SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AWARDING REWARDS TO PLAYERS OF GAMING MACHINES VIA AUTOMATED PRIZE REDEMPTION CENTERS

A rewards system awards a prize to a player of a gaming machine, where the prize is awarded separate from any winnings awarded by the gaming machine for a winning wagering game outcome. The rewards system may comprise an automated prize redemption device having a housing which defines a prize storage area and a rewards server configured to compare activity information obtained from the gaming machine to criteria associated with stored prize events and when met, command the gaming machine to issue a media from a media dispenser of the gaming machine to the player and store information regarding the media and an awarded prize, and when the media is read by a media reader of the prize redemption unit and compare the information regarding the media received from the prize redemption unit against the stored information to determine if the media is valid, and if so, cause the controller of said prize redemption to issue the awarded prize.