Abstract: A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game and having a special payout. The gaming terminal includes a basic game having a randomly selected outcome. The gaming terminal includes a side-wager option. In response to a player not choosing the side-wager option, the gaming terminal provides the player with a first probability greater than zero of achieving a special-payout outcome. In response to the player choosing the side-wager option, the gaming terminal provides the player with a second probability of achieving the special-payout outcome. The second probability is greater than the first probability.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a player avatar population in a location of a virtual wagering game environment and determining a wagering game machine object supply in the location of the virtual wagering game environment. The wagering game machine object supply is an amount of available wagering game machine objects within a boundary of the location. The operations can further include determining a supply availability ratio, where the supply availability ratio indicates a restriction on the amount of the available wagering game machine objects in the location compared to the player avatar population. The operations can further include determining that the wagering game machine object supply is not compliant with the supply availability ratio and modifying the wagering game machine object supply to comply with the supply availability ratio.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel.

Abstract: A method, implemented by an electronic gaming machine (EGM), includes providing an electronic display mounted to the cabinet of the EGM and disposed in a normal operational position to portray a wagering game to a user, the display in the normal operational position having an orientation of one of landscape or portrait. The display is moved from the normal operational position to a maintenance position in order to permit access for a technician to components in a space in the cabinet behind the display when the latter is in the normal operational position, the display in the maintenance position having an orientation of the other of landscape or portrait, the display in the maintenance position displaying information to the technician.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, at least one display for displaying the wagering game, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to display a first outcome of the wagering game and award a first award associated with the first outcome, store the first award in a stored awards group, cause the at least one display to display the stored awards group, and re-award one or more awards in the stored awards group upon the occurrence of a triggering event.

Abstract: A gaming machine uses mathematical modeling and graphical displays to provide players with realistic depictions of gaming activities for wagering. Three-dimensional mathematical models are used to simulate real-world interactions of physical objects, with a display showing the player a visual representation of the game interactions. By providing the player with a realistic depiction of real-world gaming activities, a gaming machine according to the present invention involves the player in the wagered-upon activity to a greater extent than traditional gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display, a display arrangement, and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The display arrangement displays a video image and overlays the game display. The video image includes a paytable having paytable regions indicating respective winning combinations. The controller is in communication with the display arrangement, wherein in response to the randomly selected outcome including symbols of a winning symbol combination, the controller causes one or more aspects of the paytable region associated with the winning combinations to be distinguished from the other paytable regions.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a chair having an electrical connector and a gaming machine having an electrical connector, wherein the chair electrical connector is removably couplable to the gaming machine electrical connector.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet frame, a display, and an emotive lighting area. The cabinet frame has a cabinet surface visible to and facing a player position in front of the gaming machine. The display is mounted to the cabinet frame and is configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game. The emotive lighting area is integrated with the cabinet frame on the cabinet surface, proximate the display, and is separate from the display. The emotive lighting area includes a light source and a reflective surface, each of the light source and the reflective surface being concealed within the cabinet frame such that they are not viewable from the player position, the reflective surface configured to receive light directly from the light source and to reflect the light to a viewable area.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes both enhanced as well as new ways of winning a progressive jackpot. New ways of becoming eligible for a progressive jackpot are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the reset amount, startup value, and funding percentage may be selected as needed to improve player excitement and anticipation. Players may also customize various aspects of the progressive game upon payment of a fee.

Abstract: A gaming system for executing multi-mode bonus events comprises a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game and a bonus event, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to (i) detect receipt of a wager from a player of the gaming terminal, (ii) in response to the occurrence of a triggering event, initiate a bonus event, (iii) detect a selection between a standard bonus mode of operation and a tournament bonus mode of operation, (iv) if the standard bonus mode is selected, execute the bonus event on the primary display and provide any awards earned therein to the player, (v) if the tournament bonus mode is selected, execute the bonus event on the primary display and generate a tournament score for the player, and (vi) enter the player's tournament score into at least one tournament.

Abstract: A method for selecting a bonus game from a plurality of bonus games. Each of the plurality of bonus games have associated bonus game instructions. The method includes determining a bonus game outcome having an expected value. A set of criteria necessary to present the bonus game outcome is determined. One of the plurality of bonus games is selected and the selected bonus game meets the set of criteria.

Abstract: A gaming system projects video images representing a tangible object related to a wagering game, such as roulette, onto a contoured display surface. The contoured display surface has a shape that corresponds to the tangible object, such as a roulette wheel. The contoured display surface may also have at least one moving section that corresponds with movement of the tangible object. A controller in communication with the projector is programmed to cause the projector to project video images that at least partially depict a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The gaming system provides the visual appeal, entertainment value, and dynamic nature of video images while retaining physical features that players typically expect when playing roulette.

Abstract: A plug-in architecture for a wagering game network is described. Plug-in modules may provide various functions for services related to wagering games. Such functions may include random number generation, user interface functions, player tracking functions, central determinant functions etc. The plug-ins are dynamically loaded during the run-time of an application or service.

Abstract: Systems and operations for a distributed bonus game feature for wagering game systems are disclosed. In one example, a wagering game may award a bonus game to a player. A delay period is set for the bonus game. The delay period and other details regarding the bonus game are persistently stored on a paper ticket or in a database on a wagering game server. The bonus game may be initiated (after the delay period) on a different wagering game machine than the machine that awarded the bonus game. In a second example, funding for a bonus game for a player may be determined in accordance with a random number generator on a wagering game machine currently occupied by a player. If the player moves to a different machine, output from a random number generator on the new machine may be used to determine continued funding for the bonus game.

Abstract: A method includes creating an event related to a wagering game, wherein the creating of the event comprises setting a requirement for the event. The requirement includes at least one of a participatory requirement and a monetary requirement for activation of the event. The participatory requirement includes a minimum number of wagering game players required to elect participation in the event. The creating of the event also includes defining an added value wagering game activity for the wagering game players that have elected participation in the event. The added value wagering game activity comprising at least one of access of locked content of the wagering game, increased expected value for payout from the wagering game, increased value of a jackpot of the wagering game, access to a locked progressive jackpot, and access to locked bonuses.

Abstract: The patent application describes techniques for distributing information in a wagering game system. One method includes identifying one or more components to notify about events occurring in a wagering game system, where the one or more components facilitate secondary wagering games. The method can also include detecting the events, where some of the events arise from presenting primary wagering games. The method can also include reporting the events to the one or more components. The method can also include determining results for one or more of the secondary wagering games; and transmitting the results for presentation.

Abstract: A wagering game machine includes a processor and a wagering game module, executable on the processor, configured to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered to a wagering game player. The machine includes a receiver configured to communicate with a transmitter of a mobile device to receive a mobile payment from the mobile device. The machine includes a bill validator that is communicatively coupled to the receiver. The bill validator configured to receive the mobile payment from the receiver, wherein the bill validator is configured to output a first communication to issue a first wagering game credit for the wagering game machine in response to receipt of a monetary bill, wherein in response to receipt of the mobile payment from the receiver the bill validator is configured to output a second communication to issue a second wagering game credit on the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include transmitting an offer of a reward to deposit funds into a wagering game player account prior to initiating a wagering game session within a gaming venue, such as a physical gamine venue (e.g., a casino). In one example, the offer is transmitted to a computing device accessible outside the gaming venue. The operations can further include detecting player input associated with the offer, where the player input authorizes a transfer of the funds from a financial account for deposit into the wagering game player account. The operations can further include transferring of the funds specified via the player input from the financial account to the wagering game player account. The operations can further include assigning the reward to the wagering game player account in response to the transferring of the funds.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating a wagering game session for presentation of wagering game content. The operations can further include scanning a coded identifier during the wagering game session. The coded identifier indicates a characteristic associated with activity, events, achievements, etc. performed or attained prior to initiation of the wagering game session. For instance, the coded identifier can be a two-dimensional barcode generated in response to online activity (e.g., in response to progress attained in an online game). In some embodiments, the characteristics indicate information about the activity. The operations can further include adapting the wagering game content during the wagering game session based, at least in part, on the characteristic indicated in the coded identifier, such as providing gaming rewards and bonus games, adding funds, unlocking content, modifying wagering game content, etc.