AU2023248198A1 - A gaming system, a method of gaming and a jackpot controller - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for providing a jackpot controlled by a computer implemented jackpot controller, the method comprising the 5 steps of: (a) on commencement of the jackpot, the jackpot controller setting a start-up jackpot prize value, the start-up prize value being the sum of a base amount and a predefined average increment amount for the jackpot; (b) incrementing the jackpot prize value by the jackpot 10 controller using contributions from at least one participating gaming device until a jackpot trigger is determined; and (c) in response to the jackpot controller determining the jackpot trigger, awarding the jackpot prize and re-setting the jackpot prize value to the base 15 amount.

Description

A GAMING SYSTEM, A METHOD OF GAMING AND A JACKPOT CONTROLLER

Related Application

This application is a divisional application of Australian

application no. 2021215299, which in turn is a divisional

application of Australian patent application no.

2019203475, which in turn is a divisional application of

Australian patent application no. 2017204621, which, in

turn is a divisional of Australian Patent Application No.

2015203394, which, in turn is a divisional of Australian

Patent Application No. 2012261513, the disclosure of both

of which is incorporated herein by reference. Most of the

disclosure of these applications is also included herein,

however, reference may be made to the specification of

application nos. 2017204621, 2015203394 and 2012261513 as

filed to gain further understanding of the invention

claimed herein.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming system, a method

of gaming and a jackpot controller.

Background of the Invention

It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a

game controller arranged to randomly display several

symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to

determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the

displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may commonly be

implemented as a stepping machine provided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols of the set, or a video machine wherein selected symbols are displayed on virtual reels on a graphical display device. Win outcomes can occur based on symbols appearing in one or more horizontal lines, diagonal lines, or any other predetermined way.

It is also known to award high paying prizes, referred to as jackpot prizes, which may be funded from a prize pool. Typically, a portion of a gaming machine's turnover is forwarded to a jackpot controller which maintains the prize pool.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention

provides a method for providing a jackpot controlled by a

computer implemented jackpot controller, the method

comprising the steps of:

(a) on initial commencement of the jackpot when the

jackpot controller is first commissioned or a jackpot

recommissioned and no contributions from game devices have

been made to a jackpot prize pool from which prizes are

awarded for the jackpot, the jackpot controller setting a

start-up jackpot prize pool value, the start-up prize pool

value being the sum of a base amount and a predefined

average increment amount for the jackpot;

(b) incrementing the jackpot prize pool value by the

jackpot controller using contributions from at least one

participating gaming device until a jackpot trigger is

determined;

(c) in response to the jackpot controller

determining the jackpot trigger, awarding the jackpot

prize and re-setting the jackpot prize value to the base

amount; and.

(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for awarding

subsequent jackpots.

In an embodiment the average increment amount is a

predefined percentage of the base amount.

In an embodiment the jackpot is a progressive jackpot such

that each participating gaming device contributes to the

jackpot prize pool at a predefined contribution rate.

In an embodiment the base value is a fixed non-zero

amount.

In an embodiment the method further comprises the jackpot

controller incrementing a hidden meter using a portion of

the contributions in order to fund the base amount, once

the jackpot has been re-set.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present

invention there is provided a jackpot controller arranged

to maintain a jackpot, the jackpot controller comprising:

a configuration module arranged to set a start-up

jackpot prize pool value on initial commencement of the

jackpot when the jackpot controller is first commissioned

or a jackpot recommissioned and no contributions from game

devices have been made to a jackpot prize pool from which

prizes are awarded for the jackpot, the start-up prize

value being the sum of a base amount and a predefined

average increment amount for the jackpot;

an increment processor arranged to increment the

jackpot prize pool value using contributions from at least

one participating gaming device until a jackpot trigger is

determined; and an award handler arranged to award the jackpot prize in response to determining the trigger and instruct the jackpot prize pool value to be reset to the base amount.

In an embodiment the average increment amount is a

predefined percentage of the base amount.

In an embodiment the jackpot is a progressive jackpot such

that each participating gaming device contributes to the

jackpot prize pool at a predefined contribution rate.

In an embodiment the base value is a fixed non-zero

amount.

In an embodiment the increment processor is further

arranged to increment a hidden meter using a portion of

the contributions in order to fund the base amount, once

the jackpot has been re-set.

In an embodiment the trigger is a symbol driven trigger

occurring on the participating gaming machines.

In an embodiment the trigger is a randomly determined

mystery trigger which falls within a range which spans

between the base amount and a predefined maximum trigger

value.

In accordance with a third aspect the present invention provides a gaming system comprising a jackpot controller in accordance with the first aspect; and at least one gaming device operable to contribute to the jackpot prize pool.

In accordance with a fourth aspect the present invention provides a computer program comprising instructions for controlling a jackpot controller in accordance with the second aspect.

In accordance with a fifth aspect the present invention provides a tangible computer readable medium providing a computer program in accordance with the fourth aspect.

In accordance with another aspect there is provided a

method for providing a jackpot on a gaming system

including at least one gaming machine and a jackpot server

in data communication with each gaming machine, the

jackpot controlled by a jackpot server-implemented jackpot

controller including a processor, and each gaming machine

comprising a display; a credit input mechanism operable to

establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input

mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a

bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters

configured for monitoring credits established via the

credit input mechanism and changes to the established

credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters

including a credit meter to which credit input via the

credit input mechanism is added; a random number

generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of

buttons configured for operation by a player to input a

wager from the established credits and to initiate a play

of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor

and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol

data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is

operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols

as required during play of the game, the game controller

executing the game program code stored in the memory and

responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed, the method comprising the steps of: for a plurality of plays of a wagering game occurring prior to a commencement of the gaming system: receiving by the jackpot controller, data indicating an amount of credit wagered for each play of the at least one gaming machine; applying, by the jackpot controller, a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; computing, by the jackpot controller, an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and computing, by the jackpot controller, an average jackpot return of the jackpot; based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, determining, by the jackpot controller, an average increment amount for the jackpot, wherein the average increment amount represents an average amount by which the jackpot prize value is incremented before the jackpot prize is awarded; upon commencement of the gaming system, setting, by the jackpot controller, a start-up jackpot prize value, the start-up prize value being the sum of a base amount and the average increment amount, such that the start-up jackpot prize value is no less than the average jackpot return; incrementing the jackpot prize value by the jackpot controller by the contributed amount of credit wagered from at least one participating gaming machine until a jackpot trigger is detected; and in response to the jackpot controller detecting the jackpot trigger, awarding the jackpot prize via the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine; and re-setting the jackpot prize pool value to at most the base amount.

In accordance with another aspect there is provided

jackpot controller for a gaming system including at least

one gaming machine and a jackpot server in data

communication with each gaming machine, each gaming

machine comprising a display; a credit input mechanism

operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the

credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin

input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket

reader; meters configured for monitoring credits

established via the credit input mechanism and changes to

the established credits due to play of the gaming machine,

the meters including a credit meter to which credit input

via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number

generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of

buttons configured for operation by a player to input a

wager from the established credits and to initiate a play

of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor

and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol

data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is

operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols

as required during play of the game, the game controller

executing the game program code stored in the memory and

responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the

game play mechanism to: select a plurality of symbols from

a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed, the jackpot controller configured to maintain a jackpot for the gaming system, the jackpot controller comprising: a memory; and a processor configured to implement at least a configuration module, an increment processor, and an award handler; the increment processor configured to, for a plurality of plays of a wagering game occurring prior to a commencement of the gaming system: receive data indicating an amount of credit wagered for each play; apply a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; compute an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and compute an average jackpot return of the jackpot; the increment processor further configured to determine, based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, an average increment amount for the jackpot, wherein the average increment amount represents an average amount by which the jackpot prize value is incremented before the jackpot prize is awarded; the configuration module configured to set a start-up jackpot prize value upon the commencement of the jackpot, the start-up prize pool value being the sum of a base amount and the average increment amount, such that the start-up jackpot prize value is no less than an average jackpot return; the increment processor further configured to increment the jackpot prize value by the contributed amount of credit wagered from at least one participating gaming machine until a jackpot trigger is detected; and the award handler configured to (a) award the jackpot prize in response to the increment processor detecting the trigger, via the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine, and (b) instruct the jackpot prize value to be reset to at most the base amount.

In accordance with another aspect there is provided a gaming system comprising: at least one gaming machine and a jackpot server in data communication with each gaming machine, each of the at least one gaming machines comprising: a display; a credit input mechanism operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed; the jackpot server comprising a jackpot controller configured to maintain a jackpot, said jackpot controller comprising: a memory; and a processor configured to implement at least a configuration module, an increment processor, and an award handler; the increment processor configured to, for a plurality of plays of a wagering game occurring prior to a commencement of the gaming system: receive data indicating an amount of credit wagered for each play from a respective game controller of each at least one gaming device; apply a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; compute an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and compute an average jackpot return of the jackpot; the increment processor further configured to determine, based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, an average increment amount for the jackpot, wherein the average increment amount represents an average amount by which the jackpot prize value is incremented before the jackpot prize is awarded; the configuration module configured to set a start-up jackpot prize value upon the commencement of the jackpot, the start-up jackpot prize value being the sum of a base amount and the average increment amount, such that the start-up jackpot prize value is no less than an average jackpot return; the increment processor configured to increment the progressive jackpot prize value by the contributed amount of credit wagered from at least one participating gaming device until a jackpot trigger is detected; and the award handler configured to, in response to said increment processor detecting the trigger, (a) award the jackpot prize via the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine, and (b) instruct the jackpot prize value to be reset to at most the base amount.

In accordance with another aspect there is provided a

gaming system comprising:

at least one gaming machine and a jackpot controller in data communication with each gaming machine, each of the at least one gaming machines comprising: a display; a credit input mechanism operable to receive a credit input from a player of said at least one gaming device and establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed; the jackpot controller comprising a jackpot controller configured to maintain a jackpot for said gaming system, said jackpot controller comprising: a memory; and a processor configured to implement at least a configuration module, an increment processor, and an award handler, the increment processor configured to, for a plurality of plays of a wagering game occurring prior to a commencement of the gaming system: determine an amount of credit wagered for each play; apply a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; compute an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and compute an average jackpot return of the jackpot; determine, based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, an average increment amount for the jackpot, wherein the average increment amount represents an average amount by which the jackpot prize value is incremented before the jackpot prize is awarded; and detect a jackpot trigger; the configuration module configured to set a start-up jackpot prize value upon the commencement of the jackpot, the start-up jackpot prize value being the sum of a base amount and the average increment amount, and is an amount equal to no less than an average jackpot return; and the award handler configured to award the jackpot prize via the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine, in response to said increment processor detecting the trigger, wherein any time the jackpot prize is awarded, the jackpot prize value is reset to an amount equal to at most the base amount.

In accordance with a further aspect there is provided a

method for conducting a game on a gaming system including

at least one gaming machine and a jackpot controller in

data communication with each gaming machine, each gaming

machine comprising a display; a credit input mechanism

operable to receive a credit input from a player of said

at least one gaming device and establish credits on the

gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at

least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card

reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for

monitoring credits established via the credit input

mechanism and changes to the established credits due to

play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit

meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism

is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism

including a plurality of buttons configured for operation

by a player to input a wager from the established credits

and to initiate a play of a game; and a game controller

comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program

code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the

game controller is operable to assign prize values to

combinations of symbols as required during play of the

game, the game controller executing the game program code

stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the

play of the game with the game play mechanism to: select a

plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed, the method comprising: receiving a wager from a player using a credit input mechanism; receiving by the jackpot controller, data indicating an amount of credit wagered for each play of the at least one gaming machine; establishing by the game controller a credit balance based on the credit input; applying, by the jackpot controller, a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; computing, by the jackpot controller, an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and computing, by the jackpot controller, based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, an average increment amount, wherein the average increment amount represents an average amount by which the jackpot prize value is incremented before the jackpot prize is awarded; incrementing, by the jackpot controller, the progressive jackpot prize value by the computed contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered; establishing a start-up jackpot prize value upon the commencement of the jackpot, wherein the start-up prize value is the sum of a base amount and the average increment amount, and is an amount equal to no less than the average jackpot return; detecting a jackpot trigger; evaluating, by the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, the game outcome to determine if the player at the gaming machine is entitled to an award based on the wager; awarding, by game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, the jackpot prize by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine, in response to detecting the jackpot trigger; and resetting the jackpot prize value to an amount equal to at most the base amount.

In accordance with still another aspect there is provided a gaming system comprising: at least one gaming machine and a jackpot controller in data communication with each gaming machine, each of the at least one gaming machines comprising: a player interface comprising a display for displaying game outcomes; a credit input mechanism operable to receive wagers by receiving a credit input from a player of said at least one gaming device and establishing credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed; the processor of the game controller or a processor of a jackpot controller be configured to, for a plurality of plays of a wagering game occurring prior to a commencement of the gaming system, maintain a jackpot for said gaming system by: determining an amount of credit wagered for each play; applying a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; computing an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and determining, based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, an average increment amount for the jackpot; increasing the jackpot value by the determined average amount before the jackpot prize is awarded; establishing a start-up jackpot prize value upon commencement of the jackpot prize; and awarding the jackpot prize via the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine, in response detecting a jackpot trigger, wherein any time the jackpot prize is awarded, the jackpot prize value is reset.

Brief Description of Drawings

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be

described with reference to the accompanying drawings in

which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system with a

jackpot controller;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the core components of a

gaming system;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming

machine;

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the functional components

of a gaming machine;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the functional

components of a memory;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming

system;

Figure 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a jackpot

controller connected to a central display;

Figure 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a jackpot controller; and

Figure 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment;

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the invention comprises a method for providing a jackpot. The method comprises, on commencement of the jackpot, setting a start-up jackpot prize value, the start-up prize value being the sum of a base amount and a predefined average increment amount for the jackpot. The jackpot prize value is subsequently incremented using contributions from at least one participating gaming device until a jackpot trigger is determined. In response to determining the jackpot trigger, the jackpot prize is awarded and the jackpot prize value reset to the base amount.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be implemented in a number of forms, for example in a stand alone form on the at least one gaming device (e.g. such as an electronic gaming machine), or in a jackpot controller connected to the at least one gaming device such that any one of the gaming devices can win the progressive jackpot prize(s).

Overview of exemplary gaming system with a jackpot controller

Figure 1 shows an exemplary gaming system 1 where a jackpot controller 150 is in data communication over a network 2, such as an Ethernet, with a bank of five gaming devices in the form of standalone gaming machines 10. The jackpot controller 150 is arranged to communicate with the gaming devices to determine how many devices are participating. The jackpot controller 150 implements a game where participating ones of the plurality of gaming devices 10 are entitled to share in any awards from the game and the manner in which the game is evaluated depends on the number of participating gaming devices 10.

Gaming devices

Gaming devices capable of participating in the method of

gaming of the embodiment can take a number of different

forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is

provided wherein all or most components required for

implementing 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

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

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

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 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 stand alone gaming machine mode, "thick client" mode or "thin client" mode depending 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

core components. At the broadest level, the core

components are a player interface 50 and a game controller

60 as illustrated in Figure 2. The player interface is

arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and

the gaming system and for this purpose includes the

input/output components required for the player to enter

instructions to play the game and observe the game

outcomes.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

array (FPGA).

A gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming

machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 3. The gaming machine

10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are

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

interact with the gaming 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

mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card

reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit

card. Other gaming machines may be configured for ticket

in that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets

having a value and crediting the player based on the face

value of the ticker. 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 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 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

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.

The display 14 shown in Figure 3 is in the form of a video

display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen

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

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.

Figure 4 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 3.

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

gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non

volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory,

with such memories being collectively represented by the

memory 103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes

including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring

player credit, an input/output (I/0) interface 105 for

communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming

machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the

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

skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to

random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in Figure 4, a player interface 120

includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game

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

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

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 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 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

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,

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.

Figure 5 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

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

integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere.

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.

Figure 6 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 6, are connected to the

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 3 and 4, or may have

simplified functionality depending on the requirements for

implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming

machines are illustrated in Figure 6, 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

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.

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 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 and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to perform 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

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

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

configurations are possible, and further details of a

client/server gaming architecture can be found in WO

2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of

which are incorporated herein by reference. In such an

embodiment, a jackpot controller can be provided, for

example, by a dedicated server in data communication with

the game server.

In an embodiment, a jackpot controller can be provided for

a bank of machines as illustrated in Figure 1.

The jackpot controller can be provided within such a

network 200 by jackpot server 207, such that the jackpot

game server may implement a jackpot game for a plurality

of different banks of gaming machines rather than a

specific jackpot controller being provided for each bank

of gaming machines. Alternatively, there may be a single

jackpot for the network managed by the jackpot server.

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

210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the

network 201 and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming network 200 may communicate with other gaming

systems, other local networks, for example a corporate

network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet,

for example through a firewall 211.

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

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 Detail of Jackpot controller

Referring to Figure 7 there is shown further detail of the

jackpot controller 150, according to an embodiment of the

present invention. From Figure 7 it will be apparent that

jackpot controller 150 is in data communication with a

communal display 160 on which a current value of the

jackpot prize or prizes can be displayed to the players

playing the bank of gaming machines 10 shown in Figure 1.

In other embodiments, the gaming outcomes could be

displayed on a top box of the individual gaming machines

10, rather than being displayed on a communal display, or

in addition to such a display.

The jackpot controller 150 implements the jackpot in

accordance with program code stored in memory 152 and

includes a display driver 154 for driving the display 160,

to show jackpot information. It will be noted that the

jackpot controller 150 also includes a communication

interface 153 which is designed to enable the

processor 151 to communicate with each of the gaming

devices 10 to receive jackpot increments and in relation

to any prize award.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the above

components are the core components for implementing a

jackpot but other components may be present in a jackpot

controller.

Jackpot prizes can be funded from a prize pool which is

contributed to from the credit wagered to play gaming

devices 10 participating in the jackpot and so as to be

eligible for the award of a jackpot prize. The jackpot may be for a single game device 10 or a plurality of linked gaming devices. Contributions to the jackpot pool are typically a portion of the amount wagered to play the games of the gaming devices 10. Thus as the gaming devices 10 are played the value of the jackpot pool is correspondingly incremented based on the credit wagered.

The jackpot prize pool will often start at a non-zero

value, which can assist in attracting players to the

gaming device(s) and once a jackpot is awarded the prize

pool can be reset to the non-zero reset value.

The jackpot controller 150 is configured to communicate

with the gaming devices 10 to receive jackpot increments.

For example the jackpot controller can receive data

indicating the amount of credit wagered for each game play

and increment a prize pool with an amount proportional to

the wagered amount, for example a percentage of the

wagered amount. Alternatively the jackpot controller may

receive data indicating each time a game is played on the

gaming device and update a prize pool with a fixed credit

amount for each play where the credit wager for the game

is fixed. It should be appreciated that any alternative

is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

The jackpot controller 150 is configured to award a

jackpot prize on average once for every predetermined

amount of credit has been wagered.

One common type of jackpot is the progressive jackpot

whereby a jackpot prize is awarded when a randomly

determined jackpot prize pool trigger value is reached.

Progressive jackpots are designed to be awarded, on

average, once for every predefined amount of credits wagered by the gaming machines which contribute to the prize pool at some predefined contribution rate. For example, the progressive jackpot may be configured to be awarded once for every $10,000 of accumulated turnover, with a 1% contribution rate set for each gaming machine.

Thus on average $100 will be contributed to the jackpot

prize pool between each award of the jackpot prize, this

is also known as the average increment amount. The prize

pool may have a reset value of $1000 or 10% of the

accumulated turnover for each award. According to such a

configuration the average jackpot rate of return to the

player would be $1,100 or 11% of the accumulated turnover.

It should appreciate that the accumulated turnover,

contribution rates and reset values will vary between

embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention take account of the

realisation that, according to conventional awarding

techniques, the jackpot prize may offer less than the

average jackpot return when first installed due to the

start-up value for the jackpot being identical to the

reset value (i.e. the value at which the jackpot is re-set

to after each subsequent awarding of the jackpot prize),

thereafter it accumulates and oscillates about a higher

increment. On initialisation of the jackpot the jackpot

prize pool so the amount available to a player is set to

the start-up value which is less than the designed average

return to player. Supposing the jackpot is disabled at

some later stage, there may be a discrepancy between the

amount accumulated and the average return (i.e. due to the

jackpot being started at a lower value than the average

award), which is unfair to players participating in the

jackpot.

The jackpot controller 150 according to embodiments

described herein is configured such that it is started

with a value which is the sum of a base amount plus the

average increment amount (i.e. the average amount by which

the jackpot prize value increments before being awarded).

Thereafter, the jackpot prize value is re-set to the base

amount after each trigger. Thus, irrespective of when the

jackpot is disabled, a jackpot configured in accordance

with the present invention will provide a return which may

not fall below the average jackpot return, thus providing

a jackpot which is fairer to players.

With reference to Figure 8 there is shown a functional

block diagram of the jackpot controller 150 arranged to

implement the above functionality. The jackpot controller

150 comprises a processor 151 which implements a number of

modules, namely an increment processor 703, jackpot

display controller 704, configuration module 705 and award

handler 706, based on program code stored in memory 152.

In more detail, the configuration module 705 is arranged

to configure the jackpot based on configuration parameters

711 stored in memory 162. According to embodiments

described herein, the configuration parameters specify a

start-up value which is to be applied upon commencement of

the jackpot. As previously mentioned, the start-up value

applied herein is defined as the sum of some non-zero base

amount and an average increment amount for the jackpot

prize. The average increment amount is the average amount

by which the jackpot prize value will increment before

being awarded and may typically be some predefined

percentage of the base amount. A reset value (to which the jackpot is reset after awarding each jackpot) is also stored in memory and according to embodiment described herein is set to correspond with the base amount.

The increment processor 703 is arranged to receive jackpot

contributions (hereafter "increments") for incrementing a

soft meter 712 which keeps an absolute value of the

jackpot prize stored in memory 152. The increments are

received at some predefined contribution rate from the

gaming devices 10. The jackpot display controller 704

determines from the absolute values what actual value of

the prize is to be displayed on display 160. In an

embodiment, the increment processor 703 may also implement

a hidden meter (hidden in the sense that the amount of the

meter may not be displayed to players), such that a

portion of the increments are added to the hidden meter

and used to fund the reset value for future jackpots.

Again a soft meter 712 may be configured for handling the

hidden increments.

Figure 8 shows that the jackpot controller includes an

award handler 706 which awards the jackpot prize in

response to a jackpot trigger being determined. In an

embodiment, the jackpot may be a mystery progressive

jackpot such that a jackpot prize trigger value is

randomly set between a minimum amount (which may be the

base value) and some maximum amount. The randomly

determined prize trigger value may be stored as a

configuration parameter 711 and evaluated by the increment

processor 703; such that once it is reached a signal is

sent to the award handler 706 which triggers the awarding

of the prize. The awards handler 706 then communicates

the amount won to the relevant gaming device by a data communication interface 153 and starts a new soft meter for the jackpot (i.e. having a reset value corresponding to the base amount).

In an alternative embodiment the prize trigger is a symbol driven trigger occurring on the participating gaming devices. In this embodiment the jackpot controller can include a trigger monitor configured to identify when the symbol trigger occurs on one of the participating gaming devices and send a signal to the award handler 706 to trigger awarding of the prize. For example, the trigger monitor may receive game outcome data from each gaming device and identify the symbol trigger occurring from the game outcome data. Alternatively the trigger monitor may receive an indication of a symbol trigger occurring in a game outcome of a gaming device, for example a special trigger symbol or combination of symbols occurring in a game outcome causes the gaming device to send a trigger signal to the trigger monitor.

The method 800 of the embodiment is summarised in Figure 9 and involves, on commencement of the jackpot, setting (802) a start-up jackpot prize value, the start-up prize value being the sum of a base amount and a predefined average increment amount for the jackpot. The jackpot prize value is incremented (804) using contributions from at least one participating gaming device until a jackpot trigger is determined. In response to determining (806) the jackpot trigger, the jackpot prize is awarded (808) and the jackpot prize value reset (810) to the base amount.

In some embodiments the base amount and average increment may be able to be defined by a casino operator on initial set up of the jackpot game when the jackpot game is put into commission. In some embodiments the ratio of average increment to base amount may be fixed, for example to comply with regulated return to player percentages, so that setting of any one of the increment, average increment or base amount causes a corresponding adjustment of the remaining configuration parameters. In alternative embodiments the configuration parameters may be defined independently in accordance with rules, stored in memory

152, to ensure regulatory compliance. Once the base

amount, increment and average increment have been defined

and the jackpot game commissioned these cannot be changed.

The jackpot game will start with a start-up value equal to

the sum of the base and average increment and after award

of a jackpot will be reset to the base amount. If the

jackpot game is taken out of commission and recommissioned

at a later date the configuration parameters may be

adjusted before recommissioning, in accordance with

relevant regulations. For example if the jackpot game is

removed for a time to enable a different jackpot game to

be offered, then the jackpot configuration parameters may

be set differently when the jackpot game is offered again.

If the casino operator chooses to change the value of the

jackpot offered, then this may also be done by taking the

jackpot game out of commission, adjusting the

configuration parameters and recommissioning the jackpot

game, in accordance with the relevant regulations. On

recommissioning the jackpot will have a start-up value

that is the sum of the redefined base amount and average

increment and be reset to the base amount after being

awarded.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the gaming 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 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 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 may need to compute several values and compare those values.

As indicated above, the method may be embodied in program 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 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.

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 embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments.

For example, the jackpot controller 150 is shown in Figure 1 as a separate entity to the gaming devices 10. In an alternative embodiment, it could be provided by one of the gaming devices incorporating a server module arranged to implement the jackpot controller in the manner described in Australian patent application 2008205413 filed 13 August 2008.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission 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 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 features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (13)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A gaming system comprising: at least one gaming machine and a jackpot controller in data communication with each gaming machine, each of the at least one gaming machines comprising: a display; a credit input mechanism operable to receive a credit input from a player of said at least one gaming device and establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; hardware meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed; the jackpot controller comprising a jackpot controller configured to maintain a jackpot for said gaming system, said jackpot controller comprising: a memory; and a processor configured to implement at least a configuration module, an increment processor, and an award handler, the increment processor configured to, for a plurality of plays of a wagering game occurring prior to a commencement of the gaming system: determine an amount of credit wagered for each play; apply a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; compute an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and compute an average jackpot return of the jackpot; determine, based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, an average increment amount for the jackpot, wherein the average increment amount represents an average amount by which the jackpot prize value is incremented before the jackpot prize is awarded; and detect a jackpot trigger; the configuration module configured to set a start-up jackpot prize value upon the commencement of the jackpot, the start-up jackpot prize value being the sum of a base amount and the average increment amount, and is an amount equal to no less than an average jackpot return; and the award handler configured to award the jackpot prize via the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine, in response to said increment processor detecting the trigger, wherein any time the jackpot prize is awarded, the jackpot prize value is reset to an amount equal to at most the base amount.

2. A gaming system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured to determine the average increment amount based on a predefined percentage of the base amount.

3. A gaming system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the base amount is a fixed amount greater than zero.

4. A gaming system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein after the jackpot prize value is reset, said increment processor is further configured to increment a hidden meter using a portion of the contributed amount of credit wagered in order to fund the base amount.

5. A gaming system in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said award handler is further configured to award a progressive jackpot.

6. A gaming system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said at least one gaming machine comprises at least two gaming machines, said at least two gaming machines each contribute to the progressive jackpot prize at predefined contribution rate.

7. A method for conducting a game on a gaming system including at least one gaming machine and a jackpot controller in data communication with each gaming machine, each gaming machine comprising a display; a credit input mechanism operable to receive a credit input from a player of said at least one gaming device and establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; hardware meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed, the method comprising: receiving a wager from a player using a credit input mechanism; receiving by the jackpot controller, data indicating an amount of credit wagered for each play of the at least one gaming machine; establishing by the game controller a credit balance based on the credit input; applying, by the jackpot controller, a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; computing, by the jackpot controller, an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and computing, by the jackpot controller, based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, an average increment amount, wherein the average increment amount represents an average amount by which the jackpot prize value is incremented before the jackpot prize is awarded; incrementing, by the jackpot controller, the progressive jackpot prize value by the computed contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered; establishing a start-up jackpot prize value upon the commencement of the jackpot, wherein the start-up prize value is the sum of a base amount and the average increment amount, and is an amount equal to no less than the average jackpot return; detecting a jackpot trigger; evaluating, by the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, the game outcome to determine if the player at the gaming machine is entitled to an award based on the wager; awarding, by game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, the jackpot prize by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine, in response to detecting the jackpot trigger; and resetting the jackpot prize value to an amount equal to at most the base amount.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising

repeating said incrementing, by the jackpot controller,

the progressive jackpot prize value until a subsequent

jackpot trigger is detected.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said

computing an average increment amount is determined based

on a predefined percentage of the base amount.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein the base

amount is a fixed amount greater than zero.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising

incrementing by the jackpot controller a hidden meter

after the jackpot prize value is reset.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said

incrementing of the hidden meter is incremented using a

portion of the contributed amount of credit wagered in

order to fund the base amount.

13. A gaming system comprising: at least one gaming machine and a jackpot controller in data communication with each gaming machine, each of the at least one gaming machines comprising: a player interface comprising a display for displaying game outcomes; a credit input mechanism operable to receive wagers by receiving a credit input from a player of said at least one gaming device and establishing credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; hardware meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator; control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions during play of a game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols displayed; the processor of the game controller or a processor of a jackpot controller be configured to, for a plurality of plays of a wagering game occurring prior to a commencement of the gaming system, maintain a jackpot for said gaming system by: determining an amount of credit wagered for each play; applying a contribution rate to the amount of credit wagered for each play to contribute to a progressive jackpot prize value; computing an average accumulated turnover between a plurality of successive awards of a jackpot prize of the jackpot; and determining, based upon the average accumulated turnover and the contribution rate of the amount of credit wagered, an average increment amount for the jackpot; increasing the jackpot value by the determined average amount before the jackpot prize is awarded; establishing a start-up jackpot prize value upon commencement of the jackpot prize; and awarding the jackpot prize via the game controller of the gaming machine triggering the jackpot prize, by an award of credits in accordance with the jackpot prize to the credit meter of the gaming machine, in response detecting a jackpot trigger, wherein any time the jackpot prize is awarded, the jackpot prize value is reset.

150

2 1/8

EGM EGM EGM EGM EGM A 10B 10C 10D 10E

Figure 1