US Patent 7080782 Combined smartcard and magnetic-stripe card and reader and associated method

A multi-functional portable data device (preferably a combined smart card and magnetic-stripe card) is used for exchanging money with a financial institution in a cashless (i.e., credit or debit) transaction, and to credit or debit an electronic purse (“e-purse”) resident on the portable data device. An integrated data reading device can be used to conduct the various monetary transactions electronically so as to transfer money between the financial institutions and the e-purse on the portable data device. The portable data device preferably can be presented to gaming devices in a cashless gaming environment to allow the customers to use the gaming devices.