Gaming system with player sponsoring

Abstract

Sponsored gaming allows a person to provide benefits to a person playing a game such as a slot machine, video poker, online gambling, etc. A sponsor can make a payment in order to improve the odds of a player winning a jackpot, round, hand or game. A sponsor can make a payment to improve a player's odds or to increase the number of units in a player's bet, or to cause other effects. A method for sponsoring gaming can include accessing a sponsor interface; selecting one or more sponsor variables and transferring value; and altering a game to provide a sponsored benefit to a player in response to the selected one or more sponsor variables. The sponsor variables can include a game or game console, a player, a payout, betting units, and/or a statistical advantage, for example. A host of the game, such as a casino or online betting operator, can receive a portion of the payment or other compensation for allowing the sponsorship.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for providing a payout in a slot machine, the method comprising:
 receiving data originated by a cell phone, wherein the data identifies a single slot machine and an amount to be paid; and   causing the amount to be paid via the payout in the identified single slot machine.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 crediting a surcharge to an account of an operator of the single slot machine.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the amount to be paid and the surcharge are obtained from an account associated with the cell phone. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the payout is made by a device adjacent to the identified single slot machine. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the data identifies a player ID, the method further comprising:
 using the player ID to identify the single slot machine.   
     
     
         31 . An apparatus for providing a payout in a slot machine, the apparatus comprising:
 a processor;   a processor-readable storage device including instructions executable by the processor for:
 receiving data originated by a cell phone, wherein the data identifies a single slot machine and an amount to be paid; and 
 causing the amount to be paid via the payout in the identified single slot machine. 
   
     
     
         32 . A non-transitory processor-readable storage device including instructions executable by a processor for:
 receiving data originated by a cell phone, wherein the data identifies a single slot machine and an amount to be paid; and   causing the amount to be paid via the payout in the identified single slot machine.