Abstract: If it is desired to convert an EGM 2 into an EGM that is configured to provide a stand-alone progressive jackpot, then the conversion device 1 is retrofitted into the EGM 2. The conversion device 1 includes a processor 6 that is configured to administer the stand-alone progressive jackpot. The processor 6 is communicatively connected to both the plurality of input ports 3 and the plurality of output ports 5. The processor 6 is also communicatively connected to memory 8. A flowchart setting out the steps performed in a first method of using the conversion device 1 to provide a stand-alone progressive jackpot is illustrated in FIG. 2.

Abstract: The gaming machine (1) includes a processor (4) with associated memory (5) implementing one of the games, a communications bus (6), a game display (7) for displaying information related to the progress of the game, a game identification display (8) for displaying an image—forming part of the game's resource data set—to allow a potential user to identify the game presently being provided as well as game specific information such as payouts, rules and so on, and a user interface device (9) as user-operable buttons. An output device (10) outputs to the central controller (2) machine performance messages (11) containing machine performance information as time since last play, total drop, total drop over a period of time, total return to player, return to player over a period of time, technical aspects of the gaming machine, and the like.

Abstract: At step 40 the parameters for the jackpot are initialized, including a storage criterion and an award criterion. At step 41 the current value of the jackpot prize pool is calculated. At step 42 the CPU 2 checks whether the storage criterion has been met. If so, the currently accumulated value of the jackpot prize pool is stored at step 43 in memory 6 as a pending jackpot, along with the award criterion that is associated with that pending jackpot. The jackpot parameters are then redefined and the accumulation of as new jackpot prize pool is ready to commence. A number of pending jackpots may be concurrently stored in memory 6, each with an associated stored award criterion. At step 46 the CPU 2 determines if any of the award criterions that are associated with the pending jackpots have been met and if so, the associated pending jackpot prize is awarded at step 47 in accordance with a jackpot prize distribution scheme.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for determining the award of a set of prizes where each prize in the set has a respective prize value. The apparatus includes memory for storing prize data indicative of the prize values in the set. An input device is responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals for providing an increment signal. An increment device accesses the prize data to select at least two prize values from the set to define respective current prize values, and is responsive to the increment signal for incrementing in parallel a plurality of accumulated values toward the respective current prize values. A comparator is responsive to the current prize values and the accumulated values for determining if one of the current prize values is to be awarded and, if so, generating an award signal and removing from the set the prize value corresponding to the one of the current prize values.

Abstract: An embodiment of the inventive method commences with the provision of a plurality of secondary games, which may be default secondary games and/or user-initiated secondary games. The latter may have aspects that are dependent upon data entered by the initiating user into their gaming terminal 5. The method proceeds with the provision to the users of information 32 regarding each of the available secondary games (or at least a subset thereof). This assists the users to make informed decisions regarding in which of the secondary games they wish to participate. The method further includes the step of allowing each of the users to register and/or deregister their respective gaming terminal 5 for participation in a selected one of the secondary games.

Abstract: An embodiment of the method commences with some initialization steps 10 and 11, which include defining parameters for first and second jackpots. A loop commences at steps 12 and 13 at which current values of the first and second jackpot prize pools are calculated. At step 14 the CPU 2 determines whether storage criterion has been met. If so, the process flow moves to steps 15, 16 and 17. If not, the process flow moves directly to step 18. At step 15 the current value of the second jackpot prize pool is stored as a “pending prize”. Steps 16 and 17 effectively reset the second jackpot. At step 18 the CPU 2 determines whether the award criterion has been met. If not, the process flow loops back to step 12. If so, the first jackpot prize pool is awarded at step 19, along with one or more of any pending jackpot prizes, in accordance with a jackpot prize distribution scheme, then the pending jackpot prizes are deleted.

Abstract: The apparatus includes memory for storing prize values and an input device being responsive to a plurality of gaming terminals for providing an increment signal which adjusts an accumulated value. A comparator determines when the current prize value to be awarded, reaches the accumulated value generates an award signal and removes from the one of the sets the prize awarded. A controller responsive to the award signal determines if the one of the sets includes at least one remaining prize value and, if so, actuating the increment device to define the current prize value as the at least one remaining prize value.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) is disclosed for determining the award of a prize. The apparatus includes memory (2) for storing prize data indicative of a prize value for the prize. An input device (4) is responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals (6) for providing an increment signal. An increment device (8) is responsive to the increment signal for incrementing an accumulating value. A comparator (15) is responsive to the prize data and the accumulating value for determining if the prize is to be awarded and, if not, generating a continue signal. A processor (15) is responsive to the continue signal for refreshing the prize data.

Abstract: At step 40 the parameters for the jackpot are initialized, including a storage criterion and an award criterion. At step 41 the current value of the jackpot prize pool is calculated. At step 42 the CPU 2 checks whether the storage criterion has been met. If so, the currently accumulated value of the jackpot prize pool is stored at step 43 in memory 6 as a pending jackpot, along with the award criterion that is associated with that pending jackpot. The jackpot parameters are then redefined and the accumulation of as new jackpot prize pool is ready to commence. A number of pending jackpots may be concurrently stored in memory 6, each with an associated stored award criterion. At step 46 the CPU 2 determines if any of the award criterions that are associated with the pending jackpots have been met and if so, the associated pending jackpot prize is awarded at step 47 in accordance with a jackpot prize distribution scheme.

Abstract: The preferred method of accumulating a jackpot amount includes the step 10 of initializing a variable representing the jackpot amount and the step 11 of initializing a variable representing a lump sum. At step 12 a signal including data indicative of gaming activity is received by the controller 2, which calculates first and second increments in dependence upon said data at steps 13 and 14. The jackpot amount is incremented by the first increment at step 13 and, in response to a trigger, the jackpot amount is incremented by the lump sum at step 16. This provides a method of accumulating a jackpot amount that is volatile, unpredictable and exciting for the players of the linked jackpot game.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus including a plurality of gaming machines (2) for providing respective players with a respective primary game and for providing primary game information to a gaming server (11) in communication with each of the gaming machines. The gaming server is responsive to the primary game information for providing a secondary game in which prizes are allocated to gaming machines selected from among the plurality of gaming machines, the probability of a prize being allocated to a gaming machine being dependent upon gaming activity at that gaming machine. The value of any prize allocated to a gaming machine is also dependent upon gaming activity at that gaming machine.

Abstract: A secondary game system for a gaming terminal network, including at least one secondary game controller for providing at least one secondary game; a communications device for receiving secondary game registration request messages and secondary game deregistration request messages from a gaming terminal; the system being responsive to a received secondary game registration request message from a gaining terminal by causing said gaming terminal to be registered in one of said at least one secondary game; the system being further responsive to a received secondary game deregistration request message from a gaming terminal by causing said gaming terminal to be deregistered from one of said at least one secondary game.

Abstract: An embodiment of the method commences with some initialization steps 10 and 11, which include defining parameters for first and second jackpots. A loop commences at steps 12 and 13 at which current values of the first and second jackpot prize pools are calculated. At step 14 the CPU 2 determines whether storage criterion has been met. If so, the process flow moves to steps 15, 16 and 17. If not, the process flow moves directly to step 18. At step 15 the current value of the second jackpot prize pool is stored as a “pending prize”. Steps 16 and 17 effectively reset the second jackpot. At step 18 the CPU 2 determines whether the award criterion has been met. If not, the process flow loops back to step 12. If so, the first jackpot prize pool is awarded at step 19, along with one or more of any pending jackpot prizes, in accordance with a jackpot prize distribution scheme, then the pending jackpot prizes are deleted.

Abstract: An embodiment of the inventive method commences with the provision of a plurality of secondary games, which may be default secondary games and/or user-initiated secondary games. The latter may have aspects that are dependent upon data entered by the initiating user into their gaming terminal 5. The method proceeds with the provision to the users of information 32 regarding each of the available secondary games (or at least a subset thereof). This assists the users to make informed decisions regarding in which of the secondary games they wish to participate. The method further includes the step of allowing each of the users to register and/or deregister their respective gaming terminal 5 for participation in a selected one of the secondary games.

Abstract: A system for providing a plurality of games is disclosed in which a plurality of user-operable terminals (1) provide respective players with a primary game, and generate primary game information messages relating to the primary game. A second game controller (2) receives the primary game messages and uses the information contained therein to administer a secondary game having an associated prize. The secondary game controller generates a tertiary game trigger message when the secondary game is won, and a tertiary game controller (5) responds the tertiary game trigger message by offering the secondary game winning player an opportunity to play a tertiary game using all or a portion of the secondary game prize as a stake.

Abstract: A method, performed by a gaming machine, of displaying performance data. The method includes recording data indicative of the receipt of gaming credit units from a user, wherein the gaming credit units are used as consideration for participation in a chance-based gaming activity provided via the gaming machine. The credit record is updated when a gaming credit unit is used as consideration. The cumulative value of any prize awarded to a user is recorded in a cumulative prize record. The value of the credit used in a used credit record is recorded. During a play session, a first display area displays the value of the credit record to a user. A second display area displays the cumulative prize record; and a third display area displays the value of the used credit record.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) and associated methods are disclosed for determining the award of a plurality of prizes having respective prize values. The apparatus includes memory (2) for storing data indicative of a current prize value; an input device (3) being responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals (4) for providing an increment signal; a controller (5) for defining a prize value between upper and lower prize values and for incrementing an accumulated value toward the current prize value in response to the increment signal; a comparator (7) being responsive to the current prize value and the accumulated value for determining if the current prize value is to be awarded and, if so, generating an award signal that actuates the controller (5) to define a second prize value.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) is disclosed for determining the award of a prize. The apparatus includes memory (2) for storing prize data indicative of a prize value for the prize. An input device (4) is responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals (6) for providing an increment signal. An increment device (8) is responsive to the increment signal for incrementing an accumulating value. A comparator (15) is responsive to the prize data and the accumulating value for determining if the prize is to be awarded and, if not, generating a continue signal. A processor (15) is responsive to the continue signal for refreshing the prize data.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for determining the award of a set of prizes where each prize in the set has a respective prize value. The apparatus includes memory for storing prize data indicative of the prize values in the set. An input device is responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals for providing an increment signal. An increment device accesses the prize data to select at least two prize values from the set to define respective current prize values, and is responsive to the increment signal for incrementing in parallel a plurality of accumulated values toward the respective current prize values. A comparator is responsive to the current prize values and the accumulated values for determining if one of the current prize values is to be awarded and, if so, generating an award signal and removing from the set the prize value corresponding to the one of the current prize values.

Abstract: The apparatus includes memory for storing prize values and an input device being responsive to a plurality of gaming terminals for providing an increment signal which adjusts an accumulated value. A comparator determines when the current prize value to be awarded, reaches the accumulated value generates an award signal and removes from the one of the sets the prize awarded. A controller responsive to the award signal determines if the one of the sets includes at least one remaining prize value and, if so, actuating the increment device to define the current prize value as the at least one remaining prize value.