Systems and methods for operating a gaming machine having a data journal memory are disclosed. One aspect of the systems and methods includes a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). A data store is maintained on the NVRAM. In addition, a journal is maintained on the NVRAM. A data store manager receives data to be written to the NVRAM. The journal is updated to reflect the data to be written, then the data is written to the data store. In the event of a power loss or system reset, the system checks the journal to see if any data remains to be committed to the data store. If so, the data is written. Normal operation is then resumed.