Blockchain Mining on Electronic Gaming Machines for Progressive Jackpots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic gaming machines (EGMs) with linked progressives require additional hardware and central servers, increasing costs and potential security vulnerabilities, while traditional blockchain systems are not integrated with gaming environments.

Innovation Solution

A blockchain system that leverages the computing power of EGMs for proof of work tasks, using mining rewards to enhance progressive jackpots and potentially award cryptocurrency, eliminating the need for additional hardware and central servers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional linked progressive systems use additional hardware and central servers, then jackpot tracking and distribution can be achieved, but system complexity and security vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejackpot tracking reliabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical hardware system (progressive controllers, central servers, communication networks) with a cryptographic system based on blockchain technology. Each EGM independently validates jackpot transactions through cryptographic proof, eliminating the need for centralized hardware infrastructure while maintaining jackpot tracking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Each EGM autonomously participates in the progressive jackpot system by independently generating and validating cryptographic proofs of jackpot contributions and wins. The system is self-organizing through the blockchain network, with no central controller required, reducing hardware complexity while ensuring through decentralized consensus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If traditional progressive systems implement centralized server architecture, then jackpot management is simplified, but security vulnerabilities and regulatory compliance risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejackpot management easeVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized jackpot management function into distributed autonomous nodes (EGMs) that each independently validate and record jackpot transactions. This segmentation through blockchain technology eliminates single points of failure and security vulnerabilities associated with centralized servers while maintaining ease of operation through standardized cryptographic protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain network acts as an intermediary layer between EGMs, providing a trustless, decentralized mechanism for jackpot validation and distribution. This intermediary eliminates the need for vulnerable centralized servers while ensuring regulatory compliance through transparent, immutable transaction records that can be independently audited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If EGMs utilize computing power for proof of work computations, then mining rewards can enhance progressive jackpots, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejackpot valueVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes EGMs multi-functional by enabling them to simultaneously perform their primary gaming function and participate in blockchain proof-of-work computations. The same computing hardware used for game operations also contributes to mining rewards, which then fund progressive jackpots, avoiding the need for dedicated mining equipment and reducing overall energy waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the otherwise wasted computing power and energy consumption of EGMs (when not actively being played) into valuable mining rewards that fund progressive jackpots. This transforms idle computational resources into a benefit for the gaming system, enhancing jackpot values without requiring additional energy investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS12456349B2Gaming systems with blockchain jackpots

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A blockchain system comprising a plurality of electronic gaming devices configured to perform proof of work computations and a processor configured to: collect transaction data from a blockchain; create a block body that includes the transaction data; transmit a message to a set of electronic gaming devices that includes the block body; receive, from a first electronic gaming device, a success message that includes at least a nonce string; create a new block for the blockchain that includes at least the block body and the nonce string; transmit the new block into the blockchain, thereby causing the new block to be added to the blockchain; identify a mining reward on the blockchain based on the adding of the new block, the mining reward being in a first value of cryptocurrency supported by the blockchain; and increment a progressive jackpot by the first value, the progressive jackpot being provided in the cryptocurrency.