Contactless player card with improved security

A gaming system comprising;

• a gaming machine comprising;
• a cabinet;
• a master gaming controller, enclosed within said cabinet, designed or configured a) to control a wager-based game played on the gaming machine;
• b) to control a photonic power source configured to provide power to a photonic-powered card;
• c) to communicate with the photonic-powered card via a first optical communication interface using an optical communication protocol;
• d) to communicate with one or more remote servers via a network interface;
• a display device, coupled to the cabinet, configured to display the wager-based game;
• an acceptor mechanism, coupled to an outer surface of the cabinet, configured to receive the photonic-powered card in a position that allows the photonic card to 1) receive photons emitted from the photonic power source and 2) communicate with the master gaming controller via the optical communication interface;
• the photonic power source located within an interior portion of the cabinet aligned with the acceptor mechanism;
• the first optical communication interface coupled to the master gaming controller and aligned with the acceptor mechanism;
• the network interface coupled to the master gaming controller;
• an input mechanism, coupled to the cabinet, for receiving cash or an indicia of credit for making wagers on the wager-based game;
• and
• an output mechanism, coupled to the cabinet, for outputting cash or an indicia of credit;
• and
• the photonic-powered card comprising:
• a photovoltaic cell;
• a second optical communication interface compatible with the first communication interface;
• a memory for storing at least gaming information;
• and
• a logic device, coupled to the photovoltaic cell, the second optical communication interface and the memory designed or configured to 1) perform bi-directional communications using the optical communication protocol via the second optical communication interface;
• 2) detect a power level generated by the photovoltaic cell and 3) to determine the power level of the photovoltaic cell is above a threshold value and to only transmit the gaming information via the second optical communication interface when the power level of the photovoltaic cell is above the threshold value.