System and method for controlling online awards activity

Abstract

A system and method for controlling awards for gaming activity is provided. The system includes a computer that receives an activation code and a notification that a particular game has been accessed. In response, the system validates the activation code and an activated award. The effect of the activation varies between examples and may include such effects as making a game payout accessible to the activator, increasing a payout of a game or altering game play.

1 . A system for controlling awards, the system comprising a memory and at least one processor and being configured to:
 receive an indication that a first player has accessed an online game;   receive an activation code; and   provide, responsive to receipt the activation code, an activated award to the first player.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide an interface after play of the online game and configured to receive the activation code via the interface. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation code indicates a channel through which the activation code was distributed. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide other activated awards responsive to receipts of the activation code up to a predetermined number of receipts. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to:
 receive an indication that a second player has accessed the online game;   receive the activation code; and   provide, responsive to receipt the activation code, another activated award to the second player.   
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to modify, responsive to receipt of the activation code, a parameter of the game affecting game play. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to provide the activated award by modifying an amount of an award. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the activation code indicates a multiplier and the system is configured to provide the activated award by multiplying an amount of an award by the multiplier. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the multiplier is determined based on the activation code and criteria associated with the first player. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the criteria indicates a category of player in which the first player is classified. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to determine an award using a random number generator. 
     
     
         12 . A computer-implemented method for controlling awards, the method comprising:
 receiving an indication that a first player has accessed an online game;   receiving an activation code; and   providing, responsive to receipt the activation code, an activated award to the first player.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing an interface after play of the online game; and   receiving the activation code via the interface.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein receiving the activation code includes receiving an activation code that indicates a channel through which the activation code was distributed. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising providing other activated awards responsive to receipts of the activation code up to a predetermined number of receipts. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving an indication that a second player has accessed the online game;   receiving the activation code; and   providing, responsive to receipt the activation code, another activated award to the second player.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising modifying, responsive to receipt of the activation code, a parameter of the game affecting game play. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein providing the activated award includes modifying an amount of an award. 
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon that, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a method for controlling awards, the method comprising:
 receiving an indication that a first player has accessed an online game;   receiving an activation code; and   providing, responsive to receipt the activation code, an activated award to the first player.   
     
     
         20 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 19 , wherein the instructions further instruct the computer to perform acts of:
 providing an interface after play of the online game; and   receiving the activation code via the interface.