Gaming machine including joystick with visual indicator and method of operation thereof

A gaming system comprising:

• a first gaming machine comprising:
• a monetary funds accepting mechanism for accepting monetary funds in creating a player credit balance,
• at least one display device,
• at least one player input device comprising a joystick, said joystick comprising:
• a handle having a transparent or semi-transparent portion, and
• at least one light-emitting or generating element associated with said handle, said at least one light-emitting or generating element being configured to emit light through the transparent or semi-transparent portion,
• a memory device,
• a controller,
• machine-readable code stored in said memory device and executable by said controller to, in response to a wager placed by a player from said player credit balance, cause said at least one display device to present wagering game information to said player,
• machine-readable code executable by said controller to cause said controller to cause said at least one light-emitting or generating element to provide one or more visual indications in relation to said wagering game,
• machine-readable code executable by said controller to cause said controller to accept input from said player via said joystick, and
• machine-readable code executable by said controller to cause said controller to determine an outcome of said wagering game with reference to said input from said player via said joystick;
• and
• a plurality of other gaming machines wirelessly connected to said first gaming machine and spaced from said first gaming machine,
• wherein said controller of said first gaming machine is configured to control at least one of said plurality of other gaming machines.

A method of operating a gaming machine comprising the steps of:

• providing the gaming machine with a monetary funds accepting mechanism for accepting monetary funds in creating a player credit balance, at least one display device, and at least one player input device comprising a joystick, wherein said joystick comprises a handle having a transparent or semi-transparent portion, and at least one light-emitting or generating element associated with said handle;
• presenting wagering game information to a player in response to a wager placed by said player from said player credit balance;
• providing one or more visual indications in relation to said wagering game with said at least one light-emitting or generating element;
• accepting input from said player via said joystick;
• and
• determining an outcome of said wagering game with reference to said input from said player via said joystick.