Gaming system and method for providing entry to a contest

Abstract

A gaming system and method of providing a contest entry to a player using a gaming device are disclosed. A player of a gaming device is awarded points based on his or her game play and/or other criteria. These points are compared to predetermined entry criteria of a plurality of contests. The player is presented with a list of eligible contests that are available for entry. The player may then select one of the eligible contests to enter, or wait to accumulate more points to enter a different contest.

1 . A method of providing a contest entry to a player comprising the steps of:
 allowing a player to place wager(s) on one or more games at a plurality of gaming devices;   tracking the wagers placed by the player, awarding the player a number of points as a function thereof, and recording the number of points award the player in a player tracking database;   establishing a player identification of the player at one of the gaming devices;   retrieving a total number of points associated with the player from a player tracking database in response to establishing the player identification;   comparing the total number points associated with the player to a predetermined entry criteria of a plurality of contests; and   presenting a list of eligible contests that are available for entry by the player based on the comparison of the player attribute to the predetermined entry criteria.   
   
   
       2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of allowing the player to select one of the eligible contests to enter from the list of eligible contests. 
   
   
       3 . A method as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising the step of entering the player in the one of the eligible contests selected by the player. 
   
   
       4 . A method as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising the step of printing an entry ticket for the one of the eligible contests selected by the player. 
   
   
       5 . A method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the player attribute is further defined as points and further comprising the step of exchanging a certain number of points for entry into one of the eligible contests. 
   
   
       6 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of selecting not to enter any of the eligible contests. 
   
   
       7 . A method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the player attribute is further defined as points and further comprising the step of presenting the number of points needed to enter each eligible contest and each ineligible contest. 
   
   
       8 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of presenting a list of ineligible contests that are not available for entry by the player based on the comparison of the player attribute to the predetermined entry criteria. 
   
   
       9 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of updating the player attribute based on playing of the gaming device by the player. 
   
   
       10 . A gaming system, the gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices which allow a player to place wager(s) on one or more games, the gaming system for tracking the wagers placed by the player, awarding the player a number of points as a function thereof, and recording the number of points award the player in a player tracking database, comprising:
 a player tracking database storing player attributes of a player, including a total number of points associated with the player;   a gaming device for reading a player identification of the player;   a processor operatively coupled to said database and said gaming device for comparing the total number of points associated with the player to predetermined entry criteria of a plurality of contests; and   a communication mechanism operatively coupled to said processor for presenting a list of eligible contests that are available for entry by the player based on the comparison of the player attribute to the predetermined entry criteria.   
   
   
       11 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 10  further comprising an input apparatus operatively coupled to said processor for selecting one of the eligible contests to enter from the list of eligible contests. 
   
   
       12 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said communication mechanism is disposed within said gaming device and includes a display. 
   
   
       13 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said input apparatus is disposed within said gaming device and includes at least one pushbutton. 
   
   
       14 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said input apparatus is disposed within said gaming device and includes a touchscreen panel. 
   
   
       15 . A gaming system as set forth in  claim 11  further comprising a printer for printing an entry ticket for the one of the eligible contests selected by the player. 
   
   
       16 . A method for providing a comp to a player of a gaming machine, comprising the steps of:
 establishing a plurality of drawings which may be entered by the player, each drawing having a set of predetermined entry criteria;   establishing a player account for the player, the player account being stored in a computer coupled to the gaming machine, the computer for awarding the player one or more comps, each comp have an associated number of bonus points, the player account for storing information (1) related to the player, (2) related to the player's play of one or more gaming machines, and (3) the bonus points;   establishing an identification of the player at the gaming machine;   comparing the information stored in the player account to the predetermined entry criteria for each drawing;   establishing a list of drawings for which the player meets the respective predetermined entry criteria and displaying the list of drawings to the player on the gaming machine; and,   allowing the player to select one of the drawings and responsively entering the player into the drawing.   
   
   
       17 . A method, as set forth in  claim 16 , including the step of:
 displaying a list of the drawings for which the player does not meet the entry requirements.   
   
   
       18 . A method, as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the list of drawings for which the player does not meet the entry requirements includes the entry requirements. 
   
   
       19 . A method, as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein each entry to each drawing costs a predetermined number of bonus points to be deducted from the bonus points stored in the player account. 
   
   
       20 . A method, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the contest is one of a drawing, raffle, a sweepstakes, and a pool. 
   
   
       21 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the contest is one of a drawing, raffle, a sweepstakes, and a pool.