Patent Publication Number: US-2009227303-A1

Title: Gaming machine enabling to arbitrarily select and output a plurality of sound data for playing in a race in which a plurality of character race, and a gaming system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/034,282, 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 machine enabling arbitrary selection and output of a plurality of sound data for playing in a race in which a plurality of characters race, and a gaming system. 
     2. Related Art 
     Conventionally, racing games in which a plurality of characters races, a player bets by predicting the order of finishing, and the player is awarded based on the rank of the bet character and an odds announced before the start of the race, are known. A representative example of the racing game is a horse racing game. A representative example of the racing character is a horse; however, the character can be a car, other animals, and the like. A player bets by predicting a character finishing first or a finishing order of characters in a race. 
     Various effects are provided so as to make the race exciting. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,351 discloses a racing game, in which model horses with jockeys run in a field that represents a real race course, thereby recreating an actual race. Additionally, a racing game in which a horse race animation is played back on a large display is disclosed, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,991. 
     Generally, the effects include, in addition to the abovementioned visual effects, music and sound effects to generate a synergistic effect that makes a race exciting. However, similar sound effects are provided in the same situations in a race, and may become routine after a plurality of races. This may also make the racing game routine and thus cause the players to lose interest. 
     The present invention is made in view of the abovementioned problems, and the objective thereof is to provide a gaming machine and a gaming system enabling arbitrary selection and output of a plurality of pieces of sound data for playing in a race, and to avoid routine effects therein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine includes: a display for displaying images relating to a racing game in which a plurality of characters race; memory for storing a plurality of pieces of sound data; speakers for outputting the sound data; and an operation device for performing a bet operation on the characters that race; and a controller for executing steps of: (a) selecting sound data from the plurality of pieces of sound data while the racing game is in operation; and (b) outputting the sound data from the speakers while the racing game is in execution. 
     According to the first aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine includes memory for storing a plurality of pieces of sound data, from which the controller selects and outputs a piece of sound data while the racing game is in execution. In other words, different sound data is output in each racing game. 
     In a second aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine includes: a display for displaying images relating to a racing game in which a plurality of characters race; first memory for storing a plurality of pieces of sound data associated to a bet amount; speakers for outputting the sound data; and a bet operation device for accepting a bet operation on the characters that race; second memory for storing the bet amount; and a controller for executing steps of: (a) storing the bet amount to the second memory when a bet is made; (b) selecting sound data associated to the bet amount stored in the second memory; and (c) outputting the sound data selected from the speakers while the racing game is in execution. 
     According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of sound data associated with bet amounts are stored in memory, and a piece of sound data is selected therefrom and output according to a bet amount made by a player. 
     In a third aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine described in the second aspect further includes: a sound output operation device for generating an output signal for outputting sound from the speakers in response to an operation by a player, in which the controller further executes a step of: (d) outputting the sound data selected from the speakers in response to an operation of the sound output operation device. 
     According to the third aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine of the second aspect further includes a sound output operation device for generating an output signal for outputting sound from the speakers in response to an operation by a player. Sound data is output in response to an output signal generated by an operation of the sound output operation device. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine as described in the second aspect, the speakers are directional speakers outputting sound to a predetermined direction. 
     In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes: a plurality of terminals having a bet operation device for accepting a bet operation for the characters that race in the racing game in which a plurality of characters race; a display for displaying images relating to the racing game, installed in a position visually recognizable by each of users operating the plurality of terminals; first memory for storing a sound selection table in which a plurality of pieces of sound data are associated with a total bet amount; second memory for storing the total bet amount of a bet made on each of the plurality of terminals; speakers for outputting the sound data; and a controller for controlling the entire of the game, having a communication device for communicating with the plurality of terminals, in which the controller executes processing of: (a) receiving the bet amount from each of the plurality of terminals; (b) accumulating the bet amount received from each of the plurality of terminals, and storing a result thereof in the second memory; (c) selecting a piece of sound data from the plurality of pieces of the sound data, based on the total bet amount and the sound selection table stored in the first memory; and (d) outputting the piece of sound data from the speakers while the racing game is in execution. 
     According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of sound data associated with bet amounts is stored in memory. The controller selects a piece of sound data from the plurality of pieces of sound data, according to the sum of bet amounts received from the plurality of terminals. Then, the controller outputs the selected piece of sound data. 
     In a sixth aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes: a plurality of terminals having a communication method for connecting and communicating with a network; a center controller for controlling the entire of the game, having a communication device for communicating with the plurality of terminals; a display for displaying images relating to the racing game, installed in a position visually recognizable by each of users operating the plurality of terminals; first memory for storing a sound selection table in which information pieces representing a plurality of pieces of sound data are associated with a total bet amount; and second memory for storing the total bet amount of a bet made on each of the plurality of terminals; in which each of the plurality of terminals includes: local memory for storing the plurality of pieces of sound data; speakers for outputting the sound data; and a bet operation device for accepting, in the racing game in which a plurality of characters race, a bet operation on the characters; a sound output operation device for generating an output signal for outputting sound in response to an operation by a player; and a local controller for outputting the sound data selected from the plurality of pieces of sound data by the center controller from the speakers, in which the center controller at least executes steps of: (A) receiving a bet amount from each of the plurality of terminals; (B) accumulating the bet amount received from the plurality of terminals and storing a result thereof in the second memory; (C) based on the total bet amount stored in the second memory, selecting an information piece representing a piece of sound data from the information pieces representing the plurality of pieces of sound data stored in the first memory; and (D) transmitting the information piece representing the piece of sound data to the plurality of terminals, so as to output the sound data from the speakers, in which the local controller executes steps of: (a) upon receiving the information representing the piece of sound data, selecting a piece of sound data corresponding to the information piece representing the piece of sound data; and (b) outputting the sound data from the speakers in response to the output signal generated by the sound output operation device. 
     According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of sound data associated with bet amounts is stored in memory. The controller selects a piece of sound data from the plurality of pieces of sound data, according to the sum of bet amounts received from the plurality of terminals. Then, the sound output operation device is operated in the plurality of terminals, and, in response to an output signal generated thereby, a piece of sound data corresponding to an information piece representing thereof received from the center controller is output from the speakers in each of the plurality of terminals. 
     According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the gaming system as described in the sixth aspect, the speakers are directional speakers outputting sound to a predetermined direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a flow chart showing the main part of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the appearance of the terminal device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view illustrating the appearance of the terminal device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the terminal device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing a flow of the terminal device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a sound selection table according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the gaming system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing the configuration of a gaming system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a main controller of the gaming system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing the main flow chart of a gaming system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing sound selection processing in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The main part of the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 1 . The sub control unit  202  of the terminal device  30 , which is a gaming machine according to the present invention, performs initialization processing (Step S 101 ), and then advances to Step S 102 . In the initialization processing, characters participating in the race, a course for a race, and the like are determined. In Step S 102 , the sub control unit  202  accepts a bet before executing a racing game, and then advances to Step S 103 . In Step S 103 , the sub control unit  202  determines whether a bet accepting period has elapsed 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 sub control unit  202  selects a sound to be output during a race based on the bet amount, and then advances to Step S 105 . In Step S 105 , the status of the sub control unit  202  is shifted to a status allowing sound output, and then proceeds to Step S 106 . In this processing, the sound selected in Step S 104  is read from ROM  233  and made ready for output anytime in response to an operation of a sound effect output switch  60 . In Step S 106 , a racing game is executed, and then processing is advanced to Step S 107 . In Step S 107 , the sub control unit  202  determines a payout based on a result of the race, and provides an award. In Step S 108 , the sub control unit  202  exits from the status allowing sound output. 
     First embodiment 
     A first embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter. 
     A terminal device  30  is described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an appearance of the terminal device  30 .  FIG. 3  is a top view showing an appearance of the 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 a front portion of the terminal device  30 , that displays images related to the game. In addition, speakers  50  are provided in the sub display device  34 . 
     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 a player to sit on and get out of the seat  31  through the opening  32 , at which the seat encircling portion  33  is not formed. 
     A medal slot to which medals corresponding to credits are inserted, a medal payout opening that pays out medals corresponding to credits, and the like are disposed 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). In addition, a sound effect output switch  60  is provided in the side unit  331 . The sound effect output switch  60  is pushed by a player to output other sound effects than a sound effect output in the game. 
     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 . A player sitting on the seat  31  can put their legs into a space under the front unit  332 . 
     The back unit  333  is integrated with the side unit  331  and constitutes a portion 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 is 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. 
     In addition, the speakers  50  are provided in the sub display device  34 . The speakers  50  output sound effects in the terminal device  30 . In addition, the speakers  50  are preferably so-called directional speakers. In other words, the speakers  50  output sound waves having directionality to a predetermined direction as the sound effect. Therefore, sound output from the speakers  50  has a reachable area shown as the dotted lines A in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The directionality of the speakers  50  is configured so that the reachable area of sound includes the player. This allows a focused output of sound effects and the like to the player operating the terminal device  30 . In addition, since the sound output from the speakers  50  of the terminal device  30  has directionality, it is not easily perceivable from players operating other terminal devices  30 . This allows the player to feel free to output the sound effect using the sound effect output switch  60 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sub control unit  202  as the controller included in the terminal device  30 . The sub control unit  202  controls the terminal device  30  and basically is constituted mainly of a microcomputer  235  constituted of 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, data tables, and the like for processing required for the control of the terminal device  30 . 
     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 the CPU  231 . 
     A touch panel driving circuit  222  is connected to the microcomputer  235  via the I/O interface  146 . A liquid crystal monitor  342 , which is a touch panel, is connected to the touch panel driving circuit  222 . An instruction, by 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 sound circuit  226  is connected to the microcomputer  235  via the I/O interface  236 . The speakers  50  are connected to the sound circuit  226 . The speakers  50  output sound effects, voice effects and the like for the game, based on an output signal from the sound circuit  226 . 
     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 a credit amount stored in the RAM  232  are coded, and then prints out a bar coded ticket. 
     The terminal device  30  can include a communication interface  225 . In other words, the communication interface  225  is connected to the microcomputer  235  via the I/O interface  236 . A server for management of a game hall through a network, other terminal devices  39 , and the like can be connected to the communication interface  225 . 
     Flow of processing in the terminal device  30  is described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     Firstly, the sub control unit  202  performs initialization processing (Step S 1 ), and then advances to Step S 2 . In the initialization processing, the CPU  231  determines a course of the race, characters participating the race, a starting time and the like of the horse racing game, and reads data thereof from the ROM  233 . 
     In Step S 2 , the sub control unit  202  displays race information on the sub display device  34 , and then advances to Step S 3 . In this processing, information such as the course of the race, the characters participating in the race and the like, determined in Step S 1 , are displayed on the sub display device  34 (liquid crystal monitor  342 ). 
     In Step S 3 , the sub control unit  202  accepts a bet operation by a player, and then advances to Step S 4 . In this processing, the sub control unit  202  accepts a bet operation by a player via the liquid crystal monitor  342  as a touch panel, and stores the bet operation in the RAM  232 . 
     In Step S 4 , the sub control unit  202  determines whether a time period for accepting has elapsed or not. In the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step S 5  and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced to Step S 3 . 
     In Step S 5 , the sub control unit  202  selects a sound to be output during the race based on the bet amount and a sound selection table, which is later described in  FIG. 6 , and then advances to Step S 6 . In this processing, a different sound is selected to be output during the race, according to the bet amount specified in the bet operation by the player. In the present embodiment, in addition to the sound required for the race (such as fanfare to be output before the start of the race), sound effects to be output by a push operation of the sound effect output switch  60  is also selected in the step. 
     In Step S 6 , the status of the sub control unit  202  is shifted to a status allowing sound output, and then proceeds to Step S 7 . In this processing, the sub control unit  202  starts output of the sound determined in Step S 5 , and reads sound data, to be output by a push operation of the sound effect output switch  60 , from ROM  233  and stores the sound data, in a stand-by state, in the RAM  232 . The sound effect is output in response to an operation of the sound effect output switch  60 . 
     In Step S 7 , the sub control unit  202  performs race display processing, and then advances to Step S 8 . In this processing, a race image is displayed on the sub display device  34  based on data what is read from the ROM  233  in Step S 1 , and outputs sound effects and voices from the speakers  50 . 
     In Step S 8 , the sub control unit  202  performs race result processing, and then advances to Step S 9 . In this processing, the sub control unit  202  calculates a payout based on the race result and bets by players. 
     In Step S 9 , the sub control unit  202  performs payout processing, and then advances to Step S 10 . In this processing, the sub control unit  202  pays out the amount determined in Step S 8 . 
     In Step S 10 , the sub control unit  202  exits from the status allowing sound output, and advances to Step S 1 . The sub control unit  202  deletes the sound data read from the ROM  233  in the RAM  232 . 
     The sound selection table is described with reference to  FIG. 6 . The sound selection table is used for selecting the sound to be output in accordance to a bet amount. 
     According to  FIG. 6 , ranges of a bet amount, pieces of race sound, and pieces of sound effects are associated to each other in the sound selection table. The ranges of a bet amount are used for selecting the sound. The race sound is output to make a race exciting, and the sound effect is output in response to an operation of the sound effect output switch  60  of the terminal device  30 . Preferably, the greater the bet amount, the more boisterous the race sound and the sound effect become. In addition, the race sound and the sound effect can be different and may be a part of any musical composition or song, not limited to a short duration sound such as the sound of a bell, a trumpet, fanfare and the like. 
     To select a sound, the sub control unit  202  accepts a bet, determines the range of numerical values defined in the “ranges of a bet amount” column to which the bet amount belongs, and determines the race sound and the sound effect associated with the range (in the present embodiment, in the same row in the sound selection table). 
     For example, in a case where the amount of the bet made in the terminal device  30  is  150 , the range to which the amount belongs is “ 101  to  300 ”. Consequently, the race sound “CDE” and the sound effect “cde” are selected. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 13 . The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a main controller  20 , controlling a plurality of terminals, selects sound in the gaming system. It should be noted that differences 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. It should be noted that the race execution is performed by the sub control unit  202  of the terminal device  30  in the first embodiment, and by the main control unit  112  of the main controller  20  in the second embodiment. The present embodiment is described in detail hereinafter. 
       FIG. 7  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 of the gaming system, having a large main display device  21 . 
     The main controller  20  includes and controls the main display device  21  and a speaker device  22  installed on both sides of the main display device  21 . 
     The main display device  21  is a large projector 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, which is included in each terminal device  30 , displays odds information for each racehorse, information related to a bet made by the player themselves, and the like. It should be noted that a large projector display device is used in the present embodiment; however, the present invention is not limited thereto and any large monitor can be used. 
       FIG. 8  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 and 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. 9  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  constituted of 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 RAM  142  is memory for temporarily storing various data computed by the CPU  141 . The ROM  143  stores various programs for processing required for the control of the gaming system  1 , data tables, and the like. 
     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  transmits and receives 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 . 
     A flow of the operation of the gaming system  1  is explained hereinafter with reference to the flow chart shown in  FIG. 10 . 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. 10 . 
     The main controller  20  processes Step S 21  to Step S 30 . Firstly, in Step S 21 , the main control unit  112  performs initialization processing, and then advances to Step S 22 . In this processing, the CPU  141  determines a course of the race, characters participating in the race, a starting time and the like of the horse racing game, and reads data thereof from the ROM  143 . 
     In Step S 22 , the main control unit  112  transmits race information to each of the terminal devices  30 , and then proceeds to Step S 23 . In this processing, the CPU  141  transmits a course of the race, characters participating in the race, a bet target team, a starting time and the like, to each terminal device  30 . 
     In Step S 23 , the main control unit  112  stores the bet information, and then advances to Step S 24 . In this processing, the main control unit  112  stores the bet information received from the plurality of terminal devices  30  in the RAM  142  for each of the terminal devices  30 . 
     In Step S 24 , the main control unit  112  performs sound selection processing, and then advances to Step S 25 . In this processing, the main control unit  112  selects a sound to be output during a race based on the total bet amount. This processing is later described in more detail. 
     In Step S 25 , 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 26 , and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced to Step S 23 . 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, processing is advanced to Step S 26 . 
     In Step S 26 , the main control unit  112  transmits sound information to each terminal device  30 , and then advances to Step S 27 . In Step S 27 , the main control unit  112  starts output of the sound selected in Step S 24 , and then advances to Step S 27 . The sound information is information regarding the sound determined in Step S 24 , which is output from the speakers  50  of the terminal device  30 . 
     In Step S 28 , the main control unit  112  performs race displaying processing, and then advances to Step S 29 . In this processing, the CPU  141  displays a race image on the main display device  21  and outputs the race sound selected in Step S 24 , other sound effects, voices, and the like from the speaker device  22 , based on data that is read from the ROM  143  in Step S 1 . 
     In Step S 29 , the main control unit  112  performs race result processing, and then advances to Step S 30 . In this process, the CPU  141  computes the payout for each terminal device  30  based on the order of arrival of characters that participated in the race, data regarding bet information received from each terminal device  30 , and the like. 
     In Step S 30 , the main control unit  112  performs payout information transmission processing, and then advances to Step S 1 . In this processing, the CPU  141  transmits data regarding payout and the like, computed in Step S 29 , to the corresponding terminal device  30 . 
     On the other hand, each terminal device  30  processes Steps S 41  to S 48 . Firstly, in Step S 41 , the sub control unit  202  performs bet image display processing, and then advances to Step S 42 . 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 22 . 
     In Step S 42 , the sub control unit  202  performs bet operation accepting processing, and then advances to Step S 43 . In this processing, the CPU  231  enables touch operation by a player on the surface of the liquid crystal monitor  342 , which is a touch panel, starts accepting bet operations by the player, and changes images displayed thereon in accordance with the bet operation. 
     In Step S 43 , the sub control unit  202  determines whether the predetermined period has elapsed or not, and then advances to Step S 44 . In the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step S 44 , and in the case of a NO determination, advances to Step S 42 . More specifically, the CPU  231  repeatedly checks the clock time until a predetermined period has elapsed since the bet operation accepting processing is started in Step S 42 , and, once the predetermined period has elapsed, stops accepting bet operations by the player and advances to Step S 44 . 
     In Step S 44 , the sub control unit  202  determines whether a bet operation has been performed or not. In the case of a YES determination, processing is advanced to Step S 45 , and in the case of a NO determination, processing is advanced to Step S 41 . 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 45 , the sub control unit  202  performs bet information transmission processing, and then advances to Step S 46 . In this processing, the CPU  231  transmits data regarding the performed bet operation to the main controller  20 . 
     In Step S 46 , the status of the sub control unit  202  is shifted to a status allowing sound output, and then advances to Step S 47 . In this processing, the sub control unit  202  makes the sound ready for output from the speakers  50  of the terminal device  30  based on the sound information received from the main controller  20  in Step S 27 . More specifically, the sub control unit  202  reads the sound data from the ROM  233  based on a sound name included in the sound information, and stores the sound data in the RAM  232 . The sound is made ready for output in response to an operation of the sound effect output switch  60 . This allows a sound effect to be output when the sound effect output switch  60  is operated while the race is in operation (a period between a bet operation and payout processing), where the sound effect is selected in accordance with the total bet amount. 
     In Step S 47 , the sub control unit  202  performs payout processing, and then advances to Step S 48 . 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 30 . 
     In Step S 48 , the sub control unit  202  exits from the status allowing sound output and advances to Step S 41 . In this processing, the sub control unit  202  clears the sound in the RAM  232 , which was ready for output in response to an operation of the sound effect output switch  60 . 
     The sound selection processing is described with reference to  FIG. 11 . 
     In this processing, a sound is selected for output from the speakers  22  and each terminal device  30  during the race. 
     In Step S 51 , the main control unit  112  computes the total bet amount, and then advances to Step S 52 . In this processing, the main control unit  112  computes the sum total of bet amount received from each terminal device  30  and stored in the RAM  142 , and stores the total bet amount in a predetermined storage region in the RAM  142 . 
     In Step S 52 , the main control unit  112  selects a sound to be output from the speakers  22  and the speakers  50  of the terminal device  30  based on the total bet amount and a sound selection table, and then advances to Step S 53 . The sound table referenced by the main control unit  112  in Step S 52  is similar to that of  FIG. 6 , and is stored in the ROM  143  of the main controller  20 . 
     In Step S 53 , the main control unit  112  stores information regarding the sound selected in Step S 52  to a predetermined storage region in the RAM  142 , and then advances to Step S 25  of  FIG. 10 . 
     According to the first embodiment, a gaming machine and a gaming system can be provided, which enable arbitrary selection and output of a plurality of pieces of sound data for playing in a race, to avoid a monotonous effects therein. 
     According to the first embodiment, the sub control unit  202  can select and output the sound to be output in the race, in response to an operation of the sound effect output switch  60 . This allows players to freely output sound effects at arbitrary moments during the race, and can motivate the players to participate in the game. In addition, since the sound effect is selected in accordance with the total bet amount, a dashing sound effect can be associated with a higher bet amount to motivate the player participating in the game and to bring a sense of tension. 
     According to the first embodiment, speakers  50  are provided in the sub display device  34 , where the speakers  50  are directional speakers. Furthermore, the speakers  50  are installed toward the player operating the terminal device  30 . This can make the sound effect, which is output in response to an operation of the sound effect output switch, audible essentially only to the player operating the terminal device  30 . This can prevent other players from knowing the amount the player has bet from the sound effect representation thereof, thus allowing the player to feel free to output the sound effect. 
     According to the second embodiment, the main controller  20  accumulates an amount of bets made on the plurality of terminal devices  30  and the main control unit  112  selects and outputs the sound corresponding to the sum total of the amount. For example, a resounding sound can be associated to a relatively high total bet amount, to announce a so-called big race with a big bet to the players. This can make the players more interested in the result of the game and bring a sense of tension, thus making the whole race more exciting. 
     In the above embodiments, all of the plurality of terminal devices  30  output the same sound in accordance to the bet amount; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the plurality of terminal devices can output different sounds. Since various kinds of sounds are output, the game hall can be made more exciting. 
     In the above embodiments, the speakers  50  of the terminal device  30  are directional speakers; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a switch can be provided for switching between directionality/non-directionality of the speakers, thus allowing players to arbitrarily select therefrom. The speakers thus can be directional for the players wishing not to make the sound perceivable from other players, and non-directional (as normal speakers) for players wishing to make the race more exciting. 
     According to the second embodiment, in the gaming system  1 , the sound to be output from the speakers  50  of the terminal device  30  is determined by the sound information received from the main controller  20 ; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as in the first embodiment, the sound to be output can be determined in accordance with the bet amount of each of the terminal devices  30 . 
     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. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope appended claims.