Gaming system and method for providing entry to a contest

Abstract

A gaming system and method of providing a contest entry to a player using a gaming device are disclosed. A player of a gaming device is awarded points based on his or her game play and/or other criteria. These points are compared to predetermined entry criteria of a plurality of contests. The player is presented with a list of eligible contests that are available for entry. The player may then select one of the eligible contests to enter, or wait to accumulate more points to enter a different contest.

1 . A method of providing a contest entry to a player using a gaming device comprising the steps of: 
 establishing a player identification of the player at the gaming device;    retrieving a player attribute of the player from a player tracking database in response to establishing the player identification;    comparing the player attribute to a predetermined entry criteria of a plurality of contests; and    presenting a list of eligible contests that are available for entry by the player based on the comparison of the player attribute to the predetermined entry criteria.    
   
   
       2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of allowing the player to select one of the eligible contests to enter from the list of eligible contests.  
   
   
       3 . A method as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising the step of entering the player in the one of the eligible contests selected by the player.  
   
   
       4 . A method as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising the step of printing an entry ticket for the one of the eligible contests selected by the player.  
   
   
       5 . A method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the player attribute is further defined as points and further comprising the step of exchanging a certain number of points for entry into one of the eligible contests.  
   
   
       6 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of selecting not to enter any of the eligible contests.  
   
   
       7 . A method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the player attribute is further defined as points and further comprising the step of presenting the number of points needed to enter each eligible contest and each ineligible contest.  
   
   
       8 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of presenting a list of ineligible contests that are not available for entry by the player based on the comparison of the player attribute to the predetermined entry criteria.  
   
   
       9 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of updating the player attribute based on playing of the gaming device by the player.  
   
   
       10 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a player tracking database storing player attributes of a player;    a gaming device for reading a player identification of the player;    a processor operatively coupled to said database and said gaming device for comparing the player attributes to predetermined entry criteria of a plurality of contests; and    a communication mechanism operatively coupled to said processor for presenting a list of eligible contests that are available for entry by the player.    
   
   
       11 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 10  further comprising an input apparatus operatively coupled to said processor for selecting one of the eligible contests to enter from the list of eligible contests.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said communication mechanism is disposed within said gaming device and includes a display.  
   
   
       13 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said input apparatus is disposed within said gaming device and includes at least one pushbutton.  
   
   
       14 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said input apparatus is disposed within said gaming device and includes a touchscreen panel.  
   
   
       15 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 11  further comprising a printer for printing an entry ticket for the one of the eligible contests selected by the player.