Gaming system for multiple progressive games

A progressive gaming system comprising a central computer coupled, at least indirectly, to gaming terminals each of which is coupled to a notification device for indicating the win of a progressive prize;

• a first plurality of said gaming terminals being eligible for a first progressive prize, based on first contributions from said first plurality of gaming terminals;
• a second plurality of said gaming terminals being eligible for a second progressive prize, based on second contributions from said second plurality of gaming terminals;
• said central computer receiving information regarding said first contributions and transmitting information, when said first progressive prize has been won, to indicate a win using said notification device coupled to one of said first plurality of gaming terminals;
• and
• said central computer receiving information regarding said second contributions and transmitting information, when said second progressive prize has been won, to indicate a win using said notification device coupled to one of said second plurality of gaming terminal;
• wherein each of said first plurality of gaming terminals, following play on said gaming terminal, provides an output indicative of a result of said play;
• wherein said central computer repeatedly receives, stores or transmits information indicative of a decision as to whether said first progressive prize has been won;
• and
• wherein said decision is independent of said result of play in any of said first plurality of gaming terminals.

A progressive gaming system a central computer coupled, at least indirectly, to gaming terminals each of which is coupled to a notification device for indicating the win of a progressive prize;

• a first plurality of said gaming terminals being eligible for a first progressive prize, based on first contributions from said first plurality of gaming terminals;
• a second plurality of said gaming terminals being eligible for a second progressive prize, based on second contributions from said second plurality of gaming terminals;
• said central computer receiving information regarding said first contributions and transmitting information, when said first progressive prize has been won, to indicate a win using said notification device coupled to one of said first plurality of gaming terminals;
• and
• said central computer receiving information regarding said second contributions and transmitting information, when said second progressive prize has been won, to indicate a win using said notification device coupled to one of said second plurality of gaming terminals;
• wherein said central computer is configured to retrieve progressive gaming information from a database, wherein said progressive gaming information includes first odds information relating to odds of winning said first progressive prize and second odds information relating to odds of winning said second progressive prize;
• wherein said central system is configured to perform at least a first check to detect errors in information stored in said database, relating to a progressive game, before said progressive game is first played.

A progressive gaming system comprising:

• a central computer coupled to a plurality of gaming terminals which are eligible for at least one chance at least a first progressive prize to be awarded according to a predetermined odds of winning, wherein said predetermined odds is established such that, on average, a first number of coins are played between consecutive wins of the progressive prize;
• at least a first of said plurality of gaming terminals configured to initiate at least one chance at said first progressive prize in response to reception of at least a first minimum number of coins of a first denomination, and a handle pull, and wherein said first gaming terminal is configured such that, on average, a first number of handle pulls are received between consecutive prizes;
• at least a second of said plurality of gaming terminals configured to initiate at least one chance at said first progressive prize in response to reception of at least a second minimum number of coins of a second denomination, different from said first denomination, and a handle pull and wherein said second gaming terminal is configured such that, on average a second number of handle pulls are received between consecutive prizes;
• wherein said first number of coins on average between wins divided by the product of said first minimum number of coins and said first number of handle pulls is an integer;
• and
• wherein said first number of coins on average between wins divided by the product of said second minimum number of coins and said second number of handle pulls is an integer.

A method for providing a progressive gaming system implemented using central computer coupled, at least indirectly, to gaming terminals each of which is coupled to a notification device for indicating the win of a progressive prize, the method comprising;

• receiving, in said central computer, first information indicating contributions towards a first progressive prize from a first plurality of said gaming terminals eligible for said first progressive prize;
• receiving, in said central computer, second information indicating contributions towards a second progressive prize from a second plurality of said gaming terminals eligible for said second progressive prize;
• transmitting from said central computer, when said first progressive prize has been won, information for activating at least one notification device coupled to one of said first plurality of gaming terminals;
• and
• transmitting from said central computer, when said second progressive prize has been won, information for activating at least one notification device coupled to one of said second plurality of gaming terminals.

A method for providing a progressive gaming system implemented using central computer coupled, at least indirectly, to gaming terminals each of which is coupled to a notification device for indicating the win of a progressive prize, the method comprising:

• receiving, in said central computer, first information indicating contributions towards a first progressive prize from a first plurality of said gaming terminals eligible for said first progressive prize;
• receiving, in said central computer, second information indicating contributions towards a second progressive prize from a second plurality of said gaming terminals eligible for said second progressive prize;
• transmitting from said central computer, when said first progressive prize has been won, information for activating at least one notification device coupled to one of said first plurality of gaming terminals;
• transmitting from said central computer, when said second progressive prize has been won, information for activating at least one notification device coupled to one of said second plurality of gaming terminals;
• and
• performing, in said central system, at least a first check to detect errors in information stored in said database, relating to a progressive game, before said progressive game is first played.

Apparatus for providing a progressive gaming system implemented using a central computer coupled, at least indirectly, to gaming terminals each of which is coupled to a notification device for indicating the win of a progressive prize, the apparatus comprising:

• means, in said central computer, for:
• receiving, first information indicating contributions towards a first progressive prize from a first plurality of said gaming terminals eligible for said first progressive prize;
• and
• receiving, second information indicating contributions towards a second progressive prize from a second plurality of said gaming terminals eligible for said second progressive prize;
• and
• means, in said central computer, for:
• transmitting from said central computer, when said first progressive prize has been won, information for activating at least one notification device coupled to one of said first plurality of gaming terminals;
• and
• transmitting from said central computer, when said second progressive prize has been won, information for activating at least one notification device coupled to one of said second plurality of gaming terminals.