Multi-player bingo game with progressive jackpots

• US 20060052160A1
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wolf, Bryan, Michaelson, Richard E., Saffari, Ali, Wanex, Diane
• Granted Patent: US 7,951,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/27
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0645 Electric lottos or bingo games
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3246 involving coins and/or banknotes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

Abstract

The invention is directed to 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. 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. In addition, the main pool may be reseeded from the reserve pool after a progressive jackpot is awarded. The amount added to the main pool may be determined based on the amount of the progressive jackpot award, predetermined minimum seed amounts and other parameters.

Claims

1. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot over a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units at which a player may be awarded a progressive jackpot award from the progressive jackpot, wherein at least two of the gaming units have different maximum wager amounts that a player may wager on an occurrence of the at least one wagering game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at a gaming unit;

receiving input for a player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of a wagering game at an input device of the gaming unit;

subtracting the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game from the player'"'"'s available credit at the gaming unit in response to receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager, wherein the player'"'"'s available credit corresponds to the amount of the medium of currency deposited at the gaming unit;

determining an outcome for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game; and

awarding a progressive jackpot award to the player in response to determining that the player'"'"'s outcome for the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome, wherein the progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a gaming network maximum wager amount that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network.

2. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide a first wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide a second wagering game.

3. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

configuring the gaming units to provide one wagering game;

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide a first maximum wager amount for an occurrence of the wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide a second maximum wager amount for an occurrence of the wagering game.

4. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

determining a maximum progressive jackpot award that may be awarded to a player for the gaming unit, wherein the maximum progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the maximum wager on the occurrence of the wagering game that may be made at the gaming unit to the gaming network maximum wager amount; and

displaying the maximum progressive jackpot award amount at the gaming unit before receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager.

5. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

determining a maximum progressive jackpot award that may be awarded to a player for the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the maximum progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the gaming network maximum wager amount; and

displaying the maximum progressive jackpot award amount at the gaming unit after receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager and before determining the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game.

11. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

determining a maximum progressive jackpot award that may be awarded to a player for the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the maximum progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the product of a gaming network maximum credit denomination that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network and a gaming network maximum number of credits that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network; and

displaying the maximum progressive jackpot award amount at the gaming unit after receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager and before determining the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game.

6. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot over a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units at which a player may be awarded a progressive jackpot award from the progressive jackpot, wherein at least two of the gaming units have different maximum wager amounts that a player may wager on an occurrence of the at least one wagering game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at a gaming unit;

adding the deposited amount of currency to the player'"'"'s available credit at the gaming unit;

displaying the player'"'"'s available credit at the gaming unit, wherein the player'"'"'s available credit is displayed as a number of credits, each credit having a corresponding monetary credit denomination such that the displayed number of credits multiplied by the credit denomination is equal to the monetary value of the player'"'"'s available credit;

receiving input for a player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of a wagering game at an input device of the gaming unit, wherein the input for the player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of the wagering game is a number of wagered credits, and wherein the amount of the player'"'"'s wager is equal to the number of wagered credits multiplied by the credit denomination;

subtracting the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game from the player'"'"'s available credit at the gaming unit in response to receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager;

determining an outcome for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game; and

awarding a progressive jackpot award to the player in response to determining that the player'"'"'s outcome for the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome, wherein the progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the product of a gaming network maximum credit denomination that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network and a gaming network maximum number of credits that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network.

7. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 6, comprising:

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide a first wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide a second wagering game.

8. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 6, comprising:

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide a first maximum number of credits that may be wagered for an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide a second maximum number of credits that may be wagered for an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game.

9. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 6, comprising:

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide a first credit denomination that may be wagered for an occurrence of the at least one wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide a second credit denomination that may be wagered for an occurrence of the wagering game.

10. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 6, comprising:

determining a maximum progressive jackpot award that may be awarded to a player for the gaming unit, wherein the maximum progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the product of the credit denomination for the wagering game and the maximum number of credits that may be wagered on an occurrence of the at least one wagering game at the gaming unit to the product of a gaming network maximum credit denomination that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network and a gaming network maximum number of credits that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network; and

displaying the maximum progressive jackpot award amount at the gaming unit before receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager.

12. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot over a gaming network, comprising:

providing a progressive jackpot pool having a main pool and a reserve pool;

receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at a gaming unit of the gaming network;

receiving input for a player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of the wagering game at an input device of the gaming unit;

calculating a predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager to be added to the progressive jackpot pool;

automatically calculating a main pool funding amount, wherein the main pool funding amount is equal to a percentage of the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager, wherein the percentage of the predetermined portion is determined based on the current main pool amount, and wherein the percentage is determined automatically by the gaming network;

adding the main pool funding amount to the main pool amount; and

adding the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager minus the main pool funding amount to the reserve pool amount.

13. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 12, comprising:

storing a desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network;

comparing the main pool amount to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

14. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 13, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage.

15. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and a desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

16. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and a desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies linearly from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

17. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and a desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is within a predetermined range of balances of the main pool, wherein the third percentage is less than the first percentage and greater than the second percentage, and wherein the range of balances of the main pool is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

18. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and a desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies according to a parabolic function from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the rate of change of the third percentage increases as the main pool amount increases from the minimum seed amount to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

19. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and a desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies according to a parabolic function from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the rate of change of the third percentage decreases as the main pool amount increases from the minimum seed amount to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

20. A progressive jackpot network computer for providing a progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units configured to provide at least one wagering game, comprising:

a network computer memory device; and

a network computer controller operatively coupled to the network computer memory device and the gaming units,

the network computer controller being programmed to cause the network computer memory device to store a progressive jackpot pool having a main pool and a reserve pool,

the network computer controller being configured to receive player wager information transmitted by the gaming units on the gaming network,

the network computer controller being programmed to determine a predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager to be added to the progressive jackpot pool based on the received player wager information,

the network computer controller being programmed to calculate a main pool funding amount, wherein the main pool funding amount is equal to a percentage of the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager, and wherein the percentage of the predetermined portion is determined by the network computer controller based on the current main pool amount stored at the network computer memory device,

the network computer controller being programmed to add the main pool funding amount to the main pool amount,

the network computer controller being programmed to add the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager minus the main pool funding amount to the reserve pool amount, and

the network computer controller being programmed to cause the network computer memory device to store the updated main pool amount and reserve pool amount.

21. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

the network computer controller is programmed to comparing the main pool amount to a desired minimum jackpot amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount; and

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

22. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 21, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage.

23. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount and to a desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount; and

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

24. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount and to a desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies linearly from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

25. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 20, comprising:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount and to a desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is within a predetermined range of balances of the main pool, wherein the third percentage is less than the first percentage and greater than the second percentage, and wherein the range of balances of the main pool is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

26. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 20, comprising:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount and to a desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies according to a parabolic function from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the rate of change of the third percentage increases as the main pool amount increases from the minimum seed amount to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

27. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 20, comprising:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount and to a desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

the network computer controller is programmed to multiply the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies according to a parabolic function from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the rate of change of the third percentage decreases as the main pool amount increases from the minimum seed amount to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

28. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 20, wherein the transmitted player wager information is the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager to be added to the progressive jackpot pool.

29. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot having a main pool and a reserve pool when a player of a wagering game has a progressive jackpot winning outcome for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

awarding the player a progressive jackpot award, wherein the progressive jackpot award amount is equal to a first main pool amount multiplied by a proration ratio, and wherein the proration ratio is a number less than or equal to one;

calculating a second main pool amount equal to the first main pool amount minus the progressive jackpot award amount;

calculating a transfer amount equal to a first reserve pool amount multiplied by the proration ratio;

calculating a third main pool amount equal the second main pool amount plus the transfer amount; and

calculating a second reserve pool amount equal to the first reserve pool amount minus the transfer amount.

30. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 29, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to zero before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero.

31. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 29, comprising:

comparing the second main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount;

calculating a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the second pool amount in response to determining that the second main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount.

32. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 29, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

33. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 29, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to zero before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount;

setting the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero;

comparing the second main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount;

calculating a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the second pool amount in response to determining that the second main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount;

setting the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

34. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 29, wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the maximum wager amount that may be wagered on an occurrence of the wagering game at the gaming unit.

35. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 29, wherein the progressive jackpot is implemented in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units, wherein the gaming network provides at least one wagering game having a progressive jackpot winning outcome for which a player may win a progressive jackpot award, and wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a gaming network maximum wager amount that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network.

36. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot having a main pool and a reserve pool when a player of a wagering game has a progressive jackpot winning outcome for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

awarding the player a progressive jackpot award, wherein the progressive jackpot award amount is equal to a main pool amount multiplied by a proration ratio, and wherein the proration ratio is a number less than or equal to one;

subtracting the progressive jackpot award amount from the main pool amount;

calculating a transfer amount equal to a reserve pool amount multiplied by the proration ratio;

adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount; and

adding the transfer amount to the reserve pool amount.

37. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 36, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to zero before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero.

38. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 36, comprising:

comparing the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount;

calculating a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the main pool amount in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount.

39. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 36, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

40. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 36, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to zero before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount;

setting the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero;

comparing the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount;

calculating a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the main pool amount in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount;

setting the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

41. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 36, wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the maximum wager amount that may be wagered on an occurrence of the wagering game at the gaming unit.

42. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 36, wherein the progressive jackpot is implemented in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units, wherein the gaming network provides at least one wagering game having a progressive jackpot winning outcome for which a player may win a progressive jackpot award, and wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a gaming network maximum wager amount that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network.

43. A progressive jackpot network computer for providing a progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units configured to provide at least one wagering game, comprising:

a network computer memory device; and

a network computer controller operatively coupled to the network computer memory device and the gaming units,

the network computer controller being programmed to cause the network computer memory device to store a progressive jackpot pool having a main pool and a reserve pool,

the network computer controller being configured to receive player progressive jackpot win information transmitted by the gaming units on the gaming network,

the network computer controller being programmed to determine a progressive jackpot award, wherein the progressive jackpot award amount is equal to the main pool amount multiplied by a proration ratio, wherein the proration ratio is a number less than or equal to one, and wherein the proration ratio is determined based on the transmitted player progressive jackpot win information,

the network computer controller being programmed to subtract the progressive jackpot award amount from the main pool amount,

the network computer controller being programmed to calculate a transfer amount equal to the reserve pool amount multiplied by the proration ratio,

the network computer controller being programmed to add the transfer amount to the main pool amount,

the network computer controller being programmed to add the transfer amount to the reserve pool amount, and

the network computer controller being programmed to cause the network computer memory device to store the updated main pool amount and reserve pool amount.

44. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 43, wherein:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the transfer amount to zero before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount; and

the network computer controller is programmed to set the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero.

45. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 43, wherein:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to calculate a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the main pool amount in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount; and

the network computer controller is programmed to set the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount.

46. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 43, comprising:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount; and

the network computer controller is programmed to set the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

47. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 43, comprising:

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the transfer amount to zero before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to set the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero;

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to calculate a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the main pool amount in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to set the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount;

the network computer controller is programmed to compare the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount; and

the network computer controller is programmed to set the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

48. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 43, wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the maximum wager amount that may be wagered on an occurrence of the wagering game at the gaming unit.

49. A progressive jackpot network computer in accordance with claim 43, wherein the gaming network provides at least one wagering game having a progressive jackpot winning outcome for which a player may win a progressive jackpot award, and wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a gaming network maximum wager amount that may be wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network.