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 storing multiple bet configurations for a gaming machine. Each bet configuration specifies a respective pay table and a set of bet levels including a minimum bet level. A payout percentage may be selected for each bet level. The pay tables each include a number N of prize levels and each prize level corresponding to a respective numerical prize value for a win on the gaming machine while the corresponding bet configuration is in an active state at the gaming machine. The minimum bets for the different bet configurations are unequal and are related by a translation ratio. The different numerical prize values for the different bet configurations are also related by that same translating ratio. A bet configuration may be placed in the active state at a gaming machine and plays are then resolved according to the bet configuration in the active state.

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 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 storing multiple bet configurations for a gaming machine. Each bet configuration specifies a respective pay table and a set of bet levels including a minimum bet level. A payout percentage may be selected for each bet level. The pay tables each include a number N of prize levels and each prize level corresponding to a respective numerical prize value for a win on the gaming machine while the corresponding bet configuration is in an active state at the gaming machine. The minimum bets for the different bet configurations are unequal and are related by a translation ratio. The different numerical prize values for the different bet configurations are also related by that same translating ratio. A bet configuration may be placed in the active state at a gaming machine and plays are then resolved according to the bet configuration in the active state.

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 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: A gaming machine and method of play providing a predetermined top game symbol that can replace adjacent symbols to expand possible winning outcomes and payouts for winning outcomes in connection with a “ways to win” game format. The machine and method defining an expanding property applicable to the top symbol, and where the top symbol and expanding property are displayed together in the same game position, the top symbol being propagated to replace other symbols presented on the same reel. A configuration of identical game symbols on displayable game positions of adjacent reels establishing winning outcomes and payouts.

Abstract: An improved gaming machine cabinet is provided for optimizing gaming machine placement in groups. Tapering wall sections of the cabinet allow for closer placement of machines in various group configurations than is possible with similarly sized rectangular cabinets. Group configurations are provided for back-to-back rows and for circular groups of machines.

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 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 wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include monitoring wagering game play for a player account that is registered to play a group scavenger hunt game. The group scavenger hunt game may include various collectable items that group members collect to win the group scavenger hunt game. The operations can further include determining that wagering game events occur during the wagering game play, where the occurrences of the wagering game events are prerequisites for obtaining the collectable items. The operations can further include indicating on a group progress report (e.g., a website) that one of the collectable items was obtained. In some embodiments, the operations can also include awarding the player account for obtaining the item, providing trophies, or other virtual assets, for winning the group scavenger hunt game, providing benefits for holding the trophies, etc.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include providing gaming content for use during a bingo game, where the gaming content includes a representation of a bingo game card that includes card identifiers, arranged in a distinct pattern, which are usable during the bingo game to track game identifiers, with equivalent values, when drawn during the bingo game. The operations can further include selecting a card identifier, in response to user input, which indicates a user prediction that a corresponding game identifier, with an equivalent value, will be drawn during the bingo game. The operations can further include placing a bet for a secondary wagering game on the selecting of the card identifier, detecting a draw of the corresponding game identifier during the bingo game, and using the draw of the game identifier as an outcome for the bet.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method of play providing a predetermined top game symbol that can replace adjacent symbols to expand possible winning outcomes and payouts for winning outcomes in connection with a “ways to win” game format. The machine and method defining an expanding property applicable to the top symbol, and where the top symbol and expanding property are displayed together in the same game position, the top symbol being propagated to replace other symbols presented on the same reel. A configuration of identical game symbols on displayable game positions of adjacent reels establishing winning outcomes and payouts.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining possible wagering game events that can occur for a wagering game. The operations can further include determining a subset of the possible wagering game events and configuring an award ladder game to award prizes in a stair-step fashion based on occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include ordering a plurality of awards, or prizes, on an award ladder in an order of value and configuring the award ladder to award the plurality of awards in a sequential order of value according to an order of occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include configuring the award ladder to reset when the plurality of awards have been awarded.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining bad beats in wagering games are disclosed. If the bad beat is determined to be compensable, some form of compensation is provided to the player. The compensation can include providing a free entry into a second wagering game. The second wagering game can be a site-wide wagering game in which a plurality of player may be simultaneously participating.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining possible wagering game events that can occur for a wagering game. The operations can further include determining a subset of the possible wagering game events and configuring an award ladder game to award prizes in a stair-step fashion based on occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include ordering a plurality of awards, or prizes, on an award ladder in an order of value and configuring the award ladder to award the plurality of awards in a sequential order of value according to an order of occurrence of the subset of possible wagering game events. The operations can further include configuring the award ladder to reset when the plurality of awards have been awarded.