US20130165230A1 - Gaming systems and methods for use in creating random rewards - Google Patents

Abstract

Servers and method for use in creating a random reward are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The embodiments described herein relate generally to gaming systems methods and, more particularly, to gaming systems methods for use in creating random rewards.
• At least some known gaming machines provide a primary game and a secondary game. For example, a secondary game may include free plays that are associated with a probability of a payout and do not require a player to deposit money or credits to the gaming machine. A secondary game may be triggered by a condition, such as a particular combination of symbols associated with a primary play outcome in the primary game. A number of different secondary games are known. Secondary jackpots are generally used by gaming entities to encourage additional play from one or more players. An example of a secondary game is a progressive jackpot, which incremental grows as players continue to bet at slot machines linked to the progressive jackpot. The progressive jackpots are generally known to being geographically limited to a casino, not guaranteed to payout, and open to any player within the casino.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• In one aspect, a method for use in creating a random reward is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
• In another aspect, a gaming system is disclosed. The gaming system includes a gaming machine and a gaming server coupled to the gaming machine. The gaming server is configured to receive a request for a random reward from an organizer, establish a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and credit gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
• In yet another aspect, a gaming server for use in creating a random reward accessible to a group of players is disclosed. The gaming server includes a memory device configured to store multiple credentials associated with a random reward and a processor coupled to the memory device. The processor is configured to establish the random reward in response to a request for the random reward from an organizer, transmit the multiple credential associated with the random reward from the memory device to multiple players, and credit gaming activity to the random reward when at least one of the multiple credentials is associated with the gaming activity. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting one of the multiple credential
• In another aspect, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon is disclosed. When executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to receive a request for a random reward from an organizer, establish a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and credit gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary gaming machine.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the exemplary gaming machine shown inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary gaming system network.
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing device.
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the exemplary methods for creating a random reward.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for use in creating random rewards are described herein. Such embodiments may enhance entertainment aspects of various gaming activities by providing chances to win a secondary game associated with the gaming activities and/or by providing incentives to engage in gaming activities. One such secondary game may include a random reward, which is setup by an organizer and private to a group of players.
• Exemplary technical effects of systems and methods described herein include at least one of: (a) receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, (b) establishing a random reward in response to the request, (c) transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and (d) crediting gaming activity associated with the at least one credential to trigger the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of anexemplary gaming machine100, which may be any type of gaming machine, and may include different structures than those shown inFIG. 1. In various embodiments,gaming machine100 includes, without limitation, video bingo machines, video poker machines, video slot machines, and/or other similar gaming machines that implement other recognized casino games.
• In the exemplary embodiment,gaming machine100 includes acabinet102 configured to at least partially enclose and/or support a plurality of components, such as a processor, peripheral devices, presentation devices, and player interaction devices.FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of at least a portion of the components ofgaming machine100. As shown,gaming machine100 includes aprocessor104 communicatively coupled to amemory device106.Processor104 andmemory device106 are enclosed within cabinet102 (shown inFIG. 1).Gaming machine100 is configurable and/or programmable to perform one or more operations described herein byprogramming processor104. For example,processor104 may be programmed by encoding an operation as one or more executable instructions and providing the executable instructions inmemory device106. The term processor, as used herein, refers to central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing instructions.Processor104 may be programmed to perform, alone or in combination, any of the processes, methods or functions described herein.
• Memory device106 stores instructions, executable byprocessor104, for controllinggaming machine100. For example,memory device106 stores data such as a status of the random reward, player identifying information, random or pseudo-random number generation software, pay table data, and/or other information or applicable game rules that relate to game play ongaming machine100.Memory device106 may include one or more forms of memory. For example,memory device106 may include, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and/or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In some embodiments, other suitable magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor-based memory may be included inmemory device106 by itself or in combination.
• Gaming machine100 includes acommunication interface108 to enable communication with one or moreother gaming machines100 and/or a gaming server (as described below), directly and/or through a network.
• Gaming machine100 includes a plurality of switches and/orbuttons110 that are coupled to afront107 ofcabinet102.Buttons110 may be used to start play of a primary or secondary game. Onebutton110 may be a “Bet One” button that enables the player to place a bet or to increase a bet. Anotherbutton110 may be a “Bet Max” button that enables the player to bet a maximum permitted wager. Yet anotherbutton110 may be a “Cash Out” button that enables the player to receive a token payment, a money payment or other suitable form of payment, such as a ticket or voucher, which corresponds to a number of remaining credits.
• In the exemplary embodiment,gaming machine100 includes acoin acceptor112 for accepting coins and/or tokens, and apaper acceptor114 for accepting and/or validating cash bills, coupons, tickets, and/orvouchers116.Paper acceptor114 may also be capable of printing tickets orvouchers116. Furthermore, in some embodiments,paper acceptor114 includes a card reader for use with credit cards, debit cards, identification cards, reward cards and/or smart cards. The cards accepted bypaper acceptor114 may include a magnetic strip and/or a preprogrammed microchip that includes a player's identification, one or more credentials, credit totals, and any other relevant information that may be used.
• Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment,gaming machine100 includes one ormore presentation devices118.Presentation devices118 are mounted to and/or at least partially withincabinet102 and controlled byprocessor104, and may include a primary presentation device for displaying a primary game and a secondary presentation device for displaying a secondary or bonus game.Presentation devices118 may include, without limitation, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs), and/or surface-conduction electron emitters (SEDs), a speaker, an alarm, and/or any other device capable of presenting information to a user. In the exemplary embodiment,presentation device118 is a touch screen device, suitable to display information to a player and receive inputs from the player. In at least one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2, one or more ofbuttons110 may be incorporated into thetouch screen device118.
• Presentation device118 is used to display one or more game images, symbols, a credit status, a gaming status and/or indicia such as a visual representation or exhibition of movement of an object such as a mechanical, virtual, or video reel, dynamic lighting, video images, and the like. Additionally, or alternatively,presentation device118 displays images and indicia using mechanical means. For example,presentation device118 may include an electromechanical device, such as one or more rotatable reels, to display a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols, or indicia.
• In an exemplary embodiment,gaming machine100 includes a randomreward status display120, which is provided to display a status of the random reward and/or a status of one or more other players participating in the random reward. Further,gaming machine100 includes acredit display122, which displays a player's current number of credits, cash, account balance, or equivalent. Additionally,gaming machine100 also includes abet display124 which displays a player's amount wagered. Randomreward status display120,credit display122 and/orbet display124 may be standalone displays independent ofpresentation device118, or incorporated intopresentation device118.
• In one embodiment,gaming machine100 randomly generates game outcomes using probability data. For example, each game outcome is associated with one or more probability values that are used bygaming machine100 to determine the game output to be displayed. Such a random calculation may be provided by a random number generator, such as a true random number generator (RNG), a pseudo-random number generator (PNG), or any other suitable randomization process. Moreover,gaming machines100 may be terminal-based machines, wherein the actual games, including random number generation and/or outcome determination, are performed at a gaming server. In such an embodiment,gaming machine100 displays results of the game via presentation device118 (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2).
• FIG. 3 illustrates anexemplary gaming system200. In the exemplary embodiment,gaming system200 includes agaming server202 coupled to a plurality ofgaming machines100.Gaming server202 may perform a plurality of functions including, for example, game outcome generation, player tracking functions, and/or accounting functions.Gaming server202 may include one server or a plurality of servers that together or separately perform one or more of functions described herein. Further,gaming system200 includes agaming kiosk204, which is usable to, without limitation, print coupons, redeem coupons, cash-in tokens, view bonus statuses, enter player information, etc. Specifically, in this exemplary embodiment,gaming kiosk204 may be used by a player to organize a random reward and/or redeem a credential to enter a random reward, as described in more detail below.
• In the exemplary embodiment,gaming system200 includes alocal presentation device206, which may be disposed at one or more locations throughout a gaming location, such as a casino. In one example,local presentation device206 may be disposed above a group ofgaming machines100, proximate togaming kiosk204, and/or other locations viewable by one or more players. In one embodiment,local presentation device206 is mounted proximate to a plurality ofgaming machines100 to display status information related to one or more random rewards. In such an embodiment,local presentation device206 may also display a leader-board of players of a random reward and/or real-time or near real-time crediting of gaming activity to a random reward, as a whole and/or per player.Gaming system200 further includes agaming workstation208, which is often utilized by one or more employees of a gaming entity, such as a casino.Gaming workstation208 may provide an employee access togaming server202 to enter identifying information about a player, such as name, contact information, rewards information, etc. In several embodiments,gaming workstation208 may be used by at least one gaming entity employee to receive a request for a random reward from an organizer.
• In general,gaming server202,gaming machines100 andgaming kiosk204 are present within a gaming location. In various embodiments, one or more ofgaming server202,gaming machines100 and/orgaming kiosk204 may be spread across multiple gaming locations. In at least one embodiment,gaming machines100 may be disposed at one or more locations, other than a casino, such as bars, gas stations, etc.
• In the exemplary embodiment,gaming system200 also includes anetwork210, to whichgaming server202 is connected.Network210 may include, without limitation, Internet, Intranet, a local area network (LAN), a cellular network, a wide area network (WAN), etc. It should be appreciated thatgaming server202 includes suitable security software to protect the integrity ofgaming server202,gaming machines100 and/or any gaming activity associated withgaming server202 and/orgaming machines100. As shown inFIG. 3,gaming system200 includes asocial network server212 coupled tonetwork210.Social network server212 may be any server hosting one or more social networking websites, such as, without limitation, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Blogster, LinkedIn, Orkut, Friendster, etc. As such,gaming server202 is able to communicate with a social network website, hosted bysocial network server212, throughnetwork210.
• Additionally,gaming system200 includes acomputer214, alaptop216, and asmartphone218 forcoupling network210 and often located away from a gaming location (e.g.,gaming server202 and gaming machines100), and therefore also coupling togaming server202 andsocial network server212.
• FIG. 4 illustrates anexemplary computing device300. Each ofgaming server202,gaming kiosk204,gaming workstation208,social network server212,computer214,laptop216, andsmartphone218 are examples ofcomputing devices300.Computing device300 includes apresentation device302, amemory device304 and aprocessor306 in communication withpresentation device302 andmemory device304.Presentation device302 may include, without limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or other suitable device for use in presenting information to a user.
• Memory device304 is any suitable device that may be used for storing and/or retrieving information, such as executable instructions and/or data, and is general consistent withmemory device106 described above.Processor306 may include one or more processing units and may be programmed to perform alone or in combination with any of the processes, methods or functions described with respect togaming system200.
• Computing device300 includes an input device308 for receiving input fromuser310, such as a system administrator, IT professional, a gaming player, a social network user, etc. Input device308 may include, without limitation, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, a stylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, and/or an audio input device. A single component, such as a touch screen, may function as bothpresentation device302 and input device308. Further,computing device300 includes acommunication interface312, to provide communication betweencomputing device300 and anothercomputing device300 and/or one or more networks, including, for example,network210.
• Referring again toFIG. 3,gaming system200 is usable to create a random reward. As used herein, the term random reward refers to a secondary game hosted by a gaming entity, atgaming server202, which pays an award, once at least one predetermined condition is satisfied. A random reward may include, for example, a mystery jackpot, which is guaranteed to pay, when one of plurality ofgaming machines100 pushing a running total associated with the mystery jackpot over a trigger amount set between a minimum and a maximum amount (i.e., a predetermined condition). In the exemplary embodiment,gaming server202 receives a request for a random reward from an organizer of the random reward. The organizer may be, for example, a player, a business, or a gaming entity, such as the casino. In one example, a player may request a random reward to be played with a group of social network friends. In another example, a business may request a random reward as a form of advertisement for the business, in order to enhanced exposure of a brand offered by the business. In yet another example, an gaming entity, such as an administrator ofgaming system200, may submit a request for a random reward togaming server202 in order to increase the volume of gaming activities and/or enhanced entertainment value associated with primary gambling activities. Additionally, or alternatively, a gaming entity may offer a random reward to a player, who subsequently submits and/or provides a request for a random reward togaming server202.
• The request for the random reward may be received bygaming server202 is a variety of manners. In one example, the request for the random reward may be submitted through a website associated with and/or hosted bygaming server202, such as a gaming entity's website. In such an example, the request for the random reward would be received atgaming server202 fromcomputer214,laptop216,smartphone218 orother computing device300. In this example, the request for the random reward is submitted and received throughnetwork210. In other examples, the request for the random reward may be received fromgaming machine100,gaming kiosk204 or other machine at a gaming location. In yet another example, the request may be received, atgaming server202, fromcomputer214 operated by an employee of the gaming entity, who enters the request provided from a player or a business in-person or via telephone, email, text message, etc. In such an example, the request for a random reward may be received at thegaming server202, potentially in response to the gaming entity's invitation to the organizer to request a random reward.
• The request for the random reward may include various types of information about the player, the gaming entity, the business, etc. Specifically, for example, the request for the random reward from a player may include, without limitation, player contact information, a player's rewards account, a list of invitees to the random reward, contact information for one or more of the invitees, eligibility requirements for the random reward, etc. In at least one embodiment, contact information in the request may include an identification of a social network and a social network identifier. In such an embodiment, the organizer may enter social network identifier or, more preferably,grant gaming server202 access to the one or more groups of organizer's friends. The request may include information of the random reward, such as, without limitation, a selection of a random reward payout, a pledged amount of gaming activities per time period, a duration of the random reward, payout instructions for dividing the random reward payout, evenly or unevenly, among the players of random reward, etc.
• Upon receiving the request for the random reward,processor304 ofgaming server202 establishes the random reward according to one or more parameters. The parameters may be based on information within the request from the organizer and/or set by the gaming entity who administers the random reward. Parameters may include, without limitation, a random reward payout amount, a random reward payout type, the rate of credit applied to the random reward, the duration of the random reward, a number of invited players, a schedule for crediting the random reward based on the amount of gaming activity, the frequency of gaming activity, and/or the amount of coin bet during the gaming activity, etc. In various embodiments, the gaming entity may limit the random reward based on various criteria related to the information contained in the request. For example, a player's rewards account status with the administrator ofgaming system200 may suggest the payout associated with the random reward. Specifically, for example, a “gold” rewards level player may be eligible for a $5,000 random reward, while a “silver” rewards level player may only be eligible for a $2,500 random reward.
• It should be appreciated that any number of factors related to players, the players' gaming activities, the gaming entity, the random reward, or other factors may be used to determine the parameters of the random reward.
• After the random reward has been established,processor304 ofgaming server202 transmits a credential associated with the random reward to at least one player. In the exemplary embodiment,gaming server202 may transmit the credential to multiple players, including the organizer of the random reward, vianetwork210,gaming machine100,gaming kiosk204, and/orgaming workstation208, etc. Subsequently, the credential may be presented by the player togaming system200, which causesprocessor304 ofgaming server202 to credit the player's gaming activity to the random reward. The player may be, for example, the organizer, an invitee of the organizer, and/or another player designated by the organizer or an invitee.
• In the exemplary embodiment, the credential may be provided to the participant through a variety of methods, which may be facilitated by one or more of the organizer,gaming server202, and an invitee of the organizer, etc. In one example,gaming server202 transmits the credential to gaming kiosk, which, in turn, prints one or more coupons including the credential. Organizer is then able to distribute the coupons to a plurality of invitees to encourage the invitee to participate in the random reward.
• In another example, the request for a random reward received bygaming server202 may include contact information for one or more invitees. Specifically, for example, the organizer may include social network identifiers for each of a plurality of invitees to the random reward. After the random reward is established,gaming server202 may communicate withsocial network server212 to deliver invitations including a credential to each of the invitees, via the social network identifier. In yet another example, the request for the random reward may include other contact information, such as phone numbers, email addresses, mailing address, rewards accounts, etc., which permitsgaming server202 to transmit (directly or indirectly) an invitation to each of the invitees. In one example,gaming server202 may facilitate transmission of one or more SMS messages to a plurality of invitees. In another example,gaming server202 may transmit an email to each of the invitees included in the organizer's request for a random reward. The emails and/or SMS messages may be specific to the invitee or generic to invitees of the random reward.
• In various embodiments, the credential may be specific to the random reward, specific to an organizer, specific to an invitee, and/or specific to any other characteristic of a player, etc. In one example, the credential is merely specific to the random reward, such that any player who presents the credential togaming machine100 permitsgaming server202 to credit the player's gaming activity to the random reward. Alternatively, the credential may be specific to a player, such that each player of a random reward is provided a credential that is linked to the random reward, yet specific to the player. In such an embodiment, gaming activity associated with each player may be individually tracked, bygaming server202, to provide data related to which individual players are advancing the random reward toward the random reward's trigger and by how much.
• Furthermore, the credentials may indicate an authority level relative to the random reward. For example, a credential associated with an organizer may provide authority to send invitations to additional invitees, remove one or more players from a random reward, approve/disapprove invitees of other invitees, set eligibility requirements, and/or make alterations/additions to the random reward payout amount and/or type, etc. In one example, a player with organizer credential may be permitted to re-adjust the payout instructions of the random reward to more closely represent the amount of gaming activity contributed by each player. In yet another embodiment, a player with an organizer credential may revoke a credential associated with a player who has failed to meet minimum eligibility requirements. It should be appreciated that various levels of authority may be provided through credentials to various types of players. For example, in at least one embodiment, an invitee credential may permit the invitee to invite subordinate invitees to share in their portion of the random reward or the random reward as a whole. In such an example, the invitee credential would provide authority over subordinate invitees similar to the organizer's authority over the random reward. As should be apparent, numerous possible combinations and/or permutation of hierarchy and/or authority between the players may be provided in various other embodiments.
• In this exemplary embodiment, once a player possesses a credential, the player is permitted to present the credential to agaming machine100 to initiate gaming activity, which is credited to the random reward. In turn,gaming server202 receives the credential fromgaming machine100 and credits gaming activity atgaming machine100 to the random reward. In various embodiments, when a credential is initially presented togaming machine100,gaming server202 may promptgaming machine100 to request additional information. For example, when an invitee initially presents a credential as a printed coupon,gaming server202 may request identifying information from the player, such as name, contact information, reward number, player preferences, etc. Additionally, when an invitee presents a credential through use of a social network username,gaming server202 may also request such identifying information from the player. After the identifying information is received,gaming server202 stores the identifying information inmemory device304. The identifying information may be used, as described below, to provide updates on the random reward to the players and/or provide one or more other promotional offers to the player from a gaming entity administering and/or associated with the random reward, including, for example, a casino or a manufacturing of one or more ofgaming machines100.
• In various embodiments, an organizer of the random reward may be able to approve/disapprove of a player presenting credential associated with the random reward. In such an embodiment,gaming server202 may receive a credential from a player (for example, from gaming machine100) and transmit a message (e.g., an email, an SMS message, a social network message, etc.) to the organizer through agaming machine100,gaming kiosk204, and/ornetwork210.Gaming server202 may restrict access to the random reward until the organizer has provided approval for the player. In at least one embodiment,gaming server202 causes pending requests to join a random reward to be displayed to the organizer atgaming machine100,gaming kiosk204,computer214,laptop216,smartphone218 and/or a social network website, etc. In such an embodiment, the pending requests to join may be automatically and/or periodically transmitted to the organizer when the organizer initiates gaming activity. In still other embodiments, approval to participate in the random reward may be automatic by presentation of the credential.
• In one embodiment, a player may present the credential togaming server202 throughgaming kiosk204,social network server212,computer214,laptop216, orsmartphone218 to provide identifying information. Additionally, or alternatively, a player may present a credential to an employeeoperating gaming workstation208, which may solicit identifying information from the player and enter such information togaming server202, throughgaming workstation206. In at least one alternate embodiment,gaming server202 may permit a player to present a credential togaming machine100 and attribute gaming activity to the random reward without providing any additional identifying information.
• In several embodiments, a player may be associated with several random rewards, such that the player may be prompted to select one of the random rewards to be credited. Alternatively, the player may select multiple random rewards, such that a portion of the player's gaming activity is credited, byprocessor304 ofgaming server202, to each of the multiple random rewards. In some embodiments, a player associated with a random reward may request a secret random reward or nested group within a random reward, in which gaming activity from multiple players is credited to the random reward on behalf of the organizer of the secret random reward. The secret random reward may be set up, such that each player associated with the secret random reward may share in the player's portion of the random reward. The secret random reward may be secret from or known to one or more other players associated with the random reward. In at least one embodiment, an organizer of a random reward may disallow secret random rewards.
• After presenting the credential and/or providing identifying information,gaming server202 credits the player's gaming activity to the random reward to advance the random reward toward its trigger. As the random reward is credited with gaming activity,gaming server202 may provide status messages to players throughgaming machines100,gaming kiosk204,computer214,laptop216,smartphone218 and/or a social network website, etc. The status messages may be presented to the player in the form of a visual graphic on random reward status display120 (as shown inFIG. 2), such as a thermometer, a temperature gage, melting ice, or another graphic sufficient to indicate the progress and/or percentage of completion toward the trigger of the random reward. In another embodiment, the status message may be displayed onlocal presentation device206, without an identifier of the random reward. In various embodiments, a player may be able to indicate togaming server202 the frequency, manner, method, and/or timing of status messages related to the random reward. Further, in some embodiments, the random reward status display may be used to provide one or more promotional offers to players associated with a random reward.
• In several embodiments,gaming server202 may transmit a message togaming machine100,gaming kiosk204,social network server212,computer214,laptop216, orsmartphone218, indicating the status of one or more other players. Specifically, for example,gaming server202 may detect the credential of a player atgaming machine100 and transmit a message to one or more other players within a gaming location, indicating the presences of the player. Additionally, or alternatively, when a player presents a credential togaming machine100 orgaming kiosk204,gaming server202 may cause the status of other player associated with the random reward to be displayed to the player. Further, the status of a player may be transmitted bygaming server202 to one or more other players, via a social network website. In various embodiments,gaming server202 may receive one or more settings from a player to limit information available to other players of the random reward. For example, a player may be permitted to omit his/her status (e.g., presence within a casino, frequency of gaming activity, volume of gaming activity, etc.) from other players of the random reward.
• Furthermore, messages transmitted bygaming server202 to one or more players may include a total activity attributed to the random reward, a status relative to a trigger maximum and/or minimum, a listing of players and relative gaming activity attributed to the random reward (e.g., on a daily basis, a weekly basis, a monthly basis, and/or other time basis), current location of other players, a leader board of gaming activity attributed to the random reward, a temporal total of gaming activity relative to a requirement, etc. Similar to the above example, a player may be permitted to opt out of one or more statuses in various gaming system embodiments.
• Asgaming server202 continues to credit gaming activity toward the random reward, one or more players of the random reward may request and/or implement one or more changes to the random reward. In some embodiments, however, the players contributing to the random reward may be made static after a predetermined amount of progress toward the trigger is made, such as, for example, about 30%, 50% or 80%, etc. In such embodiments, an organizer and/or an invitee would not be able to eliminate one or more players, who have access to the random reward when the progress toward the random reward crosses the predetermined amount. As such, the possibility of eliminating a player (who has contributed to a random reward) from the random reward payout is reduced. At the same time, the pool of players eligible for the random reward payout would not be diluted by adding an additional player after the predetermined amount, just prior to triggering the random reward payout, thereby diluting a shared random reward payment. It should be appreciated that various rules and limitation may be implemented, in some embodiments, by a gaming entity, an organizer and/or an invitee to increase participation in the random reward and/or enable a fair, balance, and/or desired random reward payout occurs.
• In the exemplary embodiment, different types of gaming activity by a player may be credited differently, bygaming server202, toward triggering the random reward. In one embodiment,gaming server202 may credit more gaming activity toward the random reward for a high bet and/or certain types of games. Specifically, for example,gaming server202 may credit50 chances to trigger a random reward when a player bets $5 per game, while crediting200 chances to trigger the random reward when the player is betting $10 per game. The number of chances credited to the random reward bygaming server202 may have one or more linear and non-linear relationships to the amount of a bet, the type of game played, the number of consecutive games, the types ofgaming machine100, the rewards account status, etc.
• The random reward may be triggered by a player exceeding the random trigger amount assigned to the random reward, by hitting a random reward combination of symbols atgaming machine100, or other suitable triggers. When the random reward is triggered, the payout is awarded according to the payout instructions, as included in the original request and/or as modified by one or more of the organizer, an invitee, or the gaming entity hosting the random reward. In one embodiment, when the random reward is triggered, the random reward payout includes a straight monetary award paid to the player who triggers the random reward payout. In another embodiment, the random reward payment may include bonus feature rounds, win multipliers, or free-spins for the player who triggers the random reward and/or all players associated with the random reward. In at least one embodiment, the random reward payout may be multiplied by the player's bet when the player triggered the random reward. Additionally, or alternatively, the random reward payout may be determined by the rewards account of the player triggering the random reward and/or the rewards accounts of some or all players associated with the random reward. The random reward payout may be determined and/or modified, bygaming server202, when the random reward is established, when the random reward is triggered, and/or at some point therebetween.
• In various embodiments, the random reward payout may be incremented and/or decremented during the pendency of the random reward based on the amount of gaming activity credited to the random reward by one or more players. In one embodiment,gaming server202 may adjust each player's share of the random reward award, as indicated in the payout instructions, during the pendency of the random reward, or according to the individual player's gaming activity credited to the random reward.
• The random reward payout may be limited to the player that triggers the random reward or may be distributed to one or more players of the random reward. In some embodiments, the random reward payout may be divided equally amongst players associated with the random reward. In another embodiment, the random reward payout may be divided according to a percentage of the total gaming activity attracted to each player. In yet another embodiment, the random reward payout may be distributed to the players according to a player-specified payout instructions for the random reward. As should be apparent, there are numerous ways the random reward payout may be distributed amongst the players associated with the random reward. The payout distribution may be the product of the settings and/or instructions of the organizer, the invitees, and/or the gaming entity administering the random reward.
• In the exemplary embodiment, when the random reward is triggered,gaming server202 transmits one or more messages to players associated with the random reward. The message may include a description of the random reward payout and the distribution instructions, as well as, when applicable, instructions for the player on how to redeem the random reward payout.
• In at least one embodiment, when a random reward is triggered,gaming server202 may transmit let-it-ride messages to each player associated with the random reward. In such an embodiment, the players may opt (e.g., by voting) to take the let-it-ride option and bet the random reward payout in connection with one or more games hosted by the gaming entity. Players may select the let-it-ride option individually or as a group. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments, the let-it-ride option upon triggering the random reward may be omitted.
• FIG. 5 illustrates anexemplary method400 for use in creating a random reward. Whilemethod400 is described with reference togaming system200, it should be understood thatmethod400 and/or other methods described herein are not limited togaming system200 and may be used with other gaming systems. Likewise,gaming system200 should not be understood to be limited tomethod400.Method400 includes receiving402 a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing404, atgaming server202, a random reward in response to the request, transmitting406, fromgaming server202, a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting408 gaming activity associated with the at least one credential to trigger the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.
• In some embodiments,method400 includes tracking gaming activity credited to the random reward by each of a plurality of players. Additionally, or alternatively,method400 may include transmitting, fromgaming server202, a status of the random reward to be displayed bygaming machine100 when gaming activity is credited to the random reward. In at least one embodiment,method400 may include transmitting the credential to a player designated by a player other than the organizer
• Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for creating random rewards are described herein. The systems and methods described herein may provide an enhanced gaming experience, where a player is able to create a limited-access random reward, as compared to several known jackpots with unlimited access. The random reward may be limited to players selected by the organizers and/or additional player invited by players. The systems and methods described herein may utilize one or more social networks to disseminate invitations to random rewards and/or provides status message related to random reward, which are features unavailable in known gaming activities. Furthermore, unlike known jackpots, the systems and methods described herein may provide players of a random reward control over parameters of the random reward.
• The systems and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein but, rather, operations of the methods and/or components of the system and/or apparatus may be utilized independently and separately from other operations and/or components described herein. Further, the described operations and/or components may also be defined in, or used in combination with, other systems, methods, and/or apparatus, and are not limited to practice with only the systems, methods, and storage media as described herein.
• A computer, controller, or server, such as those described herein, includes at least one processor or processing unit and a system memory. The computer, controller, or server typically has at least some form of non-transitory computer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media includes, for example, a non-transitory computer storage device. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a device.
• Although the present disclosure is described in connection with an exemplary gaming system environment, embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose gaming system environments or configurations. The gaming system environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of any aspect described herein. Moreover, the gaming system environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment.
• Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program components or modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Aspects described herein may be implemented with any number and organization of components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein. Alternative embodiments of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.
• The order of execution or performance of the operations in the embodiments illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.
• When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
• This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims (26)

1. A method for use in creating a random reward accessible to a group of players, said method comprising:

receiving, from a first player of the group of players, a request to initiate a casino-based game on a gaming machine;

during play of the game by the first player on the gaming machine, receiving a request for the random reward from an organizer;

establishing, by a processor in a gaming server, the random reward in response to the request;

transmitting, from the processor in the gaming server, a credential associated with the random reward to each player in the group of players through a social network website, wherein access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential; and

crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein receiving the request for the random reward includes receiving the request including identifying information for a plurality of invitees; and

wherein transmitting the credential to each player in the group of players includes transmitting the credential to each of the plurality of invitees based on the identifying information, the credential being player-specific.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein receiving the request for the random reward includes receiving a request including a social network identifier; and

wherein transmitting the credential associated with the random reward to each player in the group of players includes transmitting the credential to each of a plurality of invitees through a social network website based on the social network identifier.

4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein transmitting the credential to each of the plurality of invitees includes transmitting a player-specific credential to each of the plurality of invitees.

5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising tracking gaming activity credited to the random reward by each player in the group of players.

6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising, when the random reward is triggered, awarding a prize associated with the random reward to at least one player in the group of players based on the total gaming activity credited to the random reward and attributed to said at least one player.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein receiving the request for the random reward includes receiving the request including identifying information for a plurality of invitees, and wherein the identifying information includes at least one of a name, a mailing address, an email address, a social network identifier, a user identifier, and a rewards account number.

8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising transmitting, from the gaming server, a status of the random reward to be displayed by the gaming machine when gaming activity on the gaming machine is credited to the random reward.

9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising transmitting, from the gaming server, a status of the random reward to the first player, via at least one of a social network server and a wide area network (WAN).

10. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising setting a parameter of the random reward based on the request received from the organizer, the parameter including at least one of a random reward payout amount, an eligibility requirement, a target amount of gaming activities per time period, and a duration of the random reward.

11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to each player in the group players comprises transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to players that are designated by the first player, wherein the first player is not the organizer.

12. A gaming system comprising:

a gaming machine; and

a gaming server coupled to said gaming machine, said gaming server configured to:

receive, from a first player, a request to initiate a casino-based game on a gaming machine;

during play of the game by the first player on the gaming machine, receive a request for a random reward from an organizer;

establish, at said gaming server, the random reward in response to the request;

transmit, from said gaming server, a credential associated with the random reward to one or more additional players through a social network website, wherein access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential; and

credit gaming activity on said gaming machine and associated with the credential to the random reward.

13. The gaming system ofclaim 12, wherein said gaming server is configured to track gaming activity associated with each player credited to the random reward.

14. The gaming system ofclaim 12, wherein said gaming server is further configured to distribute a payout associated with the random reward according to at least one payout instruction received from the organizer and/or at least one invitee of the organizer.

15. The gaming system ofclaim 12, further comprising a local presentation device coupled to said gaming server and configured to receive a status message associated with the random reward from said gaming server and to display the status message to at least one player.

16. The gaming system ofclaim 12, wherein the request includes identifying information for one or more additional players, and wherein said gaming server is configured to transmit the credential associated with the random reward to the one or more additional players based on the identifying information.

17. A gaming server for use in creating a random reward accessible to a group of players, said gaming server comprising:

a memory device configured to store multiple credentials associated with the random reward; and

a processor coupled to said memory device, said processor configured to:

receive, from a first player of the group of players, a request to initiate a casino-based game on a gaming machine;

during play of the game by the first player on the gaming machine, establish the random reward in response to a request for the random reward from an organizer;

transmit the multiple credentials associated with the random reward from the memory device to each player in the group of players through a social network website, wherein access to the random reward is limited to players presenting one of the multiple credentials; and

credit gaming activity to the random reward when at least one of the multiple credentials is associated with the gaming activity.

18. The gaming server ofclaim 17, wherein each of the multiple credentials is specific to one of the players in the group of players.

19. The gaming server ofclaim 17, wherein said processor is configured to transmit the multiple credentials associated with the random reward to the group of players based on a social network identifier associated with each player in the group of players.

20. The gaming server ofclaim 17, wherein said processor is further configured to store a status of the random reward in said memory device and to cause the status of the random reward to be broadcast to the gaming machine, a display signage, a desktop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, and a laptop.

21. The gaming server ofclaim 17, wherein the gaming activity is directed to gaming machines disposed at a gaming location.

22. The gaming server ofclaim 17, wherein the gaming activity is directed to at least one of a desktop computer, a smartphone, a tablet, and a laptop.

23. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein when executed by at least one processor, said computer-executable instructions cause the processor to:

receive, from a first player, a request to initiate a casino-based game on a gaming machine;

during play of the game by the first player, receive a request for a random reward from an organizer;

establish the random reward in response to the request;

transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to each player in the group of players through a social network website, wherein access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential; and

credit gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward.

24. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media ofclaim 23, wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to individually track gaming activity of each player credited to the random reward.

25. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media ofclaim 23, wherein the credentials are player-specific.

26. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media ofclaim 23, wherein said computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to transmit the credential to each player, via a social network server.

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