Handheld wagering game system and methods for conducting wagering games thereupon

Abstract

A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines, the plurality of gaming machines including a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine, the method comprising:
 establishing a first communications link between the first gaming machine and a mobile handheld device;   in response to completion of a first act during play of a first wagering game at the first gaming machine, transmitting first data associated with the first act to the mobile handheld device;   establishing a second communications link between the second gaming machine and the mobile handheld device; and   in response to completion of a second act during play of a second wagering game at the second gaming machine, transmitting second data associated with the second act to the mobile handheld device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile handheld device is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data is stored on the mobile handheld device and/or uploaded to a remote storage device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second acts include at least one of playing a predetermined amount of money or achieving a predetermined game outcome. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including, after the transmitting steps, unlocking game content or a game feature on the mobile handheld device or at least one of the gaming machines. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including, after the transmitting steps, issuing an award to a player associated with the mobile handheld device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a game outcome for the first wagering game is randomly determined by a remote server in communication with the first gaming machine. 
     
     
         8 . A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines, the method comprising:
 establishing successive communications links between a mobile handheld device and the respective gaming machines;   in response to completion of acts during play of the respective gaming machines, transmitting data associated with the acts to the mobile handheld device; and   in response to accumulating the data, enabling game content, a game feature, or an award at the mobile handheld device or at least one of the gaming machines.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the mobile handheld device is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the data is stored on the mobile handheld device and/or uploaded to a remote storage device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the acts include at least one of playing a predetermined amount of money or achieving a predetermined game outcome. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the acts are completed during play on at least two of the plurality of gaming machines. 
     
     
         13 . A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and one or more processors, the plurality of gaming machine including a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine, the one or more processors, individually or in various combinations, being configured to:
 establish a first communications link between the first gaming machine and a mobile handheld device;   in response to completion of a first act during play of a first wagering game at the first gaming machine, transmit first data associated with the first act to the mobile handheld device;   establish a second communications link between the second gaming machine and the mobile handheld device; and   in response to completion of a second act during play of the second wagering game at the second gaming machine, transmit second data associated with the second act to the mobile handheld device.   
     
     
         14 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the mobile handheld device is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the data is stored on the mobile handheld device and/or uploaded to a remote storage device. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second acts include at least one of playing a predetermined amount of money or achieving a predetermined game outcome. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, after transmitting the first and second data, unlock game content or a game feature on the mobile handheld device or at least one of the plurality of gaming machines. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming system of  claim 17 , wherein the game content includes a mobile version of a wagering game. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, after transmitting the first and second data, issue an award to a player associated with the mobile handheld device. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein a game outcome for the first wagering game is randomly determined by a remote server in communication with the first gaming machine.