Patent ID: 8956219
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A method for awarding a player of a gaming machine an incentive award, the gaming machine including a game controller coupled to a memory device having a plurality of games including first and second playable games being stored on the memory device, the gaming machine configured to receive a wager from the player, determine an outcome of a game, and provide a jackpot award to the player as a function of the received wager, a paytable, and the generated outcome, the player having a player account stored in a host computer connected to the gaming machine, the host computer including a processor coupled to a database, the player account being stored on the database and including a number of bonus points, including the steps of: accepting a wager from the player to play either of the first and second games, via the gaming machine; establishing, by the host computer processor, a first triggering level of play associated with the first game, the first triggering level of play including a first predetermined amount of credits wagered on the first game; establishing, by the host computer processor, a second triggering level of play associated with the second game, the second triggering level of play including a second predetermined amount of credits wagered on the second game, the second predetermined amount of credits being different from the first predetermined amount of credits; allowing the player to play the first game on the gaming machine during a first playing session; tracking, by the host computer processor, play of the first game on the gaming machine during the first playing session and storing the tracked level of play of the first game in the database; allowing the player to play the second game on the gaming machine during a second playing session that occurs after the first playing session; tracking, by the host computer processor, play of the second game on the gaming machine during the second playing session and storing the tracked level of play of the second game in the database; determining, by the host computer processor, if the tracked level of play of the first game meets the first triggering level within a predetermined period of time; determining, by the host computer processor, if the tracked level of play of the second game meets the second triggering level; and, responsively awarding, by the host computer processor, the incentive award if: wherein the incentive award includes an amount of bonus points for use in placing a wager on a subsequent play of either of the first and second games.