Gaming system and method with wagering and non-wagering payments to participate in a game of skill

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

• responsive to receipt of an input associated with a first monetary payment amount when the gaming system is not operating in a first mode of operation:
• automatically converting, by a processor, to the first mode of operation, and
• thereafter and for a first play of a skill-based game in the first mode of operation that is not subject to a minimum average expected return-to-player percentage:
• receiving a first quantifiable skill input, wherein the input associated with the first monetary payment amount and the first quantifiable skill input collectively form a greater quantity of inputs to play the skill-based game in the first mode of operation than a quantity of inputs to play a spinning reel game,
• determining, by the processor and based on the received first quantifiable skill input, a first outcome,
• displaying, by a display device, the determined first outcome,
• determining, by the processor and based on the determined first outcome and a first paytable of non-monetary awards available in the first mode of operation, a non-monetary award, and
• displaying, by the display device, a first graphical user interface associated with the first mode of operation, the first graphical user interface comprising a graphical depiction of the determined non-monetary award, and
• responsive to receipt of an input associated with a second, greater monetary payment amount when the gaming system is not operating in a second mode of operation:
• automatically converting, by the processor, to the second mode of operation, and
• thereafter and for a second play of a skill-based game in the second mode of operation that is at least partially subject to the minimum average expected return-to-player percentage:
• receiving a second quantifiable skill input, wherein the input associated with the second monetary payment amount and the second quantifiable skill input collectively form a greater quantity of inputs to play the skill-based game in the second mode of operation than the quantity of inputs to play the spinning reel game
• determining, by the processor and based on the second received quantifiable skill input, a second outcome,
• displaying, by the display device, the determined second outcome,
• determining, by the processor and based on the determined second outcome, a difference between the first monetary payment amount and the second monetary payment amount qualifying as a wager amount and a second paytable of monetary awards available in the second mode of operation, a monetary award, and
• displaying, by the display device, a second, different graphical user interface associated with the second mode of operation, the second, different graphical user interface comprising a graphical depiction of the determined monetary award.