Gaming systems with lottery ticket prize component

Abstract

A system and method of increasing player interest in gaming machines is disclosed by the use of lottery tickets as prizes. Lottery ticket purchasing pools are funded from either coin-in (wagers), coin-out (winnings), or in networked gaming systems from player tracking funding (promotional funding). The lottery ticket funding pools build value to a predetermined level, and then individual game machines' printers are issued instructions to print lottery tickets (or vouchers redeemable for lottery tickets) to players. This enables an alternative to traditional progressives while providing similar player interest and excitement while using fewer casino resources than traditional progressives.

1 . A networked gaming system comprising a data communications network operatively coupled to a plurality of game devices and a player tracking server, each of the plurality of game devices comprising a printer adapted for printing a lottery ticket.  
   
   
       2 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the lottery ticket is associated with a player selection of one of a plurality of lotteries.  
   
   
       3 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1  further comprising a remote game controller including a lottery manager.  
   
   
       4 . The networked gaming system of  claim 3  wherein the lottery manager further comprises one or more lottery pools.  
   
   
       5 . The networked gaming system of  claim 3  wherein the lottery manager issues one or more lottery tickets by way of one or more of the game device printers.  
   
   
       6 . The networked gaming system of  claim 4  wherein at least one pool is funded by funds unrelated to wagers placed at the plurality of game devices.  
   
   
       7 . The networked gaming system of  claim 4  wherein at least one pool is funded by a percentage of wagers placed at least one of the plurality of game devices.  
   
   
       8 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1  wherein each printer is connected directly to the data communications network.  
   
   
       9 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1  further comprising a progressive server operatively coupled to the data communications network.  
   
   
       10 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the game devices are gaming machines adapted for playing a game of chance.  
   
   
       11 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the game devices are prize stations adapted for issuing a lottery ticket in exchange for a voucher.  
   
   
       12 . A standalone gaming system comprising a gaming machine adapted for accepting wagers and a printer adapted for printing a lottery ticket.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming system of  claim 12  further comprising a lottery manager.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming system of  claim 14  wherein the lottery manager further comprises one or more lottery pools.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the lottery pools is funded by a percentage of wagers placed at the gaming machine.  
   
   
       16 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the lottery manager issues one or more lottery tickets based on the size of at least one of the lottery pools.  
   
   
       17 . The gaming system of  claim 12  wherein the lottery ticket is associated with a player selection of one of a plurality of lotteries.