Method for Establishing Promotional Progressive Jackpot Pools from First and Second Gaming Machines with Different Theoretical Hold Value

Abstract

A system and method establishes promotional progressive jackpot and hidden pools. The system includes first and gaming machines usable by a plurality of players. The first gaming machine has a first theoretical hold value and the second gaming machine has a different second theoretical hold value. The promotional progressive jackpot pool is associated with the first and second gaming machines. A host computer is operatively coupled to the first and second gaming machines for establishing a first incremental value in response to a first player using the first gaming machine and adding the first incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot pool and for establishing a second incremental value in response to a second player using the second gaming machine and adding the second incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot pool. Moreover, the method broadens the traditional scope of the progressive jackpot system to incorporate all slot machines and other casino revenue sources to be part of the progressive jackpot.

1 . A method for establishing a promotional progressive jackpot pool, the method including the steps of:
 providing a first gaming machine usable by a plurality of players, the first gaming machine having a first theoretical hold value;   providing a second gaming machine usable by the plurality of players, the second gaming machine having a second theoretical hold value, the first and second theoretical hold values being different, the promotional progressive jackpot pool being associated with the first and second gaming machines;   allowing a first player to use the first gaming machine and responsively establishing a first incremental value as a function of the first theoretical hold value;   adding the first incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot pool;   allowing a second player to use the first gaming machine and responsively establishing a second incremental value as a function of the second theoretical hold value;   adding the second incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot pool; and,   awarding at least a portion of the promotional progressive jackpot pool to a winning one of the players in response to an occurrence of predetermined promotional progressive jackpot conditions.   
   
   
       2 . A method for establishing a promotional progressive jackpot pool, the method including the steps of:
 providing a first gaming machine usable by a plurality of players, the first gaming machine having a first theoretical hold value;   providing a second gaming machine usable by the plurality of players, the second gaming machine having a second theoretical hold value, the first and second theoretical hold values being different, the promotional progressive jackpot pool being associated with the first and second gaming machines;   allowing a first player to use the first gaming machine and responsively establishing a first incremental value;   adding the first incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot pool;   allowing a second player to use the first gaming machine and responsively establishing a second incremental value; and,   adding the second incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot pool.   
   
   
       3 . A method, as set forth in  claim 2 , including the step of establishing a historical composite value as a function of at least one of wagers, amount won, amount lost and purchases over a period of time. 
   
   
       4 . A method, as set forth in  claim 3 , at least one of the first and second incremental values being a function of the historical composite value. 
   
   
       5 . A method, as set forth in  claim 2 , the first incremental value being a function of the first theoretical hold value and the second incremental value being a function of the second theoretical hold value. 
   
   
       6 . A method, as set forth in  claim 2 , the first incremental value further being a function of a current wager or historical wager information. 
   
   
       7 . A method, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first gaming machine is playable by a player and allows the player to make wagers on a game played via the first gaming machine, the first theoretical hold value being related to a theoretical percentage of the wagers held by the first gaming machine. 
   
   
       8 . A method, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first gaming machine is one of a video slot, video poker machines, video arcade games or slot machines with mechanical reels, virtual gaming machines for online gaming, an interface to a table management system for table games, online bingo, online keno, or other wagering device. 
   
   
       9 . A method, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the second gaming machine is a point of sale terminal, online hotel folios, kiosk devices or any other device connected to the system which is related to a non-wagering revenue generating service or product, the second theoretical hold value being related to a profit of the second gaming machine. 
   
   
       10 . A method, as set forth in  claim 2 , including the step of contributing to the promotional progressive jackpot pool by a plurality of gaming machines. 
   
   
       11 . A method, as set forth in  claim 2 , including the step of awarding at least a portion of the promotional progressive jackpot pool to one of the players when predetermined conditions are met. 
   
   
       12 . A method, as set forth in  claim 11 , including the steps of:
 determining a third incremental value and adding the third incremental value to a hidden pool;   establishing a maximum value for the hidden pool and accumulating the third incremental value until the hidden pool reaches the maximum value; and,   transferring the hidden pool into the progressive jackpot pool after the awarding of the promotional progressive jackpot pool.   
   
   
       13 . A system for establishing an promotional progressive jackpot pool, comprising:
 a first gaming machine usable by a plurality of players, the first gaming machine having a first theoretical hold value;   a second gaming machine usable by the plurality of players, the second gaming machine having a second theoretical hold value, the first and second theoretical hold values being different, the promotional progressive jackpot pool being associated with the first and second gaming machines;   a host computer operatively coupled to the first and second gaming machines for establishing a first incremental value in response to a first player using the first gaming machine and adding the first incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot pool and for establishing a second incremental value in response to a second player using the second gaming machine and adding the second incremental value to the promotional progressive jackpot pool.   
   
   
       14 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , the host computer for establishing a historical composite value as a function of at least one of wagers, amount won, amount lost and purchases over a period of time. 
   
   
       15 . A system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second incremental values being a function of the historical composite value. 
   
   
       16 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , the first incremental value being a function of the first theoretical hold value and the second incremental value being a function of the second theoretical hold value. 
   
   
       17 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , the first incremental value further being a function of a current wager or historical wager information. 
   
   
       18 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the first gaming machine is playable by a player and allows the player to make wagers on a game played via the first gaming machine, the first theoretical hold value being related to a theoretical percentage of the wagers held by the first gaming machine. 
   
   
       19 . A system, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the first gaming machine is one of a video slot, video poker machines, video arcade games or slot machines with mechanical reels, virtual gaming machines for online gaming, an interface to a table management system for table games, online bingo, online keno, or other wagering device. 
   
   
       20 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the second gaming machine is a point of sale terminal, online hotel folios, kiosk devices or any other device connected to the system which is related to a non-wagering revenue generating service or product, the second theoretical hold value being related to a profit of the second gaming machine. 
   
   
       21 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the host computer awards at least a portion of the promotional progressive jackpot pool to one of the players when predetermined conditions are met. 
   
   
       22 . A system, as set forth in  claim 21 , the host computer for determining a third incremental value and adding the third incremental value to a hidden pool,
 establishing a maximum value for the hidden pool and accumulating the third incremental value until the hidden pool reaches the maximum value, and for transferring the hidden pool into the progressive jackpot pool after the awarding of the promotional progressive jackpot pool.