Gaming system and method providing replacement symbols

A method of operating a gaming system comprising:

• establishing, by a processor, a credit balance based on a value received by a value acceptor;
• receiving, by the processor via an input device, a wager for a play of a game using the credit balance;
• initiating, by the processor, a play of a game based on the wager;
• determining, by the processor using a random number generator, a plurality of symbols for a plurality of symbol display areas;
• displaying, by the processor using a display device, the plurality of symbols in the plurality of symbol display areas;
• determining, by the processor, that one or more of the plurality of symbol display areas display one or more first winning symbols;
• determining, by the processor, a first award corresponding to the one or more first winning symbols;
• determining, by the processor using the random number generator, one or more replacement symbols for one or more symbol display areas corresponding to the one or more first winning symbols;
• displaying, by the processor using the display device, the one or more replacement symbols in the one or more symbol display areas corresponding to the one or more first winning symbols;
• determining, by the processor, that one or more of the plurality of symbol display areas, including the one or more symbol display areas displaying the replacement symbols, display one or more second winning symbols;
• determining, by the processor, a second award corresponding to the one or more second winning symbols;
• and
• issuing, by the processor, a value from a value dispenser based on the first award and the second award upon receipt of a cash out request.

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

• establish a credit balance based on a value received by a value acceptor;
• receive, via an input device, a wager for a play of a game using the credit balance;
• initiate a play of a game based on the wager;
• determine, using a random number generator, a plurality of symbols for a plurality of symbol display areas;
• display, using a display device, the plurality of symbols in the plurality of symbol display areas;
• determine that one or more of the plurality of symbol display areas display one or more first winning symbols;
• determine a first award corresponding to the one or more first winning symbols;
• determine, using the random number generator, one or more replacement symbols for one or more symbol display areas corresponding to the one or more first winning symbols;
• display, using the display device, the one or more replacement symbols in the one or more symbol display areas corresponding to the one or more first winning symbols;
• determine that one or more of the plurality of symbol display areas, including the one or more symbol display areas displaying the replacement symbols, display one or more second winning symbols;
• determine a second award corresponding to the one or more second winning symbols;
• and
• issue a value from a value dispenser based on the first award and the second award upon receipt of a cash out request.