Systems, methods and devices for configuring wagering game systems and devices

A computer-implemented method of configuring a non-optimal gaming device in a gaming system, the gaming system having one or more processors and a plurality of other gaming devices, the method comprising:

• receiving, via an input device, a desired value for a performance target for the non-optimal gaming device derived from aggregated data gathered from the plurality of other gaming devices;
• in response to receiving the desired value, determining, by at least one of the one or more processors initiating an automated configuration analysis component, a plurality of recommended configuration parameters for the non-optimal gaming device based on the desired value, wherein the performance target is not one of the recommended configuration parameters;
• in response to receiving a confirmation input via at least one of one or more input devices, at least one of the one or more processors configuring the non-optimal gaming device with a device configuration determined in accordance with the plurality of recommended configuration parameters;
• detecting, via a value input device of the non-optimal gaming device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;
• and
• in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance, at least one of the one or more processors initiating the wagering game on the non-optimal device configured with the device configuration, displaying an outcome for the wagering game at the non-optimal gaming device, and adjusting the credit balance in accordance with the outcome.

A gaming terminal for conducting a wagering game, the gaming terminal comprising:

• at least one display device configured to display randomly determined outcomes of the wagering game;
• at least one input device configured to receive inputs from a person;
• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory device storing instructions that, when executed by the at least processor, causes the gaming terminal to:
• receive from an operator, via the at least one input device, a respective desired value for each of a first performance target and a second performance target for the gaming terminal, wherein the desired value of the first performance target defines player-performance data derived from a statistical analysis of player wagering behavior across a plurality of other gaming devices and the desired value of the second performance target defines game-configuration data specifying a payback percentage of the wagering game;
• initiate, via the at least one processor, an automated configuration analysis component to determine and display a respective recommended value for each of a plurality of recommended configuration parameters of the gaming terminal based on the desired values, wherein the first and second performance target are not one of the recommended configuration parameters;
• display, via the at least one display device, operator-selectable options to confirm, reject, or modify the recommended values for the plurality of recommended configuration parameters;
• in response to receiving a confirmation input, configure the gaming terminal, via the at least one processor, with a device configuration determined in accordance with at least the recommended values for the plurality of recommended configuration parameters;
• detect, via a value input device of the gaming terminal, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;
• and
• in response to an input from a player indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance, via the at least one processor, initiate the wagering game on the gaming terminal configured with the device configuration, display an outcome for the wagering game at the gaming terminal, and adjust the credit balance in accordance with the outcome.

A computer-implemented method of configuring a non-optimal gaming device of a wagering game system that includes one or more processors and one or more input devices, the method comprising:

• receiving, via at least one of the one or more input devices, a desired value for an average wager per play for the non-optimal gaming device, the desired value derived from aggregated data gathered from a plurality of other gaming devices;
• in response to receiving the desired value, determine, by an automated configuration component a recommended value for each of a plurality of recommended configuration parameters for the non-optimal gaming device based at least upon the desired value, wherein the average wager per play is not one of the recommended configuration parameters;
• configure the non-optimal gaming device, via the one or more processors, with a device configuration determined in accordance with at least the recommended value for each of the plurality of recommended configuration parameters;
• detect, via a value input device of the non-optimal gaming device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;
• and
• in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance, via one or more processors, initiate the wagering game on the non-optimal device configured with the device configuration, display an outcome for the wagering game at the non-optimal gaming device, and adjust the credit balance in accordance with the outcome.

A computer-implemented method of configuring a non-optimal gaming device of a wagering game system that includes one or more processors and one or more input devices, the method comprising:

• receiving, via at least one of the one or more input devices, a desired value for an average wager per play for the non-optimal gaming device derived from aggregated data gathered from a plurality of other gaming devices;
• in response to receiving the desired value, determine, by an automated configuration analysis component a recommended wager range available to a player during play of a wagering game on the non-optimal gaming device based at least upon the desired value, the available wagering range being determined to prevent the player from wagering at the highest or lowest value of the wagering game as currently configured;
• configure the non-optimal gaming device, via at least one of the one or more processors, in accordance with the available wager range;
• detect, via a value input device of the non-optimal gaming device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;
• and
• in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance, via one or more processors, initiate the wagering game on the non-optimal gaming device configured with the available wager range, display an outcome for the wagering game at the target gaming device, and adjust the credit balance in accordance with the outcome.