Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling prize funds won by a user in a gaming system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a credit meter memory (1) for storing data indicative of an amount of credit available to a user to be played on a primary game, a won funds meter (2) for storing data indicative of a value of funds won by the user in playing a primary or secondary game, a prize message receiver (3) for receiving a message indicative of a quantum of a prize won by the user, a processor (4) responsive to the prize message receiver for modifying the stored data to augment the value of funds by quantum of the prize, a user input message receiver (13) for receiving a message indicative of the user's desire to use at least a portion of the funds won by the user as a stake for a tertiary game; and a tertiary game interface (14) for communicating with a tertiary game controller (12).

Abstract: The preferred method of awarding a jackpot includes the step 10 of initialising a variable representing the jackpot amount and the step 11 of initialising a variable representing a lump sum. At step 12 a signal including data indicative of gaming activity is received by the controller 2, which calculates first and second increments in dependence upon said data at steps 13 and 14. The jackpot amount is incremented by the first increment at step 13 and, in response to a trigger, the jackpot amount is incremented by the lump sum at step 16. When an award of the jackpot is triggered at step 18, the CPU executes an allocation routine 19 to determine the EGM to which to award the jackpot.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling prize funds won by a user in a gaming system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a credit meter memory (1) for storing data indicative of an amount of credit available to a user to be played on a primary game, a won funds meter (2) for storing data indicative of a value of funds won by the user in playing a primary or secondary game, a prize message receiver (3) for receiving a message indicative of a quantum of a prize won by the user, a processor (4) responsive to the prize message receiver for modifying the stored data to augment the value of funds by quantum of the prize, a user input message receiver (13) for receiving a message indicative of the user's desire to use at least a portion of the funds won by the user as a stake for a tertiary game; and a tertiary game interface (14) for communicating with a tertiary game controller (12).

Abstract: A method for awarding a prize is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining (5) a trigger value T (preferably related to an operating parameter such as a turnover meter or the number of games played) from within a predetermined range of values (Lmin . . . Lmax); generating (6) a number n of random values Ra, each within the predetermined range of values; comparing (7) each of the random values with the trigger value; and awarding the prize if a predetermined relationship exists between at least one of the random values and the trigger value. In the preferred embodiment, the method is performed at the gaming machine level in a network of linked gaming machines, and the prize is awarded in the event of one of the random values being equal to the trigger value.