Abstract: A method for conducting a community wagering game on a plurality of gaming terminals includes conducting base wagering games on the plurality of gaming terminals and triggering a community event in which at least one randomly selected outcome is shared by all participating gaming terminals. Upon triggering the community event, the first gaming terminal is entered in the community event if wagering criteria is met by the first gaming terminal, and a first enhancement is received at the first gaming terminal in accordance with additional wagering criteria being met by the first gaming terminal. Upon triggering the community event, the second gaming terminal is entered in the community event if wagering criteria is met by the second gaming terminal, and a second enhancement is received at the second gaming terminal in accordance with additional wagering criteria being met by the second gaming terminal.

Abstract: A community game having a “winner-takes-all” feature in which at least one eligible proxy winning player of a round of the community game, which is initiated by a triggering event and is played by multiple players at linked gaming terminals, accrues the highest award among the awards accrued by other proxy players of the community game. The winning proxy player must satisfy an eligibility criterion to participate in the community game and to be eligible to receive the winner-takes-all award, which includes all of the awards accrued by the winning eligible proxy player during one or more rounds and at least the other respective awards accrued by the other proxy players during the round(s). These awards can include those accrued by non-eligible proxy players as well, who are awarded nothing at the end of the round(s). Non-winning eligible proxy players of the community game are awarded whatever awards they accrued during the round(s).

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to selectively combine base games and bonus games. This modular approach allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to mix and match base games and bonus games as needed. In some embodiments, players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers may also select different game features to employ in the bonus and/or base games. Such an arrangement allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to configure each base game and/or bonus game according to their preferences.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving first application data from a first application, where the first application data describes a first characteristic of first content from the first application. The first application presents the first content during a wagering game session. The operations can further include determining a relationship between the first characteristic and a second characteristic of second content of a second application that presents the second content during the wagering game session while the first application presents the first content. The operations can further include modifying the second content dynamically based on the relationship between the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trusted initialization of wagering game machines are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a wagering game machine, a request for an operating system image that includes a first component for booting the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the operating system image to the wagering game machine, wherein the operating system image also includes a second component for procuring software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine. Additionally, the method can include receiving a request for the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine and transmitting the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a service module. The service module is operable to electronically provide service documentation to a wagering game service technician via a user interface of the computerized wagering game system.

Abstract: A convertible gaming machine includes a gaming cabinet, at least one display, and a convertible area. The gaming cabinet has a ledge portion with a top surface. The at least one display is mounted to the gaming cabinet and is configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The convertible area is located entirely below the at least one display and partially below the top surface of the ledge portion. The convertible area is convertible at least between a first configuration and a second configuration, the first configuration including a player tracking system, the second configuration including an insert having a storage portion configured to store one or more patron items. The insert replaces the player tracking system.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device, a display, and a wagering game. The wagering game includes a plurality of reels each having distinct symbol positions and bearing an array of symbols. Some of the symbols are grouped into corresponding symbol clumps. A window is associated with each of the reels. The display displays outcomes of the wagering game. Some of the outcomes are represented by a segment of each reel being displayed through a respective one of the windows. The probability that a particular one of the windows will be filled with one of the symbol clumps as part of an outcome decreases between at least two of the windows.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for dependency verification of content distributed to a gaming machine is described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, over a network and into a gaming machine, data that includes a software component. The method also includes verifying that the gaming machine includes the version or the range of versions of a component, upon determining that the software component is dependent on a version or a range of versions of the component that is part of the gaming machine.

Abstract: A gaming system and a method for conducting a wagering game includes a first gaming terminal and a second gaming terminal. The gaming system includes at least two input devices, at least two display devices and at least one processor. At least one memory device stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least two display devices and the at least two input devices. The processor operates to display primary wagering games to the first and second gaming terminals in response to receiving one or more wagers at the respective gaming terminals. A first perceived-value enhancement is displayed to the first gaming terminal. The first perceived-value enhancement is active for a first limited period of time and is capable of enhancing a subsequent bonus event. A bonus event is triggered and provided to at least one of the first and second gaming terminals.

Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one memory device that stores instructions that cause a processor to operate with a display device an input device to display a wagering game having a basic game and a bonus game having a first end-game outcome, trigger a first instance of the bonus game during play of the basic game, provide a first number of award opportunities during play of the first instance of the bonus game, complete the first instance of the bonus game in response to the first end-game outcome, store any remaining award opportunities in the at least one memory device in response to the first end-game outcome being achieved with at least one award opportunity remaining, trigger a second instance of the bonus game during play of the basic game, and provide any stored remaining award opportunities during play of the second instance of the bonus game.

Abstract: A wagering game system is provided and includes a gaming system for playing a wagering game, including an input device adapted to receive an input from a player of the wagering game, a processor configured to determine a wagering game outcome, and a gambling feature incorporating a game in which a player is statistically more likely to win than to lose, wherein the gambling feature is enabled by a wagering game outcome that includes a winning combination.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes a method of conducting a wagering game. The method includes identifying a player as a member of certain group, and offering the player options related to the wagering game. The options are unavailable to players who are not members of the certain group.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a progressive award having game play and an actual value. The game play has at least one variable element and an expected value that is representative of a value amount that should be won by the player, on average in the long term, via the game play. At least one controller is operative to change a state of the variable element based on received wager inputs at a plurality of gaming terminals such that the expected value of the game play increases as the state of the variable element changes. The state of the variable element is displayed on a display device and, in response to a progressive triggering event, game play is awarded, but not the actual value. The game play is conducted based on the variable element in its current state to determine the actual value, which is awarded to the player.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for communicating with a gaming machine is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a first wireless transceiver. A portable data unit includes a second wireless transceiver. In response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, a wireless transmission link is established between the first and second wireless transceivers. The wireless transmission link may, for example, be a radio (RF) link or an infrared (IR) link. Information is transmitted between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link for such purposes as cashless gaming, player tracking, game customization, and data transfer.

Abstract: Systems and methods include determining a hardware configuration in accordance with the detection of the presence or absence of hardware modules on a wagering game machine. Various services are selected base on the hardware configuration, where the service selected provides an interface to a wagering game. The services provide an abstraction of various functions provided by various hardware platforms upon which the wagering game may execute, and take into account differences in the platforms.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device and at least one display for displaying a primary wagering game, the primary wagering game comprising a first portion and a second portion. At least one controller is operative to (i) detect receipt of at least two wagers from a first player via the wager input device, (ii) in response to detecting the at least two wagers, determine and display at least two respective partial outcomes of the first portion of the wagering game, (iii) store the respective partial outcomes, (iv) upon the occurrence of a triggering event, determine and display a secondary outcome of the second portion of the wagering game, and (v) combine each of the respective partial outcomes with the secondary outcome to determine and display a plurality of final outcomes.

Abstract: An apparatus for lighting display objects in a gaming machine is described herein. In one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a display object to be viewed and a light source to emit light. The gaming machine also includes a light-guiding panel. The light-guiding panel includes an edge to receive the light from the light source and a surface through which the light is reflected. In one embodiment, the surface includes a window through which the display object can be viewed. In one embodiment, the light is substantially uniformly reflected through all but the window of the surface.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes having a special award that includes first and second award levels. A first set of selectable elements is displayed without informing the player that the first award level has been awarded. The elements mask indicia corresponding to all or a portion of first and second level award criteria. A selection is received of a selectable element from the first set of selectable elements and the indicium for the selected element is revealed. If the indicium for the selected element does not meet the criteria corresponding to the first award level, another set of selectable elements is displayed. A player selection of one of the selectable elements from the another set of elements is received and the indicium for the selected element is revealed. The steps are repeated until a cumulative result of the revealed indicia corresponds to the first level award criteria.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a gaming machine cabinet having a front, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are adjacent to the front. The gaming machine further comprises a display, a CPU, and a power supply mounted within the gaming machine cabinet. The gaming machine further comprises a first fan mounted adjacent to the CPU and oriented to pull air from outside the gaming machine cabinet over the CPU along a first air path. The gaming machine further comprises a second fan mounted adjacent to the power supply and oriented to push air exiting the power supply out of the gaming machine cabinet along a second air path. The first air path does not substantially intersect the second air path.