Patent ID: 7775875
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming machines coupled to a data network, the plurality of gaming machines including a distributing gaming machine having a finite pool of outcomes stored on a storage medium accessible by the distributing gaming machine, the distributing gaming machine coupled to distribute game outcomes from the finite pool of outcomes over the data network, and a plurality of receiving gaming machines each coupled to receive one or more of the distributed outcomes over the data network, the distributing and receiving gaming machines operable for game play to consume the outcomes, and the distributing gaming machine operable to do the following: associate a minimum threshold with one or more of the gaming machines, each minimum threshold representing a minimum number of unconsumed outcomes for the respective gaming machine, and each minimum threshold based on an average number of games played on the respective gaming machine in a defined length of time; determine when a number of unconsumed outcomes distributed to a first gaming machine of the one or more gaming machines is less than the minimum threshold associated with the first gaming machine; send an outcome request message over the data network when the number of unconsumed outcomes distributed to the first gaming machine is less than the minimum threshold; receive, responsive to the outcome request message, a further one of the distributed outcomes; send the received further one of the distributed outcomes to the first gaming machine; define a maximum threshold for one or more of the gaming machines, each maximum threshold representing a maximum number of unconsumed outcomes for a third gaming machine, and each maximum threshold based on an average number of games played on the third gaming machine in a defined length of time; determine when a number of unconsumed outcomes distributed to the third gaming machine is greater than the maximum threshold defined for the third gaming machine; send an outcome request message over the data network when the number of unconsumed outcomes distributed to the third gaming machine is greater than the maximum threshold, wherein the outcome request message requests transfer of at least one of the unconsumed outcomes from the third gaming machine to a fourth gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines or to a distributing computer coupled to the data network, and wherein the fourth gaming machine or the distributing computer identifies itself to the third gaming machine as being available to receive outcomes; and send the at least one of the unconsumed outcomes to the fourth gaming machine or the distributing computer in response to the outcome request message.