Random pay using non-gaming revenue

• US 7,871,328 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertram, William K., Parham, Tyler Thomas, Michaelson, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel; Matthew D.
• Application Number:
  US11/929,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20080076543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 12- 28, 463 40- 42
• US Class Current: 463/27
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• 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 wager amount from a player is received. A programmer input of information based on a specified average value, a specified minimum value, and a specified maximum value is determined. The specified average value is independently specified between the specified minimum value and specified maximum value. A portion of non-gaming revenues is allocated to the progressive prize pool. A random amount is calculated from the progressive prize pool using a function that calculates the random amount using the specified minimum value, the specified maximum value and the specified average value. The calculated random amount is generated between the specified minimum value and the specified maximum value and the function is configured to calculate random amounts that average over time substantially the specified average value. The player is eligible to win the random amount from the progressive prize pool in which the portion of non-gaming revenues was allocated.

Claims

1. A gaming device for providing a game using random payout from a progressive prize pool, the gaming device comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to;

receive a wager amount from a player;

determine a programmer input of information based on a specified average value, a specified minimum value, and a specified maximum value, the specified average value being independently specified between the specified minimum value and specified maximum value;

allocate a portion of non-gaming revenues to the progressive prize pool;

calculate a random amount from the progressive prize pool using a function that calculates the random amount using the specified minimum value, the specified maximum value and the specified average value, wherein the calculated random amount is generated between the specified minimum value and the specified maximum value, wherein the function is configured to calculate random amounts that average over time substantially the specified average value; and

cause the player to be eligible to win the random amount from the progressive prize pool in which the portion of non-gaming revenues was allocated.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to allocate a portion of the wager amount to the prize pool.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the player is caused to be eligible for the random amount without regard to a game outcome for a game play.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to determine a game outcome for a game play, the game outcome causing the player to win the random amount.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to cause the player to be eligible to win the random amount comprise instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to cause the wager amount to be eligible to win the random amount.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the non-gaming revenue comprises revenue generated by gaming establishment room sales.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the portion of non-gaming revenue comprises revenue generated by gaming establishment food and beverage sales.

8. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the random amount is calculated by a controller, the controller being coupled to the gaming device or internal to the gaming device.

9. A method for providing a game using random payout from a progressive prize pool, the method comprising:

receiving a wager amount from a player;

determining a programmer input of information based on a specified average value, a specified minimum value, and a specified maximum value, the specified average value being independently specified between the specified minimum value and specified maximum value;

allocating a portion of non-gaming revenues to the progressive prize pool; and

calculating, by a computing device, a random amount from the progressive prize pool using a function that calculates the random amount using the specified minimum value, the specified maximum value and the specified average value, wherein the calculated random amount is generated between the specified minimum value and the specified maximum value, wherein the function is configured to calculate random amounts that average over time substantially the specified average value; and

causing the player to be eligible to win the random amount from the progressive prize pool in which the portion of non-gaming revenues was allocated.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising allocating a portion of the wager amount to the progressive prize pool.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein causing the wager amount comprises causing the wager amount to be eligible for the random amount without regard to a game outcome for a game play.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining a game outcome for a game play, the game outcome causing the player to win the random amount.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein causing the player to be eligible to win the random amount comprises causing the wager amount to be eligible to win the random amount.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the non-gaming revenue comprises revenue generated by gaming establishment room sales.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the non-gaming revenue comprises revenue generated by gaming establishment food and beverage sales.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the computing device comprises a controller, the controller being coupled to a gaming device or internal to the gaming device.

17. A method comprising:

determining a programmer input of information based on a specified average value, a specified minimum value, and a specified maximum value, the specified average value being independently specified between the specified minimum value and specified maximum value;

allocating non-gaming revenue to a prize pool;

calculating, by a computing device, a random amount from the prize pool using a function that calculates the random amount using the specified minimum value, the specified maximum value and the specified average value, wherein the calculated random amount is generated between the specified minimum value and the specified maximum value, wherein the function is configured to calculate random amounts that average over time substantially the specified average value; and

causing a player to be eligible to win the random amount from the prize pool in which the non-gaming revenue was allocated.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the non-gaming revenue comprises revenue generated by gaming establishment room sales.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the non-gaming revenue comprises revenue generated by gaming establishment food and beverage sales.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the computing device comprises a controller, the controller being coupled to a gaming device or internal to the gaming device.