method for configuring casino operations

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of optimizing at least one performance variable, such as revenue or profitability, indicative of the performance of a casino. An initial set of operating parameters is set. At least one environmental variable, such as traffic, weather, time, cost of transportation, etc. are monitored as is the performance variable. An artificial intelligence program changes operating parameters, such as player-tracking rewards, bonuses, comps, advertising, etc. The program determines the effect of the change, and further changes the operating parameter as a function of the effect and the environmental variable.

1 . A method of optimizing at least one performance variable indicative of the performance of a casino having a plurality of operating parameters and a plurality of gaming machines interconnected via a communication network comprising:
 (a) initializing operating parameters for the casino's operations using commands delivered over the network;   (b) monitoring, by a computer connected to the communication network, at least one environmental variable that affects casino performance;   (c) monitoring, in the computer, the performance variable;   (d) generating, in the computer, an automated command to change at least one of the casino's operating parameters;   (e) transmitting the automated command via the communication network;   (f) determining, in the computer, the effect of the changed operating parameter on the performance variable; and   (g) further changing, in the computer, the operating parameter as a function of the effect and the environmental variable.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising repeating steps (b) through (g). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 determining, in the computer, which effects enhance casino performance; and   changing the parameter in a manner that increases optimization of the performance variable.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein one of the variables comprises the estimated worth of players that play gaming machines within a time period. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least some of the operating parameters comprise operating parameters of the gaming machines. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein one of the operating parameters of the gaming machines comprise payback percentage. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein one of the operating parameters of the gaming machines comprise game speed. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein one of the operating parameters of the gaming machine comprise changing the frequency of winning outcomes. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein some of the operating parameters comprise operating parameters of a system implemented on the network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the operating parameters of the system implemented on the network comprise operating parameters related to a bonus award for the gaming machines. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising obtaining data related to weather from a communication network connected to the computer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one of the variables comprises weather. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one of the variables comprises the number of people that play gaming machines within a time period. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the variables is manually entered into the computer via a user interface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein records related to play of at least some of the players of the gaming machines are stored in a database, and casino performance comprises profitability of game play by at least some of the players stored in the database. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the operating parameters comprises advertising the casino's services. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the automated command initiates communications to potential players of the gaming devices. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the automated command relates to advertising using at least one of email, Internet text message, print media, and broadcast media. 
     
     
         19 . A method of managing a casino having a plurality of gaming machines connected to a communication network, the method comprising:
 monitoring at least one environmental variable that affect casino performance;   providing data related to the monitored variables to a first node on the communication network;   monitoring at least one variable indicative of the performance of the casino;   providing data related to the monitored variable to a second node on the communication network;   processing the data;   generating at least one communication responsive to the processed data; and   automatically transmitting the at least one communication on a communication network.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the at least one environmental variable comprises data related to the level of casino business and wherein automatically transmitting the at least one communication on a communication network further comprises sending a communication to at least one of a plurality of off-duty casino employees. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the message comprises a request to report to work at the casino. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising providing data related to the number of casino employees on duty to a node on the communication network. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein generating at least one communication responsive to the processed data comprises generating a message related to a casino promotion. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein automatically transmitting the at least one communication on a network comprises transmitting the at least one communication to potential players of the casino gaming machines. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising:
 monitoring the gaming machines for data indicating that one of the potential players responded to the at least one communication by playing at least one of the gaming machines; and   adjusting at least one casino operating parameter responsive to the data indicating that one of the potential players responded to the at least one communication by playing at least one of the gaming machines.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein one of the variables comprises weather. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising obtaining data related to weather from a communication network connected to the computer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19  wherein at least one of the variables is manually entered into the computer via a user interface. 
     
     
         29 . A method of automating at least some aspects of casino management in a casino having a plurality of gaming machines connected to a communication network, the method comprising:
 establishing an initial value for at least one casino operating parameter;   implementing the initial value using a first command sent over the network;   monitoring at least one environmental variable that affects casino performance;   providing data related to the monitored variables to a first node on the communication network;   monitoring at least one variable indicative of the performance of the casino;   providing data related to the monitored variable to a second node on the communication network;   processing the data; and   responsive to the processed data, changing the initial value using a second command sent over the network.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein establishing an initial value for at least one casino operating parameter comprises establishing at least one initial value for a plurality of casino operating parameters and monitoring at least one variable indicative of the performance of the casino comprises monitoring a plurality of variables indicative of the performance of the casino, wherein the method further comprises:
 waiting a first time period before changing the initial value of a first operating parameter; and   waiting a second time period before changing the initial value of a second operating parameter.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein changing the initial value comprises changing the initial value to a second value and wherein the method further comprises responsive to the processed data, changing the second value to a third value using a third command sent over the network. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising:
 determining which effects enhance casino performance; and   selecting the third value to increase optimization of the performance variable.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the at least one casino parameter comprises an operating parameter of at least one of the gaming machines. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the operating parameter of the at least one gaming machine comprises payback percentage. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the at least one casino operating parameter comprises an operating parameter of a system implemented on the network. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the operating parameter of the system implemented on the network comprises an operating parameter related to a bonus award for the gaming machines. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the at least one environmental variable comprises weather. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  further comprising obtaining data related to weather from a communication network operatively connected to the second node of the network. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the at least one variable is manually entered into the computer via a user interface. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 29  wherein records related to play of at least some of the players of the gaming machines are stored in a database, and casino performance comprises profitability of game play by at least some of the players stored in the database. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the at least one operating parameter comprises advertising the casino's services. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the second command initiates communications to potential players of the gaming devices. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the second command relates to placement of advertising in at least one of print and broadcast media.