System gaming

• US 8,523,650 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2012
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan M., Crowder, Robert W. Jr., Lockard, Dennis, Luciano, Robert A Jr., Tallcott, Jeffrey C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): RENWICK, REGINALD A
• Application Number:
  US13/344,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• 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 method provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.

Claims

1. A method of bonusing in a gaming system including an input apparatus for inputting player identification, the method comprising:

monitoring wagers placed by a group of un-identified players who do not use the input apparatus to input identification;

monitoring wagers placed by each identified player, who uses the input apparatus to input identification, in a group of identified players;

calculating a total un-identified players wager amount by multiplying the un-identified players'"'"' wagers by a percentage;

calculating a specific prize award for an identified player from the total un-identified players wager amount, wherein the specific prize award is determined by comparing the wagers of one identified player to the group of identified players wagers; and

awarding the specific prize award to the identified player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the wagers of one identified player to the group of identified players wagers comprises determining a fraction by dividing the wagers of one identified player by the group of identified players wagers.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising calculating a specific prize award for the identified players from the total un-identified players wager amount, wherein the specific prize award is distributed among the identified players, and wherein the distribution is weighted according to a comparison of wagers made by each identified player to the group of identified players wagers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the awards include restricted game credits.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the awards include cash awards.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the awards include player'"'"'s club points.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wagers by un-identified players are monitored over a period of time.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the awards include game credits that are playable on a bonus game.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the bonus game is playable on a device different than the device upon which the player wagered.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding occurs after a monitored period of time ends.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating is performed by a server.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding occurs when the prize award reaches a preselected prize level.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding is tied to another promotional event.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding is tied to a winning outcome in a specific game.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding occurs randomly.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding occurs while the identified player is actively wagering on a game.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding occurs on a different day as the monitoring.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding occurs on an identified player'"'"'s next visit.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the percentage is dynamically modified to maintain a desired profitability.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculating of the specific prize award is weighted by an identified player type.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of identified players wagering is monitored over the same time period as un-identified player wagering.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding occurs at fixed time intervals.

23. A method of bonusing in a gaming system including an input apparatus for inputting player identification, the method comprising:

monitoring wagers placed by a group of un-identified players who do not use the input apparatus to input identification;

monitoring wagers placed by each identified player, who uses the input apparatus to input identification, in a group of identified players;

calculating a total un-identified players wager amount by multiplying the un-identified players'"'"' wagers by a percentage;

calculating a specific prize award for identified players from the total un-identified players wager amount, wherein the specific prize award is distributed among the identified players, and wherein the distribution is weighted according to a win/loss rate of the identified player; and

awarding the specific prize award to the identified players.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein an identified player receives a larger award for having a higher win/loss rate.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein an identified player receives a larger award for having a lower win/loss rate.