Networked Gaming System With Stored Value Cards and Method

Abstract

Disclosed are gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including stored value cards. Networked gaming systems are described which include one or more gaming machines with a stored value card acceptor, casino and/or slot management systems with a stored value server for authenticating stored value cards, verifying stored value, and updating value associated with the stored value cards, and a kiosk system for issuing, validating, and accounting for value associated with updateable stored value cards.

1 . A networked gaming system includes
 at least one gaming machine with a stored value card reader, and   a server connecting to the gaming machines;   upon reading a stored value card, the gaming machine transmitting a stored value card signal to the server;   responsive to the stored value card signal, the server initiating a procedure determining whether a value is associated with the stored value card.   
     
     
         2 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1 , the server transmitting a stored value response signal to the gaming machine which includes the value associated with the stored value card. 
     
     
         3 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1 , the stored value card signal including an activation request,
 responsive to the activation request, the server accessing a stored value database to authenticate the stored value card.   
     
     
         4 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1 , the server transmitting an activation signal to the gaming machine after authenticating the stored value card. 
     
     
         5 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1 , the server transmitting a stored value request signal to an external server with a stored value card database,
 responsive to the request signal, the external server accessing the database, identifying a stored value account associated with the stored value card, and transmitting information associated with the stored value card.   
     
     
         6 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1  including
 a stored value transaction database; and   an operator station accessing the stored value transaction database and providing one or more summaries.   
     
     
         7 . The networked gaming system of  claim 6  including
 a stored value card distribution program executable through the operator station to modify one or more stored value distribution channels.   
     
     
         8 . The networked gaming system of  claim 7 , the operator station modifying at least one distribution channel using at least one of the summaries. 
     
     
         9 . The networked gaming system of  claim 8 , at least one of the distribution channels including one or more establishments with one or more stored value card kiosks,
 the operator station modifying the value of one or more stored value cards distributable by the stored value card kiosks.   
     
     
         10 . The networked gaming system of  claim 1 , the server determining a value associated with the stored value card and modifying the value based upon one or more rules embodied in an executable instruction set.