Play per view

Abstract

A disclosed gaming machine provides a gaming machine with devices able to output entertainment content (e.g. movies, TV programming, audio programs and advertising) from entertainment content sources located within the gaming machine or outside of the gaming machine. A player utilizing the gaming machine may access, independently of game play, entertainment content on the gaming machine where access to the entertainment content is granted according to a predetermined fee. In addition, the player utilizing the gaming machine may receive personal messages on the gaming machine. For example, while utilizing the gaming machine, a player may receive, e-mail, stock quotes, news and advertising that is of particular interest to the player utilizing the gaming machine.

1 . A method of providing entertainment content on a gaming machine, the method comprising: 
 receiving an input of cash or an indicia of credit;    receiving a wager on a game of chance using said cash or said indicia of credit;    displaying the game of chance on a display on the gaming machine;    receiving an input of a ticket voucher valid for entertainment content available on the gaming machine;    redeeming the ticket voucher; and    outputting the entertainment content redeemed using the ticket voucher to an output device on the gaming machine.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the entertainment content is output while the game of chance is displayed on the gaming machine.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a specific type of entertainment content is specified on the ticket voucher and wherein the ticket voucher is redeemable only for the specific type of entertainment content.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the entertainment content specified on the ticket voucher is selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection and a broadcast event.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 after redeeming the ticket voucher, displaying a list of one or more entertainment content sources;    receiving a selection of the entertainment content source from said list.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 printing a first ticket voucher redeemable for entertainment content on the gaming machine or another gaming machine.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the entertainment content is selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection and a broadcast event.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the output device is selected from the group consisting of a sound projection device, a monitor, an LCD, a fluorescent display, a pair of headphones, a head-mounted video display, a personal digital assistant, a pager, and a cell phone.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a pachinko game, a video poker game or a keno game.  
   
   
       10 . A method of providing entertainment content on a gaming machine, the method comprising: 
 receiving an input of cash or an indicia of credit;    receiving a wager on a game of chance using said cash or said indicia of credit;    displaying the game of chance on a display on the gaming machine;    determining an award of entertainment content; and    printing a ticket voucher redeemable for the award of the entertainment content wherein ticket voucher is redeemable on the gaming machine or another gaming machine.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 receiving an input of a ticket voucher valid for entertainment content available on the gaming machine;    redeeming the ticket voucher; and    outputting the entertainment content redeemed using the ticket voucher to an output device on the gaming machine.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the entertainment content is selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection and a broadcast event.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a pachinko game, a video poker game or a keno game.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the entertainment content is personalized to a preference of a particular game player.  
   
   
       15 . A system of gaming machines, said system comprising: 
 a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine comprising: 
 a display device coupled to a main cabinet of the gaming machine;  
 a master gaming controller designed or configured to control a game of chance played on the gaming machine and to present a game outcome presentation for the game of chance on the display device;  
 an input device for receiving a printed ticket voucher redeemable for entertainment content;  
 an output device configured to output the entertainment content to an entertainment content source;  
 a printer for printing the printed ticket voucher redeemable for the entertainment content; and  
 a network interface for connecting to a network;  
   the network linking said plurality of gaming machines.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 an entertainment content server for providing entertainment content to the plurality of gaming machines.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the gaming machine is further designed or configured to determine an award of entertainment content; and 
 to print a ticket voucher redeemable for the award of the entertainment content wherein the entertainment content is redeemable on the gaming machines.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein a specific type of entertainment content is specified on the ticket voucher and wherein the ticket voucher is redeemable only for the specific type of entertainment content.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the entertainment content specified on the ticket voucher is selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection and a broadcast event.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the entertainment content specified on the ticket voucher is selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection and a broadcast event.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the entertainment content is personalized to a preference of a particular game player.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the output device is selected from the group consisting of a sound projection device, a monitor, an LCD, a fluorescent display, a pair of headphones, a head-mounted video display, a personal digital assistant, a pager, and a cell phone.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the game of chance is a video slot game, a mechanical slot game, a pachinko game, a video poker game or a keno game.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the input device is a bill validator.