Patent ID: 8226488

Claim:
A modular gaming machine system, comprising: a gaming machine including: a cabinet having a main door; a display, coupled to said cabinet, configured to display a game of chance; a first gaming enclosure, secured within and enclosed by the cabinet, enclosing a main processor; at least one interface coupled to the first gaming enclosure to receive a first PCI-e bus; a second gaming enclosure, secured within and enclosed by the cabinet, enclosing a PCI Express (PCI-e) controller for communicating with at least one peripheral device on the gaming machine, wherein the second gaming enclosure enclosing the PCI-e controller is accessed by opening the main door of the cabinet; at least one critical gaming device coupled to the second gaming enclosure and in communication with the PCI-e controller, wherein the main processor is configured to control a game of chance played on the gaming machine by executing game code that uses a plurality of gaming instructions received via a first PCI-e bus from the PCI-e controller, said PCI-e controller connected via a second PCI-e bus to one of the at least one critical gaming device; and at least one access port coupled to the second gaming enclosure to receive a free end of the first PCI-e bus, the first PCI-e bus for communication between the PCI-e controller and the main processor; wherein the first PCI-e bus extends outside the first and second gaming enclosures and is secured by one or more doors, locks, sensors, evidence tape, or combinations thereof.