Abstract: A game controller operable to control play of a game. The game controller includes a configuration module, a wager determination module and a trigger module. The configuration module configures a secondary event trigger having a hit rate which is fixed over a plurality of games. The wager determination module determines an amount wagered for play of one of the games. The trigger module triggers a secondary game event in which a higher value prize and lower value prize are each eligible to be awarded upon determining the trigger in the game, such that a probability of awarding the higher value prize increases with the amount wagered in the game, while the probability of awarding the lower value prize decreases.

Abstract: A gaming system of the present invention comprises: a plurality of gaming machines; and a control device including a memory device and a processor; wherein the memory device is capable of storing a plurality of types of winning-machine determination programs for determining the gaming machine to which payout of a game medium is conducted, out of the plurality of gaming machines, the winning-machine determination programs respectively determining the gaming machine by methods different from each other, and the processor is programmed to execute processing of determining the gaming machine to which the payout of the game medium is conducted, by executing the winning-machine determination program of the type specified based on the counted number of the gaming machines joining the game and paying out a predetermined number of game media to the determined gaming machine.

Abstract: A method for customizing play of a gaming device to a particular player level or group, where the gaming device is connected by a network to a host computer, includes creating a player account accessible by the host computer. The player account is associated with a player and has stored therein one of a plurality of player levels. The player is allowed to play on the gaming device and the gaming device is operated responsive to the player level. That is, the step of operating the gaming device includes adjusting a bonus triggering threshold and/or quantitative amount awarded based on the player level. In this way, high rated players such as those that gamble frequently and in high amounts, have gaming and bonusing events and award amounts tailored to their style of play and preferences to encourage continued play.

Abstract: A gaming system comprising: a gaming machine and a server capable of communicating with the gaming machine is provided. The gaming machine comprises a receiving unit for receiving a game medium. The server comprises a plurality of first storage devices for storing a plurality of accumulated amounts to which predetermined proportions of bet game media received by the receiving unit is cumulatively added, a first lottery unit for conducting a lottery to determine whether or not one of the accumulated amounts is to be paid, and a first processor that operates to transmit an instruction for payout based on a result of the lottery and reset all accumulated amounts stored in the plurality of first storage devices when the instruction for payout is transmitted based on the result of the lottery.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a successive choice game including methods and apparatus are described. Further embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A slot machine issues a percentage of one or more progressive awards based upon any wager level (“Percentage Progressive”). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Percentage Progressive concept operates as follows: The game displays the total progressive award amount; The player sets the wager; The game displays a Percentage Progressive value based upon the wager level; The player presses the spin button; The reels to spin and stop; The player collects credits for any winning combinations appearing on the reels, including pay table and progressive awards. In the event of a progressive award, the player receives the Percentage Progressive value*total progressive award amount. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, allows players to participate in progressive awards at any wager level.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed that includes a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions, at least some of the symbols including indicia indicative of respective prizes available to a player, and a prize selector arranged to facilitate selection of at least one of the displayed symbols by a player and thereby selection of a prize sought by the player. The system is arranged to hold the or each player selected symbol at the or each respective display position for at least one subsequent selection of symbols by the symbol selector. The system also includes an outcome evaluator arranged to determine whether a winning combination including the at least one player selected symbol exists after at least one subsequent selection of symbols by the symbol selector, and a prize allocator arranged to allocate the selected prize to the player when a winning combination including the at least one player selected symbol exists.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems of conducting wagers, such as pari-mutuel wagers. In one exemplary embodiment, an event, such as a horse race, dog race, a combination of races, etc., is identified for which a plurality of bettors may each place at least one wager. Each bettor of the plurality is enabled to provide input regarding at least one portion of their respective at least one wager prior to the event. At least one other portion of each bettor's at least one wager is randomized prior to the event. The wager then comprises the combination of the bettor selected portion and randomized portion. In one exemplary embodiment, the player selected portion may include selecting bettor-preferred participants of the event while the randomly selected portion may include the randomly assigning a finishing order to the player selected participants.

Abstract: A method, gaming machine, and networked gaming system are disclosed for operating a wagering game that includes an interface activate-able by a player; a set of game plays, with at least one of the game plays occurring after activation of the interface by the player; and a persistent customizable player avatar interactive with a player and the wagering game, and, providing entertainment and companionship for a player during game play.

Abstract: A slot machine that provides enhanced awards for consecutive spins with winning symbol combinations of any type (“Consecutive Wins”). Enhanced may be defined as any award in addition to the award indicated by the game's base level award schedule. Enhanced awards may include: any type of award (e.g., credits or free spins); any amount of award (e.g., ten times the base level award or five free spins); any combination of awards (e.g., credits and a free spin); and any schedule of enhancement (e.g., five times the base level credits for the first three consecutive wins and ten times the base level credits for any additional consecutive wins). Following any loss, the game returns to the base level award schedule.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.

Abstract: A gaming system (1) comprising an electronic gaining machine (5) having an associated players station interface device (4) configured to monitor the turnover of the electronic gaming machine (5) and having an interface device display (7) configured to display an interface device electronic game such that a predetermined proportion of the electronic gaming machine turnover is pulled into an interface device electronic game jackpot controlled by a control server (2) in communication with the player station interface device (4) wherein an electronic trigger is sent from the control server (2) to the player station interface device (4) to commence an interface device game and wherein the control server (2) is configured to provide a payout for a user winning the interface device game.

Abstract: Two-way communications between casino games and diverse master controllers using a universal game module there between allows routing event messages with standard protocols. The universal game module with a computer processor, circuitry, connection ports, interfaces and protocols allows the communications by evaluating, prioritizing, polling and routing communications. A jackpot group of differing games is possible because the win cycles of the various games can be equalized. The volatility of the games in the group is increased by randomly segregating a percentage of the machines to be eligible to win the progressive jackpot for a limited time period. A life changing jackpot is thus payable for a variety of games in a casino on a relatively frequent basis.

Abstract: A method for operating a game of chance comprises the steps: initiating a base game by a player; triggering a feature mode from the base game upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, wherein a first number of feature games are provided in the feature mode; playing the feature games in the feature mode, wherein each of the feature games has an opportunity to win a progressive award; and returning to the base game upon the termination of the feature games.

Abstract: A gaming system which includes a plurality of progressive awards in an MLP configuration. In a triggered bonus event, a player begins at the lowest progressive award level of the MLP and attempts to reach a higher progressive award level based on their decisions in the bonus event. If as a result of their play in the bonus event, a player is provided a progressive award other than the lowest level progressive award, one or more of the remaining lower level progressive awards (i.e., a progressive award associated with a lower level of the MLP than the provided progressive award) are shifted to account for the provided progressive award. The lowest level progressive award (which is temporality left vacant by the shifting of the remaining progressive awards) is reset to a set value, thus providing that the progressive award hierarchy is preserved regardless of which progressive award is provided to the player.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of gaming terminals for playing wagering games that provide access to a progressive game having multiple progressive jackpots. Each progressive jackpot has a base reset value that increases in response to wager inputs. The gaming system comprises at least one controller operative to determine that a first player at a first gaming terminal has achieved a predetermined criteria, and to provide an award associated with one of the multiple progressive jackpots to a second player at a second gaming terminal who triggered the awarded jackpot. The controller maintains the value of the awarded progressive jackpot for the first player who achieved the predetermined criteria at the awarded value, but resets the awarded progressive jackpot to the lower base reset value for other gaming terminals. Thus, the first player benefits from a potentially higher jackpot award value due to achieving the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units are described. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player's wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool.

Abstract: A slot machine issues a percentage of one or more progressive awards based upon any wager level (“Percentage Progressive”). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the Percentage Progressive concept operates as follows: The game displays the total progressive award amount; The player sets the wager; The game displays a Percentage Progressive value based upon the wager level; The player presses the spin button; The reels to spin and stop; The player collects credits for any winning combinations appearing on the reels, including pay table and progressive awards. In the event of a progressive award, the player receives the Percentage Progressive value * total progressive award amount. The preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefore, allows players to participate in progressive awards at any wager level.

Abstract: A lottery game with a capped jackpot prize and increasing raffle prize is provided. The lottery game is set with an initial jackpot prize. If there is no jackpot winner for the lottery game for a drawing, the jackpot is increased until the jackpot is at least equal to a predefined value. For each subsequent drawing, a raffle prize is set and a raffle number is printed on each lottery ticket. The raffle prize is not distributed until a jackpot winner is determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a universal bonus within a gaming environment are disclosed. Such systems include universal bonuses that are made available to patrons of both gaming machines and other non-gaming machine gaming venues, such as gaming tables. Systems can include a gaming machine, a gaming table, and a universal system server. Tracking devices at both the gaming machines and gaming tables or other gaming venues facilitate the tracking of gaming events that give rise to the eligibility of a player to participate in the universal bonus. The same singular universal bonus is then made available to players playing entirely different games and/or at different gaming venues. Incorporated into the system are considerations for including slot machines, video poker machines, blackjack tables, poker tables, craps tables, roulette tables, keno lounges, sports books and other wager based games offered by a casino or other gaming establishment.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel method and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines and associated network devices. Some preferred implementations of the invention allow a target progressive pool size to be selected and apply payouts such that the actual progressive pool size is not likely to exceed greatly the target progressive pool size. Some such implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the current progressive pool size payable to players of a wagering game on the networked gaming machines. The function may be a function of a current progressive pool size, target progressive pool size and bet size.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for operating wagering game terminals where each terminal contributes an award to an award pool. A bank controller aggregates the awards, reapportions, and randomly assigns them back to the wagering game terminals. The reapportioned award assigned to a given wagering game terminal may be less than, the same as, or greater than the award contributed by that terminal. At regular or irregular intervals, the bank controller may shuffle the reapportioned awards and reassign them. As a result, the volatility of the wagering game terminals increases significantly while the payout percentage of each wagering game terminal remains the same over time. Alternatively, instead of randomly reassigning the reapportioned awards, the players may be allowed to pick the reapportioned awards. The reapportioning may also occur randomly and the assigning on an as-needed basis.

Abstract: A jackpot wagering system includes a number of player terminals, a random event generator and an accumulation facility. Each player terminal is operable by a respective player to place a corresponding wager on one or more different turns of a game of chance, while the accumulation facility is responsive to placement of each wager to accumulate a portion thereof in an accumulation account; The random event generator is activatable by placement of each wager to generate a random event upon which an outcome of a turn of the game of chance is based, the outcome being one of a number of possible outcomes that includes a favorable outcome causing the player who placed that wager to win the contents of the accumulation account.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes receiving a credit value from a player via an input device. At least a portion of the credit value is a wager input for playing a wagering game. The method further includes programming a controller to select a randomly-selected outcome from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving the wager input. The credit value is represented on a display as a dynamic element having an original size, the dynamic element being able to change between the original size and another size. The original size of the dynamic element is modified in accordance with changes in the credit value received via the input device to visually represent the changes in the credit value as the changes are occurring.

Abstract: A gaming device having a game involving a plurality of selections and at least one progressive game increment associated with at least one of the selections. The gaming device has a progressive award which is displayable if the player picks a selection associated with a progressive game increment.

Abstract: Disclosed is gaming apparatus, which may be a gaming system and a method of gaming implemented on gaming apparatus. A plurality of linked gaming machines are monitored for the occurrence of a first event. The number of occurrences of the first event for each gaming machine is recorded. On the occurrence of a second event, a bonus is awarded on each said gaming machine on which at least one monitored occurrence of the first event has occurred, the bonus award being dependent on the number of occurrences of the first event.

Abstract: A gaming machine switchable between an insurance mode and a non-insurance mode and which activates insurance compensation irrespective of a result of a game when a predetermined condition is established and a playing method thereof are disclosed. In accordance therewith, when a bet value or a payout value to be paid out includes a value less than one credit, that value is accumulatively stored as a fractional value, and the mode is switched from an insurance mode to a non-insurance mode when the accumulatively added fractional values reach a predetermined value or the number of unit games in which the fractional value is accumulatively added reaches a predetermined number.

Abstract: Electronic table card game apparatus and methods enable the play of multiplayer video table games by one or more players. Preferably, a system of multiple gaming terminal devices and a common display are employed to facilitate the play of multiplayer electronic table card games using the common display to display game play and the outcome of the multiplayer games. Each of the bar top terminal devices can either be used as a standalone single player gaming terminal or as a player station in the multiplayer game. In addition, the terminals can be configured to play single player and multiple player games simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel method and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines and associated network devices. Some preferred implementations of the invention allow a target progressive pool size to be selected and apply payouts such that the actual progressive pool size is not likely to exceed greatly the target progressive pool size. Some such implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the current progressive pool size payable to players of a wagering game on the networked gaming machines. The function may be a function of a current progressive pool size, target progressive pool size and bet size.

Abstract: A gaming system that provides game play in a tournament in exchange for monetary input per game played is disclosed. The gaming system includes a game server, a plurality of game units connected to the game server via a network, and a progressive tournament controller. The progressive tournament controller manages a tournament prize value that is incremented using criteria other than monetary input. The tournament prize is incremented over time at random intervals rather than being incremented by coin input.

Abstract: A game of chance and a method of playing a game of chance with a unique format and innovative wagering options, including parlay and progressive betting. At least one player must place at least one bet for the game to commence. Wagers can be placed on one event or multiple random events occurring simultaneously. Winning payouts are calculated based on the odds of the single event or the cumulative odds of multiple simultaneous events. The progressive bet can only be placed if another wager is simultaneously made, and is paid out as a separate bet. Once commenced, the game incorporates a plurality of random event generators to generate outcomes, which are paid out depending on predetermined payout odds. This game and method would be well suited for casinos in table, hybrid or electronic formats. This game could be played as a board game, a video game or a machine game.

Abstract: A method of gaming in a gaming system comprising a) conducting a plurality of games, each game including determining whether to award an entitlement, and, upon awarding the entitlement, controlling a size of the entitlement based on a size of at least part of a wager made in the game and adding the entitlement to a current total entitlement, b) determining to apply the total entitlement, and c) applying the total entitlement to subsequent game play independently of the most recent wager size.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprising a controller programmed to execute the processing of rolling and stopping the plurality of dice in the gaming portion, cumulatively accumulating, in a case where a normal BET has not been placed on the outcomes of dice satisfying any of plural kinds of predetermined conditions, or in a case where the outcomes of the stopped plurality of dice do not satisfy any of the plural kinds of predetermined conditions, a predetermined ratio of the game media which have been bet as the normal BET in association with respective outcomes of the dice satisfying any of the plural kinds of predetermined conditions, and offering, in a case where the outcomes of the stopped plurality of dice satisfy any of the plural kinds of predetermined conditions, the game media cumulatively accumulated in association with the outcomes of the plurality of dice.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a recurring lottery sustainable by a sustaining pool is claimed and described. In the method of the present invention, a drawing is held. Winners of the drawing receive a jackpot and are required to transfer part of the jackpot to a sustaining pool. Any given jackpot is drawn partially or entirely from the sustaining pool. The system includes one or more electronic devices and may be used to carry out the method.

Abstract: A new type of progressive game can be used in conjunction with wagering games. A gaming terminal is capable of playing a progressive game that is triggered during or after the typical wagering game that is played at the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal includes an input device for receiving inputs from a player during the wagering game. Such inputs include a wager amount. A display displays a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to receiving the wager amount from the player. In response to the progressive game being triggered, the display then displays a plurality of player-selectable game elements. The player selects one or more of the player-selectable game elements. The progressive game payoff is determined based on his or her selection.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may optionally participate and be eligible to win all or a portion of the progressive jackpot. In one embodiment, the player may be eligible for the progressive jackpot by wagering at least a minimum wager amount, and perhaps the maximum bet for the wagering game. Graphics corresponding to the progressive jackpot may be optionally displayed only to players eligible to win the progressive jackpot.

Abstract: An electronic gaming device, such as a slot machine, is provided which initiates a game without input from a player. After initiating the game, the device may present one or more active game elements, such as rotating slot reels, to the player. The device determines an outcome of the game corresponding to a final position of the active game elements. The device further provides an interval to the player to make payment before the final outcome of the game is displayed. Payouts to the player are based on the final outcome and whether the player has made payment. Payouts may be increased based on a measurement of the player's participation rate in a series of games and the frequency of the games played, as measured by the device.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing one or more games, comprising registration means for registering data representative of non-winning outcomes of playing said one or more games, and bonus delivery means for delivering a bonus upon the registered data matching certain criteria, e.g. a determination that the registered non-winning outcomes match a certain number. Many options for a suitable bonus exist, such as an amount of money, a prize, a credit for further playing, an in-game enhancement and a progressive jackpot. In an embodiment the system comprises a plurality of interconnected gaming machines, the registration means being configured to register the data representative of non-winning outcomes from each of the plurality of interconnected gaming machines. Also a bonus provision device for use with such a gaming system, comprising the already-mentioned registration means as well as signaling means for providing a bonus delivery signal to external bonus delivery means.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides a game server. The game server may be used to provide a number of game services, including accounting, bonus game play, progressive game play, game serving and game configuration, to a group of gaming machine connected in a network The gaming machines can employ a number of standard components including a game server, a concentrator, and a translator. The concentrator gathers game information from a number of gaming machines connected in a network segment. The translator may be used to convert one communication protocol to another communication protocol for the transmission of game information. The game information may be utilized by the game server to provide a game service. When used for game serving, the game server may allow a player to select a game from a list of games stored on the game server on one gaming machine for game play on another gaming machine.

Abstract: A method of awarding a progressive comprises displaying a progressive award which increments over time as wagers are received and activating the progressive award for a predetermined first time period. During the first time period, a first portion of each eligible wager received is added to the progressive award, each eligible wager associated with a corresponding player inputting the wager. For each eligible wager received, a first number of entries are allocated into a selection for awarding the progressive award. The method further comprises selecting a winning entry from all entries received during the first time period and awarding the progressive award to a player associated with the selected winning entry.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the gaming system of the present disclosure enable a player to play a secondary or bonus game, in which the player has the chance to play for a designated award in the triggered secondary or bonus game. The probability of triggering the secondary or bonus game varies based on the player's primary game wager. Additionally, the probability of winning a designated award in the triggered secondary or bonus game varies based on the player's primary game wager. In one embodiment, as the primary game wager increases, the odds of triggering the secondary or bonus game increase, but not in direct proportion to the wager. Similarly, the odds of winning the designated award in the triggered secondary or bonus game increases, but not in direct proportion to the wager.

Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device and method disclosed herein determines whether to provide at least one of the plurality of progressive awards to the player based on that player's measured level of skill in: (i) a plurality of plays of a partial skill-based game, (ii) a skill-based progressive award sequence, or (iii) a plurality of plays of a partial skill-based game and a skill-based progressive award sequence. The determination is based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player which tend to measure that player's level of skill in at least one of a partial skill-based game and a skill-based progressive award sequence.

Abstract: A gaming device having a game involving a plurality of selections and at least one progressive game increment associated with at least one of the selections. The gaming device has a progressive award which is displayable if the player picks a selection associated with a progressive game increment.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises displaying the wagering game and at least one progressive award, receiving a wager to play the wagering game, and upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, offering the at least one progressive award. The method further comprises determining whether or not the at least one progressive award has been accepted, and if the at least one progressive award has not been accepted, banking a progressive enhancement. The method further comprises, upon the occurrence of a second triggering event, applying the progressive enhancement to the at least one progressive award.

Abstract: Gaming systems, gaming devices and methods that provide games that control volatility. In one embodiment, the gaming system disclosed herein enables a player to select values, or cells associated with values, that are displayed in a particular arrangement. The player selected values are distributed to other values or cells according to one or more predefined rules. In one embodiment, one or more of the player selectable values are progressive award values. At some point during the game, the gaming system randomly picks one of the remaining values that have not been selected and provides an award to the player based at least in part on the selected value.

Abstract: A gaming system enables players of a group of gaming devices to wager on progressive or other awards for that group and tracks an amount of player activity at the group. If player activity of the group exceeds an upper reconfiguration threshold, the gaming system disassociates one or more gaming devices from the group to reduce the amount of player activity. If the player activity of the group falls below a lower reconfiguration threshold, the gaming system associates one or more additional gaming devices with that group to increase player activity. Reallocation of gaming devices can occur following a player winning the award for the group. The system can incrementally increase an award reset amount, while reducing the odds of winning the award, to maintain a desired range of gaming experiences. The system can also enable a player to select an initial groups based on a characteristic of that player.

Abstract: A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects can indicate information associated with wagering games. Specifically, the toolbar objects can receive and display progressive game content from a progressive wagering game server. The toolbar objects can include progressive jackpot meters, progressive game branding, and other information about the progressive game content. The toolbar objects can also include settings that indicate player preferences regarding the presentation of the progressive game content on the toolbar objects.

Abstract: A gaming method includes displaying on a display a progressive award as a cash value and incrementing the progressive award in response to play of one or more processor-controlled wagering games or gaming devices linked to the progressive award. One or more processors are used to convert the cash value of the progressive award to a plurality of non-cash values of respective different game parameters, and, in response to a triggering event, a progressive game is awarded using the non-cash value of one of the game parameters.