Patent Publication Number: US-2009239597-A1

Title: Gaming system and game control method enabling to bet on a payout amount of a player who won an award aside from a bet to a plurality of characters

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/034,365, filed Mar. 6, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a gaming system and a game control method that enables betting on a payout amount of a player who won an award aside from a bet on a plurality of characters, in a racing game in which a plurality of characters race for a finishing order. 
     2. Related Art 
     Conventionally, racing games in which a plurality of characters races, a player bets by predicting the finishing order, and the player is awarded based on the rank of the character bet on and odds announced before the start of the race, are known. A representative example of such a racing game is a game in which the racing character is a horse, such as the horse racing game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,351. The racing character can be a car, other animals and the like; however, the player bets similarly by predicting the finishing order thereof. 
     The target of a bet can be, in a horse racing game such as the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,991: a horse of first place, horses of first and second places, a group of a predetermined number of horses including horses of first and second places, and the like; thus, almost all the horse racing games are the same as real world horse racing. 
     In such a case, a player who has lost a bet loses the amount they have bet; in addition, the player can only watch with anticipation other players who have won an award and be glad. This only annoys and deters the players who have lost bets numerous times. 
     In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides a gaming system and a game control method in which a player can, in addition to betting on a certain character, bet on a payout amount provided to a player who won an award, thus providing various betting options and increasing the chances of winning an award, thereby arousing interest and excitement of the player. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, a gaming system is provided including: a display for displaying images relating to a racing game; first memory for storing an amount of a first bet on a result of the racing game; second memory for storing an amount of a second bet on a first payout amount determined in accordance with the result of the racing game and the first bet; a controller for executing the racing game and for determining the first payout amount and a second payout amount determined in accordance with the second bet; and a plurality of terminals for paying out at least one of the first payout amount and the second payout amount received from the controller, including an operation device for making at least one of the first bet and the second bet; and a communication network for connecting the controller and the plurality of terminals, in which the controller executes steps of: (a) receiving at least one of the amount of the first bet and the amount of the second bet from the plurality of terminals; (b) storing the amount of the first bet in the first memory or the amount of the second bet in the second memory in accordance with the step (a); (c) executing the racing game in response to the step (b); (d) determining the first payout amount after the step (c), on the basis of a result of the racing game and the first bet stored in the first memory; (e) determining the second payout amount in a case in which the greatest first payout amount is greater than a predetermined value; and (f) submitting at least one of the first payout amount and the second payout amount to the plurality of terminals that are qualified for a payout. 
     In a second aspect of the present invention, the gaming system according to the first aspect is provided, in which the second payout amount is of a predetermined proportion with respect to the greatest first payout amount. 
     In a third aspect of the present invention, a gaming system is provided including: a display for displaying images relating to a racing game; first memory for storing an amount of a first bet on a result of the racing game; second memory for storing an amount of a second bet on a first payout amount determined in accordance with the result of the racing game and the first bet; a controller for executing the racing game and for determining the first payout amount and a second payout amount determined in accordance with the second bet; and a plurality of terminals for paying out at least one of the first payout amount and the second payout amount received from the controller, including an operation device for making at least one of the first bet and the second bet; and a communication network for connecting the controller and the plurality of terminals, in which the controller executes steps of: (a) receiving at least one of the amount of the first bet and the amount of the second bet from the plurality of terminals; (b) storing the amount of the first bet in the first memory or the amount of the second bet in the second memory in accordance with the step (a); (c) executing the racing game in response to the step (b); (d) determining the first payout amount after the step (c), on the basis of a result of the racing game and the first bet stored in the first memory; (e) determining a value of a predetermined proportion with respect to the greatest first payout amount to be the second payout amount; and (f) submitting at least one of the first payout amount and the second payout amount to the plurality of terminals that are qualified for a payout. 
     In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a gaming system is provided including: a display for displaying images relating to a racing game; a plurality of terminals for paying out at least any one of a first payout amount for a first bet and a second payout amount for a second bet, the plurality of terminals including an input device for inputting at least any one of: the first bet on a result of the racing game; and the second bet on a result of the first bet together with a designation of a bet target terminal thereof; first memory for storing the amount of the first bet for each of the plurality of terminals; second memory for storing the amount of the second bet and information regarding the bet target terminal for each of the plurality of terminals; a controller for executing the racing game and determining the first payout amount and the second payout amount; and a communication network for connecting the controller and the plurality of terminals, in which the controller executes steps of: (a) receiving at least one of the amount of the first bet and the amount of the second bet together with information regarding the bet target terminal; (b) storing the amount of the first bet in the first memory and the amount of the second bet together with the information regarding the bet target terminal in the second memory, in accordance with the operation of the step (a); (c) executing the racing game in response to the step (b); (d) determining the first payout amount after the step (c), on the basis of a result of the racing game and the first bet stored in the first memory; (e) in a case in which a terminal qualified for the first payout amount is the bet target terminal, determining the second payout amount for a terminal having selected the bet target terminal, on the basis of the first payout amount for the bet target terminal and the amount of the second bet placed by a terminal selecting the bet target terminal; and (f) submitting at least one of the first payout amount and the second payout amount to the plurality of terminals that are qualified for a payout. 
     In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the gaming system according to the fourth aspect is provided, in which the second payout amount is of a predetermined proportion with respect to the first payout amount for the bet target terminal. 
     In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for controlling a game including: a display for displaying images relating to a racing game; first memory for storing an amount of a first bet on a result of the racing game; second memory for storing an amount of a second bet on a first payout amount determined in accordance with the result of the racing game and the first bet; a controller for executing the racing game and for determining the first payout amount and a second payout amount determined in accordance with the second bet; and a plurality of terminals for paying out at least one of the first payout amount and the second payout amount received from the controller, including an operation device for making at least one of the first bet and the second bet; and a communication network for connecting the controller and the plurality of terminals, in which the method includes the following steps, executed by the controller, of: (a) receiving at least one of the amount of the first bet and the amount of the second bet from the plurality of terminals; (b) storing the amount of the first bet in the first memory or the amount of the second bet in the second memory in accordance with the step (a); (c) executing the racing game in response to the step (b); (d) determining the first payout amount after the step (c), on the basis of a result of the racing game and the first bet stored in the first memory; (e) determining the second payout amount in a case in which the greatest first payout amount is greater than a predetermined value; and (f) submitting at least one of the first payout amount and the second payout amount to the plurality of terminals that are qualified for a payout. 
     In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the gaming system according to the sixth aspect is provided, in which the second payout amount is of a predetermined proportion with respect to the greatest first payout amount. 
     In an eighth aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for controlling a game including: a display for displaying images relating to a racing game; a plurality of terminals for paying out at least any one of a first payout amount for a first bet and a second payout amount for a second bet, the plurality of terminals including an input device for inputting at least one of: the first bet on a result of the racing game; and the second bet on a result of the first bet placed by the bet target terminal, together with a designation of a bet target terminal thereof; first memory for storing the amount of the first bet for each of the plurality of terminals; second memory for storing the amount of the second bet and information regarding the bet target terminal for each of the plurality of terminals; a controller for executing the racing game and for determining the first payout amount and a second payout amount determined in accordance with the second bet; and a communication network for connecting the controller and the plurality of terminals, in which the method includes the following steps, executed by the controller, of: (a) receiving at least one of the amount of the first bet and the amount of the second bet together with the information regarding the bet target terminal; (b) storing the amount of the first bet in the first memory and the amount of the second bet together with the information regarding the bet target terminal in the second memory, in accordance with the operation of the step (a); (c) executing the racing game in response to the step (b); (d) determining the first payout amount after the step (c), on the basis of a result of the racing game and the first bet stored in the first memory; (e) in a case in which a terminal qualified for the first payout amount is the bet target terminal, determining the second payout amount for a terminal having selected the bet target terminal, on the basis of the first payout amount for the bet target terminal and the amount of the second bet placed by a terminal selecting the bet target terminal; and (f) submitting at least one of the first payout amount and the second payout amount to the plurality of terminals that are qualified for a payout. 
     In a ninth aspect of the present invention, the gaming system according to the eighth aspect is provided, in which the second payout amount is of a predetermined proportion with respect to the first payout amount for the bet target terminal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow chart showing a main part of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the gaming system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the configuration of a gaming system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a main controller of the gaming system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the terminal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a terminal device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the main flow chart of a gaming system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing a side bet result processing of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of the display of a liquid crystal monitor of the terminal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing side bet result processing according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing an example of the display of a liquid crystal monitor of the terminal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The main part of the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 1 . A main control unit  112 , of a main controller  20  controlling the gaming system  1  overall according to the present invention, executes initialization processing. In other words, the main control unit  112  determines a plurality of characters participating in a race and a plurality of teams as a target of a bet, and submits the result thereof to each terminal device  30  (Step S 101 ). In Step S 102 , the main control unit  112  stores the bet information received from the plurality of terminal devices  30  for each of the terminal devices  30 . In Step S 103 , the main control unit  112  determines whether it is time for starting the race or not. In the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step S 104 , and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced to Step S 102 . In Step S 104 , the main control unit  112  executes a racing game, and then advances to Step S 105 . In Step S 105 , the main control unit  112  determines an award for each of the plurality of characters based on a result of the racing game, and then advances to Step S 106 . In Step S 106 , the main control unit  112  determines whether the greatest payout amount given to the terminal devices  30  is at least a threshold value or not. In the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step S 107 , and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced to Step S 101 . In Step S 107 , the main control unit  112  determines a side bet payout, and submits information regarding the side bet payout as an award provided to each of the terminal devices  30  having placed a side bet. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an appearance of a gaming system  1  including a plurality of terminal devices  30 . The gaming system  1  is a multi-player gaming system for a multi-player-type horse racing game, in which a plurality of players can participate, including a plurality of terminal devices  30  and a main controller  20 , which is a controller having a large main display device  21 . 
     The main controller  20  includes and controls the main display device  21  and speaker devices  22  installed on both sides of the main display device  21 . 
     The main display device  21  is a large projection display device. The main display device  21  displays an image of a plurality of racehorses racing, a result of a race, and the like, in response to control by the main controller  20 . On the other hand, a sub display device included in each terminal device  30  displays odds information for each racehorse, information related to a bet made by the players themselves, and the like. It should be noted that a large projection display device is used in the present embodiment; however, the present invention is not limited thereto and any large monitor can be used. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing a network of the gaming system  1 . 
     In the gaming system  1 , the main controller  20  and the plurality of terminal devices  30  can communicate with each other via a communication line to form a network  40 . The main display device  21  is configured to be controlled from the main controller  20 . The communication line can provide a wired or wireless connection. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a main control unit  112  included in the main controller  20 . Basically, the main control unit  112  is constituted mainly of a microcomputer  145  having a CPU  141 , RAM  142 , ROM  143 , and a bus  144  for data transfer therebetween. The RAM  142  and the ROM  143  are connected to the CPU  141  via the bus  144 . The ROM  143  stores various programs for processing required for the control of the gaming machine  1 , data tables, and the like. 
     The RAM  142  is memory for temporarily storing various data computed by the CPU  141 . In addition, the main control unit  112  can store bet information received from the plurality of terminal devices  30 . The bet information includes at least one of a first bet and a second bet, where the first bet is a bet on each character and the second bet is a side bet. The side bet is the second bet placed on a payout amount for the first bet. Unlike a payout for the first bet (a first payout), a payout for the side bet (a second payout) is determined to be of a predetermined proportion with respect to the greatest payout amount for the first bet. In the present embodiment, a threshold for the greatest payout amount is defined, and a payout for a side bet is provided in a case where the greatest payout amount is greater at least the threshold value. The payout for a side bet is determined to be of a predetermined proportion with respect to the greatest payout amount, where the predetermined proportion is determined in accordance with a bet amount for the side bet. In the present embodiment, a plurality of bet amounts is defined in advance. The greater the bet amount, the higher the proportion. In the present embodiment, for example, the bet amounts of 1, 5, and 10 credits are defined for the side bet. The payout amount for the side bet corresponding thereto are 1, 5 and 10 percent of the greatest payout amount for the first bet, respectively. 
     An image processing circuit  131  is connected to the microcomputer  145  via an I/O interface  146 . The image processing circuit  131  is connected to the main display device  21  and controls the operation thereof. 
     The image processing circuit  131  is constituted of: program ROM; image ROM; an image control CPU; work RAM; a video display processor (VDP); video RAM; and the like. The program ROM stores an image control program and various selection tables related to the display on the main display device  21 . The image ROM stores pixel data for forming an image, such as pixel data for forming an image on the main display device  21 . The image control CPU determines an image to be displayed on the main display device  21  from pixel data prestored in the image ROM based on a parameter defined by the microcomputer  145  and in accordance with an image control program prestored in the program ROM. The work RAM functions as a temporary storage device for executing the image control program by the image control CPU. The VDP generates image data according to the display content determined by the image control CPU, and outputs the same to the main display device  21 . The video RAM functions as a temporary storage device to be used for forming an image by the VDP. 
     A sound circuit  132  is connected to the microcomputer  145  via the I/O interface  146 . A speaker device  22  is connected to the sound circuit  132 . The speaker device  22  generates various sound effects, BGM and the like for implementing various effects, based on a driving signal from the CPU  141  and with an output control by the sound circuit  132 . 
     An external storage device  125  is connected to the microcomputer  145  via the I/O interface  146 . The external storage device  125  operates similarly to the image ROM in the image processing circuit  131 , in a case in which pixel data for forming an image, such as pixel data for forming an image on the main display device  21 , is stored therein. Therefore, the image control CPU in the image processing circuit  131  selects an image to be displayed on the main display device  21  also from pixel data prestored in the external storage device  125 . 
     A communication interface  136  is connected to the microcomputer  145  via the I/O interface  146 . A sub control unit  202  of each terminal device  30  is connected to the communication interface  136 . This allows for two-way communication between the CPU  141  and each terminal device  30 . The CPU  141  can transmit/receive instructions, requests, data and the like with respect to each terminal device  30  via the communication interface  136 . Therefore, the main controller  20  of the gaming system  1  controls the progress of a horse racing game, in cooperation with each terminal device  30 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing an appearance of each terminal device  30 . The terminal device  30  includes: a seat  31  on which a player can sit; an opening  32  formed on one of four lateral faces of the terminal device  30 ; a seat encircling portion  33  that covers three of four lateral faces of the terminal device  30  except for the lateral face having the opening  32 ; and a sub display device  34  installed on the seat encircling portion  33 , in the front portion of the terminal device  30 , that displays images related to the game. 
     The seat  31  includes: a seating surface  311  on which a player sits; a backrest  312  supporting the back of a player; a headrest  313  installed on top of the backrest  312 ; armrests  314  installed on both sides of the backrest  312 ; and a leg portion  315  fixed to the base portion  35 . 
     The seat encircling portion  33  includes: a side unit  331  installed on an opposite face to the lateral face having the opening  32 ; a front unit  332  installed in the front portion of the terminal device  30 ; and a back unit  333  installed in the rear portion of the terminal device  30 . This allows for a player to sit on and get out of the seat  31  through the opening  32 , in which the seat encircling portion  33  is not formed. 
     A medal slot into which medals corresponding to credits are inserted, a medal payout opening that pays out medals corresponding to credits, and the like are installed on the side unit  331  (not shown). It should be noted that the gaming medium used in the present embodiment is medals; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. Examples of the gaming medium include coins, tokens, electronic money, or any equivalent valuable information such as electronic credit. In this case, credits can be paid out by a ticket printed out from a ticket printer  216  (described later). 
     The front unit  332  is a table having the base portion  35  and a substantially horizontal top board, which is movably supported on the side unit  331 , in the front portion of the terminal device  30 . Players sitting on the seat  31  can put their legs into a room under the front unit  332 . 
     The back unit  333  is integrated with the side unit  331  and constitutes a part of the seat encircling portion  33 . 
     The sub display device  34  includes a supporting arm  341  supported by the front unit  332  and a rectangular liquid crystal monitor  342  for displaying, fixed at the distal end of the supporting arm  341 . The liquid crystal monitor  342  is a so-called touch panel, and provided at a position facing the chest of a player sitting on the seat  31 . The liquid crystal monitor  342 , which is a touch panel, serves as an input device used by a player to bet. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sub control unit  202  included in the terminal device  30 . The sub control unit  202  controls the terminal device  30  and is basically constituted mainly of a microcomputer  235  having a CPU  231 , RAM  232 , ROM  233 , and a bus  234  for data transfer therebetween. The RAM  232  and the ROM  233  are connected to the CPU  231  via the bus  234 . The RAM  232  is memory for temporarily storing various data computed by the CPU  231 . The ROM  233  stores various programs for processing required for the control of the gaming system  1 , data tables, and the like. 
     A sub monitor driving circuit  221  is connected to the microcomputer  235  via the I/O interface  236 . A liquid crystal monitor  342  is connected to the sub monitor driving circuit  221 . The sub monitor driving circuit  221  controls the operation of the liquid crystal monitor  342  based on a driving signal from a main gaming machine body  20 . 
     A touch panel driving circuit  222  is connected to the microcomputer  235  via the I/O interface  146 . A liquid crystal monitor  342  as a touch panel is connected to the touch panel driving circuit  222 . An instruction, by way of a touching operation by a user, to the surface of the liquid crystal monitor  342  (touched position) is input to the CPU  231  based on a coordinate signal from the touch panel driving circuit  222 . 
     A bill validator driving circuit  223  is connected to the microcomputer  235  via the I/O interface  236 . A bill validator  215  is connected to the bill validator driving circuit  223 . The bill validator  215  determines whether a bill or a bar coded ticket is valid or not. Upon reception of a valid bill, the bill validator  215  inputs the value thereof to the CPU  231  based upon the validating signal from the bill validator driving circuit  223 . In addition, upon reception of a valid bar coded ticket, the bill validator  215  inputs the amount of credits and the like recorded therein to the CPU  231  based upon the validating signal from the bill validator driving circuit  223 . 
     A ticket printer driving circuit  224  is connected to the microcomputer  235  via the I/O interface  146 . A ticket printer  216  is connected to the ticket printer driving circuit  224 . With an output control by the ticket printer driving circuit  224  based on a driving signal output from the CPU  231 , the ticket printer  216  prints a bar code on a ticket, in which data such as credit amount stored in the RAM  232  are coded, and then prints out a bar coded ticket. 
     The communication interface  225  is connected to the microcomputer  235  via the I/O interface  236 . The main control unit  112  of the main gaming machine body  20  is connected to the communication interface  225 . This allows for two-way communication between the CPU  231  and the main control unit  112 . The CPU  231  can transmit/receive instructions, requests, data and the like with respect to the main control unit  112  via the communication interface  225 . Therefore, each terminal device  30  of the gaming system  1  controls the progress of a horse racing game, in cooperation with the main controller  20 . 
     A flow of operation of the gaming system  1  is explained hereinafter with reference to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 7 . It should be noted that all the terminal devices  30  similarly perform a game in cooperation with the main controller  20 , although a single terminal device  30  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     The main controller  20  executes processing each of Step S 1  to Step S 9 . Firstly, in Step S 1 , the main control unit  112  performs initialization processing, and then the flow proceeds to Step S 2 . In this processing, the CPU  141  determines a course of the race, characters participating in the race, starting time and the like of the horse racing game, and reads data thereof from the ROM  143 . 
     In Step S 2 , the main control unit  112  transmits race information to each of the terminal devices  30 , and then advances to Step S 3 . In this processing, the CPU  141  transmits a course of the race, characters participating in the race, bet target team, starting time and the like, to each terminal device  30 . 
     In Step S 3 , the main control unit  112  receives bet information from each terminal device  30 , and stores the information in a predetermined storage region in the RAM  142 , and then advances to Step S 4 . More specifically, this processing stores information regarding a bet on each character as the first bet and information regarding a side bet as the second bet, in a predetermined storage region in the RAM  142 , for each terminal device  30 . 
     In Step S 4 , the main control unit  112  additively stores a predetermined proportion of the amount of bets on characters as a resource for side bet payout, and then advances to Step S 5 . In this processing, the main control unit  112  accumulatively stores a predetermined proportion of the amount of bets on characters (first bet), as a resource for side bet payout, in a predetermined storage region in the RAM  142 . 
     In Step S 5 , the main control unit  112  determines whether it is the time for starting the race. In the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step S 6  and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced to Step S 3 . More specifically, the CPU  141  checks the clock time until the time for starting the race comes, and, at the time for starting the race, advances to Step S 6 . 
     In Step S 6 , the main control unit  112  performs race displaying processing, and then the flow proceeds to Step S 7 . In this processing, the CPU  141  displays a race image on the main display device  21  and outputs sound effects and voices from the speaker device  22 , based on data that is read from the ROM  143  in Step S 1 . 
     In Step S 7 , the main control unit  112  performs race result processing, and then the flow proceeds to Step S 8 . In this process, the CPU  141  computes the payout for each terminal device  30  based on the finishing order of characters participating in the race, data regarding bet information received from each terminal device  30 , and the like. 
     In Step S 8 , the main control unit  112  performs side bet result processing (described later in  FIG. 8 ), and then advances to Step S 9 . In this processing, the main control unit  112  determines payout for the side bet. 
     In Step S 9 , the main control unit  112  performs payout information transmission processing, and then the flow proceeds to Step S 1 . In this processing, the CPU  141  transmits data regarding payout and the like computed in Steps S 7  and S 8  to the corresponding terminal device  30 . 
     On the other hand, each terminal device  30  executes processing of Step S 11  to Step S 16 . Firstly, in Step S 11 , the sub control unit  202  performs bet image display processing, and then the flow proceeds to Step S 12 . In this processing, the CPU  231  displays the odds for each racehorse, past records thereof and the like on the liquid crystal monitor  342 , based on the data sent from the main controller  20  in Step S 2 . 
     In Step S 12 , the sub control unit  202  performs bet operation accepting processing, and then the flow proceeds to Step S 13 . In this processing, the CPU  231  enables touch operation by a player on the surface of the liquid crystal monitor  342  as a touch panel, starts accepting a bet operation by the player, and changes images displayed thereon in accordance with the bet operation. In the present embodiment, a bet on characters and a side bet can be made. In addition, any one of the bets can also be made. 
     In Step S 13 , the sub control unit  202  determines whether a bet accepting period has elapsed or not. In a case where this determination is YES, the flow proceeds to Step S 14 , and in a case where this determination is NO, Step S 13  is repeated. More specifically, the CPU  231  repeatedly checks the clock time until a predetermined period has elapsed since the bet operation accepting processing started in Step S 12 , and, once the predetermined period has elapsed, stops accepting the bet operation by the player and advances the flow to Step S 14 . 
     In Step S 14 , the sub control unit  202  determines whether a bet operation was performed or not. YES for this determination leads to Step S 15  and NO for this determination leads to Step S 11 . In this processing, the CPU  231  determines whether a bet operation has been performed in the abovementioned period in which the bet operation has been accepted. 
     In Step S 15 , the sub control unit  202  performs bet information transmission processing, and then the flow proceeds to Step S 16 . In this processing, the CPU  231  transmits data regarding the performed bet operation to the main controller  20 . 
     In Step S 16 , the sub control unit  202  performs payout processing, and then the flow proceeds to Step S 11 . In this processing, the CPU  231  pays out medals from the medal payout opening, based on the data regarding payout and the like sent from the main controller  20  in Step S 8 . 
     The side bet result processing is described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     The side bet result processing determines a payout for the side bet. 
     In Step S 21 , the main control unit  112  reads the payout amounts for the first bets made on characters, searches for the greatest amount thereamong, and then advances to Step S 22 . 
     In Step S 22 , the main control unit  112  determines whether the greatest payout amount for the first bets is greater at least a threshold value, or not. In the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step S 23 , and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced to Step S 9  of  FIG. 7 . In this processing, the main control unit  112  reads the threshold value from the ROM  143  and compares the greatest payout amount searched in Step S 21  against the threshold value. In a case where the greatest payout amount is greater at least a threshold value, the main control unit  112  provides a payout for the side bet. 
     In Step S 23 , the main control unit  112  determines the side bet payout for the greatest payout amount, and then advances to Step S 9  of  FIG. 7 . This processing determines a payout for the greatest payout amount, in accordance with amount of a side bet made by each terminal device  30 . 
     An example of a display of the bet window shown on the liquid crystal monitor  342  of the terminal device  30  is described hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 9 . The liquid crystal monitor  342  can be used as a touch panel, thus allowing a player to perform a bet operation by touching the touch panel according to the display thereon. In other words, the liquid crystal monitor  342  and the touch panel are an input device of the terminal device  30 . 
     In the display example shown in  FIG. 9 , the bet window shown on the liquid crystal monitor  342  of the terminal device  30  is divided into 5 areas. The first area  61  displays the character number, the post position, the character name and the like of the characters participating in the race. A player can select the character to bet on with reference thereto. 
     The second area  62  is an area for betting. An input area is provided for each bet type that can be chosen in the racing game. The bet types can include any bet type that can be chosen in the normal horse racing games, such as Win (to predict a character winning first place) and Quinella (to predict a combination of characters in first and second places). To input, a player touches a bet type to make the bet type be in a selected state. Subsequently, a player touches a character number or a character name displayed on the first area  61  to bet thereon. For example, to make a Win bet, a player first touches an item  622  “Win”, and then touches a character number or a character name displayed on the first area. This inputs the character number touched by a player in a column  622 . 
     The third area  63  is an area for placing a side bet. The bet amounts of 1, 5, and 10 credits are defined in advance for the side bet. A player can place a side bet by touching any one of areas  631 ,  632 , and  633 , where the bet amounts are associated to these areas. The bet amounts also represent the proportions with respect to the greatest payout amount for the bets on characters (first bets). More specifically, if the amount of the side bet is 1, a payout of 1% of the greatest payout amount is provided thereto; if the amount of the side bet is 5, a payout of 5% of the greatest payout amount is provided thereto; and if the amount of the side bet is 10, a payout of 10% of the greatest payout amount is provided thereto. 
     The fourth area  64  displays a list of bets made by a player. A player can check the bets they made and the remaining credits by looking at the fourth area. 
     The fifth area  65  is a numerical pad area. A player inputs a bet amount in the fifth area  65 . A player can input a bet amount by touching a stake input area  711 , and then each number key  651  displayed in a numerical pad area  65 . A player can confirm the input numerical value by touching an input key  652 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a side bet is made by designating a terminal device  30 . In other words, a payout for the side bet is provided not in a case where the greatest payout amount reaches a threshold value; but in a case where a payout is provided to a designated terminal device  30  for a first bet. The payout for the side bet is a predetermined proportion with respect to the payout for the first bet. 
     It should be noted that the difference from the first embodiment is mainly described. Accordingly, descriptions for the same components as those in the first embodiment are omitted. In the drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are referenced by the same reference numbers. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram showing bet result processing according to the second embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram showing bet result processing according to the second embodiment. In the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step S 32 , and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced to Step S 9  of  FIG. 7 . 
     In Step S 32 , the main control unit  112  determines the side bet payout, and then advances to Step S 9  of  FIG. 7 . In this processing, the main control unit  112  provides an award for a side bet to a terminal device  30  having placed the side bet on another terminal device  30  qualified for an award (bet target terminal). The award for the side bet is a predetermined proportion with respect to the payout amount for the first bet provided to the bet target terminal. The predetermined proportion is determined in accordance with a bet amount for the side bet, as in the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  is an example of a display of the bet window shown on the liquid crystal monitor  342  of the terminal device  30 , according to the second embodiment. 
     In the third area, in addition to the areas  631 ,  632  and  633  for placing a side bet, a terminal number input area  635  for inputting a number of a terminal device  30  is provided. A player inputs a number of the terminal device  30 , which is a target device of a side bet, in the terminal number input area  635 . A player can input a number by touching the terminal number input area  635 , each number key  651  in a numerical pad area  65  to input a number, and then an input key  652  to confirm the input number. To input a number having two or more digits, a player can touch the number keys  651  successively. For example, to input the number  35 , a player touches the 3 key, the 5 key, and then the input key  652  to confirm. 
     After inputting the number of the target terminal device  30  and making a side bet, an amount of the side bet and the number of the terminal device  30  are displayed on a fourth area  64 . 
     The bet information submitted to the main controller  20  by terminal devices  30  (in Step S 5  of  FIG. 7 ) includes information regarding: a first bet on each character, the amount of the side bet, and the bet target terminal of the side bet. 
     Subsequently, after receiving the information, the main controller  20  stores the information for each terminal device  30  (in Step S 3  of  FIG. 7 ). 
     In the first embodiment, a gaming system and a game control method can be provided in which a player can, in addition to betting on a certain character, bet on a payout amount provided to a player who has won an award, thus providing various betting options and increasing the chances to win an award, thereby arousing interest and excitement of the player. 
     In the first embodiment, a payout for the side bet is provided as an award, in a case where the greatest payout amount for the first bet reaches a threshold value. In this way, the payout for the side bet is not necessarily provided, thereby distinguishing the gambling feature of the racing game aside of the race itself. 
     In the second embodiment, a payout for the side bet is provided as an award to a terminal device  30  in a case where a payout for the first bet is provided to the bet target terminal, where the terminal device  30  has designated the bet target terminal device  30 . A player can place a bet by predicting a terminal device to be qualified for a payout, in addition to the bet on the payout amount for a racing game. 
     In the first embodiment, a payout for the side bet is provided as an award, in a case where the greatest payout amount for the first bet reaches a threshold value; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a side bet payout can be provided to any greatest payout amount, without defining a threshold value. For example, in a case where a high roller has won a large bet, they can give other players an impression that they distribute a part of their revenue to others, thus creating a convivial atmosphere in the field. 
     In the second embodiment, a side bet is made by designating a terminal device  30 ; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of side bets can be made by designating a plurality of terminal devices  30  and side bet amounts thereof. In addition, the amount of the side bet is not limited to 1, 5, and 10 credits, and other amounts can also be defined. 
     In addition, the amount of the side bet is not limited to 1, 5, and 10 credits, and other amounts can also be defined. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the appended claims.