Gaming system and method having award enhancements based on temporary award opportunity accumulations

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

• receiving, by a monetary value acceptor, a monetary value;
• establishing, by a processor of the gaming system, a credit balance based at least in part on the received monetary value;
• displaying, by the processor using a display device, a first plurality of symbols in a first set of symbol display areas;
• displaying, by the processor using the display device, a second plurality of symbols in a second set of symbol display areas;
• determining, by the processor, that a first symbol of the first plurality of symbols matches at least one of the second plurality of symbols;
• generating, by the processor using the display device, an indicator corresponding to a first symbol display area of the first set of symbol display areas that displays the first symbol, wherein the indicator also corresponds to the first symbol;
• generating, by the processor using a random number generator, a plurality of replacement symbols for the first set of symbol display areas;
• displaying, by the processor using the display device, the plurality of replacement symbols in the first set of symbol display areas;
• determining, by the processor, that a first replacement symbol of the plurality of replacement symbols displayed in the first symbol display area corresponding to the indicator matches the first symbol corresponding to the indicator;
• determining, by the processor, an award based on the determination that first replacement symbol matches the first symbol corresponding to the indicator;
• displaying, by the processor using the display device, the of the determined award;
• increasing, by the processor, the credit balance by the determined award;
• and
• issuing, by the processor using a value dispenser, value based on the credit balance upon receipt of a cash out request.

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

• establish a credit balance based at least in part on a monetary value received by a value acceptor of a gaming device;
• place a wager following receipt of a wager input via an input device, the credit balance being decreased by the wager;
• display, using a display device, a first plurality of symbols in a first set of symbol display areas;
• display, using the display device, a second plurality of symbols in a second set of symbol display areas;
• determine that a first symbol of the first plurality of symbols matches at least one of the second plurality of symbols;
• generate, using the display device, an indicator corresponding to a first symbol display area of the first set of symbol display areas that displays the first symbol, wherein the indicator also corresponds to the first symbol;
• generate, using a random number generator, a plurality of replacement symbols for the first set of symbol display areas;
• display, using the display device, the plurality of replacement symbols in the first set of symbol display areas;
• determine that a first replacement symbol of the plurality of replacement symbols displayed in the first symbol display area corresponding to the indicator matches the first symbol corresponding to the indicator;
• determine an award based on the determination that first replacement symbol matches the first symbol corresponding to the indicator;
• and
• display, using the display device, the determined award;
• increasing the credit balance by the determined award;
• and
• issuing, using a value dispenser, value based on the credit balance upon receipt of a cash out request.