Multi-dimensional player loyalty rewards system and method

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a multi-dimensional player loyalty rewards system and method. Certain embodiments of the method include dynamically defining rewards based on at least one of player activity and historical data, and assigning values to the rewards based on at least one criterion, wherein the values change as the at least one criterion changes. The method may further include accumulating player earnings in a base unit of measure. Player earnings may be accumulated in a base unit of measure using multiple rates of earning, for example. One or more rewards may be redeemed using the values assigned to the rewards and the accumulated player earnings, for example. The at least one criterion may include at least one earning rate, for example. The at least one criterion may include at least one criterion tailored to a player, a player characteristic, a location, a game, and/or a game characteristic, for example.

1 . A method for flexible award configuration in a gaming environment, said method comprising: 
 dynamically defining rewards based on at least one of player activity and historical data; and    assigning values to the rewards based on at least one criterion, wherein the values change as the at least one criterion changes.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising accumulating player earnings in a base unit of measure.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said step of accumulating player earnings comprises accumulating player earnings in a base unit of measure using multiple rates of earning.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising redeeming one or more rewards using the values assigned to the rewards and the accumulated player earnings.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one criterion comprises at least one earning rate.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one criterion comprises at least one criterion tailored to at least one of a player, a player characteristic, a location, a game, and a game characteristic.  
   
   
       7 . A method for providing multi-dimensional player rewards, said method comprising: 
 defining player earnings using a base unit of measure;    accumulating player earnings based on one or more criterion;    configuring one or more reward categories for mapping player earnings to rewards; and    mapping player earnings to one or more rewards using the one or more reward categories.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the base unit of measure comprises points.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more reward categories include one or more redemption types for mapping player earnings to rewards.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising allowing multiple and simultaneous rates of earning for accumulation of player earnings.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more criterion comprises one or more combinations of player, game and location attributes.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of mapping comprises dynamically mapping player earnings to one or more rewards.  
   
   
       13 . A computer-readable medium including a set of instructions for execution on a computing device, said set of instructions comprising: 
 a point accumulation routine for accumulating player points based on at least one criterion; and    a reward mapping routine for dynamically associating player points with one or more rewards.    
   
   
       14 . The set of instructions of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one criterion comprises player earnings.  
   
   
       15 . The set of instructions of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one criterion comprises a rate of earning.  
   
   
       16 . The set of instructions of  claim 15 , wherein the rate of earning is a capable of being dynamically adjusted.  
   
   
       17 . The set of instructions of  claim 15 , wherein the rate of earning comprises a plurality of simultaneous rates of earning.  
   
   
       18 . The set of instructions of  claim 13 , wherein the reward mapping routine dynamically associates player points with one or more rewards using one or more reward categories.  
   
   
       19 . The set of instructions of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more reward categories include one or more redemption types for dynamically associating player points with one or more rewards.  
   
   
       20 . The set of instructions of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one criterion comprises at least one combination of player, game and location attributes.  
   
   
       21 . A multi-dimensional player rewards system, said system comprising: 
 a player account including a record of player points associated with a player; and    a reward configuration module configured to dynamically associate player points with one or more rewards.    
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a player tracking system capable of tracking player points accumulated by the player.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the player points comprise regular points and bonus points.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the player points are organized in the player account according to one or more earn rates.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the reward configuration module maps player points to rewards according to one or more reward categories.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the reward configuration module maps player points to rewards according to one or more redemption types.