A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a request to pair a mobile device with a secondary content controller that is communicatively coupled to a wagering game machine. In some examples the secondary content controller is independent of a primary content controller for the wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining, by the secondary content controller, that primary wagering game content of the wagering game machine is in a state that would permit secondary wagering on the primary wagering game content. Further, the operations can include pairing the mobile device with the secondary content controller after determining that the primary wagering game content is in the state that would permit the secondary wagering.