Authentication and validation systems for gaming devices

A method of verifying a gaming component, the method comprising:

• determining if the manifest is authentic, the manifest including component information and a stored digital signature for the gaming component;
• performing a digital signature calculation using the contents of the component to produce a calculated digital signature if the manifest is authentic;
• verifying the gaming component by comparing the calculated digital signature to the stored digital signature;
• and
• loading the gaming component if the calculated digital signature and the stored digital signature are equal.

A method for verifying a gaming component, the method comprising:

• identifying a validation protocol used to create a digital signature for a gaming component;
• determining if the manifest is authentic, the manifest including component information and a stored digital signature for the gaming component;
• performing a digital signature calculation using the contents of the component to produce a calculated digital signature;
• verifying the gaming component by comparing the calculated digital signature to the stored digital signature;
• and
• presenting an error message on a video display when the contents of the accessed file is not validated.