Abstract: A top box wheel assembly and method are disclosed wherein a flat panel display is mounted on a rectangular shaped cabinet top box structure and a circular bezel structure overlays the flat panel display such that a wheel-shaped display area is provided. The circular bezel structure also is shown to include a rectangular cutout base to also provide a rectangular-shaped display area. The circular bezel structure is further shown to include a circular pattern of LEDs which may be operated synchronously or quasi-synchronously with the wheel-shaped display area on which a rotating wheel may be displayed together with an indicator.

Abstract: A free spin game accumulates symbols to win a prize. An offer is made for the player to purchase additional “free spins” if the game is within a designated threshold number of accumulated symbols for winning a free prize. That is, the player can purchase more spins if they have almost achieved a prize. These re-spins are offered to the player at a price based on expected values of all possible prizes that could be achieved in the re-spin.

Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines. Additionally disclosed are gaming machines with video cameras connected to provide live video feed to one or more displays, such as during tournament play when live video feed of the players and the player tournament positions may be driven in real-time to an overhead display by the server operating in a tournament controller mode.

Abstract: A convertible in-revenue and out-of-revenue gaming system is disclosed that includes a server connected to automatically convert operating modes and control in-revenue and out-of-revenue operation of one or more banks of gaming machines wherein each of the gaming machines includes a video camera connected to capture live player video feed during competition or tournament operating mode, and each of the gaming machines is operable to display a tournament game presentation simultaneously with a player dashboard. The player dashboard includes a display of the live player video, the player position, the player score, and remaining time in the competition or tournament.

Abstract: A tournament game, gaming machine, gaming system and method are disclosed wherein a player-interactive bonus feature is triggered and displayed simultaneously with a tournament game presentation and a bonus award is paid responsive to a player selecting a displayed bonus target, such as a balloon. The bonus award is paid in addition to any award payable based on the tournament game outcome.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming machine includes receiving one or more primary game inputs through the gaming machine to initiate one or more plays of a primary game. After the one or more plays of the primary game, a feature game is initiated and presented at the gaming machine through a display device included with the gaming machine. In response to a triggering event in the feature game and prior to completion of the feature game, the method further includes initiating an embedded bonus game and presenting the embedded bonus game through the display device. Upon completion of the embedded bonus game, the method continues with presenting a remainder of the feature game. The method further includes awarding a total prize for the feature game and embedded bonus game. The total prize is made up of a feature game prize component obtained in the presentation of the feature game and an embedded bonus game prize component obtained in the presentation of the embedded bonus game.

Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view general and personalized real-time position updates.

Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may view a slow motion finish and/or replay including a flash photograph-effect.

Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a community feature game displayed on the overhead display. Prior to the start of the community feature game, the primary game on the respective gaming machines may be interrupted, the game state stored, and following the conclusion of the community feature game, the game may resume according to its stored game state.

Abstract: A wagering game is operable on a reel-based gaming machine which has the capability to selectively illuminate one or more reels with one or more colors of graduating intensity. In conjunction with the stopping sequence of the reels for a given play of the wagering game, the gaming machine provides a distinctive lighting effect at one or more of the reels when a reel in the set is stopped showing a predefined symbol. The predefined symbol presents the possibility of some desirable outcome for the given play of the wagering game depending upon the positions in which the remaining reels in the set stop.

Abstract: A method, gaming machine, and networked gaming system are disclosed for operating a wagering game that includes an interface activate-able by a player; a set of game plays, with at least one of the game plays occurring after activation of the interface by the player; and a persistent customizable player avatar interactive with a player and the wagering game, and, providing entertainment and companionship for a player during game play.

Abstract: Gaming systems, methods, and software are provided which adjust the volatility of a gaming machine based on the player's current bankroll. A preferred embodiment includes a method that determines a game player's bankroll amount including cash or credits available for wagering. It then determines the desired payout volatility based on the game player's bankroll amount. From the desired volatility, the method selects a payout table based on the desired volatility. The method then includes receiving a wager input from the player effective to place a wager and conduct a game at a player station with the selected payout table. In some versions, a paytable may be selected directly using bankroll information, without the intermediate step of identifying a desired volatility level. Further, other factors may be considered in choosing the desired volatility or paytable.

Abstract: A method includes operating a gaming machine in a first display mode in which a display device associated with the gaming machine displays a base array and side graphics and in which a result for a respective game play initiated through the gaming machine is represented by a set of symbols included in the base array and where the side graphics provide a continuous graphical theme on at least two sides of the base array. In response to detecting a trigger event, the gaming machine switches to a second display mode in which the display device displays a graphical transformation of at least a part of the side graphics to replace that part of the side graphics with at least one additional array location and in which a result for a respective game play initiated through the gaming machine while operating in the second display mode is represented by a respective set of symbols included in the base array and each additional array location.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first set of card representations at a display device of a player station. This first set of card representations is divided into a number of card representation subsets. The method also includes receiving a subset selection input and a wager allocation input at the player station. The subset selection input selects a first and second subset of card representations from the various subsets that have been displayed. Each of these different subsets will be used together with a second, “community” set of card representations displayed at the player station to produce a respective final hand for the player. The wager allocation input allocates a wager amount between the first and second subsets of card representations. First and second prize values are awarded for hands produced from the selected subsets combined with the community card set and considering the wager allocations.

Abstract: A method involves a video poker game in which a first set of card representations is displayed at a player station display device. The first set of card representations is organized into a number of card representation subsets comprising at least one card representation in each subset. After the player selects one of the subsets, a second set of card representations is displayed at the player station display device to combine with the selected subset. The combination is used to produce an optimum card hand that represents the player's result for the game. The player's result may be determined based on the combination of cards or may be predetermined from a lottery-type game, bingo-type game, or a result generator. In the latter cases the card representations displayed in the game are controlled so as to be consistent with the result identified for the player.