초록 ▼

A bonus controller is provided for managing a feature event bonus game in a gaming system, having a processor and a memory, wherein the bonus controller is programmed to assign an entry to a player associated with a first gaming apparatus from a plurality of entries defining a gaming pool for the fe

A bonus controller is provided for managing a feature event bonus game in a gaming system, having a processor and a memory, wherein the bonus controller is programmed to assign an entry to a player associated with a first gaming apparatus from a plurality of entries defining a gaming pool for the feature event when the player obtains a qualifying win at one of a number of casino games. The bonus controller is also programmed to determine an outcome of the feature event bonus game and determine if at least one winner exists based on the outcome as well as identify the winner of the feature event.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A gaming system for providing a future sporting event bonus game, comprising: a first gaming apparatus comprising: a game display unit; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said game display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a p

What is claimed is: 1. A gaming system for providing a future sporting event bonus game, comprising: a first gaming apparatus comprising: a game display unit; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said game display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to cause said game display unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game; a second gaming apparatus operatively coupled to said first gaming apparatus; a bonus controller operatively coupled to said first and second gaming apparatuses, said bonus controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor of said bonus controller, said bonus controller being programmed to receive bonus data from said first and second gaming apparatuses, said bonus controller being programmed to assign an entry to a player at said first gaming apparatus from a plurality of entries defining a gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game when said player obtains a qualifying win based on said randomly determined outcome of said game of said first gaming apparatus, said bonus controller being programmed to receive an outcome of said future sporting event which is one of said entries of said plurality of entries, said outcome of said future sporting event determined based, at least in part, on a skill of a participant in said future sporting event, wherein said player is not a participant in said future sporting event, and said controller and said bonus controller do not randomly determine said outcome of said future sporting event, and said bonus controller being programmed to transmit data corresponding to said outcome of said future sporting event to at least one of said first and second gaming apparatuses and a remote display. 2. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating video images. 3. A gaming system as defined in claim 2, wherein said controller of said first gaming apparatus is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards to be displayed if said game generated by said game display unit of said first gaming apparatus comprises video poker, wherein said controller of said first gaming apparatus is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed if said game generated by said game display unit of said first gaming apparatus comprises video slots, wherein said controller of said first gaming apparatus is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards to be displayed if said game comprises video blackjack, wherein said controller of said first gaming apparatus is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers to be displayed if said game generated by said game display unit of said first gaming apparatus comprises video keno, and wherein said controller of said first gaming apparatus is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a bingo grid to be displayed if said game generated by said game display unit of said first gaming apparatus comprises video bingo. 4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said game display unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel. 5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said receiving said outcome comprises monitoring the outcome of the future sporting event. 6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said bonus controller programmed to receive said outcome comprises said bonus controller being programmed to monitor said future sporting event and determine which player a future sporting event bonus award is awarded, said future sporting event bonus award associated with said outcome of said future sporting event. 7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to determine a type of qualifying outcome corresponding to said outcome of said game generated by said game display unit of said first gaming apparatus. 8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to provide said player a second chance to obtain a qualifying win and earn a second entry in said gaming pool. 9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to receive additional wagering from said first gaming apparatus and to enter said player into a second gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game. 10. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to generate a tournament bracket for said gaming pool, wherein said assigning said entry to said player comprises assigning said player at least one entry into a complete tournament bracket for said gaming pool. 11. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to one of, allow said player to select an entry to be assigned in said tournament bracket, or randomly select for said player an entry in said tournament bracket. 12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to allow said player to defer said entry into said gaming pool for use in a subsequent gaming pool. 13. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to generate an entry ticket for said gaming pool after assigning the entry to said player. 14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to either allow said player to select the entry of said future sporting event bonus game to be assigned, or assign said player the entry of said future sporting event bonus game without any input from said player. 15. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said first and second gaming apparatuses are interconnected via an Internet. 16. A gaming system for providing a future sporting event bonus game comprising: a first gaming apparatus comprising: a display unit; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor of said first gaming apparatus, said controller being programmed to receive data representing a payline selection made by a first player, said controller being programmed to cause a game display to be generated by said display unit, said game display comprising images of a plurality of slot machine symbols each of which is associated with a respective slot machine reel, said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said slots game, said controller being programmed to determine said outcome of said slots game based on a first randomly generated configuration of said slot machine symbols; a second gaming apparatus operatively coupled to said first gaming apparatus, said second gaming apparatus comprising: a display unit; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor of said second gaming apparatus, said controller being programmed to receive data representing a payline selection made by a second player, said controller being programmed to cause a game display to be generated by said display unit, said game display comprising images of a plurality of slot machine symbols each of which is associated with a respective slot machine reel, said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said slots game, said controller being programmed to determine said outcome of said slots game based on a randomly generated configuration of said slot machine symbols; a bonus controller operatively coupled to said first and second gaming apparatuses, said bonus controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor of bonus controller, said bonus controller being programmed to receive bonus data from said first and second gaming apparatuses, said bonus controller being programmed to assign an entry to said player at said first gaming apparatus from a plurality of entries defining a gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game when said player obtains a qualifying win based on the randomly generated configuration of said slot machine symbols of said slots game, said bonus controller being programmed to receive an outcome of said future sporting event, said outcome of said future sporting event determined based, at least in part, on a skill of a participant in said future sporting event, wherein said player is not a participant in said future sporting event, and said controllers and said bonus controller do not randomly determine said outcome of said future sporting event, said bonus controller being programmed to determine if at least one winner exists based on said outcome of said future sporting event; said bonus controller being programmed to identify said at least one winner of said future sporting event bonus game if said at least one winner exists, said at least one winner being identified based on said entry assigned to said player at said first gaming apparatus, and said bonus controller being programmed to transmit data corresponding to said outcome of said future sporting event bonus game to at least one of said first and second gaming apparatuses and a remote display unit. 17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said display units of said first and second gaming apparatuses comprise a video display units that are capable of generating video images. 18. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein said controllers of said first and second gaming apparatuses are programmed to cause video images comprising images of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed on said display units. 19. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said display units of said first and second gaming apparatuses comprise at least one mechanical slot machine reel. 20. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said controllers of said first and second gaming apparatuses are programmed to receive payline data representing a number of paylines selected by said first and second players. 21. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said qualifying win includes at least one of the following: said first and second players play said first game and obtain a specific outcome, said first and second players play said first game and obtain a plurality of specific outcomes, said first and second players play said first game a designated number of times, said first and second players play said first game for a designated duration of time, and said first and second players play said first game a plurality of times and wager a designated sum of money over said plurality of times. 22. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to assign a value to each of said plurality of entries in said gaming pool, said value multiplied by a total number of entries in said gaming pool equaling a future sporting event bonus award. 23. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to assign a value to each of said plurality of entries in said gaming pool, said value multiplied by a total number of possible entries in said gaming pool equaling a future sporting event bonus award. 24. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to assign any unassigned entries in said gaming pool to a sponsor of said gaming pool. 25. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to enable any player who is assigned an entry into said gaming pool to predict the outcome of said future sporting event and determine whether at least one player exactly predicted the outcome of said future sporting event. 26. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to enable any player who is assigned an entry into said gaming pool to predict the outcome of said future sporting event and identify a player who most closely predicted the outcome of said future sporting event. 27. A bonus controller for managing a future sporting event bonus game in a gaming system, said bonus controller comprising: a processor; a memory operatively coupled to said processor; said bonus controller being programmed to receive bonus data corresponding to a game selected from one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, said bonus controller being programmed to assign an entry to a player associated with a first gaming apparatus from a plurality of entries defining a gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game when said player obtains a randomly determined qualifying win at one of said games, said bonus controller being programmed to determine an outcome of said future sporting event bonus game, said outcome of said future sporting event bonus game determined based, at least in part, on a skill of a participant in a future sporting event, wherein said player is not a participant in said future sporting event, and said bonus controller does not randomly determine said outcome of said future sporting event, said bonus controller being programmed to determine if at least one winner exists based on said outcome of said future sporting event bonus game, said bonus controller being programmed to identify said at least one winner of said future sporting event bonus game, and said bonus controller being programmed to transmit data corresponding to said outcome of said future sporting event bonus game. 28. The bonus controller of claim 27, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to: determine a type of randomly determined qualifying win corresponding to said game selected from one of said games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, and assign said player said entry based on said type of qualifying outcome. 29. The bonus controller of claim 27, wherein said randomly determined qualifying win includes at least one of the following: said player plays said game and obtains a specific outcome, said player plays said game and obtains a plurality of specific outcomes, said player plays said game a designated number of times, said player plays said game for a designated duration of time, and said player plays said game a plurality of times and wagers a designated sum of money over said plurality of times. 30. The bonus controller of claim 27, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to enable any player who is assigned an entry into said gaming pool to predict the outcome of said future sporting event and associate a future sporting event bonus award associated with said future sporting event with a second gaming pool if no players assigned an entry in said gaming pool exactly predict the outcome of said future sporting event. 31. The bonus controller of claim 27, wherein said bonus controller is programmed to generate and cause a display of a plurality of cells, which form said gaming pool, wherein each cell is associated with a unique outcome of said future sporting event, and offering said player at least one cell of said plurality of cells when assigning said entry to said player at said first gaming apparatus. 32. A gaming method, comprising: (a) causing a game display of one of the following games to be generated on a display unit of a first gaming apparatus: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo; (b) causing a game display of one of the following games to be generated on a display unit of a second gaming apparatus: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo; (c) randomly determining an outcome of said game represented by said game display generated on said display unit of said first gaming apparatus; (d) transmitting bonus data from said first gaming apparatus to a bonus controller; (e) determining if said randomly determined outcome of said game is a qualifying outcome for a future sporting event bonus game; (f) qualifying a player at said first gaming apparatus for said future sporting event bonus game if said randomly determined outcome is a qualifying outcome; (g) assigning an entry to said qualified player from a plurality of entries defining a gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game; (h) determining a winner of said future sporting event bonus game, said winner of said future sporting event bonus game determined based, at least in part, on a skill of a participant in a future sporting event, wherein said qualified player is not a participant in said future sporting event, and said bonus controller does not randomly determine said winner of said future sporting event; (i) transmitting display data associated with said future sporting event bonus game from said bonus controller to a display unit; and (j) determining a value payout associated with a future sporting event bonus award associated with said future sporting event bonus game. 33. The gaming method of claim 32, additionally comprising: generating and displaying a plurality of cells, which form said gaming pool, wherein each cell is associated with a unique outcome of said future sporting event, and offering said player at least one cell of said plurality of cells. 34. The gaming method of claim 33, additionally comprising randomly assigning said player at least one cell of said plurality of cells. 35. The gaming method of claim 33, wherein said plurality of cells in said gaming pool form a matrix, said matrix including a first axis and a second axis, each of said axes including a plurality of positions, and said method additionally comprises associating said first axis of said matrix with a first contestant in said future sporting event and said second axis of said matrix with a second contestant in said future sporting event, and, for each axis of said matrix, randomly assigning a different digit between 0 and 9 to each position of said axis. 36. The gaming method of claim 33, additionally comprising determining a winning cell of said plurality of cells, and awarding a player associated with said winning cell at least a portion of a future sporting event bonus award for said gaming pool. 37. The gaming method of claim 32, additionally comprising assigning said player a plurality of entries into said gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game. 38. The gaming method of claim 32, additionally comprising: qualifying said player for said future sporting event bonus game when one of the following events occurs: said player plays said game generated on said display unit of said first gaming apparatus and obtains a specific outcome, said player plays said game generated on said display unit of said first gaming apparatus and obtains a plurality of specific outcomes, said player plays said game generated on said display unit of said first gaming apparatus a designated number of times, said player plays said game generated on said display unit of said first gaming apparatus for a designated duration of time, and said player plays said game generated on said display unit of said first gaming apparatus a plurality of times and wagers a designated sum of money over said plurality of times. 39. A method of providing a gaming pool for a future sporting event bonus game in a gaming network, comprising: (a) receiving bonus data at a bonus controller, said bonus data corresponding to play of one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo; (b) qualifying a player for said future sporting event bonus game if a randomly determined outcome of said game is a qualifying outcome; (c) assigning an entry to said qualified player from a plurality of entries defining said gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game; (d) determining a monetary value of said gaming pool; (e) determining an outcome of a future sporting event, said outcome of said future sporting event determined based, at least in part, on a skill of a participant in said future sporting event, wherein said qualified player is not a participant in said future sporting event, and said bonus controller does not randomly determine said outcome of said future sporting event; (f) transmitting display data associated with said future sporting event bonus game from said bonus controller to a display unit, said display unit being operatively coupled to said bonus controller; and (g) determining a value payout associated with said outcome of said future sporting event bonus game. 40. The method of claim 39, additionally comprising providing said player a second chance to obtain a qualifying win and earn a second entry into said gaming pool. 41. The method of claim 39, additionally comprising receiving additional bonus data at said bonus controller and assigning a second entry to said qualified player from a second plurality of entries defining a second gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game. 42. The method of claim 39, additionally comprising generating a tournament bracket for said gaming pool and assigning said qualified player at least one entry from said tournament bracket. 43. A gaming system for providing a future sporting event bonus game, comprising: a first gaming apparatus comprising: a game display unit; a value input device; a controller operatively coupled to said game display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to cause said game display unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with a randomly determined outcome of said game, a second gaming apparatus operatively coupled to said first gaming apparatus, said second gaming apparatus having a controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor of said controller of said second gaming apparatus; said controller of said second gaming apparatus being programmed to receive bonus data from said first gaming apparatus, said controller of said second gaming apparatus being programmed to assign an entry to a player at said first gaming apparatus from a plurality of entries defining a gaming pool for said future sporting event bonus game when said player qualifies for entry at one of said games based on said randomly determined outcome of said game of said first gaming apparatus, said controller of said second gaming apparatus being programmed to determine an outcome of said future sporting event, said outcome of said future sporting event associated with one of said entries of said plurality of entries, said outcome of said future sporting event determined based, at least in part, on a skill of a participant in said future sporting event, wherein said player is not a participant in said future sporting event, and said controller and said controller of said second gaming apparatus do not randomly determine said outcome of said future sporting event, and said controller of said second gaming apparatus being programmed to transmit data corresponding to said outcome of said future sporting event to at least one of said first gaming apparatus and a remote display. 44. A memory having a computer program stored therein, said computer program being capable of being used in connection with a bonus controller in a gaming system, said memory comprising: a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to receive bonus data corresponding to a game, said game selected from one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to assign an entry to a player from a plurality of entries defining a gaming pool for a future sporting event bonus game when said player obtains a randomly determined qualifying win from said game, a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to determine an outcome of said future sporting event, said outcome of said future sporting event determined based, at least in part, on a skill of a participant in said future sporting event, wherein said player is not a participant in said future sporting event, and said bonus controller does not randomly determine said outcome of said future sporting event, a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to identify a winner of said future sporting event bonus game, a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to transmit display data associated with said future sporting event bonus game from said bonus controller to a display unit; and a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to determine a value payout associated with a future sporting event bonus award associated with said future sporting event bonus game. 45. The memory of claim 44, wherein, said memory additionally comprises a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to assign a value to each of said plurality of entries in said gaming pool, said value multiplied by a total number of possible entries in said gaming pool equaling said future sporting event bonus award. 46. The memory of claim 44, wherein said memory additionally comprises a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to assign any unassigned entries in said gaming pool to a sponsor of said gaming pool. 47. The memory of claim 44, wherein said memory additionally comprises a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause said bonus controller to enable any player who is assigned an entry into said gaming pool to predict the outcome of said future sporting event and determine whether at least one player exactly predicted the outcome of said future sporting event.