Player Identification Feature for Restricted-Access Wagering Games

Abstract

A restricted-access progressive game is accessed only by a single player or a select group of players. The invention includes a method of operating a wagering game that comprises conducting the wagering game at a gaming terminal ( 10 ) that is capable of providing access to the restricted-access progressive game. The method further comprises determining, via a player-identification input, whether a player has access to the restricted-access progressive game, and activating the restricted-access progressive game in response to the determining step being positive. To conduct the method, a gaming terminal ( 10 ) comprises a player-identification device ( 24 ) providing information to the gaming terminal ( 10 ). The information is used for determining whether the player has access to the restricted-access progressive game. The gaming terminal ( 10 ) further comprises a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game and the outcome of the restricted-access progressive game.

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       10 . A method of operating a wagering game, comprising: 
 conducting said wagering game at a gaming terminal, said gaming terminal capable of providing access to a plurality of restricted-access progressive games;    receiving a player-identification input from a player;    determining, based on said player-identification input, a group of said plurality of restricted-access progressive games that are accessible by the player;    via a player input, selecting at least one of said accessible group of restricted-access progressive games; and    activating said selected one of said restricted-access progressive games.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including awarding a progressive game payoff to the player in response to the player achieving a positive outcome in said selected one of said restricted-access progressive games.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said group includes only one restricted-access progressive game.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said player-identification input includes a biometric identification input relying on a distinguishable physical attribute of the player.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said player-identification input includes a radio frequency identification signal.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said player-identification input includes a card having a media providing information.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said media includes a magnetic strip.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said conducting includes receiving a wager from a player, a portion of said wager being allocated to said restricted-access progressive game.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said determining is performed by a control system dedicated to operating said plurality of restricted-access progressive games.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said control system is remotely located from said gaming terminal.  
   
   
       20 . A method of operating a wagering game, comprising: 
 conducting a wagering game at a gaming terminal, said gaming terminal capable of providing access to a plurality of restricted-access progressive games;    receiving a player-identification input from the player;    determining at least one of said plurality of restricted-access progressive games that is accessible by the player; and    permitting the player to decide whether to activate said at least one of said plurality of restricted-access progressive games.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said permitting includes displaying player-selectable elements that, when actuated by the player, activate said at least one of said plurality of restricted-access progressive games.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said player-identification input includes a biometric identification input relying on a distinguishable physical attribute of the player.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said player-identification input includes a radio frequency identification signal.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said player-identification input includes a card having a media providing information.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said conducting includes receiving a wager from a player, a portion of said wager being allocated to said restricted-access progressive game.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said receiving includes a non-contact input from the player.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said non-contact input includes receiving a radio frequency identification signal.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said non-contact input includes receiving a voice-print from the player.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said determining is performed by a control system dedicated to operating said plurality of restricted-access progressive games.  
   
   
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