Patent ID: 8721449

Claim:
A method for providing paragaming activity at a electronic gaming machine having an existing gaming machine controller which communicates with at least one video display via at least one communication path, wherein said gaming machine controller is configured to present information regarding one or more games to a player of said gaming machine via at least one video display of said gaming machine, the method comprising the steps of: utilizing a secondary controller located at said gaming machine which operates independently of said gaming machine controller, which is configured to detect outputs of said existing gaming machine controller associated with play of said gaming machine by said player without modification of said existing gaming machine controller, and which is communicatively coupled via a communication link to said at least one communication path between said gaming machine controller and said at least one video display; evaluating said outputs at said secondary controller for one or more pre-defined triggering events occurring at said gaming machine; in response to the detection of a triggering event, presenting a paragaming event to said player via said at least one video display of the electronic gaming machine by transmitting paragame information from said secondary controller over said communication path to said at least one video display via said communication link, wherein the paragaming event is one or more of the paragaming events selected from the group of paragaming events including: a game, a payout table based on an underlying game of the electronic gaming machine and entertainment and whereby said paragaming event is presented via said secondary controller and not said gaming machine controller; and funding the paragaming event from the available funds in the electronic gaming machine upon detecting that said player has elected to participate in the paragaming event.