Systems and methods for gaming stored value cards

Abstract

Methods and systems for creating and managing stored value cards from within a gaming environment that can be used to place wagers on gaming machines such as slot machines are disclosed. Stored value card systems are described which include one or more gaming machines with a stored value card reader, a stored value card server and a stored value card management module used for creating stored value cards and also for validating the cash value associated with a stored value card when read by a stored value card reader.

1 . A method for managing stored value cards in a gaming environment, comprising:
 a. providing at least one gaming machine with a card reader, and   b. providing a stored value card server connecting to said gaming machines; and   c. providing a stored value card management module for generating stored value card data;   d. upon reading a stored value card, said card reader transmitting a stored value card validation request signal to said stored value card management module;   e. responsive to the stored value card validation request signal, the stored value card management module initiating a procedure determining whether a value is associated with the stored value card and transmitting a stored value card response signal to said gaming machine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stored value card management module is hosted on said stored value card server. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stored value card response signal to said gaming machine is an activation signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stored value card response signal to said gaming machine is an error signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stored value card response signal to said gaming machine includes the value associated with the stored value card. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stored value card management module downloading cash value of said stored value card to the gaming machine credit meter after validation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stored value card management module updating stored value card account information after cash value of said stored value card is downloaded to said gaming machine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stored value card management module transmitting a stored value card validation request signal to an external stored value card server; responsive to the stored value card validation request signal, said external stored value card server accessing an external stored value card database identifying a stored value account associated with the stored value card; and transmitting information associated with the stored value card to said stored value card management module; and stored value card management module transmitting an activation signal to said gaming machine. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stored value card management module connecting to a point-of-sale system for the validation of said stored value cards used to purchase goods and services. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a stored value card database connecting to said stored value card management module to store said stored value card transaction history. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a stored value card transaction terminal connecting to said stored value card management module redeeming cash value of said stored value cards. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further including an operator terminal accessing said stored value card management module to create, manage and update one or more stored value card programs.