Patent ID: 8109827
Filing Date: 2012-02-07
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method of facilitating the play of a multi-vendor progressive game, comprising: providing, with a processor, to a plurality of operators of a plurality of sets of game terminals a predetermined contribution range including a plurality of possible contribution amounts for a multi-vendor progressive prize fund; receiving, at the processor, from a first operator of a first set of game terminals an electronic communication including information indicating a selection of a first contribution amount from the contribution range, the first contribution amount indicating an amount to contribute to the multi-vendor progressive prize fund from wagers received at each terminal in the first set of game terminals, wherein the first contribution amount is selected by the first operator prior to receiving contributions from the first set of game terminals and the first set of game terminals includes a plurality of game terminals; receiving, at the processor, from a second operator of a second set of game terminals an electronic communication including information indicating a selection of a second contribution amount from the contribution range, of the second contribution amount indicating and amount to contribute to the multi-vendor progressive prize fund from wagers received at each terminal in the second set of game terminals, the second operator being different than the first operator and the first contribution amount being different than the second contribution amount, wherein the second contribution amount is selected by the second operator prior to receiving contributions from the second set of game terminals and the second set of game terminals includes a plurality of game terminals; receiving a first wager from a first player of a first game of chance, the first game of chance operating on a first game terminal in a first set of game terminals; accruing a portion of the first wager to the multi-vendor progressive prize fund, the amount accrued from the first wager depending on the first contribution amount; tracking, with a processor, a total amount accrued to the multi-vendor progressive prize fund by the first set of game terminals in a first prize determination interval; receiving a second wager from a second player of a second game of chance, the second game of chance operating on a second game terminal in a second set of game terminals; accruing a portion of the second wager to the multi-vendor progressive prize fund, the amount accrued from the second wager depending on the second contribution amount; determining that the second player has won a progressive prize; and determining the value of the progressive prize with a processor, the value of the progressive prize being a portion of the multi-vendor progressive prize fund the value of the portion depending on both the size of the multi-vendor progressive prize fund and on an amount of contributions accrued from the second set of game terminals to the multi-vendor progressive prize fund during a second prize determination interval.