Abstract: A method of funding features of a wagering game, comprises receiving a first sum of money generated from extra-casino activity associated with at least one person and depositing the first sum into a feature fund. The method further comprises allocating the first sum to at least one account of the feature fund in accordance with a first rule set. The method further comprises, in response to a triggering event, withdrawing a second sum of money from the at least one account. The method further comprises funding at least one feature associated with the wagering game from the second sum of money and activating the funded feature.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to selectively combine base games and bonus games. This modular approach allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to mix and match base games and bonus games as needed. In some embodiments, players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers may also select different game features to employ in the bonus and/or base games. Such an arrangement allows players, casino operators, and/or gaming machine manufacturers to configure each base game and/or bonus game according to their preferences.

Abstract: This description describes techniques for processing events in a wagering game machine. In some embodiments, a wagering game machine includes a game controller configured to instantiate a game state element based on game state element generation information and game state types, wherein the game state element is configured to present a wagering game, and wherein the game state element includes states, wherein each state includes behaviors. The wagering game machine can also include an event controller to notify the game state element about events, wherein the events cause the game state element to move between the states and to perform the behaviors.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, architectures, and methods provide instrumentality to control adjustment of a parameter in a wagering game, where the adjustment is responsive to a playing feature selected for the wagering game and the wagering game is adapted to be initiated from another wagering game.

Abstract: Systems and methods manage memory in a wagering game machine. The systems and methods determine one or more quantities of various types of memory that are required by a wagering game application. The systems and methods determine if the wagering game machine has enough available memory to perform a requested operation such as downloading the wagering game, activating a component of the wagering game, or installing content for the wagering game.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide three-dimensional transformations on graphical images. The transformations may vary in accordance with various wagering game functions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and a gaming system for operating a progressive game that is accessible at a plurality of gaming machines. The progressive game has a plurality of progressive jackpots. The method and system involve collecting wager-input data at the plurality of gaming machines that corresponds to wager inputs made at the plurality of gaming machines, and crediting a portion of the wager inputs to a first group of the plurality of progressive jackpots in accordance with a first distribution set. In response to the wager-input data meeting a predetermined criteria, the method and system include crediting a portion of subsequent wager inputs to a second group of the plurality of progressive jackpots in accordance with a second distribution set. The first group directs funds to at least one progressive jackpot in an amount that is different from the second group.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for accessing a bonus game with a wagering game machine are described. A portal module can be used to pass a desired expected value from a base wagering game to a portal bonus game module. The portal bonus game may use the desired expected value to generate bonus game payout frequencies and bonus game payout values. Wagering game machines according to the various embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a reel spinning display and a secondary display. The reel spinning display includes a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The reel spinning display successively stops rotation of the reels to display the symbols on each reel in visual association with a display area. As each reel is stopped, the secondary display depicts a respective game outcome such as a bonus amount awarded to a player.

Abstract: Systems for processing wagering game events are described herein. In one embodiment, a wagering game machine comprises a plurality of input devices configured to generate events. The apparatus can also include an event handler configured to detect the events, to cause persistent storage of the events, and to transmit the events. The apparatus can also include a wagering game controller configured to receive the events from the event handler and to present and replay wagering games using the events.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community-event includes a plurality of gaming machines configured to participate in a community-event game. A controller is configured to determine eligibility of each of the plurality of gaming machines to play a community-event. At least one of the plurality of gaming machines is configured to determine a randomly selected community-event outcome for a community-event and to transmit a signal related to the community-event outcome to an eligible gaming machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating content in wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes authenticating a first set of wagering game files stored on a storage device of a wagering game machine. The method can also include starting a wagering game on the wagering game machine if the authentication of the first set of wagering game files is successful. The method can also include authenticating, during the wagering game, a second set of wagering game files stored on the storage device of the wagering game machine, wherein the first set of wagering game files and the second set of wagering game files are mutually exclusive. The method can also include stopping the wagering game if the authentication of the second set of wagering game files is not successful.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuration of a gaming device are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving configuration information associated with a specific gaming machine. The method can also include, based at least in part on the configuration information, determining configuration settings and obtaining values for the configuration settings. The method can also include transmitting the values for use in configuring the specific gaming machine.

Abstract: A method and system for making a plurality of bonus games available on a gaming machine. The bonus games each have associated bonus game instructions. The bonus game instructions are stored in a bonus game memory. The bonus game is selectable by a player of the gaming machine. The bonus game instructions are removed at a predetermined period of time after the bonus game instructions are stored in order to provide storage for new bonus games. Alternatively the bonus game instructions may be removed if the bonus games are not played frequently. The bonus game may be part of a channel including a plurality of bonus games. The channels of different groups of bonus games may be displayed to the player to assist in bonus game selection.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing multi-game contexts. An apparatus comprises a wagering game unit operable to present a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered; and a game context management unit operable to determine a list of installed wagering games on a wagering game machine and to determine one or more relevant rules, wherein a relevant rule is a one that is related to at least one of the installed wagering games, the game context management unit further operable to process each relevant rule to calculate a group of available games; and to present the available games on a primary display.

Abstract: A user-input button for a gaming device includes a movable member, a variable display, and a controller. The movable member activates a function associated with the user-input button. The variable display is proximate the movable member and displays an image associated with the function of the user-input button. The variable display includes a plurality of pixels for displaying the image. The controller is coupled to the variable display and is programmed to decrease the optical output of at least some of the pixels when the gaming device is in a static state.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a plurality of game cards that may be read by one or more card readers of the gaming machine. The game cards may provide a variety of enhancements for the gaming machine, including enhanced game features, enhanced rules of game play, enhanced game characters, and the like. Players may collect the game cards for use in the gaming machine in hopes of increasing their likelihood of achieving a desirable outcome or altering the characteristics of the game to offer more entertaining variations on game play. The players may also trade the game cards with one another and with the casino, thereby creating excitement and interest in the gaming machine. Special interest groups and even entire industries may be formed to facilitate the collecting and trading of the game cards.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The controller is coupled to the display and, in response to receiving the wager input, is programmed to increment eligibility time to a counter of bonus-time eligibility. The counter is decremented as real time progresses. If the counter is greater than zero when a bonus game of the wagering game is triggered, the player is allowed to play the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and at least one rotatable reel. The reel comprises a reel strip arranged about the periphery of a cage. The reel strip, buttons on the machine, a player tracking card, and/or a gaming machine credit ticket may each comprise alterable film for displaying a plurality of indicia, including images, text, and other information. The gaming machine further comprises a controller operative to alter the appearance of items displayed on the film.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment disclosed herein, a wagering game is operated on a first platform, wherein the first platform is capable of supporting all or fewer than all of a plurality of game assets associated with the wagering game, and further wherein the wagering game is capable of receiving a wager. The wagering game is operated on a second platform that is capable of supporting all or fewer than all of the plurality of game assets. A player may accumulate one or more player assets while the wagering game is played on the first platform. At least one of the accumulated player assets is transferred to the play of the wagering game on the second platform, wherein at least one capability of the first platform is different from a corresponding capability on the second platform.