BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a procedure and a system for the pay-out of credit by means of automatic gaming machines. 
     The invention refers to a procedure as well as a system for the pay-out of credit. Such procedures and systems are advantageously applied in the area of automatic gaming, such as in casinos or in amusement arcades. 
     In the present state of technology many different procedures and systems are known for the execution of cashless gaming transactions in the case of automatic gaming machines. In particular automatic gaming machines are known which are operated with a specific credit paid by the player in advance. Thereby a specific credit is specified for the automatic gaming machine, which can be paid directly into the automatic machine in coins or notes, but also by inserting or introducing a ticket in the automatic gaming machine or also by introducing a chip card in the automatic gaming machine. Tickets or chip cards can, for example, be issued by an employee of the casino or by the automatic machine after paying a specific amount of credit. On both the chip card as well as on the ticket a specific amount of money for the automatic gaming machine is stored in readable form. 
     Alternatively the amount of money can also be stored in a central server which is connected to the individual automatic gaming machines, wherein the ticket only shows a code which refers to a memory space on the server where the respective amount of money is stored. 
     With the above-mentioned procedure of networking of automatic gaming machines there is also the possibility that the player receives a ticket or his chip card from the automatic machine wherein either directly on the ticket or on the chip card or on a central server the respective credit of the player is stored. 
     If the player wants to terminate the game although he still has credit available, he can effectuate the pay-out of his credit by the actuation of a pay-out unit. The pay-out occurs either through an immediate cash pay-out, by the issuing of a new ticket with a newly printed out credit amount, or by storage on the chip card. 
     On the other hand in order to be able to access the credit the player can insert the ticket or the stored chip card into the same automatic gaming machine or into any other automatic machine and start another game. 
     If networks are used the respective ticket only contains a code, for example a reference to a memory space in the server where the respective amount of money is stored. When the ticket is read by the automatic gaming machine, the automatic gaming machine transfers the code to the server and receives the respective amount of money from the server. 
     Such a procedure allows for a fast transfer of larger amounts of money without the player having to carry money himself, if applicable, also motivating the player to place higher stakes. Furthermore it can be thereby avoided that each individual player has to carry a large amount of change, unless rounded stakes or winnings or credit are paid or paid back. Furthermore, this advantageous procedure also means that the installation of coin output devices on each single automatic gaming machine can be avoided. 
     There is however the considerable disadvantage with conventional automatic gaming machines that the tickets read are kept in the automatic gaming machine itself. In order to avoid the automatic machine from overfilling the collected original tickets are removed from the automatic gaming machine from time to time. 
     The task is therefore to simplify the maintenance of the individual automatic machines, in particular to avoid a regular emptying of the container with the original tickets read of the automatic machines and at the same time undertake a recording of the achieved scores, which is difficult to manipulate. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention foresees a procedure for the pay-out of credit by means of a system comprising a server and a number of automatic gaming machines connected to the server and operable by a player, wherein at least one automatic gaming machine features one game unit and one pay-out unit operable by a player for the pay-out of credit. It is thereby foreseen that
         the game unit allows the execution of a game with the presence of credit,   with presence of credit and operation of the pay-out unit a dataset is transferred to the server comprising the amount of credit,   the dataset upon its receipt to the server is stored and in the event of a successful storage a release dataset is returned to the automatic gaming machine,   upon receipt of the release dataset at the respective automatic gaming machine a confirmation ticket is made available and dispensed to the player,   wherein the dataset will be kept available for the print-out by the server.       

     With these advantageous features the maintenance of the automatic gaming machine is considerably simplified. In particular the time and cost consuming scanning of the tickets in the automatic machines can be eliminated completely. 
     A further advantage is that, for example, in the case of a mistake when reading the tickets into the automatic gaming machine a comparatively simple traceability and ascertainment of the amount to be paid for the player is possible. 
     For the avoidance of waste paper in the automatic machines it can further be foreseen that for the confirmation of a credit a preferentially reprintable confirmation ticket showing at least information about the credit before the execution of a game is read and subsequently at least information about the credit on the confirmation ticket is deleted or removed and a new imprint corresponding, if applicable, to the dataset and/or the release dataset is printed on the confirmation ticket. 
     For the advantageous storage of the tickets in printed and/or electronic form it can be foreseen that the dataset is printed on a printer connected to the server and/or that the dataset is included in an electronic permanent document stored in the server, which is kept available for print-out. 
     For the increase of security of the automatic gaming machines and the reduction of the possibilities of manipulation by the player it can be foreseen that the dataset in the period between the receipt of the dataset to the server and the transmission of the release dataset at the automatic gaming machine is printed out and/or is included at the end of the electronic document. 
     For the simplification of the machine readability of the printed out or stored receipts it can be foreseen that the dataset is at least partially printed out on the printer in the form of a barcode or included in the electronic document. 
     For the improvement of the allocation between individual players, winnings and credit as well as recording the gaming behaviour of individual players it can be foreseen that the release dataset or the confirmation ticket, in particular in the form of a barcode, is printed by the automatic gaming machine and/or that the release dataset or the confirmation ticket is stored on a storage medium, in particular a chip card, in data link with the automatic gaming machine and allocated to the automatic gaming machine. 
     Furthermore it can be foreseen that for the confirmation of a credit, preferentially a reprintable confirmation ticket is read prior to the start of game and after the end of the game the confirmation ticket is deleted or destroyed and a new imprint corresponding, if applicable, to either the dataset and/or the release dataset is printed on the confirmation ticket. 
     Hereby the number of the tickets in circulation can be reduced enormously. In particular no tickets are in circulation or available in the automatic gaming machines that no longer have validity. Hereby on the one hand the emptying of the automatic machines is rendered superfluous, on the other hand there are no tickets in circulation that have become invalid, which reduces substantially the danger of fraud. 
     In order to achieve a safe destruction of confirmation tickets it can be foreseen that for the confirmation of a credit a preferentially reprintable confirmation ticket is read prior to the start of the game and after the end of the game the confirmation ticket is destroyed and stored in the respective automatic gaming machine, and, if applicable, compressed and a new confirmation ticket is issued on which, if applicable, a new imprint corresponding to the dataset and/or release dataset is printed. 
     For the reduction of possibilities of manipulation it can be foreseen that
         the dataset received by the server and the release dataset generated following the receipt of the dataset are stored in the server in a manner relatable to another and/or   further information, such as a respective identifying information of the automatic gaming machine transferring the dataset and/or the time and/or the date of pay-out of the credit, is added on the dataset.       

     In order to avoid multiple pay-outs it can be foreseen that after the storage of the dataset in the server or after the printing out of the dataset by the server or after issuing the confirmation ticket by the automatic gaming machine the credit is deleted and the automatic gaming machine is, if applicable, prepared for the execution of a new game. 
     Furthermore the invention relates to a system for the pay-out and confirmation of credit comprising a server and a number of automatic gaming machines connected to the server and operable by a player,
         wherein at least one automatic gaming machine features a game unit and a pay-out unit for the confirmation of a credit in the form of confirmation tickets; and   wherein the game unit facilitates the execution of a game with the presence of credit; and   wherein the automatic gaming machine features a machine-side sender unit for the release of a dataset containing the credit to the server in the event of actuation of the pay-out unit by the player during the simultaneous presence of a credit, and   wherein the server features a server-side receiver unit for the receipt of the dataset as well as a database for the filing of the dataset, and   wherein the server features an examination unit downstream of the server-side receiver unit, which examines the storage of the dataset, and   wherein the server features a server-side sender unit which in the event of a successful examination of the storage of the dataset by the examination unit sends a release dataset to the automatic gaming machine, and   wherein the automatic gaming machine features a machine-side receiver unit for the receipt of the release dataset and an output unit, wherein with the receipt of the release dataset in the respective automatic gaming machine via the output unit a confirmation ticket is available and dispensable to the player, and   wherein the server contains a print storage, which has the dataset available for printout.       

     Hereby it can be particularly foreseen that the automatic gaming machine features a reading device for the reading of tickets or of chip cards, wherein, if applicable, the reading device and the output unit are integrated in a common device, and wherein the common device is designed either for the deletion and the renewed writing or the removal of the imprint and the subsequent renewed imprinting of the confirmation ticket. 
     Furthermore it can be foreseen that the server is connected with a printer, wherein the server features a print control unit, which after receipt of the dataset initiates the print-out of the respective dataset by the printer. 
     This facilitates a simple archiving of the printed out pay-out confirmations. 
     Furthermore it can be foreseen that the pay-out unit features a ticket printer for the print-out of the release dataset or the confirmation ticket on a ticket carrier body, for example paper, or a chip card writing device for the storage of the release dataset or the confirmation ticket on a chip card and/or that the automatic gaming machine features a reading device for the reading of tickets or chip cards. 
     Hereby the reading or the issuing of tickets to the individual player is facilitated in an advantageous manner. 
     Advantageously the reading device and the output unit are integrated in a common device. This simplifies the operability. 
     This common device is designed in a preferred embodiment of the invention for the deletion and renewed rewriting of the confirmation ticket. Hereby the number of the tickets in circulation can be reduced enormously. In particular no tickets are in circulation or available in the automatic gaming machines that are no longer valid. Hereby on the one hand the emptying of the automatic machines is rendered superfluous, on the other hand there are no tickets in circulation that have become invalid, which reduces substantially the danger of fraud. 
     In order to achieve a simple structure of an automatic gaming machine and to achieve a safe destruction of confirmation tickets it can be foreseen that the automatic gaming machine features both a reading device and an output unit, wherein the output unit features a ticket printer for the print-out of the confirmation ticket on a ticket carrier body, for example paper, and wherein the reading device features a reading unit for the reading of the dataset stored on the confirmation ticket and the reading device features a destruction unit, in particular in the manner of a document shredder for the destruction of the confirmation tickets and, if applicable, a collection container for the collection of the destroyed confirmation tickets. 
     For the improved traceability of winnings and credit transfers as well as the traceability of activities of individual players it can be foreseen that a database for the saving of the received datasets, wherein each dataset is allocated to a credit, if applicable, also to other information such as an identification number of the automatic gaming machine, the time of the winnings and the date of the winnings. 
     For the increase of safety against manipulation of the system it can be foreseen that an encoding unit is upstream of the server-side or machine-side sender unit, which encodes the release dataset or the received dataset in accordance with specified criteria and the established encoded value is made available to the server-side or machine-side sender unit, wherein the encoded value is contained in the dataset or in the release dataset. 
     Advantageously it is hereby foreseen that a decoding unit is downstream of the machine-side or server-side receiver unit for the decoding of the release dataset or the dataset. 
     In addition for further increase of the safety of the system as well as the improved traceability of the gaming behaviour of individual players it can be foreseen that a further dataset is foreseen, in which the release datasets are stored, wherein an allocation between each dataset and the respective release dataset generated following the receipt of this dataset is stored, and/or that respectively a dataset and the release dataset generated following the receipt of this dataset are combined in one common dataset and stored in the database. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic embodiment of the system according to invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows the front view of the automatic gaming machine. 
         FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram with the sequential control of the pay-out. 
         FIG. 4  shows a flow diagram for the central ticket printout. 
         FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram for the print of the confirmation printout. 
         FIG. 6  shows schematically the process of the print-out in detail. 
         FIG. 7  shows schematically the structure of an automatic gaming machine. 
         FIG. 8  shows schematically the structure of the server. 
         FIG. 9  shows schematically the structure of a database stored in the memory. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following the invention will be presented based on a preferred embodiment without limitation to the general inventive idea. 
     A preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  of a system according to invention contains a server  1  as well as a number of automatic gaming machines  2  connected thereto. The automatic gaming machines  2  are connected with the server  1  by means of a network  6  and the respective interfaces  27 ,  28 . The network  6 , the server  1  and the automatic gaming machines  2  are dimensioned in such a manner that the server  1  can even then process received datasets when all the automatic gaming machines  2  transfer datasets to the server simultaneously. Regarding network  6  there can be either a wired or wireless network. 
     In principle the communication between the server  1  and the one of the automatic gaming machines  2  respectively occurs always in the same manner. The server  1  is thereby designed in such a manner that it can interact with all of the automatic gaming machines  2  almost simultaneously and can record the pay-out of the individual automatic gaming machines  2  simultaneously. 
     A credit can be entered in different ways in the automatic gaming machines  2 . Either the money can be inserted directly into the automatic gaming machine or chip cards or confirmation tickets can be introduced into a reader unit  25 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a server  1  which is connected via a data link  6  with various automatic gaming machines. Apart from these illustrated automatic gaming machines  2  a number of further automatic gaming machines, which are not illustrated, can be connected via the network  6 . A typical automatic gaming machine is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The automatic gaming machine  2  depicted in  FIG. 2  forms a stationary unit in the shape of a stand-alone device and comprises an approximately head-high, broadly-speaking box-shaped house, of which the upper part serves for the inclusion of a display unit  30 , that consists in the illustrated embodiment of two extensive visual display units  31  and  32  arranged on top of each other. As shown in  FIG. 2  the two visual display units  31  and  32  are inclined at an obtuse angle to each other, wherein the upper visual display unit  31  extends substantially vertically, while the lower visual display unit  32  is arranged in a gradient manner inclined towards the player. Below the visual display units  31  and  32  the housing of the automatic gaming machine  2  features a control panel section protruding towards the player that extends across the entire width of the device housing and is designed substantially in a box-shaped manner. In the illustrated embodiment the mentioned control panel unit connects continuously inclined in approximately the same direction to the housing section, that includes the lower visual display unit  32 . 
     The upper side of the control panel section houses the control panel  35  that contains various operating buttons  35  to be actuated by hand, for example in the form of press keys. Hereby mechanic switches or control panels of a touch screen or also other operational elements can be foreseen. 
     The games displayable on the visual display units  31  and/or  32  are controlled by an electric control device (preferentially arranged inside the housing) preferentially in the form of a computer, which in the present case is incorporated inside the housing in its lower section. The mentioned control device controls thereby on the one hand the display unit  30  and communicates on the other hand with the control keys of the control panel  35 , wherein also further functional components such as a winnings distribution unit, a money insertion unit and a money examination device can be controlled by the control device. 
     The server  1  is preferentially placed in a separately secured room  200 , which is separated from the room  201 , where the automatic gaming machines are, and which is as a rule not accessible to the player. The server  1  is connected with a printer  5  and the server  1  further includes a memory for the storing of a database  15 ,  17  of datasets  41  and release datasets, which is explained in more detail below. 
     If a game is executed by a player or a user on one of the automatic gaming machines  2  the respective player has to pay a stake or a fee for the execution of the game. This fee can be paid in different ways and manners, either the money can be inserted directly into the automatic gaming machine  2  or cashless types of payment such as the reading of confirmation tickets  3  or of chip cards can be carried out. In each event the player is authorised with the payment of a certain fee or a certain stake to execute a game. Automatic gaming machine  2  contains a game unit  20  in which the respective credit balance  102  of the player is stored. The credit  102  can vary according to the outcome of the game. If the player wins the game, then his credit  102  can be increased or free or bonus games can be granted. If the player loses the game or if the game is a fee-based game whose fee is raised irrespective of the outcome of the game, the credit balance  102  of the player diminishes. 
     In this context it is advantageous that the player can execute an almost unlimited number of games in succession without money transactions between the player and the automatic gaming machine needing to take place. It is therefore also possible to store particularly small amounts of money or non-round amounts of money in the automatic gaming machine and to pay out the remaining credit  102 —if still existing—to the player only after the conclusion of a number of games. 
     In the following a detailed procedure of the pay-out of the credit  102  to the player, as illustrated in the  FIGS. 3 to 6 , set forth 
     The credit  102  is, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , stored in a memory of the game unit  20 . By activating a pay-out unit  21 , ( FIG. 3 , step  60 ) of either a real or virtual (via the touch screen) key or control button or lever the player makes it understood that he wants to end playing the game at the respective automatic gaming machine  2  and that he wants to have his remaining credit  102 , for example, on a paper strip with a corresponding imprint showing the credit  102 . 
     To this purpose the following steps are carried out: 
     The automatic gaming machine  2  creates a dataset  41 , wherein the dataset  41  contains the credit  102  of the player as well as, if applicable, further information, for example the time of pay-out, an identification  101  of the automatic gaming machine  2 , the amount of the winnings  103  and/or the loss on this automatic gaming machine. ( FIG. 3 , branch Y) This dataset  41  is transferred to a sender unit  23  situated in the automatic gaming machine  2  ( FIG. 3 , step  61 ), which transfers the dataset  41  via the network  6  to the server  1 . The sender unit  23  dispenses the dataset  41  containing the credit  102  to the server  1 . 
     In this advantageous embodiment of the invention it is foreseen that a dataset  41 , transferred by the request for pay-out by the player to the server  1 , is transferred in an encoded manner from the automatic gaming machine  2  to the server  1 . In this event the automatic gaming machine  2  features a decoding unit (not illustrated in the figure), which is upstream of the machine-side sender unit  23 . 
     The dataset  41  is received by a receiver unit  11  on the server-side of the server  1  (compare  FIG. 8 ). The server  1  features an examination unit  13  downstream of the server-side receiver unit  11 , which initially assesses the dataset  41  in terms of regularity, completeness and authenticity. 
     The server  1  features in this event a decoding unit (in the figures not illustrated in greater detail), which decodes the dataset transferred from the automatic gaming machine  2 . The encoding unit and the decoding unit have mutually corresponding codes, so that a decoded data transfer of the datasets  41  by the automatic gaming machine  2  to the server  1  is possible. An encoding is as a matter of course only optional, the system can also be operated without encoding. 
     For the imminent print-out on the printer  5  the received dataset  41  is converted by the examination unit  13  into a printable form, in the present particular embodiment a barcode  107  is created ( FIG. 4 , step  71 ). 
     The examination unit  13  initiates the storage ( FIG. 4 , step  72 ) of the dataset  41  in the database  15  and subsequently checks if the storage of the dataset  41  in the database  15  was successful. 
     In a further step the dataset  41  available in printable form is transferred to the printer memory  16  in the server  1  and is kept available therein for print-out and a print-out is initiated ( FIG. 4 , step  80 ). 
     As already mentioned, a printer  5  is connected with the server  1 , wherein the server  1  contains a print control unit  14  which after the receipt of the dataset  41  in the print memory  16  initiates the print-out of the respective dataset by the printer  5 . If a print-out exclusively on paper is to occur ( FIG. 5 , branch “N”), then the dataset  41  available in printable form in the printer memory  16  is printed ( FIG. 5 , step  83 ). 
     Alternatively an “electronic print-out” ( FIG. 5 , branch “Y”) can be foreseen so that the dataset  41  available in printable form is included in an electronic print-out ( FIG. 5 , step  81 ) and is subsequently stored and kept available for a later print-out ( FIG. 5 , step  82 ). 
     The “electronic print-out” and the print-out via the printer  5  can also be performed simultaneously or consequently ( FIG. 5 , branch “B”). 
     After examination of the storage of the dataset  41  and, if applicable, the exclusively simple electronic print-out the credit  102  of the player can be deleted on the automatic gaming machine  2  ( FIG. 4 , step  73 ). In some countries the deletion of the credit  102  of the player is still not permitted at this moment so that the deletion can only occur in a step  62  after the print-out of the confirmation ticket  3  ( FIG. 3 , step  62 ). 
     If the storage of the dataset  41  in the database  15 ,  17  and, if applicable, the exclusively electronic print-out is confirmed, then the examination unit  13  generates a release dataset  42  which is transferred to a server-side sender unit  12  in the server  1  ( FIG. 3 , step  90 ). From the server-side sender unit  12  the release dataset  42  reaches via the network  6  the respective automatic gaming machine  2 . 
     The release dataset  42  contains a confirmation code  111  as well as, if applicable, further information, such as the amount of the credit  102 , an identification  101  of the respective automatic gaming machine  2  as well as additional information  112 , which as may be the case is to be printed out on the confirmation ticket  3 . 
     Additionally it can be foreseen that between the examination unit  13  and the server-side sender unit  12  a further (in the figures not illustrated in greater detail) encoding unit is arranged, which encodes the release dataset  42  and makes available the encoded value of its output to the server-side sender unit  12 . Although such a decoding is only optional it has in particular the advantage that access by non-authorised persons to the data transfer between server  1  and the automatic gaming machine  2  is prevented as far as possible. If the encoding unit is in the server then also the automatic gaming machines  2  have a corresponding decoding unit downstream of the machine-side receiver unit ( 24 ) which facilitates the decoding of the release dataset  42  released by the server  1 . If applicable, the server  1  can use a different code for the communication with each individual automatic gaming machine  2 . 
     With detection of the release dataset  42  an output unit  22  in the automatic gaming machine  2  initiates the output of the confirmation ticket  3 . The release dataset  42  is converted into a printable electronic document ( FIG. 6 , step  90 ). 
     If applicable, a confirmation can be sent to the server  1  which confirms the receipt of the release dataset  43 . In this event the server  1  registers the confirmation in the respective release dataset ( FIG. 6 , step  92 ). 
     The confirmation ticket  3  is in the present case generated by the output unit  22  ( FIG. 6 , step  93 ). The output unit  22  contains a ticket printer for the release of the data stored in the release dataset  42  to the ticket carrier body, for example paper, or a chip card writing device for the storage of the release dataset  42  on a chip card. 
     The confirmation ticket  3  contains a code as well as, if applicable, the other information stored in the release dataset  42 . In particular the amount of the credit is printed on the confirmation ticket  3  in a manner readable for humans. Advantageously the confirmation ticket  3  and the original ticket printed by the printer  5  have suitable identification information so that, if applicable, a simple comparison of both tickets is possible, for example in the event of a fault when reading the tickets into the automatic gaming machine  2 . These measures facilitate therefore, if applicable, a simple and quick clarification of the matter. 
     At the latest after a print-out of the confirmation ticket the credit  102  can be deleted by the respective automatic gaming machine as the player had received a confirmation ticket  3  for taking the credit  102 , which allows him the pay-out of the credit or the use of the credit for other automatic gaming machines  2  ( FIG. 3 , step  62 ). The credit stored in the automatic gaming machine will be deleted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the database  15  contains the datasets  41  received by the server  1 . In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 9  the respective dataset  41  as well as the release dataset allocated to the former  42  are stored as a common dataset in the database  15 . 
     Alternatively an additional database  17  could be foreseen (as in  FIG. 8  shown in dotted lines), wherein this additional database  17  contains the release dataset  42 , wherein the datasets  41  received by the server  1  are stored in the database  15 . Between the two databases  15 ,  17  an unambiguous allocation of one dataset  41  and one release dataset  42  respectively is created, for example via a common code or an allocation table, so that for each stored dataset  41  a stored release dataset  42  is reversibly clearly allocated. 
     The datasets  41  contain preferentially an identification  101  for the automatic gaming machine  2  via which the player initiates the respective pay-out of the credit  102 , the credit  102 , furthermore the time  104  and the date  105  of the actuation of the pay-out unit  21 , if applicable, the winnings/loss  103  during the game on the automatic gaming machine  2  as well as, if applicable, the length of play on the respective automatic gaming machine  2 . If need be, a clearly allocatable identification  106  of the player can be given, which is stored by the confirmation ticket  3  read in the automatic gaming machine  2  and which is printed again on the next confirmation ticket  3  after the pay-out so that any placed transactions are stored in a comprehensible manner. 
     The release datasets  42  contain, apart from the content of the dataset  41  additionally a release password or a release code  111 , which facilitates a clear identification and addressing of the dataset  41  in the database  15  and thereby facilitates the access to the credit by a further automatic gaming machine  2 . 
     In particular the confirmation ticket  3  serves as voucher or advertising media. The release dataset  42  may also contain further, possibly randomly selected, voucher information  112  which, if applicable, is also imprinted on the confirmation ticket  3 . 
     The data to be printed on the confirmation ticket  3  are contained in the release dataset  42  or can be alternatively added by the automatic gaming machine  2 . The release dataset  42  is transferred by server-side sender unit  12  to the automatic gaming machine  2 , wherein the automatic gaming machine  2  features a machine-side receiver unit  24  for the receipt of the release dataset  42 . 
     More generally the reading device  25  and the output unit  22  can be designed as a common unit which reads as well as prints the confirmation ticket  3 . 
     Another not illustrated embodiment of the design uses reprintable confirmation tickets  3 . Again a common unit is used which features the functionality of the reading device  25  and the output unit  22 . In this regard reference is made to the U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,477, whose content is hereby included in this application. This common unit can be developed in the form of the ticket processing unit as illustrated in the FIG. 1 or FIG. 10 of the quoted patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,477. A confirmation ticket  3  inserted into the automatic gaming machine  2  for the purpose of the confirmation or the certification of the credit is deleted by the automatic gaming machine  2  and rewritten which leads to an additional economisation of the confirmation tickets  3  in circulation. A new confirmation ticket  3  is issued on the carrier of the respective confirmation ticket  3  which has already served for the confirmation of the credit necessary for the game. Each player has thus only one carrier which is deleted by each automatic gaming machine  2  after completion of the game and is newly imprinted. 
     Through the print-out of the datasets  41  on the printer  5  there is a recording of the player results which is difficult to manipulate, the confirmation tickets  3  can be overwritten or deleted without the recording of the game result getting lost. 
     Alternatively there is also the possibility to employ a not illustrated destruction unit downstream of the reading device  25  which destroys the imprinted confirmation ticket  3  after the end of the game. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the confirmation ticket  3  is shredded in a preferred embodiment of the invention in the manner of a document shredder into fine pieces of paper so that the imprint is no longer identifiable. 
     The individual pieces of paper are deposited in a collection container and are compressed therein. During or after the destruction of the confirmation ticket  3  a new confirmation ticket  3  is created by the output unit  22  onto which a new code is imprinted, which is determined by the respective dataset  41  or release dataset  42 . In such an event the output unit  22  has a paper feed unit where unprinted paper is stored, in particularly in a coiled manner. The paper feed unit forwards the unprinted paper, that is in particular available in form of a fanfold paper roll, to the output unit  22  which imprints the confirmation ticket  3  and imparts it to the user or dispenses it. 
     As an alternative to the fanfold paper roll the paper feed unit can be designed for holding available and forwarding pre-defined denominated paper sheets (similar to bank notes), wherein the paper sheets (tickets) are preferentially connected with each other by defined separators and are folded into a stack accordion-like. 
     The paper can be coated with a UV light sensitive chemical substance so that information on the paper can be deleted with irradiation by means of ultraviolet light. 
     Alternatively the paper can be coated with thermally sensitive substances. Such thermal printing paper has, for example, in an inactive state colourless dyes, so-called Leuco dyes, and a developer. The developer facilitates the activation of the dyes. The application of heat melts and combines these materials, i.e. their molecules bond in a chemical reaction. Leuco dyes which have connected with the developer produce, for example, black, blue and other colours. By a renewed separation of the coloured Leuco dyes and developers the colours are “deleted” again, i.e. the thereby displayed information gets lost. 
     Colouration and discolouration occur due to the difference of the effects of the temperature on the materials. The materials melt at a higher temperature T1 (for example 160° C.) and subsequent quenching. If the paper is heated again, but at a lower temperature T2, discolouration occurs. The usage of a thermo print head facilitates a selective application of temperature for areas in which colour is desired in order to produce, for example, text. The usage of a heating roll on the entire sheet of paper makes it possible to delete the text entirely. The process of imprinting and deleting can be carried out multiple times and can be repeated. 
     Alternatively there is the possibility, as illustrated in JP 2000154345 A (TOSHIBA), to use a deletable printing ink which after printing can be deleted by the effects of heat.
A method pays out credit via a system having a server and a number of game machines connected to the server and operated by a player. A game machine has a game unit and a payout unit that can be activated by a player for paying out a credit via a confirmation ticket or a data storage medium. When a credit is present, the game unit allows a game to be played, and when a credit is present and the payout unit is activated, a data set is transmitted to the server, the data set contains the amount of the credit. The data set is stored upon being deposited in the server, and a release data set is transmitted back to the game machine if the data set is stored. A confirmation ticket is provided when the release data set is deposited at the respective game machine, and the confirmation ticket is dispensed to the player.