Casino player loyalty system offering random player bonus opportunity

Abstract

A casino player loyalty system is configured to offer patrons with bonus opportunities. Patrons identified in a player database are selected, at random or in accordance with particular criteria. Each patron is contacted via a communication link, such as by a phone call. The patron is offered the opportunity to participate in a bonus event. The patron may participate over the communication link or travel to the casino and play a gaming machine configured to present the bonus event. The bonus event has at least one winning outcome for which a bonus award is yielded without requirement of a bet or wager. The bonus award may be monies, points or prizes.

1 . A method of providing a bonus opportunity for casino patrons comprising:
 generating a database of casino patron information, said database including information identifying one or more patrons and contact information for said patrons;   selecting at least one patron from said database;   establishing a communication link to said at least one patron;   offering said patron the opportunity to participate in a bonus event, said bonus event comprising a game which requires no wager on behalf of the player and which provides the patron the opportunity for one or more outcomes having awards associated therewith.   
   
   
       2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said step of generating a database of casino patron information further comprises tracking patron play of one or more gaming devices at said casino. 
   
   
       3 . The method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said step of selecting at least one patron comprises determining the one or more patrons that satisfy certain gaming device play criteria. 
   
   
       4 . The method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein said play criteria comprises a minimum amount of wager in a period of time. 
   
   
       5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said step of establishing a communication link comprises calling a telephone of the at least one patron. 
   
   
       6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  including the step of presenting said bonus event over said communication link, including receiving input from said patron regarding the play of the bonus event. 
   
   
       7 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  including the step of presenting said bonus event at a gaming device at said casino. 
   
   
       8 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  including the determining if said bonus event is a winning outcome and, if so, awarding a bonus to said at least one patron. 
   
   
       9 . The method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said bonus comprises points having no direct monetary value. 
   
   
       10 . The method in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said bonus comprises point having monetary value. 
   
   
       11 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  including, as to the at least one patron to which the bonus event was offered, receiving patron identification information at a bonus gaming device at said casino and presenting at least one bonus game. 
   
   
       12 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said patron must provide said identification information within a period of time from when said offer is presented in order to participate in said at least one bonus game. 
   
   
       13 . A patron loyalty system comprising:
 at least one bonus event server having at least one memory device and at least one communication interface;   said memory device storing at least one database of casino patron information, said database including information identifying one or more patrons and contact information for said patrons;   said bonus event server configured to select at least one patron from said database and establish a communication link to said at least one patron; and   said bonus event server configured to offer said patron the opportunity to participate in a bonus event, said bonus event comprising a game which requires no wager on behalf of the player and which provides the patron the opportunity for one or more outcomes having awards associated therewith.   
   
   
       14 . The patron loyalty system in accordance with  claim 13  further comprising at least one bonus event gaming device, said bonus event device in communication with said bonus event server, whereby a patron receiving an opportunity to participate in a bonus event as determined by said bonus event server is permitted to play said bonus event gaming device. 
   
   
       15 . The patron loyalty system in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said at least one memory device is associated with a player tracking system of a casino. 
   
   
       16 . The patron loyalty system in accordance with  claim 13  wherein said communication interface is configured to establish communications to a telephone of said at least one patron.