Abstract: In at least one embodiment, systems provide for modifying a bonus round of a wagering game by (i) storing, in association with a player, a plurality of game elements acquired by the player during play of at least one game of a plurality of qualifying games, each such game element corresponding to a respective functionality which causes a modification of a bonus round to which it is applied; and (ii) upon receiving a request to apply one of the game elements in a current bonus round, modifying the current bonus round in accordance with the functionality corresponding to the requested game element. In one embodiment, the applied game element had been acquired by the player in a first game and is applied in a second game.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide for replacing all regular symbols located in respective symbol positions comprising a predetermined set of symbol positions of a symbol matrix (e.g., all the regular symbols on a reel of a reeled slot machine-type game) with at least one special symbol (e.g., a wild symbol which may be output as taking up the entirety of the reel) if the predetermined set of symbol positions (e.g., the symbol positions comprising the reel) satisfy a qualifying condition. In one embodiment the qualifying condition is that each regular symbol in a symbol position of the predetermined set of symbol positions is part of a respective winning combination of symbols (e.g., each symbol on the reel is part of a winning combination along an active payline) after an initial resolution of an outcome for a game event (e.g., after an initial resolution of a spin).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for bonus symbols and/or other reel symbols in a slot-style game that may be associated with (e.g., functionally connected to) a plurality of bonus areas or elements. In some embodiments, each reel of a slot-style game may be specifically associated with and/or tied-to one of the bonus areas or elements. According to some embodiments, values and/or parameters associated with and/or assigned to the plurality of bonus areas and/or elements may be adjusted by a player in connection with initiation and/or play of a bonus game. According to some embodiments, the bonus areas/elements may be presented and/or configured as “trap doors” having values that can fall through the doors when opened, and thus disappear (e.g., be deleted or cleared).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for promoting game play frequency of online games. Embodiments include displaying a plurality of positioned game elements, wherein each positioned game element is associated with a game time period; displaying a game indicia associated with a positioned game element if a player has acquired a game piece during the game time period associated with the positioned game element; selecting one or more positioned game elements after a game duration; and awarding one or more prizes if the selected positioned game elements are associated with a game indicia. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling output of a game outcome to a player in a gaming system: obtaining a stop position for each of a plurality of reels, each reel having a plurality of symbols, each stop position specifying which symbols of the reel will be displayed to thereby specify a game outcome; determining whether an output selection condition is met in respect of the specified game outcome; randomly selecting from at least two different outputs of the specified game outcome based on probabilities associated with respective ones of the at least two different outputs upon the output selection condition being met; outputting the specified game outcome in accordance with the selected output.

Abstract: A method of gaming in a gaming system comprising a) conducting a plurality of games, each game including determining whether to award an entitlement, and, upon awarding the entitlement, controlling a size of the entitlement based on a size of at least part of a wager made in the game and adding the entitlement to a current total entitlement, b) determining to apply the total entitlement, and c) applying the total entitlement to subsequent game play independently of the most recent wager size.