Abstract: A secondary game system, in various embodiments, comprises a system of networked game terminals where a player playing a game on a game terminal can earn eligibility to win a prize from a secondary game that plays simultaneously in the background. The secondary game may be triggered based on play on the plurality of networked terminals. This allows the player to play a first game that earns them eligibility to win another game that is played in the background. The player sends a game initiation request for a game (e.g., lottery slot) to be played on the game terminal. If a certain criterion is satisfied, the player becomes eligible to win a prize from the secondary game if the secondary game is triggered while the player is eligible to win.

Abstract: A system and method that generates a finite number of sweepstakes entries for a sweepstakes, facilitates a selection of one or more sweepstakes entries from the finite number of entries, determines the result of each selected sweepstakes entry, allocates each nonzero result to the user, and provides the user with at least one of the selected sweepstakes entries, the result of each selected sweepstakes entry, the sum of all nonzero results from the selected sweepstakes entries, a code that is associated with the selected sweepstakes entries, and a program that is configured to cause a computer to interactively display to the results associated with the selected sweepstakes entries to the user. The results of the selected sweepstakes entries may be viewed in the form of a simulated game, or the user may log into an account associated with the user to view the total amount won.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of playing a game on a plurality of networked terminals comprises receiving a plurality of requests to play the first game, facilitating play of the first game on at least one of the plurality of networked terminals, triggering play of a second game at a particular point in time, determining eligible players whom are eligible to play the second game from a plurality of players submitting requests to play the first game, in response to receiving each of the plurality of requests from the eligible players that occur after the particular point in time, facilitating a play of the second game concurrently with a respective play of the first game, determining which plays of the second game result in a prize, and decrementing a second game total prize pool by an amount of each prize that results from each play of the second game.

Abstract: A secondary game system, in various embodiments, comprises a system of networked game terminals where a player playing a game on a game terminal can earn eligibility to win a prize from a secondary game that plays simultaneously in the background. The secondary game may be triggered based on play on the plurality of networked terminals. This allows the player to play a first game that earns them eligibility to win another game that is played in the background. The player sends a game initiation request for a game (e.g., lottery slot) to be played on the game terminal. If a certain criterion is satisfied, the player becomes eligible to win a prize from the secondary game if the secondary game is triggered while the player is eligible to win.

Abstract: A player accesses a game terminal, which is networked to other game terminals configured to play standard games and game-in-games. The player initiates a standard game (e.g., lottery slot) on the game terminal. The game terminal receives a game initiation request for the standard game and starts a timer. Prior to expiration of the timer, the player may perform a predefined action (e.g., pressing a spin button) indicating that the player wishes to play a game-in-game (e.g., a “community prize” game). If the timer expires without the player performing the predefined action, (s)he is deemed ineligible to win an award associated with the game-in-game. However, in response to player performing the predefined action prior to the timer's expiration, the player is deemed eligible to win an award associated with the game-in-game, and the player participates in both the game and the game-in-game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of playing a game on a plurality of networked terminals comprises receiving a plurality of requests to play the first game, facilitating play of the first game on at least one of the plurality of networked terminals, triggering play of a second game at a particular point in time, determining eligible players whom are eligible to play the second game from a plurality of players submitting requests to play the first game, in response to receiving each of the plurality of requests from the eligible players that occur after the particular point in time, facilitating a play of the second game concurrently with a respective play of the first game, determining which plays of the second game result in a prize, and decrementing a second game total prize pool by an amount of each prize that results from each play of the second game.

Abstract: A system for allowing a user to participate in an electronic auction and an electronic sweepstakes game includes a processor configured to (1) receive a request to purchase a first quantity of bids, (2) enable purchase the first quantity of bids, (3) allocate the first quantity of purchased bids and a first quantity of electronic sweepstakes entries to an account of the purchase, (4) enable the purchaser to use one of the first quantity of bids to bid on a first item, (5) receive a request to reveal one of the first quantity of sweepstakes entries, (6) enable the user to reveal the one sweepstakes entry, and (7) enable the display of a result selected from a group consisting of the auction of the item and the reveal of the at least one sweepstakes entry.

Abstract: A gaming system and method are disclosed that include anonymous and identified player tracking, wherein gaming data is collected over one, two, or more gaming sessions, the data is analyzed to determine whether a selected criterion or selected criteria have been met, and if so, then initiating a response, such as triggering a flag or transmitting a notification to an operator.

Abstract: A secondary game system, in various embodiments, comprises a system of networked game terminals where a player playing a game on a game terminal can earn eligibility to win a prize from a secondary game that plays simultaneously in the background. The secondary game may be triggered based on play on the plurality of networked terminals. This allows the player to play a first game that earns them eligibility to win another game that is played in the background. The player sends a game initiation request for a game (e.g., lottery slot) to be played on the game terminal. If a certain criterion is satisfied, the player becomes eligible to win a prize from the secondary game if the secondary game is triggered while the player is eligible to win.

Abstract: “A player accesses a game terminal, which is networked to other game terminals configured to play standard games and game-in-games. The player initiates a standard game (e.g., lottery slot) on the game terminal. The game terminal receives a game initiation request for the standard game and starts a timer. Prior to expiration of the timer, the player may perform a predefined action (e.g., pressing a spin button) indicating that the player wishes to play a game-in-game (e.g., a “community prize” game). If the timer expires without the player performing the predefined action, (s)he is deemed ineligible to win an award associated with the game-in-game. However, in response to player performing the predefined action prior to the timer's expiration, the player is deemed eligible to win an award associated with the game-in-game, and the player participates in both the game and the game-in-game.

Abstract: A gaming system and method are disclosed that include anonymous and identified player tracking, wherein gaming data is collected over one, two, or more gaming sessions, the data is analyzed to determine whether a selected criterion or selected criteria have been met, and if so, then initiating a response, such as triggering a flag or transmitting a notification to an operator.

Abstract: A method for detecting potential money-laundering activities or other illegal activities in the use of a gaming accounting system includes collecting data regarding a player's activity in a gaming system. The gaming system activity data is collected in terms of a gaming activity network, that is, a series of linked activities or events, and/or objects associated with activities or events. In response to a predefined event such as a cash out or credit redemption transaction request initiated by the player, the method includes evaluating the collected data to identify potentially illegal or prohibited activity. In the event illegal activity is indicated, the method includes taking some corrective action such as producing an operator alert to the potential illegal activity.

Abstract: A method includes periodically over a given day comparing an actual status for a casino player station with a current target status for the casino player station. The actual status for the casino player station specifies an actual game presentation operating at the casino player station at the particular time. A modification command is issued to the casino player station in the event that the current target status for the casino player station does not match the actual status for the casino player station. In response to the modification command, a target game presentation is launched at the casino player station. This target game presentation is specified by the current target status for the casino player station and is different from the actual game presentation specified by the actual status for the casino player station. The method thus facilitates configuration changes in the various player stations in a gaming system to ensure the desired game presentations are available to players.

Abstract: A method for detecting potential money-laundering activities or other illegal activities in the use of a gaming accounting system includes collecting data regarding a player's activity in a gaming system. The gaming system activity data is collected in terms of a gaming activity network, that is, a series of linked activities or events, and/or objects associated with activities or events. In response to a predefined event such as a cash out or credit redemption transaction request initiated by the player, the method includes evaluating the collected data to identify potentially illegal or prohibited activity. In the event illegal activity is indicated, the method includes taking some corrective action such as producing an operator alert to the potential illegal activity.