Scheduled return bonus feature with modifiable degradation function based on external events

A gaming device comprising:

• a communication interface;
• an input device;
• a processor circuit;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor circuit, the memory comprising machine readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the processor circuit to:
• receive, via the input device, a request from a player to redeem a wagering game bonus award at a first time;
• determine whether a triggering event in a time period before the first time has occurred;
• in response to the first time being in a first redemption time range, determine, via the communication interface, a first wagering game bonus award, and award the first wagering game bonus award to the player;
• in response to the first time being in a second redemption time range after the first redemption time range and a determination that the triggering event has not occurred, deny the request;
• and
• in response to the first time being in the second redemption time range and a determination that the triggering event has occurred, deny the request, determine, via the communication interface, a second wagering game bonus award, and award the second wagering game bonus award to the player.

A method comprising:

• receiving, via an input device of a gaming device, a request from a player to redeem a wagering game bonus award at a first time;
• determining whether a triggering event in a time period before the first time has occurred;
• in response to the first time being in a first redemption time range, awarding a first wagering game bonus award to the player;
• in response to the first time being in a second redemption time range after the first redemption time range and a determination that the triggering event has not occurred, denying the request;
• and
• in response to the first time in the second redemption time range and a determination that the triggering event has occurred, awarding a second wagering game bonus award to the player.