System, method, and program using near field communication to facilitate the purchase of wagering credits at a gaming device

1 . A networked computer system, comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices coupled to a plurality of player tracking devices, each player tracking device coupled to a near field communication (NFC) reader configured to receive NFC payment information data from a credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device upon a player indicating they wish to purchase a certain amount of gaming credits via an interactive touchscreen display device at a corresponding gaming device; and

a player tracking system including a processor coupled in communication with each player tracking device, the processor of the player tracking system programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of:

receiving a request from the player via a player tracking device indicating a request to purchase gaming credits with the credit or debit credit card or mobile wallet payment device on the corresponding gaming device;

rendering a button icon on the interactive touchscreen display device that instructs the player to tap the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device to the NFC reader;

rendering a first prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device to prompt the player to enter an amount of gaming credits to purchase;

receiving a signal from the NFC reader indicating payment information data received from the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device via the NFC reader;

rendering a second prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device to prompt the player to input a personal identification number (PIN) associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device;

transmitting a purchase request including the requested amount of gaming credits to purchase, the received payment information data, and the PIN associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device to a payment processor for authorization;

upon receiving approval of the purchase request from the payment processor including an authorization code, adding the amount of gaming credits to purchase to a credit meter of the corresponding gaming device; and

recording purchase method information associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device used for the purchase request and the authorization code received from the payment processor in a database associated with crediting of the gaming credits to the credit meter of the corresponding gaming device.

2 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to execute the algorithm including the steps of:

rendering a prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device prompting the player to hold the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device near the NFC reader.

3 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to execute the algorithm including the steps of:

rendering a prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device prompting the player and receiving the player's signature associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device; and

transmitting a captured image of the player's signature to the payment processor.

4 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to execute the algorithm including the steps of:

rendering a prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device prompting the player to select which credit or debit account they wish to use for the purchase of gaming credits; and

transmitting the selected credit or debit account to the payment processor.

5 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to execute the algorithm including the steps of:

rendering a prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device prompting the player to acknowledge any transaction fees associated with the purchase transaction.

6 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to execute the algorithm including the steps of:

rendering the interactive touchscreen display device on a gaming device touchscreen display of the corresponding gaming device.

7 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the NFC reader is mounted to the gaming device in communication with the player tracking device coupled to the player tracking system.

8 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the payment processor is a service supplied by an automated teller machine (ATM) 3rd party system coupled to the player tracking system.

9 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the payment processor is a service supplied by a 3rd party point of sale system coupled to the player tracking system.

10 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the payment processor is a service supplied by a 3rd party hotel system coupled to the player tracking system.

11 . The networked computer system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to execute the algorithm including the steps of:

upon determining the player is an uncarded player, rendering a prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device prompting the player to become a temporary member of a player loyalty program; and

upon receiving approval from the player via the interactive touchscreen display device, generating a new player account including a credit or debit card number, a holder's name, the received PIN associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device to enable the player to log into the player tracking system using the credit or debit card number.

12 . A networked computer system, comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices coupled to a plurality of player tracking devices, each player tracking device including an interactive touchscreen display device and a near field communication (NFC) reader configured to receive NFC payment information data from a credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device upon a player indicating they wish to purchase a certain amount of gaming credits at a corresponding gaming device; and

a player tracking system including a processor coupled in communication with each player tracking device and to a 3rd party system, the processor is programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of:

receiving a request from the player via a player tracking device indicating a request to purchase gaming credits with the credit or debit credit card or mobile wallet payment device on the corresponding gaming device;

transmitting a request to the 3rd party system to invoke an interactive payment processor web page and displaying the interactive payment processor webpage on the interactive touchscreen display device;

rendering a button icon on the interactive touchscreen display device that instructs the player to tap the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device to the NFC reader;

rendering a first prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device to prompt the player to enter an amount of gaming credits to purchase;

receiving payment information data from the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device via the NFC reader;

rendering a second prompt icon on the interactive touchscreen display device to prompt the player to input a personal identification number (PIN) associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device;

transmitting a purchase request including the requested amount of gaming credits to purchase, the payment information data, and the PIN associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device to the 3rd party system via the interactive payment processor webpage for authorization;

upon receiving approval of the purchase by the payment processor web page including an authorization code, adding the amount of gaming credits purchased to a credit meter of the corresponding gaming device; and

recording purchase method information associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device used for the purchase request and the authorization code received from the payment processor in a database associated with crediting of the gaming credits to the credit meter of the corresponding gaming device.

13 . A networked computer system, comprising:

an employee mobile device including a near field communication (NFC) reader configured to receive NFC payment information data from a credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device upon a player indicating they wish to purchase a certain amount of gaming credits to the employee mobile device employee; and

a player tracking system in communication with the employee mobile device and with a 3rd party payment processor system, the player tracking system including a processor programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of:

rendering a button icon on the employee mobile device that instructs the player to tap the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device to the NFC reader;

rendering a first prompt icon on the employee mobile device to prompt the player to enter an amount of gaming credits to purchase;

receiving the payment information data from the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device via the NFC reader;

rendering a second prompt icon on the employee mobile device to prompt the player to input a personal identification number (PIN) associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device;

transmitting an amount of gaming credits to purchase, and the payment information data, and the PIN associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device to the 3rd party payment processor system for authorization; and

upon receiving approval of the purchase from the 3rd party payment processor system including an authorization code, providing the player with wagering chips equivalent to the purchase amount; and

recording purchase method information associated with the credit or debit card or mobile wallet payment device used for the purchase request and the authorization code received from the payment processor in a database associated with crediting gaming credits.

14 . The networked computer system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is programmed to execute the algorithm including the steps of:

adding the approved purchase amount of credit to a player's wagering account.