METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING PLAY AT A GAMING DEVICE BY MEANS OF THIRD PARTY OFFERS
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an offer is presented to a player (e.g., at a gaming device or a table game in a casino). The offer defines a benefit to be provided in exchange for the player's commitment to an obligation defined by the offer. The offer may be provided once it is determined that a condition of a gaming device satisfies a predetermined criterion. The benefit defined by the offer may be provided to the player and/or to one or more associated persons designated by the player.
1 . A gaming system comprising:
at least one input device;
at least one display device;
at least one processor; and
at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to:
(a) enable a player to place at least one wager on at least one play of a wagering game;
(b) determine if a cash out request by the player occurs;
(c) in response to determining the occurrence of the cash out request by the player, if a credit meter balance associated with the player is at least equal to a designated value, enable the player to accept or reject an offer for the purchase of an entry into a gaming drawing at the designated value; and
(d) if the player accepts the offer, generate:
(i) a gaming ticket confirming the entry into the gaming drawing, and
(ii) a payout ticket, said payout ticket configured to be redeemed for an adjusted credit meter balance of the difference between the credit meter balance and the designated value.
2 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the gaming drawing is selected from the group consisting of: a keno game and a lottery.
3 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the gaming drawing includes at least one random number generation.
4 . A gaming system comprising:
at least one input device;
at least one display device;
at least one processor; and
at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to:
(a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a wagering game;
(b) enable the player to accept or reject an offer for the purchase of an entry into a gaming drawing at a designated value, wherein the offer is independent of any part of the play of the wagering game;
(c) if the player accepts the offer, generate a gaming ticket confirming the entry into the gaming drawing; and
(d) deduct the designated value from a credit meter balance associated with the player.
5 . The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein the gaming drawing is selected from the group consisting of: a keno game and a lottery.
6 . The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein the gaming drawing includes at least one random number generation.
7 . The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the wagering game to be paused while the player is enabled to accept or reject the offer.
8 . The gaming system of claim 7 , wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to resume the wagering game if the player rejects the offer.
9 . A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
(a) enabling a player to place at least one wager on at least one play of a wagering game of a gaming device;
(b) causing at least one processor to determine if a cash out request by the player occurs;
(c) in response to determining the occurrence of the cash out request by the player, if a credit meter balance associated with the player is at least equal to a designated value, enabling the player to accept or reject an offer for the purchase of an entry into a gaming drawing at the designated value; and
(d) if the player accepts the offer, causing the at least one processor to operate with at least one output device to generate:
(i) a gaming ticket confirming the entry into the gaming drawing, and
(ii) a payout ticket, said payout ticket configured to be redeemed for an adjusted credit meter balance of the difference between the credit meter balance and the designated value.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the gaming drawing is selected form the group consisting of: a keno game and a lottery.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the gaming drawing includes at least one random number generation.
12 . The method of claim 9 , which is provided through a data network.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the data network includes an internet.
14 . A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
(a) enabling a player to place a wager on a play of a wagering game of a gaming device;
(b) enabling the player to accept or reject an offer for the purchase of an entry into a gaming drawing at a designated value, wherein the offer is independent of any part of the play of the wagering game;
(c) if the player accepts the offer, causing at least one processor to operate with at least one output device to generate a gaming ticket confirming the entry into the gaming drawing; and
(d) causing the at least one processor to deduct the designated value from a credit meter balance associated with the player.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the gaming drawing is selected from the group consisting of: a keno game and a lottery.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the gaming drawing includes at least one random number generation.
17 . The method of claim 14 , which includes causing the at least one processor to cause the wagering game to be paused while the player is enabled to accept or reject the offer.
18 . The method of claim 17 , which includes causing the at least one processor to resume the wagering game if the player rejects the offer.
19 . The method of claim 15 , which is provided through a data network.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the data network includes an internet.