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 representing proof of completion of the first act to the mobile handheld device, the first data being received by the mobile handheld device;   in response to establishing the first communications link, transmitting an indicator associated with the second gaming machine to the mobile handheld device based on a location of the mobile handheld device relative to the second gaming machine, the indicator at least partially identifying a location of the second gaming machine;   establishing a second communications link between the second gaming machine and the mobile handheld device;   in response to completion of a second act during play of a second wagering game at the second gaming machine, transmitting second data representing proof of completion of the second act to the mobile handheld device, the second data being both received and accumulated with the first data by the mobile handheld device; and   in response to the accumulated data being sufficient to fulfill prerequisite conditions associated with the first and second acts, enabling game content, a game feature, or an award at 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 prerequisite 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 at least one of the gaming machines. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein enabling the game content or the game feature at the mobile handheld device includes receiving at least a portion of game code executable by the mobile handheld device and associated with the enabled game content or game feature at 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 prerequisite acts during play of the respective gaming machines, transmitting data representing proofs of completion of the prerequisite acts to the mobile handheld device, the mobile handheld device both receiving and accumulating the data associated with the prerequisite acts, wherein an indicator associated with a subsequent gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines is transmitted to the mobile handheld device based on a location of the mobile handheld device relative to the subsequent gaming machine in response to establishing the successive communications links for establishing a subsequent communication link, the indicator at least partially identifying a location of the subsequent gaming machine; and   in response to the accumulated data being sufficient to fulfill prerequisite conditions associated with the proofs of completion, enabling game content, a game feature, or an award at the mobile handheld device.   
     
     
         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 prerequisite 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 prerequisite 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 machines 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 representing proof of completion of the first act to the mobile handheld device, the first data being received by the mobile handheld device;   in response to establishing the first communications link, transmitting an indicator associated with the second gaming machine to the mobile handheld device based on a location of the mobile handheld device relative to the second gaming machine, the indicator at least partially identifying a location of the second gaming machine;   establish a second communications link between the second gaming machine and the mobile handheld device;   in response to completion of a second act during play of the second wagering game at the second gaming machine, transmit second data representing proof of completion of the second act to the mobile handheld device, the second data being both received and accumulated with the first data by the mobile handheld device; and   in response to the accumulated data being sufficient to fulfill prerequisite conditions associated with the first and second acts, enabling game content, a game feature, or an award at 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, in accordance with the accumulation, unlock game content or a game feature on at least one of the plurality of gaming machines. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , 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 demonstrating proof of completion of the prerequisite acts, 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.