Gaming system with remote controller having location-based variable functionality

A gaming system, comprising:

• a gaming terminal including a cabinet that houses one or more display devices and one or more electronic input devices, the one or more electronic input devices including a first input device configured to detect a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance and a second input device configured to receive a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance;
• a fixed structure, wherein the fixed structure is a spacer adjacent to the cabinet of the gaming terminal, the spacer having a housing that is distinct from the cabinet of the gaming terminal;
• one or more processors;
• a handheld device coupled to the fixed structure via a cable, the handheld device being positionable in a first predefined zone and a base predefined zone with respect to the fixed structure, the first predefined zone being defined as a first volumetric space generally in front of the one or more display devices, the base predefined zone being defined as a base volumetric space generally in front of the fixed structure distinct from the first predefined zone;
• one or more sensors configured to detect a position of the handheld device relative to the first predefined zone and the base predefined zone;
• and
• a memory device storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors cause the gaming system to,
• detect a input from the handheld device,
• perform a first function in response to the input being detected while the one or more sensors detect that the handheld device is positioned in the first predefined zone, the first function including causing the gaming system to select a selectable element during play of a bonus game of the wagering game, and
• perform a second function in response to the input being detected while the one or more sensors detect that the handheld device is positioned in the base predefined zone, the second function being different from the first function, the second function including causing the gaming system to conduct a play of a basic game of the wagering game and display a randomly selected outcome of the basic game on the one or more display devices.

A community gaming system, comprising:

• a first gaming terminal including (i) one or more first display devices for displaying plays of a wagering game and (ii) one or more electronic input devices including a first input device configured to detect a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance and a second input device configured to receive a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance;
• a second gaming terminal adjacent to the first gaming terminal, the second gaming terminal including one or more second display devices displaying plays of the wagering game;
• a fixed structure positioned between the first and the second gaming terminals, the fixture structure including a docking station;
• a first handheld device coupled to the fixed structure via a first cable and being receivable in the docking station, the first handheld device being positionable in a first predefined zone and a base predefined zone, the first predefined zone being defined as a first volumetric space generally in front of the one or more first display devices, the base predefined zone being defined as a base volumetric space generally in front of the fixed structure distinct from the first predefined zone, the first handheld device being configured to be calibrated for use in playing the wagering game on the first gaming terminal or on the second gaming terminal;
• a second handheld device coupled to the fixed structure via a second cable, the second handheld device being positionable in a second predefined zone and the base predefined zone, the second predefined zone being defined as a second volumetric space generally in front of the one or more second display devices distinct from the first and the base predefined zones, the second handheld device being configured to be calibrated for use in playing the wagering game on the other of the first gaming terminal and the second gaming terminal;
• and
• a plurality of sensors configured to detect positions of the first and second handheld devices relative to the base predefined zone, the first predefined zone, and the second predefined zone.

A gaming system, comprising:

• a gaming terminal including (i) a cabinet, (ii) a display device, and (iii) one or more electronic input devices including a first input device configured to detect a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance and a second input device configured to receive a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance;
• a fixed structure positioned adjacent to the gaming terminal;
• one or more processors;
• a handheld device coupled to the fixed structure via a cable, the handheld device being moveable in a predefined zone of a volumetric space adjacent to the display device;
• one or more sensors configured to detect a position of the handheld device relative to the predefined zone;
• and
• a memory device storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors cause the gaming system to,
• display, on display device, at least a portion of a wagering game including a plurality of selectable bonus elements,
• perform a first function in response to the one or more sensors detecting that the handheld device is positioned in the predefined zone and adjacent to a first one of the plurality of selectable bonus elements, wherein the handheld device performing the first function indicates that the first one of the plurality of selectable bonus elements is associated with a first award having a first amount of credits, and
• perform a second function, which is distinct from the first function, in response to the one or more sensors detecting that the handheld device is positioned in the predefined zone and adjacent to a second one of the plurality of selectable bonus elements, wherein the handheld device performing the second function indicates that the second one of the plurality of selectable bonus elements is associated with a second award having a second amount of credits that is greater than the first amount of credits.