Abstract: In one embodiment, a video slot machine displays an array of symbols, and awards are granted to the player based on certain combinations of symbols across a pay line or in a pattern. While the reels appear to be spinning, or at any time prior to the final symbol display, the player may designate one or more of the positions in the array to be a special symbol. This special symbol may be a wild card, a high value symbol, a scatter symbol, a multiplier, a bonus game trigger symbol, or any other type of special symbol. The virtual reels stop rotating, and all other symbols in the array are then displayed along with the special symbol in the designated position. The player is then granted an award based upon any winning symbol combinations as affected by the special symbol. In another embodiment, the position of the special symbol in the array is selected automatically by the gaming machine.

Abstract: Various bonus games for being played on a gaming machine are described. The base game may consist of the random selection and display of a 5×3 matrix of symbols. In one bonus game (FIGS. 5-7), upon a certain outcome of the base game including special symbols, all symbols in the matrix except for the special symbols are replaced with values, such as different credit amounts. The player selects a particular special symbol using a touch screen, and the identified special symbol randomly moves to select one of the displayed values in the matrix. In another game (FIGS. 11-13), the player applies hidden multipliers to a randomly selected award value in the matrix. In another game (FIGS. 14-19), pointers moving across the matrix of values accumulate values for awarding to the player. The multi-stage interactive bonus games add excitement and more player involvement.

Abstract: A plurality of symbols are randomly selected by a computer in the gaming machine and displayed to the player in the first stage of the process. One or more of the symbols are then selected by the gaming machine in the second stage of the process. An award to the player is based on the one or more selected symbols after the second stage. Such a two-stage process creates additional excitement since the player, after the first stage, hopes for the highest value symbol(s) to be selected in the second stage.

Abstract: A supplementary gambling game allows a player to participate in a physical table game without having to sit at the table and bet on every outcome. The game does not require any additional casino operator. In one embodiment of the game, an existing roulette table game is the source of a set of random numbers used in the supplementary game. The conventional roulette game played at the roulette table is unaffected by the new game. A player playing the supplementary game uses a game terminal to bet and select a set of numbers applicable starting at a certain time. The terminal issues a ticket with the relevant information. The random numbers generated in the actual table game are transmitted to the terminal and are later compared to the player's selected numbers. An award is granted to the player based upon the matching of the numbers.

Abstract: Various bonus games for being played on a gaming machine are described. In one embodiment, a base game and bonus game are played on a video screen. The base game may consist of the random selection and display of a 5×3 matrix of symbols, although any size array of symbols may constitute the base game. Upon a certain outcome of the base game, all or some of the symbols in the array are replaced with values, such as different credit amounts. Each value represents a potential bonus award to the player. Various bonus games are described that select one or more displayed values as the outcome of the bonus game.

Abstract: A control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines selects one or more of the active machines to be set to an enhanced play mode. The selection may be random or based on other factors. During the enhanced play mode, free games are provided, or the awards attributed to each symbol combination are increased, or additional symbols combinations are deemed winning combinations, or other game parameters may be changed that are advantageous to the player. The wagers by all the players playing machines connected to the progressive jackpot system are used to set the number of free games or the length of the enhanced play mode. The number of free games increases or the length of time of the enhanced play mode increases along with the jackpot that may be won in the enhanced play mode until the values are reset to starting values upon a jackpot win.

Abstract: Gaming machines connected to a network each have a smart card reader and an internal memory for receiving electronic tokens downloaded from the smart cards. In a secure room of a casino, there are a number of card readers containing smart cards having an appropriate memory size. These external card readers are connected to the various gaming machines via the network to provide secure financial transactions over the network. Whenever the electronic token balance of a gaming machine's internal memory exceeds a configurable upper limit, the balance is automatically reduced to a default level by the gaming machine transferring the excess money to an idle external smart card. Whenever the electronic token balance of a gaming machine's internal memory falls below a configurable lower limit, the balance is automatically increased to a default level by the gaming machine transferring the money from an idle external smart card.

Abstract: A control unit in communication with a plurality of gaming machines selects one or more of the active machines to be set to an enhanced play mode. The selection may be random or based on other factors. During the enhanced play mode, the awards attributed to each symbol combination are increased, and the game parameters, other than the award amounts may be changed. In one embodiment, the control unit changes the win frequency of awards granted by the combinations of symbols throughout the entire enhanced play mode. In another embodiment, the symbols forming all combinations of symbols during the enhanced play mode are the same symbols used in the non-enhanced mode for forming symbol combinations.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a slot machine is disclosed herein, where the slot machine is slid onto the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket insures proper alignment of the slot machine onto the platform and secures the slot machine into position.

Abstract: In a gaming machine, unlocking a first lock enables an attendant to open the front door of the gaming machine, allowing access to the internal circuitry of the gaming machine but not allowing access to the money in the gaming machine. Unlocking a second lock enables an attendant to open a second access barrier to gain access to the money. Since access to the internal circuitry is separated from access to the money, better security control is provided.

Abstract: A gaming device displays a game field with a start field and a target field separated by at least one field. The number of fields separating the start field from the target field is determined for each play of the game by, for example, a pseudo random number generator. In some embodiments, the game field has multiple start fields and multiple target fields that may change position in the game field with each play of the game. An indicator randomly selects the number of moves for the player and a virtual player in competition with the actual player. The object of the game may be for the player to reach a target field before the gaming machine virtual player reaches a target field. An award may be based on the player reaching the target field before the virtual player.

Abstract: A plurality of EGMs are connected within a network. Each of the EGMs is remotely configurable so as to enable an operator to select any desired parameter of the game. The configuration of one EGM may be uploaded to the network and programmed into other EGMs connected to the network. An operator may program the initial EGM at the EGM itself or remotely. In another embodiment, one EGM (a master) may download its configuration settings into other EGMs.

Abstract: A method for operating a coin operated entertainment automat features placing a coin into a coin acceptance device of an entertainment automat, testing the coin in a coin testing device, displaying symbols on a symbol display device, wherein a displayed symbol combination comprises several symbols and wherein upon reaching of a predetermined symbol combination or upon reaching of a predetermined credit balance in a credit balance counter disposed on the side of the control unit in the following a symbol combination is displayed with the symbol display device, controlling the course of the game with a control unit including a microcomputer and a pseudorandom number generator, influencing the course of the game by an operational element disposed on the front side of the entertainment automat, substituting a symbol by another randomly determined symbol, renewing the symbols within a predetermined time window until a winning carrying symbol combination is reached, and accumulating the obtained winning in a credit

Abstract: A system of linked gaming machines is disclosed herein. Upon a certain triggering event occurring, eligible gaming machines simultaneously receive a signal for initiating a free game bonus round. The players that have been playing the gaming machines will then play a certain number of free games in a competition with other players involved in the same bonus round. The player awarded the most credits or points from the play of the free games is awarded a special jackpot. Other jackpot games (e.g., split jackpot) are also envisioned. In another embodiment, a jackpot award or any award to the players may be granted based on the outcomes of the free games. In one embodiment, the base awards to the player(s) for the bonus round are multiplied by a multiplier that may be based on the number of players, based on the players' rankings, based on other outcomes of the bonus round, or a fixed or random multiplier.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a game involves the player playing against a gaming machine's computer such that a victory by the player in the game grants an award to the player. In one particular game, the player and computer compete to build a structure created from objects. The player and computer alternate turns. The player chooses from a number of icons, each representing a hidden object, with the hope of choosing the tallest object, and the computer randomly selects an object. The player attempts to build a structure above a winning height before the computer's structure reaches the winning height. Along the way, the player is given various options, such as the option to change positions with the computer, the option to buy an object, or other types of options.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gaming machine carries out a main game, such as a spinning reel type game, either using physical reels or simulated reels on a video screen. A special combination of symbols activates a video bonus game. The bonus game comprises a matrix of hidden values in the form of icons that may be selected by the player. The values that may be selected are displayed to the player in an order unrelated to the arrangement of the hidden values in the matrix so the player sees what she can possibly win. The player then makes her selections to win the hidden awards. In one embodiment, the player only makes a predetermined number of selections. In another embodiment, the player makes selections until an end-of-game value is selected. After each selection, the displayed values may change.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a slot machine is disclosed herein, where the slot machine is slid onto the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket insures proper alignment of the slot machine onto the platform and secures the slot machine into position.

Abstract: A system of linked gaming machines is disclosed herein. Upon a certain triggering event occurring, eligible gaming machines simultaneously receive a signal for initiating a free game bonus round. The players that have been playing the gaming machines will then play a certain number of free games in a competition with other players involved in the same bonus round. The player awarded the most credits or points from the play of the free games is awarded a special jackpot. Other jackpot games (e.g., split jackpot) are also envisioned. In another embodiment, a jackpot award or any award to the player may be granted based on a certain outcome of the free games. The possibility of the free game bonus round occurring at any time provides incentive for players to keep playing the linked gaming machines. The free game bonus round may also be played on a single non-linked machine where bonuses may be granted for credits exceeding certain levels.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a game involves the player playing against a gaming machine's computer such that a victory by the player in the game grants an award to the player. In one particular game, the player and computer compete to build a structure created from objects. The player and computer alternate turns. The player chooses from a number of icons, each representing a hidden object, with the hope of choosing the tallest object, and the computer randomly selects an object. The player attempts to build a structure above a winning height before the computer's structure reaches the winning height. Along the way, the player is given various options, such as the option to change positions with the computer, the option to buy an object, or other types of options.