Gaming apparatus and method of use

Abstract

A gaming apparatus includes at least one gaming device that is configured to allow a player to place a wager and to play a game. A display device is mounted in association with the gaming device. The display device includes a housing and a housing positioning mechanism that is coupled to the housing. An indicator is coupled to the housing and an indicator positioning mechanism is coupled to the indicator. A controller is in communication with the gaming device, the housing positioning mechanism and the indicator positioning mechanism. The controller is configured to detect an indicator moving event and to move the housing and the indicator in accordance with the indicator moving event. The present invention also includes a gaming method using the gaming apparatus.

1 . A gaming system comprising:
 (A) at least one gaming device configured to allow a player to place a wager and to play a game;   (B) a display device mounted in association with the gaming device, the display device comprising:
 (a) a housing; 
 (b) a housing positioning mechanism coupled to the housing; 
 (c) an indicator coupled to the housing; and 
 (d) an indicator positioning mechanism coupled to the indicator; and 
   (C) at least one controller in communication with the gaming device, the housing positioning mechanism and the indicator positioning mechanism, the controller being configured to:
 (a) detect an indicator moving event; 
 (b) move the housing; and 
 (c) move the indicator in accordance with the indicator moving event. 
   
   
   
       2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller determines a game outcome. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming system of  claim 2 , further comprising awarding a prize if the game outcome is a prize awarding outcome. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a plurality of walls, a slot being located in at least one of the walls, the indicator being moveable along the slot. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing positioning mechanism comprises a first actuator coupled to the housing, the first actuator being adapted to rotate the housing. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator positioning mechanism comprises a second actuator coupled to a rod, the indicator being mounted to the rod, the second actuator being adapted to rotate the rod and thereby move the indicator. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator moves in a helical path around the housing. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is a video indicator, the video indicator being in communication with the controller. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of gaming devices, each of the gaming devices being configured to cause an indicator moving event. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of indicators coupled to the housing. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein each gaming device has a corresponding moveable indicator and wherein each moveable indicator indicates progress of a respective gaming device towards a prize awarding position. 
   
   
       12 . A method of gaming comprising, not all necessarily in the order shown:
 (A) determining a game outcome;   (B) determining if an indicator moving event has occurred;   (C) if the indicator moving event has occurred, determining a number of indicator positions to move an indicator;   (D) moving the indicator the number of indicator positions; and   (E) if the game outcome is a prize awarding outcome, awarding a prize.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising allowing a plurality of players at a plurality of gaming devices to play a game, each of the gaming devices being adapted to generate the indicator moving event. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the prize is awarded to each player in proportion to the number of indicator positions which the respective player moved the indicator. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the prize is divided equally between all of the players that had at least one indicator moving event. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the prize is awarded to the player that moves the indicator to the prize awarding position. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising rotating the indicator such that each of the game players at each of the gaming devices may view the indicator. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein if the indicator has reached an end of travel position, reversing the direction of the indicator. 
   
   
       19 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
 (A) a plurality of gaming devices, each of the gaming devices being adapted to allow a player to place a wager and to play a game, each of the gaming devices being adapted to generate an indicator moving event;   (B) a display device mounted such that the players may view the display device, the display device comprising:
 (a) a housing; 
 (b) a housing positioning mechanism coupled to the housing; 
 (c) an indicator coupled to the housing; and 
 (d) an indicator positioning mechanism coupled to the indicator; and 
   (C) at least one controller in communication with the plurality of gaming devices and the display device, the controller being configured to detect the indicator moving event and if the indicator moving event has occurred, to move the indicator.   
   
   
       20 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein a prize is awarded when the indicator moves to a prize awarding position. 
   
   
       21 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising moving the housing. 
   
   
       22 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the housing positioning mechanism comprises a first actuator coupled to the housing, the first actuator being adapted to rotate the housing. 
   
   
       23 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the indicator positioning mechanism comprises a second actuator coupled to a rod, the indicator being mounted to the rod, the second actuator being adapted to rotate the rod and thereby move the indicator. 
   
   
       24 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
 (A) means for placing a wager and playing a game;   (B) means for moving a housing and an indicator mounted in association with the means for placing a wager and playing a game;   (C) means for determining an indicator moving event, if an indicator moving event is determined, moving the housing and the indicator;   (D) means for determining a game outcome; and   (E) means for awarding a prize, if the game outcome is a prize awarding outcome, awarding a prize.   
   
   
       25 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the means for moving a housing and an indicator comprises:
 (a) a housing;   (b) a housing positioning mechanism coupled to the housing;   (c) an indicator coupled to the housing; and   (d) an indicator positioning mechanism coupled to the indicator.   
   
   
       26 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising allowing a plurality of players to play the gaming apparatus. 
   
   
       27 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the prize is awarded to each player in proportion to a number of indicator positions which the respective player caused the indicator to be moved. 
   
   
       28 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the prize is divided equally between all of the players that had at least one indicator moving event. 
   
   
       29 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the prize is awarded to the player that moves the indicator to a prize awarding position. 
   
   
       30 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising rotating the housing such that each of the game players may view the indicator. 
   
   
       31 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein if the indicator has reached an end of travel position, reversing the direction of the indicator.