System and method for cash access services bonusing and incentives

Abstract

Systems and methods that provide casino cash bonuses and other incentives in connection with cash access services to promote casino patron loyalty and lower costs and expenses per transaction. The methods of distributing bonuses to casino patrons further provide incentives that maximize cash access transactions and promote and increase casino patron gaming in the casino.

1 . A cash access system comprising: 
 a networked server capable of storing at least one of the following data types: automated teller machine transaction data, point of service transaction data, debit transaction data, credit transaction data, casino patron data, and casino award program data;    a networked terminal capable of performing at least one of the following cash transactions: automated teller machine transactions; point of service transactions, debit transactions, and credit transactions;    an application capable of determining an award amount for a casino patron based on a cash transaction amount; and    a communications link between said application and said networked terminal for providing said casino patron with information of said award amount.    
   
   
       2 . The cash access system of  claim 1 , wherein said award amount is tendered with said cash transaction amount.  
   
   
       3 . The cash access system of  claim 1 , wherein said application is stored on said networked server.  
   
   
       4 . The cash access system of  claim 1 , wherein said application is stored on said networked terminal.  
   
   
       5 . The cash access system of  claim 1 , wherein said networked terminal is an automated teller machine.  
   
   
       6 . The cash access system of  claim 1 , wherein said networked terminal is a gaming device.  
   
   
       7 . The cash access system of  claim 4 , wherein said networked terminal is a personal computer.  
   
   
       8 . The cash access system of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a web host, wherein said web host establishes a communications link with said networked server.    
   
   
       9 . The cash access system of  claim 8 , wherein said web host presents a web site accessible by said casino patron capable of providing information of said award amount.  
   
   
       10 . A networked cash access system comprising: 
 a server capable of storing at least one of the following data types: automated teller machine transaction data, point of service transaction data, debit transaction data, credit transaction data, casino patron data, and casino award program data, 
 wherein said server stores an application capable of determining an award amount for a casino patron based on a cash transaction amount;  
   a terminal capable of performing at least one of the following cash transactions: automated teller machine transactions; point of service transactions, debit transactions, and credit transactions;    a communications link coupling said server and said terminal for providing said award amount to said casino patron; and    a web site hosted by said server accessible by said casino patron, 
 wherein said web site provides information of said award amount to said casino patron.  
   
   
   
       11 . The cash access system of  claim 11 , wherein said award amount is tendered with said cash transaction amount.  
   
   
       12 . The cash access system of  claim 11 , wherein said networked terminal is a personal computer.  
   
   
       13 . The cash access system of  claim 12 , wherein an application capable of determining an award amount for a casino patron based on a cash transaction amount is stored on said terminal.  
   
   
       14 . The cash access system of  claim 13 , wherein said server receives updated award amount information provided to casino patrons by said personal computer.  
   
   
       15 . A method for providing bonus awards to casino players, comprising: 
 providing a casino player with a bonus awards program card, wherein said bonus awards program card stores a cash balance and a bonus balance;    crediting said casino player with a cash balance for a cash access transaction;    crediting said casino player with a bonus balance based on a value of said cash access transaction; and    permitting said casino player access to said bonus balance once said casino player has played the full value of said cash access transaction.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said bonus balance is inaccessible to said casino player until the full value of said cash access transaction is played.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said bonus balance is forfeit by said casino player if the cash balance is cashed out before the full value of said cash access transaction is played.  
   
   
       18 . A method for providing bonus awards to casino players, comprising: 
 providing a casino player with a bonus awards program card; 
 wherein said bonus awards program card stores a cash balance and a bonus balance, and wherein said bonus awards program card is used in conjunction with a cash access transaction  
   crediting said casino player with a cash balance for said cash access transaction on said bonus awards program card;    crediting said casino player with a bonus balance based on a percentage of value of said cash access transaction on said bonus awards program card; and    withholding said casino player access to said bonus balance until said casino player has played the full value of said cash access transaction.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said bonus balance is forfeit by said casino player if the cash balance is cashed out before the full value of said cash access transaction is played.  
   
   
       20 . A method for providing bonus awards to casino players associated with a player account, comprising: 
 providing a casino player with a bonus awards program card, 
 wherein said bonus awards program card or said player account stores a cash balance and a bonus balance;  
   crediting said casino player with said cash balance for a cash access transaction;    crediting said casino player with said bonus balance based on a configurable percentage of value of said cash access transaction; and    permitting said casino player access to said bonus balance once said casino player has played said configurable percentage of the value of said cash access transaction.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said bonus balance is inaccessible to said casino player until said configurable percentage of said cash access transaction is played.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said bonus balance is forfeit by said casino player if said cash balance is cashed out prior to a configurable date and time.  
   
   
       23 . A method for providing bonus awards to casino players, comprising: 
 providing a casino player with a bonus awards program card associated with a player account, 
 wherein said bonus awards program card stores a cash balance and a bonus balance, and wherein said bonus awards program card or account is used in conjunction with a cash access transaction  
   crediting said casino player with a cash balance for said cash access transaction on said bonus awards program card,    crediting said casino player with a bonus balance based on a percentage of value of said cash access transaction on said bonus awards program card; and    withholding said casino player access to said bonus balance until said casino player has played a configurable percentage of the full value of said cash access transaction.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said bonus balance is forfeit by said casino player if the cash balance is cashed out before a configurable date and time.