Patent ID: 7780526
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A gaming machine configured for accepting a wager, playing a game based on the wager and granting a payout based on the result of the game, comprising: an exterior housing arranged to contain a plurality of internal gaming machine components therein; a master gaming controller in communication with at least one of said plurality of internal gaming machine components and configured to control one or more aspects of said game; at least one link configured to connect said gaming machine to a plurality of disparate gaming systems or at least one gateway thereto, said at least one link permitting data to be transmitted between said gaming machine and each of said plurality of disparate gaming systems, a gaming system of the plurality of disparate gaming systems configured to provide services to the gaming machine selected from the group consisting of cashless services, loyalty program services, auditing/accounting services, web-hosting/internet services, entertainment content services, communication services, gaming software services, bonus game/linked game services, prize services, progressive game services, tax services, harm minimization services, security services, and jackpot verification services; and a player identification device in communication with said master gaming controller and said at least one link, located within, about or in proximity to said exterior housing and configured to accept a universal indicia of identification from a player, wherein said player identification device is configured to: