Electronic Gaming System, Device, Machine and Method

Abstract

An electronic gaming machine, an electronic gaming machine method, and an electronic monitoring device for interfacing with a gaming machine are provided to permit game play for a time period and to allow subsequent periods of game play for the time period following the expiration of each preceding time period of game play. The arrangement permits monitoring data concerning the amount of game credits, winnings and losses on the gaming machine during each time period of game play. On the occurrence of aggregated losses reaching a set threshold amount there is inhibition of further game play for the remainder of the time period of game play. A computer programme code for enabling the above to be achieved is disclosed. A tangible computer readable medium comprising the programme code is also disclosed. A data signal comprising that programme code is also disclosed.

1 . An electronic monitoring device for interfacing with a control interface of a gaming machine, said monitoring device comprising:
 a circuit configured to permit game play for a time period, and to allow subsequent periods of game play for the time period following the expiration of each preceding time period of game play, said circuit being configured to monitor data concerning the amount of game credits, winnings and losses on the machine during each time period of game play, and on the occurrence of aggregated losses reaching a set threshold amount, and to inhibit further game play for the remainder of the time period of game play, wherein at least one of said time period and said threshold amount is adjustable, and   an interface for receiving an adjustment to adjust at least one of said time period and said threshold amount from a player of said gaming machine.   
     
     
         2 . An electronic monitoring device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the loss amount is set to zero at the commencement of each time period of game play. 
     
     
         3 . An electronic monitoring device as claimed in  claim 1 , and wherein said control interface is operationally connected to said gaming machine to inhibit game play on the occurrence of losses reaching a set threshold amount. 
     
     
         4 . A method of controlling an electronic gaming machine having an electronic gaming controller, said method comprising:
 providing via the electronic gaming controller a time period for game play, providing via the electronic gaming controller a threshold amount of loss limit for the time period,   monitoring via the electronic gaming controller data concerning the amount of game credits, winnings and losses on the machine, and on the occurrence of an aggregated loss reaching the threshold during a time period, inhibiting further game play during the remainder of the time period, wherein at least one of said time period and said threshold amount of loss is adjustable, and   receiving via the electronic gaming controller an adjustment to adjust at least one of said time period and said threshold amount of loss from a player of said gaming machine.   
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , and further comprising setting a loss amount to zero at the commencement of said time period. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , and further comprising setting said threshold amount of loss to a default loss amount according to a prescribed threshold amount of loss set by gaming machine legislation. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a player has an option to set said threshold amount of loss for the time period being less than the default threshold loss amount. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the player overrides the time period and sets a player time period less than said time period. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An electronic gaming machine comprising:
 a configuration to permit game play for a time period and to allow subsequent periods of game play for the time period following expiration of each preceding time period of game play, the configuration permitting data concerning the amount of game credits, winnings and losses to be monitored during each time period of game play, and on the occurrence of aggregated losses reach a set threshold amount, providing inhibition of further game play for the remainder of the time period of game play, wherein at least one of said time period and said threshold amount is adjustable, and   an interface for receiving an adjustment to adjust at least one of said time period and said threshold amount from a player of said gaming machine.   
     
     
         11 . A gaming machine as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the configuration sets the loss amount to zero at the commencement of each time period of game play. 
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled)