Player Identification Feature for Restricted-Access Wagering Games

Abstract

A restricted-access progressive game is accessed only by a single player or a select group of players. The invention includes a method of operating a wagering game that comprises conducting the wagering game at a gaming terminal (10) that is capable of providing access to the restricted-access progressive game. The method further comprises determining, via a player-identification input, whether a player has access to the restricted-access progressive game, and activating the restricted-access progressive game in response to the determining step being positive. To conduct the method, a gaming terminal (10) comprises a player-identification device (24) providing information to the gaming terminal (10). The information is used for determining whether the player has access to the restricted-access progressive game. The gaming terminal (10) further comprises a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game and the outcome of the restricted-access progressive game.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to gaming machines and, more particularly, to a gaming terminal and a gaming network having an enhanced progressive game which is accessible by only a certain individual, or a limited number of players. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are most likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting of the machines. [0003] Consequently, shrewd operators stri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a game that can only be played by one or a few players. The game is controlled by a system that determines who can play and activates the game. The invention also includes a gaming terminal that can play both a traditional game and a restricted-access progressive game. The terminal determines if the player has access to the restricted-access progressive game and displays a randomly selected outcome on the screen. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a more exclusive and personalized gaming experience for players."

Problems solved by technology

Further, when several gaming machines are linked together such that several players at several gaming machines compete for the same jackpot, the jackpot progressively increases at a much faster rate, which leads to further player excitement.

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