A device for dispensing prizes includes a housing having a plurality of compartments,
a door attached to the housing for coving the compartments, and a lock for limiting
access to the compartments. The contents of the compartments are visible from the
outside. Each compartment contains a prize, such as a diamond. The housing may
be part of, or linked to, a gaming device. When a player wins a game, which entitles
the player to select a tangible award, the device signals this fact to the player.
The player then selects a compartment by pressing an input device located on the
housing. An attendant opens an external door, and inserts an electronic key into
a receptacle associated with the selected compartment, and enters a required code
into the key. The compartment then opens, and the player obtains the prize. The
device may also include an inventory control system which preferably uses an RFID
apparatus for monitoring the contents of each compartment, and for keeping records
of an inventory of prizes.
