Gaming system and method for providing purchasable bonus opportunities
First Claim
1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
- causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device to operate with a plurality of gaming devices to;
(a) determine a shared random determination outcome independently of any plays of one or more primary games of the gaming devices;
(b) cause at least one display device to display the determined shared random determination outcome; and
(c) if the determined shared random determination outcome includes a designated outcome, and if each of one or more of a plurality of players of the gaming devices has been provided at least one bonus opportunity;
(i) enable each of the players provided with at least one bonus opportunity to participate in a group bonus event, said group bonus event being distinct from the shared random determination;
(ii) determine a group bonus event outcome;
(iii) cause the at least one display device to display the determined group bonus event outcome;
(iv) determine, independent of any wagers placed on any plays of the primary games, any group bonus event awards for one or more of the players who participated in the group bonus event; and
(v) cause any determined group bonus event awards to be provided.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming devices, each of the gaming devices including a primary game operable upon a primary game wager. The gaming devices of the gaming system enable a plurality of players to place primary game wagers on plays of the primary games. In one embodiment, each of the players is enabled to place optional second wagers on shared random determinations which occur independently of the primary games. The gaming devices display the primary game outcomes and provide the players with any awards associated with the primary game outcomes. The gaming system determines an outcome for the shared random determinations. In one embodiment, for each of the shared random determinations which results in a designated outcome, the gaming system provides a bonus award to each of the players who placed the second wager on the shared random determination.
227 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
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causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device to operate with a plurality of gaming devices to; (a) determine a shared random determination outcome independently of any plays of one or more primary games of the gaming devices; (b) cause at least one display device to display the determined shared random determination outcome; and (c) if the determined shared random determination outcome includes a designated outcome, and if each of one or more of a plurality of players of the gaming devices has been provided at least one bonus opportunity; (i) enable each of the players provided with at least one bonus opportunity to participate in a group bonus event, said group bonus event being distinct from the shared random determination; (ii) determine a group bonus event outcome; (iii) cause the at least one display device to display the determined group bonus event outcome; (iv) determine, independent of any wagers placed on any plays of the primary games, any group bonus event awards for one or more of the players who participated in the group bonus event; and (v) cause any determined group bonus event awards to be provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A gaming system comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to; (a) determine a shared random determination outcome independently of any plays of one or more primary games of a plurality of gaming devices; (b) cause at least one display device to display the determined shared random determination outcome; and (c) if the determined shared random determination outcome includes a designated outcome, and if each of one or more of a plurality of players of the gaming devices has been provided at least one bonus opportunity; (i) enable each of the players provided with at least one bonus opportunity to participate in a group bonus event, said group bonus event being distinct from the shared random determination; (ii) determine a group bonus event outcome; (iii) cause the at least one display device to display the determined group bonus event outcome; (iv) determine, independent of any wagers placed on any plays of the primary games, any group bonus event awards for one or more of the players who participated in the group bonus event; and (v) cause any determined group bonus event awards to be provided. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
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(a) determine a shared random determination outcome independently of any plays of one or more primary games of a plurality of gaming devices; (b) cause at least one display device to display the determined shared random determination outcome; and (c) if the determined shared random determination outcome includes a designated outcome, and if each of one or more of a plurality of players of the gaming devices has been provided at least one bonus opportunity; (i) enable each of the players provided with at least one bonus opportunity to participate in a group bonus event, said group bonus event being distinct from the shared random determination; (ii) determine a group bonus event outcome; (iii) cause the at least one display device to display the determined group bonus event outcome; (iv) determine, independent of any wagers placed on any plays of the primary games, any group bonus event awards for one or more of the players who participated in the group bonus event; and (v) cause any determined group bonus event awards to be provided. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification