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 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 method for controlling contributions to progressive prize pools includes providing a progressive server which manages standalone progressive prize pools for each of multiple individual gaming machines. The progressive server may further provide group progressive prize pools, allowing a gaming machine to have standalone pools and also be a member in a group pool. Where multiple standalone progressive prize pools are maintained for a single gaming machine, additional steps are taken to identify which pool or pools are to be increased when a standalone progressive contribution is made.

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.