A method provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.
1. A method of operating a gaming system comprising:
enabling, using one or more processors, play of a first game on a gaming machine;
enabling, using one or more processors, play of a second game on a player tracking user interface that is operatively coupled to the gaming machine, wherein the gaming system enables a player to choose which bonus game to play out of a plurality of bonus games independent of player ranking and bonus level, wherein each of the plurality of bonus games may be immediately initiated on demand, wherein once the player chooses the bonus game to play on demand, the chosen bonus game is immediately presented to the player via the player tracking user interface, wherein the player tracking user interface includes a display screen capable of rending a plurality of overlapping web browser interface frames;
enabling, using one or more processors, a frame manager to coordinate frame requests for viewing priority on the display screen, thereby ensuring proper priority to a topmost visible frame, wherein the gaming system enables a player to activate the second game displayed on the player tracking user interface; and
funding, using one or more processors, the activation of the second game is using player funds and promotional funds.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frame manager uses XML template files that contain business rules to ensure proper priority of the frames.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frame manager uses a frame manager business rule engine that determines to proper time for presenting information or frames to the user.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein frames that are not the topmost visible frame are buffered by the frame manager.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein frames that are not the topmost visible frame are relayed as secondary non-visible frames by the frame manager.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frame manager enables use of a floating topmost visible frame that still allows a secondary frame to be partially viewed beneath the floating topmost visible frame.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frame manager enables use of split screens, wherein the topmost visible frame shared a portion of the display screen with a secondary visible frame.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bonus second game is chosen by the player while the base game is being played.
9. A method of operating a gaming system comprising:
enabling, using one or more processors, play of a first game on a gaming machine;
enabling, using one or more processors, play of a second game on a player tracking user interface that is operatively coupled to the gaming machine, wherein the gaming system enables a player to choose which bonus game to play out of a plurality of bonus games independent of player ranking and bonus level, wherein each of the plurality of bonus games may be immediately initiated on demand, wherein once the player chooses the bonus game to play on demand, the chosen bonus game is immediately presented to the player via the player tracking user interface, wherein the gaming system enables the player to choose when the chosen second game is activated for game play, and wherein the player tracking user interface includes a display screen capable of rending a plurality of overlapping web browser interface frames;
enabling, using one or more processors, a frame manager to coordinate frame requests for viewing priority on the display screen, thereby ensuring proper priority to a topmost visible frame, wherein the gaming system enables a player to activate the second game displayed on the player tracking user interface; and
funding, using one or more processors, the activation of the second game is using player funds and promotional funds;
wherein the chosen system game is a tournament game on demand, and wherein the tournament game on demand is accessible by the player throughout the life of the tournament.