Electronic Gaming Machine Progressive Award Funding via Comps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Progressive awards in electronic gaming machines (EGMs) primarily attract wagering players, limiting the range of attracted players and cutting into profitability, necessitating a solution to attract a wider audience and provide operators with more control over the award source.
Innovation Solution
Funding progressive awards with marketing dollars based on earned comps from both wagering and non-wagering activities, allowing players to win awards through non-gaming activities, thereby reducing the monetary cut from wagers and increasing player diversity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If progressive awards are funded by wagering players, then the progressive award can attract wagering players, but the range of attracted players is limited and profitability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces comps as an intermediary funding mechanism between the casino operator and the progressive award. Instead of directly funding the progressive award from wagering revenue, the system uses comps (earned through various player activities) as a mediator that can be converted into progressive award funding, thereby diversifying the player base while maintaining profitability control
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows comps to serve multiple functions: they can be redeemed for rewards, converted to fund progressive awards, or used for other player benefits. This multi-functionality enables the casino to attract diverse players (not just wagering players) while maintaining flexibility in managing the progressive award funding and protecting profitability
2Quantity of substance
If progressive awards are funded by wagering players, then the progressive award pool can grow, but the monetary cut from wagers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the progressive award pool to grow through self-service mechanisms where player-earned comps automatically or optionally contribute to funding. This eliminates the need to cut additional wagering revenue, as the comps (which would otherwise be redeemed for other rewards) selflessly fund the progressive award, allowing pool growth without increased monetary cuts from wagers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the funding parameter from direct wagering revenue to comp-based funding. By altering the source parameter from which the progressive award is funded, the system can grow the award pool while maintaining control over the monetary cut from wagers, as comps represent a separate funding channel that does not directly reduce wagering profits
3Adaptability or versatility
If operators want to provide more control over progressive award source, then they need to diversify funding sources, but this complicates the funding mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The comp system serves as a unifying intermediary that simplifies the funding mechanism while providing control. Instead of managing multiple complex funding sources directly, the operator controls the comp issuance and redemption policies, and comps automatically serve as the funding mechanism for progressive awards. This intermediary approach provides control over the award source without significantly complicating the overall funding structure
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine (“EGM”) includes a processor circuit and a memory coupled to the processor circuit. The memory includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor circuit, cause the EGM to perform operations. The operations include determining a user has earned a comp. The operations further include increasing a progressive award based on the comp. The operations further include outputting an indicator of the progressive award.