Gaming device providing tournament entries

Abstract

A gaming device which enables a player to enter a tournament based on an outcome achieved on the gaming device. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a set of reels including at least one qualification symbol. If at least one qualification symbol is displayed within a display device of the gaming device, the player qualifies for a tournament to be played at a later time. The tournament is preferably a slot machine tournament. One or more prizes are awarded at the tournament, including high value items such as cars and motorcycles as well as lower valued items such as hats, T-shirts, jackets, memorabilia and other merchandise. In this regard, the tournament provides convenience to a casino as far as prize acquisition, distribution and record keeping are concerned because prizes are awarded at one specific event instead of on sporadic occasions. The payout percentages of the gaming devices providing entry into the tournament are set relative to a cost of the tournament.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 960,762, filed on Sep. 21, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Gaming devices are well known. Most gaming devices provide monetary awards such as coins or tokens to the player. If the awards are over a certain predetermined value, or number of coins or credits, most gaming devices provide hand pays for the players. Other known gaming devices provide physical prizes. Generally, a player will qualify to win a prize by achieving a certain result on a gaming device. In one example, a number of gaming devices may be associated with a valuable award or prize such as a car or motorcycle. [0003] Gaming establishments such as casinos favor such prizes because they can use the actual prize, such as a car or motorcycle, in a display in the casino associated with the games. The chance of winning such priz...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device which provides a player with entry into a tournament.

[0025] It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a gaming device and associated tournament which provide convenience in prize offering, distribution and record keeping.

[0026] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027]FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the gaming device of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of one method of one embodiment of the present invention;

Problems solved by technology

However, casinos are reluctant to offer such prizes associated with certain results on the gaming devices because there are various problems and complications associated with prize acquisition, distribution and record keeping.

This takes time and effort by casino personnel.

The negotiations may have to be performed by legal counsel, which also provides an added expense.

Casino personnel then face issues such as which distributor to choose, who is responsible if the prizes become damaged during the delivery, insurance costs for the prizes, as well as delivery due dates, returns, complaints and potential product liability, among other concerns.

If the prizes are stored off-site from the casino, casino personnel must also factor in the cost of having the prizes eventually delivered to the casino, whether by casino personnel, storage facility personnel, or a third party.

Smaller prizes may require the purchasing of additional security devices such as safes sensors because they are more prone to theft.

As a result, casino personnel who already monitor gaming devices for hand pays, large payouts and assorted maintenance may be faced with additional security tasks which may impair their ability to attend to players' inquiries.

In the alternative, the casino may have to hire additional personnel, which can be expensive for the casino.

They must also factor in the cost of advertising.

The materials for the display may have a substantial cost which the casino must consider.

The casino again faces delivery issues, including time constraints the player may be under.

Moreover, if the car is not in working order when the player receives the car, questions arise as to who is responsible.

Another issue to address is the organizing of records associated with conveying the prize to the player.

Maintaining these records can be a tedious and expensive task.

If the prize is valued at $20,000, the player may not appreciate, or may not be able to afford, to pay a tax on the value of the prize.

Smaller prizes, whether in size or value, may pose increased complications than larger prizes because they are won in greater volume.

Determining the quantity to purchase, delivery methods of the prizes, displaying of the prizes, delivery of the prizes to the player, security methods and recordkeeping can be more tedious for these small prizes than for larger prizes due to the greater volume of prizes.

These tasks, in and of themselves, require substantial amounts of time, effort and costs.

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