WO2008109949A1

WO2008109949A1 - Method, system and apparatus for awarding jackpot prizes

Info

Publication number: WO2008109949A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000345
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Montgomery
Original assignee: Crown Melbourne Limited
Priority date: 2007-03-13
Filing date: 2008-03-13
Publication date: 2008-09-18
Also published as: AU2008226333A1

Abstract

This invention relates to the awarding of jackpot prizes for games. A jackpot to be awarded is related to groups of gaming machines of several wager values such as denominations with a multi-level jackpot linked across all of these, with different payout pools per wager value. Machines may be grouped by wager value or denomination. Each group has a jackpot poo! associated with it. The pool associated with the lowest value group is a mystery jackpot, and determines the win for all machines of all values or denominations. Each machine group has a slave pool, and contributes to all of the pools associated with machines of lower denominations. The winning machine wins the sum of all the pools associated with its' denomination and all smaller denominations. As a result, each denomination is able to win a larger prize, while maintaining an equal chance of winning per credit bet on the machine. An additional embodiment covers situations where the gaming machines have multiple selectable game denominations, as opposed to more common fixed-denomination machines.

Description

METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR AWARDING JACKPOT PRIZES RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2007901290 in the name of Crown Limited, which was filed on 13 March 2007, entitled "Method, System and Apparatus for Awarding Jackpot Prizes" and, the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for awarding jackpot prizes, such as for example, in gaming machine systems. In one form the present invention is suitable for use in Casinos having groups of gaming machines of several denominations and it will' be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that use. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use, only. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Throughout this specification the use of the word "inventor" in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) or all (plural) inventors of the present invention. The inventor has identified the following related art.

In genera!, jackpots may be funded by a percentage of each wager, but the actual jackpot process is able to be managed by a number of approaches, for example, by way of a Progressive Jackpot or by way of a Mystery Jackpot. With respect to Progressive systems there are several different types of Progressive

Jackpots currently in use; however they are considered to have the following characteristics in common: • The jackpot may be triggered by an individual machine being played. In other words, triggering the jackpot depends on the individual machine result, for example, symbol or event driven; • The Jackpot Value ordinarily has no maximum limit and therefore may grow indefinitely; • The Jackpot Winner may be determined by an event that is independent of the Jackpot Size. In other words, the probability of winning may be the same in each case. A difficulty with Progressive Jackpots is that they may not work well with different Wager Sizes given that the events that trigger the jackpots may be unrelated to the Wager Size. A number of attempted solutions for this difficulty are as follows in three specific examples: A first solution is to fix the allowable wager size. An example of this is found in table games such as Caribbean Stud Poker. To be eligible to win, a player must place exactly $5 on a table sensor prior to receiving any cards. It is noted that that all wagers must be exactly the same, ie $5 in this case. The player is then dealt their cards and wins the Jackpot Prize if they receive a Royal Flush. However, the difficulty with this is that bets of such a fixed amount restrict the potential patron spend.

A second example solution is to allow wagers of any size but only award the jackpot to bets that exceed a given value. An example of this is found with slot machine games such as Triple Diamonds. To be eligible to win, a player must piay exactly 3 lines per button press. Note that ail players may be forced to contribute to the jackpot, even if they are ineligible to win. An eligible player then wins the Jackpot Prize if, say, 5 Diamond Symbols are displayed on the machine. The problem encountered here is that patrons who only play one or two lines help to fund the jackpot but are not eligible to win the jackpot. Similarly, patrons who play multiple credits per line may not improve their chances of winning the jackpot. This means that players have a different overall Return to Player (RTP) or Game Edge, depending on the amount that they wager.

A third example solution to the problems of Progressive Jackpots is to adjust the probability of triggering the jackpot event with respect to the wager size. An example, again found in slot machine games, is known as Hyperlink Progressive (Slots). All players may be eligible to win the jackpot. For each button press, the machine selects a random number from a large range. A player then wins the Jackpot Prize if the amount wagered is greater than the random number selected. Accordingly, Players with large wagers therefore have a better chance of winning the jackpot than players with small wagers. A problem with this example is that Patrons with the largest wagers dominate the jackpot and win most frequently. This makes it strategically hard to promote a jackpot that is linked across a wide range of denominations because the low value players will rarely win.

A proposed solution to the above problems for Progressive Systems is found in VVO 2005/106702 in the name of Eric Olsen. It appears the intention of WO 2005/106702 is to solve these issues by inventing a multi-pooied Progressive Jackpot Structure. Accordingly, the system disclosed by Olsen supports Progressive Style Jackpots for both multi-coin and multi-denomination wagers. In particular, Olsen aims to provide the following outcomes:

• Link as many machines as possible to the same Jackpot Pool, thus capitalising on group contributions;

• Providing that Patron Spend is not constrained;

• Providing that Return to Patron, or Game Edge, is the same for all bet sizes;

• Providing that all patrons may win the jackpot with the same frequency. Turning to Mystery Jackpots, these jackpots may be taken to differ with

Progressive Jackpots in three important ways, as follows.

Firstly, the jackpot of a Mystery Jackpot may be triggered by a Jackpot Controller linked to all machines. In other words, triggering the jackpot does not necessarily depend on an individual machine result, but more on the combined effect ofall machines in the link.

Secondly, the Jackpot Value may have a pre-determined Maximum Limit. Thirdly, the Jackpot Winner may be decided by an event that depends on the jackpot size. In other words, the probability of winning may increase as the jackpot grows. In general, a Mystery Jackpot uses a Random Number Generator (RNG) to randomly pre-select a number from a fixed range. The jackpot may then be won by the patron that pushes the Jackpot Value to or above the pre-selected Mystery Number. Linking a Mystery Jackpot across multiple denominations may face some issues to be overcome, such as: • Low Limit Patrons may rarely win the jackpot.

• A single Jackpot Range is not suitable for all patron segments. • Syndicate Players may take advantage of large Jackpots. By way of explanation, at a certain point a Mystery Jackpot can move into positive expectation, that is, the Jackpot Prize may be greater than the average spend needed to win the prize. Professional groups of players may then dominate the machines and reduce the opportunity for regular patrons to win the jackpot.

The above noted Olsen patent publication also makes a brief disclosure of a Mystery Jackpot system but does not provide indications, however, about exactly how the turnover should be distributed, how jackpots should be reseeded or how they are triggered.

Overall, the inventor has identified the above Mystery Jackpot systems may allow multiple varieties of games such as multiple machine denominations to be included in the jackpot, but provide no value based incentives that differentiate between or correspond to the differing varieties such as, for example, the differing denominations.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least ameliorate at least one of the problems noted in related art systems.

In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a first jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from first gaming machines, the method comprising the steps of: apportioning a base contribution rate from the one or more second gaming machines to the first pool wherein the base contribution rate corresponds to a fraction of the first contribution rate; apportioning a slave contribution rate from the one or more second gaming machines to the at least one second pool wherein the slave contribution rate corresponds to the difference between the first and base contribution rates. In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of linking at least one second jackpot pooi associated with gaming machines of at least one second denomination group to a base jackpot pooi associated with and having a first contribution rate from gaming machines of a base denomination group comprising the steps of: apportioning a base contribution rate from the machines of the second denomination group to the base pool that corresponds to a fraction of the first contribution rate; apportioning a slave contribution rate from the machines of the second denomination group to the second pool that corresponds to the difference between the first and base contribution rates. in a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, the method comprising the steps of: linking at least one second jackpot. pool associated with gaming machines of at least one second denomination group to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from gaming machines of a base denomination group wherein; a start-up value S_n of pool n is given by:

S_n = s_base * (d_n - dn-i) for n > 1 where d_π represents the currency denomination value of the machines in denomination group n, and d_π.-i represents the denomination vaiue for the next lower denomination group and, S_base represents the start-up value of the base pool, nominally expressed in currency value and wherein the start up, S_n is nominally expressed in currency value, of pooi n given base start-up s&_ase-

In yet another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, the method comprising the steps of: linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from first gaming machines; receiving wagers for the play of the at least one game on the gaming machines - wherein the wagers comprise at least one second value at the one or more second gaming machines and a first value at the first gaming machines; allocating a portion of each wager to at least the base jackpot pool; determining a mystery jackpot value within a range of values between a low limit and a high limit wherein the range of values is confined to the base jackpot pool; in response to the allocation of a portion of a wager that causes the base jackpot pool to reach the mystery jackpot value, awarding a jackpot prize equal to at least the sum of the jackpot pool associated with the wager and the base jackpot pool. In still a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, the method comprising the steps of; linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from wagers on first gaming machines; receiving wagers for the play of the at least one game on the gaming machines wherein the wagers comprise at least one second value at the one or more second gaming machines and a first value at the first gaming machines; providing a base contribution rate for wagers from the one or more second gaming machines to the base pool wherein the base contribution rate provides for a weighted and equal value amount being allocated to the base pool from any/each wager; in response to a contribution of a wager that causes the base jackpot pool to reach a predetermined mystery jackpot value, awarding a jackpot prize equal to at least the sum of the jackpot pool associated with the wager and the base jackpot pooi. In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a mystery jackpot system comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a first jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from first gaming machines: base contribution apportioning means for apportioning a base contribution rate from the one or more second gaming machines to the first pool wherein the base contribution rate corresponds to a fraction of the first contribution rate; slave contribution apportioning means for apportioning a slave contribution rate from the one or more second gaming machines to the at least one second pool wherein the slave contribution rate corresponds to the difference between the first and base contribution rates.

In still another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a mystery jackpot system comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with gaming machines of at least one second denomination group to a base jackpot poo! associated with and having a first contribution rate from gaming machines of a base denomination group; base contribution apportioning means for apportioning a base contribution rate from the machines of the second denomination group to the base pool that corresponds to a fraction of the first contribution rate; slave contribution apportioning means for apportioning a slave contribution rate from the machines of the second denomination group to the second pool that corresponds to the difference between the first and base contribution rates.

In a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a mystery jackpot system for awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with gaming machines of at least one second denomination group to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from gaming machines of a base denomination group wherein; a start-up value S_n of pool n is given by:

S_n = $_basθ * (d_n - O_n^₁) for n > 1 where d_n represents the currency denomination value of the machines in denomination group n, and d_n-i represents the denomination value for the next lower denomination group and, S_base represents the start-up value of the base pool, nominally expressed in currency value and wherein the start up, S_n is nominally expressed in currency value, of pool n given base start-up S{,_aSθ.

In yet another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a mystery jackpot system for awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from first gaming machines; wager receiving means for receiving wagers for the play of the at least one game on the gaming machines wherein the wagers comprise at least one second value at the one or more second gaming machines and a first value at the first gaming machines; allocating means for allocating a portion of each wager to at least the base jackpot pool; mystery jackpot value determining means for determining a mystery jackpot value within a range of values between a low limit and a high limit wherein the range of values is confined to the base jackpot pool; awarding means for awarding a jackpot prize equal to at least the sum of the jackpot pool associated with the wager and the base jackpot pool in response to the allocation of a portion of a wager that causes the base jackpot pool to reach the mystery jackpot value. In still a further aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a mystery jackpot system for awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from wagers on first gaming machines; wager receiving means for receiving wagers for the play of the at least one game on the gaming machines wherein the wagers comprise at least one second value at the one or more second gaming machines and a first value at the first gaming machines; base contribution means for providing a base contribution rate for wagers from the one or more second gaming machines to the base pool wherein the base contribution rate provides for a weighted and equal value amount being allocated to the base pool from any/each wager; awarding means for awarding a jackpot prize equal to at least the sum of the jackpot pool associated with the wager and the base jackpot pool in response to a contribution of a wager that causes the base jackpot pool to reach a predetermined mystery jackpot value.

In an aspect of preferred embodiments there is provided a method of awarding a jackpot prize in a jackpot system, the system comprising a plurality of groups of gaming machines where gaming machines in each group are adapted to receive wagers corresponding to one of a plurality of denominations, the method comprising the steps of: associating a jackpot pool with each group of gaming machines and accordingly forming a base pool for the group of machines with the lowest value denomination; contributing a portion of each wager placed on each machine to the jackpot pool associated with the machine's group; for groups other than the group associated with the base pool, contributing a further portion of each wager placed on each machine to the base pool; awarding the jackpot prize upon the occurrence of an event associated with the base pool.

In a preferred form the event associated with the base pooi, which triggers the awarding of the jackpot prize, comprises a mystery jackpot threshold being reached by the base pool.

In another aspect of preferred embodiments there is provided apparatus for awarding a jackpot prize in a jackpot system, the jackpot system comprising a plurality of groups of gaming machines where gaming machines in each group are adapted to receive wagers corresponding to one of a plurality of denominations, the apparatus comprising: group jackpot pool means for forming a jackpot pool associated with each group of gaming machines where the group jackpot pool means further comprises base pooi means for forming a base pool for the group of machines with the lowest value denomination; contribution means operatively associated with each machine for contributing a portion of each wager placed on each machine to the jackpot pool associated with the machine's group; further contribution means operativeiy associated with machines of groups other than the group associated with the base pool, for contributing a further portion of each wager placed on each machine to the base pool; jackpot awarding means for awarding the jackpot prize upon the occurrence of an event associated with the base pool.

In a preferred form, the jackpot awarding means comprises mystery jackpot means operatively associated with the base pool and adapted to trigger the award upon a mystery jackpot threshold being reached by the base pool.

In one preferred embodiment, an implementation of a jackpot system comprises groups of gaming machines of several denominations with a multi-level jackpot linked across all of these machines and provides different payouts per denomination. The machines are grouped by denomination. Each denomination group has a jackpot pool associated with it. The pool associated with the lowest denomination group is a mystery jackpot, and determines the win for all machines of all denominations. In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided apparatus for awarding a mystery jackpot prize, said apparatus comprising: processor means adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined instruction set, said apparatus, in conjunction with said instruction set, being adapted to perform the method steps as described herein.

In further embodiments described herein there is disclosed a computer program product comprising: a computer useabie medium having computer readable program code and computer readable system code embodied on said medium, for awarding a mystery jackpot prize, within a data processing system, said computer program product comprising: computer readable code within said computer usable medium for performing the method steps as described herein.

In essence, the embodiments herein stem from generally corresponding, or linking, at least one 2^nd jackpot pool associated with machines of at least one 2^nd denomination to a 1^st jackpot pool associated with and having a 1^st contribution rate from machines of a 1^st denomination by apportioning a base contribution rate from the machines of the 2^nd denomination to the 1^st pool that corresponds to a fraction (multiple) of the 1^st contribution rate; and apportioning a slave contribution rate from the machines of the 2^nd denomination to the 2^nd pool that corresponds to the difference between the 1^st and base contribution rates.

In preferred embodiments the at least one second denomination is greater in magnitude than the first denomination. The first and second values may comprise, for example, one or more of firstly a token or coin denomination and, secondly a token or coin number such as in a multi-coin game where a single coin jackpot payout is multiplied by the number of coins wagered. The person skilled in the art would appreciate that the first and second values may comprise other attributes of a playing token or coin.

Further the fraction of the 1^st contribution rate that corresponds to the base contribution is a ratio of the 1^st and 2^nd denominations, which provides a

'weighting' between denominations that allows a one credit bet on either denomination of machines to increment the 1^st pool by the same dollar amount and also enables the slave contribution to contribute an excess to the 2^nd pool such that the 2^nd pool provides a correspondingly higher dollar amount jackpot. The system may also comprise one or more 2^nd pools corresponding to one or more different denominations. Aiso in a preferred embodiment, a random jackpot trigger value is associated with the 1^sl jackpot pool such that a bet on any particular 2^nd pool denomination machine that pushes the 1^st jackpot pool to or beyond the selected trigger point of the 1^st poo! will be awarded the amount of money comprising the poois up to and including the particular 2^nd pool.

Other aspects, preferred features and advantages of the present invention are disclosed in the specification and / or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

The present invention and it embodiments described herein provide a number of advantages such as:

To give frequent, small prizes to low end patrons and infrequent large prizes to high end customers. This strategy is quite different to related art systems which may let all patrons win with the same frequency;

To increase the prize range for High Limit Jackpots. The Mystery Jackpot may not be restricted to a single range but instead may have a larger range for high denomination machines. This varies form the Progressive Jackpot in that the value of the Jackpot Prizes remains unaffected by the multi-pool concept. To discourage syndicate play. Syndicate Patrons cannot dominate on a multi-pooled Mystery when the Jackpot Values are very large, because the sheer number of linked machines would be much greater and, if they choose to piay low denomination machines, then they cannot win the large jackpot. If they choose to piay high denomination machines, then their probability of winning the jackpot is significantly reduced. One particular goal is to link as many machines as possible to the same Jackpot Pool, thus capitalising on group contributions.

In order that the nature of the present invention may be more clearly understood, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described under the heading of detailed description with reference to the following figures. Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further disclosure, improvements, advantages, features and aspects of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus not limiting to the scope of the present invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a network of gaming machines which in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be located in one or more casinos and in communication with a central controller and system administration server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the disclosure herein, the term "gaming machine" is to be taken as a reference to any game apparatus or device, be it electronic or mechanical, such as electronic or mechanical slot machines or other forms including tables, card table devices, or paper etc. While the value of wagers may take many forms such as the number of coins being wagered etc, it will be convenient to describe the preferred embodiment in this respect which relates to denominations of the wagers placed.

In a preferred embodiment disclosed herein provide a description of a jackpot concept developed by the applicant, which may involve multiple jackpot values each accumulated from one of several gaming machine denomination groups. Preferred means of implementing such a jackpot system are also disclosed. Mathematical illustrations of the calculations required to derive those statistical values suitable to run the jackpot concept in a casino environment are also .disclosed. The mathematical illustrations describe the required behaviour of the preferred jackpot's turnover apportioning scheme, but it is also possible that the implementation of the jackpot allow for these mathematical requirements to be manually overridden, permitting the casino to tune the jackpot to meet specific requirements. Further to this, an additional description of embodiments comprising gaming machines in the jackpot system which are multi-denomination, that is, where the fundamental credit denomination of the machine is selectable, by the game design or by the player. It is also envisaged that embodiments may accommodate varying currencies and the changes in value magnitudes that may be associated with these. Concept Overview Mystery jackpots may allow multiple machine denominations to be included in the jackpot, but as noted above provide no value incentives between those denominations. Embodiments herein provide a mystery jackpot that provides value differentiation between machines of different values, preferably denominations, by apportioning their turnover between linked pools such that larger denominations win larger pool wins.

The machines may maintain equivalence in terms of credits bet - that is, one credit bet on any denomination machine provides an identical chance of winning as one credit bet on any other denomination machine.

However, each denomination is contributing a larger dollar value to the jackpot as the dollar value of the machine's denomination increases. This additional value is added to one or more 'Slave' pools. Machines with higher denominations have these slave pools added to the base win, thus increasing the win value as the machine denomination increases. This means that the Return to Player across ali of the linked denominations may remain the same. A jackpot system controller may, while implementing controls to automaticaliy maintain these proportions, also allow the casino to override the proportions to allow the jackpot settings to be modified for specific circumstances. Base Pool

The lowest level pool, the first or base pool may be a simple mystery jackpot. The pool has a specified lower limit (startup) and an upper limit (pool maximum). When the pool is reset on the first installation or after a jackpot win, it begins at the configured startup value, and the jackpot controller selects a random jackpot trigger value between the startup and pool maximum.

Bets on machines in this denomination group are multiplied by a specified first contribution rate and the result added to the pool. The bet on an enrolled gaming machine that pushes the pool to or beyond the selected trigger value will be awarded the amount of money in the jackpot pool. In the preferred embodiment, the contribution rate assigned to the base pool becomes, in the specified mathematics below, the overall contribution rate from all machines. This Base Contribution Rate is a significant configuration value in the overall jackpot system. Slave Pool (s) . The Slave pools are separate pools to the base or first level mystery pool, and each is connected to a group of machines, nominally of a higher denomination than those connected to the base level mystery jackpot.

Each Slave pool is configured with a Start-up value only, which should be in proportion to the Base Pooi Start-up if equal Return to Player across denomination groups is desired. The machines in a given Slave denomination group contribute to each of the associated Slave Pool, all the Slave pools for lower denominations and the mystery base poo!.

The contribution rates at which the machines contribute to the Slave and the base level mystery pools are preferably configured and are in proportion to the ratio of the machine denominations in each pool and to the contribution of the machine in the base level pool.

The contribution rates are in the design for this jackpot system allocated to the Base Pool, each of the lower denomination slave pools and this denomination's slave pool such that a 1 credit bet on the machine will cause the same dollar value contribution to each of the pools that the machine is contributing to as all other machines involved in the jackpot contribute for a 1 credit bet on those machines.

By way of example and with reference to figure 1 , the two tier situation illustrated in figure 1 shows: • The base mystery pool (1) has 1 cent machines (2) assigned to it, which contributes to the base mystery pool (1 ) at 1.0%

• The Slave pool (3) has $1 machines (4) assigned to it. These contribute to the pools as follows:

• To the base mystery pool (1 ) at 0.01 % of turnover, which is the ratio of the two denominations multiplied by the first contribution rate being the rate that the base denomination machines (2) contribute to the base mystery pool (1 ). • To the Slave pool (3) at 0.99%, which is the remainder of the first or base pool contribution rate. This keeps the pools incrementing at rates proportionate to the machine denominations contributing to them.

As a result of the allocation of contribution rates, a one credit bet on either denomination will increment the base pool (1) by the same dollar amount, and thus have the same chance of winning the base pool. The excess contribution is put into the Slave Pool (3), thus the win on the higher denomination machine (4) will win a higher amount. The result is an equal RTP for all machines (2) and (4).

In the illustrated example, contribution rates may be changed for different tiers (5) of second gaming machines (4) to alter the RTP if desired.

Winning Selection

Winning selection or the trigger for the award of the Mystery Jackpot is made on the base level mystery pool oniy to the exclusion of the slave pools.

Players playing machines of any denomination are contributing to the base level mystery pool, and thus have the ability to win that pool.

Upon a machine's wager portion incrementing the base level mystery pool to or beyond the randomly selected Mystery Jackpot trigger value, the pool amounts may be awarded as follows:

1. If a machine in the base level denomination (eg the 1 cent in the example illustrated in figure 1) triggers the win, that machine may be awarded the value of the base level mystery pool only. a. The base level jackpot pool may then go back to its' start-up value. b. There may be no change in any of the Slave pool values.

2. If a machine in one of the Slave pool denominations triggers the win, that machine may be awarded the value of the base mystery pool plus the accumulation of the machine's associated Slave pool and all of the lower denomination slave pools. a. After the win, the base level jackpot pool, the winning machine's associated slave pool and all of the lower denomination slave pools may be reset to their respective predetermined start-up values. Jackpot Displays

In order to clearly communicate the jackpot values to players, the jackpots may be displayed on signage on the gaming floor in a manner similar to the following: 1. The base pool may be displayed as a normal mystery jackpot pool, with a jackpot range, for example, from the start-up value to the pool maximum. It may be shown such as to communicate that the base denomination players win only this jackpot. 2. The Slave pools may each be displayed as the total value of the base denomination jackpot pool plus the associated slave pool plus all of the lower denomination Slave pool values. Some indication should be given that players playing the higher denomination machines win this amount when the jackpot is won. Multiple Tiers The preferred jackpot system may have at least two tiers, but may be operated with as many tiers as desired within the technology limitations of the selected technical implementation. One embodiment of this specification may allow for an absolute minimum of three tiers in a configured jackpot, and ten or more possible tiers is a preferable solution. Formal & Mathematical Jackpot Definitions

The following describes the jackpot concept from a mathematical perspective. These definitions and descriptions are not meant to represent a rigorous mathematical treatment of the jackpot concept - rather they provide a formal definition of the jackpot operation for implementation of software algorithms that would be within the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. Denominations and Pools

Tier 'n': All machines may be separated into groups by denomination. A numerical value n is assigned to the jackpot to identify the number of denomination groups for the purposes of this definition. • Denomination group n=1 is the lowest monetary value denomination. • Each remaining denomination in the group is assigned an incrementing value of n to identify that machine denomination group, and its' associated pool.

Denomination Groups I Pool Numbering Relationship: If there are n different denominations of machines in the machine list connected to the jackpot, then there may also be n poois in the jackpot.

Base Denomination: The currency value of the lowest value denomination machines (denomination group) is preferably known as the 'Base Denomination¹ or 'First Denomination'. These machines may contribute to the base pool only. Base Pool: The pool ordinarily contributed to by Base Denomination machines. This pool may be a traditional mystery-style pool, with a start-up value, a pool maximum value, and a random trigger value selected by a jackpot controller between the start-up and pool maximum values.

Slave Pools: For machine denomination groups 2 through n, poois 2 through pool n are preferably referred to as 'Slave pools", and specifically as Slave Pool 2 through Slave Pool n in the following example.

• Example - a jackpot with 5 cent, 10 cent and 20 cent machines will be referred to as a 3 tier jackpot (n=3). Three pools may be needed: a Base Pool (n=1 , thus pool 1), a 10 cent Slave Pool (n-2, thus pool 2) and a 20 cent Slave Pool (π=3, thus pool3). The Base Denomination is "5 cents".

Poo! Contributions: machines in denomination group n may contribute to all pools 1 through pool π. Machines in the base denomination group (group 1 ) contribute to the base pool (pool 1 ) only.

• In the previous example, 10 cent machines are in denomination group 2, and contribute to poois 1 and pool 2. Twenty cent machines are in denomination group 3 and contribute to pools 1 , 2 and 3. Base Contribution Rate: The rate at which the machines in the Base Denomination group (denomination group 1 machines) contribute to the Base Poo! (pool 1) is known as the Base Contribution Rate. • Extending the previous example, if the 5 cent machines contribute to the Base Pool at a rate of 1% of turnover (money wagered) then the Base Contribution Rate is 1 %. Base Start-Up: the pool Start-Up value configured on the Base Pool.

Poo! Start-Up: The value at which a pool starts at after that pool has been won by a player and also when the jackpot is first initialised.

General Note on Contribution Rate & Start-Up Apportioning It is to be noted that in the specified mathematic treatment, the machines in all tiers may contribute to the overall jackpot at the same rate irrespective of denomination. That rate may be equal to the Base Contribution Rate. This equivalence in overall contribution is achieved by apportioning the contribution of each denomination group across the Base Pool and Slave Pools in proportion to the denomination of that Slave Poo!.

In addition, the mathematical treatment requires that the start-up values of all Slave Pools be set to a vaiue that is in proportion to the Base Start-Up and that

Stave Pool's denomination group denomination's increase from the previous

Slave Pool's denomination. This is to ensure that the Return to Player (RTP) of each denomination group of machines is equal to the others.

This equivalence of contribution is a design feature of the jackpot, but is not the only possible configuration. It is required that a jackpot controller designed on this specification provide the facilities to auto-proportion the start-up and contribution settings, but the user may be able to override these automatically set values for each tier as required.

Pool Contribution Rates: The contribution rates at which machines contribute to each of the pools varies from denomination group to denomination group. The relationship may be described as follows:

1. For a jackpot with n tiers (machine denomination groups), nominally ordered such that n = 1 indicates the Base Pool and n increments by 1 for each additional machine group in order of increasing machine denomination:

• Let C_n = the contribution rate (as a percentage of money wagered) that the machines in this group make to pool n ^~

2. The contribution rate C_n that machines in any denomination group of denomination value D contribute to pool n, given Base Contribution Rate C is given by the following relationship:

• C_n = C ^* (d_n - d_n-i) I D where d_n-i = 0 for n = 1 (Base Pool) Where d_n represents the currency denomination value of the machines in denomination group n, and d_n.i represents the denomination value for the next lower denomination group.

By way of example, consider a jackpot with 4 denomination groups of values 1 cent, 5 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents. The jackpot may have 4 pools, n = 1 ... 4. Assuming the Base Contribution Rate C = 10%, then examples of the pool contribution rates can be seen in the following matrix of Table 1 :

Calculations Contribution Rates

Slave Pool Start-Up Values: The. start-up value for each Slave Pool may vary from denomination group to denomination group. In order to maintain a consistent Return to Player the relationship can be described as follows: 3. For a jackpot with n tiers (machine denomination groups), nominally ordered such that n - 1 indicates the Base Pool and n increments by 1 for each additional machine group in order of increasing machine denomination:

♦ Let s_basθ = the start-up value of the Base Pool, nominally expressed in currency value.

♦ Let s_n = the start-up, nominally expressed in currency value, of pool n 4. The start-up value S_n of pool n, given Base Start-Up s_baSe is given by the following relationship;

♦ s_n ~ s_basβ * (d_π - d_n-i) for n > 1 • Where d_n represents the currency denomination value of the machines in denomination group n, and d_π-_t represents the denomination value for the next lower denomination group.

• all denominations for this calculation are in the same units (cents, dollars, credits, etc).

• By way of example, consider a jackpot with 4 denomination groups of values 1 cent, 2 cents, 10 cents and $1. The jackpot will have 4 pools (n = 1 ,.. 4. Assuming the Base Start-Up S_base - $100, then the Slave Poo! startup values for each individual Slave Pool can be calculated as : • S₁ = s_basβ ~ $100

S₂ = $100 * (2-1) = $100

• S₃ = $100 ^* (10-2) = $800

• S₄ = $100 * (100-10) = $9000

It is noted that these are the startup values for each Stave Pool. The start- up value that may be seen by the player on their jackpot display, which would be a composite of the Slave Pool for the denomination group of that player's machine pius alt of the lower value denomination group Slave Pools and the Base

Pool. By way of example, a player playing a $1 machine would see the jackpot reset to $10,000 (=$9,000 + $800 + $100 + $100) after the $1 Slave Pool was won.

Return to Player (RTP): A RTP may be calculated exactly as for any mystery jackpot, with the following notes:

1. The Base Pool's RTP is calculated exactly as for a Mystery jackpot.

2. Each Slave Pool's RTP is calculated by adding all of the slave poo! contributions to the base pool, considering them as a single pool, and calculating the RTP for the machines in the slave pool's denomination group as if it were an isolated mystery.

If the Slave Pool contributions and start-up values are apportioned between pools in the manner specified in this document, the RTP will be the same for all machines in all denomination groups. Chance of Win: 1. If the above mathematical relationships between the slave pools is followed, then the win chance for any machine in any of the slave pool denomination groups is the same as any other per credit bet.

2. However, when considered in relation to the amount bet, the chance of winning for a machine in each slave pool is less than and proportional to the chance of a win by a base denomination machine, by the ratio of the denominations of the respective denomination groups. The value of each win is also proportionateiy higher.

Other Permutations of Jackpot Configurations: The mathematical relationships given above apply to the jackpot system as envisaged in operation, which is designed to give better value to a credit bet in proportion to the denomination of that credit. However, the scheme may be easily extended to give leverage to other denominations simply by altering the mathematical relationship of the contribution rates in each slave pool to the denomination groups associated with those slave pools as would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art. Accounting Systems

The jackpot system proposed may incur challenges to any attached accounting system, presuming that the jackpots are to be balanced against contributions and piay on the contributing machines as may be done for other jackpots.

Balancing contributions with fixed denomination machines is a simple extension of standard mystery jackpot balancing. Accordingly, the accounting system must know the machine enrolments per pool, and simply check that turnover across a period has been apportioned as configured in the jackpot.

Balancing with multi-denominational machines is covered below. Functional Specification

Overview & Options

The suggested implementations made herein are a preferred option only, and any casino operator or vendor implementing the embodiments herein may make appropriate decisions, and explore alternate implementation options if these are seen to be advantageous and as would be considered within the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. The following description of a preferred embodiment considers single denomination machines only.

The present invention may be implemented in a 'single large jackpot controller' model, This has the advantage that it is a single piece module, and thus the whole tiered jackpot can be configured as a single data entry exercise. However, it is envisaged that this configuration process is likely to become excessively complex and unwieldy for managing anything larger than a two- or three-tier jackpot.

An alternative method for configuring a mystery jackpot of a preferred embodiment will be to configure the base pools and each slave pool as a separate jackpot pool, and having a mechanism for linking each pool in accordance with the methods described above. The advantage of this approach is that it will make configuring large multi-tier jackpots a much more manageable process, and should reduce limitations on the jackpot types that can be configured. However, it is noted that the software may be more complex and that more controls will need to be implemented to ensure that the inter-pool linking rules that are established are controlled in all modes of operation.

General Requirements

The jackpot controller may be configured by the casino at any time as required. The configuration facility may not require the vendor to attend the site, and may not require any special skills other than those expected of a general computer user. The configuration facility may take the form of a graphical user interface provided by a computing device running under a common commercial operating system. The following requirements may be met for each control or input facility on the configuration device screens as a general requirement:

• All controls have a help facility available which, when selected, indicates the type of data and any range limitations that apply to that control. For example, a jackpot maximum value display may display "Maximum value of pool in dollars and cents. Range of about $0.01 to $9,999,999.99" when the mouse is held stationary over the control for more than three seconds.

• All controls which require a user input may validate that input at the time of input if possible, or, where validation is dependent on other controls, at the most immediate input level above that control where ail interdependent controls can be validated. Base Pool Configuration

The Base Pool may require a configuration facility that will allow the following controls and values to be configured:

• Start-up: the value at which the jackpot will start, expressed as a currency value with the following features.

^« able to accept at least a range from about $0.00 to $9,999,999.99 ■ be less than the Maximum Value. » whenever this value is changed, the randomly selected pool trigger value may be validated or re-calculated to ensure that it is appropriately within the Start-Up to Maximum Value range.

• Maximum Value: the maximum value that the base pool can reach, expressed as a currency value, with the following features. ■ able to accept at least a range from about $0.00 to $9,999,999.99

^■ be greater than the Start-Up value.

^■ whenever this value is changed, the randomly selected pool trigger value shall be validated or re-calculated to ensure that it is appropriately within the Start-Up to Maximum Value range. • Increment Rate: the rate at which gaming machines enrolled in the present jackpot pool may contribute to the jackpot, expressed as a percentage, with the following features.

^■ able to accept a range of about 0.00001 % to 99.99999%

^■ operate with a precision of about 0.00001 % or finer. • Base Denomination: the game credit denomination value of machines enrolled in the base pool only, expressed as a currency value, with the following features. • able to accept a range of about $0.01 to $100,000.00

• Machine List the list of machines which will contribute to the Base Pool, with the following features. ^■ able to accept a list of gaming machines identified by their location codes, ie the position the gaming machine occupies on the gaming floor.

^■ able to validate that the machines in the machine list are of the denomination selected in the Base Denomination control.

Preferably, the system uses a single machine list for all pools, and increments the Base Pool and appropriate Slave Pools on a bet by bet basis. This may require that the jackpot controller is aware of the actual denomination value of each gaming machine. Preferably, the system is aware of that denomination value in real time, on a bet by bet basis, to cater for multi- denomination machines.

• Base Pool Value: the current value of the base pool, expressed as a currency value.

^■ This value may have sufficient resolution that it can be incremented by the smallest possible bet valid in the jackpot configuration, ie the smallest valid denomination multiplied by the smallest valid contribution rate.

^■ This value may reset to the Start-up Value when the jackpot is first configured or after a winner has been selected. ■ This value may not be changeable by casino users without specific security controls over and above those that apply to configuring the jackpot itself.

• Trigger Value: (Not user changeable or visible) when play at a machine in the machine list causes the value of the base pool to reach or exceed this value, the controller may nominate that machine as the winning machine.

^■ This value may be selected randomly, by an algorithm approved by the relevant authority such as the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation, and meeting or exceeding the requirements of any National Standard for Gaming Machines. •^■ This value may have a resolution the same as or better than the Base Pool Value. Other controls, appropriate to the technology used in the jackpot controller, may be required, as determined by the selected vendor(s). This may comprise controls such as:

^■ Display messages used to indicate the winning player. ■ Controls over the jackpot displays on the gaming floor.

^■ Controls describing the behaviour implemented when the controller fails.

^■ Facilities for handling offline increment such as delayed pools.

^■ Ancillary enhancements such as celebration prizes. Slave Pool Configuration

The Slave Pools may be configured with reference to the Base Pool and/or other Slave Pools, The relationships may comprise the following:

^■ A Slave Pool immediately linked to a Base Pool (of lower denomination), and with no higher denomination slave poois linked to it. ■ A Slave Pool immediately linked to a Base Pool (of lower denomination), with one or more higher denomination slave pools linked to it.

^■ A Slave Pool linked to a lower denomination Slave Pool, with no higher denomination slave pools linked to it.

^■ A Slave Pool linked to a lower denomination Slave Pool, with one or more higher denomination slave pools linked to it.

All validation on a Slave Pool may refer back to the Base Pool's configuration, and to any lower denomination Slave Pools that it may be linked to. That linking may be bidirectional, in that changes to the Base Pool or any lower denomination Slave Pool will be refected back in the controls as required. Each Slave Pool may comprise a configuration facility that will allow the following controls and values to be configured:

Start-up: the value at which this Slave Pool will start, expressed as a currency value. This value may be calculated automatically based upon the Base Pool, other Slave Pools and the denomination of machines in the Denomination Groups for those Slave Pools, but it is also contemplated that there is a control allowing the value to be overridden and manually entered. There may be a control allowing the value to be overridden and manually entered. This control may be an on-off control, such as a checkbox, and the default state shall be 'on', indicating that the controller will automatically apportion the value. The start up value preferably is able to accept at least a range from about $0.00 to $9,999,999.99.

Machine List the list of machines which will contribute to the Base Pool. This list may accept a list of gaming machines identified by their location codes, ie the position the gaming machine occupies on the gaming floor. Preferably, it validates that the machines in the machine list are of the denomination selected in the Base Denomination control and may validate that the machines enrolled are also enrolled in the Base Pool and other lower denomination Slave Pools (or perform this enrolment automatically). The machine list may only be required if the Jackpot Controller is not able to automatically identify the denomination value that the gaming machine is operating at. If the system is capable of this, then automated enrolment in the appropriate Slave Pools based upon enrolment in the Base Pool may be provided. Master Pool Link: a link to indicate a 'master pool' that this pool is slave to. The pool may be a slave to either a Base Pool or a Slave Pool, either being of a lower denomination. The specific form of this link control may be dependent upon the actual implementation of the jackpot. There may also be an indication that another pool has been set to be a slave to this pool. Such indication may either be in the form of a specific display to that effect, or it may be an obvious outcome of the design of the configuration tool for the jackpot controller.

Contribution Rate: The percentage of credits wagered (turnover) added to this Slave Pool from bets on the machines that contribute to this Slave Pool, This value may be calculated automatically based upon the Base Pool, other Slave Pools and the denomination of machines in the Denomination Groups for those Slave Pools. There may be a control allowing the value to be overridden and manually entered. This control may be an on-off control, such as a checkbox, and the default state is preferably be 'on', indicating that the controller will automatically apportion the value. The actual method of setting the contribution rate for Slave Pools may be highly dependent on the Jackpot Controller implementation, As an example, a single-screen type configuration control may implement a matrix, or a series of tab screens. A linked pool configuration may need a different method, such as a drop-down list of contribution rates that dynamically changes as Slave Pools are linked in and out of the Jackpot. The actual means of providing this configuration control may be open to the vendor provided it meets the requirements stipulated above. Preferably this feature is able to accept a range of about 0% to 99.9999% and has a resolution of about 0.0001% or finer.

Other controls, appropriate to the technology used in the jackpot controller, may be required, as determined by the selected vendor(s). This may comprise controls such as:

* Display messages used to indicate the winning player. ■ Controls over the jackpot displays on the gaming floor.

^■ Controls describing the behaviour implemented when the controller fails.

^■ Facilities for handling offline increment (such as delayed pools).

^■ Ancillary enhancements {such as celebration prizes). Tier Unking Controls The selected implementation may ensure that tier linking controls are correctly implemented. Rules to be verified may also be included.

These rules may be verified within the jackpot controller whenever:

1. A jackpot is created .

2. A jackpot is edited. 3. A tier is added or removed.

4. Machines are added to or removed from the jackpot.

Verification and/or validation requirements would be understood by the person skilled in the art to be dependent on the jackpot controller technology to be implemented in each individual instance. Examples of the controls for verification requirements may comprise:

^■ Contribution rates of slave pools being validated to ensure that all slave pools have the required mathematical relationship to the Base Pool unless an optional control allowing alternate increment rates has been enabled.

^■ Machines in a Slave Pool are correctly configured to contribute to the Base Pool and all smaller denomination Slave Pools in the tiered jackpot Multi-denomination Gaming Machines

The jackpot control system may be designed to accommodate easy expansion to multi-denomination gaming machines, preferably with no changes to the controller or with minimal changes. A multi-denomination gaming machine is one which allows either the user or the casino to select the fundamental currency value of 1 credit bet on the gaming machine, and that the selection can be changed while the machine is in operation. Common examples of multi-denomination machines include:

^■ Machines with a single game, but where the user can select the value of one credit, typically either with a touch-screen option on the machine's screen or a separate control on 'stepper¹ machines.

^■ Machines with multiple user-selectable games, where each game may have a different value of one credit.

In order to allow for multi-denominational machines, the chosen jackpot controller technology may be able to identify the credit value in operation on the machine for each and every individual bet made on that machine.

A multi-denomination machine may thus contribute to the jackpot tiers in relation to the credit value. selected when the bet is made.

By way of example, consider a Tiered Jackpot with a Base Denomination of 1 cent and Slave Pools of 2 cent, 5 cent and 10 cent denominations. If a multi- denomination machine, with user selectable credit denominations of 1 cent, 2 cents and 5 cents is connected to this tiered jackpot, then:

^■ When the user makes a bet with the machine selected to be a 1 cent credit value, that bet may contribute only to the Base Pool, and a win triggered by that bet may only win the Base Pool.

^■ When the user makes a bet with the machine selected to be a 2 cent credit value; that bet may contribute to the Base Pool and the 2 cent Slave Pool as if the machine was a 2 cent denomination machine, and a win triggered by that bet may win the Base Pool an the appropriate Slave Pools for the denomination that bet was played at.

^■ Similar Tier behaviour may be observed for bets made at other denominations on that machine. Accounting Considerations with Multi-Denomination Machines

Account balancing with multi-denominational machines is considered similar to that for single denomination machines, except that the accounting system may need to know the value of wagers for the accounting period separately for each denomination in the gaming machine.

The machine metering may, therefore, at the least have a separate Turnover' ('Credits Wagered') meter for each denomination selection the machine supports.

The accounting system may then verify that bets have been apportioned to pools correctly against the machine reported meters.

The mystery jackpot methods and system described herein provides novel options to casino managers planning the operations and marketing of gaming machines on the casino floor.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, a person skilled in the art will recognise that embodiments of the invention described herein may be implemented using one or more computers. In that case, the method steps disclosed herein may be embodied as instructions that comprise a computer program. The program may be stored on computer-readable media, such as floppy disks, optical discs (eg compact discs), or fixed disks (such as hard drives and the like), and may be resident in memory, such as, for example random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), firmware, or flash RAM memory. The program as software may then be executed on a computer or microprocessor device to implement the method. The program or portions of its execution, may also be distributed over multiple computers or servers in a network having a topology corresponding to one or a combination of: a small area such as in a LAN (Local Area Network); a large campus or city area such as in a

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) or; a wide geographical area such as in a WAN

(Wide Area Network). It should be noted that where the terms "server", "secure server" or similar terms are used herein, a communication device is described that may be used in a communication system, unless the context otherwise requires, and should not be construed to limit the present invention to any particular communication device type. Thus, a communication device may comprise, without limitation, a bridge, router, bridge-router (router), switch, node, or other communication device, which may or may not be secure.

It should also be noted that where a flowchart, set of rules or their equivalent is used herein to demonstrate various aspects of the invention, it should not be construed to limit the present invention to any particular logic flow or logic implementation. The described logic may be partitioned into different logic blocks (e.g., programs, modules, functions, or subroutines) without changing 1he overail results or otherwise departing from the true scope of the invention. Often, logic elements may be added, modified, omitted, performed in a different order, or implemented using different logic constructs (e.g., logic gates, looping primitives, conditional logic, and other logic constructs) without changing the overall results or otherwise departing from the true scope of the invention.

Various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms, comprising computer program logic for use with a processor (e.g., a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, or general purpose computer), programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device (e.g., a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other PLD), discrete components, integrated circuitry (e.g., an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), or any other means comprising any combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, predominantly all of the communication between users and the server is implemented as a set of computer program instructions that is converted into a computer executable form, stored as such in a computer readable medium, and executed by a microprocessor under the control of an operating system. Computer program logic implementing all or part of the functionality where described herein may be embodied in various forms, comprising a source code form, a computer executable form, and various intermediate forms (e.g., forms generated by an assembler, compiler, linker, or locator). Source code may comprise a series of computer program instructions imptemented in any of various programming languages (e.g., an object code, an assembly language, or a high-level language such as Fortran, C, C++, JAVA, or HTML) for use with various operating systems or operating environments. The source code may define and use various data structures and communication messages. The source code may be in a computer executable form (e.g., via an interpreter), or the source code may be converted (e.g., via a translator, assembler, or compiler) into a computer executable form.

The computer program may be fixed in any form (e.g., source code form, computer executable form, or an intermediate form) either permanently or transitorily in a tangible storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g, a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Flash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memory device (e.g., a diskette or fixed disk), an optical memory device (e.g., a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM), a PC card (e.g., PCMCIA card), or other memory device. The computer program may be fixed in any form in a signal that is transmittable to a computer using any of various communication technologies, including, but in no way limited to, analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth), networking technologies, and inter-networking technologies. The computer program may be distributed in any form as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web). Hardware logic (comprising programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device) implementing all or part of the functionality where described herein may be designed using traditional manual methods, or may be designed, captured, simulated, or documented electronically using various tools, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), a hardware description language (e.g., VHDL or AHDL), or a PLD programming language (e.g., PALASM, ABEL, or CUPL).

Programmable logic may be fixed either permanently or transitorily in a tangible storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g., a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Fiash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memory device (e.g., a diskette or fixed disk), an optical memory device (e.g., a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM), or other memory device. The programmable logic may be fixed in a signal that is transmittable to a computer using any of various communication technologies, including, but in no way limited to, analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth), networking technologies, and internetworking technologies. The programmable logic may be distributed as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web).

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from' the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, jackpot prizes may take any form, including cash jackpots, free games and multipliers. The invention may be used in conjunction with more than one type of game, for example, blackjack and pontoon, poker, roulette, bingo, keno or other game varieties including slot machine games. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in ail respects as illustrative and not restrictive. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and comprising such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the description hereinabove and claims hereinbeiow, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as

"comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a first jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from first gaming machines, the method comprising the steps of: apportioning a base contribution rate from the one or more second gaming machines to the first pool wherein the base contribution rate corresponds to a fraction of the first contribution rate; apportioning a slave contribution rate from the one or more second gaming machines to the at least one second pool wherein the slave contribution rate corresponds to the difference between the first and base contribution rates.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more second gaming machines comprise at least one second wager value.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the first gaming machines comprise a first wager value.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the second value is greater than the first value.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first and second values comprise at least one of: ' a wager denomination; a token/coin denomination; the number of tokens/coins wagered.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fraction of the first contribution rate that corresponds to the base contribution comprises a ratio of the first and second values.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising the step of selecting a game from one of a number of predefined games for the one or more second gaming machines wherein each selectable game comprises a corresponding second wager value.

8. A method of linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with ^" gaming machines of at least one second denomination group to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from gaming machines of a base denomination group comprising the steps of: apportioning a base contribution rate from the machines of the second denomination group to the base pool that corresponds to a fraction of the first contribution rate; apportioning a slave contribution rate from the machines of the second denomination group to the second pooi that corresponds to the difference between the first and base contribution rates.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the gaming machine groups comprise n tiers, nominally ordered such that n = 1 indicating the base pool and n increments by 1 for each additional machine group in order of increasing machine denomination.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein a contribution rate C_n that machines in any denomination group of denomination value D contribute to pool n, given base contribution rate C is given by: ♦ c_π = C * (Cf_n - dn-i ) I D where d_n-J = 0 for n = 1 (base pool) and

♦ where Cl_n represents the currency denomination value of the machines in denomination group n, and d_n.i represents the denomination value for the next lower denomination group and, where the contribution rate, C_n, comprises a percentage of money wagered that the machines in a group make to pool n.

11. A method of awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, the method comprising the steps of: unking at least one second jackpot pool associated with gaming machines of at least one second denomination group to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from gaming machines of a base denomination group as claimed in any one of claims 10 or 11 wherein; a start-up value S_n of pool n is given by:

Sn = Stase * (C_n ~ Cf_n-O for Ti > 1 where d_n represents the currency denomination value of the machines in denomination group n, and Cf_n-* represents the denomination value for the next lower denomination group and, S_basβ represents the start-up value of the base pool, nominally expressed in currency value and wherein the start up, S_n is nominally expressed in currency value, of pooi n given base start-up s^se-

12. A method of awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, the method comprising the steps of: linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from first gaming machines; receiving wagers for the play of the at least one game on the gaming machines wherein the wagers comprise at least one second value at the one or more second gaming machines and a first value at the first gaming machines; allocating a portion of each wager to at least the base jackpot pool; determining a mystery jackpot value within a range of values between a low limit and a high limit wherein the range of values is confined to the base jackpot pool; in response to the allocation of a portion of a wager that causes the base jackpot pool to reach the mystery jackpot value, awarding a jackpot prize equal to at least the sum of the jackpot pool associated with the wager and the base jackpot pool.

13. A method of awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, the method comprising the steps of: linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from wagers on first gaming machines; receiving wagers for the play of the at least one game on the gaming machines wherein the wagers comprise at least one second value at the one or more second gaming machines and a first value at the first gaming machines; providing a base contribution rate for wagers from the one or more second gaming machines to the base poo! wherein the base contribution rate provides for a weighted and equal value amount being allocated to the base pool from any/each wager; in response to a contribution of a wager that causes the base jackpot pool to reach a predetermined mystery jackpot value, awarding a jackpot prize equal to at least the sum of the jackpot pool associated with the wager and the base jackpot pool.

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein one or more second pools correspond to one or more different denominations.

15. A mystery jackpot system comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a first jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from first gaming machines: base contribution apportioning means for apportioning a base contribution rate from the one or more second gaming machines to the first pool wherein the base contribution rate corresponds to a fraction of the first contribution rate; slave contribution apportioning means for apportioning a slave contribution rate from the one or more second gaming machines to the at least one second pool wherein the slave contribution rate corresponds to the difference between the first and base contribution rates.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the one or more second gaming machines comprise at least one second wager value,

17. A system as claimed in claim 15 or 16 wherein the first gaming machines comprise a first wager value.

18. A system as claimed in, any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein the second value is greater than the first value,

19. A system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein the first and second values comprise at least one of: a wager denomination; a token/coin denomination; the number of tokens/coins wagered.

20. . A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the fraction of the first contribution rate that corresponds to the base contribution comprises a ratio of the first and second values.

21. A system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20 further comprising game selecting means for selecting a game from one of a number of predefined games for the one or more second gaming machines wherein each selectable game comprises a corresponding second wager value.

22. A mystery jackpot system comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot poo! associated with gaming machines of at least one second denomination group to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from gaming machines of a base denomination group; base contribution apportioning means for apportioning a base contribution rate from the machines of the second denomination group to the base pool that corresponds to a fraction of the first contribution rate; slave contribution apportioning means for apportioning a slave contribution rate from the machines of the second denomination group to the second pool that corresponds to the difference between the first and base contribution rates.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the gaming machine groups comprise n tiers, nominally ordered such that n = 1 indicating the base pool and n increments by 1 for each additional machine group in order of increasing machine denomination.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein a contribution rate C_n that machines in any denomination group of denomination value D contribute to pool n, given base contribution rate C is given by:

• C_n = C * (d_n - dn~i) I D where d_n.i = 0 for n = 1 (base pool) and

• where d_n represents the currency denomination value of the machines in denomination group n, and d_n.i represents the denomination value for the next lower denomination group and, where the contribution rate, C_n, comprises a percentage of money wagered that the machines in a group make to pool n.

25. A mystery jackpot system for awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with gaming machines of at least one second denomination group to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from gaming machines of a base denomination group as claimed in any one of claims 23 or 24 wherein; a start-up value S_n of pool n is given by:

S_n - S_basθ * (d_n - tfn-l) for P > 1 where d_n represents the currency denomination value of the machines in denomination group n, and c/_n-? represents the denomination value for the next lower denomination group and, s_basθ represents the start-up value of the base pool, nominally expressed in currency value and wherein the start up, S_n is nominally expressed in currency value, of pool n given base start-up s_base.

26. A mystery jackpot system for awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot poo! associated with one or more second gaming machines to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from first gaming machines; wager receiving means for receiving wagers for the play of the at least one game on the gaming machines wherein the wagers comprise at least one second value at the one or more second gaming machines and a first value at the first gaming machines; allocating means for allocating a portion of each wager to at least the base jackpot pool; mystery jackpot value determining means for determining a mystery jackpot value within a range of values between a low limit and a high limit wherein the range of values is confined to the base jackpot pool; awarding means for awarding a jackpot prize equal to at least the sum of the jackpot pool associated with the wager and the base jackpot pool in response to the allocation of a portion of a wager that causes the base jackpot pool to reach the mystery jackpot value.

27. A mystery jackpot system for awarding a mystery jackpot prize associated with at least one game, comprising: jackpot pool linking means for linking at least one second jackpot pool associated with one or more second gaming machines to a base jackpot pool associated with and having a first contribution rate from wagers on first gaming machines; wager receiving means for receiving wagers for the play of the at least one game on the gaming machines wherein the wagers comprise at least one second value at the one or more second gaming machines and a first value at the first gaming machines; base contribution means for providing a base contribution rate for wagers from the one or more second gaming machines to the base pool wherein the base contribution rate provides for a weighted and equal value amount being allocated to the base pool from any/each wager; awarding means for awarding a jackpot prize equal to at least the sum of the jackpot pool associated with the wager and the base jackpot pool in response to a contribution of a wager that causes the base jackpot pool to reach a predetermined mystery jackpot value.

28. A system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 27 wherein one or more second pools correspond to one or more different denominations.

29. A method of awarding a jackpot prize in a jackpot system, the system comprising a plurality of groups of gaming machines where gaming machines in each group are adapted to receive wagers corresponding to one of a plurality of denominations, the method comprising the steps of; associating a jackpot pool with each group of gaming machines and accordingly forming a base pool for the group of machines with the lowest value denomination; contributing a portion of each wager placed on each machine to the jackpot pool associated with the machine's group; for groups other than the group associated with the base pool, contributing a further portion of each wager placed on each machine to the base pool; awarding the jackpot prize upon the occurrence of an event associated with the base pool.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29 wherein the event associated with the base pool comprises a mystery jackpot threshold being reached by the base pool.

31. Apparatus for awarding a jackpot prize in a jackpot system, the jackpot system comprising a plurality of groups of gaming machines where gaming machines in each group are adapted to receive wagers corresponding to one of a plurality of denominations, the apparatus comprising: group jackpot pool means for forming a jackpot pool associated with each group of gaming machines where the group jackpot pool means further comprises base pool means for forming a base pool for the group of machines with the lowest value denomination; contribution means operatively associated with each machine for contributing a portion of each wager placed on each machine to the jackpot pool associated with the machine's group; further contribution means operatively associated with machines of groups other than the group associated with the base pool, for contributing a further portion of each wager placed on each machine to the base pool; jackpot awarding means for awarding the jackpot prize upon the occurrence of an event associated with the base pool.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 wherein, the jackpot awarding means comprises mystery jackpot means operatively associated with the base pool and adapted to trigger the award upon a mystery jackpot threshold being reached by the base pool.

33. A jackpot system comprising: groups of gaming machines of several denominations with a multi-level jackpot linked across the gaming machines to provide different payouts per denomination, wherein the machines are grouped by denomination; each denomination group has a jackpot pool associated with it and; the pool associated with the lowest denomination group is a mystery jackpot adapted to determines the win for all machines of all denominations.

34. Apparatus adapted for awarding a mystery jackpot prize, said apparatus comprising: processor means adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined instruction set, said apparatus, in conjunction with said instruction set, being adapted to perform the method steps of any one of claims 1 to 14, 29 and 30. .

35. A computer program product comprising: a computer useable medium having computer readable program code and computer readable system code embodied on said medium, for awarding a mystery jackpot prize, within a data processing system, said computer program product comprising: computer readable code within said computer usable medium for performing the method steps of any one of claims 1 to 14, 29 and 30.

36. A method, protocol or set of rules as disclosed herein.

37. An apparatus, system, device, circuit or arrangement as herein disclosed.