Networked gaming system communication protocols and methods
View Patent ↗A system, method and apparatus for a gaming system is provided. The gaming system includes a rewards server and a separate gaming or slot accounting server. The system may further include a separate player tracking server. The system further includes one or more game machines. The game machines may include a base game, rewards tracking module, and a game management module. Further details will be apparent from the description, drawings and claims.
1. A method comprising:
receiving player identification at a first gaming machine from a player rewards card;
verifying player identification data of the player rewards card with an identification input of a player;
playing a game by the player at the first gaming machine;
accumulating a balance above a first threshold amount;
paying out a first portion of the balance equal to or below the first threshold amount to the player in response to a request by the player;
deferring payout of a second portion of the balance above the first threshold amount;
transferring the second portion of the balance to a second gaming machine;
playing a game by the player at the second gaming machine using the second portion of the balance;
providing tax documentation comprising one or more tax forms completed by the player as a condition to paying out the second portion of the balance;
receiving a casino employee identification at the first or second gaming machine; and
paying out the second portion of the balance subsequent to providing tax documentation and receiving the casino employee identification.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the casino employee identification is provided at the first gaming machine.
3. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising transferring the second portion of the balance to a server.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising paying out the second portion of the balance responsive to a casino employee identification provided at the second gaming machine.
5. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising transferring the second portion of the balance from the server to a cage machine.
6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the casino employee identification is provided at the cage machine.
7. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the server is a first server having a slot accounting system and the second portion of the balance is a progressive bonus.
8. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the server is a second server having a rewards system and the second portion of the balance is a rewards bonus.
9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first threshold amount is an amount determined based on tax regulations.
10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the first threshold amount is an amount determined based on total bonuses.
11. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein verifying player identification data includes submitting player identification data and the input of the player to the server.