Method and apparatus for providing electronic credits at a gaming device without first requiring payment therefor

A method of operating an electronic gaming device, the method comprising:

• causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device to determine whether a player has inputted, to the electronic gaming device, one of at least one predetermined player input, wherein the at least one predetermined player input is not a particular content of an outcome of any game conducted on the electronic gaming device;
• if the player has inputted one of the at least one predetermined player input to the electronic gaming device, in response to said player input, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to cause at least one token to be output to the player of the electronic gaming device, the at least one token being representative of a first number of electronic credits to be added to a credit meter balance of the electronic gaming device, and the at least one token being provided to the player without the player first having provided payment therefore,
• in response to receiving the token from the player, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to add said first number electronic credits to the credit meter balance of the electronic gaming device;
• and
• thereafter, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to deduct, in response to a cash-out request by the player, a designated quantity of electronic credits from the credit meter balance of the electronic gaming device, said designated quantity being at least one but no more than the first number of electronic credits previously added to the credit meter balance of the electronic gaming device, said deduction occurring prior to providing any cash-out credits to the player in response to the cash-out request, and said deduction occurring independent and distinct from any play of any game.

A method of operating an electronic gaming device, the method comprising:

• causing the at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device to conduct, at the electronic gaming device, a gaming session of a player;
• causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine whether the player is eligible to receive an offer for a number of electronic credits based on information associated with at least one of:
• (i) the player,
• (ii) the electronic gaming device, and
• (iii) a casino associated with the electronic gaming device;
• causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a first number of electronic credits to be included in the offer;
• causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to output the offer to the player in response to an event;
• causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to add the first number of electronic credits to a credit meter balance associated with the player, without requiring the player to first provide payment in exchange for the first number of electronic credits;
• causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to store an indication of the first number of electronic credits added to the credit meter balance associated with the player;
• and
• thereafter, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to deduct, in response to a cash-out request by the player, a designated quantity of electronic credits from the credit meter balance of the electronic gaming device, said designated quantity being at least one but no more than the first number of electronic credits previously added to the credit meter balance associated with the player, said deduction occurring prior to providing any cash-out credits to the player in response to the cash-out request, and said deduction occurring independent and distinct from any play of any game.