Methods and apparatus for negotiating communications within a gaming network

A gaming system comprising:

• a first network gaming device, a second network gaming device and a gaming security arbiter;
• the first network gaming device being operatively coupled to said gaming security arbiter, and comprising a first network gaming device controller configured to (i) transmit a request to said gaming security arbiter for a communication session with said second network gaming device, (ii) receive said first encryption key from said gaming security arbiter, (iii) create an encrypted message from a message content using said first encryption key, and (iv) transmit said encrypted message to said second network gaming device;
• the second network gaming device being operatively coupled to said first network gaming device and said gaming security arbiter, and comprising a second network gaming device controller configured to (i) receive said second encryption key from said gaming security arbiter, (ii) receive said encrypted message from said first network gaming device, and (iii) decrypt said encrypted message using said second encryption key, and:
• at least one of said first and second network gaming device controllers is configured to request, according to a security level relating to said message, a respective encryption, key, said first network gaming device controller being configured to encrypt said message according to said security level;
• and
• the gaming security arbiter comprising an arbiter controller configured to (i) receive a request from the first network gaming device, said request comprising a request for a communication session between said first network gaming device and the second network gaming device, (ii) provide a first encryption key to said first network gaming device, and (iii) provide a second encryption key to said second network gaming device;
• wherein:
• said arbiter controller is further configured to:
• communicate with the first network gaming device and a host;
• determine encryption methods supported by the host and by the first network gaming device;
• select an encryption method supported by both the first network gaming device and the host, and
• select the first and second encryption keys based on both the supported methods and the security level related to said message.