Method and system for a gaming system user interface

A gaming machine comprising:

• a base;
• a columnar pedestal extending vertically from said base, said pedestal having a cross-sectional area, a width, and a depth that are less than each of a corresponding cross-sectional area, width, and depth of said base;
• and
• a transparent button deck adjustably coupled to said pedestal by at least one telescoping support arm, said transparent button deck being configured to translate toward and away from said columnar pedestal through retraction and extension of the transparent button deck using the at least one telescoping, support arm, said transparent button deck permits a user to see through said transparent button deck and permits a user to translate the transparent button deck, said transparent button deck comprising:
• an upper surface comprising a transparent touchscreen element;
• a transparent lower surface opposite said upper surface;
• and
• a transparent button deck body extending therebetween,
• at least one of said transparent lower surface and said transparent button deck body comprising one or more transparent display elements, said one or more transparent display elements configured to generate one or more images of gaming machine control actuators viewable on said upper surface, said transparent touchscreen element configured to receive from a user at least one of touches and gestures indicating control inputs to said gaming machine, the at least one of touches and gestures corresponding to the generated images;
• and
• a player tracking card reader positioned within the button deck and accessible through a slot in a front edge of the button deck, said player tracking card reader communicatively coupled to a player tracking display area of said gaming machine.