Abstract: A gaming machine is provided in which the symbols/indicia to be displayed are selected by using a random selection process to generate a random number element for each display position. The process is a two-step selection process. In a first selection process random numbers are chosen from a first table of random numbers, elements of which are mapped directly to reel stopping positions and at least one element of which if generated, causes a second selection step. The second selection step is between a further stopping position, not available in the first selection step, and an alternative stopping position which is preferably also available in the first selection step. The stopping position not available in the first selection step may be associated with a jackpot symbol. The frequency of occurrence of a jackpot symbol can be reduced by this method, and an appropriately high jackpot can therefore be offered.

Abstract: A slot machine is provided in which the symbols or indicia to be displayed are selected by using a random number generating technique to generate a random number for each display position, the random number being selected from a range of numbers corresponding to the number of display possibilities for that position. A two step random number selection technique is used wherein the first step comprises selecting a random number from the range of numbers corresponding to the number of display possibilities for that display position, and the second step, which is only invoked in the event that a predetermined one of the range of numbers is selected in the first selection, comprises discarding the number first selected and making a further selection from the range of numbers. Accordingly, the probability of occurrence for at least one of the possible results for the display position is significantly less than that for the remainder of the possible results.

Abstract: A lottery machine comprising a display which can display combinations of indicia selected from a predetermined set of such combinations, and a control device arranged to sequentially select game results from a predetermined set of game results and to display an indicia combination corresponding to the selected result on the display. Each game on the machine is initiated by a player and can only be initiated after the player has established a credit in the machine. At the commencement of operation of the machine, or when a previous set of game results have all been used, the control device sequentially selects each possible game result for the next series of games to be played and randomly allocates the results to game numbers in the series in order to produce a new set of predetermined game results.

Abstract: An odds indicator for a poker machine consisting of a cylinder having on its external surface a number of axially distributed bands each bearing on its circumference indicia each indicating a ratio by which a prize offered for a prize winning combination is to be multiplied, one ratio of the ratios displayed on each band being visible through a viewing window in the front of the machine in a column one above the other or side by side, there being displayed on the front of the machine a list of prize winning combinations opposite each of which, or a number which, one of the visible ratios appears and an indication of the prize to be delivered on achieving that particular combination when any one of the ratios displayed on a band is visible, the cylinder being rotatable so as to enable the visible ratios seen through the viewing window to be changed.

Abstract: A system of collecting data accumulated by a poker machine and relating to the operation of the poker machine, the system comprising a plurality of poker machines each of which has a control unit (1) which is adapted to collect and store data during its normal operation and to transmit this data in the form of modulated light (5) upon receipt of suitable external stimulus such as the operation of a switch (2) on the poker machine, a portable receiver adapted to receive the transmitted signal and to store this data in a memory (15). In this way data is collected from each poker machine in the particular installation all of the data being stored temporarily in the memory (15) of the portable receiver. Once data from all machines in the system has been collected or once the storage (15) in the receiver unit is full, the data is then dumped into a computer, or printed out on a printer (16), via a communications cable which can be connected to the receiver unit.

Abstract: A handle release mechanism for a poker machine (also known as a slot machine or a fruit machine) in which the pulling of the handle and thus operation of the machine under certain circumstances is prevented by means of a latch; instead of being controlled directly by a solenoid the freeing of the latch is controlled by means of a spring loaded cam, actuation of the solenoid permitting movement of the cam under the action of the spring thereby releasing the latch and allowing the machine to be played. This arrangement necessitates energization of the solenoid only for very short periods.