Abstract: A pool amount (payout amount) of a jackpot award is adjusted without deteriorating individual game attractiveness of all game apparatuses even in a game system in which game apparatuses of different models are mixed. Each game progress control unit of a plurality of game apparatuses controls the progress of a game in such a manner that a ratio of an amount of payout objects paid out to a player by a payout process of the payout processing unit to an amount of bet objects received by the bet object receiving unit within a predetermined period comes closer to a normal preset payout ratio obtained by deducting a player's own pool ratio indicated by the pool ratio data stored in the pool ratio storage unit of the game apparatus concerned from a total preset payout ratio indicated by the preset payout ratio data stored in the preset payout ratio storage unit of the game apparatus concerned.

Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.

Abstract: A method of managing bets includes receiving first types of bets and second types of bets. Each first type of bet comprises a bet that the number of units earned by a participant in a plurality of events will fall within a first range of numbers. Each second type of bet comprises a bet that the number of units earned by the participant over a course of a plurality of events will fall within a second range of numbers. The total number of units earned by the participant is determined based on the positioning of the participant in each event. The method includes determining whether the first or second type of bets are winning bets. A betting pool is determined based on the total amounts associated with the first and second types of bets. A payout is determined based on the betting pool and the total amounts of the winning bets.

Abstract: A distributed manufacturing and distribution process for lottery tickets is disclosed. The manufacturing/vending system comprises a ticket manufacturing server and one or more vending devices located at remote sites. Each vending device is operatively coupled for communication with the server, normally via a network connection. Each vending devices is further equipped with blank media and printing means, so that a customer is able to purchase on-demand tickets from a vending device in communication with the server. Additionally, the vending devices may be configured as electronic aid to display the results of the purchased lottery tickets in entertaining ways to the customer.

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: In a method of pari-mutuel wagering, one or more primary bettors place wagers having an applicable base take-out rate, and thus yielding a base pari-mutuel payout for winning wagers. One or more secondary bettors may place wagers having an applicable modified take-out rate (preferably lower than the base take-out rate), thus yielding a higher payout for winning wagers than the base payout. In one embodiment, primary bettors may place wagers through a host, such as a track. Secondary bettors may place wagers through a non-host distributor, such as an off-track betting location (OTB). Secondary bettors may apply take-out points to lower the base take-out rate to a new modified take-out rate which is applicable to their wager.

Abstract: An example method of gaming includes: conducting a progressive jackpot including a prize defined by a plurality of digits; and incrementing the progressive jackpot by incrementing a digit of said plurality of digits of the prize in response to a trigger event corresponding to the digit occurring.

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: Systems for facilitating the play of a progressive game. The systems are configured to accrue a portion of wagers to a multivendor progressive prize fund and track the amount accrued to the prize fund by a first set of game terminals in a first prize determination interval. Optionally, the system is configured to receive a second wager from a second player of a second game of chance, the second game of chance operating on a second game terminal in a second set of game terminals. Optionally the system determines that the second player has won a progressive prize. Optionally the system is configured to determine the value of the progressive prize, the value depending on the size of the multivendor progressive prize fund and on an amount of contributions accrued from the second set of game terminals to the multivendor progressive prize fund during a second prize determination interval.

Abstract: A method for wagering may include accepting bets for wagered sums from a plurality of bettors based on each bettor's selected expected outcome of a pari-mutuel event and assigning one or more of a predetermined quantity of randomly generated numbers to each bettor's bet. A portion of the wagered sums may be assigned to a jackpot pool. Event-winning bettors may be paid a calculated pari-mutuel sum after the event if the bettor's selected outcome occurs. A drawing may be conducted from among the predetermined quantity of randomly generated numbers. At least a portion of the jackpot may be paid to any one of the event-winning bettors if there is a match between a drawn number and one of the randomly generated numbers of the event-winning bettor; and if not, carrying over the jackpot to a subsequent event thereby increasing the value of the potential wager to the bettor.

Abstract: Where a drawing machine for jackpot game is utilized in a game system in which a plurality of game apparatuses are divided into a plurality of groups for management, a payout ratio is easily managed for each group. The drawing machine for jackpot game performs a group drawing for selecting one winning group among a plurality of groups and performs a winner determining process for determining a winner among players who play game apparatuses belonging to the winning group, thereby performing a jackpot drawing.

Abstract: In a method of pari-mutuel wagering, one or more primary bettors place wagers having an applicable base take-out rate, and thus yielding a base pari-mutuel payout for winning wagers. One or more secondary bettors may place wagers having an applicable modified take-out rate (preferably lower than the base take-out rate), thus yielding a higher payout for winning wagers than the base payout. In one embodiment, primary bettors may place wagers through a host, such as a track. Secondary bettors may place wagers through a non-host distributor, such as an off-track betting location (OTB). Secondary bettors may apply take-out points to lower the base take-out rate to a new modified take-out rate which is applicable to their wager.

Abstract: A system and method for an instant online lottery game is disclosed. The system for an instant online lottery game can comprise a server and a plurality of instant online lottery units. The server can store a progressive jackpot that can be won with an instant online lottery number, wherein the progressive jackpot can increase in size based on a portion of ticket sales revenue or the number of tickets sold. The server can have a first random number generator that can generate the instant online lottery number and a second random number generator that generates a plurality of game-play combinations. The instant online lottery number and the plurality of game-play combinations can be provided to the player at the time of purchase of the instant online lottery ticket.

Abstract: The disclosed pari-mutuel wagering method is directed to a sequential selection of two, three or four horses and the finishing position of the first horse in the selected sequence. A winning ticket is determined by three factors. These three factors include the correct sequential order of the selected horses, the correct finishing position for the first horse in the sequence and a corresponding finishing position selection by the racetrack based on a random draw.

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 some implementations of global pool betting, bets can be received at multiple regional servers, each serving a different geographical region. Bets can be initiated, and subsequently transmitted to a regional server, as text messages (e.g., short message service (SMS) messages) at the regional server. A regional server can process the bets and add bet amounts to a regional betting pool accordingly. The bets can be collected at the regional server over a configured period of time. When the configured period of time has elapsed, the regional server can transmit information defining the regional betting pool to global server where the regional betting pool can be added to a global betting pool containing bets from other regional betting pools.

Abstract: A system for managing bets comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores one or more first type of bets and one or more second types of bets. Each first type of bet is associated with a bet amount and comprises a bet that a participant selected from a set of participants in an event will finish in a predetermined subset of finishing positions associated with the event. Each second type of bet is associated with a bet amount and comprises a bet that the selected participant will not finish in the predetermined subset of finishing positions associated with the event. The processor adds the bet amounts associated with the first type of bets with the bet amounts associated with the second type of bets to form a betting pool. The processor determines an amount of a payout based at least in part on the betting pool.

Abstract: A method of managing bets includes receiving first types of bets and second types of bets. Each first type of bet comprises a bet that the number of units earned by a participant in a plurality of events will fall within a first range of numbers. Each second type of bet comprises a bet that the number of units earned by the participant over a course of a plurality of events will fall within a second range of numbers. The total number of units earned by the participant is determined based on the positioning of the participant in each event. The method includes determining whether the first or second type of bets are winning bets. A betting pool is determined based on the total amounts associated with the first and second types of bets. A payout is determined based on the betting pool and the total amounts of the winning bets.

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 for managing bets comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores one or more first type of bets and one or more second types of bets. Each first type of bet is associated with a bet amount and comprises a bet that a participant selected from a set of participants in an event will finish in a predetermined subset of finishing positions associated with the event. Each second type of bet is associated with a bet amount and comprises a bet that the selected participant will not finish in the predetermined subset of finishing positions associated with the event. The processor adds the bet amounts associated with the first type of bets with the bet amounts associated with the second type of bets to form a betting pool. The processor determines an amount of a payout based at least in part on the betting pool.

Abstract: A server for facilitating real-time betting, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network. The server includes a memory storing an operating system, an instruction set, event data related to a sporting event, gambler data related to gamblers participating in a competition based upon the sporting event and site data related to electronic pages associated with the real-time para-mutuel betting. A processor runs the instruction set and communicates with the memory and the distributed computing network. The processor is operative to enroll the gamblers by presenting betting rules associated with the sporting event, collect wagering from the gamblers, accept predictions for discrete events within the sporting event from each gambler and determine a first winner of the competition based upon the predictions. Applications include lotteries with entries received from mobile devices.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein includes an accumulation sequence and a competition sequence. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes competitor points which determine (i) a competitor's eligibility to participate in the competition sequence and (ii) the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence. In this embodiment, a competitor (which is either representative of an actual player or a virtual, gaming system controlled player) accumulates competitor points during one or more point accumulation sequences which occur in association with designated events. For a subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system determines if a competitor will participate in the triggered competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points.

Abstract: A casino style card game, played in accordance with the standard rules of Blackjack, also known as “21,” and including an auxiliary component allowing additional wagering on the outcome of the dealer's hand for each participating player. Participating players are able to wager on the dealer having a non-breaking hand (i.e., a hand having a value less than 21 in accordance with the rules of Blackjack) containing two, three, four, five, six, or seven cards. Wagers may also be made on the dealer having an even or odd count, or an all read or all black hand. A return is paid on wagers in the auxiliary game only if the dealer hand does not “bust” (i.e, exceed a value of 21). The game is also playable in electronic or other automated versions using, for example, terminals and networks, or slot machines.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The gaming machine further comprises a selector applicable to a game feature where, upon a trigger condition occurring in a base game, a player is afforded an opportunity of predicting an outcome of the feature and, if the player's prediction is correct, a bonus is awarded to the player.

Abstract: A method for conducting pari-mutuel wagering on an multi-action event, comprising the steps of providing at least one wagering computing system for ranking of participants in the event; establishing preliminary odds of winning a wager, based in part upon the rankings, for a plurality of individual actions of the multi-action event; accepting wagers for each of the plurality of individual actions; pooling respective wagers for each of the plurality of individual actions into a respective action-specific pool; calculating, using the wagering computing system, final odds of winning each of the plurality of individual actions using the action-specific pool; and paying winnings as determined by the final odds to one or more bettors who wagered a correct outcome for each of the plurality of individual actions.

Abstract: The present invention is to be capable of inhibiting the occurrence of an instance where the enjoyment of a player who plays with the game apparatus by the total event is decreased when a single total event is carried out among two or more game apparatuses. The present game system includes: two or more game apparatuses, each of which comprises a game progress control unit for performing game progress control; and an event processing apparatus for performing a process for carrying out a single total event at the same timing by the plurality of game apparatuses. The event processing apparatus and each game apparatus are connected in a manner to enable communication.

Abstract: A progressive jackpot (PJP) system of the invention increments two types of jackpot values. A PJP controller increments a first jackpot value by a percentage of each bet placed on gaming machines. The increment rate of the first jackpot value is predetermined from a payout percentage of the PJP system. A second jackpot value is incremented at a higher rate than the first jackpot value. Each gaming machine or the PJP controller may increment the second jackpot value. The actual amount of an award for a jackpot corresponds to the second jackpot value. The second jackpot value is reduced at appropriate intervals, even if no jackpot has been won. Preferably, the probability of the reduction of the second jackpot value is adjusted, and thereby, the average difference between the first and second jackpot values at the time a jackpot has been won is adjusted to be zero.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to permit placing a wager on a pari-mutuel event in which expert handicapper's prognoses are displayed to a player to permit them to formulate either simple or complicated exotic wagers, and to be able to aggregate a wager with those of other players to satisfy wagering minimums.

Abstract: The present invention is to be capable of carrying out an unusual performance beyond type of machine. The present game apparatus includes: two or more types of game apparatuses having hardware configurations different from each other, each of the game apparatuses including a performance unit for carrying out a performance visually and audibly appealing to a player, and a game progress control unit for controlling game progress and performing game performance control according to the game progress by controlling the performance unit; and a total performance processing apparatus for executing a process for carrying out a total performance in the two or more types of game apparatuses by using the performance unit provided in each of the two or more types of game apparatuses. The total performance processing apparatus and the two or more types of game apparatuses are connected and capable of communicating with each other.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a service module. The service module is operable to electronically provide service documentation to a wagering game service technician via a user interface of the computerized wagering game system.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes having a special award that includes first and second award levels. A first set of selectable elements is displayed without informing the player that the first award level has been awarded. The elements mask indicia corresponding to all or a portion of first and second level award criteria. A selection is received of a selectable element from the first set of selectable elements and the indicium for the selected element is revealed. If the indicium for the selected element does not meet the criteria corresponding to the first award level, another set of selectable elements is displayed. A player selection of one of the selectable elements from the another set of elements is received and the indicium for the selected element is revealed. The steps are repeated until a cumulative result of the revealed indicia corresponds to the first level award criteria.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system of gaming where players contribute money to win a prize and a part of the money is allocated for public benefit such as charities and other welfare causes. The system gives the player control over certain features such as selecting a cause.

Abstract: In the horse race gaming machine 60001, orders of arrival in racing games are stored for each of the player's racehorses. If the player's racehorses, in consecutive racing games equal to or more than a predetermined number of times including a result of this racing game, have finished consecutively in a place equal to or lower than a predetermined place (S60602: YES), a part of total BET amount specified by the player for this racing game is refunded to the player (S60603). Otherwise, a part or all of insurance is paid to the player in accordance with the predetermined number. Incidentally, to have a player's racehorse run in this racing game, there may be a case that the player is required to pay an entry point given to the player in accordance with BET amount specified by the player. By the player's specifying a side bet, the player's racehorse is able to be made a race entry in any of the racing games.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a system and method for automatic progressive link management and dispersal. Certain embodiments of a progressive gaming system include a first progressive link, wherein the first progressive link includes a first progressive amount. The system also includes a second progressive link, wherein the second progressive link includes a second progressive amount. The system further includes a progressive manager capable of automatically dispersing to the second progressive amount a portion of the first progressive amount greater than a base amount upon removal of the first progressive link. In an embodiment, the progressive manager calculates the portion of the first progressive amount that is greater than the base amount. In an embodiment, the first and second progressive links are active in multiple gaming environments. The progressive manager may schedule automatic dispersal of the portion of the first progressive amount to a selected progressive amount at a selected time.

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: Described herein are various systems and methods for providing gaming activities, these particularly relating to gaming activities where a plurality of players provide respective entry fees. Traditional gaming activities necessarily involve the player putting his or her entry fee at risk. The present invention, at least in some of its preferred forms, modifies the traditional approaches of operating such gaming activities so that the player's entry fee is not necessarily placed entirely at risk. Indeed, in some embodiments a player is provided with an option to participate on the basis that his or her entry fee is wholly refundable while retaining the opportunity to win prizes, potentially alongside more risky though still modified participation by other players.

Abstract: An on-line market-place includes an auction wherein one or more predefined terms, qualities, incentives, or other such indicia (generally, “Program Terms”) are associated with the particular product and/or service which is the subject of the auction. Customers rank or otherwise designate their preference for these Program Terms (e.g., by selecting a “Preferred Program Term”), and the system then partitions the customers into “pools” in accordance with the selected Program Terms. Merchants then compete to obtain that pool of customers by bidding on the Preferred Program Term. Customers may be pooled according to demographic or other customer characteristics (“Characteristic Pooling”), or according to level of commitment to purchase (“Commitment Pooling”).

Abstract: A method and system is provided to permit placing a wager on a pari-mutuel event in which expert handicapper's prognoses are displayed to a player to permit them to formulate either simple or complicated exotic wagers, and to be able to aggregate a wager with those of other players to satisfy wagering minimums.

Abstract: A random payout system provides self-funding winning symbol combinations that allow various wagering games to be quickly and easily defined. The winning symbol combinations may individually be associated with a funding pool. Symbols from a winning symbol combination may be disabled or not presented when an associated funding pool is negative. The symbols may be activated or presented when the associated funding pool is non-negative. In this manner, the winning symbol combinations are self-funding. In this manner, a gaming establishment may provide profitable games that may be easily modified to include a wide variety of winning symbol combinations. The random payout system may be used with various base and bonus games.

Abstract: Techniques for managing games by a gaming entity (e.g., a casino) are disclosed. Various entities (e.g., persons, groups, organizations) can effectively be invited and participate in a game managed by a gaming entity. A gaming apparatus (e.g., a gaming server) can be operable to send one or more indications (e.g., invitations) to one or more devices associated with one or more entities to indicate that the one or more entities may be eligible to participate in a game managed by a gaming entity. It will be appreciated that devices may not be owned and/or operated by the gaming entity and may be operating outside of a domain where the gaming entity is located and/or operates. It will also be appreciated that mobile devices (e.g., cell phones, smartphones) can be operable to allow participation in games managed by a gaming entity.

Abstract: A system for managing bets comprises a memory and a processor. The memory stores information associated with a field of participants for an event, each participant associated with particular odds for the event. The processor receives a bet that a lead participant from the field of participants will finish in a particular subset of finishing positions in the event, wherein the bet is associated with customized odds. The processor further select one or more additional participants from the field of participants to add to the bet such that the odds associated with the lead participant combined with the odds associated with the one or more selected additional participants at least approximates the customized odds for the bet.

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 gaming machine which determines establishment/non-establishment of a shift condition for shifting a game mode from a normal game mode to a special game mode, shifts to the special game mode based on the determination result, and allows an instruction of A player to be inputted thereto, extracts predetermined number of card data to be used in the special game mode, selects a first and a second card data on the gaming machine side and a player side from among the extracted card data, and determines right/wrong of a designating instruction according to a result of comparison between the card data. Upon win, this gaming machine determines establishment/non-establishment of a winning combination based on the extracted card data, and when a winning combination is established, the machine performs payout corresponding to the established combination.

Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.

Abstract: In a horse race gaming machine 1, when a regular denomination process of S201 is executed, a regular BET image for a player to perform BET operations to a racing game is displayed on a sub monitor 113 of a station 101. In the meantime, when a high denomination process of S208 is executed, a high BET image is displayed instead of the regular BET image on the sub monitor 113 of the station 101. “2” is the minimum bet amount which can be specified in the high BET image. Alternatively, “1” is the minimum bet amount which can be specified in the regular BET image. In other words, the denomination of the high BET image is twice the denomination of the regular BET image.

Abstract: A method and system for playing jackpot and casino games are provided. The method includes playing a baccarat or felt table game which allows a player to bet on jackpot and includes dealing cards to a player hand and a bank hand, allowing one player to place a bet on live baccarat or felt table game, allowing another player to place a bet on jackpot and determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according to the set of conventional casino game rules, and determining the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination of cards. Winning the jackpot is by from about 5% to about 100% of the jackpot. The system includes a betting terminal for playing the games according to the method.

Abstract: A multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point is provided such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize is greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket is generated. In addition, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia is printed with a lottery ticket printer.

Abstract: A clearinghouse is communicatively coupled to at least a first wagering facility and a second wagering facility. The first wagering facility hosts at least a first wagering event and the second wagering facility hosts at least a second wagering event. Bets on the first wagering event are placed at the second wagering facility and bets on the second wagering event are placed at the first wagering facility. The clearinghouse performs settlement of at least these bets between the first wagering facility and the second wagering facility.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system and method disclosed herein maintains a progressive award that is associated with a plurality of different progressive award trigger values or progressive award hit values. In such embodiments, the displayed value of the progressive award does not reset to a reset value or reset amount until the displayed value of that progressive award has incremented to each of the plurality of progressive award hit values associated with that progressive award. In these embodiments, the gaming system provides a plurality of displayed incremented values of a progressive award a plurality of times before the displayed value of that progressive award is reset to the reset value. Such a configuration provides that after the gaming system provides a currently displayed value of a progressive award to a player at least a first time, the displayed value of that progressive award continues incrementing from the provided value.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands.