Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus in which a player plays one of a plurality of networked gaming devices. Game awards below a predefined level are tracked and stored on the network. If the game awards are less than a predefined criterion, a pay command is sent over the network to the player's gaming device, which may be used for a free game. Implementation in a single gaming device is also disclosed.

A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.

A computer-implemented method and system are provided for ensuring the integrity and security of digital shuffles of cards or objects across multiple entities and/or jurisdictions. All entities participating in the shuffle can optionally review the forensic data to ensure that the shuffle was legitimate and that no other entity prematurely peeked at another entity's private hand.

In certain embodiments, social distancing is implemented at a gaming establishment (such as a casino) by disabling one or more neighboring gaming machines from being played while a first patron is playing at a first gaming machine. Social grouping is implemented by enabling a second patron who is in a social group with the first patron to play at one of the neighboring gaming machines, while the first patron is playing at the first gaming machine. In some implementations, a gaming system of the gaming establishment controls which gaming machines are disabled. In other implementations, patrons' cell phones running a gaming app communicate directly with the gaming machines to disable the neighboring gaming machines while enabling patrons in the same social group to play at neighboring gaming machines. In some implementations, play at a gaming machine is prevented by temporarily disabling the gaming machine's bill validator.

In certain embodiments, social distancing is implemented at a gaming establishment (such as a casino) by disabling one or more neighboring gaming machines from being played while a first patron is playing at a first gaming machine. Social grouping is implemented by enabling a second patron who is in a social group with the first patron to play at one of the neighboring gaming machines, while the first patron is playing at the first gaming machine. In some implementations, a gaming system of the gaming establishment controls which gaming machines are disabled. In other implementations, patrons' cell phones running a gaming app communicate directly with the gaming machines to disable the neighboring gaming machines while enabling patrons in the same social group to play at neighboring gaming machines. In some implementations, play at a gaming machine is prevented by temporarily disabling the gaming machine's bill validator.

Various systems, apparatus, and methods for sanitizing electronic gaming machines and microorganisms prevention in a gaming environment.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus in which a player plays one of a plurality of networked gaming devices. Game awards below a predefined level are tracked and stored on the network. If the game awards are less than a predefined criterion, a pay command is sent over the network to the player's gaming device, which may be used for a free game. Implementation in a single gaming device is also disclosed.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus in which a player plays one of a plurality of networked gaming devices. Game awards below a predefined level are tracked and stored on the network. If the game awards are less than a predefined criterion, a pay command is sent over the network to the player's gaming device, which may be used for a free game. Implementation in a single gaming device is also disclosed.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus in which a player plays one of a plurality of networked gaming devices. Game awards below a predefined level are tracked and stored on the network. If the game awards are less than a predefined criterion, a pay command is sent over the network to the player's gaming device, which may be used for a free game. Implementation in a single gaming device is also disclosed.

A gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming machines configured to conduct one or more games and a management computing device communicatively coupled to the gaming machines. The management computing device receives indication of a gaming session initiating at a first gaming machine of the gaming machines, identifies one or more gaming machines associated with the first gaming machine from the gaming machines, transmits a disable command to the one or more associated gaming machines that prevents the one or more gaming machines from initiating gaming sessions, and in response to determining that the gaming session at the first gaming machine has concluded, transmits an enable command to the one or more associated gaming machines that enables the one or more gaming machines to initiate gaming sessions.