A gaming machine printer coupled to a game controller of a cashless enabled game, operating as a trusted host and providing a cashless enabled game, the gaming machine printer comprising: a processor; a plurality of communication ports coupled to the processor, the plurality of communication ports comprising a number of first communication ports and one primary second communication port; wherein at least one of the first communication ports is a native port through which the gaming machine printer is coupled to the game controller; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions executable by the processor stored therein; wherein the processor is operable, based on instructions stored in the memory, to: determine that an external device is coupled to the primary second communication port when a plug, compatible with the primary second communication port, is inserted into the primary second communication port; if the processor determines that an external device is coupled to the primary second communcation port: notify the game controller coupled to the native communication port that an external device is coupled to the primary second communication port; then disconnect the gaming machine printer from the native communication port; then establish a trusted communication session with the external device using the primary second communication port; and allow only trusted communications to occur through the primary second communication port; if the processor determines that no external device is coupled to the primary second communication port, continue communications with the game controller using the gaming machine printer's native communication port. a processor; a plurality of communication ports coupled to the processor, the plurality of communication ports comprising a number of first communication ports and one primary second communication port; wherein at least one of the first communication ports is a native port through which the gaming machine printer is coupled to the game controller; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions executable by the processor stored therein; wherein the processor is operable, based on instructions stored in the memory, to: determine that an external device is coupled to the primary second communication port when a plug, compatible with the primary second communication port, is inserted into the primary second communication port; if the processor determines that an external device is coupled to the primary second communcation port: notify the game controller coupled to the native communication port that an external device is coupled to the primary second communication port; then disconnect the gaming machine printer from the native communication port; then establish a trusted communication session with the external device using the primary second communication port; and allow only trusted communications to occur through the primary second communication port; if the processor determines that no external device is coupled to the primary second communication port, continue communications with the game controller using the gaming machine printer's native communication port. determine that an external device is coupled to the primary second communication port when a plug, compatible with the primary second communication port, is inserted into the primary second communication port; if the processor determines that an external device is coupled to the primary second communcation port: notify the game controller coupled to the native communication port that an external device is coupled to the primary second communication port; then disconnect the gaming machine printer from the native communication port; then establish a trusted communication session with the external device using the primary second communication port; and allow only trusted communications to occur through the primary second communication port; notify the game controller coupled to the native communication port that an external device is coupled to the primary second communication port; then disconnect the gaming machine printer from the native communication port; then establish a trusted communication session with the external device using the primary second communication port; and allow only trusted communications to occur through the primary second communication port; if the processor determines that no external device is coupled to the primary second communication port, continue communications with the game controller using the gaming machine printer's native communication port.