Gaming system incorporating non deterministic jackpot

• US 6,592,458 B1
• Filed: 04/14/2000
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Game Technology
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Ho, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US09/549,012
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25, 463/17, 463/18, 463/21, 463/26, 463/27, 463/42, 273/138.2
• US Class Current: 463/17
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

A gaming system incorporating a non-deterministic jackpot is provided. In a first embodiment, the gaming system generates a random number to determine a probability of winning and a jackpot amount. A contribution rate is predetermined, and a portion of each bet placed on a gaming machine associated with the system equal to the contribution rate multiplied by the amount of the bet is placed in a contribution pool. The gaming machine on which a bet causing the contribution pool to be greater than or equal to the jackpot amount is awarded the jackpot. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a first random number within a range is generated. A second random number is generated for each bet placed on a gaming machine associated with the system. The jackpot is awarded to a gaming machine on which a bet resulting in a second random number equal to the first random number was placed.

Claims

1. A gaming system which comprises the steps of:

generating a random number;

providing a contribution rate which comprises a percentage of each bet placed on gaming machines in a contribution pool;

calculating a jackpot amount, wherein said jackpot amount is calculated using said random number and using said contribution rate;

receiving bets from gaming machines in said contribution pool;

calculating an amount in said contribution pool, wherein said contribution pool amount is calculated using said contribution rate;

determining whether said contribution pool amount is greater than or equal to said jackpot amount; and

awarding said jackpot to a gaming machine in which a bet causing said contribution amount to be greater than or equal to said jackpot amount was placed.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, in which said jackpot amount is calculated by multiplying said random number and said contribution rate.

3. A system as defined in claim 1, in which said contribution pool amount is equal to the sum of all bets placed on the gaming machines in said contribution pool, multiplied by said contribution rate.