Abstract: The specification discloses a progressive gaming system having a central system, at least one prize, a progressive method, and at least one monetary transaction acceptor. The central system is adapted to associate the progressive method with the prize and the monetary transaction acceptor thereby allowing the monetary transaction acceptor to participate for the prize. The progressive method is adapted to determine a participation outcome based at least on the monetary transaction acceptor's contribution percent factor. The specification also discloses a progressive gaming system and methods having the ability to expand the participation base for a progressive prize to include a wide variety of monetary transaction acceptors. The progressive gaming system and methods may have the capability to accept a monetary transaction value in a plurality of currencies or a plurality of denominations of the same currency. The progressive gaming system and methods may support multiple prizes simultaneously.

Abstract: A linked progressive gaming system and method of operation is disclosed that is capable of accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of the same currency and allowing players in diverse locations to play for common progressive prizes. The system periodically computes each current prize value using the data acquired from each gaming device, and displays the values at each location where participating gaming devices are located, in the currency used at each particular location. Multiple prizes may be supported simultaneously. Each gaming device may be linked to one or more prizes. Progressive prize award events may be triggered by random events associated with play based on wagers made on gaming devices or by the central system based on prize criteria exceeding a boundary limit. A Free Play apparatus is disclosed that allows non-progressive gaming devices, as well as other traditional games, to participate in progressive play.

Abstract: A linked progressive gaming system and method of operation is disclosed that is capable of accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of the same currency and allowing players in diverse locations to play for common progressive prizes. The system periodically computes each current prize value using the data acquired from each gaming device, and displays the values at each location where participating gaming devices are located, in the currency used at each particular location. Multiple prizes may be supported simultaneously. Each gaming device may be linked to one or more prizes. Progressive prize award events may be triggered by random events associated with play based on wagers made on gaming devices or by the central system based on prize criteria exceeding a boundary limit. A Free Play apparatus is disclosed that allows non-progressive gaming devices, as well as other traditional games, to participate in progressive play.

Abstract: A linked progressive gaming system and method of operation is disclosed that is capable of accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of the same currency and allowing players in diverse locations to play for common progressive prizes. The system periodically computes each current prize value using the data acquired from each gaming device, and displays the values at each location where participating gaming devices are located, in the currency used at each particular location. Multiple prizes may be supported simultaneously. Each gaming device may be linked to one or more prizes. Progressive prize award events may be triggered by random events associated with play based on wagers made on gaming devices or by the central system based on prize criteria exceeding a boundary limit. A Free Play apparatus is disclosed that allows non-progressive gaming devices, as well as other traditional games, to participate in progressive play.

Abstract: The specification discloses a progressive gaming system having a central system, at least one prize, a progressive method, and at least one monetary transaction acceptor. The central system is adapted to associate the progressive method with the prize and the monetary transaction acceptor thereby allowing the monetary transaction acceptor to participate for the prize. The progressive method is adapted to determine a participation outcome based at least on the monetary transaction acceptor's contribution percent factor.

Abstract: A linked progressive gaming system and method of operation is disclosed that is capable of accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of the same currency and allowing players in diverse locations to play for common progressive prizes. The system periodically computes each current prize value using the data acquired from each gaming device, and displays the values at each location where participating gaming devices are located, in the currency used at each particular location. Multiple prizes may be supported simultaneously. Each gaming device may be linked to one or more prizes. Progressive prize award events may be triggered by random events associated with play based on wagers made on gaming devices or by the central system based on prize criteria exceeding a boundary limit. A Free Play apparatus is disclosed that allows non-progressive gaming devices, as well as other traditional games, to participate in progressive play.

Abstract: A linked progressive gaming system and method of operation is disclosed that is capable of accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of the same currency and allowing players in diverse locations to play for common progressive prizes. The system periodically computes each current prize value using the data acquired from each gaming device, and displays the values at each location where participating gaming devices are located, in the currency used at each particular location. Multiple prizes may be supported simultaneously. Each gaming device may be linked to one or more prizes. Progressive prize award events may be triggered by random events associated with play based on wagers made on gaming devices or by the central system based on prize criteria exceeding a boundary limit. A Free Play apparatus is disclosed that allows non-progressive gaming devices, as well as other traditional games, to participate in progressive play.

Abstract: A linked progressive gaming system and method of operation is disclosed that is capable of accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of the same currency and allowing players in diverse locations to play for common progressive prizes. The system periodically computes each current prize value using the data acquired from each gaming device, and displays the values at each location where participating gaming devices are located, in the currency used at each particular location. Multiple prizes may be supported simultaneously. Each gaming device may be linked to one or more prizes. Progressive prize award events may be triggered by random events associated with play based on wagers made on gaming devices or by the central system based on prize criteria exceeding a boundary limit. A Free Play apparatus is disclosed that allows non-progressive gaming devices, as well as other traditional games, to participate in progressive play.

Abstract: A progressive gaming system is configured to run many progressive prizes on one central system. The relationship between progressive group and prize with a particular game is designed so that the odds and bet on a particular game need not be identical throughout a group. In one embodiment, prize definition is in terms of number of coins expected to be played between prize hits, independent of denomination, and minimum number of coins returned to players, regardless of odds or denominations. When a progressive game is designed, the coins bet and odds related to the logic of the game are verified as compatible with the prize definitions coins expected to be played between prize hits. The prize definition is used to validate an association between a particular game and a particular progressive prize. Preferably the event that triggers a progressive prize may be unrelated to the events on any game.