Systems and methods for rewarding players of slot machines on an individual basis

1. A method for providing a personalized rewards program for slot machine players, comprising:

monitoring, by a computing device, activity of slot machine players on one or more slot machines during a reward event;

providing, by the computing device, one share award to a slot machine player each time the slot machine player wagers a threshold amount on the one or more slot machines during the reward event wherein multiple share awards are earned per player;

determining, by the computing device, reward credits to be provided to the slot machine players, wherein the reward credits that are provided to a slot machine player are determined by multiplying the share awards that were provided to the slot machine player during the reward event by an individual share award value for the reward event, and wherein the individual share award value for the reward event is determined by dividing a total amount of money to be distributed to the slot machine players as part of the reward event by a total share awards earned by the slot machine players during the reward event; and

distributing, by the computing device, the reward credits to the slot machine players.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a notification message on a display screen of a slot machine in response to a current player of the slot machine qualifying for an initial share award.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a notification message on a display screen of a slot machine each time that a current player of the slot machine qualifies for an additional share award.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold amount for a slot machine depends on at least one of: a property where the slot machine is located, a zone in the property in which the slot machine is located, a coin denomination that is used by the slot machine, a game type that is being played on the slot machine, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing an estimated reward calendar that indicates a total amount of money to be distributed to the slot machine players as part of the reward event.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the individual share award value further depends on at least one of: a promotion code, a date, and a property.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting when multiple reward cards associated with a same player account are used to play on multiple slot machines simultaneously; and

aggregating any share awards that are provided as a result of playing on the multiple slot machines simultaneously.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when a subsequent reward event begins, setting the slot machine players' share awards for the subsequent reward event to zero.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising notifying the slot machine players about the reward credits.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the slot machine players are notified about the reward credits via e-mail.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reward credits that are provided to a qualifying player comprise:

non-cashable credits up to a first reward threshold;

cashable credits between the first reward threshold and a second reward threshold, wherein the second reward threshold is greater than the first reward threshold; and

hand-paid funds beyond the second reward threshold.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing the slot machine players who have received the reward credits to use the reward credits to play on the one or more slot machines.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deducting at least some of the reward credits from the slot machine players' accounts based on one or more defined adjustment rules.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying reward program information on a display screen of a slot machine.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing access to reward program information via one or more kiosks.

16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing access to reward program information via an e-commerce interface.

17. A method for providing a personalized rewards program for slot machine players, comprising:

monitoring, by a computing device, activity of slot machine players on slot machines at one or more participating properties during a reward event;

providing, by the computing device, one share award to a slot machine player each time the slot machine player wagers a threshold amount on the one or more slot machines during the reward event wherein multiple share awards are earned per player.

determining, by the computing device, reward credits to be provided to the slot machine players, wherein the reward credits that are provided to a slot machine player are determined by multiplying the share awards that were provided to the slot machine player during the reward event by an individual share award value for the reward event, and wherein the individual share award value for the reward event is determined by dividing a total amount of money to be distributed to the slot machine players as part of the reward event by a total share awards earned by the slot machine players during the reward event; and

adjusting, by the computing device, hold percentages of the slot machines for the slot machine players based on the slot machine players' level of play during the reward event by distributing the reward credits to the slot machine players, wherein the hold percentages are adjusted without making adjustments to the slot machines themselves.