System and method for awarding rewards to players of gaming machines via automated prize redemption centers
A rewards system awards a prize to a player of a gaming machine, where the prize is awarded separate from any winnings awarded by the gaming machine for a winning wagering game outcome. The rewards system may comprise an automated prize redemption device having a housing which defines a prize storage area and a rewards server configured to compare activity information obtained from the gaming machine to criteria associated with stored prize events and when met, command the gaming machine to issue a media from a media dispenser of the gaming machine to the player and store information regarding the media and an awarded prize, and when the media is read by a media reader of the prize redemption unit and compare the information regarding the media received from the prize redemption unit against the stored information to determine if the media is valid, and if so, cause the controller of said prize redemption to issue the awarded prize.
1. A method of awarding a prize to a player of a gaming machine which is configured to present at least one wagering game, wherein said prize is awarded separate from any winnings awarded by said gaming machine for a winning wagering game outcome, comprising the steps of:
comparing activity information obtained from said gaming machine to criteria associated with one or more stored prize events;
when criteria for one of said prize events has been met, issuing, from said gaming machine, a media from a media dispenser of said gaming machine to said player;
storing information regarding said media and an awarded prize;
reading, by a media reader of an automated prize redemption device configured to dispense a prize to the player, the automated prize redemption device having a housing which defines a prize storage area, a controller, a media reader and a prize dispenser which is controlled by said controller and configured to deliver said prize from said prize storage area to a dispensing area;
comparing said information associated with said media against said stored information to determine if said media is valid; and
when said media is validated, causing said controller of said automated prize redemption device to cause said prize dispenser to dispense the awarded prize from said prize storage area to said player at said dispensing area.
2. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said step of comparing activity information is performed by a prize rewards server, said rewards server comprising a processor, memory and machine-readable code stored in said memory and executable by said processor, said rewards server in communication with said gaming machine.
3. The method in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising generating, at said prize rewards server, a command to cause said gaming machine to issue said media.
4. The method in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising a rewards client comprising an interface between said gaming machine and said rewards server, said rewards client configured to capture information relating to activities at said gaming machine.
5. The method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising receiving user input regarding said criteria.
6. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said criteria comprise one or more of: a) an amount lost by said player during game play at said gaming machine; b) an amount wagered by said player at said gaming machine; c) an amount of theoretical loss by said player at said gaming machine; d) an amount won by said player at said gaming machine; e) a number of games played by said player at said gaming machine; and f) a number of games played by said player at said gaming machine without a winning outcome.
7. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said criteria comprises a random award or a specified time for an award.
8. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said media comprises a ticket bearing coded information and said media reader comprises a ticket reader.
9. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said awarded prize comprises a tangible good.
10. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said prize storage area of said automated prize redemption device is configured to store two or more different prizes.
11. The method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising the steps of generating and outputting, by said controller of said automated prize redemption device, an inventory of prizes in said prize storage area.
12. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said at least one wagering game comprises a bingo game.
13. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said automated prize redemption device is located remote from said gaming machine.
14. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said gaming machine is located at a first location and said automated prize redemption device is located at a second location.
15. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein two or more different prizes are visible to said player through a window in said housing of said automated prize redemption device.
16. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein when said criteria for one of said prize events has been met, receiving input from said player whether to accept an awarded prize and upon the player accepting the awarded prize, commanding said gaming machine to issue the media.