Patent ID: 9721429
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: G07F

Claim:
1. A method of conducting a promotion of the type in which drawing entries are allocated to players of electronic gaming devices each of which includes a non-transitory memory device configured to store computer-readable instructions to facilitate play of the electronic gaming device, the method comprising: receiving value at the electronic gaming devices via an accepting device associated with each electronic gaming device, the accepting device configured to accept a physical item associated with a monetary value; establishing a credit balance on at least some of the electronic gaming devices using the associated monetary value; increasing and decreasing the credit balance based at least on wagering activity; receiving a wager amount on at least some of the electronic gaming devices responsive to actuation of a first actuator associated with each gaming device; decreasing the credit balance on each electronic gaming device at which a wager amount is received responsive to actuation of the first actuator; initiating a game on at least some of the electronic gaming devices responsive to actuation of a second actuator associated with each gaming device; monitoring at least a credit meter of the electronic gaming devices during the promotion; identifying at least some of the players via a player-tracking system during the promotion; associating a metered amount of play on the electronic gaming devices with each of at least some of the players; generating a number of preliminary drawing entries for each player, the number of preliminary drawing entries being related to the metered amount of play by the player during the promotion; storing each player's identity and the associated preliminary number of drawing entries in a database; totaling the number of preliminary entries for each player to create a first set of entries having a first number of entries therein; associating at least some of the players with a predefined multiplier number greater than one; multiplying each player's preliminary drawing entries by the player's associated multiplier number to create a second set of drawing entries having a second number of entries therein for each player; drawing one from among at least all of the second sets of drawing entries; associating a prize from a prize table with the drawn entry; continuing to draw one from among all of at least the second sets of drawing entries and associating a prize from the prize table with each drawn entry; setting a prize cutoff level for each of at least some of the players; keeping a running total of the value of the prizes awarded to each player; changing the number of drawing entries for a player from the number in the second set to the number in the first set when the running total for the player reaches the prize cutoff level; awarding the prizes to the players; and cashing out a payout associated with the credit balance on at least some of the electronic gaming devices responsive to actuation of a third actuator associated with each electronic gaming device.