Method and system for issuing and using gaming machine receipts in secondary game

Abstract

The invention comprises a gaming system including at least one gaming machine arranged to accept and print receipts. In one embodiment of a method, a player playing a gaming machine is issued a receipt. The receipt is used in the play of a secondary game or event. In one embodiment, the secondary game or event comprising a drawing, lottery or raffle, where the outcome of the event is determined by selecting one or more receipt from a group of receipts. In one embodiment, the receipt issued by the gaming machine is representative of value or an award, and the receipt is redeemed for the value or award before being used in the secondary game or event. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of the player writing identification information on the receipt before entering it in the game or event.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In a gaming environment including at least one gaming machine, a method of participating in an event comprising: 
 confirming a player's activity at a gaming machine;    generating a receipt at said gaming machine;    issuing said receipt to said player; and    accepting said receipt for participation in a secondary event, the outcome of said secondary event determined by use of receipts used in said secondary event.    
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said secondary event comprises a game.  
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said game includes the step of randomly selecting one or more entered receipts to determine one or more winners of said game.  
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 2  including the step of printing information on said receipt identifying said player.  
     
     
         5 . A method of using a receipt in a game comprising: 
 issuing a receipt to a player as a result of the player's play of one or more wager-type games;    accepting said receipt in a secondary game; and    determining the outcome of said secondary game by selecting one or more of said receipts.    
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said issuing step comprises printing a receipt from a hand-held device.  
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said issuing step comprises print a receipt at a gaming machine at which said player has played a game.  
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said receipt represents value and including the steps of redeeming said receipt for value and then accepting said receipt in said secondary game.  
     
     
         9 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said receipt represents a promotional award and including the steps of redeeming said receipt for said award and then accepting said receipt in said secondary game.  
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  including the step of identifying said one or more winners using information printed upon said receipt.  
     
     
         11 . A method of issuing and using a receipt in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines configured to present at least one game to a player and a plurality of peripheral devices including hand-held portable devices, one or more of said gaming machines and one or more of said peripheral devices including a printing device, comprising: 
 issuing a receipt from said printing device of one or said gaming machines or one of said peripheral devices;    receiving said receipt in a game or event; and    determining the outcome of said game or event by selecting one or more receipts received in said game or event from a group of receipts received in said game or event.    
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said receipt is issued as a result of player playing a game at a gaming machine.  
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said receipt is issued from one of said hand-held portable devices.  
     
     
         14 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  including the step of displaying game play information regarding a player at said portable device and issuing said receipt in the event said game play information meets predetermined criteria.  
     
     
         15 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said receipt is issued from said gaming machine and is representative of value.  
     
     
         16 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  including the step of awarding at least one award to a winner or winners of said game or event as represented by the one or more selected receipts.