Patent Publication Number: US-7909689-B2

Title: Methods and apparatus for remote gaming

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     The present application is a continuation application of and claims priority to commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 10/628,544, filed Jul. 28, 2003, by Lardie, titled “Method and Apparatus for Remote Gaming,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This patent is directed to a casino gaming apparatus, which could be either an individual gaming unit or a casino gaming system having a plurality of gaming units, that is capable of providing a player viewing capability and control over a game initiated by the player at a different location. 
     Conventional gaming units often allowed a player to wager on, control and view the game initiated at that particular gaming unit. Gaines initiated at another location were not displayed on the gaming unit or otherwise allowed the player control over the remote game via the gaming unit. That is, a player could not wager on a game at a first location and view the progress of that game or make further wagers on that game at a gaming unit at another location. For example, a player who wagers on a conventional multi-player lottery game fills out a card, wagers on chosen numbers and watches a large, public keno display screen to view the progress of the keno game, such as what numbers have or have not been randomly selected. The player must either stay and watch the keno display screen, or return to the keno display screen periodically to check the status of the game (e.g., to see if his numbers were chosen). If the player wants to begin gaming at a gaming unit, which may be at a different location and out of sight of the keno display screen, he is unable to view the progress of the keno game or make a further wager on the keno game without leaving the gaming unit to return to the keno display screen. Sports gaming (e.g., placing a wager on the outcome of a horse race, baseball game, etc.) can result in similar occurrences. Such public display screens were also not personalized to a particular player&#39;s gaming decisions and whether the player&#39;s gaming decisions coincided with the outcome of the game. 
     Some conventional gaming units allowed the player to control the gaming unit remotely using a remote control device similar to those used to control televisions. Other conventional gaming units allowed a player to control gaming from a remote location by using video cameras to transmit a picture of the game (e.g., a roulette table, a slot machine, etc.) to the player&#39;s location (e.g., a hotel room). The player could then place wagers by placing a phone call to someone at the location of the gaming unit who would place a wager on behalf of the player. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming apparatus that may include a display unit capable of generating video images, a first value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the first value input device. The first value input device may be located at a first geographic location. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager, cause a first video image representing a first game wagered on at the first value input device to be generated on the display unit, cause a second video image representing a second game wagered on at a second value input device to be generated on the display unit, and to determine an outcome of the first game and a first value payout associated with the outcome of the game. The second value input device may be located at a second geographic location different from the first geographic location. The first game may be a single-player game and the second game may be a multi-player game. 
     The first video image may represent one of the following games: video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo, in which case the first video image may comprise an image of at least five playing cards if the first game comprises video poker; the first video image may comprise an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if the first game comprises video slots; the first video image may comprise an image of a plurality of playing cards if the first game comprises video blackjack; the first video image may comprise an image of a plurality of keno numbers if the first game comprises video keno, and the first video image may comprise an image of a bingo grid if the first game comprises video bingo. 
     The second video image may represent one of the following games: a multi-player lottery and multi-player sports gaming, in which case said second video image may comprise an image of a plurality of lottery numbers if the second game comprises a multi-player lottery, and said second video image may comprise an image of a sports score if the second game comprises multi-player sports gaming. The second video image may also comprise an image of a gaming decision made by the person in relation to the second game. 
     The controller may further be programmed to allow the person to make a wager on the first game and/or the second game using the first value input device. The controller may also be programmed to receive a second value payout associated with an outcome of the second game. The second value payout may be determined by a multi-player gaming server. The controller may be programmed to cause the first and second video images to be generated concurrently on the display unit. The controller may be programmed to receive identification information regarding the person and also receive gaming information regarding the wager on the second game using the identification information. The gaming information may include a gaming decision may by the person. 
     A gaming system may comprise a plurality of interconnected gaming apparatuses that form a first network of gaming apparatuses. A second network may be operatively coupled to the first network. The second network may include the second value input device and a multi-player gaming server operatively coupled to the second value input device. The gaming server may be programmed to allow one or more people to make a wager on the second value input device. The people may include the person. The gaming server may also be programmed to determine the second value payout and to transfer gaming information regarding the second game to the controller. The gaming information may include the second value payout and information regarding gaming decisions by said player. 
     The invention is also directed to a gaming method that may comprise causing a first video image representing a first game wagered on at a first geographic location to be generated, determining a first value payout associated with an outcome of the first game, and causing a second video image representing a second game wagered on at a second geographic location different from the first geographic location to be generated. 
     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a memory that may include a computer program that may be capable of being used in connection with a gaming apparatus. The memory may comprise a first memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the gaming apparatus to allow a person to make a wager at a first geographic location with a first value input device; a second memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the gaming apparatus to cause a first video image representing a first game to be generated on a display unit; a third memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the gaming apparatus to determine a first value payout associated with an outcome of the first game; and a fourth memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that may cause the gaming apparatus to cause a second video image to be generated on the display unit. the second video image may represent a second game wagered on at a second geographic location with a second value input device. The first video image may represent a first game selected from the group of games wagered on at the first geographic location, the first group of games including video poker, video blackjack, video slots, and video bingo, in which case the first video image may comprise an image of at least five playing cards if the first game comprises video poker; the first video image may comprise an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if the first game comprises video slots; the first video image may comprise an image of a plurality of playing cards if the first game comprises video blackjack; and the first video image may comprise an image of a bingo grid if the first game comprises video bingo. 
     Additional aspects of the invention are defined by the claims of this patent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming system; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of a gaming system; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the gaming units shown schematically in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of a control panel for a gaming unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the electronic components of the gaming unit of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a main routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a main routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video poker routine of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video blackjack routine of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjack routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the slots routine of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video keno routine of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a slots routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video bingo routine of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video bingo routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a player tracking routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a registration routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a remote gaming routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 20  is an illustration of a first embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the remote gaming routine of  FIG. 19 ; and 
         FIG. 21  is an illustration of a second embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the remote gaming routine of  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention. 
     It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘ —————— ’ is hereby defined to mean. . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one possible embodiment of a casino gaming system  10  in accordance with the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the casino gaming system  10  may include a first group or network  12  of casino gaming units  20  operatively coupled to a network computer  22  via a network data link or bus  24 . The casino gaming system  10  may include a second group or network  25  of casino gaming units  30  operatively coupled to a network computer  32  via a network data link or bus  34 . The first and second gaming networks  12 ,  25  may be operatively coupled to each other via a network  40 , which may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN) via a first network link  42  and a second network link  44 . 
     The first network  12  of gaming units  20  may be provided in a first casino, and the second network  25  of gaming units  30  may be provided in a second casino located in a separate geographic location than the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located in different states. The network  40  may include a plurality of network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which may be operatively interconnected. Where the network  40  comprises the Internet, data communication may take place over the communication links  42 ,  44  via an Internet communication protocol. 
     The network computer  22  may be a server computer and may be used to accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of the gaming units  20 . For example, the network computer  22  may continuously receive data from each of the gaming units  20  indicative of the dollar amount and number of wagers being made on each of the gaming units  20 , data indicative of how much each of the gaming units  20  is paying out in winnings, data regarding the identity and gaming habits of players playing each of the gaming units  20 , etc. The network computer  32  may be a server computer and may be used to perform the same or different functions in relation to the gaming units  30  as the network computer  22  described above. 
     Although each network  12 ,  25  is shown to include one network computer  22 ,  32  and four gaming units  20 ,  30 , it should be understood that different numbers of computers and gaming units may be utilized. For example, the network  12  may include a plurality of network computers  22  and tens or hundreds of gaming units  20 , all of which may be interconnected via the data link  24 . The data link  24  may be provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless link. Although the data link  24  is shown as a single data link  24 , the data link  24  may comprise multiple data links. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a second possible embodiment of a casino gaming system  10   a  that permits a player to remotely monitor and wager on a remote multi-player game such as a lottery game or sports gaming by multiple players on a sporting event. The casino gaming system  10   a  may be modeled similar to the casino gaming system  10  described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . Although the following description addresses the use of a network  12   a  of gaming units  20 , it should be understood that the network  14  of gaming units  30  may have the same design as or be modified to resemble the network  12   a  described below. The network  14  of gaming units  30  may replace the first network  12   a  or be operatively coupled to the first network  12   a , as referred to above. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the casino gaming system  10   a  may include a first group or network  12   a  of casino gaming units  20  (only one of which is shown) operatively coupled to a network computer  22   a  via a network data link or bus  24   a . The casino gaming system  10   a  may include a multi-player gaming network  50  that includes a multi-player gaming controller  52 , one or more input terminals or control panels  54  and a multi-player gaming display  56  operatively coupled to a multi-player gaming server  58  via a network data link or bus  59 . The networks  12   a ,  50  may be operatively coupled to each other via a network or bridge  40   a , which may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN) via a first network link  42   a  and a second network link  46 . The network links  42   a ,  46  may be provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless link, and may further be provided as an Ethernet link, low-speed serial link, LAN, WAN, etc. Although the network links  42   a ,  46  are shown as single network links, each network link  42   a ,  46  may comprise multiple data links. The network links  42   a ,  46  may be configured for various communications protocol, such as the Extensible Mark-up Language (XML). 
     As with the first and second networks  12 ,  14  described above, the network  12   a  of gaming units  20  may be provided in a first casino at a first geographic location, and the multi-player gaming network  50  may be provided in a second casino located in a separate geographic location. Alternatively, the networks  12   a ,  50  may be provided in the same casino, though remotely from each other such as in different geographic locations including different rooms, different floors, different areas of the same room, etc. The network  40   a  may include a plurality of network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which may be operatively interconnected. Where the bridge  40   a  comprises the Internet, data communication may take place over the communication links  42   a ,  46  via an Internet communication protocol. 
     The network computer  22   a  may be a server computer or a plurality of server computers including a player tracking server  26 . As with the network computer  22  above, the network computer  22   a  may be used to accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of the gaming units  20 . For example, the network computer  22   a  may continuously receive data from each of the gaming units  20  indicative of the dollar amount and number of wagers being made on each of the gaming units  20 , data indicative of how much each of the gaming units  20  is paying out in winnings, etc. Using the player tracking server  26 , the network computer  22   a  may accumulate, analyze and store data regarding player information including the identity and gaming habits of players playing each of the gaming units  20 , wager amounts, number of wagers, player&#39;s gaming decisions (e.g., game number selections), etc. and assign a unique player identification to identify the player with the player data. 
     A player tracking unit  26   a  may also be included in each gaming unit  20  which may read a player&#39;s identification when inputted into the gaming unit  20  and request player information from the player tracking server  26 . The player tracking server  26  may validate the player&#39;s identification, associate the player&#39;s identification with any wagers made for a multi-player game and provide the player data to the player tracking unit  26   a . The player&#39;s identification may be associated with a wager on a multi-player game by associating the player identification with a unique ticket identification identifying a ticket issued with a wager on a remote multi-player game. The ticket may include paper or another printable or encodable material. In addition to the ticket identification, the ticket may include the casino name, the name of the multi-player game, the particular multi-player game being wagered on, a validation number, security data and any other information that may be necessary or desirable. 
     Player tracking units  26   b ,  26   c  may be provided as stand-alone devices, including a kiosk  21  or a handheld device  23 . Each may be provided with a display and a control panel to remotely monitor and wager on a remote multi-player game. A handheld device may include any portable electronic device such as a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone and the like. While the following description will primarily discuss a gaming unit  20  comprising a player tracking unit  26   a , it should be understood that the functions of the player tracking unit  26   a  may likewise be applied to the player tracking units  26   b ,  26   c . In many cases, aspects of the gaming unit  20  described below may be applicable to the kiosk  21  and handheld device  23 , such as each including a value input device such as a coin slot or acceptor, a paper currency acceptor, a ticket reader/printer and/or a card reader, which may be used to input value to the kiosk  21  or handheld device  23 . A value input device may include any device that can accept value from a customer which may also include entering an account number and personal identification number for electronic funds transfer. As used herein, the term “value” may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper currency, ticket vouchers, credit or debit cards, smart cards, electronic funds and any other object representative of value. However, unlike the gaming unit  20  the kiosk  21  and handheld devices  23  may or may not include routines for video poker, video blackjack, slots, video keno, video bingo or other gaming routines that are executed by the controller  100  described below, but rather be dedicated devices for remotely monitoring and wagering on remote multi-player games. 
     The bridge  40   a  may be used to facilitate communication between the first network  12   a  and the multi-player gaming network  50 . In particular, the bridge  40   a  may transmit queries and requests from the player tracking server  26  to the multi-player gaming server  58 . In turn, the multi-player gaming server  58  may provide information in response to the request. The information may relate to wagers a player may have placed at one of the input terminals  54  for a multi-player game, including the number and amount of the wagers, the player&#39;s gaming decisions, and the ticket identification. The bridge  40   a  may further be used to act as a translator or intermediary between the two networks  12   a ,  50 , if the networks  12   a ,  50  operate using different communication protocols. 
     The multi-player gaming controller  52  may include a random number generator for randomly selecting game numbers from a range of game numbers. The random number generator may be pseudo-random number generator embodied in a software routine executed by the multi-player gaming controller  52 , or the random number generator may be a mechanical instrument such as a rotating drum containing a number of objects, such as balls, each being associated with one of the game numbers from the range of game numbers. The rotation of the drum may randomly shuffle the objects therein such that the selection of any object is random. The multi-player gaming controller  52  may be part of the multi-player gaming server  58  or in some instances may not be used at all. For example, with sports betting, a payout may be based on the sporting event itself and not on a random number generator, though the multi-player gaming controller  52  may be used to calculate the odds on a particular outcome of the sporting event. The odds may be continuously updated based on updated data (e.g., an athlete&#39;s health) and displayed as a payout table. 
     The input terminal  54  may be used by the player as a value input device to place a wager and may be located remotely from the gaming units  20 , the kiosks  21 , the handheld devices  23  or any other device with a player tracking unit  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c , such as in a different floor, a different room, a different area of a room, a different casino, etc. The input terminal  54  may include a coin slot or acceptor, a paper currency acceptor, a ticket reader/printer and a card reader similar to those described below with a gaming unit  20 , and which may be used to input value to the input terminal  54 . The wager may be on a multi-player game such as a sporting event, a lottery game, etc. The player may use the input terminal  54  to register for a multi-player game using the player identification, designate the amount of the wager, select a sporting event and outcome of the sporting event, or select game numbers from a range of available game numbers for a lottery game. For example, the lottery game may have game numbers ranging from 1-100. The player may select a plurality of game numbers from the range of game numbers or predict an outcome of a sporting event using the input terminal  54  prior to the start of a sporting event or the drawing of a lottery game. The quantity of selected game numbers may be dependent on the amount of the wager and the particular lottery rules being used. In one example, the multi-player gaming controller  52  may randomly select the game numbers or sporting event outcome on behalf of the player. The selected game numbers or selected sporting event outcome may be printed on a ticket and dispensed by the input terminal  54 , along with a ticket identification assigned by the multi-player gaming server  58  to identify the wager. In some cases, the player may place a wager with an attendant who would enter the player&#39;s gaming decisions (e.g., game numbers selections) into the input terminal, enter the wager and provide the player with a ticket. A card reader, similar to the card reader  64  described below, may be used to encode the player&#39;s registration, the wager, the player&#39;s gaming decisions and the ticket identification on a player identification device. The input terminal  54  may include a processor and a memory to compare the results of the multi-player game (e.g., the randomly selected numbers or the outcome of the sporting event) to the gaming decisions by the player and determine a payout. 
     The multi-player gaming display  56  may be used to display multi-player gaming information regarding the sporting event or lottery game being wagered on. For a sporting event, the multi-player gaming display  56  may include a video image of the status of the sporting event (e.g., a score) and the final outcome of the sporting event. The multi-player gaming display  56  may further include a real-time or near real-time video of the actual sporting event. For a lottery game, the multi-player gaming display  56  may include a video image of a plurality of game numbers in a grid pattern representing the range of game numbers for the lottery game. The multi-player gaming display  56  may further display the randomly-selected game numbers by highlighting the randomly-selected game numbers from among the range of game numbers or otherwise distinguish the randomly-selected numbers from the range of game numbers. For example, the randomly-selected game numbers  12 ,  36 ,  52 ,  58 ,  76 , and  82  have been highlighted on the multi-player gaming display  56  to be distinguished from the remaining game numbers. The multi-player gaming display  56  may be located near an input terminal  54  and remotely from the gaming units  20 , such as in a different floor, a different room, a different area of a room, a different casino, etc. 
     The multi-player gaming server  58  may be a network server computer associated with a game played on the multi-player gaming network  50 . For example, the multi-player gaming server  58  may be a keno or other lottery server, a sports betting server, etc. and may be used to perform the same or different functions in relation to the gaming units  30  as the network computer  22  described above. The multi-player gaming server  58  may be used in relation to a single multi-player game, such as a lottery game where multiple players wager on the same lottery game, or a sporting event where multiple players wager on the outcome of the same sporting event. The multi-player gaming server  58  may be used to associate a ticket identification with a player&#39;s wager including a player&#39;s gaming decisions (e.g., selection of game numbers or sporting event outcome) following the player&#39;s wager and registration at an input terminal  54 . The ticket identification may be a form of indicia or encoding, including an alphanumeric code, a barcode, a magnetic code, an optical code, a watermark, an electronic code embedded in a memory chip, etc. The player&#39;s gaming decisions may be represented on a ticket held by the player, and the ticket identification may be encoded on the ticket, including printing the ticket identification on the ticket. A player tracking device, such as a player tracking card, may encode this information on the player tracking device. The multi-player gaming server  58  may further be used to track the ticket via the ticket identification, including verification of the ticket if the player redeems the ticket to receive a payout. Using the ticket identification, the multi-player gaming server  58  may identify which tickets include game numbers that match a sufficient number of the randomly selected game numbers to merit a payout. However, this may also be performed by the input terminal  54  or in conjunction with the input terminal  54  where the input terminal dispenses a payout or credits the player&#39;s account with the payout. The amount of the payout may be dependent on the number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the randomly-selected game numbers. The multiplayer gaming server  58  may also associate the ticket identification, wager information, etc. with the player identification from the registration process. 
     Although the first network  12   a  is shown to include one server  22   a  with one player tracking server  26 , one gaming unit  20  with a player tracking unit  26   a , one kiosk  21  with a player tracking unit  26   b  and one handheld device  26   c , it should be understood that different numbers of servers, player tracking servers, gaming units, kiosks, handheld devices and player tracking units may be utilized. For example, the network  12   a  may include a plurality of tracking servers  26  and tens or hundreds of gaming units  20 , kiosks and handheld devices, some or all of which may have a player tracking unit  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c , and all of which may be interconnected via the data link  42   a . Likewise, the multi-player gaming network  50  may include different numbers of multi-player gaming controllers  52 , input terminals  54 , display screens  56 , and multi-player gaming servers  58 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of one or more of the gaming units  20 . Although the following description addresses the design of the gaming units  20 , it should be understood that the gaming units  30  may have the same design as the gaming units  20  described below. It should be understood that the design of one or more of the gaming units  20  may be different than the design of other gaming units  20 , and that the design of one or more of the gaming units  30  may be different than the design of other gaming units  30 . Each gaming unit  20  may be any type of casino gaming unit and may have various different structures and methods of operation. For exemplary purposes, various designs of the gaming units  20  are described below, but it should be understood that numerous other designs may be utilized. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the casino gaming unit  20  may include a housing or cabinet  60  and one or more input devices, which may include a coin slot or acceptor  61 , a paper currency acceptor  62 , a ticket reader/printer  63  and a card reader  64 , which may be used to input value to the gaming unit  20 . If provided on the gaming unit  20 , the ticket reader/printer  63  may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket vouchers  65 . The ticket vouchers  65  may be composed of paper or another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the casino name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar code with control and/or security data, the date and time of issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket vouchers  65  could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers, cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers  65  could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink, or data on the ticket vouchers  65  could be magnetically encoded. The ticket reader/printer  63  may be provided with the ability to both read and print ticket vouchers  65 , or it may be provided with the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers  65 . In the latter case, for example, some of the gaming units  20  may have ticket printers  63  that may be used to print ticket vouchers  65 , which could then be used by a player in other gaming units  20  that have ticket readers  63 . 
     If provided, the card reader  64  may include any type of card reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader  64  may be used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a player, the identity of a casino, the player&#39;s gaming habits, etc. 
     The gaming unit  20  may include one or more audio speakers  66 , a coin payout tray  67 , an input control panel  68 , and a color video display unit  70  for displaying images relating to the game or games provided by the gaming unit  20 . The audio speakers  66  may generate audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning slot machine reels, a dealer&#39;s voice, music, announcements or any other audio related to a casino game. The input control panel  68  may be provided with a plurality of pushbuttons or touch-sensitive areas that may be pressed by a player to select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates one possible embodiment of the control panel  68 , which may be used where the gaming unit  20  is a slot machine having a plurality of mechanical or “virtual” reels. Referring to  FIG. 3A , the control panel  68  may include a “See Pays” button  72  that, when activated, causes the display unit  70  to generate one or more display screens showing the odds or payout information for the game or games provided by the gaming unit  20 . As used herein, the term “button” is intended to encompass any device that allows a player to make an input, such as an input device that must be depressed to make an input selection or a display area that a player may simply touch. The control panel  68  may include a “Cash Out” button  74  that may be activated when a player decides to terminate play on the gaming unit  20 , in which case the gaming unit  20  may return value to the player, such as by returning a number of coins to the player via the payout tray  67 . 
     If the gaming unit  20  provides a slots game having a plurality of reels and a plurality of paylines which define winning combinations of reel symbols, the control panel  68  may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons  76 , each of which allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to spinning the reels. For example, five buttons  76  may be provided, each of which may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine paylines. 
     If the gaming unit  20  provides a slots game having a plurality of reels, the control panel  68  may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons  78  each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each pay line selected. For example, if the smallest wager accepted by the gaming unit  20  is a quarter ($0.25), the gaming unit  20  may be provided with five selection buttons  78 , each of which may allow a player to select one, two, three, four or five quarters to wager for each pay line selected. In that case, if a player were to activate the “5” button  76  (meaning that five paylines were to be played on the next spin of the reels) and then activate the “3” button  78  (meaning that three coins per pay line were to be wagered), the total wager would be $3.75 (assuming the minimum bet was $0.25). 
     The control panel  68  may include a “Max Bet” button  80  to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In the above example, where up to nine paylines were provided and up to five quarters could be wagered for each pay line selected, the maximum wager would be 45 quarters, or $11.25. The control panel  68  may include a spin button  82  to allow the player to initiate spinning of the reels of a slots game after a wager has been made. 
     In  FIG. 3A , a rectangle is shown around the buttons  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 . It should be understood that that rectangle simply designates, for ease of reference, an area in which the buttons  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  may be located. Consequently, the term “control panel” should not be construed to imply that a panel or plate separate from the housing  60  of the gaming unit  20  is required, and the term “control panel” may encompass a plurality or grouping of player activatable buttons. 
     Although one possible control panel  68  is described above, it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in the control panel  68 , and that the particular buttons used may depend on the game or games that could be played on the gaming unit  20 . Although the control panel  68  is shown to be separate from the display unit  70 , it should be understood that the control panel  68  could be generated by the display unit  70 . In that case, each of the buttons of the control panel  68  could be a colored area generated by the display unit  70 , and some type of mechanism may be associated with the display unit  70  to detect when each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen. 
     Gaming Unit Electronics 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a number of components that may be incorporated in the gaming unit  20 . However, as mentioned above, many aspects of the gaming unit  20  may be included in the kiosk  21  and handheld devices  23 . The following description of the controller  100  electronics may be equally applicable to the kiosk  21  and handheld device  23 , as will be recognized by those or ordinary skill in the art. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the gaming unit  20  may include a controller  100  that may comprise the player tracking unit  26   a , a program memory  102 , a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP)  104 , a random-access memory (RAM)  106  and an input/output (I/O) circuit  108 , all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus  110 . It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor  104  is shown, the controller  100  may include multiple microprocessors  104 . Similarly, the memory of the controller  100  may include multiple RAMs  106  and multiple program memories  102 . Although the I/O circuit  108  is shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O circuit  108  may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s)  104  and program memories  102  may be implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example. 
     Although the program memory  102  is shown in  FIG. 4  as a read-only memory (ROM)  102 , the program memory of the controller  100  may be a read/write or alterable memory, such as a hard disk. In the event a hard disk is used as a program memory, the address/data bus  110  shown schematically in  FIG. 4  may comprise multiple address/data buses, which may be of different types, and there may be an I/O circuit disposed between the address/data buses. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates that the control panel  68 , the coin acceptor  61 , the bill acceptor  62 , the card reader  64  and the ticket reader/printer  63  may be operatively coupled to the I/O circuit  108 , each of those components being so coupled by either a unidirectional or bidirectional, single-line or multiple-line data link, which may depend on the design of the component that is used. The speaker(s)  66  may be operatively coupled to a sound circuit  112 , that may comprise a voice- and sound-synthesis circuit or that may comprise a driver circuit. The sound-generating circuit  112  may be coupled to the I/O circuit  108 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the components  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64 ,  68 ,  112  may be connected to the I/O circuit  108  via a respective direct line or conductor. Different connection schemes could be used. For example, one or more of the components shown in  FIG. 4  may be connected to the I/O circuit  108  via a common bus or other data link that is shared by a number of components. Furthermore, some of the components may be directly connected to the microprocessor  104  without passing through the I/O circuit  108 . 
     Overall Operation of Gaming Unit 
     One manner in which one or more of the gaming units  20  (and one or more of the gaming units  30 ) may operate is described below in connection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller  100 . The computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely, outside of the gaming unit  20 , and may control the operation of the gaming unit  20  from a remote location. Such remote control may be facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an Internet interface that connects the gaming unit  20  with a remote computer (such as one of the network computers  22 ,  32 ) having a memory in which the computer program portions are stored. Additionally, the computer program(s) or portions thereof may control the operation of the multi-player gaming server  58  and an input terminal  54  from a remote location such as the gaming unit  20 , a kiosk  21  or handheld device  23 . Such remote control may be facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or my an Internet interface that connects the player tracking unit  26   a  (or the player tracking units  26   b ,  26   c ) with the multi-player gaming server  58 , the input terminal  54  or the multi-player gaming network  50  generally. The computer program portions may be written in any high level language such as C, C++, C#, Java or the like or any low-level assembly or machine language. By storing the computer program portions therein, various portions of the memories  102 ,  106  are physically and/or structurally configured in accordance with computer program instructions. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a main operating routine  200  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the main routine  200  may begin operation at block  202  during which an attraction sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to play the gaming unit  20 . The attraction sequence may be performed by displaying one or more video images on the display unit  70  and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or music, to be generated via the speakers  66 . The attraction sequence may include a scrolling list of games that may be played on the gaming unit  20  and/or video images of various games being played, such as video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, etc. 
     During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the gaming unit  20  as determined at block  204 , the attraction sequence may be terminated and a player identification routine may be initiated at block  205  to identify the player, retrieve player information from the player tracking server  26  and determine if a remote multi-player game should be displayed and controlled from the gaming unit  20 . The gaming unit  20  may detect an input at block  204  in various ways. For example, the gaming unit  20  could detect if the player presses any button on the gaming unit  20 ; the gaming unit  20  could determine if the player deposited one or more coins into the gaming unit  20 ; the gaming unit  20  could determine if player deposited paper currency into the gaming unit; etc. 
     The player identification routine  205  may prompt the player to enter the player identification by inserting a player tracking card into the card reader  64 , entering the player identification using the control panel  68  or otherwise reading the player&#39;s identification from the player identification device. The player identification routine  205  may prompt the player tracking unit  26   a  to request player information from the player tracking server  26  including remote multi-player gaming information. Following the player identification routine  205 , a game-selection display may be generated on the display unit  70  at block  206  to allow the player to select a game available on the gaming unit  20 . 
     The game-selection display generated at block  206  may include, for example, a list of video games that may be played on the gaming unit  20  and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit  20 . While the game-selection display is generated, the gaming unit  20  may wait for the player to make a game selection. Upon selection of one of the games by the player as determined at block  208 , the controller  100  may cause one of a number of game routines to be performed to allow the selected game to be played. For example, the game routines could include a video poker routine  210 , a video blackjack routine  220 , a slots routine  230 , a video keno routine  240 , and a video bingo routine  250 . The game routines may be single-player games playable by only one player at a time, which may be the player positioned at the gaming unit  20 . At block  208 , if no game selection is made within a given period of time, the operation may branch back to block  202 . 
     After one of the routines  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  has been performed to allow the player to play one of the games, block  260  may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit  20  or to select another game. If the player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit  20 , which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller  100  may dispense value to the player at block  262  based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block  202 . If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block  260 , the routine may return to block  208  where the game-selection display may again be generated to allow the player to select another game. 
     It should be noted that although five gaming routines are shown in  FIG. 5 , a different number of routines could be included to allow play of a different number of games. The gaming unit  20  may also be programmed to allow play of different games. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an alternative main operating routine  300  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . The main routine  300  may be utilized for gaming units  20  that are designed to allow play of only a single game or single type of game. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the main routine  300  may begin operation at block  302  during which an attraction sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to play the gaming unit  20 . The attraction sequence may be performed by displaying one or more video images on the display unit  70  and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or music, to be generated via the speakers  66 . During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the gaming unit  20  as determined at block  304 , the attraction sequence may be terminated and a player identification routine may be initiated at block  305 . 
     The player identification routine  305  may prompt the player to enter the player identification by inserting a player tracking card into the card reader  64 , entering the player identification using the control panel  68  or otherwise reading the player&#39;s identification from the player identification device. The player identification routine  205  may prompt the player tracking unit  26   a  to request player information from the player tracking server  26  including remote multi-player gaming information. Following the player identification routine  305 , a game-selection display may be generated on the display unit  70  at block  306 . 
     The game display generated at block  306  may include, for example, an image of the casino game that may be played on the gaming unit  20  and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit  20 . At block  308 , the gaming unit  20  may determine if the player requested information concerning the game, in which case the requested information may be displayed at block  310 . Block  312  may be used to determine if the player requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine  320  may be performed. The game routine  320  could be any one of the game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game routines  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 , or another game routine. 
     After the routine  320  has been performed to allow the player to play the game, block  322  may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit  20 . If the player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit  20 , which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller  100  may dispense value to the player at block  324  based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block  302 . If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block  322 , the operation may return to block  308 . 
     Video Poker 
       FIG. 7  is an exemplary display  350  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the video poker routine  210  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the display  350  may include video images  352  of a plurality of playing cards representing the player&#39;s hand, such as five cards. To allow the player to control the play of the video poker game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Hold” button  354  disposed directly below each of the playing card images  352 , a “Cash Out” button  356 , a “See Pays” button  358 , a “Bet One Credit” button  360 , a “Bet Max Credits” button  362 , and a “Deal/Draw” button  364 . The display  350  may also include an area  366  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons  354 ,  356 ,  358 ,  360 ,  362 ,  364  may form part of the video display  350 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the video poker routine  210  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , at block  370 , the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button  358 , in which case at block  372  the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit  70 . At block  374 , the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by pressing the “Bet One Credit” button  360 , in which case at block  376  bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . At block  378 , the routine may determine whether the player has pressed the “Bet Max Credits” button  362 , in which case at block  380  bet data corresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . 
     At block  382 , the routine may determine if the player desires a new hand to be dealt, which may be determined by detecting if the “Deal/Draw” button  364  was activated after a wager was made. In that case, at block  384  a video poker hand may be “dealt” by causing the display unit  70  to generate the playing card images  352 . After the hand is dealt, at block  386  the routine may determine if any of the “Hold” buttons  354  have been activated by the player, in which case data regarding which of the playing card images  352  are to be “held” may be stored in the controller  100  at block  388 . If the “Deal/Draw” button  364  is activated again as determined at block  390 , each of the playing card images  352  that was not “held” may be caused to disappear from the video display  350  and to be replaced by a new, randomly selected, playing card image  352  at block  392 . 
     At block  394 , the routine may determine whether the poker hand represented by the playing card images  352  currently displayed is a winner. That determination may be made by comparing data representing the currently displayed poker hand with data representing all possible winning hands, which may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . If there is a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block  396 . At block  398 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the hand was a winner, the payout value determined at block  396 . The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area  366  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     Although the video poker routine  210  is described above in connection with a single poker hand of five cards, the routine  210  may be modified to allow other versions of poker to be played. For example, seven card poker may be played, or stud poker may be played. Alternatively, multiple poker hands may be simultaneously played. In that case, the game may begin by dealing a single poker hand, and the player may be allowed to hold certain cards. After deciding which cards to hold, the held cards may be duplicated in a plurality of different poker hands, with the remaining cards for each of those poker hands being randomly determined. 
     Video Blackjack 
       FIG. 8  is an exemplary display  400  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the video blackjack routine  220  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the display  400  may include video images  402  of a pair of playing cards representing a dealer&#39;s hand, with one of the cards shown face up and the other card being shown face down, and video images  404  of a pair of playing cards representing a player&#39;s hand, with both the cards shown face up. The “dealer” may be the gaming unit  20 . 
     To allow the player to control the play of the video blackjack game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  406 , a “See Pays” button  408 , a “Stay” button  410 , a “Hit” button  412 , a “Bet One Credit” button  414 , and a “Bet Max Credits” button  416 . The display  400  may also include an area  418  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons  406 ,  408 ,  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416  may form part of the video display  400 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine  220  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the video blackjack routine  220  may begin at block  420  where it may determine whether a bet has been made by the player. That may be determined, for example, by detecting the activation of either the “Bet One Credit” button  414  or the “Bet Max Credits” button  416 . At block  422 , bet data corresponding to the bet made at block  420  may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . At block  424 , a dealer&#39;s hand and a player&#39;s hand may be “dealt” by making the playing card images  402 ,  404  appear on the display unit  70 . 
     At block  426 , the player may be allowed to be “hit,” in which case at block  428  another card will be dealt to the player&#39;s hand by making another playing card image  404  appear in the display  400 . If the player is hit, block  430  may determine if the player has “bust,” or exceeded 21. If the player has not bust, blocks  426  and  428  may be performed again to allow the player to be hit again. 
     If the player decides not to hit, at block  432  the routine may determine whether the dealer should be hit. Whether the dealer hits may be determined in accordance with predetermined rules, such as the dealer always hit if the dealer&#39;s hand totals 15 or less. If the dealer hits, at block  434  the dealer&#39;s hand may be dealt another card by making another playing card image  402  appear in the display  400 . At block  436  the routine may determine whether the dealer has bust. If the dealer has not bust, blocks  432 ,  434  may be performed again to allow the dealer to be hit again. 
     If the dealer does not hit, at block  436  the outcome of the blackjack game and a corresponding payout may be determined based on, for example, whether the player or the dealer has the higher hand that does not exceed 21. If the player has a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block  440 . At block  442 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the player won, the payout value determined at block  440 . The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area  418  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     Slots 
       FIG. 11  is an exemplary display  450  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the slots routine  230  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the display  450  may include video images  452  of a plurality of slot machine reels, each of the reels having a plurality of reel symbols  454  associated therewith. Although the display  450  shows five reel images  452 , each of which may have three reel symbols  454  that are visible at a time, other reel configurations could be utilized. 
     To allow the player to control the play of the slots game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  456 , a “See Pays” button  458 , a plurality of pay line-selection buttons  460  each of which allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to “spinning” the reels, a plurality of bet-selection buttons  462  each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each pay line selected, a “Spin” button  464 , and a “Max Bet” button  466  to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of the slots routine  230  shown schematically in  FIG. 11 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , at block  470 , the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button  458 , in which case at block  472  the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit  70 . At block  474 , the routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the pay line-selection buttons  460 , in which case at block  476  data corresponding to the number of paylines selected by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . At block  478 , the routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the bet-selection buttons  462 , in which case at block  480  data corresponding to the amount bet per pay line may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . At block  482 , the routine may determine whether the player has pressed the “Max Bet” button  466 , in which case at block  484  bet data (which may include both pay line data and bet-per-pay line data) corresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . 
     If the “Spin” button  464  has been activated by the player as determined at block  486 , at block  488  the routine may cause the slot machine reel images  452  to begin “spinning” so as to simulate the appearance of a plurality of spinning mechanical slot machine reels. At block  490 , the routine may determine the positions at which the slot machine reel images will stop, or the particular symbol images  454  that will be displayed when the reel images  452  stop spinning. At block  492 , the routine may stop the reel images  452  from spinning by displaying stationary reel images  452  and images of three symbols  454  for each stopped reel image  452 . The virtual reels may be stopped from left to right, from the perspective of the player, or in any other manner or sequence. 
     The routine may provide for the possibility of a bonus game or round if certain conditions are met, such as the display in the stopped reel images  452  of a particular symbol  454 . If there is such a bonus condition as determined at block  494 , the routine may proceed to block  496  where a bonus round may be played. The bonus round may be a different game than slots, and many other types of bonus games could be provided. If the player wins the bonus round, or receives additional credits or points in the bonus round, a bonus value may be determined at block  498 . A payout value corresponding to outcome of the slots game and/or the bonus round may be determined at block  500 . At block  502 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the slot game and/or bonus round was a winner, the payout value determined at block  500 . 
     Although the above routine has been described as a virtual slot machine routine in which slot machine reels are represented as images on the display unit  70 , actual slot machine reels that are capable of being spun may be utilized instead. 
     Video Keno 
       FIG. 12  is an exemplary display  520  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the video keno routine  240  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , the display  520  may include a video image  522  of a plurality of numbers that were selected by the player prior to the start of a keno game and a video image  524  of a plurality of numbers randomly selected during the keno game. The randomly selected numbers may be displayed in a grid pattern. 
     To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  526 , a “See Pays” button  528 , a “Bet One Credit” button  530 , a “Bet Max Credits” button  532 , a “Select Ticket” button  534 , a “Select Number” button  536 , and a “Play” button  538 . The display  520  may also include an area  540  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video display  520 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart of the video keno routine  240  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . The keno routine  240  may be utilized in connection with a single gaming unit  20  where a single player is playing a keno game, or the keno routine  240  may be utilized in connection with multiple gaming units  20  where multiple players are playing a single keno game. In the latter case, one or more of the acts described below may be performed either by the controller  100  in each gaming unit or by one of the network computer  22 ,  32  to which multiple gaming units  20  are operatively connected. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , at block  550 , the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button  528 , in which case at block  552  the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit  70 . At block  554 , the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the “Bet One Credit” button  530  or the “Bet Max Credits” button  532 , in which case at block  556  bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . After the player has made a wager, at block  558  the player may select a keno ticket, and at block  560  the ticket may be displayed on the display  520 . At block  562 , the player may select one or more game numbers, which may be within a range set by the casino. After being selected, the player&#39;s game numbers may be stored in the memory of the controller  100  at block  564  and may be included in the image  522  on the display  520  at block  566 . After a certain amount of time, the keno game may be closed to additional players (where a number of players are playing a single keno game using multiple gambling units  20 ). 
     If play of the keno game is to begin as determined at block  568 , at block  570  a game number within a range set by the casino may be randomly selected either by the controller  100  or a central computer operatively connected to the controller, such as one of the network computers  22 ,  32 . At block  572 , the randomly selected game number may be displayed on the display unit  70  and the display units  70  of other gaming units  20  (if any) which are involved in the same keno game. At block  574 , the controller  100  (or the central computer noted above) may increment a count which keeps track of how many game numbers have been selected at block  570 . 
     At block  576 , the controller  100  (or one of the network computers  22 ,  32 ) may determine whether a maximum number of game numbers within the range have been randomly selected. If not, another game number may be randomly selected at block  570 . If the maximum number of game numbers has been selected, at block  578  the controller  100  (or a central computer) may determine whether there are a sufficient number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers selected at block  570  to cause the player to win. The number of matches may depend on how many numbers the player selected and the particular keno rules being used. 
     If there are a sufficient number of matches, a payout may be determined at block  580  to compensate the player for winning the game. The payout may depend on the number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers randomly selected at block  570 . At block  582 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the keno game was won, the payout value determined at block  580 . The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area  540  ( FIG. 12 ). 
     Video Bingo 
       FIG. 15  is an exemplary display  600  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the video bingo routine  250  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , the display  600  may include one or more video images  602  of a bingo card and images of the bingo numbers selected during the game. The bingo card images  602  may have a grid pattern. 
     To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  604 , a “See Pays” button  606 , a “Bet One Credit” button  608 , a “Bet Max Credits” button  610 , a “Select Card” button  612 , and a “Play” button  614 . The display  600  may also include an area  616  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video display  600 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart of the video bingo routine  250  shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . The bingo routine  250  may be utilized in connection with a single gaming unit  20  where a single player is playing a bingo game, or the bingo routine  250  may be utilized in connection with multiple gaming units  20  where multiple players are playing a single bingo game. In the latter case, one or more of the acts described below may be performed either by the controller  100  in each gaming unit  20  or by one of the network computers  22 ,  32  to which multiple gaming units  20  are operatively connected. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , at block  620 , the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button  606 , in which case at block  622  the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the display unit  70 . At block  624 , the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the “Bet One Credit” button  608  or the “Bet Max Credits” button  610 , in which case at block  626  bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . 
     After the player has made a wager, at block  628  the player may select a bingo card, which may be generated randomly. The player may select more than one bingo card, and there may be a maximum number of bingo cards that a player may select. After play is to commence as determined at block  632 , at block  634  a bingo number may be randomly generated by the controller  100  or a central computer such as one of the network computers  22 ,  32 . At block  636 , the bingo number may be displayed on the display unit  70  and the display units  70  of any other gaming units  20  involved in the bingo game. 
     At block  638 , the controller  100  (or a central computer) may determine whether any player has won the bingo game. If no player has won, another bingo number may be randomly selected at block  634 . If any player has bingo as determined at block  638 , the routine may determine at block  640  whether the player playing that gaming unit  20  was the winner. If so, at block  642  a payout for the player may be determined. The payout may depend on the number of random numbers that were drawn before there was a winner, the total number of winners (if there was more than one player), and the amount of money that was wagered on the game. At block  644 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the bingo game was won, the payout value determined at block  642 . The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area  616  ( FIG. 15 ). 
     Player Identification 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart of a player identification routine  205  shown schematically in  FIG. 5  and may be used to determine whether to display the remote multi-player game and allow the player to control the remote multi-player game from the gaming unit  20 . The following description of the player identification routine  205  may likewise be applied to the player identification routine  305  of  FIG. 6 . The player identification routine  205  may be stored in a memory of the controller  100  and executed by the player tracking unit  26   a . Referring to  FIG. 17 , the player identification routine  205  may begin operation at block  702  during which a player&#39;s identification may be validated. The player identification routine  205  may cause the player tracking unit  26   a  to issue a request to the player tracking server  26  to compare the player&#39;s identification to a list of player identifications stored by the player tracking server  26 . The player tracking server  26  may transmit a result to the player tracking unit  26   a  as to whether the player identification matches one of those stored by the player tracking server  26 . The player&#39;s identification may be encoded on a player identification device which may be in the form of a player tracking card such as a magnetic or optical card including credit cards or a card issued by a casino through a gaming unit  20 , an input terminal, an attendant, etc. The player identification device may also be a radio-wave device such as a memory device coupled with a transceiver worn or carried by the player, or other wireless devices including cellular phones, personal digital assistants, etc. The player&#39;s identification may be the player identification as assigned by the player tracking server  26  which may be a unique alphanumeric code, a binary code, etc. The player identification may also be the player&#39;s name, credit card number, social security number, etc. The player identification may be read by the gaming unit  20  using an identification reader such as radio transceiver, optical transceiver, card reader  64 , control panel  68 , or any other device capable of reading player identification information encoded on the player identification device. The player may also enter the player identification using the control panel  68 . If the player identification does not match one of those stored by the player tracking server  26 , control may loop back to recheck the player identification or the player identification device may be rejected by the gaming unit  20 . If the player identification is valid, control may pass to block  704 . 
     Once the player identification is validated at block  702 , the player identification routine  205  may determine if the player has registered at an input terminal  54  as a player of a remote multi-player game such as a sporting event or lottery game at block  704 . The identification routine  205  may determine if the player is registered by determining whether the player has made a wager on a sporting event or lottery game using the input terminal  54 . The player tracking unit  26   a  may submit a request with the player identification, as read at block  702 , to the player tracking server  26  to retrieve registration information. The player tracking server  26  may in turn submit a request to the multi-player gaming server  58  via the bridge  40   a  to see if the player has registered for a remote multi-player game at one of the input terminals  54 . The player may also be prompted to input a ticket into the ticket reader  64  which may read the ticket identification. The player tracking unit  26   a , player tracking server  26 , and multi-player gaming server  58  may use the ticket identification to search for matching registration profiles. If the player identification is associated with a registration profile as kept by the multi-player gaming server  58 , control may pass to block  706  to display the remote multi-player game and display options for the player. 
     If the player is not registered as determined at block  704 , control may pass to a registration routine at block  708  to register the player for a remote multi-player game. Following the registration routine  708 , the player identification routine  205  may again determine whether the player is registered as a player of a remote multi-player game at block  710 . If the player is not registered, control may pass to block  712  for the player tracking card to be removed or for the gaming unit  20  to prompt the player with a visual message to remove the player tracking card, log off the gaming unit  20  or otherwise disengage from the gaming unit  20 . The player identification routine  205  may continue to loop until the card or player identification is removed. Once the card is removed, as determined at block  712 , control may pass back to block  702  to validate another player identification. Alternatively, the player may be allowed to continue playing a game on the gaming unit  20  such as the video poker routine  210 , the video blackjack routine  220 , the slots routine  230 , the video keno routine  240  and the video bingo routine  250 . 
     If the player identification routine  205  determines that the player registered for a remote multi-player game either at block  704  or block  710 , control may pass to a remote gaming routine at block  706  for display of the remote multi-player game and options for controlling regarding the remote multi-player game. Following the remote gaming routine  706 , control may pass to block  712  for the card to be removed or the player may be allowed to continue with one of the gaming routines  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 . 
     Registration 
       FIG. 18  is a flowchart of the registration routine  708  shown schematically in  FIG. 17 . The registration routine  708  may be performed by the player tracking unit  26   a  as part of the player identification routine  205  or by an input terminal  54  when placing a wager on a remote multi-player game at an input terminal  54 . Beginning at block  802 , the player may be prompted with a visual message to register or decline to register for a remote multi-player game. During the prompt at block  802 , if the player makes any input to the gaming unit  20  or input terminal  54  as determined at block  804 , the visual message may be terminated. If the player input at block  804  is to decline to register for the remote multi-player game, control may pass to block  806  where a determination is made that the player declined to register. The registration routine  708  may then exit at block  808  and return to the player identification routine  205 . If the registration is taking place at the input terminal  54 , the player may be allowed to continue placing a wager on the remote multi-player game without registering though the player may not be permitted to view a display of or control the remote multi-player game from the gaming unit  20 . 
     If the player input at block  804  is to register for the remote multi-player game, control may pass to block  810  for the player to register for the remote multi-player game. The player may enter information including the player identification and the ticket identification. The player tracking unit  26   a  may also read the player identification from the player identification device. Using the player identification, the player tracking unit  26   a  may retrieve player information from the player tracking server  26  at block  812 . The player tracking server  26  may supply all or part of the player information stored by the player tracking server  26 . Among the player information supplied by the player tracking server  26  may be information regarding the remote multi-player games that the player has wagered on. Using the player identification and/or the ticket identification, the player tracking server  26  may submit a request to the multi-player gaming server  58  via the bridge  40   a  for information regarding wagers made by the player, including the player selections, the amount of the wager, etc. This information may be transmitted back to the player tracking unit  26   a  via the player tracking server  26 . Once the player information has been received by the player tracking unit  26   a , the registration routine  708  may exit and pass control to the remote gaming routine  706 . 
     Remote Game Play 
       FIG. 19  is a flowchart of the remote gaming routine  706  shown schematically in  FIG. 17 . The remote gaming routine  706  may be performed by the player tracking unit  26   a  as part of the player identification routine  205 . Beginning at block  902 , a two-way information link may be established between the gaming unit  20  and the multi-player gaming server  58  for updating information concerning multi-player games wagered on by the player. The link may initially be established by having the player tracking unit  26   a  request player information from the player tracking server  26 , which may include having the player tracking server  26  retrieve multi-player gaming information from the multi-player gaming server  58  via the bridge  40   a . The multi-player gaming information may include wagers made by the player for a multi-player game, the amount of the wagers, the player&#39;s selections, etc. The information link may also supply updated information concerning the multi-player game. For example, with a sporting event, the status of the sporting event (e.g., a score) may be supplied and updated as the sporting event progresses. For a lottery game, the multi-player gaming information may include the randomly-selected game numbers selected by the multi-player gaming controller  52 , including the randomly-selected game numbers as they are selected. 
     Once the multi-player gaming information has been retrieved and a link established to update the multi-player gaming information, control may pass to block  904  and a menu display may be generated on the display unit  70  to allow the player to select one of the remote multi-player gaming options being displayed. The menu display may include, for example, an option to play favorite gaming selections  908  (e.g., a player&#39;s favorite game numbers for a lottery), an option to download the player&#39;s credits from previous payouts  910 , an option to place a new wager on a remote multi-player game or initiate a new remote multi-player game  912 , view multi-player gaming information of an existing remote multi-player game in progress  914  or an option to exit the menu display  916 . A selection of one of the menu options may be made by a player input at block  904  and detected at block  906  in various ways, including pressing any button on the gaming unit  20 . Following the execution of any of the menu options at blocks  908 ,  910 ,  912 ,  914 , control may pass back to block  904  to display the menu options again. 
     A player selection of the option to play favorite gaming selections at block  906  may pass control to block  908 . For example, the player&#39;s favorite gaming numbers, as stored by the player tracking server  26  and downloaded by the player tracking unit  26   a , for a remote lottery game may be transmitted to the multi-player gaming network  50 . The player may be permitted to specify the amount of the new wager. A new wager may thereby automatically be placed on the lottery game using the player&#39;s favorite game numbers. The multi-player gaming server  58  may store the favorite game numbers, the amount of the wager and assign a ticket identification to the wager. A ticket may be printed by the ticket reader/printer  63  with the player&#39;s favorite game numbers, wager amount and the ticket identification. For a sporting event, a new wager may automatically be placed on the sporting event using a player&#39;s favorite team, player, etc. 
     A player selection of the option to download the player&#39;s credits at block  906  may pass control to block  910 . The player&#39;s credits may be downloaded from the multi-player gaming server  58  and/or the player tracking server  26 . The player credits may relate to an account established by the player prior to placing any wagers or as a result of receiving any payouts from previous wagers on the remote multi-player game. Prior to downloading the player credits, the player may be prompted with a visual display at block  918  to enter further player identification information, such as a predetermined personal identification number (PIN) established when the player registered for the remote multi-player game. If the player identification information is determined to be valid at block  918 , control may pass to block  920  where the player&#39;s credits may be transferred from the multi-player gaming server  58  to the gaming unit  20 . The downloaded player credits may be combined with existing player credits from previous payouts for games played locally on the gaming unit  20  such as from the video poker routine  210 , the video blackjack routine  220 , the slots routine  230 , the video keno routine  240  and the video bingo routine  250 . The combined credits may be used to place further wagers on a remote multi-player game and on locally played games. Alternatively, the downloaded player credits may be maintained separately from existing credits and used only to place wagers on remote multi-player games. If the player identification information is determined to not be valid at block  918 , control may pass back to block  904  to generate the menu display. The player credits from remote multi-player games in progress may be automatically downloaded as payouts from the remote multi-player games occur. 
     A player selection of the option to initiate a new wager or new game at block  906  may pass control to block  912 . The player may be presented with a visual display of the remote multi-player games available, including various multi-player lottery games, sporting events, payout tables, and any other information that may normally be provided to the player at an input terminal  54 , on the multi-player gaming display  56 , etc. prior to placing a wager. Alternatively, the player may be presented with the option of placing a new wager for a multi-player game that the player has previously registered for. The player may be allowed to make player selections such as an outcome of a sporting event, game numbers for a lottery, etc., and the amount of the wager. The player&#39;s gaming selections and the wager amount may be transmitted to the multi-player gaming server  58 , where the wager is stored and associated with the player registration information. The multi-player gaming server  58  may assign a ticket identification which may be transmitted back to the gaming unit  20 . The player tracking server  26  may likewise store this information as part of the player information. The gaming unit  20  may issue a ticket using the ticket reader/printer  63  with the player&#39;s selections, wager amount and the ticket identification. 
     A player selection of the option to view information regarding existing remote multi-player games in progress at block  906  may pass control to block  912 . The information may be downloaded from the multi-player gaming server  58  in conjunction with the multi-player gaming controller  52 . A visual display may be generated on the display unit  70  of remote multi-player games in progress that the player has previously wagered on such as a sporting event or lottery game. The visual display may include the same information provided on the multi-player gaming display  56  regarding the existing remote multi-player game. This may include a range of a video image of the status of a sporting event (e.g., a score) and the final outcome of the sporting event, real-time or near real-time video of the actual sporting event. For a lottery game, visual display may include a video image of a plurality of game numbers in a grid pattern representing the range of game numbers for the lottery game, the randomly-selected game numbers, etc., including updates of the randomly-selected game numbers are they are selected. In addition, the visual display generated at block  914  may include a representation of the player&#39;s selections for the remote multi-player game. 
     A player selection of the option to exit the display menu at block  906  may pass control to block  916 . The remote gaming routine  706  may then terminate and the information link with the multi-player gaming server  58  may likewise be terminated. Control may be returned to the player identification routine  205 . 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  are exemplary displays  1000 ,  1100  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the remote gaming routine  706  shown schematically in  FIG. 19 . The displays  1000 ,  1100  may be generated on the display unit  70  in response to player selection of the option to view information regarding existing remote multi-player games in progress at block  912 . Referring to  FIG. 20 , the display  1000  may include a video image  1002  of the remote multi-player game in progress. In the present example, the video image  1002  may be a video image of a remote multi-player lottery game in progress. As mentioned above, the video image  1002  of the remote multi-player lottery game may include the same information provided on the multi-player gaming display  56  regarding the existing remote multi-player game, such as the plurality of game numbers in a grid pattern and the randomly-selected game numbers. The randomly-selected game numbers may be highlighted to distinguish them from non-selected game numbers. For example, the randomly-selected game numbers  12 ,  36 ,  52 ,  58 ,  76 , and  82  have been highlighted to be distinguished from the remaining game numbers. The video display  1002  may be updated as new randomly-selected game numbers are selected. Unlike the multi-player gaming display  56 , the video image  1002  may include the player&#39;s gaming selections for the remote multi-player game. For example, the player selected game numbers  12 ,  24 ,  43 ,  52 ,  76 , and  82  for a remote multi-player lottery game are highlighted or otherwise distinguished from both the randomly-selected game numbers and the remaining game numbers. If one or more of the player selected game numbers and the randomly-selected game numbers are the same, they may be highlighted separately to distinguish them from all remaining numbers. In the present example, the game numbers  12 ,  52 ,  76  and  82  have been highlighted to distinguish them from the remaining player selected game numbers, the remaining randomly-selected game numbers and the remaining game numbers. In the case of a sporting event, the team, player, etc. involved in the sporting event that the player wagered on may be highlighted from the remaining teams, players, etc. The specific team, player, etc. that the player wagered on may be highlighted to be distinguished from the remaining teams, players, etc. even further. In the case of wagering on a specific score, spread, etc., the score of the sporting event may be highlighted in a particular color or otherwise distinguished to indicate that the player&#39;s prediction of the score, spread, etc. as it stands will result in a payout. For example, if the player has wagered that a football game will have a spread of 6 points, if the current score is within 6 points, the video image of the score may be highlighted in a particular manner to indicate the same. 
     To allow the player to control the play of the remote multi-player game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include some or all of the options presented with the display menu at block  904 . The buttons may include a “Play Favorites” button  1004 , a “Download Credits” button  1006 , a “New Wager/New Game” button  1008 , a “View New Game” button  1010 , a “Select Ticket” button  1012 , and an “Exit” button  1014 . Additional buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  1016 , a “See Pays” button  1018 , a “Bet One” button  1020 , a “Bet Max Credits” button  1022 , and a “Select Number” button  1024 . The display  1000  may also include an area  1026  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. The number of remaining credits or value may relate to the credits or value for the remote multi-player game being viewed or all credits/value held by the player for all wagers, games, etc. A further button or buttons  1028  may be provided to allow the player to control the size of the video display  1000 , which may include minimizing the size of the video display  1000 , closing the video display  1000  and resizing the video display  1000 . If the display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons  1004 ,  1006 ,  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016 ,  1018 ,  1020 ,  1022 ,  1024 ,  1028  may form part of the video display  1000 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit  70 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , the display  1100  may include a video display  1102  of the remote multi-player game in progress. In the present example, the video display  1102  includes an area  1104  in which the status of a sporting event is shown. The area  1104  may include a highlight of the team that currently has the lead in the sporting event (e.g., Team A) and a second highlight of the team wagered on by the player (e.g., Team B). The area  1104  may be used to display any status information regarding the sporting event (e.g., the current leader in a race, a score, time left, an inning, etc.). The video display  1102  may include a second area  1106  which displays a real time or near real time video image of the sporting event in progress. The video display  1102  may be displayed as a full size image using one of the buttons  1028   a , though in the present example, the video display  1102  has been resized using a button  1028  similar to that shown in  FIG. 20  such that the video display  1102  may be displayed in conjunction with a display  450  being shown during performance of the slots routine  230 . Likewise, the video display  1000  may be resized to be displayed in conjunction with a game controlled by the gaming unit  20 , and the video display  1102  may be resized to be the only video display being shown using buttons  1028   a . If the video display  1102  is resized to be the only video display on the display unit  70 , as with the video display  1000 , the video display  1102  may include the buttons  1004 ,  1006 ,  1008 ,  1010 ,  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016 ,  1018 ,  1020 ,  1022 ,  1028  and the area  1026  as shown in  FIG. 20 . Either video display  1000 ,  1102  may be displayed concurrently with a display of any other game routines controlled by the gaming unit  20 , including the displays  350 ,  400 ,  520 ,  600  of the video poker routine  210 , the video blackjack routine  220 , the video keno routine  240  and the video bingo routine  250  respectively. The display  450  may include all of the same buttons, areas and video images as discussed above to allow the player control over the game routine being wagered on locally at the gaming unit  20 .