Gaming device and method

Abstract

A gaming machine is provided for playing several types of games. For example, scratch-off and pull-tab tickets, or scratch-off, pull-tab and lotto tickets can be sold from the same machine. The winnings from one game can be used to create credits in the machine for buying tickets in a different game from the same machine. Preferably, all instant-winner tickets move past transparent windows so they can be seen while being dispensed. A separate/drive module is provided which can be used in a number of different configurations. It has a rotary helical separator member which spans multiple channels to separate tickets in any of the channels. A single drive source in the housing rotates the separate drives in each channel. Preferably, tickets in strips move upwardly past the windows to simplify the dispensing mechanism and the loading of tickets in the machine. An ejector mechanism which reverses the direction of movement of separated tickets to inhibit theft also is provided.

1 . A multi-game ticket self-service terminal, comprising: 
 a housing for storing a plurality of different types of game tickets, said types including tickets stored in strips in which individual tickets are delineated from one another by lines of weakness, and lottery tickets bearing numbers for use in a drawing to determine a winner;    means for selectively dispensing said tickets in response to the receipt of credits;    a currency acceptor device mounted in said housing to accept currency and produce a corresponding credit;    detector means for detecting the amount of winnings a winning ticket is worth; and    credit means for making a credit in the amount of such worth available for use in buying from said terminal tickets of a type different from said winning ticket.