Wagering game using purchase change

Abstract

A gaming machine is associated with a point of sale device. A party engages in a purchase transaction, such as the purchase of goods or services from a merchant. The transaction is processed via the point of same device. Upon rendering payment, if the party is entitled to monetary change, the amount of the change may be transferred to the gaming machine. That transferred change is accepted as a wager at the gaming machine, which presents a wagering game offering a chance for winnings. Winnings may be paid via the point of sale device, such as in the form of money from a cash register.

1 . A gaming system comprising:
 a point of sale device configured to process payment between a purchaser and a merchant;   a wagering gaming device, said gaming device configured to present at least one wagering game, said game having one or more outcomes which are designated as winning outcomes having associated awards; and   at least one communication link via which information regarding change owed from the merchant to the purchaser from payment rendered at said point of sale device is transmitted to said wagering gaming device for use as a wager at same wagering gaming device.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein said point of said device comprises a cash register. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein said change owed is the fractional portion of $1.00 in currency. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein said wagering gaming device is configured to transmit monetary award information to said point of sale device via said at least one communication link for payment to said purchaser in the event said at least one wagering game results in a winning outcome. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one gaming server, said server configured to perform one or more of player tracking, accounting, bonusing and promotion functions. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein said wagering gaming device is configured to present a game selected from the group consisting of: video poker, lottery, keno, bingo, mechanical slots or video slots. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one merchant server, said point of sale device coupled to said at least one merchant server and wherein said at least one communication link is between said wagering gaming device and said at least one merchant server. 
     
     
         8 . A method of presenting a wagering game comprising the steps of:
 entering into a purchase transaction with a customer;   accepting tender of payment from said customer via a point of sale terminal;   transmitting information regarding an amount of change due said customer from said point of sale terminal to a gaming device;   presenting at least one game utilizing said change due as a wager at said gaming device; and   determining an outcome of said at least one game and determining any amounts won.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said amount of change due is the fractional portion of $1.00 in currency. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of transmitting award information from said gaming device back to said point of sale terminal for issuance of said award to said customer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of determining an amount of change due said customer, paying said customer amounts due in whole values of $1.00 and transmitting information regarding amounts due in fractional portions of $1.00 to said gaming device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein one or more outcomes of said game are designated winning outcomes and further comprising the step of awarding winnings if said outcome is determined to be a winning outcome. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said point of sale terminal comprises a cash-register. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said gaming machine comprises a slot machine configured to present a slot game.