Cashless gaming system: apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cashless gaming wherein a player can access credits via a pin activated keypad located on the gaming machine. Real-time accounting allows the player to redeem credits and secure perquisites as a function of patronage.

1 . A method for funding wagers and/or services in a gaming system, said method comprising: 
 uploading credits to a memory for later use as wagers and/or to purchase services; and    downloading the credits from the memory to a gaming system for at least one of: (1) playing a game and (2) purchasing services via the gaming system.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the memory is external to the gaming system.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the memory is internal to the gaming system.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising facilitating at least one of: (1) a balance inquiry, (2) receipt of funds, and (3) deposit of funds.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising downloading data from an external system to the gaming system.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the data comprises at least one of game-related data and player-related data.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the data comprises configuration data.  
   
   
       8 . A method of operating a gaming system which allows a player to play a game in accordance with a game configuration, the method using a memory for storing game data defining a game configuration, said method comprising: 
 verifying player data associated with a player;    downloading game data in response to said step of verifying, said step of downloading including downloading data from a memory to a gaming system for changing the configuration of the game for the player; and    executing the game for the player in accordance with the downloaded game data.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising allowing access by the player to an account function.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the account function comprises at least one of a balance inquiry, receipt of funds and deposit of funds.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said memory stores said game data and player-related data.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said game data comprises at least one of promotional data, bonus data, complimentary data, game description data and game type data, and wherein said memory stores data comprised of at least one of player progress data, player ranking data and account data.  
   
   
       13 . A method of operating a gaming system which allows a player to play a game in accordance with a game configuration, the method using a memory for storing information defining a game configuration, said method comprising: 
 storing game information and player information on a memory; and    loading said game information and player information at a gaming system to configure said gaming system for play by a player.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said memory comprises a central system memory.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of loading further comprises player-initiated downloading of said at least one of game information and player information at said gaming system.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said game-related data comprises at least one of promotional data, bonus data, complimentary data, game description data and game type data.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said player-related data comprises at least one of player progress data, player ranking data and account data.