Gaming system providing group-based awards

An electronic gaming system comprising:

• an electronic gaming machine configured to present a game, the electronic gaming machine comprising a display device configured to display a user interface;
• and
• a server in communication with a plurality of electronic gaming machines including the electronic gaming machine;
• at least one processor in communication with the server;
• computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic gaming system to perform operations comprising:
• storing a plurality of user profiles in a database, each of the plurality of user profiles including a group membership data field configured to store a group identifier;
• in response to receiving information via a user interface of the electronic gaming machine from a first player associated with a first user profile including a first group identifier, querying the database based on the group membership data field to identify a first group of players, the first group of players each having a user profile including the group identifier;
• receiving a first selection to participate in a game instance of the game from the first player via the user interface of the electronic gaming machine, wherein the first selection is associated with game play of the game that provides a chance to receive at least a first award;
• receiving second selections to participate in the game instance of the game, the second selections received from a second plurality of players not associated with the first group of players, wherein the second selections are associated with game play of the game that provides a chance to be awarded the at least a first award associated with the game instance selected by the first player;
• determining that a game outcome for the game instance of the game associated with the first player comprises the at least a first award;
• and
• distributing the at least a first award to each player of the first group of players.