Abstract: The present invention relates to a reel-type slot machine having interactive spin action visual effects. The reel-type slot machine includes at least M reels, each reel having symbols associated with it; a video display for displaying a video image of a M N matrix of squares, each square associated with a symbol of a corresponding reel; and a spin actuator for initiating play and interactively producing spin action visual effects associated with the M×N matrix of squares by inputting a direction vector and speed, wherein the direction vector and speed respectively determine the direction and speed of the spin action visual effects. Preferably, the spin actuator is a trackball.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reel-type slot machine having interactive spin action visual effects. The reel-type slot machine includes at least M reels, each reel having symbols associated with it; a video display for displaying a video image of a M N matrix of squares, each square associated with a symbol of a corresponding reel; and a spin actuator for initiating play and interactively producing spin action visual effects associated with the M×N matrix of squares by inputting a direction vector and speed, wherein the direction vector and speed respectively determine the direction and speed of the spin action visual effects. Preferably, the spin actuator is a trackball.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for operating a sequence of single games, providing enhanced payouts for bets placed with credits earned over the course of previous games, and restricting access to certain games according to a predetermined set of criterion. The system comprises a terminal for players to place their bets on outcomes of a last selected game and a single game controller for operating the last selected game. The system further comprises a sequencer for selecting the next game of the sequence at predetermined intervals of time and determining whether players are eligible to participate in the selected games. The system also comprises a bet controller for determining whether the bets were placed with regular or bonus credits, and assigning enhanced payout factors to those of the bets that were placed with bonus credits.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for operating a multi-round game having a progressive jackpot that is incremented by those of the credits that were earned either individually or collectively by the players without being cashed in before the end of the game. The system comprises a terminal for players to enter their game-related decisions away from the eyes of competing players by operating a keyboard having a random layout. A game controller selects a game outcome and an outcome analyzer determines whether credits were earned individually or collectively. An earned credit controller updates credits earned individually, and a pool credit controller, credits earned collectively. A player can cash in earned credits by retiring, but earned credits that are not cashed in before the end of the game are incremented to a jackpot by a progressive jackpot controller.