Retro-fit responsible gaming system

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to gaming systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic gaming system that enables an existing gaming system to be retro-fit to enable responsible gaming functionality to be added to the existing gaming system.

1 . A responsible gaming system enabling networked gaming devices to be retrofit to operate as a responsible gaming system in order to allow or deny player access to a local gaming device on a gaming network in accordance with player exclusion criteria, the networked gaming devices having an existing central system for managing the networked gaming devices that remains unmodified after being retrofit with the responsible gaming system, the responsible gaming system comprising:
 a central management module for, independently of the existing central system, receiving, storing, and processing identity data relating to individual players enrolled with the system, gaming data relating to gaming activities of the individual players using the system, the central management module being retro-fit to the networked gaming devices without affecting data collection functions of the existing central system; and,   a player management console for operative and retro-fit connection to a local gaming device by a flow through data connection and the central management module, the player management console including an input device for receiving identity data from a player, and communicating player identity data to the central management module only; the player management console also for communicating gaming data to the central management module and for controlling access to the local gaming device in response to approval by the central management module;   wherein the central management module provides instructions to the player management console to enable activation or cause de-activation of a local gaming device in accordance with pre-determined player exclusion criteria; and wherein the existing central system remains unmodified after being retrofit with the responsible gaming system.   
   
   
       2 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 1  wherein the central management module maintains player account information and the player management console further includes a display for providing a player with player account information received from the central management module. 
   
   
       3 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 1  wherein the pre-determined exclusion criteria include any one of or a combination of time spent gaming, money lost over a period of time, money won over a period of time, total hours of access over a period of time, time of day hours of access, and account deposit limits over a period of time. 
   
   
       4 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 1  wherein the player management console includes a communication port for operative connection to a local gaming device through a flow-through communication port wherein the flow-through communication port enables previously existing data collection functions to pass between the gaming device and the existing central system through the player management console. 
   
   
       5 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 1  wherein the player management console includes an input system enabling a player to enter pre-determined exclusion criteria into the system. 
   
   
       6 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 1  further comprising at least one enrolment device operatively connected to the central management module wherein the enrolment device includes an identity input system for inputting player identity information to the system for establishing a player account with the central management module only and not with the existing central system. 
   
   
       7 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 6  wherein the enrolment device includes an enrollment input system enabling a player to enter pre-determined exclusion criteria into the central management module for evaluation and monitoring by the central management module. 
   
   
       8 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 6  wherein the identity input system includes a biometric input system for providing player identity data to the central management module only. 
   
   
       9 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 6  wherein the enrollment device downloads player identity information to a player token selected from any one of or a combination of a magnetic swipe card, smart card, IC card, ibutton, proximity card, RF card, flash card, USB hard drive, key fob, memory stick, PCMCIA card, EEPROM, RAM data keys and optical storage devices including CD-R/RW and DVD-R/RW. 
   
   
       10 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 6  wherein the player management console includes a token reading device for operatively receiving player identity information from a player token. 
   
   
       11 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 10  wherein the player management console includes a biometric capture device for receiving biometric information from a player for use as player identity information for the central management module only. 
   
   
       12 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 11  wherein the player management console reports biometric information to the central management module only and the central management module evaluates the uniqueness of the biometric information within the system. 
   
   
       13 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 5  wherein the player management console is operatively connected to an establishment computer and the input system enables a player to access beverage and food services from the player management device. 
   
   
       14 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 9  wherein a player's account fund information and exclusion limits are stored on a player token. 
   
   
       15 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 1  wherein the player identity data relating to individual players enrolled with the system is provided to the central management module only and not to the existing central system. 
   
   
       16 . A responsible gaming system as in  claim 1  wherein the central management module is a physically distinct server from the existing central system. 
   
   
       17 . A player management console (PMC) for controlling player access to an electronic gaming device connected to an existing central system, the PMC comprising:
 a first communication port for operative attachment to an electronic gaming device and the existing central system by a flow through data connection;   an identity interface for a player to input player identity information; and,   a processor for receiving player identity information and for reporting player identity information to a central management module only through a second communication port, the central management module enabled to provide responsible gaming functionality to the player management console, the processor also for receiving instructions from the central management module to allow or deny player access to the electronic gaming device and for sending instructions to the electronic gaming device to allow or deny player access to the electronic gaming device wherein the PMC does not interfere with data flow to and from the existing central system.   
   
   
       18 . A PMC as in  claim 17  wherein the PMC further including a display for providing a player with player account information received from the central management module.