AU2012201434B2 - Slot machine game and system with improved jackpot feature - Google Patents

Abstract

A plurality of electronic gaming machines (10) are connected to a network (11), to which a 5 feature jackpot controller (12) and display means (13) are also connected. Each of the electronic gaming machines (10) are provided with a network interface arranged to provide a signal onto the network (11) on each occurrence of an operation of a respective machine and the jackpot controller (12) is arranged to receive each of the machine operation signals and to increment the value of a random jackpot prize on the occurrence of each of these operation 10 signals. Prior to each game, the gaming machine (10) selects a random number from a range of numbers and during each game, the machine allocates the first n numbers in the range, where n is the number of credits bet by the player in that game. At the end of the game, the randomly selected number is compared with the numbers allocated to the player and if a match occurs the particular machine is switched into a feature game mode in which a jackpot 15 game is played for all or part of the incremental jackpot prize.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Invention Title: SLOT MACHINE GAME AND SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED JACKPOT FEATURE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to us: la Slot machine gane and system. with improved jackpot feature Introduction The present invention relates to apparatus for use with a system of 5 linked poker machines and in particular the apparatus provides an improved jackpot mechanism for use with such a poker machine system. Background of the invention Many schemes have been devised in the past to induce players to play slot machines including schemes such as specifying periods during which 10 jackpot prizes are increased or bonus jackpots paid. Other schemes involve awarding an additional prize to a first player to achieve a predetermined combination on a poker machine. These methods, while effective. add to club overheads because of the need for additional staff to ensure that the scheme is operated smoothly. 15 More recently. with the advent of poker machines linked through electrical networks it has been possible to automatically generate jackpot prizes on the basis of information received from the machines being played which are connected to the system and one such prior art arrangement, commonly known as "Cashcade"'", counts turnover on all machines in the 20 network. increments a prize value in accordance with the turnover and pays the jackpot prize when the count reaches some predetermined and randomly selected number. In a more recent prior art arrangement. each game played on each machine in a gaming system is allocated a randomly selected number and the prize is awarded to a machine when the game number it is 25 allocated matches a preselected random number. In another recent prior art arrangement, the winning machine is selected by randomly selecting a number at a point in time and decreinenting the number as games played on the system are counted until the number is decremented to zero at which time the game (or associated machine) causing 30 the final decrement is awarded the jackpot. With some prior art combination based trigger arrangements there is a serious disadvantage in that the player betting a single token per line, is just as likely to achieve a jackpot as the player playing multiple tokens per line. This has the effect of encouraging players playing for the bonus jackpot to bet 35 in single tokens. rather than betting multiple tokens per game.

2 Jackpot games have traditionally been popular in Casinos. However, in their conventional format these games have inherent limitations: (i) Games which use specific combinations of symbols to trigger jackpots are perceived by many players as being unwinnable. The games are 5 typically designed in such a way that the big jackpots should not be won until large amounts are accumulated. With such low frequency the jackpots are never seen to be won by most players. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many players have learnt to disregard the chance of winning the major jackpots and are realistically playing for the lesser jackpots (ie the minor and 10 mini jackpots). The increasing popularity of small mystery jackpots with higher frequencies of occurrence tends to support this argument; (ii) Due to the increasing demand of players for a more complex and diverse game range, conventional jackpot games with combination triggers have become superseded. However, it is extremely complex to develop a 15 wide variety of combinations which support both a feature game and mathematically exact jackpot triggers; (iii) Typically, it would be expected that the game return (RTP) is independent of the number of coins bet per line. With conventional progressive jackpot games though, increasing the credits bet per line creates a 20 relative disadvantage as far as RTP is concerned. Lets say the start-up amount for a feature jackpot is $10000. A player who is playing 1 credit per line has a chance for $10000 for each credit played, whereas a player playing 5 credits per line only has a chance for $2000 for each credit played. This creates a scale of diminishing returns. The smart player who gambles for the 25 feature jackpot only, will always cover all playlines, but will only bet 1 credit per line because the prize paid for the feature jackpot is the same irrespective of the bet. This is supported by data collected from casinos, (iv) Typical combination triggered progressive jackpots have fixed hit rates which removes from the operator's control the ability to vary jackpot 30 frequency. These arrangements have been in use in the State of New South Wales and in other jurisdictions for a considerable period of time, however, as with other aspects of slot machine games, players become bored with such arrangements and new and more innovative schemes become necessary in 35 order to stimulate player interest.

3 In this specification, the term "combinations" will be used to refer to the mathematical definition of a particular game. That is to say, the combinations of a game are the probabilities of each possible outcome for that game. 5 Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine arranged to facilitate a play of a first game in which a player can wager an 10 amount of credits on an outcome of the first game, the gaming machine also being arranged to detect a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is an expected turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of is the trigger event, the gaming machine being further arranged such that in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event a second game can be played, the second game being arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding a prize relative to the first game, the second game being further arranged to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded based on an outcome of the second game. 20 In one embodiment, the at least one of the jackpot prizes is incremented based on the amount of credits. In one embodiment, the outcome of the second game is one of a plurality of outcomes for the second game, each of the second game outcomes being associated with a unique one of the separate jackpot prizes. 25 In one embodiment, the gaming machine is arranged such that as a consequence of identifying the one of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded the gaming machines enters a locked state in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented. In one embodiment, the gaming machine is arranged such that the occurrence of 30 the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the 35 selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the game controller detects the 3209117_1 (GHMaters) P88074.AU5 9/03/12 4 occurrence of the trigger event. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising: facilitating a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of 5 credits on an outcome of the first game; detecting a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is an expected turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent io consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event; and in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event, facilitating a play of a second game, the second game being arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding a prize relative to the first game, the second game being further arranged to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded based on is an outcome of the second game. Where used in the present specification, the term "console" is used to indicate a gaming machine, a gaming terminal or other device arranged to be connected to a communications system and to provide a user gaming interface. In the following description, examples are given which are applicable to traditional slot machines. 20 However the invention should be taken to include gaming systems which include user interfaces other than traditional slot machines. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine arranged to facilitate a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game, the gaming machine also being 25 arranged to detect a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event, the gaming machine being further arranged such that in 30 response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event a second game can be played,, the second game being arranged to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded based on an outcome of the second game, wherein the jackpot prizes are maintained by a jackpot controller that is remote to the gaming machine, the gaming machine being arranged to send the jackpot controller data via a data network, the 35 jackpot controller being arrange to increment at least one of the jackpot prizes in response to receiving the data via the data network. 3248558_1 (GHMatters) P88074.AU.5 27103/12 5 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising: facilitating a play of a first game on the gaming machine in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game; 5 detecting a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event; and 10 in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event, facilitating a play of a second game, the second game being arranged to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded based on an outcome of the second game, wherein the jackpot prizes are maintained by a jackpot controller that is remote to the gaming machine, the gaming machine being arranged to send the jackpot controller data is via a data network, the jackpot controller being arrange to increment at least one of the jackpot prizes in response to receiving the data via the data network. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine arranged to facilitate a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game, the gaming machine also being 20 arranged to detect a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event, the gaming machine being further arranged such that in 25 response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event a second game can be played, the second game being arranged to identify a prize to be awarded, the gaming machine being arranged to cooperate with a prize controller, which is remote to the gaming machine, via a data network to facilitate awarding of the prize. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method 30 for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising: facilitating a play of a first game on the gaming machine in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game; detecting a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of 35 credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event; and 3248558_1 (GHMatters) P88074.AU.5 27103/12 Sa in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event, facilitating a play of a second game, the second game being arranged to identify a prize to be awarded, the gaming machine being arranged to cooperate with a prize controller, s which is remote to the gaming machine, via a data network to facilitate awarding of the prize. Brief description of the drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with io reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a network of electronic gaming machines to which a mystery jackpot controller according to the present invention is connected; Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a game arrangement according to the invention; and is Figure 3 shows an example of a 5 reel by 3 row window display. 36942481 (GHMaters) P8074.ALL5 6 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a new jackpot trigger mechanism provides the Casino operator with a far higher degree of flexibility. Unlike conventional combination triggered jackpots. the jackpots 5 here are won from a feature game. The feature game is triggered randomly as a function of credits bet per game. When a feature is triggered. a feature game appears. Each jackpot can only be won from this feature game. During the feature game a second set of reel strips appears and a "spin and hold" feature game commences. The feature prize score is calculated by the total 10 of the points appearing on the centre line of all 5 reels. Feature jackpots in this format exhibit significant differences over previous jackpot systems: (i) A jackpot game is provided which is compatible with any existing game combination within an installation independent of the platform. 15 denomination or type of game (eg. slot machines. cards. keno. bingo or pachinko). This will allow for the linking of combinations between game type, platform type and denomination. Using this system. jackpot games can now be developed using specific combinations for the base game which were previously unsuitable for Link Progressive Systems. These gaies will 20 compete with the appeal of the latest games on the market. (ii) There is no longer a need to develop mathematically exact combinations in the base game. (iii) Unlike the multiplier game in combination triggered jackpot embodiments. the present invention provides a direct relationship between 25 the number of credits bet and the probability of winning the jackpot feature game on any one bought game. Betting 10 credits per line will produce ten times as many hits into the feature game than betting 1 credit per line. This is achieved by using a jackpot trigger which is directly related to the wager bet on a respective game and the turnover. instead of using conventional 30 combination triggers. (iv) Jackpot hit rates can now be changed without making changes to the base game. This was previously not possible using combination triggered jackpots. (v) The jackpot feature system can be used across a wide-area 35 network (WAN), local-area-network (LAN). used as a stand-alone game 7 independent of a network or used with a mystery jackpot. Flexibility is available to change combinations at will. Referring to Figure 1 a plurality of electronic gaining consoles 10 are connected to a network 11, to which a feature jackpot controller 12 and 5 display means 13 are also connected. Each of the electronic gaming consoles 10 are provided with a network interface arranged to provide a signal onto the network 11 on each occurrence of an operation of a respective console and the jackpot controller 12 is arranged to receive each of the console operation signals and to 10 increment the value of a random jackpot prize on the occurrence of each of these operation signals. A flow chart for a prize awarding algorithm is illustrated in Figure 2. Referring to the algorithm of Figure 2. machine contributions go into the prize pool as with known prior art jackpot systems. while the overhead 15 display shows the incrementing prize value. In the EGM. an average value of machine turnover between jackpot hits. is programmed and is used to randomly generate trigger data for the jackpot feature games. In step 20 of the algorithm of Figure 2. the actual number range and therefore probability of a feature jackpot game being 20 awarded will depend upon the value of a credit in the particular machine and is calculated by dividing the turnover value by the value of a credit (eg., $5000/$0.05 = 100.000). The average turnover value is fixed for the EGMs and the random number generator is initialised (see step 20) at startup to generate numbers from the preprogrammed range determined from that 25 value. For every game that is played. a random trigger value is selected (see step 21) in the preprogrammed range as determined from the average turnover value. When the game is commenced. it is then reported (see step 22) to the controller. which allocates a contribution to the prize pool. Each 30 game is also allotted (see step 23) numbers from the same number range that from which the random number was selected, one number in the range being allotted for each credit bet such that the player's probability of being awarded a jackpot feature game is proportional to the bet. The previously selected random number is then used as a trigger value 35 and compared with the values allotted to the player, if there is a match (see step 24) between the trigger value and the player values, the player is given 8 an opportunity to play a jackpot feature game (see step 25). Alternatively, at step 23, a number is allocated which is equal to. or proportional to the number of credits bet in the respective game and in step 24. the trigger value is compared with the single player value and a jackpot feature awarded if the 5 trigger value is less than or equal to the player value. It will be appreciated that this alternative arrangement is mathematically equivalent to the previously described arrangement, the range of numbers below the allotted number in the alternative arrangement being equivalent to the set of allotted numbers in the previously described arrangement. 10 In the preferred embodiment, a prize is always awarded in the jackpot feature game. the feature game being used to determine the size of the prize to be awarded (see step 27). The winning machine is then locked up (see step 28) and the controller awaits an indication that the prize has been paid before allowing the machine to be unlocked (see step 29). In some 15 embodiments. the machine will not be locked up in steps 28 and 19. but instead the prize will simply be paid and the program will return to step 21. The machine then returns to step (see step 21) and commences a new game. If the trigger value does not match (see step 27) then there is no feature game awarded for that bought game and the machine returns to step (see step 22) 20 and waits for the next game to commence. By way of example. a feature game might be triggered by an EGM every $5000 of turnover played. which is equivalent to 100.000 credits on a $0.05 machine. This is referred to as the jackpot feature game hit rate in credits. A random number is generated within a prescribed range of numbers at the 25 EGM at the commencement of each bought game. The prescribed range of numbers is determined by the jackpot feature game hit rate which has been determined previously. from typical values of casino turnover, expected jackpot amounts and jackpot frequencies. The prescribed range in this example is therefore 1 to 100.000 and before the commencement of each 30 bought game a random number is generated within this range. A bet of 20 credits will result in the numbers between I and 20 (inclusive) being allotted to the game (note that statistically it does not matter if the numbers are randomly selected or not or allotted as a block or scattered. the probability of a feature game being awarded is unchanged). If 35 the number 7 is produced by the random number generator. then the feature game will be triggered. If any number between 21 and 100,000 is produced 9 by the random number generator, the feature game will not be triggered. Similarly, a bet of 200 credits will result in the numbers between 1 and 200 (inclusive) being allotted to the game. If any number between 1 and 200 is produced by the random number generator. thent the feature game will be 5 triggered. If any number between 201 and 100.000 is produced by the random number generator. the feature game will not be triggered. The example below has been developed using example turnover data. A trigger of the second screen feature game is expected every $5000 of turnover (ie. 100000 credits on a $0.05 machine). Increasing the number of 10 credits bet increases the chance of triggering the feature on any bought game. Number of Rouge numbers Games to hit Bet/game Turnover of EGNI since last hit credits bet assigned 1S 1 1 to 1 100000 $0.05 $5000 2 1 to 2 50000 $0.10 $5000 3 1 to 3 33333.33 $0.15 $5000 5 1 to 5 20000 $0.25 $5000 10 1 to 10 10000 $0.50 $5000 15 1 to 15 6666.66 $0.75 $5000 20 1 to 20 5000 $1.00 $5000 25 1 to 25 4000 $1.25 $5000 30 1 to 30 3333.33 $1.50 $5000 40 1 to 40 2500 $2.00 $5000 45 1 to 45 2222.22 $2.25 $5000 50 Ito 50 2000 $2.50 $5000 60 Ito 60 1666.60 $3.00 $5000 75 1 to 75 1333.33 $3.75 $5000 100 1 to 100 1000 $5.00 $5000 150 1 to 150 666.66 $7.50 $5000 200 1 to 200 500 $10.00 $5000 Preferably, when a jackpot feature game is triggered. all players are alerted by a jackpot bell that a possible grand jackpot is about to be played 15 for. This is done so that all players share in the experience of a jackpot win. Anecdotal evidence of players watching feature games being played in 10 Australian casinos suggests that the drawing power of such games is immense. Players are alerted by the jackpot bell instantaneously at any point during a game. but the feature game will not appear until the current game 5 (including base game features) are completed. In this embodiment the feature game appears with the new reel strips already spinning and accompanying feature game tunes playing. The player stops the reels spinning by pressing the corresponding playline buttons in order. The feature prize score is calculated by the total of the points 10 appearing on the centre line of all 5 reels. Across the top of the screen. a sum of the scores is displayed. The 4 feature prize meters in descending order of value are: (i) Grand Feattire Prizc. A score of Z 100 wins the grand feature jackpot: (ii) Major Feature Prize. A score of 90-99 (inclusive) wins the major feature 15 jackpot: (iii) Minor Feature Prize. A score of 80-89 (inclusive) wins the minor feature jackpot: (iv) Mini Feature Prize. A score of S 79 wins the mini feature jackpot. By way of example. referring to Figure 3. a 5 reel by 3 row window is 20 displayed. If the reels of the feature game stop on the numbers shown in Figure 3. then the progressive jackpot won is the sum of the numbers on the centre line ie, 12+10+ 18+13+22 = 75 which is within the range for the mini feature jackpot. The instant the feature game is completed and the sum of scores from 25 all 5 reels is shown. the feature jackpot screen and signs display which jackpot has been won. This celebration of the jackpot win is conducted in a traditional manner (i.e. flashing displays. jackpot alarms. music etc). As the time between jackpot game awards is related to turnover, the number of jackpot games played by a player between feature games and 30 hence their chance of winning is directly related to the size of each bet on each game played. (1) All machines on the link have a feature game. be it a second screen animation game or a second set of reel strips. (2) The link has a number of feature jackpot meters (up to 8). All feature 35 jackpots may be linked.

11 (3) The feature game is activated as a function of machine turnover. This means that on average the feature game will occur one in. for example every $5000.00. There are a number of advantages of activating the feature game on turnover. For example. it enables for the first time, a relatively simple 5 mechanism for allowing mixed denomination on a link. The feature game gives the player the chance of winning one of the available feature jackpots if a certain outcome appears. For example. a new set of reel strips might appear with only 2 or 4 different symbols: Jackpot 1. Jackpot 2. or (Jackpot 1, Jackpot 2. Jackpot 3. Jackpot 4). The first time 5 of the same appear on the 10 centre line the stated feature jackpot is won. (4) Another advantage of using a random trigger for a feature game. is that it can be applied to anv game. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in 15 the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are. therefore. to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (34)

1. A gaming machine arranged to facilitate a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game, the gaming machine also being arranged to detect a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is an expected turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event, the gaming machine being further arranged such that in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event a second game can be played, the second game being arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding a prize relative to the first game, the second game being further arranged to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded based on an outcome of the second game.

2. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the jackpot prizes is incremented based on the amount of credits.

3. The gaming machine as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the outcome of the second game is one of a plurality of outcomes for the second game, each of the second game outcomes being associated with a unique one of the separate jackpot prizes.

4. The game machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gaming machine is arranged such that as a consequence of identifying the one of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded the gaming machines enters a locked state in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented.

5. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the game controller detects the occurrence of the trigger event. 3248558_1 (GHMatters) P88074.AU.5 27103/12 13

6. A method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising: facilitating a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game; detecting a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is an expected turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event; and in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event, facilitating a play of a second game, the second game being arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding a prize relative to the first game, the second game being further arranged to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded based on an outcome of the second game.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of the jackpot prizes is incremented based on the amount of credits.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 to 7, wherein the outcome of the second game is one of a plurality of outcomes for the second game, each of the second game outcomes being associated with a unique one of the separate jackpot prizes.

9. The method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the gaming machine is arranged such that as a consequence of identifying the one of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded the gaming machines enters a locked state in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented.

10. The method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the game controller detects the occurrence of the trigger event.

11. A gaming machine arranged to facilitate a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game, the gaming 32485581 (GHMatter) P88074 AU.S 27/03/12 14 machine also being arranged to detect a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event, the gaming machine being further arranged such that in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event a second game can be played,, the second game being arranged to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded based on an outcome of the second game, wherein the jackpot prizes are maintained by a jackpot controller that is remote to the gaming machine, the gaming machine being arranged to send the jackpot controller data via a data network, the jackpot controller being arrange to increment at least one of the jackpot prizes in response to receiving the data via the data network.

12. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second game is arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding a prize relative to the first game.

13. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one of the jackpot prizes is incremented based on the amount of credits.

14. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the outcome of the second game is one of a plurality of outcomes for the second game, each of the second game outcomes being associated with a unique one of the separate jackpot prizes.

15. The game machine as claimed in any one of claims II to 14, wherein the gaming machine is arranged such that as a consequence of identifying the one of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded the gaming machines enters a locked state in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented.

16. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the game 3248558_1 (GHMatters) P88074.AU.5 27/03112 15 controller detects the occurrence of the trigger event.

17. A method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising: facilitating a play of a first game on the gaming machine in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game; detecting a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event; and in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event, facilitating a play of a second game, the second game being arranged to identify one of a plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded based on an outcome of the second game, wherein the jackpot prizes are maintained by a jackpot controller that is remote to the gaming machine, the gaming machine being arranged to send the jackpot controller data via a data network, the jackpot controller being arrange to increment at least one of the jackpot prizes in response to receiving the data via the data network.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second game is arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding a prize relative to the first game.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein at least one of the jackpot prizes is incremented based on the amount of credits.

20. The method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the outcome of the second game is one of a plurality of outcomes for the second game, each of the second game outcomes being associated with a unique one of the separate jackpot prizes.

21. The method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the gaming machine is arranged such that as a consequence of identifying the one of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes to be awarded the gaming machines enters a locked state in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented.

22. The method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover 3248558_1 (GHMatters) P88074.AU.5 27103/12 16 value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the game controller detects the occurrence of the trigger event.

23. A gaming machine arranged to facilitate a play of a first game in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game, the gaming machine also being arranged to detect a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event, the gaming machine being further arranged such that in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event a second game can be played, the second game being arranged to identify a prize to be awarded, the gaming machine being arranged to cooperate with a prize controller, which is remote to the gaming machine, via a data network to facilitate awarding of the prize.

24. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 23, wherein the second game is arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding the prize relative to the first game.

25. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the prize comprises a jackpot prize.

26. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the second game comprises a plurality of outcomes, wherein at least one of the outcomes is used for awarding the prize.

27. The game machine as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the gaming machine is arranged such that it enters a locked state, in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented, in response to the prize being awarded.

28. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined 3248558_1 (GHMauxers) P88074.AU.5 27/03/12 17 turnover value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the gaming machine detects the occurrence of the trigger event.

29. A method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising: facilitating a play of a first game on the gaming machine in which a player can wager an amount of credits on an outcome of the first game; detecting a trigger event that can occur as a result of the play of the first game, the trigger event is based on a predefined turnover value and the amount of credits, the predefined turnover value is based on at least a turnover of the gaming machine between a first occurrence of the trigger event and a subsequent consecutive second occurrence of the trigger event; and in response to detecting an occurrence of the trigger event, facilitating a play of a second game, the second game being arranged to identify a prize to be awarded, the gaming machine being arranged to cooperate with a prize controller, which is remote to the gaming machine, via a data network to facilitate awarding of the prize.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the second game is arranged such that it has a greater probability of awarding the prize relative to the first game.

31. The method as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the prize comprises a jackpot prize.

32. The method as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 31, wherein the second game comprises a plurality of outcomes, wherein at least one of the outcomes is used for awarding the prize.

33. The method as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the gaming machine is arranged such that it enters a locked state, in which further play of the gaming machine is prevented, in response to the prize being awarded.

34. The method as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein the occurrence of the trigger event is based on: selecting a number from a predetermined range of numbers, the predetermined range of numbers being based on the predefined turnover 3248558_1 (GHMatters) P88074.AU.5 27/03/12 Is value; and selecting a set of numbers from the predetermined range of numbers, wherein the size of the selected set of numbers is based on the amount of credits, wherein if the number selected from the predetermined range of numbers and the selected set of numbers meet a predefined criterion the gaming machine detects the occurrence of the trigger event. .36424.1 (OHMalers) P86074.AU.5