MULTI-PLAYER BINGO GAME WITH OPTIONAL PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT WAGER

• US 20100041459A1
• Filed: 10/22/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wolf, Bryan D., Michaelson, Richard E., Saffari, Ali M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/19
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot. 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. In another embodiment, the player may affirmatively elect to be eligible for the progressive jackpot by placing a wager or fee in addition to a wager on the wagering game. Graphics corresponding to the progressive jackpot may be optionally displayed only to players eligible to win the progressive jackpot.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a multi-player wagering game as a primary game and an associated progressive jackpot for a secondary game, comprising:

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

subtracting the amount of the wager on the occurrence of the wagering game from credit available to the player at the gaming unit after receiving the input for the wager on the primary game;

comparing the amount of the wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a minimum wager amount;

subtracting a progressive jackpot wager amount from the available credit when the wager on the primary game is greater than or equal to the minimum wager amount; and

adding the progressive jackpot wager amount to a progressive jackpot pool for the progressive jackpot when the wager on the primary game is greater than or equal to a minimum wager amount.

2. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player wagering game played by a plurality of players, 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 game indicia, wherein the player wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches a predetermined progressive jackpot winning pattern.

3. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, further comprising generating an outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the outcome is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when the player matches a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome within a predetermined maximum number of sequentially selected game indicia.

4. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, wherein the progressive jackpot wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed wager amount or equal to a predetermined percentage of the wager on the primary game for the occurrence of the wagering game.

5. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, comprising displaying graphics corresponding to an outcome of the secondary game at the gaming unit when the wager on the primary game is greater than or equal to the minimum wager amount.

6. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, wherein the minimum wager amount is equal to a maximum wager that the player makes for the occurrence of the wagering game

7. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, wherein the minimum wager amount is different than a minimum wager amount applied to another gaming unit.

8. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adding the progressive jackpot wager amount to the progressive jackpot pool is performed independent of whether the player qualifies to win a portion or all of the progressive jackpot pool.

9. A method for conducting a wagering game for a first game and an associated progressive jackpot for a second game, the method comprising:

providing an input device for receiving an input for a wager from a player on an occurrence of the wagering game at a gaming unit;

configuring the gaming unit to subtract the amount of the wager on the occurrence of the wagering game from credit available to the player at the gaming unit after receiving the input for the wager on the primary game at the input device;

configuring the gaming unit to compare the amount of the wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a minimum wager amount;

configuring the gaming unit to subtract a progressive jackpot wager amount from the available credit when the wager on the first game is greater than or equal to a minimum wager amount; and

configuring the gaming unit to add the progressive jackpot wager amount to a progressive jackpot pool for the progressive jackpot.

10. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 9, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player wagering game played by a plurality of players, 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 game indicia, wherein the player wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches a predetermined progressive jackpot winning pattern.

11. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 9, further comprising configuring the gaming unit to generate an outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the outcome is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when the player matches the predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome within a predetermined maximum number of sequentially selected game indicia.

12. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 9, wherein the progressive jackpot wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed wager amount or is equal to a predetermined percentage of the wager on the first game for the occurrence of the wagering game.

13. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 9, comprising configuring the gaming unit to display graphics corresponding to an outcome of the second game at the gaming unit when the wager on the primary game is greater than or equal to the minimum wager amount.

14. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 9, wherein the minimum wager amount is equal to a maximum wager that the player makes for the occurrence of the wagering game

15. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 9, wherein the minimum wager amount is different than a minimum wager amount applied to another gaming unit.

16. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 9, wherein said configuring the gaming unit to add the progressive jackpot wager amount is performed independent of whether the player qualifies to win a portion or all of the progressive jackpot pool.

17. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game for a primary game and an associated progressive jackpot for a secondary game in a gaming network having a network computer and a plurality of gaming units, comprising:

an input device configured to receive a plurality of input selections;

a currency-accepting mechanism configured to allow a player to deposit a medium of currency;

a value-dispensing mechanism that is capable of dispensing value to the player;

an output device;

a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the input device, the currency-accepting mechanism, the value-dispensing mechanism, and the output device;

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the currency-accepting mechanism to accept a deposit of an amount of the medium of currency from the player,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the input device to receive an input for a wager from the player on an occurrence of the wagering game at the input device,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to subtract the amount of the wager on the occurrence of the wagering game for the primary game from credit available to the player at the gaming unit after receiving the input for the wager,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to compare the amount of the wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a minimum wager amount,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to subtract a progressive jackpot wager amount for the secondary game from credit available to the player after determining that the wager on the primary game is greater than or equal to the minimum wager amount, and

the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the output device to transmit a message to the network computer to add the progressive jackpot wager amount to a progressive jackpot pool for the progressive jackpot when the wager on the primary game is greater than or equal to the minimum wager amount.

18. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 17, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player wagering game played by a plurality of players, 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 game indicia, wherein the player wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches a predetermined progressive jackpot winning pattern.

19. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 17, wherein the gaming unit controller being programmed to generate an outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when the player matches the predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome within a predetermined number of sequentially selected game indicia.

20. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 17, wherein the progressive jackpot wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed wager amount or equal to a predetermined percentage of the wager on the primary game for the occurrence of the wagering game.

21. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 17, further comprising a display device operatively coupled to the gaming unit controller, the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the display device to display graphics corresponding to an outcome of the secondary game at the gaming unit upon determining that the wager on the primary game is greater than or equal to the minimum wager amount.

22. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 17, wherein the minimum wager amount is equal to a maximum wager that the player makes for the occurrence of the wagering game.

23. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 17, wherein the minimum wager amount is different than a minimum wager amount applied to another gaming unit.

24. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 17, wherein the addition is independent of whether the player qualifies to win a portion or all of the progressive jackpot pool.

25. A method for conducting a wagering game as a primary game and an associated progressive jackpot for a secondary game that is different than the primary game, comprising:

receiving a first input for a wager from a player on an occurrence of the wagering game at an input device of a gaming unit;

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

receiving a second input for a progressive jackpot wager amount for the occurrence of the wagering game at the input device of the gaming unit;

subtracting the progressive jackpot wager amount from the available credit at the gaming unit in response to in response to receiving the second input for the progressive jackpot wager amount;

adding the progressive jackpot wager amount to a progressive jackpot pool for the progressive jackpot when the progressive jackpot wager amount is subtracted from the available credit;

26. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 25, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player wagering game played by a plurality of players, 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 game indicia, wherein the player wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches a predetermined progressive jackpot winning pattern.

27. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 25, wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if the player matches the predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome within a predetermined maximum number of sequentially selected game indicia.

28. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 25, wherein the progressive jackpot wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed wager amount or to a predetermined percentage of the wager on the primary game for the occurrence of the wagering game.

29. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 25, comprising displaying graphics corresponding to an outcome of the secondary game at the gaming unit if the player inputs the progressive jackpot wager amount.

30. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 25, wherein the minimum wager amount is equal to a maximum wager that the player makes for an occurrence of the wagering game.

31. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 25, further comprising disabling the receipt of the progressive jackpot wager amount at the gaming unit at a location prohibiting the progressive jackpot.

32. A method for conducting a wagering game as a primary game and an associated progressive jackpot for a secondary game, the method comprising:

providing an input device for receiving a first input for a wager from a player on an occurrence of the wagering game at the gaming unit;

configuring the gaming unit to subtract the amount of the wager on the occurrence of the wagering game from credit available to the player at the gaming unit in response to receiving the first input for the wager on the primary game at the input device;

configuring the input device to receive a second input for a progressive jackpot wager amount from the player for the occurrence of the wagering game at the gaming unit;

configuring the gaming unit to subtract the progressive jackpot wager amount from the available credit at the gaming unit in response to receiving the second input for the progressive jackpot wager amount; and

configuring the gaming unit to add the progressive jackpot wager amount to a progressive jackpot pool for the progressive jackpot if the progressive jackpot wager amount is subtracted from the available credit.

33. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 32, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player wagering game played by a plurality of players, 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 game indicia, wherein the player wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches a predetermined progressive jackpot winning pattern.

34. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 32, further comprising configuring the gaming unit to generate an outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the outcome is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if the player matches the predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome within a predetermined maximum number of sequentially selected game indicia.

35. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 32, wherein the progressive jackpot wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed wager amount or a predetermined percentage of the wager on the primary game for the occurrence of the wagering game.

36. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 32, further comprising configuring the gaming unit to display graphics corresponding to an outcome of the secondary game at the gaming unit if the wager on the primary game is greater than or equal to the minimum wager amount.

37. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 32, wherein the minimum wager amount is equal to a maximum wager that the player makes for the occurrence of the wagering game.

38. A method for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 32, further comprising disabling the receipt of the progressive jackpot wager amount at the gaming unit at a location prohibiting the progressive jackpot.

39. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game as a primary game and an associated progressive jackpot for a secondary game in a gaming network having a network computer and a plurality of gaming units, the gaming unit comprising:

an input device configured to receive a plurality of input selections;

a currency-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing a player to deposit a medium of currency;

an output device;

a value-dispensing mechanism that is capable of dispensing value to the player;

a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the input device, the currency-accepting mechanism, the output device, and the value-dispensing mechanism,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the currency-accepting mechanism to accept a deposit of an amount of the medium of currency by the player at the gaming unit,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the input device to receive a first input for a wager from the player on an occurrence of the wagering game at the input device,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to subtract the amount of the wager on the occurrence of the wagering game from credit available to the player at the gaming unit in response to receiving the first input for the wager on the primary game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the input device to receive a second input for a progressive jackpot wager amount from the player for the occurrence of the wagering game at the input device of the gaming unit,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to subtract the amount of the progressive jackpot wager amount from the available credit at the gaming unit in response to receiving the second input for the progressive jackpot wager amount,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the output device to transmit a message to the network computer to add the progressive jackpot wager amount to a progressive jackpot pool for the progressive jackpot.

40. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 39, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player wagering game played by a plurality of players, 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 game indicia, wherein the player wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome when a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches a predetermined progressive jackpot winning pattern.

41. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 39, wherein the gaming unit controller being programmed to generate an outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the outcome is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if the player matches the predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome within a predetermined number of sequentially selected game indicia.

42. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 39, wherein the progressive jackpot wager amount is equal to a predetermined fixed wager amount or a predetermined percentage of the wager on the primary game for the occurrence of the wagering game.

43. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 39, further comprising a display device operatively coupled to the gaming unit controller, the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the display device to display graphics corresponding to an outcome of the secondary game at the gaming unit in response to receiving the second input at the input device.

44. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and associated progressive jackpot in accordance with claim 39, wherein the minimum wager amount is equal to a maximum wager that the player makes for the occurrence of the wagering game, and the gaming unit or the network computer is configured to disable the receipt of the progressive jackpot wager amount at a location prohibiting the progressive jackpot.