Progressive Jackpot Award Equalization via Segmented Wagering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current progressive jackpot systems in gaming machines often require players to bet maximum amounts to be eligible for the jackpot, leading to perceived unfairness and reduced excitement for players wagering less, as the probability of winning is tied to the wager amount.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system where a progressive jackpot is awarded to players based on a jackpot win event, with an additional expected value equalizing award given to players who wager more, ensuring all players have an equal chance of winning regardless of their bet amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a player must place a maximum bet to be eligible for the progressive jackpot, then the operator ensures adequate funding for the jackpot, but the player perceives unfairness and reduced excitement when wagering less than maximum
Solution Approach 1:
The award structure is segmented into two independent components: the progressive jackpot (funded by minimum bets) and the expected value equalizing award (funded by additional wagers). This allows players to participate in the progressive jackpot with minimum bets while still having the option to win additional awards by wagering more, resolving the contradiction between ensuring jackpot funding and maintaining player wagering freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The expected value equalizing award acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between minimum bet players and maximum bet players. It ensures that players wagering more receive additional compensation that equalizes their expected value, while players wagering minimum still have access to the progressive jackpot, thus maintaining both funding reliability and player freedom.
2Reliability
If the probability of winning the progressive jackpot varies with the wager amount, then higher wagers receive increased probability, but lower wagers perceive their opportunity as very low
Solution Approach 1:
The award system is segmented such that the progressive jackpot eligibility is separated from the additional award eligibility. All players wagering the minimum amount qualify for the progressive jackpot with equal probability, while players wagering more receive an additional expected value equalizing award. This segmentation maintains player engagement across all wager levels while ensuring stable jackpot funding.
Solution Approach 2:
The expected value equalizing award is designed to equalize the expected value between players wagering minimum and players wagering maximum. By providing additional awards to higher wagers, the system ensures that all players have an equal opportunity to win significant prizes, maintaining engagement across different wager levels while preserving funding stability.
3Productivity
If players wager more to increase their chance of winning, then the operator receives more contribution to the progressive jackpot, but players perceive reduced fairness when wagering less
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation structure is segmented into two parts: the progressive jackpot (contributed by all players based on minimum wagers) and the expected value equalizing award (contributed by players wagering more). This segmentation ensures that players wagering minimum still contribute to and can win the progressive jackpot, maintaining perceived fairness, while players wagering more receive additional compensation that incentivizes higher contributions to the jackpot pool.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of award distribution based on wager amount. Players wagering minimum receive the progressive jackpot award, while players wagering more receive the progressive jackpot award plus the expected value equalizing award. This parameter change maintains the contribution rate for jackpot funding while ensuring perceived fairness by allowing all players to win something based on their wager level.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a progressive jackpot awarded in response to a jackpot win event. The gaming system includes a first gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the first gaming machine accepting a first wager. The gaming system further includes a second gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the second gaming machine accepting a second wager that is greater than the first wager. A first player making the first wager at the first gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot if the jackpot win event is associated with the first gaming machine. A second player making the second wager at the second gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot plus an expected value equalizing award if the jackpot win event is associated with the second gaming machine.