Patent ID: 6702674
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
A method of awarding a jackpot value to a gaming machine from among a plurality of gaming machines in a wide area gaming network comprising a central jackpot controller, one or more venue jackpot controllers associated with one or more venues in communication with the central jackpot controller, and each of the gaming machines in communication with one of the one or more venue jackpot controllers, the method comprising the steps of:a. randomly determining whether to award the jackpot value by i) generating a random number, ii) comparing the random number to a jackpot hit value, and iii) deciding to award the jackpot value if the random number matches the jackpot hit value, wherein a jackpot hit range for the random number is determined prior to the generating the random number and the jackpot hit range is calculated from SRÃ—(ETC/ATC), where SR is the system range, ETC is the expected turnover contributed and ATC is the actual turnover contributed, and wherein SR and ETC are user provided constants; b. randomly selecting a venue for award of the jackpot value by iv) randomly determining a venue hit number in a range from zero to a total increase in turnover contributed from all venue jackpot controllers; and v) adding together an increase in turnover associated with each venue jackpot controller until the addition of the increase in turnover associated with a particular venue jackpot controller results in the venue hit number being equaled or exceeded; c. randomly selecting a gaming machine for award of the jackpot value in proportion to turnover contributed from each gaming machine associated with the venue jackpot controller responsible for the venue hit number being equaled or exceeded; and d. awarding the jackpot value to the selected gaming machine.