Cash Bonusing System and Method

Abstract

A cash bonusing system and method for use in one or more casino establishments for providing cash awards on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines

1 . A system for paying a cash payment bonus, comprising:
 at least one electronic gaming machine;   a controller connected to the at least one gaming machine over a network wherein the controller receives signals from the at least one gaming machine indicating a measurable value; and   a dispenser for dispensing a cash payment bonus to a player upon receiving a signal from the controller once the measurable value reaches a pre-defined trigger value, and wherein regular play on the electronic gaming machine continues unaffected by the cash payment bonus.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a display for indicating to the player the amount of the cash payment bonus. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the display for indicating to the player the amount of the cash payment bonus is a device separate from the at least one gaming machine and is from a group that includes: a) a reel; b) a video screen for displaying an indicator;
 c) a wheel; d) an arrow; e) a temperature-type gauge; f) a timer; g) an arrow; or h) any other value indicator. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the display also functions to display game operations for the electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one bonus indicator for displaying a bonus selection for the cash payment bonus, wherein the player selects one or more of the at least one bonus indicators to reveal the value of the cash payment bonus. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dispensing of the cash payment bonus is accompanied by one or more celebratory events from a group including: a) visual displays; b) sounds; c) sensory stimulations; and/or c) live celebrations. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pre-defined trigger value is from the group that includes: a) a total amount wagered at a particular electronic gaming machine; b) a total amount wagered at a plurality of electronic gaming machines; c) a total number of games played at a particular electronic gaming machine; d) a total number of games played at a plurality of electronic gaming machines; e) a predefined period of time; f) a total number of games without a win; g) a number of sequential games without a win; or h) any other pre-defined outcome or series of outcomes. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a player tracking card slot on the electronic gaming machine; 
 a player tracking card inserted into the player tracking card slot by a player to allow the electronic gaming machine to detect the presence of a player at the electronic gaming machine; and 
 wherein a cash payment bonus may only be dispensed from the dispenser when a player is determined to be present at the electronic gaming machine. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dispenser is from the group that includes: a) a bill validator housed inside of the electronic gaming machine; b) a bill validator housed outside of the electronic gaming machine; c) a coin dispenser housed inside of the electronic gaming machine; d) a coin dispenser housed outside of electronic gaming machine; e) an attendant presenting the cash payment bonus to the player; or f) a combination of any of (a)-(e). 
     
     
         10 . A method of paying a cash payment bonus, comprising:
 setting a pre-defined play trigger value at a controller;   monitoring play at one or more electronic gaming machine to determine when the pre-defined play trigger value has been reached;   upon reaching the pre-defined play trigger value, transmitting an instruction to a cash dispenser to dispense a cash payment bonus to a player at the one or more electronic gaming machines, and wherein regular play on the at least one electronic gaming machine continues unaffected by the cash payment bonus.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising displaying to the player the amount of the cash payment bonus. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein displaying to the player the amount of the cash payment bonus is performed on a device separate from the at least one gaming machine and is from a group that includes: a) a reel; b) a video screen displaying an indicator; c) a wheel; d) an arrow; e) a temperature-type gauge; f) a timer; g) an arrow; or h) any other value indicator. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the display also functions to display game operations for the electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising displaying at least one bonus indicator wherein the player selects one or more of the at least one bonus indicators to reveal the value of the cash payment bonus. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the dispensing of the cash payment bonus is accompanied by one or more celebratory events from a group including: a) visual displays; b) sounds; c) sensory stimulations; and/or c) live celebrations. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the pre-defined trigger value is from the group that includes: a) a total amount wagered at a particular electronic gaming machine; b) a total amount wagered at a plurality of electronic gaming machines; c) a total number of games played at a particular electronic gaming machine; d) a total number of games played at a plurality of electronic gaming machines; e) a predefined period of time; f) a total number of games lost; g) a number of sequential games without a win; or h) any other pre-defined outcome or series of outcomes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 providing a player tracking card slot on the electronic gaming machine; 
 providing a player tracking card to a player; 
 detecting the presence of a player tracking card in the player tracking card slot; 
 determining whether a player is present at the electronic gaming machine based on the presence of a player tracking card in the player tracking card slot; and 
 dispensing a cash payment bonus only on the electronic gaming machine when a player is determined to be present at the electronic gaming machine. 
 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10  wherein dispensing the cash payment bonus is carried out by: a) a bill validator housed inside of the electronic gaming machine; b) a bill validator housed outside of the electronic gaming machine; c) a coin dispenser housed inside of the electronic gaming machine; d) a coin dispenser housed outside of electronic gaming machine; e) an attendant presenting the cash payment bonus to the player; or f) a combination of any of the steps (a)-(e).