Bonus game funded by degradation function of a scheduled return bonus feature

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;
• 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;
• and
• in response to the first time being in a second redemption time range after the first redemption time range, determine, via the communication interface, a second wagering game bonus award different from the first wagering game bonus award, and award the second wagering game bonus award to the player, and transfer a remainder amount based on a difference between the first wagering game bonus award and the second wagering game bonus award to a bonus prize pool.

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;
• in response to the first time being in a first redemption time range, awarding a first wagering game bonus award to the player;
• and
• in response to the first time being in a second redemption time range after the first redemption time range:
• awarding a second wagering game bonus award to the player different from the first wagering game bonus award;
• and
• transferring a remainder amount based on a difference between the first wagering game bonus award and the second wagering game bonus award to a bonus prize pool.