Abstract: A gaming system in which a plurality of gaming machines are provided with an additional progressive jackpot gaming system which allows players on the gaming machines to play for a jackpot provided by the progressive system. The controller of the progressive system generates in random fashion at the beginning of a game cycle a jackpot-win value for the progressive jackpot which is displayed to the players of the gaming machine from the beginning of the game cycle. The controller also randomly generates a parameter for use with unit bet information from the gaming machines in determining a current jackpot value. When the current jackpot value is brought to the jackpot-win value, the gaming machine responsible is the winner of the progressive jackpot. Also disclosed is the generation by the progressive controller of signalling which is supplied to a winning gaming machine and causes the machine to make the jackpot payout.

Abstract: A progressive gaming system in which the gaming machines linked to the system have different play characteristics, e.g. different Denominations and Hit Frequencies, and wherein the system is further adapted such that the dollars contributed to the progressive jackpot for a machine per win on that machine is approximately equal for the different machines.

Abstract: Slot machine display reels are provided with a plurality of symbols occupying differing proportions of the circumference of the reel, such that those symbols which require greater prominance occupy a larger proportion of the circumference. Associated with each reel is a spinning mechanism which is able to position any symbol on the reel centrally within an associated display window, irrespective of the size of that symbol, by taking the size of the respective symbol into account when determining the stopping position.