Gaming system and method of gaming

Abstract

A method of awarding a jackpot prize to a gaming device which contributes a percentage of turn-over to a jackpot prize pool comprises setting an accumulated turn-over trigger value for the gaming device, the accumulated turn-over trigger value set based on a jackpot prize pool trigger value which is, at least in part, randomly selected. Responsive to determining that the accumulated turn-over trigger value has been reached, the method further comprises awarding a prize to the gaming device.

1 . A prize triggering method comprising:
 generating a random prize trigger for a gaming device, the prize trigger independent of a game outcome of the gaming device; and   responsive to determining that the prize trigger has occurred, awarding a prize from a prize pool.   
   
   
       2 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the prize trigger is a set accumulated turn-over value for the gaming device. 
   
   
       3 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the gaming device contributes a percentage of turn-over to the prize pool. 
   
   
       4 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the accumulated turn-over value is set based on both a prize pool trigger value which is, at least in part, randomly determined, and the percentage contribution towards the prize pool. 
   
   
       5 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the prize pool trigger value falls within a range based on a required return to player (RTP) for the gaming device. 
   
   
       6 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the range and current prize pool value is advertised to a player of the gaming device. 
   
   
       7 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the prize value is proportional to a value of the prize pool, upon triggering of the prize. 
   
   
       8 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein a prize pool controller separate of the gaming device determines the proportion and wherein data indicative of the proportion is communicated to the game device to allow the prize to be awarded. 
   
   
       9 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the proportion is dependent on at least one of a number of gaming devices contributing toward the prize pool, current wager amount of the gaming device, current prize pool value, and total contributions made by the gaming device towards the prize pool. 
   
   
       10 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein, upon reaching the set accumulated turn-over value, the gaming device communicates with a prize pool controller which maintains the prize pool to determine the prize amount. 
   
   
       11 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the prize pool controller is separate to the gaming device. 
   
   
       12 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the step of awarding the prize comprising initiating a feature game, a maximum prize awardable in the feature game having a value corresponding to a total value of the prize pool. 
   
   
       13 . A method of awarding a jackpot prize to a gaming device which contributes a percentage of turn-over to a jackpot prize pool, the method comprising the steps of:
 setting an accumulated turn-over trigger value for the gaming device, the accumulated turn-over trigger value set based on a jackpot prize pool trigger value which is, at least in part, randomly selected; and   responsive to determining that the accumulated turn-over trigger value has been reached, awarding a prize to the gaming device.   
   
   
       14 . A method of awarding a jackpot prize in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the accumulated turn-over trigger value is additionally dependent on the percentage of turn-over contributed to the jackpot prize pool. 
   
   
       15 . A method of awarding a jackpot prize in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the prize is jackpot prize having a value which is proportional to the prize pool value. 
   
   
       16 . A method of awarding a jackpot prize in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the prize is a feature game having a maximum prize value which corresponds to the prize pool value. 
   
   
       17 . A game controller for a gaming device, the game controller operable to:
 set a prize trigger for the gaming device, the prize trigger independent of a game outcome of the gaming device;   instruct a prize to be awarded responsive to determining that the trigger has occurred, the prize being awarded from a prize pool maintained by a prize pool controller.   
   
   
       18 . A game controller in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the prize trigger is a set accumulated turn-over value of the gaming device. 
   
   
       19 . A game controller in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the gaming device contributes a percentage of turn-over to the prize pool. 
   
   
       20 . A game controller in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the accumulated turn-over value is set based on both a randomly determined prize pool trigger value and the percentage contribution towards the prize pool. 
   
   
       21 . A game controller in accordance with  claim 20 , further comprising a random number generator arranged to randomly select the prize pool trigger value such that the trigger value falls within a range based on a required return to player (RTP) for the gaming device. 
   
   
       22 . A game controller in accordance with  claim 21 , further comprising a display module arranged to display on a display screen, associated with the gaming device, at least one of the range and current prize pool value. 
   
   
       23 . A game controller in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising a communications module arranged to request a payout prize value from the prize pool controller responsive to the trigger being detected. 
   
   
       24 . A prize pool controller arranged to communicate with one or more game controllers as claimed in  claim 17 , the controller comprising an award module arranged to determine a prize value upon receiving a trigger signal from one of the gaming devices and communicate the prize value to the corresponding gaming device. 
   
   
       25 . A gaming system comprising:
 at least one gaming device implementing a game controller in accordance with  claim 17 ; and   a prize pool controller arranged to maintain a prize pool.   
   
   
       26 . A gaming system in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the prize pool controller implements an award module as claimed in  claim 24 . 
   
   
       27 . A gaming system in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the controller implements a separate prize pool for each of the least one gaming devices. 
   
   
       28 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising executing a computer program code with a processor. 
   
   
       29 . A prize triggering method in accordance with  claim 28 , further comprising storing said computer program code in a tangible computer readable medium.