Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a display device that presents a symbol array comprising a plurality of symbol positions divided into a plurality of position subsets and game-logic circuitry that causes the display device to: present the symbol array in a first initial state by presenting at least one static symbol position in each position subset and randomly allocating a first set of allocated symbol positions, generate game cycle outcomes by populating the symbol positions, in response to a trigger event, expand a first position subset to include an expanded symbol position, and present the symbol array transitioning from a final state associated with a reset condition to a second initial state by removing expanded symbol positions and the allocated positions from the symbol positions in the final state and randomly allocating a second set of allocated symbol positions among the position subsets to include with the static symbol positions.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a gaming system with a chip tray positioned above a light-diffusion box. The chip tray has a transparent portion on its underside. A tracking controller illuminates the light-diffusion box with diffused light that shines through a transparent portion on an underside of the chip tray and illuminates the edge of one or more chips in a chip stack. An image sensor captures an image of the one or more chips in response to illumination of the light-diffusion box. The tracking controller analyzes a visible indicator on the edge of the one or more chips. The tracking controller associates the visible indicator with a denomination value for the chip stack. Further, the tracking controller computes a value of the chip stack based on the denomination value and a dimension of at least one of the one or more chips.

Abstract: In one example, a gaming system for determining, via image analysis, an outcome value (e.g., a card value) of a randomizing game object (e.g., a playing card) for a game played at a gaming table and also detecting, based on the outcome value and one or more game rules, an occurrence of a winning outcome for the game. The gaming system can further determine, via image analysis, a location at a gaming table surface related to the winning outcome. The gaming system can further, in response to determining the location, render a virtual-scene overlay having an outcome indicator positioned at pixel coordinates that correspond to the location. The gaming system can further project the virtual-scene overlay at the gaming table to cause an image of the outcome indicator to appear at, and in some examples conform to a shape of, the location at the gaming table surface.

Abstract: A gaming system and method operating a virtual world gaming tournament is described. The gaming system includes gaming clients, a virtual world, a tournament session, a live host and a tournament prize. The virtual world has a variety of different locations and each gaming client is located at a location in the virtual world. The tournament session includes predetermined game sessions for each gaming client, in which each game session associates a random game outcome with a symbolic representation that is displayed at the location in the virtual world. When the random game outcome matches a particular point value or pattern, a non-wagering bonus skill-based game session is initiated. The live host identifies locations in the virtual world and provides updates on the points awarded to the gaming clients at those locations. The live host selectively broadcasts a first virtual world or a second virtual world during the tournament session.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of stationary gaming tables positioned at a plurality of respective locations, a moveable table game device, one or more processors, and a server. Each gaming table includes a table transceiver. The table game device includes a device transceiver that receives data signals including identification data from the table transceivers via a first communication network. The processors determine an identity of the gaming tables based on the identification data, calculate a relative distance between the table game device and each gaming table based on at least one characteristic of a respective data signal, and generate location data indicating a relative location of the gaming device as a function of the calculated relative distances. The server collects the location data via a second communication network and stores the location data for analysis and location tracking.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly configured to present symbol positions and award options including award indicia, and further to present: (i) a game outcome by populating the symbol positions with symbols, and (ii) in response to the symbols including at least one trigger symbol and at least one award symbol, an award sequence comprising a cycle for each trigger symbol, each cycle of the award sequence including: selecting a respective one or more award options for each award symbol, updating award indicia for each award symbol based on the award value associated with the respective selected award options, aggregating award values indicated by the updated award indicia of the award symbols, and, in response to determining the award sequence includes one or more remaining cycles, removing the updated award indicia from the award symbols.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise skill-based wagering games, systems and devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the game is configured so that the odds of winning the game, and thus the payout for a winning outcome, depends upon the game equipment which is selected to be used in playing the game. In other embodiments, the payouts or awards offered to players are fixed and the difficultly level for achieving a winning outcome is adjusted by changing the game equipment used to play the game.

Abstract: A gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a control unit including a control board, a primary memory device coupled to the control board, a secondary memory device coupled to the control board, and a processor. The processor is programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of initiating an instance of a primary game by spinning and stopping reels to display an outcome of the primary game. The processor then detects a trigger condition appearing in the outcome of the primary game and responsively displays an instance of a bonus game, generates primary game recall data including instructions for displaying the outcome of the primary game and stores the primary game recall data in the primary memory device, and generates bonus game recall data including instructions for displaying the instance of the bonus game and stores the bonus game recall data in the secondary memory device.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an apparatus having a rotatable wheel, a mechanical annular rotatable bezel overlaying at least a portion of the wheel, and an electronic controller, coupled to the bezel. The bezel is rotatable via manual player input to the bezel. The electronic controller determines a rotational motion of the bezel in response to the manual player input to the bezel. The electronic controller further directs rotation of the wheel in accordance with the determined rotational motion of the bezel.

Abstract: A gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a game control unit programmed to display a game screen including a primary game area a plurality of primary game reels and a bonus feature event area including a plurality of bonus prize cells. Each bonus prize cell is configured to display a randomly selected bonus prize, and is operable as one of an active bonus prize cell and an inactive bonus prize cell. Each bonus prize cell is associated with a wager amount value. The game control unit initiates an instance of the game by receiving a wager being placed on the game by the player, selecting bonus prize cells having associated wager amount values equal to or less than the wager amount of the received wager, and operating the selected bonus prize cells as active bonus prize cells.

Abstract: There is provided an example gaming system (and method) that utilizes a presentation assembly configured to present a plurality of reels. The plurality of reels bear a plurality of symbols including value-bearing symbols and at least two special symbols. The at least two special symbols comprise at least a first special symbol and a second special symbol. The plurality of symbols are ranked according to a hierarchy. The value-bearing symbols have a lowest rank in the hierarchy. The at least two special symbols have ranks higher than the lowest rank. Each of the at least two special symbols has a different rank from each other within the hierarchy. Furthermore, each one of the at least two special symbols is configured to collect symbols of a lesser rank than its own rank. Game-logic circuitry conducts a series of spins of the plurality of reels, each spin including spinning and stopping the plurality of reels to randomly land at least some of the plurality of symbols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a chip tracking system. For example, an apparatus comprises a chip tray and a tracking controller. The chip tray has a plurality of light sensors positioned inside a column. In some instances, the tracking controller is configured to perform operations that cause the apparatus to detect a level of ambient light at each of the plurality of light sensors and determine, in response to detection of the level of ambient light at each of the plurality of light sensors, a number of gaming chips placed inside the column. The tracking controller is further configured to perform operations that cause the apparatus to compute, in response to determination of the number of gaming chips, a chip-column value. In some instances, the tracking controller is further configured to automatically indicate the chip-column value via one or more electronic devices communicatively coupled to the chip tray.

Abstract: A system includes a gaming platform hosting a plurality of games, each having the same or different game mechanic. The gaming platform displays a universal progress metric at a user interface (UI) of the plurality of games, which tracks cumulative progress across all games. The universal progress metric is updated/synchronized in real-time with progress made by the player in any of the games according to the corresponding game mechanics. A rewards distribution module calculates and distributes rewards based on universal progress metric, such as at least one of in-game prizes/bonuses, off-game/meta-game prizes/rewards, and/or real-world prizes. Players are allocated soft currency based on the universal progress metric, which are redeemed for the rewards, thereby allowing the players to redeem/obtain rewards in any of the games based on progress made in the same or different games in the gaming platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to automatically modify one or more presentation attributes of a gaming system. For instance, the gaming system detects, via analysis of an image data by a neural network model, an appearance of one or more features of a gaming surface. The gaming system further automatically modifies, via the neural network model in response to detecting the appearance of the one or more features, a presentation attribute associated with presentation of gaming content via a designated area of the gaming surface. The gaming system further projects, via a projection system based on the modified presentation attribute, the gaming content onto the designated area of the gaming surface.

Abstract: An example system of the present disclosure is configured to detect (e.g., by a processor of the system), in response to a wireless device being in proximity to a wagering game machine, a request to pair the wireless device with the wagering game machine. The system is further configured to, in response to detection of the request to pair the wireless device with the wagering game machine, automatically obtain, without user input, secret information from either the wireless device or from a configuration device accessible via a network. The system is further configured to generate, based on the secret information, an encryption key, and automatically pair the wireless device with the wagering game machine using the encryption key.

Abstract: A gaming system for enabling the simultaneous play of social virtual currency, wager-based gaming and free, play-for-fun gaming is described. The gaming system is configured to deliver a fun game to a client in conjunction with a virtual currency gaming event and to initiate play of a fun game upon a predesignated triggering event of the virtual currency game. The fun game is played by a plurality of players and fun game controller directs game information to a fun game server. Fun game information can be displayed for multiple players to drive competitive-type play among players and can be used to provide awards and incentivize play.