Method and system for funding mobile gaming

Abstract

In a method, a mobile communication device associated with a player is paired to an electronic gaming machine. The method determines that the mobile communication device is in a vicinity of the electronic gaming machine, transmits player identification information from the mobile communication device to the server, confirms an identity of the player at the server by comparing the player identification information to stored identification information, and pairs the mobile communication device with the electronic gaming machine after confirmation of the player identity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of pairing a mobile communication device associated with a player to an electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine being connected to a server, comprising:
 determining that the mobile communication device is in a vicinity of the electronic gaming machine;   transmitting player identification information from the mobile communication device to the server;   confirming an identity of the player at the server by comparing the player identification information to stored identification information; and   pairing the mobile communication device with the electronic gaming machine after confirmation of the player identity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting player identification information from the mobile communication device to the server occurs via the electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the mobile communication device is in a vicinity of the electronic gaming machine comprises the electronic gaming machine detecting the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the electronic gaming machine detects the mobile communication device over a wireless link. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the electronic gaming machine detects the mobile communication device over a connection to a cradle or a dock. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the electronic gaming machine requesting the player to provide the player identification information on the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the electronic gaming machine requesting the player to provide player account access information on the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting at least one wagering game to the player at the electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one wagering game comprises a slot game, a poker game, a bingo game or a keno game. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting game code from the server to the mobile communication device for execution to present game information on the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the electronic gaming machine transmitting information to the mobile communication device concerning an account of the player.