Systems and methods for generating and providing shared bonus features in electronic wagering games

A computer-implemented method comprising:

• receiving, via a gaming network, a communication from a first EGM of a plurality of EGMs indicating that the first EGM has entered a bonus mode according to a ball drop generated by a wide area ball call server, wherein the bonus mode is open to receiving additional players to increase a prize amount of a shared bonus mode prize;
• generating a control signal for at least a second EGM of the plurality of EGMs to present an indication to other potential players that the shared bonus mode on the first EGM is open to receiving additional players for a limited amount of time;
• providing the generated control signal to at least the second EGM, such that the second EGM notifies other potential players that the shared bonus mode is currently available;
• determining that the second EGM has received a buy-in from a player before the limited amount of time has expired;
• and
• incorporating the second EGM into the shared bonus mode, such that players at both the first EGM and the second EGM are eligible to win the shared bonus mode prize.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one or more computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one hardware processor of a computing device, cause the hardware processor to:

• receive, via a gaming network, a communication from a first EGM of a plurality of EGMs indicating that the first EGM has entered a bonus mode according to a ball drop generated by a wide area ball call server, wherein the bonus mode is open to receiving additional players to increase a prize amount of a shared bonus mode prize;
• generate a control signal for at least a second EGM of the plurality of EGMs to present an indication to other potential players that the shared bonus mode on the first EGM is open to receiving additional players for a limited amount of time;
• provide the generated control signal to at least the second EGM, such that the second EGM notifies other potential players that the shared bonus mode is currently available;
• determine that the second EGM has received a buy-in from a player before the limited amount of time has expired;
• and
• incorporate the second EGM into the shared bonus mode, such that players at both the first EGM and the second EGM are eligible to win the shared bonus mode prize.