Abstract: Systems and methods provide power management on a wagering game machine. Inrush power may be reduced by staggering application of power to various power supplies in a wagering game machine. A processor or timer may control the activation of power supplies. Further power management may be provided by placing wagering game machine peripherals in a power consumption mode appropriate to the activity or lack of activity on a wagering game machine.

Abstract: A gaming system and method includes receiving a wager input indicative of a wager to play a wagering game including a skill-based game. A skill-based input indicative of play of the skill-based game is received receive via at least one of the one or more input devices. A skill-level adjustment is applied to the skill-based game to decrease the skill-level needed to achieve an award outcome in the skill-based game. The skill-level adjustment includes compensating for the received skill-based input. An outcome of the skill-based game is determined. The outcome is based at least in part on the compensating for the received second input. In response to the outcome being an award outcome, an award is provided for the skill-based game.

Abstract: In one aspect, a wagering game system includes a display device including a projector, a rear switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the projector to receive light output from the projector, a front switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel to receive light output through the rear switchable liquid crystal panel, and a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed in front of the front switchable liquid crystal panel. The front switchable liquid crystal panel and/or the rear switchable liquid crystal panel are configured to provide one or more regions controlled by the controller that may be independently maintained in a different state than other regions of the respective one of the front switchable liquid crystal panel and the rear switchable liquid crystal panel.

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 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: A machine is operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player may select from an array of windows, each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game may end upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections until encountering an end-bonus outcome. A bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. For example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource to continue playing the bonus game.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining bad beats in wagering games are disclosed. If the bad beat is determined to be compensable, some form of compensation is provided to the player. The compensation can include providing a free entry into a second wagering game. The second wagering game can be a site-wide wagering game in which a plurality of player may be simultaneously participating.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a login request to an account at a wagering game machine. In response to the login request, the method includes displaying a security token on a display of the wagering game machine. Also in response to the login request, the method includes transmitting the security token to a server, wherein the server is communicatively coupled to the wagering game machine and a mobile device. Also in response to the login request, the method includes receiving, back from the server and at the wagering game machine, authorization for login to the account at the wagering machine, wherein the authorization is based on an earlier login to the account from the mobile device using the login credentials. After receiving the authorization, the method includes logging into the account at the wagering game machine, wherein the logging occurs without inputting of the login credentials at the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a selection of a selectable object in a first area of a gaming display that is under control of a first application module associated with a wagering game session. The first application module can be for a social communication application or can provide social communication functionality. The operations can further include determining a selection purpose for the selection, determining transference instructions for an item representation of the selectable object, and transferring the item representation to a second area of the gaming display that is under control of a second application module. The second application module can be for a wagering game application or can provide wagering game functionality. The operations can further include performing a function associated with the second application module according to the selection purpose.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a plurality of game cards that may be read by one or more card readers of the gaming machine. The game cards may provide a variety of enhancements for the gaming machine, including enhanced game features, enhanced rules of game play, enhanced game characters, and the like. Players may collect the game cards for use in the gaming machine in hopes of increasing their likelihood of achieving a desirable outcome or altering the characteristics of the game to offer more entertaining variations on game play. The players may also trade the game cards with one another and with the casino, thereby creating excitement and interest in the gaming machine. Special interest groups and even entire industries may be formed to facilitate the collecting and trading of the game cards.

Abstract: A gaming terminal includes a housing defining an exterior of the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal includes one or more displays disposed along the housing. The one or more displays are adapted to display, in response to a wager, a wagering game. The gaming terminal also includes a substantially closed interior enclosure disposed within the housing. The interior enclosure includes walls formed from electrically conductive material. The interior enclosure can be substantially closed. The gaming terminal further includes one or more signal-emitting components disposed within the interior enclosure and emitting a level of electromagnetic signals. A transmission of electromagnetic signals from the substantially closed interior enclosure is less than the level of electromagnetic signals emitted from the one or more signal-emitting components.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wagering game machine includes an interface configured to receive media information from an emotive lighting controller remote from the wagering game machine, wherein the media information indicates settings for media devices remote from the wagering game machine. The wagering game machine can also include an operating system configured to detect receipt of the media information over the interface, and to deliver the media information to a wagering game unit. The wagering game machine can also include the wagering game unit configured to receive the media information from the operating system, and select, based on the media information, one or more colors for graphical game elements of a wagering game. The wagering game unit can also present the wagering game including the graphical game elements, wherein the graphical game elements are colored according to the one or more colors.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming terminal includes receiving, via an input device, a wager to play the wagering game. Each of a plurality of symbol bearing reels is spun using one or more motors of the gaming terminal. During the spinning, the symbols on a first one of the reels are monitored using one or more video cameras to generate image data associated with the symbols on the first reel. The generated image data associated with the symbols on the first reel is compared with master image data associated with the wagering game. Based on the comparing, it is determined if the symbols on the first reel are associated with the wagering game being conducted on the gaming terminal.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.

Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more input devices, display devices, processors, and memory devices. At least one of the memory devices store instructions that cause the system to receive a wager and to display at least one array having a plurality of columns. An outcome is randomly selected, in response to the wager, in which a first column is stacked with a stack of symbols of a first rank and a second column is stacked with a stack of symbols of a second rank. The first rank is compared with the second rank to determine a high rank and a low rank according to a predetermined pay table. The stack of symbols of the low rank is upgraded to a stack of symbols of the high rank.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system 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 a wagering game with symbol-bearing reels, each of which has distinct reel positions populated by various symbols, at least one reel bearing a symbol clump; and, display via a display device a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game. Each wagering-game outcome includes predetermined symbols occupying distinct array positions in a displayed array. Each reel position has a weighted probability of occupying an array position in the array. The weighted probabilities are configured such that the symbol clump, when part of a wagering-game outcome, can only land in its entirety in the array.

Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more input devices, one or more display devices, one or more processors, and one or more memory devices storing instructions. When executed by the one or more processors, the instructions cause the gaming system to receive, via at least one of the input devices, an input indicative of a wager selected from at least one wager amount being a function of a previous wager associated with an immediately preceding wagering game. The instructions cause the gaming system to display a wagering game on the one or more displays, the wagering game being in an advantageous state relative to the immediately preceding wagering game. The instructions further cause the gaming system to display an outcome of the wagering game on the one or more displays, at least a portion of the outcome being enhanced by an outcome of the immediately preceding wagering game.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet having a topbox frame attached thereto and facing a player position in front of the gaming machine, and one or more display devices within the cabinet and configured to display a wagering game. The gaming machine further includes a tower light for indicating a status condition, and a conduit for mounting the tower light to the topbox frame. The conduit has a fixed end attached to the topbox frame and an adjustable end attached to the tower light. The adjustable end is movable to different positions to provide a line of sight for viewing the tower light.

Abstract: A method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols, which include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the method includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol based on a number of array positions on which the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed, the size of the mega symbol displayed, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays. A payout is awarded based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol.

Abstract: A gaming system and method includes receiving a wager and in response thereto a basic game is conducted. The basic game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. In response to an offer trigger, an offer is displayed to conduct one or more subsequent plays of the basic game at a reduced maximum bet wager having a wager amount that is less than a normal maximum bet wager amount. A second input is received indicative of an acceptance of the offer for a reduced maximum bet wager. A randomly selected outcome is displayed. The plurality of possible outcomes each include a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. If the randomly selected outcome includes a winning symbol combination, an award is provided for any winning outcome. The provided award is determined as though a normal maximum bet wager amount was received.