System and method for performing a financial transaction in an entertainment center

A cash access system configured to facilitate cash access transactions initiated by customers at a gaming station location, comprising:

• a remote control unit, the remote control unit being adapted for customer performance of a cash access transaction at the gaming station, the remote control unit comprising a portable unit having a self-contained processor, a power supply, and a user interface operable by the customer, wherein the remote control unit is provided to the customer by a gaming station provider or an agent thereof, and wherein the remote control unit is further configured for coupling to the gaming station;
• and
• a base processor, the base processor being adapted to communicate with the remote control unit, the base processor configured to conduct a withdrawal from one or more external financial accounts, the withdrawal obtaining funds used in connection with the cash access transaction;
• wherein the remote control unit is adapted to receive customer commands within the user interface of the remote control, the customer commands including requesting the cash access transaction, receiving customer financial account information of the one or more external financial accounts, and receiving a customer signature, and wherein the remote control unit is further adapted to transmit a communication signal to the base processor, the communication signal including data representing the customer signature and the customer financial account information;
• wherein the base processor is adapted to receive the communication signal from the remote control unit, process the customer financial account information, store the customer signature, request the funds from the one or more external financial accounts using the customer financial account information, and provide approval for physical distribution of at least one of cash or cash equivalent to the customer;
• and
• wherein the cash access transaction is conducted independent of game play at the gaming station, and wherein responsive to the base processor providing approval of the physical distribution of the at least one of cash or cash equivalent, the gaming station provider or an agent thereof physically delivers the physical distribution of the at least one of cash or cash equivalent to the customer at the gaming station location.

A method for remote customer operation of a cash access transaction proximate to an entertainment station, including:

• providing a remote control unit to a customer for remote performance of a cash access transaction within an entertainment environment;
• receiving commands for the cash access transaction from an entertainment station customer into the remote control unit, the cash access transaction commands including a request of the cash access transaction, receipt of customer financial account information for one or more external financial accounts, and receipt of a customer signature, the remote control unit comprising:
• a portable unit having a self-contained processor, a power supply, and a user interface operable by the customer to receive the cash access transaction commands, wherein the remote control unit is physically separate from the entertainment station but located proximate to the entertainment station;
• sending electronic data containing the customer financial account information to a base processor remotely located from the remote control unit and the entertainment station, the electronic data including the cash access transaction commands, the base processor configured to request a withdrawal from the one or more external financial accounts, the withdrawal used to obtain funds used in connection with the cash access transaction;
• obtaining approval to conduct the withdrawal from the one or more external financial accounts based on at least correctly identifying the one or more external financial accounts and having funds available in the one or more external financial accounts;
• and
• providing the physical distribution of the at least one of cash or cash equivalent to the customer at a location of the customer within the entertainment environment.

A cash access system for use by an entertainment station customer within an entertainment environment, the cash access system comprising:

• a user-controlled remote control unit adapted for customer performance of a cash withdrawal transaction proximate to an entertainment station, the remote control unit comprising a portable unit having a self-contained processor, a power supply, and a user interface operable by the customer, the remote control unit being physically separate from the entertainment station and being configured to perform the cash access transaction at multiple locations within the entertainment environment;
• and
• a base processor adapted to communicate with the remote control unit, the base processor configured to conduct a cash withdrawal transaction from one or more external financial accounts, the withdrawal obtaining funds for a physical distribution of one or more of coins and bills from the cash withdrawal transaction;
• wherein the remote control unit is adapted to receive customer commands within the user interface of the remote control, the customer commands including requesting the cash access transaction, receiving customer financial account information of the one or more external financial accounts, and receiving a customer signature, and wherein the remote control unit is further adapted to transmit a communication signal to the base processor, the communication signal including data representing the customer signature and the customer financial account information;
• wherein the base processor is adapted to receive the communication signal from the remote control unit, process the customer financial account information, store the customer signature, request the funds from the one or more external financial accounts using the customer financial account information, and provide approval for the physical distribution of the one or more of coins and bills to the customer;
• wherein responsive to the base processor providing approval of the physical distribution of the one or more of coins and bills, the entertainment station provider or an agent thereof physically provides the physical distribution of the one or more of coins and bills to the customer at a location of the remote control unit;
• wherein the cash withdrawal transaction comprises an ATM card cash withdrawal, a Point of Sale (POS) debit card cash withdrawal, or a credit card cash advance conducted upon the one or more external financial accounts.