An upright gaming machine comprises a housing, a mechanical or video display, a controller, a button panel, a player interface, and a coin tray. The display is mounted to the housing and is tilted slightly back at its top from an average seated player. The controller is disposed within the housing. In response to the player selecting a wager using the button panel, the controller is adapted to play a game of chance and randomly generate a game outcome on the display and provide a payout if the game outcome matches predetermined criteria. The coin tray may be used to dispense the payout. The player interface section, which includes a card reader for tracking players who insert their cards therein, is arranged on the housing between the display and the button panel. Various features of the gaming machine are ergonomically designed to minimize physical discomfort that may accompany prolonged static postures and repetitive motions of an average seated player playing the machine. Such features may include, for example, the height and angle of the button panel; the horizontal position of the button panel relative to the coin tray; the height and angle of the display; and the height of the player interface section.