Spinning Roulette System

Abstract

A spinning roulette system includes surface segments separated by posts positioned around a perimeter and a flexible pointer that interacts with a bolt when the roulette rotates. The system controls the rotation of the roulette, randomly selects a stopped segment before the roulette rotates based on a randomly selected friction deceleration and a randomly selected damping time constant, and controls the rotation of the roulette to make it appear as if the roulette randomly stops at a preselected segment. The system includes one or more player stations that notify the player station of the selected segment after the roulette stops. The system includes a second bonus wheel that triggers the second bonus wheel when the selected segment is a triggering segment. The bonus wheel can be a physical wheel that is part of the roulette wheel, a display that is part of the roulette wheel, or displayed on a player station.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 648,232, filed on March 26, 2018. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a spinning wheel for use in a guessing game. Background Art

[0004] A popular device used in many games of chance is a large rotating wheel. In a game called "Big Roulette", the surface of the wheel is divided into multiple equally spaced segments, each segment being associated with a symbol such as a number or image. Bolts positioned near the edge of the surface extend from the surface of the wheel and indicate the intervals between the segments. The wheel is mounted in a support structure that provides physical support for the wheel and houses the power and control equipment for the wheel and the game. A flexible pointer at the top of the wheel structure indicates the current position of the wheel. Players guess whether the wheel will stop on a specific symbol corresponding to a segment. When the wheel is spinning at a sufficient speed, the force of the wheel's bolts will overcome the resistance of the flexible pointer, which will then bend as each bolt passes, until the wheel has slowed down to a point where the speed and / or force are insufficient to cause the bolt to pass the flexible pointer, at which point the wheel will stop at a certain segment, indicating the end of the game.

[0005] In order for a fully automated roulette system to be acceptable, the game must have controlled random outcomes. The game must also look, sound and operate like a traditional game, otherwise players may not be attracted to play, or they may not like the way the game looks, sounds and / or operates. Summary of the invention

[0006] A spinning roulette system is described, comprising a game wheel having at least one outer surface on a plane that is divided into a predetermined number of distributed pie-shaped segments. The game wheel is supported by a support structure. The dividing lines between the segments are indicated by pegs fixed to the surface near the periphery of the surface and orthogonal to the plane of the surface. A pointer supported by the support structure is positioned at the top of the outer surface and is configured to engage the pegs. The pointer is configured to bend when the peg engages the pointer with sufficient force. The roulette system includes a central pulley driven by a motor with a belt. A controller controls the motor to always accurately position the game wheel relative to the pointer. When playing a game, the game wheel is rotated by the motor via the belt so that the pointer engages the peg when the game wheel is rotated. Before rotating the game wheel, a random number generator selects a predetermined randomly generated segment from a plurality of segments where the pointer will be controlled to stop, thereby starting the game. When being turned by the motor, the game wheel accelerates for a predetermined period of time, maintains a predetermined speed for a predetermined period of time, and then decelerates for a predetermined period of time until the pointer reaches a predetermined segment, as if the game wheel has exhausted sufficient speed to continue moving. The deceleration of the game wheel to a controlled stop at the predetermined segment is controlled by preselecting the friction deceleration rate and the damping time constant.

[0007] The user may also be allowed to send a stop signal to the controller of the motor through a user interface device, thereby giving the user an impression of control over the game. However, the user's stop signal does not actually stop the game wheel at any segment other than the predetermined segment. Instead, the stop signal simply indicates to the controller that it should begin to simulate the appearance of the game wheel slowing down before stopping at the predetermined segment. Once the predetermined segment is reached, the additional movement of the game wheel simulates the appearance of accidentally selecting the predetermined segment. The additional movement includes slightly moving the game wheel back and forth when the pointer is between the bolts of the predetermined segment without passing through any bolt and just passing through the bolt to reach the predetermined segment. The motion detector detects the acceleration, speed and deceleration of the bolt when playing the game, and generates a motion signal to the sound generator, which generates a sound that simulates the pointer hitting the bolt and the wheel rotating. Once the pointer stops on the predetermined segment, the coordinated lighting and sound highlight the predetermined segment. The game wheel may also include an outer surface for the basic game and a second wheel or surface for the bonus game. If the predetermined segment is a bonus segment, the inner wheel or surface can rotate as part of the bonus segment when the pointer stops at the bonus segment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the game wheel and its supporting structure;

[0009] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a roulette system comprising a Figure 1 Game Roulette;

[0010] Figure 3 is a graphic illustration of how friction alone can slow down and eventually stop the Game Roulette wheel;

[0011] Figure 4 is a graphic illustration of how damping alone can slow down and eventually stop the Game Roulette wheel;

[0012] Figure 5 is a graphic illustration of how a combination of friction and damping can be used to control the operation and stopping points of a game wheel;

[0013] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the mechanical and electronic subsystems of the game wheel and the gaming station connected to the main module of the roulette system;

[0014] Figure 7 is a diagram of the roulette wheel rotation mechanism of the roulette wheel system;

[0015] Figure 8 is a diagram of the pointer detection module of the roulette system;

[0016] Fig. 9 is another diagram of the pointers and pegs and illustrates how the outcome of the game is indicated on the roulette system; and

[0017] Fig.10 is a front view of an embodiment of a gaming wheel having a separate mechanical or video bonus wheel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figure 1 A game wheel 12, a support structure 14, and a controller housing 16 are shown. Figure 2 As shown, these components can then be associated with multiple physical gaming stations 18 to create a roulette system 22. Each gaming station 18 can include a seat and a player interface system that can allow players to view their guessing options and monitor game action.

[0019] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diameter of the game wheel 12 shown is approximately 2 meters, but any other size of game wheel is possible without departing from the basic disclosure herein. The game wheel 12 is also double-sided, with an outer surface 24 and a flexible pointer 26 on each side, but on the other side. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Only one side is shown in FIG. 1 . A single-sided game wheel may also be used instead of a double-sided game wheel. Separate sets of gaming stations 18 may be located on either side of the large wheel, and the surfaces on each side of the game wheel 12 may be the same or different. Each surface may be associated with its own wheel that may rotate independently of the surface and wheel on the opposite side, or a single wheel may be associated with both surfaces.

[0020] As shown, the game wheel 12 may be divided into 52 or 54 segments 20, but game wheels of different sizes may have more or fewer segments 20, and even the game wheel 12 shown may be divided differently. Each segment 20 may be associated with a symbol such as a graphic illustration, number, letter, color, word, lighting, etc., to distinguish at least one segment 20 from another segment 20. Fig. 9 , the various segments 20 are separated by pegs 23 that interact with a flexible pointer 26. Typically, the pegs 23 are formed of metal or some other suitable material and are secured to an outer surface 24 of the game wheel 12 so that they will remain secured to the outer surface 24 as the game wheel 12 is rotated and as the pegs 23 interact with the pointer 26. The segments 20 of the outer surface 24 may be pie-shaped such that they are wider at the periphery of the outer surface 24 and narrower at the center of the outer surface 24.

[0021] Since the outcome of each game must be determined randomly in a safe and repeatable manner, and because the segment 20 where the pointer 26 will stop at the end of the game is predetermined, it is desirable to be able to control the start, rotation and stop of the game wheel 12 with great precision. At the same time, it is also desirable to give the player the impression that the game is more like traditional roulette, in which the game wheel 12 and the pointer 26 stop at the segment 20 purely by chance due to the manner and force used to turn the game wheel 12, the friction of the roulette mechanism and the friction of the bolt 23. It is also desirable to give the player the impression that their interaction with the roulette system is somehow responsible for the operation of the roulette system and the segment 20 where it stops, which increases the appeal of the game from the player's perspective. Therefore, one way to allow the player to interact with the game is to give the player the impression that they are spinning the roulette wheel and therefore determine what segment 20 the pointer 26 will ultimately point to when the game wheel 12 stops. The player actually has nothing to do with the segment 20 selected by the random number generator of the controller of the roulette system, but allowing the player to start the game gives the player a sense of control, luck and interaction. However, allowing the player to start the game also introduces the possibility of delay while the player decides what they want to do and when they want to hit the button or pull the lever, which seems to give the impression of starting the game. Typically, if the player does not start the game quickly enough, the roulette system can be programmed to start itself, but the delay before this happens can slow down the entire game.

[0022] In the embodiments disclosed herein, once guessing has been closed (which may be set to a predetermined time from the start of the spin of the game wheel 12), the player is given the option to stop the game by pressing a button 28 on the player's gaming station 18. The button 28 may be a user interface element known in the art displayed on a touch-sensitive screen of the display screen of the gaming station 18. Which player stops the game may be determined randomly or according to some predetermined order.

[0023] If the player does not press the button 28 within a predetermined time period, the game wheel 12 may be programmed to instruct itself to stop. In lieu of the user interface element button 28, the player may alternatively use a control pad or physical control device 30 built into the gaming station 18. The control device 30 may be capable of sensing the presence of a player's hand over the control device 30, a player's gesture on or over the surface of the control device 30, a player's touch and / or pressure on the surface of the control device 30, or other types of actions that indicate the player's desire to the controller of the game wheel 12. Regardless of the manner in which the player is enabled to instruct the game wheel 12 to stop, the game wheel will appear to begin to stop immediately or shortly after the stop is initiated.

[0024] Accurately braking and stopping the game wheel 12 at a predetermined randomly selected segment 20 may involve at least two factors: friction and damping. The friction force is independent of the speed of the game wheel, i.e., it is constant. If friction were the only force braking the game wheel 12, the game wheel speed would decrease linearly with a fairly constant deceleration, which is given by Figure 3 The descending line in is shown. Figure 3 A computer interface is shown outputting a graph 32 and other information showing the speed of the game wheel over time when only friction is applied to the game wheel 12. The control panel 34 shows that only 0.85 revolutions per minute (RPM) of friction deceleration is applied to the wheel, which results in fully controlled braking and stopping of the game wheel.

[0025] However, the damping force depends linearly on the speed of the GameChanger, the higher the speed, the greater the braking force. If damping were the only force braking the GameChanger, the GameChanger speed would decrease exponentially as follows:

[0026] v(t)=v0e –t / τ ,

[0027] where the braking rate defined by the damping time constant τ and the time t (in the case of an exponential stop) is the interval in which the speed drops to a value of 1 / e or to 37% of its initial value. Theoretically, according to this formula, the game wheel never stops, i.e. the speed simply approaches the value zero. This is Figure 4 It is shown in Figure 4 A computer interface is shown outputting a graph 36 showing the velocity of the reel over time when only damping (and no additional friction) is applied to the reel 12. The control panel 34 shows only damping being applied with a time constant of 10 seconds.

[0028] At high game wheel speeds, damping is the dominant force because it is much greater than friction. As the game wheel speed decreases, friction becomes more important, and at the end of the braking function, friction is the only force required to actually stop the game wheel 12.

[0029] In order to realistically simulate the deceleration and stopping of the game wheel, both friction and damping can be utilized in appropriate proportions, which are parameters referred to as "friction deceleration" and "damping time constant". Both parameters are randomly selected on a game-by-game basis by the game controller software of the roulette system, within a predetermined range, as part of a random number generation function. As a result, each game has a slightly different speed-over-time curve associated with the wheel stopping, Figure 5 , which shows a computer interface outputting a graph 38 showing the velocity of the game wheel as a function of time when both friction and damping are applied to the game wheel 12. To actually stop the game wheel at a randomly selected but specified position, there are at least two possible options, which can be selected through the settings of the game controller software: (1) normal game wheel stop, and (2) immediate game wheel stop.

[0030] In a normal game wheel stop, the game controller software receives a command to stop the wheel from the game station 18, or the command to stop the wheel is received by the controller software by default. The parameter of this command is the desired final position, i.e., the result. According to this setting, the braking process is not started immediately; instead, the controller software waits for the optimal game wheel position ("optimal starting braking position") to be reached before starting the process of stopping the wheel at the desired final position. The difference between the desired final position and the optimal starting braking position is called the "braking angle". The braking angle is a function of the current game wheel speed and the game wheel stopping parameters (i.e., friction and damping). The time period from the moment the stop command is received to the moment the braking process is initiated is called the "extended rotation". When the player does not have the option of stopping the game wheel 12, the normal game wheel stop can be the default mode.

[0031] In the immediate reel stop, the braking process starts immediately after receiving the stop command. In order to stop the reel in the desired final position, the stop parameters must be adjusted to take into account the lack of extended rotation. The immediate reel stop operating mode can be used when the player has the option of stopping the reel 12 by pressing the button 28 or otherwise indicating a stop with the help of the control device 30. If the player does not initiate a stop, a normal reel stop can be used. As will be further described below, an additional reel stop process can be used to make the reel stop process appear more realistic to the observer, but in fact has no effect on the result.

[0032] Figure 6A basic schematic diagram of the mechanical and electrical components for the roulette system and the associated gaming stations 1-N 60 is provided, which are electrically connected to the main module 62 of the roulette system 22. The main module 62, the lighting module 64, and the sound module 66 can each be housed in a controller housing 16, which can also include a main motor, an electrical cabinet (including the main module 62, the lighting module 64, and the sound module 66), controller software, and a power source, such as 115 / 230 volts. The controller housing 16 can include multiple wheels so that the roulette system can be easily moved from one location to another on the facility floor, or for shipping or maintenance. Adjustable feet can also be included to stabilize the roulette system 22 in a desired position and make it more difficult for the roulette system to move or tilt.

[0033] As is known in the art, a tilt detection module 68 may also be included in the housing 16, such as a device that measures any change in orientation of the housing 16, and therefore the roulette wheel 12, in two or three dimensions, which may be caused by a player pushing on the housing 16 in an attempt to change the outcome of the game. If the tilt detection module 68 detects a tilt, a tilt signal may be sent to the controller software or main module 62, and the game may be terminated immediately. The signal indicating that a tilt has occurred may also be transmitted to a central server or security server so that management and / or security are aware of the tilt activation.

[0034] The main module 62 can adjust the drive system 70 (in Figure 71 and 12. The main module 62 includes a drive system 70, a microprocessor, a memory and a controller software, which is necessary for controlling the drive system 70, communicating with other modules 64, 66 and 68 and the game station 18, and performing any other necessary functions for operating the roulette system. Given the size of the game wheel to be rotated, the drive system 70 can include any suitable motor. For the 2-meter wheel with two opposing surfaces shown in this article, the main motor has a rated torque of 0.7Nm, a maximum torque of 2.1Nm and a rated speed of 3000RPM. The main motor 71 includes a small pulley 73, which is connected to the center pulley 72 of the game wheel 12 by a drive belt 74. The drive belt 74 can be a toothed, notched, toothed or synchronous belt or other form of forward transmission (i.e., timing) belt, which enables tracking relative movement, so the rotation of the game wheel 12 can be accurately controlled. Other types of belts can also be used appropriately. The pulleys 72 and 73 will vary accordingly to match the type of drive belt 74 utilized. An incremental optical encoder (not shown) may also be used to track and verify the movement of the belt 74, and therefore the game reel 12. The center pulley 72 may be connected on one end by a plurality of spokes 76 and on the other end by a rim 78 of the game reel 12. The spokes 76 and rim 78 are split to allow the belt 74 to travel between the open splits between the spokes 76 and rim 78.

[0035] A closed loop feedback system is used which measures the expected (i.e., theoretical) movement against the actual movement and then if there is an error between the theoretical and actual, continuous adjustments are made as needed, such as by tightening the tension on the belt 74 via a tensioner (not shown). For example, the theoretical movement would be predetermined by the master module 62 and then the actual movement could be measured by an optical encoder and fed back to the master module 62 so any necessary adjustments can be made.

[0036] An additional aspect of the precise control of the game wheel 12 is that it enables additional precise movement of the game wheel 12, which further helps to simulate the actual uncontrolled rotation of the game wheel 12. For example, with a conventional roulette wheel, the pointer 26 may occasionally hit a peg 23 towards the end of the rotation and not have enough speed to pass the peg 23. As a result, the wheel will almost move from one segment 20 to the other, then reverse direction and bounce between the two pegs 23 outlining the selected segment 20. Alternatively, sometimes the pointer 26 of the game wheel 12 will hit a peg 23 and appear to be unable to pass the peg 23, and then just the tip will pass the peg 23 to enter the next segment 20.

[0037] Both of these actions can be simulated by carefully controlling the game wheel 12 with the aid of the main motor 71 and the drive belt 74. For example, if the randomly selected segment corresponds to the symbol "13", the game wheel 12 can be controlled so that the pointer 26 stops exactly in the middle of the segment for symbol 13, or almost passes through the segment and then bounces back into the segment by simply advancing the wheel until the peg 23 is fully contacted, and then reversing a little so that the game wheel 12 appears to bounce back. This simulation can be taken a little further by reversing the wheel until it contacts the previous peg 23, and then advancing again to stop in the middle of the segment for symbol 13. Alternatively, the game wheel 12 can be controlled so that the pointer 26 just passes the peg 23 before it stops on the next segment 20, again ending exactly where it is intended to end, but simulating a more natural-looking movement.

[0038] The lighting module 64 may include a plurality of independent output channels for controlling a corresponding number of LED segments. The number of output channels depends on the size of the game wheel and the desired amount of light and its location. The lighting and light color may be controlled by the lighting module 64 to work in conjunction with the main module so that the lighting matches the state of each game, such as before and during each game, when the game is stopped (as further indicated below), etc. As further described below, the sound module 66 generates sounds that match the movement of the game wheel 12 and the interaction between the pointer 26 and the pegs 23 to create a realistic gaming environment. The sound module 66, similar to the lighting module 64, may also work in conjunction with the main module so that the sounds match the state of each game.

[0039] Although Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is not clearly shown in the drawings, but both outer surfaces 24 of the game wheel 12 are covered with a transparent dimensional material to protect the outer surfaces 24 and prevent tampering with the game. As a result, however, the sounds that would normally be generated by the rotation of the game wheel 12 and the engagement of the pointer 26 with the peg 23 as it moves back and forth may be too faint to be heard by the player; players prefer to hear the traditional sounds of the game as part of the gaming experience. As with the movement of the game wheel 12 itself, the appropriate sounds of the roulette system may also be simulated. In order to generate the desired sounds, the housing 16 includes a pointer detection module 80 connected to the main module 62. The pointer detection module 80 can be physically mounted in the housing behind the "BIG SIX" logo 81 on the top of the game wheel 12, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 shown. Figure 8The pointer detection module 80 is more fully shown in FIG. The pointer 26 is made of a durable material that can repeatedly strike the peg 23 over thousands of games without deteriorating or deforming. The pointer 26 is made of a solid material, rather than a flexible material per se, which may make the game less controlled, and the flexibility of the pointer 26 is generated by a bending mechanism 82 that enables the pointer 26 to bend in two opposite directions when the pointer 26 strikes the peg 23. Further control can be exerted on selected segments of the pointer 26 by braking the bending mechanism 82 to prevent it from passing the peg 23, if necessary.

[0040] On either side (i.e., the left and right sides) of each pointer 26 (the game wheel 12 has two surfaces and therefore two pointers on either side), there are two independent motion detectors 84 that monitor the movement of the pegs 23 as they pass by. When the game wheel 12 is first turned, the pegs 23 accelerate briefly, then reach a certain speed that is maintained until the game stop command is received, and then begin to decelerate as a result of the normal game wheel stop mode or the immediate game wheel stop mode until the game wheel 12 stops at the predetermined segment 20, which may or may not include other simulated effects such as passing right through the pegs 23 or bouncing between the pegs 23. The movement detected by the motion detectors 84 is then fed to the sound generating circuit of the sound module 66, which generates a simulated sound of each pointer 26 when it strikes the peg 23, based on the acceleration, speed and deceleration of the game wheel 12, so that the sound matches what the player sees and expects to hear when they can actually hear the physical components of the roulette system interaction. The same can be done at a stop point where the pointer 26 can strike the pin 23 and bounce back or just pass the pin 23, so that the appropriate sound is generated when either simulated event occurs.

[0041] Fig. 9 14. In addition to other lights provided on the game wheel 12 or around the support structure 14, additional lighting may be provided to indicate the outcome of a spin. For example, when the pointer 26 has stopped on a segment 20 corresponding to a predetermined symbol, a triangle 90 positioned above the pointer 26 may be illuminated, such as in bright red. The pointer 26 may also be illuminated in red, and an LED spotlight 92 positioned behind the outer surface 24 of the game wheel 12 may be illuminated in white to highlight the selected segment 20. The sound module 66 may also play a sound when the outcome light is activated to draw attention to the outcome.

[0042] Fig.10Two bonus wheel embodiments of the roulette system 100 are shown. In the first embodiment, there are actually two physical roulette wheels controlled in the same manner as the game wheel 12, the outer roulette wheel 102 and the inner roulette wheel 104. The outer roulette wheel 102 includes one or more bonus segments 106 in a plurality of segments. If, as a result, the pointer 107 of the outer roulette wheel 102 stops at one of the bonus segments 106, then the inner roulette wheel 104 will be activated or triggered as an otherwise normally unavailable game bonus session. The inner roulette wheel 104 will operate in substantially the same manner as the outer roulette wheel 102 in terms of its random segment selection, control, sound, lighting, etc., but the pointer 108 can be positioned on the support structure 110 and point upwards, rather than pointing downwards like the pointer 107. The multiple segments of the inner roulette wheel 104 can correspond to other bonus options. In the second embodiment, the inner roulette wheel 104 is not a physical wheel-shaped outer roulette wheel 102, but a virtual roulette wheel displayed on a circular display. Alternatively, the bonus wheel may not be a physical part of the roulette system 100 at all, but rather simply a virtual display of a roulette wheel on a display screen of the gaming station 18. The bonus score / prize generated as a result of the bonus wheel is variable.

[0043] Having thus described various embodiments of a roulette system and method of controlling the same, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the method and apparatus have been achieved. In particular, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the main module can be assembled using standard microprocessor hardware and software and combinations thereof. It should also be understood that various modifications, adaptations and alternative embodiments of the present disclosure may be made within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A rotating wheel system, comprising: a rotating wheel disc comprising a surface divided into a plurality of segments and a plurality of pegs positioned around a perimeter of the surface, wherein each peg represents a physical separation between the segments; a main control module, the main control module including a drive system, the drive system configured to control the rotation of the rotating wheel disc, the rotation of the rotating wheel disc including rotation above, at or below a predetermined speed; a flexible pointer configured to allow a bolt to pass through the flexible pointer when the rotating wheel is at or above the predetermined speed and not pass through the flexible pointer when the rotating wheel is below the predetermined speed, wherein the flexible pointer is configured to stop at a random predetermined segment when the main control module determines that the rotating wheel should stop rotating based on one or more rotating wheel stopping parameters, the one or more rotating wheel stopping parameters including a randomly selected friction deceleration and a randomly selected damping time constant, wherein the randomly selected friction deceleration and the randomly selected damping time constant are randomly reselected within a predetermined range for each of a plurality of rotations of the rotating wheel so that each of the plurality of rotations of the rotating wheel has a different speed versus time profile associated with stopping of the rotating wheel; as well as One or more player stations, the one or more player stations being configured to interact with the main control module, wherein the main control module is configured to notify the one or more player stations of the random predetermined segment after the spinning wheel stops at the random predetermined segment.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pointer detector configured to detect movement of the rotating wheel so as to identify individual segments of the plurality of segments corresponding to the position of the pointer as the rotating wheel rotates.

3. The system according to claim 2 further includes a feedback system, which is configured to measure the actual position of the flexible pointer and compare the actual position with the expected position of the flexible pointer, wherein the main control module is also configured to adjust the drive system to correct the difference between the actual position and the expected position.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the drive system comprises: motor; a first pulley connected to the motor; a second pulley connected to the rotating disc; and a belt connected to the first pulley and the second pulley and configured to transmit rotational power from the motor that rotates the first pulley to the second pulley that rotates the rotating sheave in the first direction and the second direction.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the drive system is configured to rotate the rotating wheel in a forward direction so as to simulate the flexible pointer just passing through a bolt that separates the random predetermined segment from a preceding segment, and wherein the drive system is configured to rotate the rotating wheel in a backward direction so as to simulate the flexible pointer almost passing through a bolt that separates the random predetermined segment from a succeeding segment.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the spinning wheel system has one or more spinning wheel stop settings, wherein based on a setting selected from the one or more spinning wheel stop settings, the main control module is configured to determine an optimal spinning wheel position and a desired final spinning wheel position that will cause the flexible pointer to stop at the random predetermined segment, and wherein the drive system is configured to brake the spinning wheel at or before the optimal spinning wheel position based on the randomly selected friction deceleration and the randomly selected damping time constant so that the flexible pointer stops at the random predetermined segment.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a lighting system configured to illuminate all or different portions of the surface when the spinning wheel is moving, and to illuminate the random predetermined segment when the spinning wheel stops spinning.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sound system configured to simulate a sound caused by the spinning wheel passing through the pegs as the spinning wheel accelerates from a starting point, rotates at or above the predetermined speed for a period of time, and rotates below the predetermined speed until the spinning wheel stops at the random predetermined segment.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the main control module is configured to trigger an additional action when the spinning wheel stops at a triggering segment among the plurality of segments at the randomly predetermined segment.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the surface comprises an annular shape forming a central opening, the system further comprising a second rotating wheel, the second rotating wheel comprising a second surface positioned within the central opening of the rotating wheel, and wherein the main control module is configured to activate the second rotating wheel as the additional action.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second surface includes a plurality of second segments and a plurality of second pegs positioned around a perimeter of the second surface, wherein each second peg represents a physical interval between the second segments, wherein the main control module includes a second drive system, the second drive system being configured to control rotation of the second rotating wheel, the rotation of the second rotating wheel including rotation at or above a second predetermined speed and below the second predetermined speed, and the system further includes a second flexible pointer, the second flexible pointer being configured to allow each second peg to pass through the second flexible pointer when the second rotating wheel is at or above the second predetermined speed, and not pass through the second flexible pointer when the second rotating wheel is below the second predetermined speed, wherein the second flexible pointer is configured to stop at a second random predetermined segment among the plurality of second segments when the main control module determines that the second rotating wheel should stop rotating, and wherein the main control module is configured to notify the one or more player stations of the second random predetermined segment after the second rotating wheel stops at the second random predetermined segment.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the surface comprises an annular shape forming a central opening, the system further comprising a second surface positioned within the central opening of the rotating wheel, and wherein the master control module is configured to activate the second surface as the additional action.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the second surface is an electronic display, the electronic display displaying a plurality of second segments, a plurality of second pegs positioned around a periphery of the second surface, and a second pointer, wherein each second peg represents an interval between the second segments, wherein the main control module is configured to control the electronic display so as to simulate the plurality of second segments and the plurality of second pegs rotating past the second pointer at or above a second predetermined speed and below the second predetermined speed, and wherein the main control module is configured to simulate a second random predetermined segment stopping at the second pointer and to notify the one or more player stations of the second random predetermined segment after the second rotating wheel stops at the second random predetermined segment.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the additional actions are performed by the one or more player stations.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein each of the one or more player stations includes an electronic display that displays a second surface in response to the additional action, wherein the second surface includes a plurality of second segments, a plurality of second pegs positioned around a periphery of the second surface, and a second pointer, wherein each second peg represents an interval between the second segments, wherein each of the one or more player stations is configured to control the electronic display so as to simulate the plurality of second segments and the plurality of second pegs rotating through the second pointer at or above a second predetermined speed and below the second predetermined speed, and wherein the main control module is configured to instruct the one or more player stations to simulate a second random predetermined segment stopping at the second pointer.

16. A method of operating a spinning wheel system, comprising: responsive to one or more user inputs from one or more player stations, rotating a first roulette wheel, the first roulette wheel comprising a first surface divided into a first plurality of segments and a first plurality of pegs positioned about a first perimeter of the first surface, wherein each peg of the first plurality of pegs represents a spacing between segments of the first plurality of segments, wherein the first plurality of segments and the first plurality of pegs rotate past a first fixed position pointer; stopping the first random predetermined segment at the first fixed position pointer in response to selecting a first random predetermined segment of the first plurality of segments based on a randomly selected friction deceleration and a randomly selected damping time constant, wherein the randomly selected friction deceleration and the randomly selected damping time constant are randomly reselected within a predetermined range for each of a plurality of rotations of the first wheel disc such that each of the plurality of rotations of the first wheel disc has a different velocity versus time profile associated with stopping of the first wheel disc; responsive to the first randomly predetermined segment being a triggering segment, automatically rotating a second wheel disc, the second wheel disc comprising a second surface divided into a second plurality of segments and a second plurality of pegs positioned about a second periphery of the second surface, wherein each peg of the second plurality of pegs represents a spacing between segments of the second plurality of segments, wherein the second plurality of segments and the second plurality of pegs rotate through a second fixed position pointer; as well as In response to selecting a second random predetermined segment of the second plurality of segments based on the randomly selected friction deceleration and the randomly selected damping time constant, the second random predetermined segment is stopped at the second fixed position pointer.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more user inputs include an identification of a segment in the first plurality of segments by each of the one or more users, and wherein when the first random predetermined segment matches an identification input by at least one of the one or more users, the first random predetermined segment becomes a triggering segment.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein each of the one or more player stations includes a display, and wherein the second roulette wheel is only displayed on the display of the player station if the identification entered by the user of the player station matches the first random predetermined segment.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: simulating one or more sounds that would be produced by a physical spinning wheel when a plurality of physical pegs mounted on the wheel rotate past or otherwise come into contact with a physical pointer; as well as The one or more simulated sounds are synchronized with the rotation of the first wheel and the rotation of the second wheel.

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