System and method for awarding rewards to players of gaming machines via automated prize redemption centers

1. A rewards system for 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:

a prize rewards server, said rewards server comprising a processor, memory and non-transitory machine-readable code stored in said memory and executable by said processor, said prize rewards server in communication with said gaming machine; and

an automated prize redemption device configured to dispense a prize to the player, said 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;

said non transitory machine-readable code of said rewards server configured to cause said processor of said prize rewards server to:

store received input regarding criteria for awarding at least one prize;

compare activity information obtained from said gaming machine to said stored criteria for awarding at least one prize;

when criteria for one of said prizes has been met, cause said gaming machine to display information regarding said prize to said player for acceptance or rejection of said prize;

receive input from said player regarding a rejection or acceptance of said prize;

in response to said input comprising a rejection, not award said prize; and

in response to said input comprising an acceptance, command said gaming machine to issue a media from a media dispenser of said gaming machine to said player, said media redeemable for said prize at said automated prize redemption device, and to store information regarding said media and said awarded prize.

2. The rewards system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein when said media is read by said media reader of said automated prize redemption device and information regarding said media is received by said prize rewards server from said automated prize redemption device, said non-transitory machine-readable code of said prize rewards server is configured to cause said processor of said prize rewards server to compare said information regarding said media received from said automated prize redemption device against said stored information to determine if said media is valid, and when said media is validated, to cause said controller of said automated prize redemption device electronic device to cause said prize dispenser to dispense the awarded prize from said prize storage area to said player at said dispensing area.

3. The rewards system in accordance with claim 2 , wherein said input regarding criteria for awarding at least one prize is provided via a user interface comprising a management terminal in communication with said rewards server, said management terminal comprising a video display, at least one user input device, and a controller configured to cause said video display to display a graphical user interface for configuring said prize events.

4. The rewards system 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.

5. The rewards system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said criteria comprises a random award or a specified time for an award.

6. The rewards system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said media comprises a ticket bearing coded information and said media reader comprises a ticket reader.

7. The rewards system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said awarded prize comprises a tangible good.

8. The rewards system 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.

9. The rewards system in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a rewards client comprising an interface between said gaming machine and said prize rewards server, said rewards client configured to capture information relating to activities at said gaming machine.

10. The rewards system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said controller of said automated prize redemption device is configured to generate and output information regarding an inventory of prizes in said prize storage area.

11. A method of awarding a prize to a player of a gaming machine, separate from any winnings awarded by said gaming machine for a winning wagering game outcome, comprising the steps of:

presenting, via said gaming machine comprising a housing, at least one display and a controller, wagering game information via said at least one display and awarding winnings for a winning outcome of said at least one wagering game;

storing, at a prize rewards server comprising a processor, memory and non-transitory machine-readable code stored in said memory and executable by said processor, said rewards server in communication with said gaming machine, input regarding criteria for awarding at least one prize;

comparing, at said prize rewards server, activity information obtained from said gaming machine to said stored criteria for awarding at least one prize;

displaying, at said gaming machine, information regarding a prize when said activity information meets said stored criteria;

receiving, at said gaming input from said player to reject said prize or to accept said prize;

in response to said input comprising a rejection of said prize, not awarding said prize;

in response to said input comprising an acceptance of said prize, issuing, from said gaming machine a media from a media dispenser of said gaming machine to said player, said media redeemable for said prize at an automated prize redemption device; and

storing information regarding said media and said awarded prize.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11 , further comprising the step of accepting, at said automated prize redemption device comprising 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 a prize from said prize storage area to a dispensing area, said media.

13. The method in accordance with claim 12 , further comprising the step of validating said media at said prize rewards server using said stored information.

14. The method in accordance with claim 12 , wherein said automated prize redemption device is located remote from said gaming machine.

15. The method in accordance with claim 12 , wherein two or more different prizes are visible to said player through a window in said housing.

16. The method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said at least one wagering game comprises a Class II game.

17. The method in accordance with claim 11 , wherein said at least one wagering game comprises a bingo game.