Abstract: A wagering game system includes a game controller configured to determine an eligibility threshold trigger for an n-th unit prize and add, for each connected wagering game machine, a set of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter responsive to an input wager at the respective wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates a subset of the set of discrete eligibility units at a selected wagering game machine against the eligibility threshold trigger to determine if the eligibility threshold trigger is satisfied by that wagering game machine and to subtract the subset of the discrete eligibility units from the discrete eligibility units counter at the selected wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates the subset of discrete eligibility units against the eligibility threshold trigger and awards the n-th unit prize if the discrete eligibility units in the subset of discrete eligibility units satisfies the eligibility threshold trigger.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises detecting receipt of a primary wager for playing a primary wagering game, and activating a first bonus feature in response to one or more first eligibility criteria, the first bonus feature having a first bonus payback percentage. The method further comprises activating a second bonus feature in response to one or more second eligibility criteria, the one or more second eligibility criteria including activation of the first bonus feature. The second bonus feature has a second bonus payback percentage higher than the first bonus payback percentage. The method further comprises displaying a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game, and in response to at least one triggering event associated with the first and the second bonus features, conducting the first or second bonus feature if the first and second bonus feature is active.

Abstract: A wagering game system includes a game controller configured to determine an eligibility threshold trigger for an n-th unit prize and add, for each connected wagering game machine, a set of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter responsive to an input wager at the respective wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates a subset of the set of discrete eligibility units at a selected wagering game machine against the eligibility threshold trigger to determine if the eligibility threshold trigger is satisfied by that wagering game machine and to subtract the subset of the discrete eligibility units from the discrete eligibility units counter at the selected wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates the subset of discrete eligibility units against the eligibility threshold trigger and awards the n-th unit prize if the discrete eligibility units in the subset of discrete eligibility units satisfies the eligibility threshold trigger.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a game of chance in which profile data for social contacts in a social networking system is used to determine whether a player wins or loses the game of chance. Social contacts are randomly selected from a group of social contacts. The social contacts may be obtained from a single data source or from multiple data sources and aggregated. A game player wins if the randomly selected social contacts have one or more profile attributes that match each other. The game may be presented as a slots based game in which profile pictures for the social contacts are the symbols for the reels of the slots game.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to selectively combine base games and bonus games. This modular approach allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to mix and match base games and bonus games as needed. In some embodiments, players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers may also select different game features to employ in the bonus and/or base games. Such an arrangement allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to configure each base game and/or bonus game according to their preferences.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to selectively combine base games and bonus games. This modular approach allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to mix and match base games and bonus games as needed. In some embodiments, players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers may also select different game features to employ in the bonus and/or base games. Such an arrangement allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to configure each base game and/or bonus game according to their preferences.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and one or more displays for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The one or more displays further display a trigger time indicator. The gaming system further comprises at least one controller operative to (i) add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover, (ii) randomly select a trigger amount from a range of available trigger amounts, (iii) calculate a time estimate when the actual turnover will become equal to or greater than the trigger amount based on a current turnover rate, (iv) update the trigger time indicator based on the time estimate, and (v) award a prize in response to the actual turnover becoming equal to or greater than the trigger amount.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game, at least one display, and at least one controller. The wagering game provides access to a progressive game having multiple progressive jackpots. The multiple progressive jackpots are reset after being awarded. In response to a progressive jackpot being awarded, a current expected value of the wagering game is calculated with a normal reset value applied to the awarded progressive jackpot. And, in response to the calculated current expected value of the wagering game being less than a minimum jurisdictional limit, the awarded one of the multiple progressive jackpots is reset with a padded reset value so that the expected value of the wagering game is equal to or greater than the minimum jurisdictional limit. The padded reset value is greater than the normal reset value.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises detecting receipt of a primary wager for playing a primary wagering game, and activating a first bonus feature in response to one or more first eligibility criteria, the first bonus feature having a first bonus payback percentage. The method further comprises activating a second bonus feature in response to one or more second eligibility criteria, the one or more second eligibility criteria including activation of the first bonus feature. The second bonus feature has a second bonus payback percentage higher than the first bonus payback percentage. The method further comprises displaying a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game, and in response to at least one triggering event associated with the first and the second bonus features, conducting the first or second bonus feature if the first and second bonus feature is active.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to selectively combine base games and bonus games. This modular approach allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to mix and match base games and bonus games as needed. In some embodiments, players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers may also select different game features to employ in the bonus and/or base games. Such an arrangement allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to configure each base game and/or bonus game according to their preferences.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and one or more displays for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The one or more displays further display a trigger time indicator. The gaming system further comprises at least one controller operative to (i) add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover, (ii) randomly select a trigger amount from a range of available trigger amounts, (iii) calculate a time estimate when the actual turnover will become equal to or greater than the trigger amount based on a current turnover rate, (iv) update the trigger time indicator based on the time estimate, and (v) award a prize in response to the actual turnover becoming equal to or greater than the trigger amount.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a wager input device, a display, and a controller. The wager input device receives a wager input from a player. The display displays an arrangement of symbols including primary symbols and connector symbols, wherein at least some of the primary symbols are separated from each other and at least two primary symbols are connected with one of the connector symbols. Further, at least some of the primary symbols have corresponding awards. The controller is programmed to cause a sequential display of outcomes, which is initiated with a first primary symbol and which includes other primary symbols that are connected, via one or more of the connector symbols, to the first primary symbol. The player is provided with a payout related to the awards of the primary symbols that are part of the sequential display of outcomes.