Gaming system including portable game devices

A gaming system(20) including hand-held, portable gaming devices(24) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the gaming system(20) is arranged to present at least one game to a player and includes a portable gaming device(24) or interface having a display for displaying game and other information to a player. The portable gaming device(24) is capable of receiving and sending information to a remote device/location. A game server(28) generates game data, and transmits the game data to the portable gaming device(24) and receives information, such as player input, from the portable gaming device(24). A payment transaction server(26) validates payment and establishes entitlement of a player to play a game via the portable gaming device(24) as provided by the game server(28). In one or more embodiments, the gaming system(20) includes one or more stationary gaming machines capable of printing tickets having a values associated therewith. The portable gaming device(24) includes a ticket reader(145) for reading ticket information for use by the payment transaction server in verifying the associated value for establishing entitlement of a player to play the game. Preferably, communication to and from the portable gaming device(24) is via a wireless communication channel(72).