Communal gaming system

Abstract

A gaming machine system for a communal slot machine game is disclosed. The system includes processing means for determining a result of a slot machine game, a communal display device ( 1 ) for displaying the result and a plurality of terminals ( 2 - 11 ) linked via communication means to the processing means. A number of the terminals ( 2 - 6 ) are physically located proximate the communal display device ( 1 ) so that players of these terminals can see the result on the communal display device ( 1 ). A number of the terminals are located remote from the communal display device ( 1 ). These remote terminals ( 7 - 11 ) are provided with individual displays to allow respective players to see the result. In playing a communal slot machine game with the system, the outcome at each of the terminals is solely dependent on the single, communal result determined by the processing means.

1 . A gaming machine system including: 
 processing means for determining a result of a slot machine game;    a communal display device for displaying said result;    a plurality of first terminals linked via communication means to said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of first terminals are located proximate said communal display device whereby users of said first terminals are able to perceive the result displayed on said communal display device; and    a plurality of second terminals communicating with said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of second terminals are located remote from said communal display device, each of said second terminals including a display for displaying the result to a user of the second terminal;    wherein an outcome at each of said first and second terminals is solely dependent on the single, communal result determined by said processing means.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second terminals is adapted to determine individual payouts for each of their respective users based on the communal result and a wager and selections made at each of said first and second terminals.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said processing means determines communal results at predetermined intervals, and the time to the next interval is displayed on the communal display device and each display of said second terminals.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each of said first and second terminals includes a user interface that displays a history of user wagers, previous communal results, or other selected data.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said user interface assists the user of each terminal to place wagers on the slot machine game.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said processing means is provided in one of said first terminals.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the timing of each play cycle is controlled by said processing means.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that individual ones of said first and second terminals can be added or removed without altering said processing means.  
   
   
       9 . A method of operating a communal slot game, said game being provided using a system including processing means for determining a result of a slot machine game; 
 a communal display device for displaying said result;    a plurality of first terminals linked via communication means to said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of first terminals are located proximate said communal display device whereby users of said first terminals are able to perceive the result displayed on said communal display device; and    a plurality of second terminals communicating with said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of second terminals are located remote from said communal display device, each of said second terminals including a display for displaying the result to a user of the second terminal;    wherein said method includes the steps of;    receiving wagers on individual ones of said first and second terminals;    displaying an indication on at least said second terminals and on said communal display of the time remaining to play;    at the conclusion of that time, said processing means determining the result of the game and communicating the result to each of said first and second terminals; and    paying the respective payouts at each of said first and second terminals.    
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the time between successive game cycles is predetermined.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein each of said first and second terminals is adapted to determine individual payouts for each of their respective users based on the communal result and a wager and selections made at each of said first and second terminals, and to pay the corresponding payouts.