Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.

Abstract: The game bonus can be initiated by a reel symbol combination; an example is the initiator symbol that occurs on the base game. In the preferred implementation, the bonus initiator will be a scatter pay on a video slot. Upon hitting the initiator, the game random number generator chooses a value to award and an associated script to display the award based upon a probability and award schedule. The embodiments of display have a play choosing chickens located in cages on a truck. Each chicken awards a value until a chicken with a stopper and a value is chosen. This stopper ends the script and the player is awarded a value.

Abstract: A method for tracking an event of an externally controlled interface (ECI) is described. The method includes generating the externally controlled interface independent of an outcome of a wager-based game regulated by a regulatory authority, and logging the event of the externally controlled interface.

Abstract: A gaming system and method is disclosed which provides variable payback or hold amounts for a primary or base game, a secondary or bonus game, or both. The gaming system includes a central controller that changes at least one aspect of the game to provide a variable payback or hold for a gaming device in the gaming system. The gaming system includes a plurality of different paytables or award sequences each having a different average expected payback. The gaming system selects one of the paytables or award sequences for the game based on a player ranking assigned to each player. The player ranking is associated with a player tracking status obtained through a suitable player tracking system. The selection of one of the paytables or award sequences and its associated average expected payback is based on the player ranking (i.e., the player tracking status) of the player.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more enhanced wagering opportunities. One enhanced wagering opportunity enables a player to continue playing one or more primary games at the maximum wager even if the player's continued play causes the gaming device's credit meter to fall below zero credits. In one such embodiment, after playing one or more maximum wager games which cause the credit meter to drop below zero, the player's player tracking account is utilized to cover any amount of credits the gaming device's credit meter is below zero.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for facilitating side wagering activities conducted at a casino which includes a casino gaming network and a plurality of gaming machines. In at least one embodiment, a casino side wagering system may be utilized to enable casinos operators to provide side wagering opportunities to non-primary players of electronic gaming machines, electronic slot machines and/or other types of gaming machines.

Abstract: In a game bonus initiated by a base game trigger, a plurality of scripts may be chosen randomly. A select script takes a player through a predetermined bonus sequence. The bonus sequence can be located on a video screen, or on a top box. Each script may request player interaction at each let of the current step before moving on to the next step. Each step may have the same value or it may have different values, with the defining difference being on the method of awarding the sum of the values of each step of the script. With multiple scripts associated with the same sum value, it is possible to provide the appearance of luck and/or skill to a player that may never see the same bonus sequence twice and thus would be unable to predict the outcome.

Abstract: A gaming system and method that enables tournament table games and non-tournament table games to be played simultaneously at a same gaming table with a processor automatically determining the results of the tournament. The players at a gaming table may play a tournament game simultaneously with other tournament players, may play the tournament at different times with tournament players on gaming tables simultaneously playing tournament games as other players play non-tournament games on a same gaming table and a single player may simultaneously or sequentially play tournament and non-tournament games at a gaming table with suitable chip identification devices. During the tournament the gaming system tracks at least the tournament players' wagers wins, losses, and chip totals and/or chip values with suitable chip identification devices and automatically determines the results of the tournament based on the chip identification.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming tables. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming table at which that the player is currently playing.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming device that the player is currently playing.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming device that the player is currently playing.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming device that the player is currently playing.

Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.

Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.

Abstract: A plurality of gaming machines, such as slot machines or the like, are networked together in communication with a bonus server. The bonus server identifies each machine on the network and transmits a bonus token across the network to a machine control interface within a selected one of the machines. The bonus token is preferably a message packet containing the unique address of the gaming machine selected as well as various parameters which govern aspects of a bonus session initiated at the machine. Receipt of the bonus token signal at the machine causes additional lighting and sound effects beyond that enabled by the normal operation of the game. The bonus token also enables additional bonuses within the game that are awarded to a player of the selected machine. At the end of a bonus period, the bonus token is returned to the bonus server, processed to introduce new parameters, and then transmitted to a second one of the plurality of gaming machines at the proper time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a time-based bonus system that can be pre-configured to award a certain amount of money to players of networked gaming devices over a certain time period. The amount of bonus money in a bonus pool is predetermined by a casino or other gaming network operator. Additionally, the total amount of bonus money in a particular bonus pool can be divided into multiple smaller bonuses, which can be distributed to many players over the time period in which the bonus pool is operating.

Abstract: A method of providing incentive to play gaming devices during certain off-peak hours comprises three types of periods: an earning period over which earned credits are accumulated responsive to the level of play on the gaming device, a redeeming period where the earned credits can be played, and a regular period where credits are neither earnable or playable. In this way, the player is given an incentive to play during certain times of the week which are otherwise off-peak playing times where the casino might be relatively empty. The amount of credits earned and redeemed can also be dependent upon the player level so that more valuable customers are given preferential bonuses to encourage play.

Abstract: A game bonus can be initiated by a reel symbol combination; an example is the initiator symbol that occurs on the base game. Once a combination is hit, a plurality of scripts may be chosen randomly. A select script takes a player through a predetermined bonus sequence. The bonus sequence can be located on a video screen, or on a top box. Each script may request player interaction at each let of the current step before moving on to the next step. Each step may have the same value or it may have different values, with the defining difference being on the method of awarding the sum of the values of each step of the script. With multiple scripts associated with the same sum value, it is possible to provide the appearance of luck and/or skill to a player that may never see the same bonus sequence twice and thus would be unable to predict the outcome.

Abstract: The game bonus can be initiated by a reel symbol combination; an example is the initiator symbol that occurs on the base game. In the preferred implementation, the bonus initiator will be a scatter pay on a video slot. Upon hitting the initiator, the game random number generator chooses a value to award and an associated script to display the award based upon a probability and award schedule. The embodiments of display have a play choosing chickens located in cages on a truck. Each chicken awards a value until a chicken with a stopper and a value is chosen. This stopper ends the script and the player is awarded a value.