Gaming system having multiple gaming machines which provide bonus awards
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gaming system comprising:
- a plurality of gaming devices including;
(i) a first gaming device including at least one display device configured to operate to display a first wagering game upon a placement of a first wager, wherein said first wagering game has a first average expected wagering game payback percentage; and
(ii) a second gaming device including at least one display device configured to operate to display a second wagering game upon a placement of a second wager, wherein said second wagering game has a second, different average expected wagering game payback percentage; and
a controller configured to communicate with said gaming devices, the controller programmed to;
(a) maintain an accumulated wager pool during a bonus event accumulation period, said accumulated wager pool at least including;
(i) a first gaming device accumulated wager pool amount, said first gaming device accumulated wager pool amount based on;
(1) the first average expected wagering game payback percentage of the first wagering game of the first gaming device, and (2) any wager amount placed at the first gaming device, and(ii) a different, second gaming device accumulated wager pool amount, said second gaming device accumulated wager pool amount based on;
(1) the second average expected wagering game payback percentage of the second wagering game of the second gaming device, and (2) any wager amount placed at the second gaming device;
(b) determine a bonus award based, at least in part, on the accumulated wager pool; and
(c) cause the determined bonus award to be displayed and provided to a player.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
1277 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices including; (i) a first gaming device including at least one display device configured to operate to display a first wagering game upon a placement of a first wager, wherein said first wagering game has a first average expected wagering game payback percentage; and (ii) a second gaming device including at least one display device configured to operate to display a second wagering game upon a placement of a second wager, wherein said second wagering game has a second, different average expected wagering game payback percentage; and a controller configured to communicate with said gaming devices, the controller programmed to; (a) maintain an accumulated wager pool during a bonus event accumulation period, said accumulated wager pool at least including; (i) a first gaming device accumulated wager pool amount, said first gaming device accumulated wager pool amount based on;
(1) the first average expected wagering game payback percentage of the first wagering game of the first gaming device, and (2) any wager amount placed at the first gaming device, and(ii) a different, second gaming device accumulated wager pool amount, said second gaming device accumulated wager pool amount based on;
(1) the second average expected wagering game payback percentage of the second wagering game of the second gaming device, and (2) any wager amount placed at the second gaming device;(b) determine a bonus award based, at least in part, on the accumulated wager pool; and (c) cause the determined bonus award to be displayed and provided to a player. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices; and a controller configured to communicate with said gaming devices, said controller programmed to; (a) accumulate a bonus award pool, said accumulation based on any amounts wagered on any wagering games played at said gaming devices and an average expected wagering game payback percentage for each wagered on wagering game, wherein at least two of the gaming devices have different average expected wagering game payback percentages and a same amount wagered at two of said different gaming devices having different average expected wagering game payback percentages results in different amounts accumulated in the bonus award pool; (b) cause a display of a bonus award based on the accumulated pool; and (c) cause the displayed bonus award to be provided to at least one player. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices including; (i) a first gaming device including at least one display device configured to operate to display a first wagering game upon a placement of a first wager, wherein said first wagering game has a first average expected wagering game payback percentage; and (ii) a second gaming device including at least one display device configured to operate to display a second wagering game upon a placement of a second wager, wherein said second wagering game has a second, different average expected wagering game payback percentage; and a controller configured to communicate with said gaming devices, wherein the controller is programmed to determine if a bonus event will occur, and if the controller determines that the bonus event will occur, the controller is programmed to; (a) determine a first probability of the first gaming device providing a bonus award, wherein said determination is based on;
(i) the first average expected wagering game payback percentage of the first wagering game of the first gaming device, and (ii) any wager amount placed at the first gaming device,(b) determine a different, second probability of the second gaming device providing the bonus award, wherein said determination is based on;
(i) the second average expected wagering game payback percentage of the second wagering game of the second gaming device, and (ii) any wager amount placed at the second gaming device;(c) select one of the gaming devices to provide the bonus award, wherein said selection is based, at least in part, on the determined first probability of the first gaming device providing the bonus award and the determined second probability of the second gaming device providing the bonus award; and (d) cause the bonus award to be displayed and provided to a player of said selected gaming device. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices; and a controller configured to communicate with said gaming devices, wherein the controller is programmed to determine if a bonus event will occur, and if the controller determines that the bonus event will occur, the controller is programmed to; (a) determine each gaming device'"'"'s relative probability of providing a bonus award, said determination based on any amounts wagered on any wagering games played at said gaming devices and an average expected wagering game payback percentage for each wagered on wagering game, wherein at least two of the gaming devices have different average expected wagering game payback percentages and a same amount wagered at two of said different gaming devices having different average expected wagering game payback percentages results in different probabilities of providing the bonus award; (b) select one of the gaming devices to provide the bonus award, wherein said selection is based, at least in part, on the determined relative probabilities; and (c) cause the bonus award to be displayed and provided to a player of said selected gaming device. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification