Cashless gaming system: apparatus and method

Abstract

A gaming machine, and method for a gaming machine, in which player identification data (e.g., from a player card and personal identification number) is communicated via a link to a remote computer system. Player information (e.g., perquisites information) is retrieved from the remote computer system. A graphical presentation system presents the game to the player, as well as, allows the player to display information (e.g. player status, amounts of credits, etc.) on the visual display device.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a visual display device;   a game control system arranged to execute game software in order to facilitate a play of a game;   a player identification system arranged to obtain player identification data associated with a person;   an information retrieval system arranged to: provide the player identification data to a computer system, which is remote to the gaming machine, via a communication link, wherein the computer system is arranged to use the player identification data to retrieve at least one piece of information; and receive the at least one piece of information from the computer system via the communication link; and   a graphical presentation system arranged to present the game and the piece of information on the visual display device.   
   
   
       25 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the graphical presentation system is arranged to present the game and the piece of information on the same visual display device. 
   
   
       26 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the graphical presentation system is arranged to allow at least one visual attribute associated with presenting the game and the piece of information on the visual display device to be changed. 
   
   
       27 . The gaming system as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the visual attribute comprises a size of an area of the visual display device occupied by the game and/or piece of information. 
   
   
       28 . The gaming system as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the at least one piece of information comprises any one of the following:
 player account information; and   an advertisement.   
   
   
       29 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the game comprises a spinning reel game of chance. 
   
   
       30 . A method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising the steps of:
 executing game software in order to facilitate a play of a game;   obtaining player identification data associated with a person;   providing the player identification data to a computer system, which is remote to the gaming machine, via a communication link, wherein the computer system is arranged to use the player identification data to retrieve at least one piece of information;   
     receiving the at least one piece of information from the computer system via the communication link; and
 presenting the game and the piece of information on a visual display device of the gaming machine. 
 
   
   
       31 . The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the step of presenting the game and the piece of information comprises simultaneously presenting the game and the piece of information on the visual display device. 
   
   
       32 . The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the step of presenting the game and the piece of information comprises allowing at least one visual attribute associated with presenting the game and the piece of information on the visual display device to be changed. 
   
   
       33 . The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the visual attribute comprises a size of an area of the visual display device occupied by the game and/or piece of information. 
   
   
       34 . The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the at least one piece of information comprises any one of the following:
 player account information; and   an advertisement.   
   
   
       35 . The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the game comprises a spinning reel game of chance.