Techniques for generating a random awards using a plurality of average values

Abstract

A method of providing a game for a gaming device is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of average values. Average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool. A wager amount and an input to initiate game play are received. An average value is selected from the plurality of average values and a random award is determined from the prize pool. The random award is determined from the average value selected from the plurality of average values.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a game, the method comprising:
 providing, by a computing device, a plurality of average values, wherein average values in the plurality of average values represent different values;   randomly selecting, by the computing device, over multiple occurrences, one of the average values from the plurality of average values, wherein the plurality of average values are different;   randomly generating, by the computing device, random awards for the game using the selected one of the average values, wherein the random awards vary in value over the multiple occurrences when generated, wherein random awards generated using a same average value vary within a minimum value and a maximum value; and   awarding, by the computing device, at least one of the generated random awards for the game over the multiple occurrences.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising playing the game in which a game outcome is received, wherein the awarding at least one of the generated random awards is awarded without regard to the game outcome received. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the generated random awards is awarded after multiple game plays for the game are played. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, for the multiple occurrences, that one or more players are eligible for a random award based on one or more criteria occurring, wherein at least one player in the one or more players is eligible for the random award for each occurrence. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein determining that one or more players are eligible comprises:
 randomly selecting a player from the one or more players that are eligible; and   determining an event that occurs to trigger awarding of a random award,   wherein randomly generating comprises randomly generating the random award using the selected average value when the event occurs, and   wherein awarding comprises awarding the generated random award to the player.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising notifying the player of the awarding of the generated random award. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more eligible players are provided an opportunity to win one of the generated random awards. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising contributing to a prize pool a percentage of coin-in or non-gaming revenues, wherein the random awards are generated from the prize pool. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein contributing comprises contributing to the prize pool at a rate based on time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein contributing comprises contributing a predetermined percentage of promotional allowances from two promotional departments of a casino entity. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein contributions to the prize pool comprise the predetermined percentage of the promotional allowances in addition to a second predetermined percentage from coin-in. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a number of times an eligible player is selected for a random award in the random awards is based on the predetermined percentage of the promotional allowances and the second predetermined percentage from coin-in. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more players are playing games with different pay tables are eligible for the random awards, the method further comprising:
 storing information for each game being played such that generated random awards from a prize pool for a first pay table equals a first average value and generated random awards from the prize pool for a second pay table equals a second average value.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the random awards from the games with different pay tables are generated from the same prize pool.