Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming systems that allow customers to wager, or “trade-in” an object of value or winning situation for a chance to win an even more valuable award. The chance for valuable award may be a bonus game or chance to win a bonus game. Bonus awards are “funded” by the savings achieved from the players trading in their wins in the base game, which would otherwise be paid. Players who do not trade-in see no changes from the base game paytable, while those players who participate in the trade-in bonus have a different gaming experience.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of networked electronic gaming machines and a wireless network that communicates with mobile devices carried by attendants. The method detects when an electronic gaming machine is engaged by a player and disables at least one adjacent electronic gaming machine. When the player disengages from the electronic gaming machine, it is disabled and an attendant is dispatched to the electronic gaming machine via their mobile device to implement a cleaning protocol. When the cleaning protocol is completed, the attendant so indicates via an input on the mobile computing device, and the electronic gaming device is enabled for play.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus in which a player plays one of a plurality of networked gaming devices. Game awards below a predefined level are tracked and stored on the network. If the game awards are less than a predefined criterion, a pay command is sent over the network to the player's gaming device, which may be used for a free game. Implementation in a single gaming device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices and gaming systems that are configured to implement event-based gaming operations. Here, a gaming device includes a game event list that has game outcomes associated with each entry in the game event list. The game event list is generated before game play on the gaming device by selecting general game outcome types or specific game outcomes for each of the entries in the game event list. During game play, a game counter is incremented to a next entry in the game event list and an associated game outcome is displayed on the gaming device during the gaming event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device configured to record gaming activity, a method of processing the recorded gaming activity to analyze player behavior, and a system including the gaming device. The gaming device may include a gaming display to display gaming events played on the gaming device by a player during a gaming session, a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons and a game initiating button configured to initiate the gaming events, and a game processor configured to record each activity between the player and the gaming device, wherein each recorded activity is associated with a time stamp.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept provide gaming devices configured for linked game play. First and second gaming devices that are separately playable by first and second players are electronically linked so that a gaming event being played at the first gaming device may also be being played at the second gaming device. Also provided is a method of sharing game play across multiple gaming devices, where the method includes receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming device, receiving a wager from a second player at a second gaming device, initiating a gaming event that is displayed at the first and second gaming devices, and awarding prizes associated with gaming outcomes displayed at the first and second gaming devices. These and other arrangements of the present concept may allow cooperative or competitive game play between the first and second player.

Abstract: On a network of electronic gaming machines, data regarding the performance of the machines or the players of the machines is collected and processed to make predictions of future jackpots and recommendations of games to play. The predictions and recommendations are delivered via at least one virtual persona that communicates with players or potential players via displays in a casino or on a web browser, via smartphone. Players can conduct conversations with the persona using cellular telephone, text messaging, or other types of Internet communications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of optimizing at least one performance variable, such as revenue or profitability, indicative of the performance of a casino. An initial set of operating parameters is set. At least one environmental variable, such as traffic, weather, time, cost of transportation, etc. are monitored as is the performance variable. An artificial intelligence program changes operating parameters, such as player-tracking rewards, bonuses, comps, advertising, etc. The program determines the effect of the change, and further changes the operating parameter as a function of the effect and the environmental variable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a bonus game that is common to a bank of electronic gaming devices. One or more pools accrue with each wager placed. A player qualifies to play the bonus game when at least one tracked player or game criterion, such as wagers made, exceeds a threshold, triggers a mystery-jackpot counter, or is selected by a weighted pay table. The bonus game includes a video display of a wheel bouncing against a brick wall with bricks being exploded by coins. After an opening is formed in the wall and the wheel escapes, a wheel spin determines the bonus game outcome. More than one player may play the bonus game in sequence until the last player spins the wheel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept provide gaming devices and gaming systems that are configured to implement means for enhancing game play. Here, various embodiments of this concept use game insertion techniques to enhance the game play experience for players. These game insertion techniques include placing bonus spins, free games, or other incentives within traditional game play. In one model, a gaming device may use a bonus spin routine to replace a losing game outcome with a winning game outcome. Here, the player may be shown the initial losing game outcome and then be notified that a bonus spin has been awarded, which ultimately results in the winning game outcome.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept provide means to control the payback percentage of games being played on gaming devices. In one example, a gaming device includes a processor configured to initiate a payback-controlling event and determine a game outcome to display on the game display in response to a gaming event being initiated. Here, the determined game outcome is a payback-controlling outcome when the payback-controlling event satisfies the payback-controlling criterion, and the determined game outcome is a game outcome determined from the base-game paytable when the payback-controlling event does not satisfy the payback-controlling criterion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems in which a player's wagers accrue in a pool that can be awarded to the player as a bonus as a function of a defined loss threshold on an electronic gaming machine. The volatility of the bonus awards is adjustable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices that provide audio-visual animated characters in response to game play. The character has a personality that may be encouraging, taunting or another quality. A plurality of expressions of the personality is presented, between one extreme and another, dependant upon the history of game outcomes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept provide gaming devices and gaming systems that are configured to implement means for enhancing game play. Here, various embodiments of this concept use game insertion techniques to enhance the game play experience for players. These game insertion techniques include placing bonus spins, free games, or other incentives within traditional game play. In one model, a gaming device may use a bonus spin routine to replace a losing game outcome with a winning game outcome. Here, the player may be shown the initial losing game outcome and then be notified that a bonus spin has been awarded, which ultimately results in the winning game outcome.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices and gaming systems that are configured to implement event-based gaming operations. Here, a gaming device includes a game event list that has game outcomes associated with each entry in the game event list. The game event list is generated before game play on the gaming device by selecting general game outcome types or specific game outcomes for each of the entries in the game event list. During game play, a game counter is incremented to a next entry in the game event list and an associated game outcome is displayed on the gaming device during the gaming event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present concept provide an electronic gaming device that facilitates wagering by multiple players on a single gaming device. Also provided is a method of sharing game play on such a gaming device, where the method includes receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming station, receiving a wager from a second player at a second gaming station, initiating a gaming event that is displayed at the first and second gaming stations, and awarding prizes associated with gaming outcomes displayed at the first and second gaming stations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to gaming devices having a delayed bonus win determination and methods of operating gaming systems and gaming devices to provide delayed bonus win determinations. Here, contributions to a linked jackpot may be separated from the chance to win the linked jackpot, where the chance to win the linked jackpot can be stored and used at a later time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of optimizing at least one performance variable, such as revenue or profitability, indicative of the performance of a casino. An initial set of operating parameters is set. At least one environmental variable, such as traffic, weather, time, cost of transportation, etc. are monitored as is the performance variable. An artificial intelligence program changes operating parameters, such as player-tracking rewards, bonuses, comps, advertising, etc. The program determines the effect of the change, and further changes the operating parameter as a function of the effect and the environmental variable.

Abstract: A promotional game is conducted over participants' cell phones. During a play period, a participant advances on a virtual game board using cell phone commands. During the player period drawing entries are generated proportional to play on electronic gaming devices, play of the promotional game, or retail purchases. Some players receive a multiplier for their drawing entries to enhance chances of winning the promotional game. In one embodiment, the multiplier is removed for a player after a cutoff threshold for prizes awarded to that player is reached.

Abstract: On a network of electronic gaming machines, data regarding the performance of the machines or the players of the machines is collected and processed to make predictions of future jackpots and recommendations of games to play. The predictions and recommendations are delivered via at least one virtual persona that communicates with players or potential players via displays in a casino or on a web browser, via smartphone. Players can conduct conversations with the persona using cellular telephone, text messaging, or other types of Internet communications.