Wagering Game System Secure Identification Module

1 . A computerized wagering game system, comprising:

a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and

a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player.

2 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises a fingerprint reader.

3 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises stored signature dynamics.

4 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises body image identification.

5 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the secure user identification module further comprises a nonvolatile memory.

6 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 5 , wherein the wagering game system is operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.

7 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 1 , wherein the secure user identification module is operable to store monetary value.

8 . A method of operating a computerized wagering game system, comprising:

executing gaming code to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and

verifying a game player identity via a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises a fingerprint reader.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises stored signature dynamics.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises body image identification.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the secure user identification module further comprises a nonvolatile memory.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the wagering game system is operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.

14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the secure user identification module is operable to store monetary value.

15 . A machine-readable medium with instructions encoded thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause a computerized wagering game system to:

conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and

verify a game player identity via a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player.

16 . The machine-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises a fingerprint reader.

17 . The machine-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the secure user identification module further comprises a nonvolatile memory.

18 . The machine-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the instructions are further operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.

19 . The machine-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the instructions are further operable to store monetary value via the secure user identification module.

20 . A secure user identification module, the secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removably attachable to a wagering game system such that the module may be retained by a game player.

21 . The secure user identification module of claim 20 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises a fingerprint reader.

22 . The secure user identification module of claim 20 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises stored signature dynamics.

23 . The secure user identification module of claim 20 , wherein the biometric identification element comprises body image identification.

24 . The secure user identification module of claim 20 , wherein the secure user identification module further comprises a nonvolatile memory.

25 . The secure user identification module of claim 24 , wherein the wagering game system is operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.

26 . The secure user identification module of claim 1 , wherein the secure user identification module is operable to store monetary value.

27 . A computerized wagering game system, comprising:

a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and

an secure user identification module interface operable to couple the wagering game to a secure user identification module comprising a biometric identification element, wherein the secure user identification module is removable from the wagering game system such that it may be retained by a game player.

28 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 27 , wherein the secure user identification module interface is further operable to interface with a nonvolatile memory comprising part of the secure user identification module.

29 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 28 , wherein the wagering game system is operable to store player-specific data in the nonvolatile memory.

30 . The computerized wagering game system of claim 27 , wherein the wagering game is further operable to store monetary value via the secure user identification module.