Patent ID: 6852029

Claim:
A method of retrofitting for ticketing a gaming machine incapable of ticketing, the gaming machine comprising a credit meter and a game controller arranged to control play of the game, the gaming machine being arranged to generate a cashout signal initiated by a player of the gaming machine and to direct the cashout signal to the game controller, the method comprising the steps of: installing a game interface arranged to provide communication between the gaming machine and a central authority in the event no such interface is used in connection with the gaming machine and to provide communication between the credit meter and the game interface; in the event that a game interface arranged to provide communication between the gaming machine end a central authority is used in connection with the gaming machine, modifying the game interface to accommodate ticketing; redirecting the game cashout signal from the game controller to the game interface; installing a ticket reader capable of reading tickets printed by a ticket printer in the event no such ticket reader is used in connection with the gaming machine and coupling the ticket reader to the game interface, the interface providing data to the credit meter in response to reading the tickets; in the event that a ticket reader capable of reading tickets printed by a ticket printer is used in connection with the gaming machine, recoupling the ticket reader from the game controller to the game interface; adding a ticket printer to the gaming machine capable of printing tickets readable by the ticket reader and coupling the ticket printer with the game interface, the credit meter providing data to the interface for printing the tickets; and enabling a monetary or credit transfer feature to be recognized by the credit meter in the event that such a feature is not enabled in connection with the gaming machine.