Electronic amusement device offering secondary game of chance and method for operating same

Abstract

An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a slot machine server controls a secondary game of chance played at a client slot machine. The server receives a player identifier corresponding to a player and a client identifier corresponding to a client slot machine. The server retrieves registration data relating to a secondary game of chance corresponding to the player identifier and the client identifier. The server further receives an outcome from the client slot machine and analyzes the outcome based on game requirements associated with the secondary game of chance, thereby determining whether the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements. Once all of the game requirements have been satisfied, the server updates a session status indicating the completion of the game requirements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic amusement device and more particularly to an electronic amusement device such as a slot machine having the ability to conduct a secondary game of chance. 2. Description of the Related Art In 1997, electronic amusement devices installed in U.S. casinos (including slot machines, video poker machines and the like, hereinafter referred to as “slot machines” or “machines”) generated greater than ten billion dollars of revenue. With individual machines typically earning between $50 and $150 per day, slot machines often account for well over 50% of a U.S. casino's overall profits. The net profit from slot machine play for a casino typically exceeds the profit from all other casino activities. The comparatively high profitability of slot machines may be attributed to many factors. One such factor is that slot machines typically offer a higher house advantage than other casino games. Fur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for conducting a secondary game of chance to be played using multiple gaming devices. An advantage of the present invention is that it directs players to utilize slot machines designated by a casino operator. A further advantage of the present invention is that it encourages a wider variety of players to utilize slot machines.

is that it directs players to utilize slot machines designated by a casino operator. A further advantage of the present invention is that it encourages a wider variety of players to utilize slot machines.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an electronic amusement device and method is disclosed for directing a computing device to register a player to play a secondary game of chance at a slot machine configured to conduct a primary game of chance and the secondary game of chance. The method includes the step of receiving a request to register the player to play the secondary game of chance. The request to register includes a player identifier. The method also includes the step of determining a secondary game identifier corresponding to the secondary game of chance. The secondary game identifier is associated with a set of client identifiers on which the secondary game of chance may be played. The method further includes the step of storing the player identifier, the secondary game identifier and the set of client identifiers, thereby registering the player for the secondary game of chance. The disclosed server operating in conjunction with a registration kiosk implements the steps of the described method.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, an electronic amusement device and method is disclosed for directing a computing device to conduct a secondary game of chance at a client slot machine. The method includes the steps of receiving a player identifier corresponding to a player, and retrieving player data, including a secondary game type and a secondary game status. The secondary game type corresponds to game requirements for determining a winner of the secondary game of chance, and further corresponds to a set of eligible client identifiers. The method also includes the steps of determining a client identifier corresponding to the client slot machine, and determining whether the client identifier is associated with one of the eligible client identifiers. The method further includes the step of determining an outcome. The outcome is analyzed based on the game requirements of the secondary game. If all of the game requirements have been satisfied, the secondary game status is updated to reflect completion of the secondary game.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, slot machines attract a large number of players by offering a large potential payout in exchange for a comparatively small wager.

While the '088 patent enables a large award to be offered to a player, it fails to address certain problems with the prior art.

Specifically, the '088 patent fails to encourage players to try certain different types of slot machines.

The '088 patent also fails to increase play at under-utilized machines, such as older slot machines or slot machines located in a remote portion of a casino.

The '088 patent further fails to direct players to slot machines having a high house advantage or slot machines having a high maximum wager amount.

Images