Gaming machine system and method

1 . A computer-implemented networked gaming machine system, comprising:

identifying a user of at least one gaming machine;

identifying at least one other party; and

allowing communication between the user and the at least one other party.

2 . A method as recited in claim 1 , and further comprising identifying a status of the gaming machine relating to an aspect of gaming selected from the group consisting of a jurisdictional requirement, a cashless gaming mode, and an enhanced entertainment experience mode; and operating a gaming machine candle of the gaming machine based on the status; wherein the status of the gaming machine is indicated by the gaming machine candle.

3 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein further included is a plurality of the gaming machines each including at least one candle mounted thereon; a network in communication with the gaming machines; wherein a status of the candle is at least one of monitored and controlled via the network.

4 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein further included is a plurality of the gaming machines each including at least one candle mounted thereon; wherein the candle includes at least one light emitting diode.

5 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein further included is a plurality of the gaming machines each with a display and a speaker for providing output, and a camera and a microphone for receiving input; wherein the displays, speakers, cameras, and microphone are capable of being used by users of the gaming machines to communicate with at least one other party.

6 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein further included is a plurality of the gaming machines each with a display and a speaker for providing output, and a camera and a microphone for receiving input; wherein the displays, speakers, cameras, and microphone are capable of being used by users of the gaming machines to communicate with at least one other party.

7 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein further included is a plurality of the gaming machines each with at least one of a display and a speaker for providing output, and at least one of a camera and a microphone for receiving input; wherein the at least one of a display and a speaker, and the at least one of a camera and a microphone are capable of being used by users of the gaming machines for two-way communication with at least one other party.

8 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein further included is a plurality of the gaming machines, and a high-speed network, wherein the network couples the gaming machines in a daisy-chain configuration.

9 . A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein further included is a plurality of the gaming machines, and a high-speed network, wherein the network couples the gaming machines in a tapped configuration.

10 . A computer-implemented identification method for a gaming system, comprising:

receiving biometric information from a gaming machine user;

receiving personal identifier information or smart device information user;

reconciling the received biometric information, and the personal identifier information or smart device information; and

conditionally allowing a gaming transaction or use of the gaming machine based on the reconciliation.

11 . A centralized gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming clients each including a display and at least one input device; and

a centralized repository of computer processing units, each of the computer processing units connected to at least one of the game clients for executing a gaming application for play by a user utilizing the gaming client.

12 . A system as recited in claim 11 , and further comprising logic for identifying a first user of a first gaming machine associated with a second user of a second gaming machine, and locating the first gaming machine for the second user of the second gaming machine.