Patent ID: 9607471
Date: 2017-03-28
CPC Classifications: G07F

Claim:
1. A computer-implemented method for use in providing random rewards associated with a play-for-fun application, said method implemented by: a gaming machine including a display device, an accepting device configured to accept a physical item associated with a monetary value, the monetary value associated with a player tracking account, said method comprising: crediting, at a gaming server communicatively coupled to the gaming machine as part of a computing network and associated with a gaming establishment, gaming activity directed to the play-for-fun application by a player to the player tracking account, wherein the play-for-fun application does not provide the opportunity to wager or win money within the play-for-fun application, and wherein the gaming activity occurs outside of the gaming establishment; assigning at least one divisible coupon to the player tracking account, the at least one divisible coupon divided by the player into a plurality of coupon portions and associated with a random reward based on at least the gaming activity, wherein the player tracking account is configured to track redemption of the plurality of coupon portions, wherein each player of a group of players including the player can redeem at least one of the plurality of coupon portions, wherein the at least one divisible coupon is issued to the player, and wherein the random reward is associated with one or more of a payout and a secondary game application; based on a trigger condition satisfied at the gaming machine at the gaming establishment, applying, by the gaming server, at the gaming machine, the at least one divisible coupon, wherein the trigger condition includes redemption, via the accepting device, of a predefined subset of the plurality of coupon portions; electronically activating the random reward, wherein awarding the random reward when the at least one divisible coupon is redeemed under the trigger condition includes awarding the random reward when the at least one divisible coupon is redeemed after a predetermined number of coupons have been redeemed; and causing the gaming machine to display, on the display device, the random reward, including displaying one or more of the payout and the secondary game application.