Methods and apparatus for downloading peripheral control code to a peripheral of a gaming device are disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of providing a peripheral controller adapted to control the peripheral device and a programmable memory associated with the controller, providing a signal for causing control code to be transmitted from a remote location to said peripheral, transmitting the control code to the peripheral, storing the control code at the programmable memory, and executing the code with the peripheral controller to enable the operation of the peripheral device by the peripheral controller. In one embodiment, the control code is transmitted from a data storage device associated with the gaming control device. In one embodiment, the control code is authenticated before it is transmitted to the peripheral, and is verified after being transmitted to the peripheral.