Real-time credit between electronic gaming machines using mobile text messages

Abstract

A method for funding wagering on an electronic gaming machine includes receiving information from a text message, determining an electronic gaming machine designated by the information, determining a funding action designated by the information, executing the funding action, and updating the available funds for wagering on the electronic gaming machine. The funding action is associated with funds available for wagering on the electronic gaming machine. The information includes message content and a destination number.

1 . A method for funding wagering on an electronic gaming machine, comprising:
 receiving information from a text message, the information including message content and a destination number;   determining an electronic gaming machine designated by the information;   determining a funding action designated by the information, the funding action associated with funds available for wagering on the electronic gaming machine;   executing the funding action; and   updating the available funds for wagering on the electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for promotional credits; and   further comprising adding promotional credits for wagering to the electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for funding from an external account; and   further comprising:
 drawing funds from the external account; and 
 adding promotional credits for wagering to the electronic gaming machine. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for a refund of credits available on the electronic gaming machine; and   further comprising adding the credits from the electronic gaming machine to an external account.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for a refund of credits available on the electronic gaming machine; and   further comprising issuing a voucher to a user of the electronic gaming machine for the credits available.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic gaming machine is designated by a code texted to a phone number; and   further comprising determining the electronic gaming machine comprises determining the code texted to the phone number.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic gaming machine is designated by the number to which the text message was sent; and   further comprising determining the electronic gaming machine comprises determining the phone number.   
     
     
         8 . A system for casino wagering, comprising:
 one or more servers communicatively coupled to one or more electronic gaming machines and to a mobile service provider;   a processor on one of the servers coupled to a memory, the memory containing instructions for causing the processor to:
 receive information from a text message, the information including message content and a destination number; 
 determine an electronic gaming machine from the one or more electronic gaming machines designated by the information; 
 determine a funding action designated by the information, the funding action associated with funds available for wagering on the electronic gaming machine; 
 execute the funding action; and 
 update the available funds for wagering on the electronic gaming machine. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for promotional credits; and   the processor is further caused to add promotional credits for wagering to the electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for funding from an external account; and   the processor is further caused to:
 draw funds from the external account; and 
 add promotional credits for wagering to the electronic gaming machine. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for a refund of credits available on the electronic gaming machine; and   the processor is further caused to add the credits from the electronic gaming machine to an external account.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for a refund of credits available on the electronic gaming machine; and   the processor is further caused to issue a voucher to a user of the electronic gaming machine for the credits available.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the electronic gaming machine is designated by a code texted to a phone number; and   the processor is further caused to determine the electronic gaming machine comprises determining the code texted to the phone number.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the electronic gaming machine is designated by the phone number to which the message was sent; and   the processor is further caused to determine the electronic gaming machine comprises determining the phone number.   
     
     
         15 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
 a computer readable medium; and   computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readable medium, the instructions readable by a processor, the instructions, when read and executed, for causing the processor to:
 receiving information from a text message, the information including message content and a destination number; 
 determine an electronic gaming machine designated by the information; 
 determine a funding action designated by the information, the funding action associated with funds available for wagering on the electronic gaming machine; 
 execute the funding action; and 
 update the available funds for wagering on the electronic gaming machine. 
   
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 15 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for promotional credits; and   the processor is further caused to add promotional credits for wagering to the electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 15 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for funding from an external account; and   the processor is further caused to:
 draw funds from the external account; and 
 add promotional credits for wagering to the electronic gaming machine. 
   
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 15 :
 wherein the funding action includes a request for a refund of credits available on the electronic gaming machine; and   the processor is further caused to issue a voucher to a user of the electronic gaming machine for the credits available.   
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the electronic gaming machine is designated by a code texted to a phone number; and   determining the electronic gaming machine comprises determining the code texted to the phone number.   
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the electronic gaming machine is designated by the number to which the message was sent; and   determining the electronic gaming machine comprises determining the phone number.   
     
     
         21 . An electronic gaming machine, comprising:
 a display;   one or more input controls;   a memory;   a processor coupled to the memory;   displayed instructions for obtaining free credits for wagering game play, the instructions comprising an identifier to be sent to a number via a text message;   the memory containing computer instructions for causing the processor to:
 receive commands to provide free credits for wagering game play, the commands originating from a text message sent according to the displayed instructions; 
 display the free credits to a user of the electronic gaming machine; 
 determine a wager made on the electronic gaming machine through the input controls; 
 deduct one or more of the free credits in response to the wager; and 
 show a wagering game on the display in response to the wager. 
   
     
     
         22 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 21 , wherein the text message includes information designating the electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         23 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 21 , wherein the displayed instructions are shown on the display. 
     
     
         24 . The electronic gaming machine of  claim 21 , wherein the processor is further caused to refund unwagered credits in response to a refund request, the refund request originating from a received text message designating the electronic gaming machine.