Gaming systems and methods for customizing game play on a gaming machine with custom media are described herein. The gaming machine includes a cabinet, a display, a user input mechanism, an interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a portable electronic device controlled by a player, and a game controller. The game controller is configured to provide a default game play session of a wager-based game, facilitate a data connection between the gaming machine and the portable electronic device through the interface, and receive custom game media and customization settings. The game controller is further configured to store the custom game media and customization settings and to provide a customized game play session of the wager-based game according to the customization settings and the custom game media.