A method and apparatus for collecting data in read-only manner from a
gaming system is disclosed. In one embodiment, during gaming machine use,
operation data regarding any aspect of a gaming machine is provided to a
record-only data collection device configured to temporarily interface
with a gaming machine that has or is suspected of a malfunction. Media
may be associated with the data collection device. Upon malfunction of
the gaming machine, the media or the data collection device and the
operation data stored thereon may be retrieved from the gaming machine.
The operation data may then be provided to any location or device and
analyzed to determine the malfunction's cause. In various other
configurations, the data collection device may be remote from the gaming
system and collect data over a radio or network link. The operation data
may comprise information collected for purposes other than gaming machine
malfunction monitoring.