Systems and methods for remotely providing goods/services to gaming customers

Abstract

An system for gaming customers to remotely order goods and/or services through use of player points is disclosed. The player points relate to gaming activity. The system comprises at least one computer system. The computer system includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The computer system also includes a communications interface in electronic communication with the processor. A request is received from a player terminal through the communications interface to access the system. The player is provided with account information. Goods and/or services information is presented to the player at a player terminal display. The goods and/or services information relate to items that may be ordered by the player. Order instructions are sent for order fulfillment. Used player points are debited for the order from the player points.

1 . A system for gaming customers to remotely order goods and/or services through use of player points, wherein the player points relate to gaming activity, the system comprising:
 a memory storing for player account information including player points; and   a processor configured to (1) receive a request for accessing the account information, (2) present goods and/or services information including player-selectable items;   a terminal configured for a selection of an item;   one of said terminal and processor configured to (1) send order instructions for fulfilling order based on said selection; and (2) debit player points corresponding to the selection.   
     
     
         2 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a goods/services database. 
     
     
         3 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein one of said processor and terminal authenticates before allowing a game play of the system. 
     
     
         4 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the account information includes total player points. 
     
     
         5 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said processor and terminal is configured to provide a plurality of groups a different menu of selections, assign each player to a group and display goods and/or services information for the player's group to the player. 
     
     
         6 . The system as defined in  claim 1  wherein said processor is configured to consolidate at least a portion of the player points from a plurality of player point accounts. 
     
     
         7 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said memory further comprises player registry data corresponding to a selection of goods and/or services for acquisition by others. 
     
     
         8 . The system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said processor is configured to provide communications with a remote distribution facility through the communications interface to synchronize the goods/services database. 
     
     
         9 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the memory stores data corresponding to player account information defining player records, and wherein each player record includes a player identification, a player address, a gaming history and a player points total. 
     
     
         10 . The system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the goods/services database comprises a plurality of product records, and wherein each product record includes a product identification, a player points price and stock level information. 
     
     
         11 . A method for gaming customers of a host to remotely order goods and/or services through use of player points, wherein the player points relate to gaming activity, the method comprising:
 Accumulating player points from gaming activity;   receiving a player request, through a communications interface, for ordering goods and/or services with the accumulated player points;   authenticating the player request;   presenting goods and/or services information including player selectable items;   receiving one or more items as an order;   sending order instructions corresponding to the order; and   debiting player points corresponding to the order from the accumulated player points.   
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 communicating with a remote casino server through the communications interface to synchronize player point information between a player points database and the casino server; and   communicating with a remote distribution facility through the communications interface to synchronize a goods/services database with the remote distribution facility.   
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing the player with a group processing feature whereby one of the players and host is able to make changes to any groups the player belongs to;   providing the player with a point consolidation feature whereby the player is able to consolidate points from one or more player point accounts;   providing the player with a point transfer feature whereby the player is able to transfer points to or from other players or other point accounts; and   providing the player with a registry configuration feature whereby the player is able to register particular goods and/or services as part of a registry.   
     
     
         14 . A method for a casino to enable a player to redeem loyalty award points issued to the player by at least the casino, said method comprising:
 (a) providing a memory structure to store for the player an account of the loyalty award points awarded by the casino in response to wagering activity of the player;   (b) the player establishing communication between (i) a terminal and said memory structure and (ii) a provider of goods/services offering a selection thereof to the player in exchange for points;   (c) controlling the terminal to permit the display of information concerning the goods/services and the player at the terminal selecting a good or service to be redeemed for points;   (d) debiting the account of player points for the redemption and if the redemption is completed; and   (e) issuing instructions to the provider for the good/service to be provided to the player.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  comprising assigning the player to one of a plurality of player groups, each group including players having one or more like characteristics selected from the group including points in the player account, wagering activity of the player, player demographics, location and type of wagering activity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  comprising providing different menus of goods/services to each player group and controlling the terminal to display information concerning the goods/services available to the player. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  comprising the player supplementing the redemption of the selected good or service with additional consideration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  comprising configuring the terminal to be one of an electronic gaming machine, a kiosk, personal computer, PDA or cellular telephone. 
     
     
         19 . A method for a casino and at least one provider of goods or services to provide the same to customers comprising: for each customer storing data in a data structure related to the economic activity of the customer at least at said casino, said data including comp points; at a terminal the establishing communication between a server remote from the terminal and said data structure, said server controlling the terminal to display to the player a menu of goods/services available for redemption by the customer in exchange for comp points; the player at the terminal entering a selection to be redeemed; said server debiting the customer's comp points in exchange for the redemption; and the server issuing instructions to fulfill the redemption and provide the selection to the customer. 
     
     
         20 . A system for gaming customers to remotely order goods and/or services through use of player points, wherein the player points relate to gaming activity, wherein the system comprises at least one computer system that is configured to implement a method for gaming customers to remotely order goods and/or services through use of the player points, the system comprising:
 a processor;   a memory in electronic communication with the processor, said memory storing for each player account information including player points;   a player terminal including a display;   a communications interface in electronic communication with the processor;   said processor configured to (1) receive a request from a player terminal through the communications interface to access the account information, (2) present goods and/or services information to the player at the terminal display, wherein the goods and/or services information relate to items that may be selected by the player;   said terminal configured for the player to select an item;   one of said terminal and processor configured to (1) send order instructions for order fulfillment of said selection; and (2) record the selection.