Abstract: Disclosed herein is a game played on a gaming device that displays a randomly selected array of symbols, where the symbols across one or more pay lines are evaluated by circuitry to determine an award to be granted. In one embodiment, the gaming device allows the player to designate a position in the array for a next spin of the virtual reels. After the next spin, the symbol in that designated position becomes a scatter symbol. A scatter symbol is a symbol whose significance applies whether it occurs on a certain pay line or not. A certain number of scatter symbols in the array causes an award to be granted to the player. The scatter symbols may have other special award features, such as a providing an award multiplier or initiating a bonus game.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a slot machine is disclosed herein, where the slot machine is slid onto the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket insures proper alignment of the slot machine onto the platform and secures the slot machine into position.

Abstract: A tournament server intermittently initiates a tournament for any number of gaming machines connected to a network. An operator sets the parameters of the tournament, such as the scheduling, the criteria for winning, and the awards. The tournament server controls a display, such as an overhead display or a display on each gaming machine. The tournament server receives pay-in/pay-out data or any other relevant data from the gaming machines and determines the rankings of the players. At the end of the tournament, the winning player is awarded a prize. The tournament server and tournament technique can be implemented without reconfiguring the gaming machines, and a variety of types of gaming machines by different manufacturers may participate in the same tournament.

Abstract: In a gaming machine, unlocking a first lock enables an attendant to open the front door of the gaming machine, allowing access to the internal circuitry of the gaming machine but not allowing access to the money in the gaming machine. Unlocking a second lock enables an attendant to open a second access barrier to gain access to the money. Since access to the internal circuitry is separated from access to the money, better security control is provided.

Abstract: A group of linked gaming machines generates one or more progressive jackpots, common to all the linked machines, where the amount of each jackpot is increased by a percentage of the wagers made by the players. In accordance with the invention, in order to provide incentive for the player to keep playing the machines and to add additional excitement, non-jackpot awards are paid out to players of the linked gaming machines based on triggering thresholds met by each jackpot. One type of triggering threshold may be a threshold value reached by a jackpot. Upon a jackpot reaching the threshold, one or more players will win an award. After an award win, another threshold level will then be set for the jackpot. Since the frequency of the awards being granted is generally higher than the frequency of the full jackpots being won, the players will anticipate awards being granted and will continue to play the machines.

Abstract: A slant top slot machine is described where a raised translucent or transparent housing for light emitting diodes (LEDs) surrounds the main display area of the machine. In the case of a video machine, the raised housing surrounds the video screen. Light from multicolored LEDs in the housing, when illuminated, is emitted downward from the sides of the raised housing to illuminate the front surface of the slant top surface. In one embodiment, the slant top surface is brushed stainless steel so that the LED light reflects off the stainless steel surface and reradiates the light outward toward the player. In an embodiment where the raised housing raises the video screen and the LEDs above the front surface, the screen is optically separated from the rest of the machine, and the player can more easily concentrate on the game since other features on the front surface appear to be in the background.

Abstract: A gaming device displays a game field with a start field and a target field separated by at least one field. The number of fields separating the start field from the target field is determined for each play of the game by, for example, a pseudo random number generator. In some embodiments, the game field has multiple start fields and multiple target fields that may change position in the game field with each play of the game. An indicator randomly selects the number of moves for the player and a virtual player in competition with the actual player. The object of the game may be for the player to reach a target field before the gaming machine virtual player reaches a target field. An award may be based on the player reaching the target field before the virtual player.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is incorporated in a video gaming machine that emulates the spinning and random stopping of reels, where awards are granted based on symbol combinations across one or more activated paylines. In one embodiment, during a time when the virtual reels are spinning or at other times, a pop-up advertisement or other offer appears on the screen either obscuring or not obscuring the reels. In one embodiment, the player is rewarded in any one of various ways for viewing the various advertisements in the pop-up window. Offers made in the pop-up window may be printed on a ticket by the gaming machine. Other features are described.

Abstract: A video gaming machine, such as a slot machine, is described herein where the game itself changes automatically at certain times independent of the outcome of any game and without any player interaction. The changed game may be the main game or a bonus game. The time between changes may be any time such as minutes, hours, days, seasons, etc. In one embodiment, a video five-reel type game having a particular theme automatically changes at a particular time into a different type of game, such as a four-reel game or a game having a different theme. In another embodiment, the symbols in a reel-type game change automatically to become other symbols so that the set of winning combinations of symbols or the payout schedule changes. By automatically changing the game independent of the outcome of any game and without the player's input, the playing experience is varied, and the player does not get bored by playing the same game.

Abstract: A backlight for a reel assembly is disclosed comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). An array of red, green, and blue diodes are positioned behind a translucent reel strip to backlight three adjacent symbols on a reel strip. The LEDs are individually controllable to vary the color output of the LED array for a full spectrum of colors including white. Groups of LEDs can be illuminated to optimally illuminate any number of symbols of any size. The LEDs may be controlled to highlight special symbols such as by blinking or changing colors. LEDs are also arranged on both sides of the reel strip in a vertical array so as to outline the edges of the reel strip.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a special feature is offered by a spinning reels type video slot machine, where virtual reels displayed on a video screen appear to rotate and are stopped to reveal an array of symbols. One or more of the possible symbols are special symbols. Examples of special symbols are wild cards and multipliers. If the special symbol cannot be utilized in the current game to grant an award to the player, the special symbol is carried over into the next game. When the player spins the reels for the next game, the special symbol(s) moves (e.g., randomly) to any position in the array as the reels appear to spin. When the reels stop, the special symbol(s) carried over from the previous game is applied to the current game to grant an award to the player. In another embodiment, special symbols are not extinguished after they are used, but may continue for any selected number of games.

Abstract: A bonus game is described having direct player interaction so that the player feels responsible for the outcome of the bonus game. In one embodiment, a gaming machine carries out a main game which initiates a bonus game for a certain outcome of the main game. In one embodiment, the bonus game displays a plurality of hidden objects in the form of icons. The objects may be credits, money, letters, symbols, or anything else. The player chooses one or more options, and the hidden values for the selected options are revealed to the player. The player's goal is to obtain the highest value amount by, for example, choosing the highest value icon, or by spelling words from accumulated letters, or by accumulating symbols. Other types of ways to achieve award values are also envisioned. After each selection by the player, the gaming machine offers the player a value (e.g., a number of credits) to end the bonus game. The player may accept the offer or continue playing the bonus game to its conclusion.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a top light is provided for a slot machine wherein the white light source and colored film is replaced by a red/green/blue light emitting diode (LED) source. The red, green, and blue components of the LED source are selectively controlled to produce any color and any effect (e.g., flashing) so as to generate any color code required in any jurisdiction without changing the top light for each jurisdiction.

Abstract: A plurality of EGMs are connected within a network. Each of the EGMs is remotely configurable so as to enable an operator to select any desired parameter of the game. The configuration of one EGM may be uploaded to the network and programmed into other EGMs connected to the network. An operator may program the initial EGM at the EGM itself or remotely. In another embodiment, one EGM (a master) may download its configuration settings into other EGMs.

Abstract: Various bonus games for being played on a gaming machine are described. In one embodiment, a base game and bonus game are played on a video screen. The base game may consist of the random selection and display of a 5×3 matrix of symbols, although any size array of symbols may constitute the base game. Upon a certain outcome of the base game, all or some of the symbols in the array are replaced with values, such as different credit amounts. Each value represents a potential bonus award to the player. Various bonus games are described that select one or more displayed values as the outcome of the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming machine is described wherein a player first plays a primary game, such as the spinning and stopping of mechanical or video reels displaying symbols. A plurality of progressive jackpots is displayed to the player. Upon a jackpot-winning outcome of the primary game, the number of different progressive jackpots paid to the player depends on the number of credits bet by the player. In one embodiment, the jackpot above each column of symbols gets incremented upon a special symbol, such as a credit value, being displayed in that column. As the jackpots are won, other jackpots are shifted over the columns to replace the won jackpots. In another embodiment, the determination of which jackpot is won depends on the outcome of the primary game.

Abstract: A game played on a gaming machine, or any other suitable device, is described wherein a player plays a base game, such as the random selection and display of symbols where combinations of symbols across one or more paylines grant awards to a player. Upon a triggering event, such as a certain outcome in the base game, special features are randomly selected for application to the base game. The special features may include wild cards, multipliers, and the number of game to which the special features apply. Any combination of special features may be randomly selected in response to a triggering event. Many other features are described.

Abstract: A programmable electronic gaming machine is disclosed where either a player, a casino operator, or both have the option of selecting the personality of the gaming machine using a display in the gaming machine. One such personality is the pay loading of the game. Other personalities that may be selected by the player and/or the casino operator include the language displayed, the sound volume, the minimum reel spinning time, the display brightness, the arrangement of symbols on each of the reels, the number of paylines, the denominations, the number of reels, award multipliers for special symbols, payout/pay-in percentage, game versions, special symbols, and any other features.

Abstract: An OLED display is used in a reel-type gaming machine. In one embodiment, only a section of a reel strip is replaced by an OLED display. The section may display one or more symbols. In another embodiment, OLED displays are curved to resemble reels, and the reels do not move. The LEDs on the OLED displays are energized (scrolled) in such a way as to simulate the movement of symbols on reels rotated by a motor. Programmable displays other than OLEDs may also be used. In one embodiment, conventional rotating reels, or any reel incorporating an OLED, are viewable behind a transparent display window. The display window is a transparent electronic display that can be controlled to display any opaque or translucent image in front of the reels. The display window may also be a touch screen. A touch screen that does not display may also be used as a display window, and areas of the touch screen are touched by the player to make selections such as to hold a reel or a symbol for the next spin.