Systems and methods for flexible approvals in a gaming environment

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for flexible approvals a gaming environment. Certain embodiments of a method include receiving an approval request and locating an appropriate supervisor for the approval request. The method includes obtaining approval or denial of the approval request from the appropriate supervisor. The method includes authorizing action on the approval request based on the approval or denial from the appropriate supervisor. In certain embodiments, an alternate supervisor is located if the appropriate supervisor has not responded within a certain period of time.

1 . A method for flexible approval in a gaming environment, said method comprising:
 receiving an electronic approval request for an action by a game operator in the gaming environment;   locating, via a communication network, an appropriate supervisor for said approval request;   electronically routing said approval request to said appropriate supervisor;   obtaining approval or denial of said approval request from said appropriate supervisor; and   electronically authorizing action on said approval request based on said approval or denial from said appropriate supervisor.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising locating an alternate supervisor upon lack of response from said appropriate supervisor after a certain time period. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said action comprises at least one of a) processing of a jackpot having a monetary value greater than a predetermined amount; b) expiration or voiding of tickets from a ticketing system; c) line of credit approvals; and d) purchase of license credits for downloadable or server-based game content. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said game operator comprises a gaming floor employee. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said game operator comprises an electronic gaming machine. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring pending approval requests; and   re-attempting at least one of said locating step and said electronically routing step.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of electronically authorizing further comprises allowing, based on said approval, a pending operation to complete in the gaming environment. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying said game operator that said approval or denial has been received. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said approval is automated based on a certain set of guidelines if said approval involves a monetary amount less than a certain threshold. 
   
   
       10 . A gaming approval system providing flexible approvals for actions in a gaming environment, said system comprising:
 a gaming terminal providing game play to a player and including a communications interface for communication on a network; and   a remote approval queue manager connected to the network, said remote approval queue manager receiving a request for approval of an action by a game operator with respect to said gaming terminal, said remote approval queue manager locating, via a communication network, an appropriate supervisor for approval of said request,   wherein, upon identification of an available and appropriate supervisor, said remote approval queue manager electronically routes said request to said appropriate supervisor and   obtains approval or denial of said request from said appropriate supervisor, said remote approval queue manager transmitting authorization or denial of said action based said approval or denial from said appropriate supervisor.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said remote approval queue manager initiates transmission of an electronic message to inform an available and appropriate supervisor. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said appropriate supervisor comprises a supervisor qualified to and capable of approving said request. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said request for approval comprises a nature of said request, a level of approval involved for said request, and a priority of said request. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said remote approval queue manager is incorporated with a slot floor configuration manager and wherein said approval or denial of said request impacts a configuration of said gaming terminal. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said remote approval queue manager locates an alternate supervisor upon lack of response from said appropriate supervisor after a certain time period. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said action comprises at least one of a) processing of a jackpot having a monetary value greater than a predetermined amount; b) expiration or voiding of tickets from a ticketing system; c) line of credit approvals; and d) purchase of license credits for downloadable or server-based game content. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said game operator comprises a gaming floor employee. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said game operator comprises an electronic gaming machine. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said remote approval queue manager monitors pending approval requests and re-attempts communication with a supervisor to alert said supervisor and route said request. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said remote approval queue manager notifies said game operator that said approval or denial has been received. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said approval is automated based on a certain set of guidelines if said approval involves a monetary amount less than a certain threshold. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said remote approval queue manager maintains a list of supervisors appropriate for approval of certain requests for use in identifying and locating said appropriate supervisor for said request. 
   
   
       23 . A gaming approval system providing flexible approvals for actions in a gaming environment, said system comprising:
 a remote approvals manager in communication with a plurality of gaming devices and supervisors via a communications network, said remote approvals manager receiving a request for approval of an action to be undertaken in a gaming environment, and said remote approval queue manager locating, via a communication network, an appropriate supervisor for approval of said request based on a list of potentially available supervisors and authorized approvals associated with said supervisors,   wherein, upon identification and location of an available and appropriate supervisor, said remote approval queue manager electronically routes said request for approval to said appropriate supervisor and obtains approval or denial of said request from said appropriate supervisor, said remote approval queue manager transmitting authorization or denial of said action to said gaming environment based said approval or denial from said appropriate supervisor.   
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said request for approval comprises a nature of said request, a level of approval involved for said request, and a priority of said request. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said remote approvals manager locates an alternate supervisor upon lack of response from said appropriate supervisor after a certain time period.