Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more input devices, one or more display devices, and one or more processors, and one or more memory devices storing instructions that cause the gaming system to receive an input indicative of a wager. The instructions further cause the gaming system to display a wagering game having an array of symbol positions positioned on a plurality of primary reels and at least one secondary reel overlaying two or more adjacent primary reels, the secondary reel including at least one oversized standard symbol, the oversized symbol overlaying symbol positions on at least two of the two or more adjacent primary reels. The instructions further cause the gaming system to spin the two or more adjacent primary reels and the secondary reel such that the two or more adjacent primary reels and the secondary reel appear to spin as a single reel.

Abstract: Software on a server and/or client device causes a view in a graphical user interface (GUI) for a game to be displayed to a user. The game is an online gambling game for real money. The software receives input from the user. The input includes a wager and play according to game mechanics for the game. The software calculates a payout from the play. The payout includes a promotional payout that depends at least in part on a measure of social activity associated with the user or a measure of social influence associated with the user. And the software broadcasts the payout to at least one other person who is a social relation of the user.

Abstract: A method for alerting a player about a wagering game machine is described herein. In some embodiments, the method can include receiving, via a communications network from a handheld computing device, player preferences for an opt-in proximity alert. The method can further include creating the opt-in proximity alert based, at least in part, on the player preferences. The method can further include determining, via one or more processors, that the handheld computing device is in proximity to a wagering game machine matching the player preferences. The method can further include causing the handheld computing device to present an alert about the wagering game machine matching the player preferences.

Abstract: A method of updating virtual worlds based on interactions between real-world items is disclosed. An interaction between a first real-world item and a second real-world item is detected. The first real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a first player of a computer-implemented game and the second real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a second player of the computer-implemented game. A virtual world of the computer-implemented game is updated based on the detection of the interaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for dual-mode communication are provided. Example embodiments provide an enhanced mobile device that includes a CPU, a low latency transceiver, and a high latency transceiver. The enhanced mobile device is in communication with a console via both the low latency transceiver and the high latency transceiver. The console also includes a CPU, a low latency transceiver, and a high latency transceiver. In some embodiments, the low latency communication channel is used to transmit control messages to an entertainment console whereas the high latency communication channel is used to communicate data between the mobile device and the entertainment console. The dual-mode communication may be used in different scenarios, including with an entertainment console for arena gaming and other entertainment applications.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a high-preference game system that can reduce a game development burden of a game system operator, can increase the desire of a player to iteratively play a game, and enables a player to play a game without aversion. When a player requests a game open in a dungeon, 5 points among the points retained by the player is consumed, and 3 points are temporarily pooled in the dungeon. When the player succeeds in satisfying a clear condition of the dungeon, a total of 13 temporarily-pooled and not pooled points is added to a retention point of the player. Also, when the player fails to satisfy the clear condition of the dungeon, the temporarily pooled points are pooled in the dungeon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine where players can play without giving them a sense of unfairness or suspicion and it is possible to identify die spots with a comparatively simple and uncomplicated structure. A gaming machine involving the present invention is characterized as a gaming machine comprising a die, a die container and a means of turning, the body of the die having transparency and the spot display panels formed on each face of the die having light shielding properties, the die container comprising a die shaker and a die slide where the die shaker is connected to the die slide in order to enable the die to move between the die shaker and the die slide, the die shaker has transparency, part of the die slide has light shielding properties, the die slide can slide without the die rolling, the means of turning turns the die container and comprises a motor and a plurality of gears connected to the motor.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, provided herein are systems, methods and articles of manufacture for providing bonuses to player of games (e.g., online wagering games) based on the achievement of a qualifying event by another player (e.g., a friend of the players who are provided the bonuses). In accordance with some embodiments, such bonuses are funded out of respective bonus funding accounts maintained and managed for the players (which may be game-specific). In accordance with some embodiments, such bonus funding accounts may be maintained for players without the player's knowledge or control and may be funded based on gaming activity of the players (e.g., a portion of each wager made by a player may be contributed to the balance of the player's bonus funding account).

Abstract: A gaming device, gaming device display and method are set forth which includes a first electronic, video display including L-shaped sub-displays mated to define a frame surrounding an opening which accommodates a second display. The second display may be a mechanical component extending through the opening to operate for example a pointer operating with the first video display to provide a game function. The opening may also be configured to reveal a mechanical, electro-mechanical or video display.

Abstract: Tutorial assets may be dynamically integrated into a mobile application at different locations in game play in a staged manner such that individual tutorial assets can be integrated into the mobile application without requiring a wholesale update of the mobile application. The staged updating may be effected without requiring users to access an updated version of the application from an “app store” or other similar online marketplace for mobile applications. This may be accomplished by implementing the mobile application as an “app” including compiled code that implements game assets and tutorial assets to provide a view of the game to the user. The game assets and tutorial assets may be non-compiled information objects, such as images, scripts, and/or other non-compiled information.

Abstract: An apparatus incorporated with a game operation interface to offer selection of anyone of multiple game stations to play a game includes a judgment unit, a control unit and a prompt unit. The judgment unit is connected to the game stations and monitors historical game results of the game stations. The control unit is connected to the judgment unit and prompt unit. The prompt unit includes a plurality of notification elements corresponding to the game stations and is incorporated with the game operation interface. When the judgment unit detects that one of the historical game results of the game stations has met a preset condition, a control signal is generated. The control unit controls the prompt unit to make the notification elements to generate a notification signal to inform players whether a hot game is generated on the game stations.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating and/or communicating using optically formatted image data are provided. One method includes receiving first gaming information from a first wager-based gaming device via a local area network. The method further includes receiving from the first wager-based gaming device a request to include the first gaming information in a machine readable optically formatted image data. The method further includes generating the machine readable optically formatted image data or instructions for creating the machine readable optically formatted image data. Data encoded in the machine readable optically formatted image data comprises a unique identifier and the first gaming information. The method further includes sending the generated machine readable optically formatted image data or the instructions for creating the machine readable optically formatted image data to the first wager-based gaming device. The machine readable optically formatted image data is output to a display device.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a computer system run on a single platform on which a plurality of different lottery games for different jurisdictions are supported and run from the single platform. The computer system includes at least one workflow server residing in a mobile communications network. Computer executable instructions, when executed by the at least one network processor in the workflow server, implements components that include: a workflow module of sets of workflow instructions for processing different types of lottery game packets from a plurality of different jurisdictions. A deep packet inspection module inspects a received lottery game packet and provides information about the lottery game packet to the workflow module. The workflow module coordinates processing of the received lottery game packets using selected ones of selectable communication function modules based on the information about the lottery game packet provided by the deep lottery game packet inspection module.

Abstract: Methods, systems, or apparatuses for impeding the entrance of foreign contaminates into a housing of a gaming machine may include a gaming controller, a panel, and an input device mounted to the panel. The input device may include a housing. The housing of the input device may include a first section, a second section, and a member moveable with respect to the first and the second sections, wherein the moveable member is configured to be actuated by a player to provide input to the gaming controller; and a membrane disposed between the first section and the panel, wherein the membrane impedes the entrance of foreign contaminates into the housing.

Abstract: A gaming device is described herein. The gaming device includes a display unit and a controller that is coupled to the display unit. The display unit is configured to display a game including a plurality of reels being displayed in a display grid. Each reel is adapted to display one of a plurality of symbols. The controller is configured to randomly determine an outcome of the game, select a reel configuration including a plurality of reel groups, determine, for each reel group, a single random symbol being displayed in each reel of the corresponding reel group in the determined outcome, spin and stop each reel of the corresponding reel groups to display the outcome including displaying the same symbols in each reel of the corresponding reel group during rotation, and provide an award to the player as a function of the determined outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing audio in a bank of gaming machines, such as video slot and video poker machines. Audio tracks of a game may be provided to a plurality of gaming machines and synchronized. An audio track provided to one of the gaming machines may be changed to a second audio track, in response to receiving an indication of a status change for the game. The second audio track may be synchronized with the audio tracks provided to the other gaming machines in the plurality.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often.

Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a plurality of players with an opportunity to win a plurality of progressive awards maintained by the gaming system. The gaming system accumulates a quantity of progressive event points for each player playing at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one embodiment, the gaming system uses an accumulated quantity of progressive event points for a designated player to determine which one or more of the progressive awards the designated player wins. In another embodiment, the gaming system uses an accumulated quantity of progressive event points to determine the designated player's probability of winning one or more of the progressive awards. Accordingly, the gaming system provides a point-based system in which either a progressive award to win or a probability of winning a progressive award is determined based on the quantities of progressive event points accumulated by the players.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for obtaining information associated with spend history of a first user in connection with playing an online game and processing the information associated with the spend history to assign the user spend parameter value to the first user which may be further used to provide selective access to an exclusive virtual section associated with an online game when the user spend parameter value meets the spend threshold.