Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes permitting a plurality of wagering game terminals to participate in a community game in a land-based gaming establishment. The method includes permitting a player device remote from the land-based gaming establishment to play an online game. The method also includes modifying, by at least one of one or more processors, the community game based on an event in the online game.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one gaming server having at least one processor and at least one memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one gaming server to assign one or more unique identifiers to a registrant, monitor for web activity associated with the one or more unique identifiers and initiated by the registrant, measure an effect of the web activity, and convert the measured effect into a gaming incentive.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include operations for presenting a lighting show in a wagering game system. The operations can include receiving, over a first network, a playlist identifier that identifies a playlist, where the playlist is associated with a first group of lighting commands for presenting lighting effects on lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating the first group of lighting commands, and receiving, over the first network, a second group of lighting commands for presenting the lighting effects on the lighting devices in the wagering game system. The operations can also include generating, based on the first and second groups of lighting commands, instructions specific to the lighting devices, and transmitting, over a second network, the instructions for execution by one or more lighting controllers connected to the lighting devices, wherein the execution causes the lighting effects.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a player's movements in association with a wagering game event, includes sensing a player's movements using a movement sensing device, storing a representation of the player's movements in non-transient computer-readable storage media in association with player-identifying information, associating the representation of the player's movements with the wagering game event in the storage media, and replaying the representation of the player's movements on one or more display devices operatively associated with a wagering game machine responsive to an occurrence of the wagering game event.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a plurality of spinning reels that stop to indicate a randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to accepting a wager input from a player. The controller is in communication with the display and is operative to conduct the wagering game in accordance with a basic set of gaming rules. The controller is further operative to cause a modification to a gaming rule of the basic set of gaming rules and to indicate the modification to the player.

Abstract: A gaming system includes an input device for receiving wagers to lay a wagering game in which the player is eligible to win first and second progressive award levels. At least one display device is configured to display a monetary value for the first progressive award level and a number of free spins for the second progressive award level. The gaming system includes two sets of reels, each set being associated with a respective mathematical model. A controller increments the monetary value and the number of free spins based on plays of the wagering game, and awards current values of the monetary value and the number of free spins in response to respective triggering events.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are one or more examples of generating a communication directed to a contact of a wagering game player account. In some embodiments, a gaming system can perform operations to determine an identity of an individual located within a given physical location and present, on a display device, a virtual identifier associated with the contact. The individual is indicated as a contact in a wagering game player account. The display device is associated with the wagering game player account. The gaming system can further perform an operation to detect a user input related to the virtual identifier presented on the display device. Further, the gaming system can perform an operation to send a communication to a device associated with the contact in response to detecting the user input.

Abstract: A gaming system includes features to relay sensitive information to a player while keeping the sensitive information private from non-players. According to one aspect the gaming system comprises one or more input devices, one or more display devices for displaying a wagering game including sensitive and non-sensitive information, one or more processors, and one or more memory devices. The memory devices store instructions that cause the gaming system to display a plurality of images. The displayed images do not include the sensitive information. The instructions also cause the gaming system to provide an interactive feature configured to receive a predetermined user interaction via at least one of the one or more input devices. The instructions further cause the gaming system to display, in response to the predetermined user interaction with the interactive feature, a plurality of images, the displayed images including the sensitive information.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a first media controller in the wagering game system, a playlist identifier that identifies a playlist, wherein the playlist is associated with scripts that, when executed, present media effects of the coordinated media show. The method can also include presenting, by the first media controller, a first of the media effects by executing a first of the scripts associated with the playlist, and detecting an indication to wait for a synchronization marker from a second media controller. The method can also include receiving, over a multi-drop network, the synchronization marker from the second media controller, and selecting a second of the scripts associated with the playlist, after receiving the synchronization marker. The method can also include presenting, by the first media controller, a second of the media effects by executing the second of the scripts.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play the wagering game; direct a display device to display a randomly determined outcome of a base game of the wagering game; in response to a triggering event, initiate play of a non-skill-based game feature and, further in response to receiving a player selection of a skill-based game feature, initiate play of the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the skill-based game feature; determine an award value for the non-skill-based game feature; and, award to the player only the higher of the two award values.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a handheld device coupled to a fixed structure. The handheld device includes a sensor configured to detect inputs. The handheld device is positionable in a base predefined zone and a first predefined zone. The base predefined zone is defined as a base volumetric space and the first predefined zone is defined as a first volumetric space. A memory device stores instructions that, when executed, by at least one of one or more processors of the gaming system, cause the gaming system to (i) detect a first input from the handheld device, (ii) perform a first function in response to the first input being detected in the base predefined zone, and (iii) perform a second function in response to the first input being detected in the first predefined zone, the second function being different from the first function.

Abstract: A multi-mode gaming terminal comprising, a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game. And at least one controller operative to: (i) detect a selection between a cash mode of operation and a tournament mode of operation; (ii) if the cash mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game configured with a first payback return; (iii) if the tournament mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game in a tournament mode configured with a second payback return and a tournament return, wherein on each tournament eligible play of the primary wagering game resulting in a winning outcome, a predetermined number of tournament points are awarded and added to a tournament entry; and (iv) upon the occurrence of a triggering event, entering the tournament entry into at least one tournament.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining that a sound problem would occur if first content were to be presented simultaneously with second content via one or more output devices of a wagering game machine. In some examples, the first content is provided by a first application and the second content is provided by a second application independent from the first application. In some embodiments, the operation can further include modifying one or more characteristics of one or more of the first content and the second content based on the determining that the sound problem would occur.

Abstract: “A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining a classification of a first sound provided by a first wagering game application for presentation via one or more output devices of a wagering game machine. Further, a second wagering game application provides a second sound for concurrent presentation via the one or more output devices. The first wagering game application is independent from the second wagering game application. In some embodiments, the operations further include determining a prioritized relationship between the first sound and the second sound based on the classification, and controlling presentation of the first sound and the second sound via the one or more output devices according to the prioritized relationship.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating content in wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes authenticating a first set of wagering game files stored on a storage device of a wagering game machine. The method can also include starting a wagering game on the wagering game machine if the authentication of the first set of wagering game files is successful. The method can also include authenticating, during the wagering game, a second set of wagering game files stored on the storage device of the wagering game machine, wherein the first set of wagering game files and the second set of wagering game files are mutually exclusive. The method can also include stopping the wagering game if the authentication of the second set of wagering game files is not successful.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include generating game history for each of a plurality of wagering games, associated with a first wagering game title, played by a first player via a wagering game system. The operations can also include randomly selecting, from the game history, a subset of the plurality of wagering games previously played by the first player, and generating a computer bot for the first player, based on the subset of the plurality of wagering games, to be used during a multiplayer wagering game competition to play for the first player. The operations can further include initiating, via the wagering game system, the multiplayer wagering game competition, replaying, during the multiplayer wagering game competition, the subset of the plurality of wagering games using the computer bot, and determining results of the multiplayer wagering game competition.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive a signal that enables execution of instructions forming a memory clear process, wherein the instructions are included in an operating system of a wagering game machine. Additional activities may include executing the instructions by at least one processor to clear at least a portion of nonvolatile memory in the wagering game machine and initializing the operating system to enable receiving a wager from a player in association with a wagering game to be played on the wagering game machine. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager to play the wagering game. A base array of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns is displayed. A plurality of symbols is randomly distributed such that each of the symbol positions in the base array is associated with one or more of the symbols. An extent by which the base array of symbol positions is to be expanded is indicated by the symbols. The base array of symbol positions is expanded into an expanded array of symbol positions including at least one additional symbol position.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a display having a display area showing a poker-themed wagering game. A wager input device receives a base wager to play the poker-themed wagering game. A controller is coupled to the display and the wager input device. The controller is operative to provide a plurality of symbol-bearing objects to form a user-playable hand and award a payoff based on a ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion. The controller may receive a side wager separate from the base wager from the player to trigger a challenge based on meeting a condition in at least one of a predetermined number of future plays of the wagering game. Additional free challenges may be triggered for the predetermined number of future plays.

Abstract: A test tool provides a flexible resource for control an of electronic gaming machine (EGM) via a data network. The test tool provides both interactive and automated access to the EGM when the EGM is operated using a special diagnostic BIOS that supports both communication with the test tool over the data network and the ability to set operational variables including random numbers. The test tool can use structured data test scripts, such as XML files, to automate repetitive testing of one or more gaming machines by automating breakpoint setting, variable settings, and comparison of expected results based on game type, paytables, currency, etc.