Method and apparatus for promoting play on a network of gaming devices
AssigneeAcres Gaming Incorporated
InventorJohn Acres
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling a bonusing promotion system using a bonus server interconnected to a plurality of gaming devices is described. A percentage of a wager played on each gaming device is accumulated into a bonus pool stored on the bonus server. The bonus pool is compared to a threshold value stored on the bonus server each time the bonus pool changes. One of the gaming devices is selected when the threshold value is substantially met. A bonus prize funded by the bonus pool is awarded to the selected gaming device.
Claims28
A method for controlling a bonusing promotion system using a bonus server interconnected to a plurality of gaming devices, comprising the steps of:
- accumulating a percentage of a wager played on each gaming device into a bonus pool stored on the bonus server;
- comparing the bonus pool to a threshold value stored on the bonus server each time the bonus pool changes;
- selecting one of the gaming devices when the threshold value is substantially met;
- and
- awarding a bonus prize funded by the bonus pool to the selected gaming device.
A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
- permitting players to play the gaming devices;
- paying to each device in accordance with a pay table stored in the device;
- selecting one of the gaming devices for a bonus;
- indicating to the player of the selected device that the device is selected;
- and
- paying the bonus at the device responsive to a player-generated input to the gaming device.
A method of operating electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
- permitting play to occur at the machines;
- operating a player-tracking system on the network;
- determining which players are tracked;
- predefining a bonus that is payable only to a tracked player;
- and
- paying the bonus to one of the tracked players.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.