Gaming machine having chair with modular back panel

A gaming system for playing a wagering game, the gaming system comprising:

• a gaming machine;
• a non-illuminated modular back panel;
• an illuminated modular back panel;
• and
• a gaming chair including a backrest assembly supported by a base, the backrest assembly having a back housing with a modular mounting feature configured to receive one of the modular back panels, the illuminated back panel being in electrical communication with the gaming chair when received by the modular mounting feature and the modular back panels received one at a time.

A gaming system comprising

• a gaming machine;
• a non-illuminated modular back panel;
• an illuminated modular back panel;
• and
• a gaming chair for conducting a wagering game, the gaming chair having a base for supporting a seat assembly and a backrest assembly, the backrest assembly having a modular feature such that a back housing of the backrest assembly configured to modularly receive, one at a time, one of a plurality of different back panels, the back panels including the non-illuminated back panel and the illuminated back panel, the backrest assembly having an electrical connection for providing electrical input to the illuminated back panel.

A method for transforming a gaming chair of a gaming system, the gaming system including a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, the gaming chair including a backrest assembly supported by a base, the backrest assembly having a back housing with a modular mounting feature configurable to receive one of a plurality of modular back panels, the method comprising:

• mounting, by the modular mounting feature, a first modular back panel, the first modular back panel being one of an illuminated back panel and a non-illuminated back panel;
• electrically coupling the first modular back panel with the gaming chair if the first modular back panel is the illuminated back panel;
• removing the first modular back panel from the modular mounting feature;
• mounting, by the modular mounting feature, a second modular back panel, the second modular back panel being the other one of the illuminated back panel and the non-illuminated back panel;
• and
• electrically coupling the second modular back panel with the gaming chair if the second modular back panel is the illuminated back panel.