AU2015202436A1 - Residual credits in a gaming system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of wagering a residual credit of a gaming machine 5 to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine having at least one processor, the method comprising determining, by the at 10 least one processor, a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value, said range of random numbers having an upper limit derived from the wager value, determining, by the at least one processor, at least one winnable outcome value dependent on the value of the 15 residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, the number of winnable outcome values including an outcome upper limit derived from the residual credit value, randomly generating a random number generator, an outcome from the range of random numbers, comparing, by the at 20 least one processor, the generated outcome in relation to the winnable outcome value, and awarding the wager with the gaming machine if the generated outcome relationally matches any of the winnable outcome values. 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 700 Initialise residual credit bet process 702 Obtain wager value 704 Determine RNG upper limit 706 Determine range of outcomes that result in a wage being awarded 708 Generate the outcome 71 Is the outcome a win? Award wager 715 Carry out game with awarded wager ,/,717 716-< Win? Award prize 714 Terminate residual credit bet saver process

Description

1 2015202436 06 May 2015

RESIDUAL CREDITS IN A GAMING MACHINE

Field 5 This invention relates to a gaming machine and a method of wagering residual credits in a gaming machine.

Background 10 Where gaming systems and more particularly gaming machines dispense a unit of monetary value that is more than the present residual credit on the machine owing to the player, there is no method or system to enable that player to acquire a monetary value equivalent to the credit at 15 the gaming machine. In such situations the player may have decided to stop playing on a particular machine and has a residual amount of credit that is unable to be dispensed to the player at the gaming machine. 20 There is a need for an alternative gaming machine.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of 25 wagering a residual credit of a gaming machine to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine having at least one processor, 30 the method comprising: determining, by the at least one processor, a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value, said range of random numbers having an upper limit derived from the wager value; 35 determining, by the at least one processor, at least one winnable outcome value dependent on the value of the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 2 2015202436 06 May 2015 the number of winnable outcome values including an outcome upper limit derived from the residual credit value; randomly generating a random number generator, an outcome from the range of random numbers; 5 comparing, by the at least one processor, the generated outcome in relation to the winnable outcome value; and awarding the wager with the gaming machine if the generated outcome relationally matches any of the winnable 10 outcome values.

In an embodiment, the number of winnable outcome values are sequential. 15 In an embodiment, the method comprises carrying out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and making an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager. 20 In a second aspect, the invention provides a gaming machine for wagering residual credits of the gaming machine to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by 25 the gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising: a controller configured to: determine a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value; determine at least one winnable outcome value 30 based on the value of the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, by deriving a number of winnable outcome values from the residual credit value, and determine an upper limit for the range of random numbers, the upper limit being derived from the wager 35 value; a random number generator configured to generate a random outcome within the range of random numbers; and 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 3 2015202436 06 May 2015 wherein the controller compares the generated random outcome in relation to the at least one winnable outcome value, and awards the wager from the gaming machine if the generated random outcome relationally 5 matches any of the winnable outcome values.

In an embodiment, the number of winnable outcome values are sequential. 10 In an embodiment, the gaming system is configured to carry out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and make an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager. 15 In a third aspect, the invention provides a method of wagering a residual credit of a gaming machine to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming 20 machine, the gaming machine having at least one processor, the method comprising: determining, by the at least one processor, a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value, said range of random numbers having an upper limit derived 25 from the wager value; determining, by the at least one processor, a winning range of said range of random numbers dependent on the value of the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, the winning range including an winning 30 range upper limit derived from the residual credit value; randomly generating, by a random number generator, an outcome from the range of random numbers; comparing, by the at least one processor, the generated outcome in relation to the winning range; and 35 awarding the wager with the gaming machine if the generated outcome relationally matches the winning range. 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 4 2015202436 06 May 2015

In an embodiment, the method comprises carrying out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and making an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager. 5

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a gaming machine for wagering residual credits to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held by the gaming 10 machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising: a controller configured to: determine a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value, said range of random numbers 15 having an upper limit derived from the wager value, and determine a winning range of said range of random numbers dependent on the value of the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, the winning range including an winning range upper limit derived from 20 the residual credit value; a random number generator configured to generate a random outcome within the range of random numbers; and wherein the controller compares the generated random outcome in relation to the winning range, and 25 awards the wager with the gaming machine if the generated random outcome relationally matches the winning range.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to carry out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and 30 make an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a method of wagering a residual credit of a gaming machine to win a 35 wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 5 2015202436 06 May 2015 machine, the gaming machine having at least one processor, the method comprising: determining, by the at least one processor, a percentage chance that the residual credit indispensable 5 by the gaming machine will result in a win from the wager value and the residual credit value; randomly generating, by a random number generator, a random number; comparing, by the at least one processor, the 10 generated random number to the percentage chance to win; and awarding the wager with the gaming machine if the generated random number is less than or equal to the percentage chance to win. 15

In an embodiment, the method comprises carrying out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and making an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager. 20

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a gaming machine for wagering residual credits to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held by the gaming machine and 25 is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising: a controller configured to determine a percentage chance that the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine will result in a win from the wager value 30 and the residual credit value; and a random number generator configured to generate a random number; and wherein the controller compares the generated random number in relation to the percentage chance to win, 35 and awards the wager with the gaming machine if the generated random number is less than or equal to the percentage chance to win. 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 6 2015202436 06 May 2015

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to carry out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and make an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the 5 game based on the wager.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be 10 described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; 15

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a standalone gaming machine;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components 20 of a gaming machine;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; 25 Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system;

Figure 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system; 30 Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing processes involved in determining whether to award a wager in an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 8 is a screen shot of a user interface. 35

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 7 2015202436 06 May 2015

In embodiments of the inventions gaming machines are provided with additional functionality in order to allow players to risk residual credits to obtain a wager to 5 place on a play of a game with the gaming machine.

Residual credits are those where a particular gaming system or gaming machine is unable to dispense units of monetary value equivalent to the residual credit. In return for the risk of the residual credits, the player is 10 given the chance to win a prize in line with the wager, which may be of some significance, such as a jackpot pool.

In prior art machines, a player that completes has credits remaining within a gaming machine which are insufficient 15 to collect at the gaming machine as cash will often play out the remaining or residual credit. In prior art machines, in order to do so, the player often has to stop playing the player's desired wager because the residual credit is insufficient to fund the player's desired wager. 20 In the present invention the player can select a residual credit redemption feature, referred to as a Bet Saver feature which activates a best saver function within the gaming machine that determine whether the residual credits will be converted to a wager which the player desires to 25 make. In an embodiment, the residual stake of the player calculated as a percentage of the possible wager. This is the percentage chance that the residual stake results in winning the wager. A random number is then generated and if this number is less than or equal to the percentage 30 chance to win then the wager is awarded to the player and a play of the game is initiated using the awarded wager.

General construction of gaming system 35 The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a standalone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 8 2015202436 06 May 2015 the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing 5 the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a "thick client" architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable 10 gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a "thin client" architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible 15 and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided 20 wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in standalone gaming machine mode, "thick client" mode or "thin client" mode depending 25 on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system has several 30 core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in Figure 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the 35 input/output components required for the player to enter instructions to play the game and observe the game outcomes . 6421422J (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 9 2015202436 06 May 2015

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits 5 and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, a game play mechanism 56 including one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place a wager), and one or more speakers 58. 10 The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play rules are stored as 15 program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired.

Herein the term "processor" is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device 20 or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. That is a processor may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions stored in memory and generating outputs (for example on 25 the display). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also know to provide a specific purpose processor using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate 30 array (FPGA) . A gaming system in the form of a standalone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are 35 displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 10 2015202436 06 May 2015 interact with the gaining machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input 5 mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. Other gaming machines may configure for ticket in such that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face 10 value of the ticket. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any 15 other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits stored on the player tracking device or by transferring 20 credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module. A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other 25 information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10. As described above there is a 30 lower limit on the value of cash which can be dispensed via the coin tray, leading to residual credits.

The display 14 shown in Figure 2 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen 35 device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 11 2015202436 06 May 2015 electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type. 5

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of Figure 2. 10 The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102 mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. Typically, the 15 gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and nonvolatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103. 20 The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the 25 peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons 30 skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game 35 controller 101 including one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107 (which provide a game play mechanism), a card and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 12 2015202436 06 May 2015 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific 5 implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used. For example, in some gaming 10 machines a mechanical handle is used to initiate a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that a touch screen can be used to emulate other input devices, for example, a touch screen can display virtual buttons which a player can "press" by touching the screen 15 where they are displayed.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, for example, send status 20 information, accounting information or other information to a bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, 25 communications over a network may be via player marketing module - i.e. the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine. 30 Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The 35 EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 13 2015202436 06 May 2015 integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere. 5 It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101. 10 Figure 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in Figure 5, are connected to the 15 network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in Figures 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming 20 machines are illustrated in Figure 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. For example, the displays 204 may be 25 associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 30

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and 35 the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 14 2015202436 06 May 2015 and associated data for downloading or access by the gaining devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaining system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to perform 5 accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming 10 machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and 15 return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. Other client/server 20 configurations are possible, and further details of a client/server architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 25 Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 30 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate 35 network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211. 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 15 2015202436 06 May 2015

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements 5 may be run as a single "engine" on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art 10 will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals . 15 Further detail of gaming system and method

Referring to Figure 7 at step 700, the bet saver function is initialized. For example by the game controller of the gaming system determining that 1) there is residual 20 credit, and 2) that the balance of the residual credit is less than the value of a last wager made by the player.

At step 702 a wager value is obtained as described in further detail below. In an embodiment, at step 704 an upper limit of a random number generator range is 25 determined whereby the limit of the range is equivalent to the wager. The process moves to step 706 where a determination is made of the range of outcomes that would result in awarding the wager. Thus, in the embodiment, the winning range upper limit equals the residual credit. 30 The process then moves to step 708 where an outcome is generated from the random number generator 621 and a decision is made at step 710 as to whether the outcome has resulted in a win of the wager. In other words, if the outcome is a value between 1 and the winning range upper 35 limit, then a wager is awarded at step 712. A game is then played by the gaming system 715 using the awarded wager.

If the outcome of step 715 is no win, the residual bet 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 16 2015202436 06 May 2015 saver process is terminated at step 714. If the outcome of step 715 is a wind, a prize is awarded, and assuming the prize is large enough, the bet saver process is terminated 714. If the prize still leaves a residual 5 credit amount, the process reverts to step 700. If the outcome of step 710 is not a win, then the process moves to step 714 where the residual credit bet saver process is terminated. 10 As an example of how the above flow chart works, in a gaming system where credits have the value of cent,, a player may have 50 credits remaining. The gaming system may dispense dollar coins only. The player may have been making dollar wagers. The bet saver module of game 15 controller 60 detects that the player has a residual credit amount, and activates to display a message on the display that offers the player the option to use the residual credit bet saver process. The player elects to use the residual wager process to have the chance of 20 continuing to play a dollar wager. The wager value is 100 credits so that the player has a fifty in one hundred chance of winning the wager. The upper range of the random number generation outcome is 100 determined by the wager. Thus the total range of the random number generation is 1 25 ^ outcome ^ 100. The winning range is determined to have an upper limit equivalent to the residual credit which is 50 credits, giving a winning range of 1-50. Therefore, if the outcome of the random number generation is any one of the numerals 1 to 50, then the player will win the wager. 30 In other embodiments, the determination of the ranges may be performed differently. For example, the random number generator 621 could be configure to always return a value in the range of 1-10,000 such that the upper limit is always 10,000 and the winning range could be allocated as 35 an appropriate proportion of this range.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a gaming system 1 having 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 17 2015202436 06 May 2015 components for implementing the bet saver process. In Figure 6, the processor 62 of game controller 60 is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory. The one or more the modules could 5 be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.

These modules include the outcome generator 622 which operates in response to the player's operation of game 10 play mechanism 56 to place a wager and initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome. Game outcomes are evaluated by outcome evaluator 623 based on prize table.

In an embodiment, the outcome generator 622 generates the game outcome by selecting symbols from a set of symbols 15 specified by symbol data 641 using random number generator 621. The selected symbols are advised to the display controller 625 which causes them to be displayed on display 54 at a set of display positions. 20 One example of selecting symbols is for the outcome generator 622 to select symbols for display from a plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. The symbol sets 641 can specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the 25 outcome generator 622 can select all of the symbols by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In one example, three symbols of each of five reels may be selected displayed such that symbols are displayed at fifteen display positions on display 54. 30

As shown in Figure 6, the game controller 62 has a bet saver module 624. The bet saver module 624 has a wager monitor 624A and a credit value monitor 624B which monitor a current wager which the player is playing as well as a 35 current credit value stored on credit meter of meters 645. In an embodiment, the wager monitor 624A reviews the wager as configured by the player if the player presses play 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 18 2015202436 06 May 2015 while the credit value is less than the wager. When this occurs, wager offerer 624C causes a message to be output on display 54 of the gaming machine in order to offer the player access to the bet saver process. As described 5 above, in an embodiment, this is initiated when the residual credit is less than the amount dispensable by the gaming system and stored as dispensable value data 644. Having attained the current credit value from the credit meter of meters 645, and the wager entered via game play 10 mechanism 56, the wager offerer 624C causes the display to indicate the current credit and the cost of the game to the player and offers the player the chance to play the game at the full cost of the game (i.e. to make the wager they have chosen). If the player accepts the offer by 15 operating the game play mechanism 56 a range determiner 624D determines a range of values to be calculated by the random number generator 621 based on the value of the wager, and a sub-range of this range of values which will be the winning range. Bet saver module 624 then requests 20 the random number generator 621 to return a value within the defined range based on the wager and compares it to the assigned range of winning values. Upon there being a winning outcome, the bet saver module 624 causes outcome generator 622 to carry out a game by generating a game 25 outcome which will be evaluated by outcome evaluator 623 based on the awarded wager. Any prizes awarded by the outcome evaluator 623 are added to the win meter of meters 645. 30 In an alternative embodiment, the gaming machine may store as wager data 642, the last wager played by the player and the bet saver module 624 may activate immediately upon detecting that after a previous play of the game, the player no longer has sufficient credits to place the wager 35 that they played in the preceding game.

Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary screen shot of an 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 19 2015202436 06 May 2015 example of the embodiment. In screen shot 800, a message 810 indicates to the player: "You don't have enough credits to play the game at 5 the current bet selections"

Boxes 811 to 814 indicate to the player the nature of the current wager and the current credit balance. Box 811 shows the current credit balance is 65 credits, box 812 10 shows that the player is playing reels 1-5, box 813 shows the current bet multiplier is 2 and box 814 shows that the current cost of the game (i.e. the amount of a wager) is 80 credits. Message 820 indicates that player: 15 "You may bet your current credits for a chance to play the game. You have 65 chances in 80 of being awarded the game (81% chance) "

Further, a graphical representation is provided of the 20 number of credits remaining 831 relative to the wager amount 830. The player has the option to wager their current credits by pressing button 841 or to cancel the wager by pressing button 842. 25 Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented electronically, for example, digitally by a processor executing program code such as in the above description of 30 a game controller. In this respect, in the above description certain steps are described as being carried out by a processor of a gaming system, it will be appreciated that such steps will often require a number of sub-steps to be carried out for the steps to be 35 implemented electronically, for example due to hardware or programming limitations. For example, to carry out a step such as evaluating, determining or selecting, a processor 6421422 1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15 20 2015202436 06 May 2015 may need to compute several values and compare those values .

As indicated above, the method may be embodied in program 5 code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory device, e.g. an EEPROM, (for example, that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a 10 server). Further different parts of the program code can be executed by different devices, for example in a client server relationship. Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor. 15

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of 20 embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments .

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission 25 that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 30 requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further 35 features in various embodiments of the invention. 6421422_1 (GHMatters) P88222.AU.3 NICK 6/05/15

Claims (14)

1. Claims :

   1. A method of wagering a residual credit of a gaming machine to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine having at least one processor, the method comprising: determining, by the at least one processor, a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value, said range of random numbers having an upper limit derived from the wager value; determining, by the at least one processor, at least one winnable outcome value dependent on the value of the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, the number of winnable outcome values including an outcome upper limit derived from the residual credit value; randomly generating a random number generator, an outcome from the range of random numbers; comparing, by the at least one processor, the generated outcome in relation to the winnable outcome value; and awarding the wager with the gaming machine if the generated outcome relationally matches any of the winnable outcome values .
2. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of winnable outcome values are sequential.
3. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising carrying out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and making an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager.
4. 4. A gaming machine for wagering residual credits of the gaming machine to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising: a controller configured to: determine a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value; determine at least one winnable outcome value based on the value of the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, by deriving a number of winnable outcome values from the residual credit value, and determine an upper limit for the range of random numbers, the upper limit being derived from the wager value; a random number generator configured to generate a random outcome within the range of random numbers; and wherein the controller compares the generated random outcome in relation to the at least one winnable outcome value, and awards the wager from the gaming machine if the generated random outcome relationally matches any of the winnable outcome values .
5. 5. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the number of winnable outcome values are sequential.
6. 6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, configured to carry out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and make an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager.
7. 7. A method of wagering a residual credit of a gaming machine to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine having at least one processor, the method comprising: determining, by the at least one processor, a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value, said range of random numbers having an upper limit derived from the wager value; determining, by the at least one processor, a winning range of said range of random numbers dependent on the value of the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, the winning range including an winning range upper limit derived from the residual credit value; randomly generating, by a random number generator, an outcome from the range of random numbers; comparing, by the at least one processor, the generated outcome in relation to the winning range; and awarding the wager with the gaming machine if the generated outcome relationally matches the winning range.
8. 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, comprising carrying out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and making an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager.
9. 9. A gaming machine for wagering residual credits to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held by the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising: a controller configured to: determine a range of random numbers as a function of the wager value, said range of random numbers having an upper limit derived from the wager value, and determine a winning range of said range of random numbers dependent on the value of the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine, the winning range including an winning range upper limit derived from the residual credit value; a random number generator configured to generate a random outcome within the range of random numbers; and wherein the controller compares the generated random outcome in relation to the winning range, and awards the wager with the gaming machine if the generated random outcome relationally matches the winning range.
10. 10. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to carry out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and make an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager.
11. 11. A method of wagering a residual credit of a gaming machine to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held within the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine having at least one processor, the method comprising: determining, by the at least one processor, a percentage chance that the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine will result in a win from the wager value and the residual credit value; randomly generating, by a random number generator, a random number; comparing, by the at least one processor, the generated random number to the percentage chance to win; and awarding the wager with the gaming machine if the generated random number is less than or equal to the percentage chance to win.
12. 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, comprising carrying out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and making an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager.
13. 13. A gaming machine for wagering residual credits to win a wager having a wager value, the residual credit being equivalent to units of monetary value which is held by the gaming machine and is indispensable by the gaming machine, the gaming machine comprising: a controller configured to determine a percentage chance that the residual credit indispensable by the gaming machine will result in a win from the wager value and the residual credit value; and a random number generator configured to generate a random number; and wherein the controller compares the generated random number in relation to the percentage chance to win, and awards the wager with the gaming machine if the generated random number is less than or equal to the percentage chance to win.
14. 14. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to carry out a game based on the wager upon awarding the wager and make an award of any prizes derived from carrying out the game based on the wager.