Gaming system and method having award enhancements based on stored symbols

A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:

• randomly determining, by a processor using a random number generator, a plurality of game symbols for a plurality of symbol display areas;
• displaying, by the processor using a display device, the plurality of game symbols in the plurality of symbol display areas;
• randomly determining, by the processor using the random number generator, a plurality of accumulator symbols for a plurality of accumulator display areas, the plurality of accumulator display areas corresponding to the plurality of symbol display areas;
• displaying, by the processor using the display device, the plurality of accumulator symbols in the plurality of accumulator display areas;
• determining, by the processor, that one or more game symbols of the plurality of game symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas match one or more accumulator symbols of the plurality of accumulator symbols displayed in the corresponding plurality of accumulator display areas;
• updating, by the processor, a quantity of matches based on a quantity of the one or more game symbols matching the one or more accumulator symbols;
• determining, by the processor, that the quantity of matches is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold;
• determining, by the processor, a first award based on the quantity;
• and
• issuing, by the processor using a value dispenser, a value based on the first award.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

• randomly determine, using a random number generator, a plurality of game symbols for a plurality of symbol display areas;
• display, using a display device, the plurality of game symbols in the plurality of symbol display areas;
• randomly determine a plurality of accumulator symbols for a plurality of accumulator display areas, the plurality of accumulator display areas corresponding to the plurality of symbol display areas;
• display, using the display device, the plurality of accumulator symbols in the plurality of accumulator display areas;
• determine that one or more game symbols of the plurality of game symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas match one or more accumulator symbols of the plurality of accumulator symbols displayed in the corresponding plurality of accumulator display areas;
• update a quantity of matches based on a quantity of the one or more game symbols matching the one or more accumulator symbols;
• determine that the quantity of matches is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold;
• determine a first award based on the quantity;
• and
• issue, using a value dispenser, a value based on the first award.