Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for virtual online jewelry sales in secondary markets.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for in-store preview of jewelry items that comprise detecting that a RFID tag that is coupled to a jewelry item is within a threshold vicinity of a RFID reader. The information about the jewelry item is transmitting to an electronic device that is located proximately to the jewelry counter. Beacon technology is employed to communicate with a customer's mobile device. Pass application technology is employed to transmit records to and from a customer and local retailer.

Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: A system for a casino having gaming machines comprises at least one kiosk and a back-end server. The kiosk is configured to perform one or more financial transaction for a player, such as to access funds from a player's bank account via a credit or debit card, or to cash-out a value ticket. The kiosk is also configured to, at one or more times, disburse a feature ticket readable by a gaming device and having at least one feature triggering indicia operable to initiate at least one game feature in a wagering game at the gaming device. The back-end server is configured to validate a feature ticket presented to a gaming machine and to facilitate generation of the ticket which is disbursed by the kiosk.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for an on-line preview of an in-store jewelry item. A request from a remote device for a live display of a particular jewelry item is received. In response to the request, live images captured by the microscope while the microscope is aimed at the particular jewelry item are transmitted to the remote device. The microscope is adjusted in response to receiving the commands from the remote device.

Abstract: A slot machine matrix game employs a player selectable hot spot feature in which the player is prompted to select desired locations to become hot spots in the gaming matrix. The player selectable hot spots may be employed in primary game play or bonus rounds. When a designated target symbol lands on a hot spot, the spot is activated. The number of activated hot spots may be used to award a progressive jackpot. The hot spots may also function to increase a prize multiplier.

Abstract: A method is directed in particular to a tournament gaming system which defines a number of first level rounds at a first level of a tournament and second level rounds at a second level of the tournament. The tournament system further defines criteria for player advancement from the first level rounds to the second level rounds. The method includes conducting the first level rounds among a number of tournament players each participating at a respective gaming machine. The conduct of the first level rounds identifies a set of non-advancing tournament players and identifies advancing tournament players as well. After identifying the non-advancing tournament players, the method includes making a selection of one or more of the non-advancing tournament players. These selected non-advancing tournament players are added to a set of advancing tournament players for advancement to the second level rounds of the tournament.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more stacked wild symbols which when appearing, trigger one or more re-spins wherein stacked wild symbols are locked in place for at least one re-spin. Awards are paid following each game outcome. In the event that a portion of a stacked wild symbol is displayed as part of a game outcome, the associated reel may nudge upward or downward to shift the entire stacked wild symbol into view, awards are then paid on the winning outcomes, and one or more re-spins may ensue with any displayed stacked wild symbols being locked for at least one subsequent re-spin.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and program products are taught which provide a slot machine game that increases the size of the symbol array as a mystery feature. As the player spins the reels, the number of positions available on each reel grows randomly to allow more paylines. Other embodiments may include free spin bonuses, as well as bonus features that further increase the number of positions on each reel, and adjust the probability of reel expansions based on the current array size.

Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: A slot machine matrix game employs a player selectable hot spot feature in which the player is prompted to select desired locations to become hot spots in the gaming matrix. The player selectable hot spots may be employed in primary game play or bonus rounds. When a designated target symbol lands on a hot spot, the spot is activated. The number of activated hot spots may be used to award a progressive jackpot. The hot spots may also function to increase a prize multiplier.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display system, player input system, and processor programmed or otherwise operable to perform a number of operations through the gaming machine hardware to provide a player-interactive feature. The gaming machine is adapted to operate in a base game state in which a base set of symbol locations is populated with game symbols responsive to a play initiation input from the player input system. The gaming machine is also controlled to activate a bonus input device while the gaming machine is in the base game state, and to place the gaming machine in a bonus state in response to a player actuation of the activated bonus input device. In response to a play initiation input while the gaming machine is in the bonus game state, two or more bonus game sets of symbol locations are populated with game symbols for that respective play initiation input.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more stacked wild symbols which when appearing, trigger one or more re-spins wherein stacked wild symbols are locked in place for at least one re-spin. Awards are paid following each game outcome. In the event that a portion of a stacked wild symbol is displayed as part of a game outcome, the associated reel may nudge upward or downward to shift the entire stacked wild symbol into view, awards are then paid on the winning outcomes, and one or more re-spins may ensue with any displayed stacked wild symbols being locked for at least one subsequent re-spin.

Abstract: A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value/promotional tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. The player may present the cash-value ticket having a feature triggering indicia or a non-cash value/promotional ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.

Abstract: A method includes maintaining a progressive pool value at a progressive prize meter in a progressive gaming system and, in response to the receipt of a qualifying game play input, conducting a round of a wagering game. An award value for a progressive prize in the progressive gaming system is identified from a set containing a number of different potential award values. In response to a progressive prize triggering event for the round of the wagering game, the progressive prize is awarded and a deduction is taken from the progressive pool value. The value of the progressive prize is equal to the award value identified from the set containing different potential award values.

Abstract: A wagering game is provided including an advancing target elimination game, which may be a base or bonus game. In this game, targets are shown to be advancing toward an objective, and the player is given selectable indicia with which to stop the targets. Each pick election may eliminate (or partially damage) a certain number and/or pattern of targets, with a credit value being awarded for each enemy eliminated. The bonus is played by taking turns between a phase of enemy target appearance and movement and a phase of player pick for enemy target elimination. These two phases alternate until an end-bonus condition is achieved.

Abstract: A progressive prize method for a group of linked gaming machines includes maintaining both a respective local progressive pool for each respective gaming machine in the group and a group progressive pool shared among the group of gaming machines. A local progressive prize trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from a local progressive pool and a separate group progressive trigger is used to determine when a progressive prize is to be awarded from the group progressive pool. The group progressive trigger may be based on a count of local progressive prizes that have been awarded. Thus a local progressive trigger may ultimately result in the award of a progressive prize from the group progressive pool rather than the respective local progressive pool.

Abstract: A novel game is provided that transforms at least a part of the graphic symbol matrix shown on a video-based reel-type gaming machine to change the game operation from multi-symbol reels to single-symbol reels. Methods, apparatus and program products for implementing the game are provided. A preferred game operates in a first display matrix state displaying a symbol matrix. The symbol matrix provides a game play result by displaying two or more reel representations that combine to form the symbol matrix. In response to a trigger event in game play, the game switches to a second display matrix state where it is modified to show single-symbol reel representations with separating elements between at least one pair of adjacent symbols of a respective reel representation. Multiple sets of data structures are provided for operation in each display state.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for in-store preview of jewelry items that comprise detecting that a RFID tag that is coupled to a jewelry item is within a threshold vicinity of a RFID reader. The information about the jewelry item is transmitting to an electronic device that is located proximately to the jewelry counter. Beacon technology is employed to communicate with a customer's mobile device. Pass application technology is employed to transmit records to and from a customer and local retailer.