Gaming machine

Abstract

The gaming machine comprises: a lottery wheel having plural lottery holes that lottery balls can enter; a game content determination device that, as the lottery balls enter any of the plural lottery holes, determines a game result based on the any of the plural lottery holes that the lottery balls have entered; a discharge path that is provided below the lottery wheel and that discharges the lottery balls entering, one each, the plural lottery holes; a lifting device that conveys the lottery balls to a position higher than the lottery wheel; and a collection path that guides the lottery balls discharged from the discharge path to a conveyance start position of the lifting device, wherein the collection path includes a ball delivery device for delivering the lottery balls being collected, toward the conveyance start position of the lifting device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application is based upon and claims a priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-435133 filed on Dec. 26, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is related to co-pending U.S. applications claiming priorities for JP-2003-435134 to file on the even date with this application, U.S. applications claiming priorities for JP-2003-316020, and JP-2003-316021, filed on Sep. 8, 2004, International Application No. PCT / JP / 03 / 11439, PCT / JP / 03 / 11440, and PCT / JP / 03 / 11441, filed on Sep. 8, 2003 in Japan. The co-pending applications are expressly incorporated herein by reference BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more specifically, it relates to a gaming machine determining a result of a game based on a fact that a lottery ball enters to a lottery hole in the lottery wheel [0004] 2. Descripti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] An object of the invention is to provide a gaming machine provided with plural lottery holes, the gaming machine making a smooth preparation, reducing feeling of boredom given to the players, and providing amusingness

[0013] According to first aspect of the invention, in the gaming machine that determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting device. Consequently, the lottery balls move at a high speed through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time. Besides, even when there is an obstacle such as a minute convex or concave and a speck of dust, the lottery balls can be restrained from getting stuck there, so that the next game can be started smoothly. Furthermore, the ball delivery device delivers the lottery balls toward the conveyance start position, which can restrain the lottery balls from returning to the discharge path side.

[0014] According to the invention, in the gaming machine that determines the game result based on the entrance of the lottery balls into the lottery holes, the ball delivery device disposed in the collection path for guiding the lottery balls of the lottery holes to the conveyance start position of the lifting device. The lottery balls are thus delivered more positively through the collection path, so that the lottery balls can be collected in a shorter time.

Problems solved by technology

However, in the aforesaid gaming machine of lottery ball drawing type, it is difficult for players to find their desired lottery balls from a large number of lottery balls, which is likely to reduce amusingness peculiar to the bingo game.

Thus, this type of gaming machine is not particularly suitable for the configuration of using a large number of indicias.

From the viewpoint of installation space in a gaming hall or the like, however, it is not desirable to increase the size of the lottery wheel.

However, the aforesaid gaming machine has a limitation in downsizing because of the provision of a large number of lottery holes, the viewability of a lottery event attended by a large number of people at one time, etc.

Unlike a personal one, in a gaming machine having a certain scale, after one game (lottery) ends, it takes time from when the lottery balls are collected from the lottery holes until a preparation for the nest game is completed, which is likely to make the players feel bored.

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