This invention relates to reprogramming of in-circuit programmable chips
installed in video lottery terminals (VLTs) by downloading electronic
information (software) to such chips. Encrypted electronic information is
downloaded from a host device to a gaming terminal through a
communications link. The terminal comprises a decryption component
configured for decrypting the encrypted electronic information using at
least two security keys, at least one said key being resident in the
terminal and at least another said key being delivered to the terminal at
the time of the downloading (the downloading facilitating a replacement
of existing software in terminal with corresponding decrypted software
obtained from decrypting the encrypted information). The encrypted
information transmitted to the terminal comprises at least one next
version key for later use by the decryption component in decrypting a
next version of encrypted electronic information. The non-resident key
may be provided to the terminal by means of an electronic plug-in
security key or provided through a secure network.