Method for awarding prizes

Abstract

Methods and systems for awarding and dispensing prizes are disclosed. In one embodiment a gaming system involving a gaming device in communication with a cashless device dispenser and a remote network, such as a computer system, is provided to the player. In another embodiment, a method for awarding and dispensing prizes includes presenting a game to the player using a gaming apparatus located at a gaming location, where the player is allowed to place a wager and a game outcome is determined. If a prize qualifying result occurs, the prize is awarded to the player and the player is allowed to obtain the prize at a location different from the gaming location. Alternatively, the player may be allowed to choose a prize at a time different from the time or date of the prize qualifying result.

1 . A gaming method comprising the following steps, but not all necessarily in order shown: 
 (A) providing a gaming apparatus to a player;    (B) allowing the player to place a wager;    (C) presenting a game to the player;    (D) determining a game outcome at a gaming location;    (E) awarding a prize to the player if the game outcome is a prize qualifying outcome; and    (F) allowing the player to obtain the prize at a second location different from the gaming location.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming method of  claim 1  further comprising allowing the player to choose the prize from among a selection of different prizes.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming method of  claim 2  further comprising allowing the player to choose the prize at a time remote from the date or time of the prize qualifying outcome.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming method of  claim 2  further comprising allowing the player to redeem all of, or part of, the prize for credits to play an on-line game of chance via an internet connection.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming method of  claim 1  comprising allowing the player to obtain the prize at a second location different from the gaming location, wherein the second location is not associated with the gaming location.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming method of  claim 1  comprising allowing the player to obtain the prize at a second location different from the gaming location, wherein the second location is selected from the group consisting of a website, a player computer and a third party vendor site.  
   
   
       7 . A gaming method comprising the following steps, but not all necessarily in order shown: 
 a. providing a gaming apparatus to a player;    b. allowing the player to place a wager;    c. presenting a game to the player;    d. determining a game outcome on a particular date and at a particular time;    e. awarding a prize to the player if the game outcome is a prize qualifying outcome; and    f. allowing the player to choose a prize from among a selection of different prizes at a time remote from the date or time of the game outcome.    
   
   
       8 . The gaming method of  claim 7  further comprising allowing the player to obtain the prize at a second location different from location of the gaming apparatus.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming method of  claim 8  comprising allowing the player to obtain the prize at a second location different from location of the gaming apparatus, wherein the second location is not associated with gaming activities of the location of the gaming apparatus.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming method of  claim 8  comprising allowing the player to obtain the prize at a second location different from location of the gaming apparatus, wherein the second location is selected from the group consisting of a website, a player computer and a third party vendor site.  
   
   
       11 . The gaming method of  claim 7  further comprising allowing the player to redeem all of, or part of, the prize for credits to play an on-line game of chance via an internet connection.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a. a gaming device;    b. a remote network in communication with the gaming device; and    c. a cashless device dispenser in communication with the gaming device.    
   
   
       13 . The gaming system of  claim 8  wherein the remote network further comprises a data base.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming system of  claim 9  wherein the data base is in communication with a remote computer selected from the group consisting of a proprietor computer, a vendor computer and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming system of  claim 10  wherein the remote computer is in communication with the data base via an internet connection.  
   
   
       16 . The gaming system of  claim 10  wherein the data base is in further communication with a website.  
   
   
       17 . The gaming system of  claim 12  wherein the website is in further communication with a player computer.  
   
   
       18 . The gaming system of  claim 8  wherein the remote network is a computer system.  
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 8  wherein the remote network is in communication with the gaming device via a communication mode selected from the group consisting of a local area network, a wide area network, an Ethernet connection, a telephone connection and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 8  wherein the cashless device dispenser is capable of reading or dispensing cashless devices selected from the group consisting of vouchers, coupons, tickets, stubs, certificates, memory storage devices and cards.