Method and apparatus for awarding a bonus on a network of electronic gaming devices during a pre-determined time period

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a time-based bonus system that can be pre-configured to award a certain amount of money to players of networked gaming devices over a certain time period. The time-based bonus system may include a variety of networked gaming devices and a method of arranging participation so that each of the variety of gaming devices has appropriate representation in the bonus pool. The amount of bonus money in a bonus pool is pre-determined by a casino or other gaming network operator. Additionally, the total amount of bonus money in a particular bonus pool can be divided into multiple smaller bonuses, which can be distributed to many players over the time period in which the bonus pool is operating.

1 . In a gaming network including a plurality of gaming devices, a method of awarding a bonus prize comprising: 
 selecting at least one gaming device from the plurality of gaming devices to be eligible for the bonus prize;    selecting a participation arrangement for the selected gaming device;    determining a duration of a time period in which it is possible for the bonus prize to be awarded;    dividing the duration into a plurality of timeslots;    selecting one of the plurality of timeslots as a winning timeslot during which a pre-determined bonus prize will be made; and    awarding the pre-determined bonus prize after the winning timeslot has been reached.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein awarding a pre-determined bonus prize comprises awarding the bonus prize to a player of one of the plurality of gaming devices.  
   
   
       3 . The method  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gaming devices includes at least one gaming device from the group comprising a spinning reel slot machine, a video poker machine, a computer based video slot machine, a wireless gaming device, a mobile phone, a remote device connected through the internet, and a gaming table.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first plurality of gaming devices is selected from the plurality of gaming devices, the first plurality of gaming devices including at least two different types of gaming devices.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein selecting a participation arrangement for the selected first plurality of gaming devices includes adjusting a contribution level of each of the selected first plurality of gaming devices.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein selecting a participation arrangement for the selected first plurality of gaming devices includes adjusting the probabilities that a particular gaming device will be selected to receive the bonus prize.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein selecting a participation arrangement for the selected first plurality of gaming devices includes requiring players on a portion of the selected first plurality of gaming devices to adjust an amount wagered on each game.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the participation arrangement is calculated based on a coin in rate.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the participation arrangement is calculated based on an estimated win calculation.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the participation arrangement is at least partly based on at least one of the group comprising player demographics, player tracking status, and length of time playing a gaming device.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the participation arrangement prior to awarding the pre-determined bonus prize.  
   
   
       12 . In a gaming network including a plurality of gaming devices, a method of preparing to award a bonus prize comprising: 
 authorizing a user as one eligible to prepare the bonus prize;    accepting a selection of at least one gaming device from the plurality of gaming devices to be eligible for the bonus prize;    accepting a participation arrangement for the selected gaming device;    accepting a starting time of a bonus prize time period;    accepting an ending time of the bonus prize time period;    accepting identification of one or more bonus prizes;    dividing the bonus prize time period into a number of timeslots;    identifying one or more of the number of timeslots as winning timeslots, the number of winning timeslots equal to the number of bonus prizes identified; and    awarding one of the bonus prizes after reaching each of the winning timeslots.    
   
   
       13 . The method  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of gaming devices includes at least one gaming device from the group comprising a spinning reel slot machine, a video poker machine, a computer based video slot machine, a wireless gaming device, a mobile phone, a remote device connected through the internet, and a smart gaming table.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a first plurality of gaming devices is selected from the plurality of gaming devices, the first plurality of gaming devices including at least two different types of gaming devices.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein accepting a participation arrangement for the selected first plurality of gaming devices includes adjusting a contribution level of each of the selected first plurality of gaming devices.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein accepting a participation arrangement for the selected first plurality of gaming devices includes adjusting the probabilities that a particular gaming device will be selected to receive the bonus prize.  
   
   
       17 . A bonusing system, comprising: 
 a plurality of gaming devices coupled to a gaming network; and    a bonus server coupled to the gaming network, the bonus server including: 
 a first selector means for selecting at least one gaming device from the plurality of gaming devices to be eligible for the bonus prize;  
 a second selector means for selecting a participation arrangement for the selected gaming device;  
 a scheduler means for pre-selecting when a bonus pool is to be active, the bonus pool having a pre-determined award value in one or more bonus awards,  
 a-time calculator means for determining the duration in which the bonus pool is to be active;  
 a divider means for dividing the duration into a plurality of timeslots;  
 a third selector means for identifying one of the timeslots as a winning timeslot; and  
 a randomizer means for selecting a winning gaming device from the plurality of gaming devices after the winning timeslot has passed.  
   
   
   
       18 . The bonusing system of  claim 17 , wherein the third selector means is structured to randomly select one of the timeslots as a winning timeslot.  
   
   
       19 . The bonusing system of  claim 17 , further comprising an adjustor means for adjusting the participation arrangement prior to delivering one of the bonus awards to the winning gaming device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein a second selector means for selecting a participation arrangement for the selected first plurality of gaming devices includes an adjustor means for adjusting a contribution level of each of the selected first plurality of gaming devices.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein a second selector means for selecting a participation arrangement for the selected first plurality of gaming devices includes an adjustor means for adjusting the probabilities that a particular gaming device will be selected to receive the bonus prize.