AU2012100263B4

AU2012100263B4 - Wager Refund Card and Method

Info

Publication number: AU2012100263B4
Application number: AU2012100263A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Alex Parle
Original assignee: Ebet Ltd
Current assignee: Ebet Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2012-03-09
Publication date: 2012-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-09
Also published as: AU2012100263A4

Abstract

Abstract A method, system and token are disclosed for use with gaming machines. The refund token, where interacting with a gaming machine, allows a player to receive a refund for wagers where the player does not win. The credit does not transfer immediately to be regular credit on the machine, only when the player does not win.

Description

1 WAGER REFUND CARD AND METHOD Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to credit processes and systems for use in gaming machine environments, for example licensed clubs and casinos. Background of the Invention [0002] It is common for gaming machines, for example those commonly referred to as slot machines or poker machines, to be set up in a designated area at a suitably licensed venue. Players have traditionally placed wagers using coins or banknotes which are read by suitable devices associated with each machine, so as to provide credit on the machine. [0003] One alternative approach to cash is to use a 'ticket in ticket out', or TITO system. In a TITO system, when the player has ceased play on a machine, a bar coded receipt is printed by the gaming machine or an associated hardware device. The ticket can be either redeemed for cash at a cashier, or inserted/scanned for play into another machine. This requires a barcode scanner to be fitted to each gaming machine, either directly or by modifying the operation of a bill acceptor to carry out bar code scanning. As a consequence, the cost of installation or retrofitting an existing venue is relatively large. Further, the operating costs of such systems are also significant. [0004] Another option is a card based cashless system. Such systems require far less specialised equipment, and do not produce tickets which need to be audited and managed. Such systems are only conventionally available to registered players, who go through an advance process to have a magnetic strip based card issued to them. [0005] In some situations, it may be desirable to provide a form of value stored on a card or similar token, which is not necessarily linked to a particular player card. This may be, for example, as a gift for a player, or as a reward for loyal players. In many jurisdictions, it may be problematic to provide a reward for a player in a form which is a direct credit for wagers. [0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative gift or reward system for use with gaming machines.

2 Summary of the Invention [0007] In a broad form, the present invention provides a bet refund token, which when it is allowed to interface with a gaming machine, will refund a player's unsuccessful bets. [0008] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a gaming management system, including: a gaming management server; a plurality of gaming machines, each adapted to play one or more games; a plurality of refund tokens; and an interface associated with each gaming machine, allowing the gaming machine to read a refund token; wherein the gaming management server maintains a credit balance associated with each refund token, so that when a refund token interacts with the interface, and a player plays a game for a bet amount on the gaming machine associated with the interface, and the player does not win on that game, credit is transferred to the associated gaming machine from the credit balance associated with that bet refund token, to an amount not exceeding the bet amount. [0009] A win may be considered as either no credit won at all, or alternatively, as less credits won than were wagered. [0010] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method for enabling wager refunds on gaming machines, in a system including: a refund token; a gaming management server, said management server maintaining credit balances for each refund token; a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine having an interface adapted to receive an input from the refund token; the method including at least the steps of: permitting a player to operate a gaming machine, and place bets on that machine of a bet amount. If a refund token has an active interface with the gaming machine when the player operates the gaming machine, then determining whether the game was a non-winning game, and if not, permitting the player to again operate the gaming machine in the normal way; if the game was a non-winning game, then transferring credit to the gaming machine from the credit balance associated with that card, to an amount not exceeding the bet amount, and then permitting the player to again operate the gaming machine in the normal way.

3 [0011] According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a refund token adapted to be used in a gaming machine system, the system including: a gaming management server, said gaming management server maintaining credit balances for each refund token; and a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine having an interface adapted to receive an input from the refund token; the refund token being adapted to establish an active connection with the interface, so that when a player operates the machine and plays a non-winning game, the player is refunded the amount of his wager by that amount being credited to the gaming machine. [0012] According to implementations of the present invention, the player is refunded only for unsuccessful wagers. This provides an alternative to a simple credit token, and has the effect of enabling the player to play for longer with a given level of wager. The card can be used as a gift card, as a reward to loyal players, or to encourage new player to try a venue. Brief Description of the Drawings [0013] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a typical card based payment system for members; and Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operating process according to one implementation of the present invention. Detailed Description of the invention [0014] The present invention will be principally described with reference to a particular illustrative example, using conventional magnetic stripe cards and a magnetic strip card reader associated with a gaming machine. It will be understood that the principles of the present invention may be implemented using a wide variety of hardware and software implementations for the refund tokens and related interface to the gaming machine.

4 [0015] One type of such implementations uses cards, for example chip cards (smartcards), contactless cards, magnetic strip cards, or some other form of cards. In this case, appropriate, conventional card readers appropriate to the card type would be used as the interface. Another type of implementation would use a two or three dimensional bar code, printed on a card or ticket, or displayed on a smartphone or similar device. In this case, the interface would be a bar code reader, similar to a TITO system discussed above. The refund card may in one form be similar to a gift card of conventional type, in which the card has no value until a software operation has associated the card with a value, for example in a remote server. [0016] In other possible implementations, the card may be an image of a bar code or the like, displayable on a smartphone or similar device. The token may be provided in some electronic, optical or visual form, using a smartphone app, for example, which provides the appropriate barcode, number of other display when required. One such alternative arrangement could use, for example, a code string stored in the app/smartphone, possibly together with a PIN or password, to connect via Bluetooth, near field communication, or similar mechanisms. In this type of implementation, there would need to be a facility, either in the smartphone or in the gaming machine/PIM, to allow the refund account to be disconnected when the player moves away from a gaming machine. This could include interaction with the position/motion/acceleration sensors in the phone to determine that the player has moved, and thereby deactivate the connection between that machine and the refund account. In such an implementation, it will be appreciated that the 'card reader' may be the communication interface associated with the PIM or machine. [0017] Although not preferred, the token could simply be a number or code string that the player enters into a keypad or similar arrangement. [0018] As will be apparent, the refund token is intended to be considered broadly, and may be implemented in any way which is compatible with providing reasonably secure identification of the corresponding credit amount. It is noted that as the amounts concerned in any particular card are not large, generally $100 or less, high security measures are not necessary.

5 [0019] The refund token, as will be explained in more detail below, is preferably implemented using the same technology as the player or other credit carrying cards used. However, it could be implemented using an entirely separate interface system. Although not preferred, it could also be implemented in a system which does not otherwise accept player cards. In a further variation, the wager refund function could be operated as a subset of functions of a regular player card, for example using a different memory in a smartcard, or by selecting an option at the time the card is inserted into the reader. [0020] It will also be appreciated that the present invention may be implemented using an underlying system with varying levels of complexity. The system may use cards as simple identifiers, with all processing, balances, personal identification information (if any), and so forth stored in the system, for example in a server. However, it would be possible to also store a balance, and certain personal information, on the card if desired, or store a complete player record on the card, depending of course on the capabilities of the hardware and software token selected. [0021] The present invention is applicable to any kind of electronic gaming machine (EGM), and is not limited in application to any particular brand, style or type of machine. Of course, the necessary software and hardware interfaces will vary with machines, as it is necessary to interact with the gaming machine to add and remove credits. However, as long as the machine is capable of such interaction, the present invention could be deployed, in a suitably modified implementation. [0022] Example of systems in which the present invention could be implemented include the EPS system, commercially available from the present applicant and IGT Advantage / EZ Pay, available from IGT. [0023] Figure 1 illustrates a typical gaming venue card system, suitable for use with the present invention. It will be appreciated that this is provided by way of general background, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that the commercially available systems provide a full set of functions, security and management tools. The present invention is intended to provide additional functionality within such a system, and any practical implementation would preferably be implemented in the context of such an existing system.

6 [0024] Figure 1 shows a system including EGMs 20, 30; server 25; cashier terminal 26; kiosk 27; and network 28. Network 28 may be a LAN or optical network, or series of networks, allowing communication between the components of the system. Each EGM has an associated player interface module (PIM) 21, 31. It will be appreciated that in a practical system, there would typically be many EGMs. [0025] The PIM 21, 31 communicates directly with the associated EGM 20, 30 as well as via the network 28 with the server. The PIM provides (relevantly) a cashless gaming facility for the EGMs. A player who has a membership card inserts the card into an EGM when he is playing. This allows for credit to be transferred to the EGM, as well as for player tracking, membership rewards, and other system aspects to be provided. In a preferred system, no data is stored on the card, which acts only as a secure token for an account, the details of which are stored in the server. The card may be of any conventional type, for example a magnetic stripe card with encrypted data. Additional security measures, for example a player identification number, may be required to permit use of the system. [0026] In such a conventional system, when a player wishes to cash out part of all of his card credit, he approaches the cashier who via the cashier terminal 26 provides cash to the player. Similarly, the player may add credit via the cashier, or using the kiosk 27. The server maintains overall system control, using special purposes databases which are securely stored, either locally or remotely. These may include a member database, and electronic payment database, and a reporting database. [0027] The refund cards may be issued by the operator of the venue, in a similar manner to store gift cards. The purchaser may decide to buy a $50 refund card as a gift for a friend, for example. In this case, the purchaser would purchase the card using cash, credit cards (subject to regulatory rules), electronic banking, or any other suitable mechanism. The card is preferably only made active after payment is noted and a corresponding entry posted to the controlling server. Alternatively, the cards could simply be active and kept securely, and then sold. [0028] If desired, for example to minimise accounting issues, the refund cards could be operative for a limited period of time, for example one month. In some cases, a shorter period duration may be used, if they are provided as promotional tools to encourage patronage at the venue.

7 [0029] In one implementation, the refund cards are made available using an automated vending machine. This may also permit other purchases if desired. [0030] As an alternative, the refund card could be purchased using player loyalty points. In this case, the player would exchange points for the card at a cashier, kiosk or some other point where transactions may occur (such as through a Point of Sale system). The amount required would be set by the venue operator. This may be part of a loyalty scheme specific to the venue, a scheme across multiple venues, or an entirely distinct scheme. For example, the refund card could be purchased with frequent flyer miles from an airline or credit card loyalty system. Implementations of the present invention are not limited by the way in which the refund card is purchased. [0031] It will be appreciated that there is a considerable scope for the present invention to be used for promotional or cross-promotional purposes. For example, at a resort, residents may be given a refund card on check in, the cards having variable amounts, with the specific amount not made clear until the customer visits the gaming area and inserts the card. [0032] The server may be a local device, with the refund card operation specific to one venue. Alternatively, the refund card could be operated across a larger number of venues, for their mutual use. In this case, each venue would communicate across a wide area or broadband network with a central issuing and credit balance management processing centre. [0033] Figure 2 illustrates the operation of the refund token according to one implementation. At step 10, the refund card is inserted into the machine. It will be appreciated that depending upon the token type, this may be placing the card in proximity to a near field indicia, operating a smartphone app, inserting a chip card, entering a code, or whatever process is appropriate for the token type. [0034] At step 11, credit is loaded onto the machine in a conventional way, for example by a coin or note acceptor. It will be apparent that if the same token type is used for the refund token and a player card, the same reader cannot readily be used for both. If different tokens are used, then the card based credit could also be used. [0035] It will be understood that it is a core part of the present concept that the wager must first be made, and then is refunded if the player does not win. The credits cannot be simply transferred in bulk as regular credits on a machine. The token does not provide machine credits to allow play to commence.

8 [0036] At step 12, the player initiates play and wagers an amount, for example 10 credits. If a win is payable, then the machine pays the win as normal, and the machine is ready for a new game. This is illustrated by box 14. In the preferred form, any credit return, even if less than the wagered amount, excludes the player from the wager refund process. In an alternative implementation, in the player was returned (say) 5 credits for his 10 credit wager, the 5 credits could also be refunded. [0037] If the player does not win, indicated as box 15, then the refund card account corresponding to the refund card is debited the amount of the wager, and this amount is credited to the credit meter of the gaming machine, at step 16. At step 17, this amount is displayed by the machine, and it is ready for the next game by the player. [0038] At this stage, the player can remove their card, and decide to play another machine, using the refund card or not. [0039] It will be understood that the present invention, in one implementation, can be implemented using the existing player card infrastructure, with changes to the underlying software. It does not generally require wholesale or major changes to the operating system for a player card system to implement. The card can be designated as, in essence, a special type of player card, associated with a special kind of player account, not associated with a given player and which cannot have credit transferred onto it, other than by the system operator. Further, the card cannot transfer funds to a machine - that operation happens under, preferably, central control and occurs between the refund account and the machine in which the card is used. [0040] It will be appreciated that many variations and additions are possible within the general inventive concept disclosed.

Claims

1. A gaming management system, including: a gaming management server; a plurality of gaming machines, each adapted to play one or more games; a plurality of refund tokens; and an interface associated with each gaming machine, allowing the gaming machine to read a refund token; wherein the gaming management server maintains a credit balance associated with each refund token, so that when a first refund token interacts with the interface, and a player plays a game for a bet amount on the gaming machine associated with the interface, and the player does not win on that game, credit is transferred to the gaming machine associated with that interface from the credit balance associated with the first refund token, to an amount not exceeding the bet amount.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the player is taken to not win when their return from playing said game is less than the bet amount .

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the system also include player cards, and the refund tokens operate using the same hardware as the player cards. 10

4. A method for enabling wager refunds on gaming machines, in a system including: One or more refund tokens, a gaming management server, said management server maintaining credit balances for each refund token; a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine having an interface adapted to receive an input from one of the refund tokens; the method including at least the steps of: permitting a player to play a game on a gaming machine, and place bets on that machine of a bet amount; If a refund token is engaged with the interface with the gaming machine when the player operates the gaming machine, then Determining whether the game was a non-winning game, and if not, permitting the player to again operate the gaming machine in the normal way; If the game was a non-winning game, then transferring credit to the gaming machine from the credit balance associated with that refund token, to an amount not exceeding the bet amount.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein a game is determined to be a non winning game when an amount won by the player on said game is less than the bet amount .