System and method for improved casino promotional messaging

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a system and method for improved promotional messaging for a gaming environment. Certain embodiments include a method for improved promotional broadcast messaging. The method includes composing a promotional message for a gaming environment; selecting one or more recipients for the promotional message; associating contact information with one or more recipients; relaying the promotional message with the recipient contact information for broadcasting; and broadcasting the promotional message to one or more recipients using the recipient contact information. In an embodiment, the contact information comprises a cellular phone number, for example. The method may also include generating a status message when the promotional message is delivered to a communication device associated with the recipient contact information. In addition, the method may include generating a report based on the promotional message. Furthermore, the method may include editing, deleting, resending and/or recalling the promotional message, for example.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A promotional messaging system for use in a gaming establishment having a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine having a machine display configured to display a game, said system comprising:
 a plurality of communication devices configured to be carried by a plurality of patrons, each communication device having a device display;   a workstation configured to send a promotional message to one or more selected patrons of the plurality of patrons based on information that associates communication devices with patrons, said promotional message providing information to the one or more selected patrons regarding a promotion occurring with said gaming establishment; and   a message relay station configured to broadcast said promotional message from said workstation to communication devices of the one or more selected patrons,   wherein communication devices of the one or more selected patrons are configured to display the promotional message upon respective device displays.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each communication device is capable of receiving said promotional message and displaying said promotional message to its associated patron. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein each communication device comprises a unique address that said gaming establishment associates with the patron assigned to each communication device. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a server configured to store said promotional message. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said server further comprises a database for storing said promotional message. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said workstation is capable of generating a report using said promotional message stored at said server. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said workstation is configured to detect an authorized user and allow the authorized user to at least edit and/or remove a stored promotional message before said promotional message is broadcast to said communication device. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein said workstation is configured to detect an authorized user and allow the authorized user to at least remove, edit and/or resend a previously broadcast promotional message. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a server to store said promotional message, and to permit deleting of said promotional message only if said promotional message has yet to be broadcast to a communication device. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a server to store said promotional message, and to permit editing of said promotional message only if said promotional message has yet to be broadcast to a communication device. 
     
     
         31 . A personal, handheld promotional notification device separate from gaming machines in a gaming establishment, said device comprising:
 an address, being unique to the personal handheld promotional notification device to be carried by a patron, and configured to be assigned by the gaming establishment;   a receiver for receiving a promotional message from a gaming environment relay station with the assigned address, said promotional message providing information to the patron regarding a promotion occurring with at least one of the gaming machines in said gaming establishment;   a display for displaying said promotional message for a game to be played on at least one of the gaming machines in the gaming establishment; and   an alert indicator for alerting a user to receipt of said promotional message.   
     
     
         32 . The promotional notification device of  claim 31 , wherein said alert indicator comprises at least one of an audio alert indicator, a visual alert indicator, and a vibrating alert indicator. 
     
     
         33 . The promotional notification device of  claim 31 , further comprising a scrolling arrow capable of allowing a user to scroll through a message displayed on said display. 
     
     
         34 . A method for broadcasting promotional message in a gaming establishment having a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine having a machine display configured to display a game, said method comprising:
 assigning portable communication devices to patrons of the gaming establishment in response to enrolling the patrons in a promotional program of the gaming establishment;   composing a promotional message for a game to be played on at least one of the gaming machines of the gaming establishment, said promotional message providing information regarding a promotion occurring with said gaming establishment;   selecting one or more patrons enrolled in the promotional program to receive the promotional message;   broadcasting said promotional message to portable communication devices assigned to the one or more patrons selected to receive the promotional message; and   notifying a patron of the one or more patrons that the assigned portable communication device received said promotional message.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , associating a cellular phone number to each portable communication device assigned to a patron of the gaming establishment. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising generating a status message when said promotional message is delivered to a portable communication device. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising generating a report based on said promotional message. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising at least one of editing, deleting, resending and recalling said promotional message. 
     
     
         39 . A messaging system, comprising:
 a plurality of communication devices, each communication device comprising a display;   a workstation comprising a user interface to register patrons of a gaming establishment, to assign a communication device of the plurality of communication to a registered patron of the gaming establishment, and to compose a message addressed to one or more registered patrons of the gaming establishment; and   a message relay station to receive the message addressed to the one or more registered patrons, and to broadcast the message to the communication devices assigned to the one or more registered patrons to which the message is addressed.   
     
     
         40 . The messaging system of  claim 39 , wherein the user interface of the workstation further prevents editing and deleting the message if the message has been broadcast to the communication devices assigned to the one or more registered patrons to which the message is addressed.