Patent ID: 8357034

Claim:
A method of operating a gaming system, the gaming system including a controller configured to communicate with at least one gaming machine, the at least one gaming machine including at least one display device configured to display a game upon placement of a wager having a monetary value, the method comprising: (a) causing the at least one gaming machine to: (i) enable a player to make monetary wagers from a monetary balance on plays of the game; (ii) display said wagered-on plays of the game; (iii) display any monetary awards for said wagered-on plays of the game and add any monetary awards to the monetary balance; (iv) track said wagers made by the player; (v) cause data representing said tracked wagers to be communicated to the controller; and (vi) upon receiving a cash-out request, provide the monetary balance to the player; (b) causing the player to be provided with player tracking points based on the data representing said tracked wagers, the player tracking points being in addition to any monetary awards; (c) additionally tracking at least one activity in association with the at least one gaming machine; (d) determining if the tracked activity reaches a designated level; and (e) if the tracked activity reaches the designated level, causing the at least one gaming machine to display an indication to the player that the player has obtained a designated amount of a promotional currency in addition to any player tracking points and any monetary awards, said designated amount of promotional currency being associated with a point-of-sale and having a redeemable value for part of a purchase of a good or service at the point-of-sale, the redeemable value being less than a purchase cost of said good or service.