Patent ID: 9564004
Date: 2017-02-07
CPC Classifications: G07F

Claim:
1. A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising: (a) causing a promotional server interfaced with a controller box to identify a promotional sporting event betting opportunity to offer to a customer playing at least one displayed game on a video gaming machine interfaced with the controller box, wherein the controller box and the promotional server each operate independent of any outcome determinations of any displayed plays of any games on the video gaming machine; (b) causing the promotional server to provide an invitation to the customer to participate in the identified promotional sporting event betting opportunity by causing an invitation message to be displayed on a particular portion of a display device of the video gaming machine, wherein said displayed invitation message does not disrupt any displayed plays of any games of the video gaming machine; (c) receiving, via an actuator monitored by the controller box, a response from the customer, said response indicating a selection of one from the group consisting of: an acceptance of the invitation, a rejection of the invitation, a request for further information concerning the identified promotional sporting event betting opportunity, a request to view at least one other promotional sporting event betting opportunity, and a request to receive an invitation to participate in another promotional sporting event betting opportunity; and (d) upon acceptance of the invitation to participate in the identified promotional sporting event betting opportunity: