Patent ID: 8684843

Claim:
A gaming system for communicating with a handheld gaming machine via a network, the handheld gaming machine being configured to display at least one wagering game, the gaming system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory device operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions which cause the at least one processor to: responsive to the handheld gaming machine being connected to the network, determine if the handheld gaming machine is eligible for a wagering game-related feature based upon a gaming machine location of the handheld gaming machine or a gaming machine proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device, or both; and responsive to the handheld gaming machine being eligible for the wagering game-related feature, transmitting the wagering game-related feature to the handheld gaming machine via the network, wherein the transmitting the wagering game-related feature enables wagering game content in the at least one wagering game on the handheld gaming machine, the wagering game content not being enabled when the handheld gaming machine is outside a predetermined location or a predetermined proximity to the external device, or both.