Methods and systems for facilitating play at a gaming device by means of third party offers

Abstract

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention an offer is presented to a player (e.g., at a gaming device or a table game in a casino). The offer defines a benefit to be provided in exchange for the player's commitment to an obligation defined by the offer. The offer may be provided once it is determined that a condition of a gaming device satisfies a predetermined criterion. The benefit defined by the offer may be provided to the player and/or to one or more associated persons designated by the player.

1 . A method comprising: 
 identifying an occurrence of an event, the event occurring at a gaming device;    causing, in response to the event, an offer to be presented to a player of the gaming device 
 wherein the offer defines a benefit to be provided in exchange for the player's commitment to an obligation defined by the offer, and  
 wherein the offer is presented via the gaming device.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 causing the benefit to be provided if an indication of an acceptance of the offer is identified.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 causing a game the player is playing at the gaming device to be paused while the offer is presented to the player.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 identifying a pause in the player's gaming activity at the gaming device; and    causing the offer to be presented during the pause.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the obligation comprises: 
 an agreement to perform a task.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing an offer to be presented to a player comprises: 
 causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player comprises: 
 causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player on a screen of the gaming device.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player comprises: 
 causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player, wherein the offer is displayed on a device associated with the gaming device.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing an offer to be presented to a player comprises: 
 causing an audible indication of an offer to be presented to a player.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining that the player has satisfied the obligation defined by the offer; and    causing, after the step of determining that the player has satisfied the obligation, a benefit to be provided.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 attempting to verify the player's identity.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of attempting to verify the player's identity comprises: 
 determining a player identifier from a player tracking card inserted into the gaming device;    determining a security phrase associated with the player identifier; and    determining whether the player playing at the gaming device can identify the security phrase.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of attempting to verify the player's identity comprises: 
 causing a photograph of the player playing at the gaming device to be taken if an acceptance of the offer is identified.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the activity is a visit by the player to a location specified in the offer.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event is an attempt to cash out a credit meter balance of the gaming device.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the offer is sponsored by an entity that is not affiliated with a game the player is playing at the gaming device.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the offer is sponsored by an entity that is not a developer of a game the player is playing at the gaming device.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the offer is not an integrated part of a game the player is playing at the gaming device.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a storage device; and    a processor in communication with the storage device,    the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and    the processor operative with the program to: 
 perform the method of  claim 1 .  
   
     
     
         20 . A medium encoded with a program for implementing a method, said program for directing a device to perform the steps of: 
 the method of  claim 1.