Patent ID: 8529347

Claim:
In a casino gaming system comprising a plurality of casino gaming locations, apparatus for enabling communication between a first and a second casino gaming location comprising: a first gaming terminal operable from the first casino gaming location, and arranged to facilitate play of a first game by a first player, the first gaming terminal including a first display visible from the first casino gaming location, the first display being arranged to concurrently provide a first portion arranged to display the first game and a second portion enabling entry of at least one of a name of a second player and a second player code and enabling entry of a first message for the second player even when the second player is not at any casino gaming location; a second gaming terminal operable from the second casino gaming location, and arranged to facilitate play of a second game by a second player, the second gaming terminal including a second display visible from the second casino gaming location, the second display being arranged to concurrently provide a third portion arranged to display the second game and a fourth portion enabling entry of at least one of a name of the first player and a first player code and enabling entry of a second message for the first player even when the first player is not at any casino gaming location; a network arranged to transmit data resulting in display of a first menu including the first message and the name of the first player on the second display, the first menu enabling selection of a reply menu allowing the second player to enter a reply message to the first player even when the first player is not at any casino gaming location, the network also being arranged to transmit data resulting in display of a second menu including the second message and the name of the second player on the first display, the second menu enabling selection of a reply menu allowing the first player to enter a reply message to the second player even when the second player is not at any casino gaming location; and a casino central authority arranged: (1) to store player casino account and player identification information; (2) to locate the second gaming terminal associated with the second player identified as the recipient of the first message and to locate the first gaming terminal associated with the first player identified as the recipient of the second message; (3) to save the first message until the second gaming terminal is located; (4) to forward the first message to the second gaming terminal associated with the second player; (5) to save the second message until the first gaming terminal is located; and (6) to forward the second message to the first gaming terminal associated with the first player.