Apparatus and method for a game with expanding symbol matrix

An electronic gaming machine (“EGM”) on which a player plays a game, the game including a symbol matrix with a predefined number of columns and a predefined number of rows in each column, comprising at least:

• a display device configured to display a sequence of game play with the symbols arranged in the symbol matrix as game outcomes;
• an input device configured to receive input from a player to initiate game play;
• a random number generator (“RNG”) for generating random numbers that determine an outcome of a game and that correspond to a predefined set of outcomes including winning and losing outcomes;
• a control unit in operative communication with the display device, the input device and the RNG, and configured to control game play to provide a plurality of symbols positioned in the symbol matrix, the control unit operable to:
• initiate game play in response to player input via the input device;
• randomly determine an outcome of the game play using numbers generated by the RNG;
• direct the display device to display the outcome of the game play in the symbol matrix, wherein symbols are randomly arranged within the symbol matrix;
• in response to detecting a trigger event, randomly define a range for expanding the symbol matrix by increasing the number of positions in the symbol matrix, thereby selecting a defined range of matrix expansion;
• create an expanded symbol matrix and indicating the defined range of matrix expansion on the display device;
• randomly determine an active symbol matrix area with the defined range of matrix expansion wherein the active symbol matrix area is smaller or equal in size to the defined range of matrix expansion;
• and
• using the expanded symbol matrix for at least one consecutive game play including a next play of the game.