Gaming system allowing jackpot system selection

Abstract

In a gaming system according to the present invention, a server monitors jackpot values and the availability of a plurality of jackpot systems, and thereby produces list outputs of the jackpot values and the available gaming machines. The gaming system provides players with the lists displayed in a screen, and allows each player to select one of the available gaming machines in accordance with the jackpot values. When the jackpot systems are separated from each other and the server, the server reserves the gaming machine selected by a player by using the lists. The selected gaming machine is locked unless the server verifies customer ID data entered into the selected gaming machine. When the server virtually constructs all the jackpot systems, the server will link a virtual gaming machine, which a player has selected by using the lists, to a gaming terminal that the player actually operates.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a gaming system, and in particular, a gaming system that comprises a plurality of jackpot systems.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]The value of a jackpot, i.e., the largest award that a player can win on a gaming machine, is one of the most attractive features for players who select gaming machines in a casino. The higher the value of a jackpot is, the more attractive a gaming machine is. In general, one or more gaming machines are linked to a common jackpot controller, and constitute a single jackpot system. The jackpot controller uses a lottery process to determine whether or not to provide a jackpot to one of the linked gaming machines. Jackpot values vary with jackpot systems. In some jackpot systems, two or more jackpot values are selectable (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,147). In a progressive jackpot system, a jackpot controller repeatedly increments a jackpot value by a percentage ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a gaming system that includes multiple gaming machines and a server that communicate with each other. The gaming machines have a jackpot controller, a player tracking unit, and a reservation checking unit. The server has a jackpot value monitoring unit, an available gaming machine monitoring unit, a gaming machine selection controller, and a gaming machine reservation controller. The system allows players to easily view and select available gaming machines with favorable jackpot values. The server-based gaming system also includes virtual gaming machines and virtual jackpot controllers. The technical effects of the invention include improved player experience, reduced occupancy rates of gaming machines, and improved opportunities for players to play games on a gaming machine linked to a favorable jackpot system.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, once the players have selected a gaming machine on which they want to play games, the gaming machine may be unavailable when they return to play.

Thus, it is difficult to reduce the time required to select a gaming machine, and in particular, reduce the waiting time for available gaming machines linked to a jackpot system that a player wants to play, and therefore, it is difficult to both improve occupancy rates of gaming machines and maintain a player's interest in gaming at a high level.

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