AU2022204348A1

AU2022204348A1 - Methods and systems for linking and operating digital wallets and venue accounts

Info

Publication number: AU2022204348A1
Application number: AU2022204348A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Glen
Original assignee: Banktech Group Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Banktech Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2022-06-21
Filing date: 2022-06-21
Publication date: 2024-01-18

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of operating a digital wallet to interface with a gaming account of a user maintained in a venue. The method includes receiving at a digital wallet identification data in relation to a user gaming account maintained in a venue server, processing the identification data received at the digital wallet and linking the digital wallet to the user gaming account associated with the identification data. 'CI onE 04 CCQ

Description

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CCQ METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LINKING AND OPERATING DIGITAL WALLETS ANDVENUEACCOUNTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the fields of digital financial wallets and to user account platforms maintained with venues such as pubs, clubs and casinos at which goods and services can be purchased.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Venues such as pubs, clubs and casinos frequently maintain user accounts configured to allow a user to deposit funds that can be used in the venue on electronic gaming machines (EGMs). User accounts of this type are typically for gaming only although sometimes a user may use credit in a gaming account with the venue to purchase other goods or services. Some venues also enable a user to establish a loyalty account to enable a user to accumulate loyalty credits from the purchase or goods or services or from using EGMs in the venue.

[0003] The venue's user account system may employ the use of a user identification instrument such as a card which may include a magnetic strip and/or an NFC chip encoding information. The user may use the user identification instrument within the venue for depositing credits in an EGM for a gameplay session.

[0004] Digital platforms for conducting financial transactions such as digital wallets are becoming ever more prevalent due to their convenience. Digital wallet transactions are cash-less and card-less transactions using a smartphone or smartwatch or using an online service or software program. The digital wallet platform allows a party to make electronic transactions with another party, such as to purchase goods or services.

[0005] It is desirable to use digital wallet technology in a venue for the purchase of goods or services or for depositing credits in an EGM for a gameplay session. It is desirable to use digital wallet technology as a means of transferring funds to and from a gaming account of a user maintained at a venue, which account is used specifically for the purpose of engaging in gameplay on an EGM in the venue. It is desirable to use digital wallet technology as a means of transferring funds to and from an account of a user maintained at a venue that operates EGMs and that complies with relevant regulatory requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A method of operating a digital wallet to interface with a gaming account of a user maintained in a venue, the method including: receiving at a digital wallet identification data in relation to a user gaming account maintained in a venue server; processing the identification data received at the digital wallet; linking the digital wallet to the user gaming account associated with the identification data.

[0007] In embodiments, the invention is adapted to enable a user to link a gaming account of the user maintained in a venue server with a digital wallet of the user maintained in a digital wallet server. The gaming account is an account that the user can deposit funds to use as credit for gaming on an electronic gaming machine in the venue. The user can link the user's digital wallet and the user's gaming account by entering into a user device, such as a smartphone, user identification data associated with the user's gaming account. Embodiments of the invention are advantageous in that they enable a user to deposit funds into an EGM for a gameplay session, using credits in the user's gaming account using a mobile device such as a smartphone. Embodiments of the invention permit a user to use their gaming account to deposit funds into an EGM without needing to present an identification instrument such as a card.

[0008] The user identification data can be derived from the card, such as by scanning an NFC chip or magnetic strip embedded in the card. In other embodiments, the user identification data is derived from unique user identification information such as a machine-readable barcode (e.g. QR code) or a one-time alphanumeric code displayed to the user on a kiosk or an ATM in the venue or via a text message or via a website.

[0009] Embodiments of the invention are advantageous in that they employ the convenience of digital wallet technology as a means of holding and of transferring funds between a digital wallet of a user and a gaming wallet of the user maintained by a venue. Embodiments are advantageous in that they are configured for verifying that identification data received at the digital wallet is associated with a user gaming account. Embodiments are advantageous in that they are configured for verifying that identification data received at the digital wallet is associated with a user gaming account that has not previously been linked to another user financial account. Embodiments are advantageous in that they are configured for verifying that the user financial account associated with the digital wallet has not previously been linked to another user gaming account.

[00010] Preferably, processing the identification data includes determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement.

[00011] In embodiments, determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement includes determining that the user gaming account is not linked to another financial account.

[00012] In embodiments, determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement includes determining that the identification data is not linked to another user gaming account.

[00013] In embodiments, determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement includes determining that there are no pending transactions to the user gaming account associated with the identification data.

[00014] In embodiments, linking the digital wallet to the user gaming account includes linking a user financial account associated with the digital wallet to the user gaming account.

[00015] Preferably, linking the financial account further includes receiving in the digital wallet a unique code and verifying the unique code with the venue server to verify that the user is the owner of the gaming account.

[00016] In embodiments, linking the financial account further includes receiving in the digital wallet a unique code and verifying the unique code with a financial institution server for verifying that the user is the owner of the financial account.

[00017] In embodiments, receiving the identification data includes capturing data from a magnetic strip or an NFC chip embedded in a card.

[00018] In embodiments, receiving the identification data includes receiving a unique identifier at the digital wallet.

[00019] In embodiments, receiving the identification data includes scanning a machine-readable code.

[00020] In embodiments, the machine-readable code includes a QR code or a barcode.

[00021] In embodiments, receiving the identification data includes receiving a one time alphanumeric code.

[00022] In embodiments, the digital wallet communicates with a venue server and with a financial institution server to cause a transfer of funds between a venue financial account and a user financial account maintained by the financial institution server.

[00023] In embodiments, the digital wallet causes the financial institution server to transfer an amount of funds electronically from the user financial account to a venue financial account associated with the venue server and causes the venue server to credit the amount to the user gaming account maintained in the venue server.

[00024] In embodiments, the digital wallet causes the venue server to transfer an amount of funds electronically from the venue financial account to the user financial account and causes the venue server to debit the amount from the user gaming account maintained in the venue server.

[00025] In embodiments, the digital wallet causes transfers of funds between the venue financial account and the user financial account in response to a user selection.

[00026] In embodiments, the digital wallet causes transfers of funds between the venue financial account and the user financial account in response to receiving instructions from an application executed in a mobile device.

[00027] In embodiments, the digital wallet causes transfers of funds between the venue financial account and the user financial account in response to receiving instructions from a venue device, including any one or more of a venue kiosk device, a venue ATM device or another venue device.

[00028] Preferably, the digital wallet or the venue server applies a rules-based function to the amount of funds to be transferred. In embodiments, the rules-based function is an if-then or if-or-then rule.

[00029] In embodiments, the rules-based function includes determining if the amount is above or below a threshold.

[00030] In embodiments, the method includes receiving at the digital wallet a user selection to unlink the user financial account associated with the digital wallet and the user gaming account.

[00031] Preferably, in response to receiving an unlink selection the digital wallet unlinks the user financial account associated with the digital wallet and the user gaming account associated with the identification data.

[00032] Preferably, in response to receiving an unlink selection the digital wallet causes the server maintaining the venue financial account to transfer an amount of funds electronically from the venue financial account to the user financial account.

[00033] In another aspect, the invention provides a digital wallet system for interfacing with a gaming account of a user maintained in a venue, the system including: a venue server for maintaining a user account into which a user can deposit funds for use as credit for gaming on an electronic gaming machine in the venue; a digital wallet server for maintaining a digital wallet of a user; wherein the digital wallet is configured for receiving and processing identification data in relation to the user gaming account for linking the digital wallet to the user gaming account associated with the identification data.

[00034] Preferably, processing the identification data includes determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement.

[00035] In embodiments, the identification data is captured from a magnetic strip or an NFC chip embedded in a card.

[00036] In embodiments, the digital wallet links a user financial account associated with the digital wallet to the user gaming account.

[00037] In embodiments, the digital wallet communicates with a venue server and with a financial institution server to cause a transfer of funds between a venue financial account and the user financial account maintained by the financial institution server.

[00038] In embodiments, an application executed in a user operated computing device is operable to cause the digital wallet server to receive the identification data in relation to the user account maintained in a venue server.

[00039] Preferably, the application executed in the user operated computing device is configured to receive through a user interface a user selection to initiate the request to transfer funds from the venue account server to the digital wallet server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[00040] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[00041] Figure 1 illustrates a diagram illustrating components of a digital wallet system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[00042] Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[00043] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram illustrating components of a digital wallet system and a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00044] The present invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating the use of a digital wallet of a user to link a financial account of a user with an existing account of a user with a venue such as a hotel, club or a casino. Upon the establishment of the link the digital wallet is adapted to communicate with a venue server and with the user's financial institution server to cause transfers of funds between a financial account of the venue and the user financial account.

[00045] Examples of venues that operate systems for managing accounts of users include hotels, clubs or casinos. These venues frequently operate a system that enables a user to open an account and to deposit money which can be used as credit within the venue to purchase goods or services.

[00046] Such systems often employ the use of a user identification instrument such as a card which may include a magnetic strip and/or an NFC chip encoding information or a unique code or PIN. The user can purchase goods and/or services within the venue by presenting the user identification instrument to a suitably configured device in the venue such as a reader, keypad or touchscreen user interface on an electronic gaming machine (EGM), a kiosk, a point-of-sale terminal or another device in the venue.

[00047] Referring to figure 1, an embodiment of the invention is illustrated including a digital wallet system 10 adapted for use with systems operated by venues for managing user accounts with the venue (i.e. customer accounts).

[00048] The system 10 comprises a digital wallet server 20 and a venue gaming wallet server 40. The digital wallet server 20 and the venue gaming wallet server 40 are both connected to a data network 30 such as the Internet or a secure direct communication link.

[00049] The venue gaming wallet server 40 is configured to maintain the venue wallets or accounts of a plurality of users into which can be deposited money for funding the purchase of goods or services in the venue.

[00050] Exemplary devices in the venue through which goods or services may be purchased include an electronic gaming machine 50 and a point-of-sale terminal 55. The electronic gaming machine 50 and a point-of-sale terminal 90 are connected to a venue gaming wallet server 40 via a local network 44. The system 10 enables a user to purchase goods or services in the venue using credits in the user's account maintained by the venue server 20.

[00051] A user identification instrument comprising a card 90 which includes a magnetic strip and/or an NFC chip and/or a barcode encoding information linked to a user's account maintained in the venue gaming wallet server 40. The card 90 is a specific card used for gaming in the venue. In some instances, the card 90 may be used for other purposes such as in relation to a venue loyalty program, but not typically for purchasing goods or services.

[00052] In embodiments of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in Figure 2, the card 90 can be used to link a digital wallet of the user maintained by the digital wallet server 20 with the user's account maintained by the venue gaming wallet server 40. The identification data encoded in the card 90 is received or captured, for example by scanning a magnetic strip and/or an NFC chip and/or scanning a barcode on the card encoding information or by scanning a unique machine-readable code (e.g. QR code) or optionally entering a PIN or a one time only alphanumeric code into a user device such as a smartphone. The identification data is received 4 in a processor associated with the digital wallet, which may be a processor in a digital wallet server or in the user device or both.

[00053] The digital wallet processor verifies the identification data 6 and determines if the identification data meets a verification requirement. If the digital wallet processor determines that the identification data 6 does not meet the verification requirement 8 then the user account is not linked to the digital wallet. If the digital wallet processor determines that the identification data 6 does meet the verification requirement 12 then the user account is linked to the digital wallet 14.

[00054] A financial account of the user maintained in a financial institution server 70 is associated with the digital wallet. As will be described in further detail below, in embodiments the digital wallet server 20 communicates with the venue gaming wallet server 40 and with the financial institution server 70 to cause a transfer of funds between a venue financial account and the user financial account maintained by the financial institution server.

Network Connection

[00055] A data network connection 44 exists between the venue gaming wallet server 40 and the electronic gaming machines 50. In embodiments the venue gaming wallet server 40 and the electronic gaming machines 50 are co-located on the premises of the venue in which case the data network connection 44 is a local network connection.

[00056] Alternatively, the venue gaming wallet server 40 and the electronic gaming machines 50 are located remotely and the data network connection 44 between the gaming wallet server 40 and the electronic gaming machines 50 is the World Wide Web or a secure direct communication link.

[00057] Networks and network connections described herein may comprise connections through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), wireless data network e.g., WiFi, Wimax, 802.xx, mobile or cellular networks or the connection may be made to an external computer via third party supported networks (for example, through the World Wide Web using an Internet Service Provider).

[00058] A computer or device can include a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer, that can communicate wirelessly over data communications networks or may include a laptop, desktop or other computing device communicating through a wired or wireless connection over data communications networks.

Connection between wallet and EGM

[00059] The venue gaming wallet server 40 is connected via a network to the one or more electronic gaming machines 50. In embodiments, the venue gaming wallet server 40 and the electronic gaming machines 50 comprise part of a gaming machine network of a venue, such as a casino, hotel or club or other gaming machine venue.

Gaming Wallet Server

[00060] The venue gaming wallet server 40 can comprise a venue server that includes modules for carrying out various functions.

[00061] The venue gaming wallet server 40 can include a user account module for maintaining a list of user's registered with the venue and that includes a running total of each user's credit in their account with the venue for use as credit for gaming on electronic gaming machines 50 within the venue.

[00062] The venue gaming wallet server 40 can also be configured to include a loyalty module for maintaining a running total of each user's loyalty points or units that are redeemable for rewards or for other goods or services offered by the venue 45.

EGMs

[00063] One or more of the electronic gaming machines 50 are located in the venue. In embodiments, the venue is licensed by the relevant regulatory authority to possess and/or to offer electronic gaming machine services to the public through the electronic gaming machines 50. The venue gaming wallet server 40 is configured for sending and receiving data to the electronic gaming machines 50.

Gaming Credit Transfer

[00064] In response to a user 67 selection to transfer gaming credits from a gaming wallet of the user to an electronic gaming machine 50 in the venue, the venue gaming wallet server 40 is configured to send data indicative of the amount of user credits to be transferred from the user's venue wallet to the gaming machine 50.

[00065] Conversely, in response to a user 67 selecting to pay-out remaining credits on an electronic gaming machine 50 the venue gaming wallet server 40 is configured to receive data indicative of an amount of user credits transferred from the electronic gaming machine 50 to the user's venue wallet maintained in the venue gaming wallet server 40.

Digital Wallet Server

[00066] The digital wallet server 20 can comprise a remotely located or cloud-based server maintained by a digital wallet service provider 25. The digital wallet server 20 includes modules for carrying out various functions. The digital wallet server 20 can include a wallet module for maintaining digital wallets of one or more users.

[00067] Each digital wallet maintained by the wallet module of the digital wallet server is configured to maintain data about a user's digital wallet such as balances in one or more accounts maintained by the digital wallet server 20 or maintained remotely and linked to the user's digital wallet.

[00068] The digital wallet server 20 can also include a user interface module that is configured to interface via a network with a user's personal computing device 60 such as a smartphone, smartwatch or other computing device.

[00069] The digital wallet server 20 can also include a financial institution interface module that is configured to interface via a network with the financial institution server where the financial account of the user is maintained. Accordingly, each digital wallet maintained by the wallet module of the digital wallet server 20 is configured with connections, authentications and/or permissions enabling the digital wallet to execute transfers of funds to and/or from linked financial accounts of the user.

Mobile Device

[00070] The user's personal computing device 60 is configured to execute an application that is programmed to cause the computing device 60 to display a user interface and to enable the computing device 60 to receive user selections through the user interface.

[00071] The user interface is configured to receive user selections to transfer funds to and/or from one or more accounts within or linked to the digital wallet of the user. Selections entered by the user into the user interface cause the application executed in the computing device 60 to transmit instructions to the digital wallet server 20.

[00072] In response to receiving instructions from the user's computing device 60 the wallet module and/or the financial institution interface module are adapted to transmit instructions to the financial institution server 70 which causes funds to be transferred to or from accounts of the user maintained in the server 70 according to the user selection.

Transfers Between Digital Wallet and Gaming Wallet

[00073] Embodiments of the system 10 are particularly adapted to facilitate transfers from the one or more financial accounts linked to the user's digital wallet to the user's venue account or wallet to use as credit for gaming activities on electronic gaming machines 50.

[00074] Conversely, embodiments of the system 10 are adapted to facilitate transfers from the user's venue account or wallet to the one or more accounts linked to the user's digital wallet, including an amount in the user's venue wallet paid out from an electronic gaming machine 50.

[00075] The user can enter a selection using the application executed in the user's computing device 60 to cause such transfers between the digital wallet and the venue wallet of the user.

Rules Based Function

[00076] In embodiments, the digital wallet server 20 is configured to receive and to interrogate transaction requests received from the venue gaming wallet server 40 and to allocate funds received from the gaming wallet into one or more accounts linked to the digital wallet according to a rules based function. In embodiments, the systems and methods are adapted to allocate funds between at least two accounts according to a rule that is determined to satisfy a rule prescribed by regulation or a user defined rule.

[00077] In an embodiment, the digital wallet server 20 is configured to execute a combination of an if-then or if-or-then rule wherein if the amount to be transferred from the venue wallet to the digital wallet of the user is greater than a threshold then the digital wallet server 20 may reject the transfer or take some other action.

[00078] In embodiments, the digital wallet server 20 is configured to record a ledger entry indicative of amount of funds transferred between (i.e. to or from) the venue wallet and the digital wallet. The digital wallet server 20 is configured to cause the digital wallet application 65 executed in the user device 60 to display a balance of funds in the user's venue wallet and/or digital wallet.

Methods

Transfer from Digital Wallet to Gaming Wallet

[00079] Embodiments of the method will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 wherein a user 67 has an account with a venue 45 in which the user 67 can deposit funds to be used as credits for gaming on an electronic gaming machine in the venue. The user 67 wishing to link the venue account to a digital wallet 25 of the user 67 and, in turn, with a financial account maintained with a financial institution 75 that is linked to the digital wallet 25, causes identification information associated with the user's venue account to be captured 101 in the user device 60.

[00080] In an exemplary embodiment, the identification data includes data encoded in a magnetic strip or an NFC chip embedded in a card. Identification information is captured in the user device 60 by way of a magnetic strip or an NFC chip reader either in the user device 60 or in another device in the venue, such as a kiosk or ATM or a POS machine.

[00081] In another exemplary embodiment, the identification data includes a unique identifier such as an alphanumeric code or PIN that the user enters into the user device via a user interface. In another exemplary embodiment, the identification data includes data derived from a machine-readable code such as a QR code or a barcode that the user device scans such as with an on-board camera and that is decoded using software executed in the user device or in a remote server or in a cloud computing environment.

[00082] The captured identification data is transmitted 105 from the user device 60 to the digital wallet server 20 that maintains the digital wallet 25 of the user 67. The identification data is processed by way of the digital wallet server 20 communicating 120 with the venue gaming wallet server 40 to determine if the identification data meets a verification requirement. Determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement includes interrogating the venue gaming wallet server 40 to determine that: a) the user's venue account is not already linked to another financial account; b) the identification data is not linked to another venue user account; or c) there are no pending transactions to the venue user account associated with the identification data.

[00083] The venue gaming wallet server 40 communicates 150 with the digital wallet server 20 to confirm that the identification data meets the verification requirement. The digital wallet server 20 then proceeds to establish a link between the digital wallet 25 of the user maintained by the digital wallet server 20 with the user's account maintained in the venue gaming wallet server 40. The digital wallet server 20 communicates 155 with the digital wallet application executed in the user device 60 that the link is established and the digital wallet application 65 causes the user device to display 102 the establishment of the link to the user 67.

[00084] Once the link has been established the user 67 can transfer funds between the user's financial account maintained by the financial institution server 70 and the user's account with the venue 45. Referring to Figure 2, the user 67 enters a selection 103 into the user device 60 to transfer an amount of funds from the user's financial account linked to the digital wallet 25 to the user's venue wallet. The digital wallet application 65 communicates 157 with the digital wallet server 20 which in turn send an instruction to the financial institution server 106 of the user's financial institution 75 to initiate a transfer of funds with the financial institution server 80 of the venue's financial institution 86. The financial institution server 106 of the user's financial institution 75 communicates confirmation of the transfer 107 to the digital wallet server 20. The digital wallet server 20 updates the digital wallet 25 of the user 67 with the user's linked financial account balance.

[00085] The digital wallet server 20 communicates 175 with the venue gaming wallet server 40 to confirm that the financial institution server 70 has caused an amount to be transferred to the account managed by the gaming wallet server 40. The venue gaming wallet server 40 communicates a request 108 to the financial institution server to verify that the funds have been received and receives a confirmation of receipt 109 in reply. The venue gaming wallet server 40 credits the amount to the user account maintained in the venue gaming wallet server 40 and optionally this is communicated directly 198 to the digital wallet application 65 for display to the user 159. Alternatively, data indicative of the account balance of the user account maintained in the venue server 40 is communicated indirectly through the digital wallet server 20.

Transfer from Gaming Wallet to EGM

[00086] In an embodiment of the method, the user 67 enters a selection 160 into the user device 60 for an amount in the user's gaming wallet balance to be transferred to an electronic gaming machine 50 for a gameplay session. The digital wallet application 65 transmits the user selection 162 to the digital wallet server 20 which in turn transmits 164 the user selection to the gaming wallet server 40 to transfer 130 the selected amount of the user's balance to be deposited into the gaming machine 560.

[00087] In embodiments, the process of the user 67 entering a selection 160 into the user device 60 for an amount to be transferred to an electronic gaming machine 50 for a gameplay session includes communication between the user device and the gaming machine 50 through wireless communication via an NFC chip or a barcode (e.g. QR code) displayed on one device and scanned by the other device.

[00088] The EGM 50 communicates with the venue gaming wallet server 40 to update the venue wallet of the user 67 with the user's venue account balance following any allocation of credit to a gaming machine 50.

Cash-Out

[00089] When the user 67 is finished with the gameplay session and decides to 'cash-out' of the gaming machine 50, the user 67 enters a cash-out selection into the gaming machine 50. The gaming machine 50 communicates 144 with the venue gaming wallet server 40 for the return of the amount remaining in credit in the gaming machine 50 to the user's venue wallet.

[00090] The venue gaming wallet server 40 again communicates the user's updated venue wallet account balance 150 to the digital wallet server 20. The digital wallet server 20 communicates the updated balance 155 to the user device 60 and the digital wallet application 65 executed in the user device 60 displays the user's updated venue wallet balance 102 to the user 67.

Transfer Funds from Venue Wallet to Digital Wallet

[00091] The user 67 may enter a selection 160 in the user device 60 to select that part or all of the amount in the user's venue wallet be returned to the user's digital wallet. The digital wallet application 65 transmits the user selection 162 to the digital wallet server 20 which in turn transmits 164 the user selection to the venue gaming wallet server 40.

[00092] The venue gaming wallet server 40 communicates 110 with the venue financial institution server 80 to cause an amount of funds to be transmitted to the user's financial account maintained by the financial institution server 70 linked to the user's digital wallet.

[00093] In an embodiment, the venue gaming wallet server 40 may stage a transaction for part or all of the amount in the user's gaming wallet to be returned to the user's digital wallet. Staging the transaction includes the venue gaming wallet server 40 communicating 165 data indicative of the proposed transaction which data is received by the digital wallet server 20.

[00094] The digital wallet server 20 is configured to receive and to interrogate the proposed transaction request data received from the gaming wallet server 40 according to an if-then rule based function. In an embodiment, the digital wallet server determines if the proposed amount to be transferred is above or below a threshold, say $5,000. The digital wallet server 20 will then communicate with the gaming wallet server 166 to confirm that the transaction will be accepted and should be completed.

[00095] The venue gaming wallet server 40 then instructs 110 the venue's financial institution server 80 to complete the transaction to transfer the proposed amount to the user's financial account maintained by the financial institution server 70 and linked to the user's digital wallet. The venue's financial institution server 80 then sends a communication 111 to the gaming wallet server 40 to confirm completion of the transfer and the venue gaming wallet server 40 in turn updates the venue wallet balance of the user 67.

[00096] The financial institution server 70 maintaining the user's financial account communicates 112 with the digital wallet server 20 to confirm that funds have been received in the financial account linked to the user's digital wallet 25.

[00097] The digital wallet server 20 again communicates the user's updated digital wallet account balance 155 to the user device 60 and the digital wallet application 65 executed in the user device 60 displays the user's updated gaming wallet balance 102 to the user 67.

Summary of Main Embodiments

[00098] In embodiments, the system and method of the invention is adapted to enable a user to link a venue account maintained in a venue gaming wallet server 40 with a digital wallet 25 maintained in a digital wallet server 20. The venue account may be an account that the user can deposit funds for use as credit for gaming on an electronic gaming machine 50 in the venue.

[00099] The venue system may employ the use of a user identification instrument such as a card which may include a magnetic strip and/or an NFC chip encoding information. The user can link the user's digital wallet 25 and the user's venue account by entering into a user device, such as a smartphone, user identification data associated with the user's venue account. The user identification data is derived from the card, such as by scanning an NFC chip or magnetic strip embedded in the card. In other embodiments, the user identification data is derived from unique user identification information such as a machine-readable barcode (e.g. QR code) or a one-time alphanumeric code displayed to the user on a kiosk or an ATM in the venue or via a text message or via a website.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of operating a digital wallet to interface with a gaming account of a user maintained in a venue, the method including: receiving at the digital wallet identification data in relation to a user gaming account maintained in a venue server; processing the identification data received at the digital wallet; and linking the digital wallet to the user gaming account associated with the identification data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the identification data includes determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement.

3. The method of claim 3, wherein determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement includes determining that the user gaming account is not linked to another financial account.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement includes determining that the identification data is not linked to another user gaming account.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement includes determining that there are no pending transactions to the user gaming account associated with the identification data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein linking the financial account further includes receiving in the digital wallet a unique code and verifying the unique code with the venue server to verify that the user is the owner of the gaming account.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein linking the financial account further includes receiving in the digital wallet a unique code and verifying the unique code with a financial institution server for verifying that the user is the owner of the financial account.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the identification data includes capturing data from a magnetic strip or an NFC chip embedded in a card.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the identification data includes receiving a unique identifier at the digital wallet.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the identification data includes scanning a machine-readable code.

11. The method of claim 12, wherein the machine-readable code includes a QR code or a barcode.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the identification data includes receiving a one-time alphanumeric code.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital wallet communicates with a venue server and with a financial institution server to cause a transfer of funds between a venue financial account and the user financial account maintained by the financial institution server.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital wallet causes the financial institution server to transfer an amount of funds electronically from the user financial account to a venue financial account associated with the venue server and causes the venue server to credit the amount to the user gaming account maintained in the venue server.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital wallet causes the venue server to transfer an amount of funds electronically from the venue financial account to the user financial account and causes the venue server to debit the amount from the user gaming account maintained in the venue server.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital wallet causes transfers of funds between the venue financial account and the user financial account in response to a user selection.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital wallet causes transfers of funds between the venue financial account and the user financial account in response to receiving instructions from an application executed in a mobile device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital wallet causes transfers of funds between the venue financial account and the user financial account in response to receiving instructions from a venue device, including any one or more of a venue kiosk device, a venue ATM device or another venue device.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the digital wallet or the venue server applies a rules-based function to the amount of funds to be transferred, comprising an if-then or an if-or-then rule.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the rules-based function includes determining if the amount is above or below a threshold.

21. The method of claim 1, including receiving at the digital wallet a user selection to unlink the user financial account associated with the digital wallet and the user gaming account.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein in response to receiving an unlink selection the digital wallet unlinks the user financial account associated with the digital wallet and the user gaming account associated with the verified identification data.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein in response to receiving an unlink selection the digital wallet causes the server maintaining the venue financial account to transfer an amount of funds electronically from the venue financial account to the user financial account.

24. A digital wallet system for interfacing with a gaming account of a user maintained in a venue, the system including: a venue server for maintaining a user account into which a user can deposit funds for use as credit for gaming on an electronic gaming machine in the venue the purchase of goods or services in a venue; a digital wallet server for maintaining a digital wallet of a user; wherein the digital wallet is configured for receiving and processing identification data in relation to the user gaming account for linking the digital wallet to the user gaming account associated with the identification data.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein processing the identification data includes determining if the identification data meets a verification requirement.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the identification data is captured from a magnetic strip or an NFC chip embedded in a card.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the digital wallet links a user financial account associated with the digital wallet to the user gaming account.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the digital wallet communicates with a venue server and with a financial institution server to cause a transfer of funds between a venue financial account and the user financial account maintained by the financial institution server.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein an application executed in a user operated computing device is operable to cause the digital wallet server to receive the identification data in relation to the user account maintained in a venue server.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein the application executed in the user operated computing device is configured to receive through a user interface a user selection to initiate the request to transfer funds from the venue account server to the digital wallet server.