A gaming system method uses typically a wireless communication device, and includes the following steps: Call data is provided identifying a gaming system player. This would normally be a typical identifying number plus a PIN number. A call is initiated from the wireless communication device (such as a cell phone) through a telephone call network to a financial center, requesting a cash transfer. Based on the call data, the transfer is credited to the wireless communication device or to a casino, to the credit of the player. Upon receiving of the predetermined balance of the cash transfer, one may communicate, using the wireless communication device, to transfer a portion or all of the predetermined cash balance from the wireless communication device or casino to the credit of a particular gaming machine, thus enabling the gaming machine for play just as if physical cash has been provided to it.