Player loyalty across a gaming enterprise

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for directing future activity of players of games of chance according to defined goals of an operator. In one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of scenarios of player activity is defined. Each scenario includes one or more events to provide a prediction of future player activity. Defined outcomes are provided for each of the scenarios. The outcomes are determined in accordance with the operator goals. Information identifying a player is received. Player information associated with the identified player is retrieved. The player information includes first gaming data and second gaming data. The first gaming data relates to play of a casino style game. The second gaming data relates to play of a non-casino style game. The retrieved player information is compared with the events in the plurality of scenarios. The identified player is classified in one of the scenarios when at least a portion of the retrieved player information matches one or more of the events in the one scenario. One or more awards are issued for the identified player. The awards correspond to the defined outcomes for the one scenario.

1 . A method for directing future activity of players of games of chance according to defined goals of an operator, the method comprising: 
 providing the operator goals;    providing a defined plurality of scenarios of player activity, each scenario including one or more events to provide a prediction of future player activity;    providing defined outcomes for each of the scenarios, the outcomes determined in accordance with the operator goals;    receiving information identifying a player;    retrieving player information associated with the identified player, the player information including first gaming data and second gaming data, the first gaming data relating to play of a casino style game, the second gaming data relating to play of a non-casino style game;    comparing the retrieved player information with the events in the plurality of scenarios;    classifying the identified player in one of the scenarios when at least a portion of the retrieved player information matches one or more of the events in the one scenario;    issuing one or more awards for the identified player, the awards corresponding to the defined outcomes for the one scenario.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the casino style game is a wagering game selected from the group consisting of a table game, slot game, and a game of chance provided on an electronic gaming machine.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-casino style game is a wagering game selected from the group consisting of a sports betting game, a race betting game, and a pari-mutuel betting game.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-casino style game is a non-wagering game selected from the group consisting of a bingo game, a lottery game, a pull tab game, and a punch board game.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the player information is gathered from a plurality of gaming areas.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the gaming areas are located in a single gaming venue.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the gaming areas are situated in a plurality of gaming venues.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the gaming areas include one or more selected from the group consisting of: a gaming machine area, a table game area, a keno area, a sports betting area, a lottery ticket area, and a bingo area.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operator goals include one or more selected from the group consisting of: play of specified games, play of specified types of games, play in specified gaming areas, shopping at specified stores, and specified purchases.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieved player information includes one or more selected from the group consisting of: a net worth, a player profile, and historical game play information.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the retrieved player information includes one or more transactions.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the awards include one or more selected from the group consisting of loyalty points, promotions, tickets and coupons.  
   
   
       13 . A data processing device in communication with a plurality of data acquisition servers in respective gaming areas over a data network and configured to direct future activity of players of games of chance according to defined goals of an operator, a plurality of scenarios of player activity defined, each scenario including one or more events to provide a prediction of future player activity, a plurality of outcomes defined for each of the scenarios, the outcomes determined in accordance with the operator goals, the data processing device comprising: 
 an interface coupled to receive player identification information associated with a player; and    at least one processor coupled to the interface and configured to:    i) receive information identifying a player,    ii) retrieve player information associated with the identified player, the player information including first gaming data and second gaming data, the first gaming data relating to play of a casino style game, the second gaming data relating to play of a non-casino style game,    iii) compare the retrieved player information with the events in the plurality of scenarios,    iv) classify the identified player in one of the scenarios when at least a portion of the retrieved player information matches one or more of the events in the one scenario, and    v) issue one or more awards for the identified player, the awards corresponding to the defined outcomes for the one scenario.    
   
   
       14 . The data processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the casino style game is a wagering game selected from the group consisting of a table game, slot game, and a game of chance provided on an electronic gaming machine.  
   
   
       15 . The data processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the non-casino style game is a wagering game selected from the group consisting of a sports betting game, a race betting game, and a pari-mutuel betting game.  
   
   
       16 . The data processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the non-casino style game is a non-wagering game selected from the group consisting of a bingo game, a lottery game, a pull tab game, and a punch board game.  
   
   
       17 . The data processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the player information is gathered from a plurality of gaming areas.  
   
   
       18 . The data processing device of  claim 17 , wherein the gaming areas are located in a single gaming venue.  
   
   
       19 . The data processing device of  claim 17 , wherein the gaming areas are situated in a plurality of gaming venues.  
   
   
       20 . The data processing device of  claim 17 , wherein the gaming areas include one or more selected from the group consisting of: a gaming machine area, a table game area, a keno area, a sports betting area, a lottery ticket area, and a bingo area.  
   
   
       21 . The data processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the operator goals include one or more selected from the group consisting of: play of specified games, play of specified types of games, play in specified gaming areas, shopping at specified stores, and specified purchases.  
   
   
       22 . The data processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the retrieved player information includes one or more selected from the group consisting of: a net worth, a player profile, and historical game play information.  
   
   
       23 . The data processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the retrieved player information includes one or more transactions.  
   
   
       24 . The data processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the awards include one or more selected from the group consisting of loyalty points, promotions, tickets and coupons.