

Preferably the ticket has information stored thereon, the information capable of being rewritten.

Preferably the method includes the step of storing information on the ticket by way of any of the following: magnetic strip; barcode; microchip; or any other suitable means.

Preferably the method includes the step of the interface and the central server communicating through one of the following: the Internet; a WAN; a VPN; or any other suitable means.

Preferably the method includes the step of the interface and the POS communicating through a serial port connection on the POS terminal. Preferably the method includes the step of updating the information relating to the ticket on the central server after the sale authorisation is granted.

Preferably the method includes the step of updating the information stored on the ticket after the sale authorisation is granted.

Preferably the method includes the step of decreasing the credit stored on the ticket by the sale amount after the sale authorisation is granted.

Preferably the ticket can be inserted into the gaming machine that printed the ticket or any other suitable gaming machine and the credit stored on the ticket used to wager on the outcome of a game at the or any suitable gaming machine.

Throughout the specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and other variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers of steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure Ia is a diagram of a gaming machine according to the invention; Figure Ib is a diagram of another gaming machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagram of a network and POS terminal connection according to the invention; and

Figure 3 is a diagram of another gaming machine according to the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a system for allowing a ticket having stored credit to be used for a non gaming purchase. The system includes a central server for storing information relating to the ticket, the information relating to the ticket including a ticket credit value. A point of sale terminal (POS) is in communication with the central server for reading information stored on the ticket and for requesting sale authorisation from the central server.

In some embodiments the system includes an interface connected between the POS and the central server. The interface communicates with the POS terminal device and the central server such that the POS terminal device and the central server are prevented from communicating directly. This may be desired due to regulatory requirements in some jurisdictions that may require the POS terminal not to communicate directly with the central server that stores the ticket information. In this way the POS terminal device can be owned and operated independently of the interface and the central sever which may be operated by a single entity thereby ensuring accountability of the ticket belongs to the single entity operating the interface and the central server. Of course the system can be tailored to suite several different jurisdictions and the interface may not be required any a particular jurisdiction and the POS terminal can be configured to communicate directly with the central server.

In the preferred embodiment the POS terminal device reads the ticket information and requests that the interface initiate communication with the central server. The POS terminal device sends the purchase information to the interface and the interface in turn communicates the purchase information to the central server. The central server grants the sale authorisation only if the ticket credit value is greater than a sale amount. That is, the sale is only authorised by the central server if the sale amount would not drop the credit stored on the ticket below $0. In some instances the central server can be configured to allow the ticket credit amount to drop below $0 with the intention that the player pay back that amount when they choose to recharge or add additional credit to the ticket through a cashier, gaming machine, dedicated recharge terminal or the like. In some instances and if allowed by regulation, the central server stores credit card or banking detail information for an owner of the ticket and requests additional funds from the owner's credit card or bank account to recharge the ticket to an amount exceeding the sale amount and thereby authorise the sale.

In the preferred embodiment the central server is a gaming server that administers gaming machines and issues tickets, the tickets being printed at a gaming machine in response to a gamer cashing out the remaining credit they have at the gaming machine.

The ticket issued by the gaming machine has information stored thereon which includes the ticket number and the credit amount stored on the ticket. The information is preferably capable of being rewritten, however, in some embodiments single use tickets may be preferred. In these embodiments when the ticket is inserted into another gaming machine or used as a POS terminal to purchase non gaming products or services then the ticket is confiscated and a new ticket containing the new credit amount is issued. It can be seen that a reusable ticket may result in cost savings for a venue as the number of tickets issued can be decreased to the tickets being reused rather than a new ticket reissued for every transaction.

Information can be stored on the ticket by way of any of the following: magnetic strip; barcode; microchip; or any other suitable means. A magnetic strip placed on the top or bottom of the ticket is used in the preferred embodiment.

In the preferred embodiment communication between the interface and the central server is through one of the following: the Internet; a WAN; a LAN; a VPN; or any other suitable means. It is preferred that any communication is secure and preferably encrypted to ensure data integrity. It is preferred that the communication between the interface and the POS terminal device is through a serial port connection on the POS terminal. Other interfaces can be used if preferred and considered suitable. Other interfaces could be USB, parallel port, fϊrewire or the like.

It would be understood that the information relating to the ticket stored on the central server is updated after the sale authorisation is granted. It is also preferred that the information stored on the ticket is updated after the sale authorisation is granted. The updated information on the central server and the ticket includes the new credit amount stored on thee ticket which would be equal to the credit amount prior to the sale decreased by the sale amount after the sale authorisation has been granted.

After the sale the gamer can choose to return to a gaming machine to continue gaming. The player can insert the ticket into the gaming machine that printed the ticket or any other suitable gaming machine and the remaining credit stored on the ticket can be used to wager on the outcome of a game. The gamer could also choose to redeem the ticket at a cashier to receive the cash amount of the credit stored on the card. The gamer could further choose to purchase further non gaming related goods and services.

Gaming machines according to the preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. IA, the gaming device includes one or more display devices controlled by the processor. The display devices are preferably connected to or mounted to the cabinet of the gaming device. The embodiment shown in Fig. IA includes a central display device 16 which displays a primary game. This display device may also display any suitable secondary game associated with the primary game as well as information relating to the primary or secondary game. The alternative embodiment shown in Fig. IA includes a central display device 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device may display the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated or not associated with the primary game and/or information relating to the primary or secondary game. These display devices may also serve as digital glass operable to advertise games or other aspects of the gaming establishment. The gaming device includes a credit display which displays a player's current number of credits, cash, account balance or the equivalent. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a bet display which displays a player's amount wagered. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the gaming device includes a player tracking display which displays information regarding a player's playing tracking status.

In another embodiment, at least one display device may be a mobile display device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that enables play of at least a portion of the primary or secondary game at a location remote from the gaming device.

The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LED), a display based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display based on a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including a projected and/or reflected image or any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device includes a touchscreen with an associated touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable size and configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle. The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, images, images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards, and the like.

In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical form. That is, the display device may include any electromechanical device, such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one or a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or indicia.

As illustrated in Fig. IA, in one embodiment, the gaming device includes at least one payment device 24 in communication with the processor.

A payment device such as a payment acceptor includes a note, ticket or bill acceptor 28 wherein the player inserts paper money, a ticket or voucher and a coin slot 26 where the player inserts money, coins, or tokens. In other embodiments, payment devices such as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or credit slips may accept payment. In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into a card reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the identification card is a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information. In another embodiment, a player may carry a portable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag or any other suitable wireless device, which communicates a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information to the gaming device. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gaming device, the processor determines the amount of funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the credit or other suitable display as described above.

In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in Fig. IA, one input device is a touchscreen 42 coupled with a touch-screen controller 44, or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to allow for player interaction with the images on the display. The touchscreen and the touch-screen controller are connected to a video controller 46. A player can make decisions and input signals into the gaming device by touching the touchscreen at the appropriate places. One such input device is a conventional touch-screen button panel. The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication ports for enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key pad.

In one embodiment, as seen in Fig. IA, the gaming device includes a sound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 48 which function in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the sound generating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of speakers 50 or other sound generating hardware and/or software for generating sounds, such as playing music for the primary and/or secondary game or for other modes of the gaming device, such as an attract mode. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamic sounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display a sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract potential players to the gaming device. The videos may also be customized for or to provide any appropriate information.

In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display devices may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and the processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.

Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary and/or base game. The gaming machine or device may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel- type game, card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a random outcome based on probability data at the time of or after placement of a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. IB, one or more of the gaming devices 10 are in communication with each other and/or at least one central server, central controller or remote host 56 through a data network or remote communication link 58. In this embodiment, the central server, central controller or remote host is any suitable server or computing device which includes at least one processor and at least one memory or storage device. In different such embodiments, the central server is a progressive controller or a processor of one of the gaming devices in the gaming system. In these embodiments, the processor of each gaming device is designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands or any other suitable data or signal between the individual gaming device and the central server. The gaming device processor is operable to execute such communicated events, messages or commands in conjunction with the operation of the gaming device. Moreover, the processor of the central server is designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands or any other suitable data or signal between the central server and each of the individual gaming devices. The central server processor is operable to execute such communicated events, messages or commands in conjunction with the operation of the central server. It should be appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of the central controller as disclosed herein may be performed by one or more gaming device processors. It should be further appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of one or more gaming device processors as disclosed herein may be performed by the central controller.

In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the player at the gaming device. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or controller.

In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming device.

In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such as free games.

The central server or controller communicates the generated or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or controller and communicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win- loss volatility and the like.

The preferred embodiment of the invention can be implemented in a system that has an existing TITO (ticket in ticket out) system. The preferred embodiment can be integrated into such an existing system by enhancing the functionality thereof. Additionally there would be a number of other benefits, including harm minimisation attributes, to the use of the implementing a system of the preferred embodiment to allow ticket use across food, beverage and other retail applications. Preferably the ticket can be used within a designated venue such as a casino or resort however the system can also be configured so as to allow tickets to be used in multiple venues. In the current preferred embodiment in, say a casino, a user or gamer can insert money into a gaming machine and once they have finished wagering they can request to cash out. The gaming machine then communicates with the central server that administers tickets, the central server issues a ticket which is then printed out by the gaming machine. The user can then take the ticket to another gaming machine and insert it to continue wagering or can take the ticket to any store, restaurant, service outlet within the casino and equipped with the POS terminal and interface and spend any remaining credit on the ticket at the store, restaurant or service outlet.

In the preferred embodiment, if a ticket does not have sufficient credit remaining for the purchase then the user can simply pay any additional money required by traditional means such as cash, credit card, EFTPOS or the like. For example, a ticket may have $20 of credit stored thereon and the user may wish to purchase food for an amount of $25. The user can then use the $20 stored on the ticket and pay the addition $5 by cash, credit card, EFTPOS or the like. In this way the user retains complete flexibility in the way in which they wish to pay. Alternatively they could add additional credit onto the ticket to ensure the credit on the ticket is equal to or exceeds the purchase amount of $25. In the preferred embodiment the ticket can be recharged by taking it to a cashier and providing payment to the cashier or inserting it into a gaming machine and inserting notes or coins into the gaming machine and then cashing out. In this way the credit stored on the ticket will be increased and the information stored on the central server regarding the ticket updated to reflect the increased credit amount.

In the preferred embodiment it is suggested that the current TITO system provides an interface to a third party (preferably non gaming party) while at the same time not allowing direct access to the central server through the interface. This requirement can be due to regulations and also security by ensuring that the third party cannot maliciously alter the information stored on the central server.

In this way the implementation of the preferred embodiment in an existing TITO ticket system simply extends the functionality of such a system and there are no changes made to the operation of the existing TITO system as it applies to the operation of gaming machines. The system is simply extended by adding additional interfaces to POS devices which contain different software to that in a Gaming device.

These interfaces allow a POS terminal to ask basic questions as to whether the ticket contained in the interface, is valid and has enough funds for a debit to be made to those funds, which would then also keep the value to not less than $0.00. The extension to the system is arrived at by using the funds available on the TITO ticket, in the other retail outlets within the designated (preferably licensed) venue. A full audit trail of the activity of the ticket use is available on the host computer and each transaction is differentiated from the gaming functions as a POS transaction. Key benefits from such an extended TITO debit system according to the preferred embodiment include:

• Pro-Active approach to enable players to use gaming funds to purchase other (non-gaming) goods and services.

• Security of funds facility. Some players see the TITO ticket system as a secure means of keeping their cash safe from theft.

• Convenient method of budgeting for players.

• Harm minimization attributes. The ability for players to easily and quickly, take a break from playing gaming machines and use these funds to buy meals or drinks.

• Reduction in cash handling costs.

• Providing a starting platform for the overall migration to cashless venue operations.

A network and POS terminal connection according to the preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a plurality of gaming machines 201 connected to a network switch 202. A cash redemption terminal 203 is also connected to switch 202 and allows a player to redeem tickets printed by the gaming machines 201 for cash. Switch 202 is connected to switch 204 and enables communication with cashier 205 and the central server 206. It would be understood that the network switches provide network communication to devices and other switches that are connected to them thereby allowing any device connected to the network to communicate with any other device connected to the network. An interface 207 is connected to switch 204 and the interface is connected via an RS232 serial connection to POS terminal 208.

In this embodiment, the system is sold under the brand name Flexi-Net ^tm but it would be understood that any suitable brand name could be used without affecting the working and scope of the invention. In this preferred embodiment the network communication between the existing TITO and gaming system is achieved through the use of the interface 207 that provides access to the system. The interface 207 contains different software to that which would be found in a gaming machine interface. This interface software has a serial connection port which allows the connection of a POS device 208 to the interface 207. The POS retail device can be any number of retail POS terminals, which are commercially available to venues. These include, but are not limited to; Micros, Bevlink, Ideal, Sanyo, InfoGenesis, FideltaPOS, Sharp Retail and BePos.

In the preferred embodiment the interface 207 is contained in a sealed enclosure and the enclosure is then contained inside a metal box. This is to ensure the security of the device and to comply with gaming regulations in some jurisdictions. The interface also includes a ticket reader capable of reading information stored on tickets and transmitting this information to the central server. The interface also has a printer to allow it to print on the tickets if required. For example, it is desirable that the interface be able to print the new value of a ticket on the ticket once a transaction has been completed. This allows a user to easily determine the value of the ticket. Alternatively the user can proceed to a cashier or insert the ticket into a gaming machine to determine the value of the ticket. It is also possible for the interface to display the value of the ticket before a transaction is requested if the user simply wants to know the stored credit.

The interface 207 is the only component from the retailer which is able to communicate with the central server. The POS terminal device is only able to communicate to the interface via the Serial RS232 connection provided.

An example of the working of the preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to figure 2.

A player plays one of the gaming machines 201 by inserting cash or coins into the appropriate slot. Once the player has finished wagering they cash out and collect a ticket from the gaming machine they are playing. In this example the initial value of the ticket is $85.24.

The player then would like to take a break from Gaming Play and have a meal, for example, they are then offered a choice of proceeding to cashier 205 and redeem the value of the ticket to zero in exchange for cash and then proceed to Bistro/Restaurant. Alternatively they can proceed directly to Bistro/Restaurant with the ticket they received from the gaming machine.

For this example we assume the player proceeded directly to the Bistro Restaurant with the ticket. The player/customer selects a meal priced at $23.85 and hands to the Bistro Cashier the ticket for payment. The Bistro Cashier then inserts the ticket into the interface 207 which is equipped with a ticket reader to read the ticket. The POS terminal 208 makes a request through the RS232 serial interface to which it is connected to the interface 207. This request has the following details (again this is an example only and other details can be included in the request). Note POS 208 requests are contained in <> and the central server 206 responses are in (); a. <Balance Request, ticket#, 23.85> (Response is Y) b. <Proceed = Y> (Ticket# Balance = Previous - $23.85, new value = 61.39)

The customer is then handed back the TITO ticket with the revised balance of $61.39 printed on the ticket and stored at the central server. The customer then proceeds to enjoy their meal. After finishing the meal, the customer can continue back to the Gaming floor and continue to play machines, or, they can go to the cashier and cash the ticket back to zero and be paid in cash.

In a further embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 3, the ticket reader system is considered separate to the gaming machine. This may be in the case of retrofitting existing gaming machines or may be due to regulatory requirements in some jurisdictions. In these embodiments, the ticket reader system processor 301 is connected to an in communication with the processor 12 of the gaming machine. A ticket reader and acceptor 302, display device 303, sound card 304 and speakers 305 are all connected to an in communication with the system processor 301 to provide the required functionality.

The following table addresses functional requirements of gaming legislation in some jurisdictions and indicates how the preferred system and method can be tailored to meet such requirements.

Any commercial processor may be used to implement the embodiments of the invention either as a single processor, serial or parallel set of processors in the system. Examples of commercial processors include, but are not limited to Merced™, Pentium™, Pentium II™, Xeon™, Celeron™, Pentium Pro™, Efficeon™, Athlon, AMD and the like.

Display screens may be segment display screen, analogue display screens, digital display screens, CRTs, LED screens, Plasma screens, liquid crystal diode screens, and the like.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.