Abstract: A method and system for producing a gaming system that is based on a game design. The game design includes a plurality of design elements with at least some of the design elements are generic elements of a particular type. The method and system offer to place a product or service on a gaming system on which the game design is used, where the offer is to use a branded element in place of a selected one of the generic elements of the game design. The method and system also dynamically place a branded element in the game in place of the selected one of the genetic elements during operation of the gaming system, where the branded element is of the same type as the generic element. The method and system also compensate a producer of the gaming system for the placement of the branded element in the gaming system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a gaming machine that automatically detects peripherals and enables or disables features in accordance with the detected peripherals are disclosed. One aspect of the systems and methods is that the peripheral has an identifier associated with it. The identifier may be used to identify the type of peripheral attached to the gaming machine. After determining the type of peripheral, features associated with the peripheral type may be enabled and other features may be disabled. A further aspect includes reading configuration data for the gaming machine. The configuration data may be compared to the peripheral types that are automatically detected by the gaming machine.

Abstract: A system determines that current wagering game establishment activity data of a user satisfies wagering game establishment offer evaluation criteria (401). The system accesses, over a network, past activity data of the user at least partially in response to determining that the current wagering game establishment activity data of the user satisfies the wagering game establishment offer evaluation criteria (403). The system analyzes the past activity data based, at least in part, on a desired effect and the current wagering game establishment activity data (405). The system computes likelihood that at least one of a set of offers can achieve the desired effect based on the analysis result (407). The system selects a first of the set of offers based, at least in part, on determining the likelihood that at least one of the set of offers can achieve the desired effect (409). The system presents the selected first offer to the user (413).

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for accessing a bonus game with a wagering game machine are described. A portal module can be used to pass a desired expected value from a base wagering game to a portal bonus game module. The portal bonus game may use the desired expected value to generate bonus game payout frequencies and bonus game payout values. Wagering game machines according to the various embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods manage memory in a wagering game machine. The systems and methods determine one or more quantities of various types of memory that are required by a wagering game application. The systems and methods determine if the wagering game machine has enough available memory to perform a requested operation such as downloading the wagering game, activating a component of the wagering game, or installing content for the wagering game.

Abstract: Systems and methods for suspending wagering game play on wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a content signal associated with regulated operations. The method can also include determining whether an enable signal is detected. Additionally, if the enable signal is not detected, the method can call for prohibiting performance of the regulated operations.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming machines adapted to display at least one primary wagering game thereon. At least one community display displays a community event, such as a big event bonus game. A controller communications with the community display and the plurality of gaming machines. The controller selects one or more gaming machines from the plurality of gaming machines to participate in the community event. The controller provides a graphical indicator of a bonus game enhancement, such as a bonus-game multiplier, on the plurality of gaming machines for enhancing an outcome of the community event. The graphical indicator is representative of, and distinct from an actual award value.

Abstract: A method of storing data serially transmitted between a gaming terminal and a computer on one or more servers in a network. The gaming terminal and computer are typically linked in gaming establishments by a serial communication link utilizing serial communication protocols. Although this data is stored on the gaming establishment's computers, it is also highly desirable to make this data accessible on a secure server. Data is monitored and captured directly at the gaming terminal with a communication interface. The communication interface converts the captured data from a serial communication protocol into a network communication protocol for storage on a server in a network.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a display for displaying a plurality of primary symbols, a first bonus reel, and a second bonus reel. The first and second bonus reels have a plurality of bonus symbols thereon. The system further comprises a controller operative to detect a primary wager, a first bonus wager, and a second bonus wager. The controller varies the primary symbols and spins and stops the first bonus reel and the second bonus reel to display a randomly selected outcome. The controller provides a primary award if the primary symbols display a winning outcome. The controller provides a first bonus award if the first bonus wager is detected and the first bonus reel displays a first bonus winning outcome, and provides a second bonus award if the second bonus wager is detected and the second bonus reel displays a second bonus winning outcome.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The system is coupled to at least one external sign assembly via a sign server, the external sign comprising one or more speakers. The wagering game system provides a volume control interface operable to allow a user of the wagering game system to control the volume of the one or more speakers comprising a part of the external sign assembly via the sign server.

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 gaming system comprising an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system also includes a display for displaying an array of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a winning symbol combination, at least one symbol that is not a part of the winning symbol combination is removed from the array and causes other symbols to move into a position of the array vacated by the at least one removed symbol.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game during which a designated cascade-triggering outcome can cause some symbols to be removed from the display and can move adjacent symbols to cascade and replace the removed symbols in a cascade outcome. A cascade outcome that includes a winning outcome can pay the player a higher value than the same winning outcome that is not included in a cascade outcome.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for remote management of a gaming machine are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a host platform having a host processor controlled by a host operating system. The host platform has a host storage and a host power state, wherein the host processor is to execute instructions that includes a wagering game. The apparatus also includes a subsystem that is operable independent of the host operating system and the host power state. The subsystem includes a processor that is separate from the host processor. The subsystem also includes a nonvolatile data store that is separate from the storage of the host platform.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method that aggregates, for each of a plurality of players, data of different wagering games based, at least in part, on criteria for an aggregate leaderboard. Values for each of the plurality of players are computed based, at least in part, on the data aggregated for each of the plurality of players and the criteria for the aggregate leaderboard. Ranks of the plurality of players are determined based, at least in part, on the computed values. A subset of the plurality of players with ranks above a threshold rank is determined. Indications of the subset of the plurality of players are supplied for updating the aggregate leaderboard.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display for displaying a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a play wager from a player. The gaming system further includes a controller coupled to the display and programmed to determine a bonus multiplier and a bonus eligibility time for the player based on a base wager. At least one of the bonus multiplier and the bonus eligibility time is a function of both the base wager and the play wager. A bonus game is triggered and, if sufficient bonus eligibility time is available to the player when the bonus game is triggered, the player is allowed to participate in the bonus game. In response to receiving a player selection, the bonus multiplier is modified based on changes to the bonus eligibility time.

Abstract: A method of funding features of a wagering game, comprises receiving a first sum of money generated from extra-casino activity associated with at least one person and depositing the first sum into a feature fund. The method further comprises allocating the first sum to at least one account of the feature fund in accordance with a first rule set. The method further comprises, in response to a triggering event, withdrawing a second sum of money from the at least one account. The method further comprises funding at least one feature associated with the wagering game from the second sum of money and activating the funded feature.

Abstract: A method of exchanging assets within a wagering establishment computer-based marketplace layer including the acts of accessing a wagering establishment marketplace layer using a peripheral device, offering a first asset for exchange in the wagering establishment marketplace layer to all participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer. The method also includes the acts of receiving an offer to exchange a second asset for the first asset from an anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, accepting the offer to exchange the second asset for the first asset from the anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, and transferring the first asset in exchange for the second asset.