Method and system for weighting odds to specific gaming entities in a shared bonus event

• US 8,968,071 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2007
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Tessmer, Michael T., Cannon, Lee E., Centuori, Charlotte S., Williams, Alan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin Y
• Application Number:
  US11/669,013
• Publication Number:
  US 20070123341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,954 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463 25- 27, 463 40- 42, 273/138.1
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3216 Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• 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 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

Methods of weighting odds in shared bonus events and gaming systems and devices configured for weighting odds in shared bonus events. A number of participations or entries by the same gaming machine or player entity may be obtained for a shared bonus event in association with play of a base or primary game, allowing the odds of winning the shared bonus event to be weighted.

Claims

1. A gaming method comprising:

(a) causing a processor to operate with at least one display device and at least one input device to;

(i) receive a wager from a player to play a primary game;

(ii) display an image associated with the primary game;

(iii) determine an outcome of the primary game;

(iv) determine if one qualifying activity associated with the primary game has occurred;

(v) determine if at least one qualifying activity modifier event has occurred;

(vi) for each occurrence of the at least one qualifying activity modifier event that occurs after an occurrence of said qualifying activity, associate at least one entry for a shared bonus event with a gaming entity;

(vii) for each associated entry;

(A) determine to place said associated entry with one of;

a set of entries for a first shared bonus event and a set of entries for a second shared bonus event; and

(B) place said associated entry with the determined one of;

the set of entries for the first shared bonus event and the set of entries for the second shared bonus event;

(viii) upon a determination that the player has left a gaming system, after a set period of time elapses from the determination that the player has left the gaming system and prior to a selection of any winning entries from either the set of entries for the first shared bonus event or the set of entries for the second shared bonus event, cancel the at least one associated entry from the set of entries for the first shared bonus event or the set of entries for the second shared bonus event;

(ix) select the winning entry from the set of entries for the first shared bonus event; and

(x) select the winning entry from the set of entries for the second shared bonus event.

2. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one qualifying activity modifier event is a wager amount.

3. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one qualifying activity modifier event is a predetermined combination of symbols.

4. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the primary game is slots, and the at least one qualifying activity modifier event is a predetermined combination of symbols along a payline.

5. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the qualifying activity comprises a randomly occurring activity.

6. The gaming method according to claim 5, wherein the qualifying activity comprises one or more symbols on one or more paylines.

7. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the qualifying activity comprises a wager of a certain amount, a selected number of wagers, an elapsed time spent playing a gaming machine, or combinations thereof.

8. The gaming method according to claim 1, which includes causing the processor to determine if a first trigger event has occurred;

select a winning entry from the set of entries for the first shared bonus event if the first trigger event has occurred;

determine if a second trigger event has occurred; and

select a winning entry from the set of entries for the second shared bonus event if the second trigger event has occurred.

9. The gaming method according to claim 8, wherein the first or second trigger event comprises a random occurrence, a fixed time interval, a fixed number of primary games, a certain wager, or a shared bonus event award value.

10. The gaming method according to claim 8, wherein the first or second trigger event occurs at one of a plurality of networked gaming machines, each of the networked gaming machines comprising a gaming entity.

11. The gaming method according to claim 1, wherein the primary game is one of slots, poker, blackjack, bingo, keno, raffle or lottery.

12. The gaming method according to claim 1, comprising:

providing an award according to the outcome of the primary game;

providing an award to the gaming entity associated with the winning entry of the first shared bonus event; and

providing an award to the gaming entity associated with the winning entry of the second shared bonus event.

13. The gaming method according to claim 1, which includes causing the processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to:

receive a first input from the player to receive a monetary or other award in exchange for the plurality of entries instead of placing the plurality of entries with one of;

the set of entries for the first shared bonus event and the set of entries for the second shared bonus event; and

provide the monetary or other award to the player.

14. The gaming method of claim 1, which includes causing the processor to associate a plurality of entries for the shared bonus event with the gaming entity if the one qualifying activity associated with the primary game has occurred and the at least one qualifying activity modifier event has occurred.

15. The gaming method of claim 14, which includes causing the processor to place the plurality of entries with one of:

the set of entries for the first shared bonus event and the set of entries for the second shared bonus event.

16. The gaming method of claim 1, which includes causing the processor to receive a first input from the player to place the at least one entry with one of:

the set of entries for the first shared bonus event and the set of entries for the second shared bonus event.

17. The gaming method of claim 1, which is provided via a data network.

18. The gaming method of claim 17, wherein the data network is an internet.

19. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming apparatuses located at a plurality of different remote locations, each gaming apparatus including;

a display device, an input device, a gaming apparatus processor and a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the gaming apparatus processor, cause the gaming apparatus processor to operate with the display device and the input device to;

(a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a primary wagering game, and

(b) display the play of the primary wagering game; and

a central server configured to communicate with each of the gaming apparatuses, said central server programmed to;

(a) identify at least one player playing at one of the gaming apparatuses;

(b) for each identified player that placed at least one wager on the play of the primary wagering game of at least one of the gaming apparatuses;

(i) determine if a qualifying activity has occurred in association with said played primary wagering game, and

(ii) if the qualifying activity has occurred, associate a quantity of entries for a shared bonus event with the identified player;

(c) for each of a plurality of entries;

(i) distinct from any placement of any wager, enable the identified player to place said entry associated with the identified player in one of;

a first set of entries for a first shared bonus event and a second set of entries for a second shared bonus event, wherein the first set of entries for the first shared bonus event are maintained at a first one of the remote locations, the second set of entries for the second shared bonus event are maintained at a second, different one of the remote locations and the player is enabled to place each entry in either set of entries independent of the location of the gaming apparatus in which the player was associated with the entry, and

(ii) upon a determination that the identified player has left at least one of the gaming apparatuses, after a set period of time elapses from the determination that said identified player has left at least one of the gaming apparatuses and prior to a selection of any winning entries from either the set of entries for the first shared bonus event or the set of entries for the second shared bonus event, cancel said entry associated with the identified player;

(d) select the winning entry from the first set of entries for the first shared bonus event; and

(e) select the winning entry from the second set of entries for the second shared bonus event.

20. The gaming system of claim 19, wherein if the qualifying activity has occurred, said central server is programmed to modify the quantity of entries associated with the identified player for the shared bonus event.

21. The gaming system of claim 20, wherein the quantity of entries is modified based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

the wager placed on the play of the primary wagering game and an outcome generated for the play of the primary wagering game.

22. The gaming system of claim 19, wherein the qualifying activity is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a randomly occurring activity, a designated outcome generated for the play of the primary wagering game, a designated amount placed on the play of the primary wagering game, and a designated amount of time playing the primary wagering game of at least one of the gaming apparatuses.

23. The gaming system of claim 19, wherein said central server is programmed to select at least one of the winning entries based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a random occurrence, a fixed time interval, a fixed number of primary games played, a designated wager amount placed on the play of the primary wagering game, and a shared bonus event award value.

24. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming apparatuses located at a plurality of different remote locations, each gaming apparatus including;

a display device, an input device, a gaming apparatus processor and a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the gaming apparatus processor, cause the gaming apparatus processor to operate with the display device and the input device to;

(a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a primary wagering game, and

(b) display the play of the primary wagering game; and

a central server configured to communicate with each of the gaming apparatuses, said central server programmed to;

(a) identify at least one player playing at one of the gaming apparatuses;

(b) for each identified player that placed at least one wager on the play of the primary wagering game of at least one of the gaming apparatuses;

(i) determine if a qualifying activity has occurred in association with said played primary wagering game, and

(ii) if the qualifying activity has occurred, associate a quantity of entries for a shared bonus event with the identified player;

(c) for each of a plurality of entries;

(i) distinct from any placement of any wager, enable the identified player to place said entry associated with the identified player in;

a first set of entries for a first shared bonus event and a second set of entries for a second shared bonus event, wherein the first set of entries for the first shared bonus event are maintained for a first one of the remote locations, and the second set of entries for the second shared bonus event are maintained for a plurality of the remote locations, and

(ii) upon a determination that the identified player has left at least one of the gaming apparatuses, after a set period of time elapses from the determination that said identified player has left at least one of the gaming apparatuses and prior to a selection of any winning entries from the set of entries for the first shared bonus event and the set of entries for the second shared bonus event, cancel said entry associated with the identified player;

(d) select a winning entry from the first set of entries for the first shared bonus event;

(e) cause an individual location award associated with the first shared bonus event to be provided to the identified player associated with the selected winning entry for the first shared bonus event;

(f) select a winning entry from the second set of entries for the second shared bonus event; and

(g) cause a multi-location award associated with the second shared bonus event to be provided to the identified player associated with the selected winning entry for the second shared bonus event.

25. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein if the qualifying activity has occurred, said central server is programmed to modify the quantity of entries associated with the identified player for the shared bonus event.

26. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein the quantity of entries is modified based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

the wager placed on the play of the primary wagering game and an outcome generated for the play of the primary wagering game.

27. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein the qualifying activity is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a randomly occurring activity, a designated outcome generated for the play of the primary wagering game, a designated amount placed on the play of the primary wagering game, and a designated amount of time playing the primary wagering games of at least one of the gaming apparatuses.

28. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein said central server is programmed to select at least one of the winning entries based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a random occurrence, a fixed time interval, a fixed number of primary games played, a designated wager amount placed on the play of the primary wagering game, and a shared bonus event award value.

29. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

(a) causing at least one central controller to identify at least one player playing one of a plurality of gaming apparatuses, wherein said plurality of gaming apparatuses are located at a plurality of different remote locations;

(b) for each of the plurality of gaming apparatuses;

(i) enabling a player to place a wager on a play of a primary wagering game, and

(ii) causing at least one display device to display the play of the primary wagering game;

(c) for each identified player that placed at least one wager on the play of the primary wagering game of at least one of the gaming apparatuses;

(i) determining if a qualifying activity has occurred in association with said played primary wagering game, and

(ii) if the qualifying activity has occurred, associating a quantity of entries for a shared bonus event with the identified player;

(d) for each of a plurality of entries;

(i) distinct from any placement of any wager, enabling the identified player to place said entry associated with the identified player in one of;

a first set of entries for a first shared bonus event and a second set of entries for a second shared bonus event, wherein the first set of entries for the first shared bonus event are maintained at a first one of the remote locations, the second set of entries for the second shared bonus event are maintained at a second, different one of the remote locations and the player is enabled to place each entry in either set of entries independent of the location of the gaming apparatus in which the player was associated with the entry, and

(ii) upon a determination that the identified player has left at least one of the gaming apparatuses after a set period of time elapses from the determination that the identified player has left at least one of the gaming apparatuses and prior to selecting any winning entries from either the set of entries for the first shared bonus event or the set of entries for the second shared bonus event, canceling said entry associated with the identified player;

(e) selecting the winning entry from the first set of entries for the first shared bonus event; and

(f) selecting the winning entry from the second set of entries for the second shared bonus event.

30. The method of claim 29, which includes modifying the quantity of entries associated with the identified player for the shared bonus event if the qualifying activity has occurred.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the quantity of entries is modified based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

the wager placed on the play of the primary wagering game and an outcome generated for the play of the primary wagering game.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the qualifying activity is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a randomly occurring activity, a designated outcome generated for the play of the primary wagering game, a designated amount placed on the play of the primary wagering game, and a designated amount of time playing the primary wagering games of at least one of the gaming apparatuses.

33. The method of claim 29, which includes selecting at least one of the winning entries based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a random occurrence, a fixed time interval, a fixed number of primary games played, a designated wager amount placed on the play of the primary wagering game, and a shared bonus event award value.

34. The method of claim 29, which is provided via a data network.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the data network is an internet.

36. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

(a) causing at least one central controller to identify at least one player playing at one of a plurality of gaming apparatuses, wherein said plurality of gaming apparatuses are located at a plurality of different remote locations;

(b) for each of the plurality of gaming apparatuses;

(i) enabling a player to place a wager on a play of a primary wagering game, and

(ii) causing at least one display device to display the play of the primary wagering game;

(c) for each identified player that placed at least one wager on the play of the primary wagering game of at least one of the gaming apparatuses;

(i) determining if a qualifying activity has occurred in association with said played primary wagering game, and

(ii) if the qualifying activity has occurred, associating a quantity of entries for a shared bonus event with the identified player;

(d) for each of a plurality of entries;

(i) distinct from any placement of any wager, enabling the identified player to place said entry associated with the identified player in;

a first set of entries for a first shared bonus event and a second set of entries for a second shared bonus event, wherein the first set of entries for the first shared bonus event are maintained for a first one of the remote locations, and the second set of entries for the second shared bonus event are maintained for a plurality of the remote locations, and

(ii) upon a determination that the identified player has left at least one of the gaming apparatuses, after a set period of time elapses from the determination that said identified player has left at least one of the gaming apparatuses and prior to a selection of any winning entries from the set of entries for the first shared bonus event and the set of entries for the second shared bonus event, canceling said entry associated with the identified player;

(e) selecting a winning entry from the first set of entries for the first shared bonus event;

(f) causing an individual location award associated with the first shared bonus event to be provided to the identified player associated with the selected winning entry for the first shared bonus event;

(g) selecting a winning entry from the second set of entries for the second shared bonus event; and

(h) causing a multi-location award associated with the second shared bonus event to be provided to the identified player associated with the selected winning entry for the second shared bonus event.

37. The method of claim 36, which includes modifying the quantity of entries associated with the identified player for the shared bonus event if the qualifying activity has occurred.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the quantity of entries is modified based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

the wager placed on the play of the primary wagering game and an outcome generated for the play of the primary wagering game.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the qualifying activity is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a randomly occurring activity, a designated outcome generated for the play of the primary wagering game, a designated amount placed on the play of the primary wagering game, and a designated amount of time playing the primary wagering game of at least one of the gaming apparatuses.

40. The method of claim 36, which includes selecting at least one of the winning entries based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a random occurrence, a fixed time interval, a fixed number of primary games played, a designated wager amount placed on the play of the primary wagering game, and a shared bonus event award value.

41. The method of claim 36, which is provided via a data network.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the data network is an internet.