GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING GROUP PLAY WITH DIVIDED BONUS FEATURES

• US 20080020823A1
• Filed: 07/30/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Kniesteadt, Carl, Randall, Dov, Cuddy, Ryan, Baerlocher, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,713,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

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

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of gaming devices operable to communicate with the controller, each gaming device including a primary game operable upon a wager placed by a player, wherein each gaming device is associated with an accumulated bonus event pool which is based on the wagers placed at said gaming device during a designated period; and

a secondary event, wherein upon a triggering of the secondary event, the controller is programmed to;

(a) designate one of the gaming devices as a triggering gaming device and designate each of the remaining gaming devices as auxiliary gaming devices;

(b) determine a secondary event award, wherein the determined secondary event award is based, at least in part, on the wager placed at said triggering gaming device;

(c) provide a first portion of the determined secondary event award to the player of the triggering gaming device; and

(d) for each auxiliary gaming device;

(i) determine a second portion, if any, of the determined secondary event award based on the accumulated bonus event pool for said auxiliary gaming device relative to the wagers placed for a plurality of said gaming devices during the designated period; and

(ii) provide the determined second portion, if any, to said auxiliary gaming device.