Abstract: Methods and systems for engaging in enhanced parimutuel wagering and gaming. In one embodiment, different types of bets can be offered and processed in the same betting pool on an underlying event, such as a horse or dog race, a sporting event or a lottery, and the premiums and payouts of these different types of bets can be determined in the same betting pool, by configuring an equivalent combination of fundamental bets for each type of bet, and performing a demand-based valuation of each of the fundamental bets in the equivalent combination. In another embodiment, bettors can place bets in the betting pool with limit odds on the selected outcome of the underlying event. The bets with limit odds are not filled in whole or in part, unless the final odds on the selected outcome of the underlying event are equal to or greater than the limit odds.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, methods, media, and apparatus are described for processing lottery entries. One embodiment provides for receiving a request to purchase a lottery entry, receiving with the request an indicator that the lottery entry is to be entered into at least one lottery drawing until a lottery drawing identifies the lottery entry as a winner, and storing the lottery entry.

Abstract: A system of linked gaming machines is disclosed herein. Upon a certain triggering event occurring, eligible gaming machines simultaneously receive a signal for initiating a free game bonus round. The player awarded the most credits or points from the play of the free games is awarded a special jackpot. The possibility of the free game bonus round occurring at any time provides incentive for players to keep playing the linked gaming machines. A free game pot, used to fund the free games, is accumulated from a percentage of wagers, where the percentage is dynamically changed based on the level of the free game pot.

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 gaming machine includes: a display; an operation unit that allows a player to input operations; a controller that performs game process for providing a game to the player by displaying a progress of the game on the display in accordance with the operations input through the operation unit; and a storage that stores information indicating a first magnification and a second magnification that is larger than the first magnification. The controller performs the game process including: accepting an input of a bet of a game value on the game through the operation unit; selecting one of the first magnification and the second magnification based on an amount of the game value bet on the game; and paying out an award that is determined by multiplying the game value bet on the game by the selected one of the first magnification and the second magnification. The controller performs selecting the second magnification when the amount of the game value bet on the game is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a computerized gaming system for multiplayer tournaments, a method of operating the system, a module to be used in conjunction with the system, and a method of playing the game.

Abstract: A primary gaming activity is provided to a player via a gaming machine that involves engaging the player in a plurality of play events. A win threshold involves a number or quantity of winning events of the plurality of play events. The player continues to be engaged in the plurality of play events at least until the player experiences a number of the winning events that satisfies the win threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for rewarding a participant of a gaming activity for achieving a succession of winning results for a corresponding succession of game segments. If winning results are achieved for multiple, consecutive game segments, then the participant is rewarded by augmenting the current payout with a portion of one or more of the previous payouts obtained in the consecutive chain of winning results. An advanced award status is optionally recognized, when the participant has achieved a predetermined number of consecutive winning results. In such an instance, while a particular game segment may have concluded in a losing result, the advanced award status may still be active to enable persistent augmentation of payouts.

Abstract: Disclosed are central determination methods and systems in which pools and sub-pools of outcomes can be distributed among various units of the central determination system. The methods and systems are applicable to Class II and, in some implementations, Class III gaming configurations. The methods and systems disclosed herein can be implemented in a gaming machine network, wherein one of the gaming machines distributes game outcomes to other gaming machines in the network. The gaming machines can be oriented in a peer-to-peer configuration, a central storage medium configuration, a stand alone configuration, an autonomous gaming machine configuration, and other network configurations. Methods are disclosed for managing the distribution of outcomes among the gaming machines in the various networks.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a gambling loss insurance policy automatically computes insurance premiums and processes gambling sessions covered by the gambling loss insurance policies. The players may purchase the insurance policies using various means such as coins, earned winnings, or credit cards. The gambling loss insurance system provides a high level of flexibility for the players to define specific parameters of the insurance policy. Additionally, the players may purchase the insurance policies directly from the gaming machine, a custom terminal on casino floor, or cage personnel having access to a centralized network server.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.

Abstract: A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning the premium amount to the user.

Abstract: A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning the premium amount to the user.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for determining the award of a set of prizes where each prize in the set has a respective prize value. The apparatus includes memory for storing prize data indicative of the prize values in the set. An input device is responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals for providing an increment signal. An increment device accesses the prize data to select at least two prize values from the set to define respective current prize values, and is responsive to the increment signal for incrementing in parallel a plurality of accumulated values toward the respective current prize values. A comparator is responsive to the current prize values and the accumulated values for determining if one of the current prize values is to be awarded and, if so, generating an award signal and removing from the set the prize value corresponding to the one of the current prize values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking play of a game is disclosed. A first set of game outcomes from play of a game associated with a first enterprise is received and stored in a database. A second set of game outcomes from play of a second game associated with a second enterprise independent from the first enterprise is received and stored in the database.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a plurality of game terminals each including an operation section for accepting operation of a player, an acceptance unit for accepting game medium, and an image display unit for displaying a predetermined image; a plurality of cumulative storage units for storing a predetermined value of the game medium; a game control unit for controlling a game based on a base game or a bonus game; a first lottery unit for performing a lottery as to whether or not the bonus game is generated for each of the plurality of game terminals; a second lottery unit for performing a lottery as to whether or not game medium are paid out for each game terminal when the bonus game is generated; and a cumulative game medium payout unit for paying out the game medium to the determined game terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new system and method of gaming on a computer system. In particular, the invention relates to a novel method of playing games such as poker (and variations thereof) and other games where the player is provided with the opportunity to participate in a bonus round of play for an accumulated jackpot when the results of a regular round of play trigger access to the bonus round. The system and method are particularly suited for deployment on a video lottery terminal (VLT) slot machine or other computer gaming system.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine(s) will provide progressive awards and/or supplemental bonus awards, wherein the number of provided supplemental awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. Each supplemental bonus award provided by each gaming device is based on any accumulated wagers placed at that gaming device.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device.

Abstract: The present invention includes a variety of methods to provide free games on a slot machine device until the appearance of two or more predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix. A preferred embodiment, Capture Spins, provides free games until three, winning Capture symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A system for enabling a player to use residual credits on a gaming machine to provide the player with a chance to win a prize. the system includes means for determining a range of values as a function of a jackpot pool to generate randomly an outcome in the range of values, random number generation means for generating the random outcome, means for determining a range of outcome values of the player that provides a chance of the player winning the jackpot pool, and means for determining whether the generated random outcome matches any outcome value of the player.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a gaming method, system and game controller for a game of skill. The result of the game of skill is evaluated to determine whether any potential award value for the game of skill is lost based on the player's skill based result. Potential award value for the game of skill may be lost as a result of application of the player's skill based result. Any lost potential award value is applied to a prize pool.

Abstract: A method of gaming comprising: conducting a mystery jackpot and a progressive jackpot having, respectively, a mystery jackpot pool and a progressive jackpot pool to which contributions are made in response to game play on participating gaming devices; making a contribution to the mystery jackpot pool in response to each play of a game with one of the participating gaming devices; and making at least one contribution to the progressive jackpot pool in response to each play of a game with one of the participating gaming devices in which an ante bet is made on the game.

Abstract: Methods and systems for engaging in enhanced parimutuel wagering and gaming. In one embodiment, different types of bets can be offered and processed in the same betting pool on an underlying event, such as a horse or dog race, a sporting event or a lottery, and the premiums and payouts of these different types of bets can be determined in the same betting pool, by configuring an equivalent combination of fundamental bets for each type of bet, and performing a demand-based valuation of each of the fundamental bets in the equivalent combination. In another embodiment, bettors can place bets in the betting pool with limit odds on the selected outcome of the underlying event. The bets with limit odds are not filled in whole or in part, unless the final odds on the selected outcome of the underlying event are equal to or greater than the limit odds.

Abstract: A method of teaching accounting principles is disclosed in which two different colors are used to distinguish that which is owned and owed from that which has been used and earned. This is to establish the concept of double entry accounting. Question sets are used to distinguish assets, liabilities, income and expenditure from one another to facilitate their proper treatment in books of account. Words other than commonly accepted accounting words are used to denote accounting concepts before the teaching method moves on to using the commonly accepted accounting words.

Abstract: The online poker gaming system comprises a live or recorded poker game, and at least one gaming terminal. The live or recorded poker game involves a group of players sitting around a table. Each player is playing for prize money so there is a cash incentive for each to win. The player terminal displays images of the live or recorded game being broadcast for view by an online player. The player terminal also includes a schematic of the game for presenting in a concise and visual way, the game status and gaming data of the live or recorded game. The player terminal also includes a keypad, enabling the online player to select one or more players to win, and select a value for each selection. So while the online player cannot make gaming decisions—fold, call, check, and raise—the online player can participate by making selections, much as one would make selections at a racetrack. The online player can make multiple playing selections unavailable to the player sitting at the table.

Abstract: A method for creating extra profit from gaming machines (games of chance used in a casino or bingo-hall setting) using progressives, where the progressive amount shown to players is not the amount collected from game play; rather, it is the value which is the sum of payments made from an annuity purchased using the full amount of the contributions made to the progressive, called the amortized value. The amortized value is used to create player excitement and increased base game play in casino environments.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus (1), e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, casino game or the like. The controller (2) displays a suitable gaming image on a screen (6), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and a player interacts with the EGM 1 through buttons (8) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or deal cards. The apparatus includes award means for awarding a player event points during the course of play, accumulator means for accumulating the awarded event points, and purchasing/selection means for allowing a player to purchase a game event using the accumulated event points. These game events may provide the player with the chance of higher returns or the like, and may include free plays, high return games, a jackpot game and the like.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device.

Abstract: A method of playing a game (e.g., blackjack or other wagering game), where the user is provided with the option of purchasing bet insurance by paying an additional fee at the time the time he/she pays the subscription fee. At a predetermined time during the course of the subscription period, and if the player is below a predetermined number of total points or other standing, the player's bet protection is automatically applied, and the player is refunded his initial subscription fee with the gaming operator keeping the insurance fee. Further, the player is eliminated from the plurality of game sessions for the remaining time of that subscription period.

Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of start values. The player selects one of the start values, as part of a game sequence. During the game sequence, the gaming device increments the start value to an apparent award. The gaming device in one embodiment enables the player to keep the apparent award or trade it for another apparent award. The other apparent award in one embodiment is derived from one of the other start values. After one or more keep or trade sequences, the player achieves one of the apparent awards. The gaming device then performs a sequence in which the apparent award changes into an actual award. The gaming device provides the actual award to the player.

Abstract: A random community bonus having a plurality of bonus awards. A threshold is randomly selected for awarding the community bonus. The random threshold may be the number of bonus awards that players qualify for. The bonus awards are displayed on a screen. A maximum of M number of awards, such as ten awards, may be shown on the screen. After the threshold is set, eligible players playing an underlying primary game are qualified for the community bonus. The number of qualified players cannot be more than the threshold value. A compensatory award can be received if a player opts out. A running count of eligible players that have qualified for the community bonus game is also displayed. When the number of eligible players or the number of bonus awards qualified for reaches the threshold value, the community bonus is triggered to award at least one bonus award to each and every qualified player.

Abstract: A gaming system for executing multi-mode bonus events comprises a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game and a bonus event, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to (i) detect receipt of a wager from a player of the gaming terminal, (ii) in response to the occurrence of a triggering event, initiate a bonus event, (iii) detect a selection between a standard bonus mode of operation and a tournament bonus mode of operation, (iv) if the standard bonus mode is selected, execute the bonus event on the primary display and provide any awards earned therein to the player, (v) if the tournament bonus mode is selected, execute the bonus event on the primary display and generate a tournament score for the player, and (vi) enter the player's tournament score into at least one tournament.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed gaming system, gaming device and method provide a selection game having a plurality of tokens which are assignable to a plurality of token collectors. Each of the token collectors has a designated capacity which may be the same or different for the token collectors. In one embodiment, the designated capacity of one or more token collectors is a number of tokens. In various other embodiments, the designated capacity of one or more token collectors is a total award value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gaming machine having a plurality of jackpot prizes associated with it, a player's eligibility to win one of the plurality of jackpot prizes being dependent upon an amount wagered. In a one aspect there is provided a gaming machine having a game control means arranged to play a game, a bet selecting arrangement for selecting one of a number of predetermined amounts to wager on the outcome of the game, each of said predetermined amounts to wager having at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with it, a first display means configured to display the outcome of said game, wherein in the event that a predetermined winning event occurs said game includes the award of at least one dedicated jackpot prize associated with a respective selected predetermined amount wagered on the game.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device.

Abstract: Entries in one or more sports competitions are determined and distributed to a plurality of users. The one or more sports competitions have one or more stages. In some implementations relating to a first sports competition, the entries include entries in which each of the entries corresponds to a respective team of a set of teams participating in the first sports competition. In some implementations relating to a second sports competition, the entries include entries in which each of the entries corresponds to a respective individual of a set of individuals participating in the second sports competition.

Abstract: A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14. The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display 14. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize to a player. When a trigger condition occurs in a base game of the game 16, a bonus game feature is awarded comprising a series of bonus games. If a particular special symbol outcome occurs during any of the bonus games, the particular special symbol outcome is collected towards a jackpot prize awarding event.

Abstract: A system and method provides an electronic poker game to a plurality of players on an electronic poker table. A game computer administers the electronic poker game by dealing one or more hands using electronic cards and electronic chips. Each hand includes one or more betting rounds. The game computer allows the players to make wagers into a pot with the electronic chips during the one or more betting rounds. The game computer dynamically determines a rake amount of a pot and retains the rake amount from the pot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying multiple gaming device interfaces for the same wagering game is provided. The game can be slot although other wagering games are also within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the exact same game is played using one of a plurality of different display interfaces, wherein the gaming device enables the player to select which interface to play. The player can play the game for a while using one interface and then switch interfaces to provide a fresh display or to change the player's luck. The player can then switch back to the original interface or select a brand new interface depending upon how many interfaces overall are provided.

Abstract: A process provides operates, with a processor, a lottery game. Further, the process indicates, with the processor, a first price at which a lottery player can purchase a first price lottery entry into the lottery game. The first price lottery entry has a predetermined quantity of numbers. The process also indicates, with the processor, a second price at which the lottery player can purchase a second price lottery entry into the lottery game. The lottery player has to purchase the first price lottery entry to be eligible to purchase the second price lottery entry. The second price lottery entry has the predetermined quantity of numbers as provided with the first price lottery entry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying multiple interfaces for a gaming device is provided. The game can be slot although other wagering games are also within the scope of the present invention. The interface which is displayed can depend upon the wager level.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a financial instrument comprises a memory operable to store a plurality of predefined states wherein each of the predefined states corresponds to at least one potential outcome of a probabilistic event. The memory further stores a plurality of predefined termination criteria wherein each predefined state corresponds to at least one predefined termination criteria. The memory further stores a financial instrument that is allocated a value based at least in part upon one of the plurality of predefined states. A processor is coupled to the memory and facilitates the transfer of the financial instrument.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device.

Abstract: A betting exchange system receiving a plurality of bet requests backing a given outcome, each backing bet request specifying a price and a size at which an originator of the request is prepared to bet that the given outcome will occur. The betting exchange system receiving a plurality of bet requests laying the given outcome, each laying bet request specifying a price and a size at which an originator of the request is prepared to bet that the given outcome will not occur. The betting exchange system aggregating backing bet requests specifying the same price, aggregating laying bet requests specifying the same price, automatically matching a received backing bet request with individual or aggregated laying bet requests to complete a betting transaction, and automatically matching a received laying bet request with individual or aggregated backing bet requests to complete a betting transaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that presents a plurality of masked value choices to the player, provides a time period in which the player can elect to accept a masked choice and reveals and provides a value associated with the choice to the player if the player accepts in time. If the player does not accept in time or decides not to accept the choice, the gaming device, in one preferred embodiment, reveals the value the player could have accepted when the time period lapses or times out. When the player has successfully accepted a predefined number of masked choices, the game adds or multiplies the values yielded by the choices to form an award for the player.

Abstract: An apparatus for gaming, comprising a card reader system for reading card data from a game card associated with a player. An instant win game system for associating an instant win game entry with the card data. A jackpot game system for associating a jackpot game entry with the card data.

Abstract: A networked system that provides group play features for respective end users of a plurality of game machines is provided. The gaming machines may be connected together through a peer-to-peer environment or through a network controller or other device. An eligibility score may be maintained by each gaming machine, and the eligibility score indicates eligibility to participate in the group-play bonus feature. The group-play bonus feature is initiated when a triggering event is detected. Intermediate and final results of the group-play bonus feature are provided by the eligible gaming machines to all other eligible gaming machines. Each gaming machine apportions a bonus award from a bonus pool associated with the group-play bonus feature to each player.

Abstract: A method of gaming including: initiating a jackpot feature game including a plurality of winnable jackpots having different values corresponding to respective probabilities of each jackpot being awarded; receiving an instruction from a player selecting at least one of the plurality of jackpots to play for in the jackpot feature game; and conducting the jackpot feature game in response to receipt of the instruction from the player, the jackpot feature game including: initiating a determination of whether to award at least one of the selected jackpots; and providing, in at least some jackpot feature games, an option to the player to accept an award of lesser value than at least the highest value selected jackpot before completion of the determination.