A method of implementing a player tracking system in a gaming network includes receiving a virtual player tracking card identifier and a virtual player tracking card password, authenticating the identifier and the password; receiving a virtual player tracking card PIN, identifying a gaming machine that transmitted the virtual player tracking card PIN, and crediting an account associated with the virtual player tracking card PIN based on game play on the gaming machine.

Provided is an information processing apparatus that enables adequately grasping the gaming environment. The information processing apparatus receives environmental information representing a gaming environment at a place where a gaming machine is installed in a gaming hall and performs image processing to create a floor map of the gaming hall in which gaming machines installed in the gaming hall are mapped to corresponding positions by associating the environmental information with the position of the gaming machine.

A method for competing in game play of an electronic trading card game within a game host between a first player and a second player includes (i) each player receiving an unopened pack of trading cards; (ii) opening the pack of trading cards for each player to reveal individual trading cards for each player only to the respective player; (iii) selecting a plurality of statistical categories that are shown to each player; (iv) each player assigning one of the individual trading cards from their respective pack of trading cards to each statistical category; (v) comparing a relevant statistic included on each of the individual trading cards for each player that has been assigned to each statistical category; and (vi) determining a winner for each statistical category based on which of the individual trading cards assigned to that statistical category has the best relevant statistic.

A gaming system for evaluating a jackpot using a time cap is provided. The system includes a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory which when executed, cause the processor to at least store, in the memory, a jackpot including time cap parameters and a value of the jackpot. The instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to select a time cap based on the time cap parameters. The instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to determine, in response to a game instance, that the selected time cap has been reached. The instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to credit, in response to the determination, the value of the progressive jackpot to a player credit balance.

A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket processing apparatus; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket processing apparatus; cause the ticket processing apparatus to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.

A controller is configured to obtain, from a first camera associated with a ticket machine, a first image stream; transmit the first image stream to an application server; receive, from the application server, a first command for the ticket machine; cause the ticket machine to provide, based on the first command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch the scratching area in accordance with the scratching command.

A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket processing apparatus; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket processing apparatus; cause the ticket processing apparatus to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.

A ticket checker is provided for activating a player's previously purchased ticket that is preprinted with game content and which is associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some winning tickets. A previously purchased winning ticket cannot be redeemed until it is activated. Machine readable indicia is scanned on the previously purchased ticket at a ticket checker that is in communication with a ticket results database. A ticket activation database electronically records that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker, thereby activating the winning ticket. Redemption of the winning ticket includes electronically verifying in the ticket activation database that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker.

Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing gaming devices having a poker mystery feature. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to have sub-symbol overlays that specify a replication feature that may replicate a card associated with the sub-symbol overlay and either replace a specified card that is adjacent to the card associated with the sub-symbol overlay, or create a multi-indicia card using the replication. Replication may mean a direct copy of the card associated with the sub-symbol overlay or may mean providing a card that is related to the card associated with the sub-symbol overlay according to predefined rules.

A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket processing apparatus; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket processing apparatus; cause the ticket processing apparatus to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.