Method and apparatus for providing player incentives

摘要

A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person. Qualification may require specific acts, for example, referring another person, and/or providing an invitation to play an electronic game to another person. Various systems and method assist in tracking and maintaining such referrals. Additionally group gaming in and amongst referrals and/or designated groups may be performed, and in some embodiment required for qualification and/or redemption. Further, another aspect relates to providing special incentives, for example for referral of a new player, for providing casino affiliation or membership information, among others.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method of providing incentives to a player of a game conducted via a gaming system, the method comprising:
providing, via a gaming machine during a first visit to a physical gambling location, a first invitation to a player to play a first electronic game at a location other than the physical gambling location, the gaming machine comprising an input device configured to detect a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance; after the inviting, enabling, via a game server, the player to play the first electronic game at the location; requiring an award earned in the first electronic game to be redeemed during a second visit to the physical gambling location, the award being associated with additional game credits; redeeming, by the gaming machine or another gaming machine, the additional game credits during the second visit to the physical gambling location, wherein redemption of the additional play credits during the second visit results in a second invitation being provided to the player to play a second, different electronic game away from the physical gambling location.