Lottery games on an electronic gaming machine

Abstract

Method and apparatus are described which are used to provide enhanced functionality on gaming devices associated with the play of wager-based games. A secondary processor, separate from a game controller on the gaming device, can be used to provide the enhanced functionality. In one embodiment, the secondary processor can be used to control a display interface on a video display, such as a video display used to play a wager-based game on the gaming device. The display interface can be used to purchase items, such as a lottery ticket, under control of the secondary processor. After purchase, the lottery ticket can be dispensed from the gaming device using a printer. After the lottery ticket is dispensed, it can be reinserted into the gaming device and validated. If any winnings are associated with the lottery ticket, it can be credited to the electronic gaming machine.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly comprising:
 a physical item acceptor;   a processor;   a first communication port configured to enable the processor to communicate first data to a game controller of a gaming machine, said first data associated with a receipt, via the physical item acceptor, of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and   a second communication port configured to enable the processor to communicate second data to a secondary controller, said second data being received from a mobile device and being associated with a transfer of funds to the gaming machine.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer of funds to the gaming machine is initiated in association with at least one input received via the mobile device. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one input received from the mobile device occurs in association with a mobile wallet application executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication port is configured to enable the processor to communicate third data to the secondary controller, said third data being associated with a receipt, via the physical item acceptor, of a lottery ticket. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication port is configured to enable the processor to communicate third data to the secondary controller, said third data being associated with a receipt, via the physical item acceptor, of a promotional ticket. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the physical item includes at least one of: a ticket associated with the monetary value and a unit of currency. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of: said first data is wirelessly communicated from the first communication port to the game controller of the gaming machine, and said second data is wirelessly communicated from the second communication port to the secondary controller. 
     
     
         8 . A gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly comprising:
 a physical item acceptor;   a processor;   a first communication device configured to connect the processor and a game controller of a gaming machine, wherein the processor is configured to communicate first data to the game controller of the gaming machine, said first data associated with a receipt, via the physical item acceptor, of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and   a second communication device configured to connect the processor and a secondary controller, wherein the processor is configured to communicate second data to the secondary controller, said second data being received from a mobile device and being associated with a transfer of funds to the gaming machine.   
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the transfer of funds to the gaming machine is initiated in association with at least one input received via the mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one input received from the mobile device occurs in association with a mobile wallet application executed by the mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to communicate third data to the secondary controller, said third data being associated with a receipt, via the physical item acceptor, of a lottery ticket. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to communicate third data to the secondary controller, said third data being associated with a receipt, via the physical item acceptor, of a promotional ticket. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the physical item includes at least one of: a ticket associated with the monetary value and a unit of currency. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming machine physical item acceptor assembly of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of: the first communication device is configured to wirelessly connect the processor and the game controller of the gaming machine, the second communication device is configured to wirelessly connect the processor and the secondary controller.