GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING EVENT ELIGIBILITY - BASED EQUITY FOR A WAGERING GAME

• US 20110009187A1
• Filed: 11/03/2008
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Mastropietro, Michael W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,979,637 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 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes providing a first event eligibility-based equity relative to a first wagering game and converting the first event eligibility-based equity to an exchange medium. The exchange medium may be cash or a second event eligibility-based equity relative to a second wagering game. The first event eligibility-equity may be stored for later use on the first wagering game.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

an award system for awarding a first event eligibility-based equity relative to a first wagering game; and

a converter system for changing the first event eligibility-based equity to an exchange medium.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the exchange medium is cash.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the exchange medium is a credit related to the first event eligibility-based equity and usable for playing the first wagering game.

4. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the exchange medium is a second event eligibility-based equity and further comprising player information device for using the second event eligibility-based equity in playing a second wagering game.

5. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein the player information device is a smart card.

6. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein the first event eligibility-based equity is a first time slice of eligibility for the first wagering game.

7. The gaming system of claim 6 wherein the second event eligibility-based equity is a second time slice of eligibility for the second wagering game.

8. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein the player information device is a server in communication with the first and second wagering games.

9. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the first event eligibility-based equity is obtained through playing the first wagering game.

10. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the first event eligibility-based equity is purchased by a player.

11. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the first event eligibility-based equity is an entry in a lottery.

12. A method of employing a first event eligibility-based equity on a gaming system comprising:

providing the first event eligibility-based equity relating to a first wagering game; and

converting the first event eligibility-based equity to an exchange medium.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first event eligibility-based equity is an entry in a lottery.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the first event eligibility-based equity is a first time slice of eligibility for the first wagering game.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the exchange medium is a second event eligibility-based equity relating to a second wagering game.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the second event eligibility-based equity is a second time slice of eligibility for the second wagering game.

17. A gaming system comprising:

means for providing a first event eligibility-based equity relative to a first wagering game; and

means for converting the first event eligibility-based equity to a second event eligibility-based equity relative to a second wagering game.

18. The gaming system of claim 17 wherein the first event eligibility-based equity is a time slice of eligibility for playing a bonus game in the first wagering game.

19. The gaming system of claim 18 wherein the second event eligibility-based equity is an entry in a lottery of the second wagering game.

20. The gaming system of claim 18 wherein the second event eligibility-based equity is a time slice of eligibility for playing a bonus game in the second wagering game.

21. One or more computer readable storage media encoded with instructions for directing a gaming system to perform a method comprising:

storing a first event eligibility-based equity relative to a first wagering game; and

converting the first event eligibility-based equity to an exchange medium.

22. The storage media of claim 21 wherein the exchange medium is a second event eligibility-based equity relative to a second wagering game.

23. The storage media of claim 22 wherein the first event eligibility-based equity is a first time slice of the first wagering game and the second event eligibility-based equity is a second time slice of the second wagering game.