Gaming system using single player-identification card for performing multiple functions

Abstract

A gaming terminal comprises an input device for receiving a player card during a wagering game. The input device has a reading component(s) for reading at least two different media on the game card. The gaming terminal includes a display for displaying a randomly selected game outcome and information related to different functions associated with the two different media on the game card. A method of operating a wagering game comprises storing data in at least one database and receiving, at a gaming terminal, a player card from a player. The player card includes first and second distinct media. The first and second media provide information to the gaming terminal. The method includes performing a first function in response to comparing the information on the first media with the data, and performing a second function in response to comparing the information on the second media with the data.

1 . A method of operating a wagering game, comprising: 
 storing data in at least one database, said data being used for operating said wagering game;    receiving, at a gaming terminal, a player card from a player, said player card including first media and second media distinct from said first media, said first and second media each providing information to said gaming terminal;    performing a first function in response to comparing said information on the first media with said data; and    performing a second function in response to comparing said information on the second media with said data.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first function relates to tracking a player.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said second function relates to determining access to a restricted-access progressive game.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said second function relates to determining access to a restricted-access progressive game.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second media are both bar codes.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second media are both magnetic strips.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second media provide radio frequency identification signals.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein only one of said first and second media is a bar code.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein only one of said first and second media is a magnetic strip.  
   
   
       10 . A gaming terminal capable of playing a wagering game, comprising: 
 an input device for receiving a single player card from a player during said wagering game, said input device having at least one reading component for reading at least two media on said single game card; and    a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game in response to receiving a wager amount from a player.    
   
   
       11 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said two media are both bar codes and said multiple reading components read bar codes.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said two media are both magnetic strip codes and said multiple reading components read magnetic strip codes.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein one of said two media is a radio frequency identification signal and one of said multiple reading components is a receiver.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein one of said two media provides information for determining access to a restricted-access progressive game.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein one of said two media provides information related to tracking a player.  
   
   
       16 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said two media are on the same side of said single game card.  
   
   
       17 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one reading component includes two reading components.  
   
   
       18 . A method of operating a wagering game, comprising: 
 storing data in a first database and a second database;    receiving, at a gaming terminal, a player card from a player, said player card including first media and second media distinct from said first media, said first and second media each providing information to said gaming terminal;    using information from said first media to identify the player in said first database; and    using information from said second media to identify the player in said second database.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said first database includes data for a casino player tracking system.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said second database includes data for a restricted-access progressive game.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second media are on the same side of said player card.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second media are different types of media.