Abstract: A video slot gaming machine and operation thereof. The video slot gaming machine includes a housing having a display device for displaying a plurality of game elements in a grid having a plurality of cells, a memory device for storing a pay-table, and a game controller coupled to the display device and the memory device for randomly selecting the game elements to be displayed in the display device from a set of possible game elements. The cells are organized as horizontal reels. The game controller determines an outcome based on the displayed game elements, a pay-table, and predetermined pay-lines and to activate a bonus game in response to detecting a triggering event. The triggering event is defined as the appearance of a plurality of character game elements which comprise an aggregate symbol in a payline. The outcome of the bonus game is determined as a function of the triggering event and first and second random factors.