Patent ID: 8002624

Claim:
A gaming apparatus comprising: a housing; a value-input device configured to receive a medium of value; an input device configured to receive a wager; a display driver; a controller; a reel rotatable about an axis; and a motor capable of rotating said reel about said axis, and operatively coupled to the controller; said reel comprising a support mechanism having an outer circumference; and at least one flexible display panel capable of being shaped to mount to said outer circumference, said at least one flexible display panel mounted to said outer circumference, and comprising at least one of a liquid crystal display or light emitting diode display configured to display indicia; wherein: the display driver is configured to control at least a portion of the displayed indicia, said display driver being electrically connected to the flexible display panel and configured to receive instructions from the controller; and the controller is operatively coupled to said value-input device, said input device, and said display driver, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, and configured to i) choose an initial indicia to display on the at least one flexible display panel; ii) instruct the display driver to display the chosen indicia; iii) detect a deposit of the medium of value; iv) detect a wager; v) determine game play indicia; vi) instruct the display driver to display the game play indicia; vii) cause said motor to spin said reel; viii) determine a game outcome; ix) cause said motor to stop said reel according to said determined outcome, and, as the reel is being stopped, instruct the display driver to change from displaying game play indicia to displaying indicia representative of the determined outcome; and x) determine a value associated with the determined outcome.