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.