Patent Publication Number: US-2009239619-A1

Title: Gaming machine performing new game by using contents and prize of game of plural game terminals and playing method thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/037,528 filed on Mar. 18, 2008 which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a playing method thereof. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventionally, a gaming machine, which uses a coin or the like as a game value for a slot machine, a roulette game machine, a card game machine or the like, is capable of starting a predetermined game upon player&#39;s insertion of a coin into the gaming machine. When the player wins the game, a predetermined number of coins are paid out. Generally, in the above-mentioned gaming machine, a plurality of kinds of games are performed in order to avoid monotony. For example, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a first game which is a base game, the first game is followed by a second game which is a so-called bonus game. Conventional gaming machines of this type are disclosed in specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,459, 4,283,709, and 6003013, for example. In these gaming machines, gaming terminals independently perform a first game, and a payout is awarded based on performance of the game. Various jackpots such as progressive jackpots, mystery jackpots and the like are provided as a second game. 
     However, in the above-described gaming machines which perform a game including the first and second games, in the second game, just a payout awarded upon a win is accumulated and shared with other players, but game contents are not shared. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine with entertainmentness unobtainable from the above-described prior art, and a playing method thereof. More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which game results (game contents) of a multiplayer first game are shared and used to perform a second game, and game results (payouts) of the first game are shared so that payouts of the second game are equally awarded to players of the second game. This allows a player playing the game to enjoy the second game while feeling some togetherness (unity) with other players playing on neighboring terminal devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a gaming machine comprising: a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas; a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of: (a1) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices; (a2) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas; (a3) accumulatively storing a base payout which is awarded in a case where the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; (a4) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas of the common display; and (a5) awarding a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices having executed a game, in accordance with a relation among the symbols thus rearranged. 
     According to the above-described structure, it is possible: to run a game in each of the terminal devices; to accumulatively store a base payout which is awarded in a case where the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; to rearrange the symbols in the arrangement areas of the common display; and to award a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices having executed a game, in accordance with a relation among the symbols thus rearranged. Therefore, a player playing on each terminal device is given a payout as a result of a game on the common display, which payout is the same as a payout given to a player playing on a neighboring terminal device. Therefore, a player playing a game on the common display can sometimes enjoy the game while feeling some togetherness (unity) with players playing on neighboring terminal devices. In addition, a payout of a game played on the common display is equivalent among the respective terminal devices. Therefore, even when symbols rearranged in the terminal device do not form a predetermined relation, a player can obtain the payout, which can enhance player&#39;s motivation for participating in the game. 
     In the above-described gaming machine: each of the terminal devices has a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display; and the controller accumulatively stores a base payout which is awarded in a case where the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas have a predetermined relation in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device, and awards a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices selected by the side-bet devices, in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged on the common display. 
     According to the above-described structure, only when a player participates in a game on the common display using the side-bet device, a base payout involved in a game result in the terminal device is accumulatively stored, so that a part of all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts can be equally awarded in accordance with a relation among symbols rearranged on the common display. This allows a player of a game to select whether or not to participate in a game played on the common display. Thus, a game pattern matching a player&#39;s taste can be provided. 
     The present invention provides a gaming machine comprising: a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas; a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and a controller which is programmed to operate in the steps of: (b1) rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices; (b2) awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas; (b3) accumulatively storing a base payout which is awarded in a case where the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; (b4) rearranging, on the common display, predetermined symbols among the symbols rearranged in the terminal device; (b5) rearranging the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas on the common display; and (b6) awarding a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices having executed a game, in accordance with a relation among the symbols thus rearranged. 
     According to the above-described structure, it is possible: to accumulatively store a base payout which is awarded in a case where the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; to rearrange, on the common display, predetermined symbols among the symbols rearranged in the terminal device; to rearrange the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas on the common display; and to award a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices having executed a game, in accordance with a relation among the symbols thus rearranged. Therefore, a player playing on each terminal device is given a payout as a result of a game played on the common display, which payout is affected by game results of players playing on neighboring terminal devices. Therefore, the player playing a game on the common display can sometimes enjoy the game on the common display while feeling some togetherness (unity) with players playing on neighboring terminal devices. 
     In the above-described gaming machine: each of the terminal devices has a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display; and the controller accumulatively stores a base payout which is awarded in a case where the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas have a predetermined relation in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device, and awards a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices selected by the side-bet devices, in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged on the common display. 
     According to the above-described structure, only when a player participates in a game on the common display using the side-bet device, a base payout involved in a game result in the terminal device is accumulatively stored, so that a part of all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts can be equally awarded in accordance with a relation among symbols rearranged on the common display. This allows a player of a game to select whether or not to participate in a game played on the common display. Thus, a game pattern matching a player&#39;s taste can be provided. 
     The present invention provides a playing method of a gaming machine comprising: a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas; and a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas, the terminal device rearranging the plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a base payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols. The method include the steps of: rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices; awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas; accumulatively storing a base payout which is awarded in a case where the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas of the common display; and awarding a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices having executed a game, in accordance with a relation among the symbols thus rearranged. 
     According to the above-described playing method of the gaming machine, it is possible: to run a game in each of the terminal devices; to accumulatively store a base payout which is awarded in a case where the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; to rearrange the symbols in the arrangement areas of the common display; and to award a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices having executed a game, in accordance with a relation among the symbols thus rearranged. Therefore, a player playing on each terminal device is given a payout as a result of a game on the common display, which payout is the same as a payout given to a player playing on a neighboring terminal device. Therefore, a player playing a game on the common display can sometimes enjoy the game while feeling some togetherness (unity) with players playing on neighboring terminal devices. In addition, a payout of a game played on the common display is equivalent among the respective terminal devices. Therefore, even when symbols rearranged in the terminal device do not form a predetermined relation, a player can obtain the payout, which can enhance player&#39;s motivation for participating in the game. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an explanatory view showing a playing method of a gaming machine; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the gaming machine; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing external appearance of a gaming machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a terminal device; 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory view showing display screens during a base game; 
         FIG. 6  is an explanatory view showing display screens during a side-bet game; 
         FIG. 7  shows symbol columns and code numbers of respective symbols; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the terminal device; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a central control board; 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory view showing a base game winning combination lottery table; 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory view showing a base game payout table; 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory view showing a side-bet game winning combination lottery table; 
         FIG. 13  is an explanatory view showing a side-bet game payout table; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart of a boot process which is executed in the gaming machine; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart of an initial process which is executed in the gaming machine; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of a game running process which is executed in the terminal device; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart of a side-bet process which is executed in the terminal device; and 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart of a side-bet game running process which is executed in the central control board. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of a gaming machine and a playing method thereof according to the present invention will be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a gaming machine including: a common display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas; a plurality of terminal devices each having a terminal display which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display, the terminal device rearranging a plurality of symbols in the arrangement areas on the terminal display and running a game to award a payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols; and a controller. The present invention is embodied as a playing method of the gaming machine, including the steps of: rearranging the symbols in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices; awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols rearranged in the arrangement areas; accumulatively storing, in the terminal device selected by the side-bet device, a base payout which is awarded in a case where symbols rearranged in arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; rearranging, on the common display, predetermined symbols among the symbols rearranged in the terminal device; rearranging the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas on the common display; and awarding a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices selected by the side-bet devices, in accordance with the relation among the symbols rearranged on the common display. 
     In this embodiment, the “side-bet game” is a sideshow game which is played independently of a main plot of a base game. 
     A gaming machine  100  which runs the above game includes a controller  111 , a common display  101 , and a plurality of terminal devices  102 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The common display  101  is adapted to arrange a plurality of symbols  180 . 
     The controller  111  has a side-bet game running unit  113 , a side-bet game win determining unit  114 , a payout stock unit  117 , and a side-bet game payout determining unit  115 . The terminal device  102  has a game starting unit  105 , a side-bet device  104 , a terminal controller  110 , a terminal display  103 , a base payout awarding unit  108 , and a side-bet game payout awarding unit  116 . 
     In addition, the terminal controller  110  has a game running unit  106 , a side-bet determining unit  112 , a common display-arranged symbol determining unit  109 , and a win determining unit  107 . 
     Here, “arranging” means making a state where symbols  180  are visible to a player. For example, in  FIG. 1 , it means making a state where symbols  180  are displayed in display windows  151  to  155 . Arranging symbols  180  again after dismissing symbols  180  is called “rearranging”. 
     The common display  101  and the terminal display  103  may have a mechanical structure adopting a reel device which rotates a reel to arrange symbols  180 . Alternatively, the common display  101  and the terminal display  103  may have an electrical structure in which a video reel is displayed as an image to thereby arrange symbols  180 . Further, a combination of the mechanical structure (reel) and the electric structure (video reel) may also be possible. Examples of the electrical structure include a liquid crystal display device, a CRT (cathode-ray tube), a plasma display device, and the like. A specific structure of the common display  101  and the terminal display  103  will be detailed later. 
     [Controller  111  and Terminal Controller  110 ] 
     The controller  111  and the terminal controller  110  are adapted to perform: a first process of rearranging the symbols  180  in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices  102 ; a second process of awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols  180  rearranged in the arrangement areas; a third process of accumulatively storing, in the terminal device  102  selected by the side-bet device  104 , a base payout which is awarded in a case where symbols  180  rearranged in arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; a fourth process of rearranging, on the common display  101 , predetermined symbols among the symbols  180  rearranged in the terminal device  102 ; a fifth process of rearranging the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas on the common display  101 ; and a sixth process of awarding a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices  102  selected by the side-bet devices  104 , in accordance with the relation among the symbols  180  rearranged on the common display  101 . In other words, the controller  111  and the terminal controller  110  include six process stages. 
     [Operations of Controller  111  and Terminal Controller  110 ] 
     A description will be given to operations of the controller  111  and the terminal controller  110  having the above-described structure. First, after a game value is inserted, triggered by a game start signal from the game starting unit  105 , the game running unit  106  starts to variably display the symbols  180  which have been arranged on the terminal display  103 . In short, the terminal controller  110  performs the first process. 
     Then, in accordance with a relation among the symbols  180  thus rearranged, the win determining unit  107  awards a base payout through the base payout awarding unit  108 . In short, the terminal controller  110  performs the second process. 
     Then, the side-bet determining unit  112  determines whether the side-bet device  104  has selected to participate in a side-bet game or not. When it is determined that the side-bet device  104  has selected to participate, the win determining unit  107  detects a total number of symbols of “COMMON SYMBOL”  181  among the symbols  180  rearranged in the terminal display  103 , and rearranges the symbols of “COMMON SYMBOL”  181  on the common display  101 . In short, the terminal controller  110  and the controller  111  perform the third process. 
     Then, the common display-arranged symbol determining unit  109  determines at random symbols  180  to be arranged on the common display  101  among the symbols  180  rearranged on the terminal display  103 . The symbols  180  thus determined are rearranged on the common display  101 . In short, the controller  111  and the terminal controller  110  perform the fourth process. 
     Then, the side-bet game running unit  113  rearranges, on the common display  101 , the symbols  180  rearranged on the common display  101 . In short, the controller  111  performs the fifth process. 
     Then, the side-bet game win determining unit  114  detects the symbols  180  thus rearranged. In accordance with the number of terminal devices  102  having participated in the side-bet game, a base payout stored as a stock in the payout stock unit  117 , and a relation among the detected symbols  180 , the side-bet game payout determining unit  115  calculates a payout to be awarded to the terminal devices  102  having participated in the side-bet game. Then, the side-bet game payout awarding unit  116  awards the calculated payout equally to the respective terminal devices  102 . In short, the controller  111  and the terminal controller  110  perform the sixth process. 
     Each block of the controller  111  and the terminal controller  110  may be formed by hardware or by software as needed. 
     As seen from the above-described operations, the present invention a gaming machine including: a common display  101  which arranges a plurality of symbols  180  in a matrix of arrangement areas; a plurality of terminal devices  102  each having a terminal display  103  which arranges a plurality of symbols in a matrix of arrangement areas and a side-bet device  104  which selects to or not to participate in a game played on the common display  101 , the terminal device  102  rearranging a plurality of symbols  180  in the arrangement areas on the terminal display  103  and running a game to award a payout in accordance with a relation among the rearranged symbols  180 ; and a controller  111  and a terminal controller  110 . The present invention is embodied as a playing method of the gaming machine  100 , including the steps of: rearranging the symbols  180  in the arrangement areas in the plurality of terminal devices  102 ; awarding a base payout in accordance with a relation among the symbols  180  rearranged in the arrangement areas; accumulatively storing, in the terminal device  102  selected by the side-bet device  104 , a base payout which is awarded in a case where symbols  180  rearranged in arrangement areas have a predetermined relation; rearranging, on the common display  101 , predetermined symbols among the symbols  180  rearranged in the terminal device  102 ; rearranging the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas on the common display  101 ; and awarding a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices  102  selected by the side-bet devices  104 , in accordance with the relation among the symbols  180  rearranged on the common display  101 . 
     In the above-described structure, it is possible to accumulatively store a base payout which is awarded in a case where symbols rearranged in arrangement areas have a predetermined relation, to rearrange, on the common display  101 , predetermined symbols among the symbols rearranged in the terminal device  102 ; to rearrange the predetermined symbols thus rearranged, in the arrangement areas on the common display  101 ; and to award a part or all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts equally to the terminal devices  102  having run the game, in accordance with the relation among the symbols  180  rearranged. A player playing on each terminal device  102  is given a payout as a result of a game played on the common display  101 , which payout is affected by game results of players playing on neighboring terminal devices  102 . Therefore, the player playing a game on the common display can sometimes enjoy the game on the common display while feeling some togetherness (unity) with players playing on neighboring terminal devices  102 . 
     Embodiment 
     [Mechanical Structure of Gaming Machine  1 ] 
     The following describes an embodiment where the gaming machine  100  having the above-described structure is applied to a gaming machine  1  and specifically structured in mechanical, electrical, and operational senses. 
     The gaming machine  1  is placed in a gaming facility or the like. The gaming machine  1  performs a unit game by use of a game value. The game value is a coin, a bill, or a value in the form of electronic information. However, the game value in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, a medal, token, electronic money, a ticket and the like are also possible. Further, the ticket is not particularly limited and may be a barcoded ticket which will be described later, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the gaming machine  1  is connected in communication with terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C which run games independently of one another. The gaming machine  1  has a common display  201  which displays an image relating to a common game, a rail  271  which moves the common display  201  to just above each of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C, and a not-shown drive motor  270 . The common display  201 , which serves as a common display to arrange symbols  180 , corresponds to the common display  101  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C has a cabinet  11 , a top box  12  placed on an upper side of the cabinet  11 , and a main door  13  provided on a front surface of the cabinet  11 . A lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C is provided on the main door  13 . The lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C has a transparent liquid crystal panel which displays various information. The lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C displays display windows  151  to  155  (a matrix  156 ) where a plurality of symbols  180  are arranged. In addition, the lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C displays as needed game-related various information, effect images, and the like. The common display  201  has the same structure. The terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C corresponds to the terminal device  102  shown in  FIG. 2 . The matrix  156  with five columns and three rows in the display windows  151  to  155  correspond to the matrix of arrangement areas. The lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C serving as a terminal display corresponds to the terminal display  103  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     This embodiment deals with, as an example, a case where the lower image display panels  16 A,  16 B, and  16 C electrically display symbols  180  to thereby display five columns and three rows of symbols. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, three columns and three rows of symbols, or five columns and five rows of symbols, may be acceptable. 
     In this example, symbols  180  arranged in the display windows  151  to  155  are scatter symbols. Here, scatter symbols mean such symbols that activation occurs (i.e., a payout is awarded, a bonus game is given, or the like) when a predetermined number of them stop in the matrix of arrangement areas made up of the five columns and three rows of the display windows  151  to  155 . For example, in a base game where scatter symbols are adopted, a payout is awarded when a predetermined number (e.g., five or more) of scatter symbols are displayed in the display windows  151  to  155  (fifteen arrangement regions). That is, when a predetermined number of scatter symbols are displayed in the display windows  151  to  155 , a payout is awarded regardless of display positions or an arrangement way of the scatter symbols. 
     Note that the lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C may have a credit value indicator and a payout value indicator. The credit value indicator displays a total value (hereinafter also referred to as total credit value) which the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C can pay out to a player. The payout value indicator displays the number of coins to be paid out. 
     Below the lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C, provided are a control panel  20 , a coin receiving slot  21 , and a bill validator  22 . The control panel  20  is provided with buttons  23  to  27 . These buttons  23  to  27  allow a player to input commands relating to a game progress. The coin receiving slot  21  enables coins to be received into the cabinet  11 . 
     The control panel  20  includes a spin button  23 , a change button  24 , a cashout button  25 , a 1-BET button  26 , a MAX-BET button  27 , and a side-bet button  90 . The spin button  23  is for inputting a command to start scrolling the symbols  180 . The change button  24  is used to ask a staff person of the gaming facility for money exchange. The cash out button  25  is for inputting a command to pay out coins corresponding to the total credit-value into the coin tray  18 . The side-bet button  90  allows a command for participating in a side-bet game to be input. The control panel  20  which performs a game in the terminal device corresponds to the game starting unit  105  shown in  FIG. 2 . The side-bet button  90  corresponds to the side-bet device  104  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The 1-BET button  26  is for inputting a command to bet, on a game, one coins among coins corresponding to the total credit value. The MAX-BET button  27  is for inputting a command to bet, on a game, a maximum number of coins bet-table on one game (e.g., fifty coins) among coins corresponding to the total credit value. 
     The bill validator  22  validates whether a bill is genuine or not and receives the genuine bill into the cabinet  11 . Note that the bill validator  22  is capable of reading a barcoded ticket  39  which will be described later. When the bill validator  22  reads the barcoded ticket  39 , it outputs to the main CPU  41   a  read signal relating to what has been read. 
     On a front surface of a lower part of the main door  13 , that is, below the control panel  20 , a belly glass  34  is provided. On the belly glass  34 , a character of the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C, or the like is drawn. On a front surface of the top box  12  is provided an upper image display panel  33 . The upper image display panel  33  has a liquid crystal panel, and displays an effect image, an image representing game introduction or game rules, or the like. 
     Further, the top box  12  has a lamp  30  for presenting an effect, and a speaker  29  for performing an audio output. Below the upper image display panel  33  are provided a ticket printer  35 , a card reader  36 , a data displayer  37 , and a keypad  38 . The ticket printer  35  prints, on to a ticket, a barcode which is an encoded form of data such as a credit-value, time and date, identification number of the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C, and the like. Thereby, the ticket printer  35  issues a barcoded ticket  39 . A player can play a game in another gaming terminal  3  with the ticket  39  having the barcode, or exchange the ticket  39  having the barcode with bill at a change booth of the game arcade. 
     The card reader  36  reads and writes data from and into a smart card. The smart card is carried by a player, and stores therein data for identifying the player and data relating to a history of games played by the player, for example. 
     The data displayer  37  includes a fluorescent display or the like, and displays the data read by the card reader  36  and the data input by the player through the keypad  38 , for example. The keypad  38  is for entering commands or data relating to issuing of a ticket. 
     [Electrical Structure of Gaming Machine] 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are block diagrams each illustrating an electrical structure of the entire gaming machine  1 . 
     [Electrical Structure of Terminal Device] 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a control unit is provided within the cabinet  11 . The control unit includes a motherboard  40 , a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board)  60 , a gaming board  50 , a door PCB  80 , various switches, sensors, or the like. 
     The gaming board  50  has a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  51 , a ROM  55 , a boot ROM  52 , a card slot  53 S corresponding to a memory card  53 , and an IC socket  54 S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic)  54 . The CPU  51 , the ROM  55 , and the boot ROM  52  are connected to one another through an internal bus. 
     The memory card  53  stores therein a game program and a game system program. The game program contains a stop symbol determining program. The stop symbol determining program determines symbols (code numbers corresponding to the symbols) to be stopped on the matrix  156 . 
     This stop symbol determining program contains sets of symbol weighting data respectively corresponding to various payout rates (e.g., 80%% 84%, and 88%). Each set of the symbol weighting data indicates, for each of the display windows  151  to  155 , correspondence between a code number of each symbol column (symbol lines A to E) and at least one random numerical value belonging to a predetermined range. The payout rate is determined based on payout rate setting data output from the GAL  54 . Based on a set of the symbol weighting data corresponding to the payout rate determined, a symbol to be stopped is determined. 
     The memory card  53  stores therein various types of data for use in the game programs and the game system programs. For example, the memory card  53  stores data indicating correspondence between each of symbols  180  displayed in the display windows  151  to  155  and a range of a random numerical values, in the form of a base game winning combination lottery table  130  (see  FIG. 10 ). The memory card  53  also stores payout data which are based on a lottery result obtained from the base game winning combination lottery table  130 , in the form of a base game payout table  131  (see  FIG. 11 ). These data are transferred to a RAM  43  of the motherboard  40 , at the time of running a game program. 
     The card slot  53 S is structured so as to allow the memory card  53  to be attached and detached to and from the card slot  53 S. This card slot  53 S is connected to the motherboard  40  through an IDE bus. Thus, a type and contents of a game run by the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C can be changed by detaching the memory card  53  from the card slot  53 S, writing a different game program and a different game system program into the memory card  53 , and inserting the memory card  53  back into the card slot  53 S. 
     The game programs include a program relating to a game progress. The game programs also include data of images and sounds to be outputted during a game. 
     The GAL  54  has input and output ports. When the GAL  54  receives data via the input port, it outputs, from its output port, data corresponding to the input data. 
     The IC socket  54 S is structured so as to allow the GAL  54  to be attached and detached to and from the IC socket  54 S. The IC socket  54 S is connected to the motherboard  40 , via a PCI bus. Thus, data to be output from the GAL  54  can be changed by detaching the GAL  54  from the IC socket  54 S, overwriting the program stored in the GAL  54 , and then attaching the GAL  54  back to the IC socket  54 S. 
     The CPU  51 , the ROM  55 , and the boot ROM  52  connected to one another through the internal bus are connected to the motherboard  40  through a PCI bus. The PCI bus communicates signals between the motherboard  40  and the gaming board  50 , and supplies power from the motherboard  40  to the gaming board  50 . The ROM  55  stores country identification information and an authentication program. The boot ROM  52  stores a preliminary authentication program, a program (boot code) for enabling the CPU  51  to run the preliminary authentication program, and the like. 
     The authentication program is a program (falsification check program) for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The authentication program is a program for confirming and verifying that the game program and the game system program are not falsified. In other words, the authentication program is described in accordance with a procedure for authenticating the game program and the game system program. The preliminary authentication program is a program for authenticating the authentication program. The preliminary authentication program is described in accordance with a procedure for verifying that the authentication program to be authenticated is not falsified, that is, for authenticating the authentication program. 
     The motherboard  40  has a main CPU  41 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  42 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  43 , and a communication interface  44 . The motherboard  40  acting as a controller corresponds to the terminal controller  110  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The main CPU  41  controls the entire terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C. In particular, the main CPU  41  controls the following operations of: outputting a command signal for making the graphic board  68  variably display symbols  180 , at a time when the spin button  23  is pressed after betting of credit; determining symbols  180  to be stopped after the variable-displaying of symbols  180 ; and stopping the symbols  180  thus determined in the display windows  151  to  155 . The main CPU  41  corresponds to the game running unit  106 , the common display-arranged symbol determining unit  109 , the win determining unit  107 , and the side-bet determining unit  112  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In other words, the main CPU  41  serves to control arrangement, by scrolling symbols displayed in the lower image display panels  16 A,  16 B,  16 C, then selecting and determining symbols to be rearranged from various kinds of symbols, to rearrange new symbols, and stopping scrolling of the symbols to present the symbols thus determined. 
     The ROM  42  stores a program such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) run by the main CPU  41 , and permanently-used data. When the BIOS is run by the main CPU  41 , each of peripheral devices is initialized, and the game program and the game system program stored in the memory card  53  are read out through the gaming board  50 . The RAM  43  stores data or a program used for the main CPU  41  to perform a process. For example, the base game winning combination lottery table  130 , the base game payout table  131 , a game running processing program, and a side-bet processing program are stored in the RAM  43 . In addition, a credit value is stored in the RAM  43 . 
     The communication interface  44  communicates with a central control board  210  through a communication line. Further, a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board)  60  and a door PCB  80  are connected to the motherboard  40 , respectively through USBs (Universal Serial Buses). Further, a power unit  45  is connected to the motherboard  40 . When the power unit  45  supplies power to the motherboard  40 , the main CPU  41  of the mother board  40  is booted and in addition power is supplied to the gaming board  50  through the PCI bus so that the CPU  51  is booted. 
     Various devices or units which generate signals to be input to the main CPU  41 , and various devices or units whose operations are controlled by signals output from the main CPU  41  are connected to the main body PCB  60  and the door PCB  80 . Based on a signal input to the main CPU  41 , the main CPU  41  runs the game program and the game system program stored in the RAM  43 , to perform an arithmetic process. Then, the main CPU  41  stores a result of the arithmetic process in the RAM  43 , or performs a control process on various devices and units by transmitting a control signal to the various devices and units. 
     A lamp  30 , a hopper  66 , a coin sensor  67 , a graphic board  68 , the speaker  29 , a bill validator  22 , a ticket printer  35 , a card reader  36 , a key switch  38 S, and a data displayer  37  are connected to main body PCB  60 . 
     The lamp  30  is turned on/off based on a control signal from the main CPU  41 . 
     The hopper  66  is mounted within the cabinet  11  and pays out a predetermined number of coins through a coin outlet  19  into the coin tray  18 , based on a control signal output from the main CPU  41 . 
     The coin sensor  67  is provided inside the coin outlet  19 . When the coin sensor  67  senses that a predetermined number of coins have been delivered from the coin outlet  19 , the coin sensor  67  outputs a signal to be input to the main CPU  41 . The hopper  66  corresponds to the base payout awarding unit  108  and the side-bet game payout awarding unit  116  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The graphic board  68  controls image display on the upper image display panel  33  and the lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C, based on a control signal from the main CPU  41 . Further, the graphic board  68  is provided with a VDP (Video Display Processor) for generating image data based on a control signal output from the main CPU  41 , a video RAM for temporarily storing the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. Note that image data used at the time when the VDP generates the image data are included in the game program which has been read out from the memory card  53  and stored into the RAM  43 . 
     The bill validator  22  reads an image on a bill and takes only one recognized to be genuine into the cabinet  11 . When taking in a genuine bill, the bill validator  22  outputs, to the main CPU  41 , an input signal based on a value of the bill. The main CPU  41  stores into the RAM  43  a credit value equivalent to the value of the bill indicated by the signal. 
     Based on a control signal output from the main CPU  41 , the ticket printer  35  prints a barcode on a ticket, and outputs it as a barcoded ticket  39 . The barcode contains encoded data of the credit value stored in the RAM  43 , time and date, an identification number of the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C, and the like. 
     The card reader  36  reads out data from the smart card and transmits the data to the main CPU  41 . Further, the card reader  36  writes data into the smart card based on a control signal output from the main CPU  41 . The key switch  38 S is mounted to the keypad  38 , and outputs a signal to the main CPU  41  in response to a player&#39;s operation on the keypad  38 . The data displayer  37  displays, based on a control signal output from the main CPU  41 , data read by the card reader  36  or data input by the player through the key pad  38 . 
     A control panel  20 , a reverter  21 S, a coin counter  21 C, and a cold cathode tube  81  are connected to the door PCB  80 . The control panel  20  is provided with: a spin switch  23 S associated with the spin button  23 ; a change switch  24 S associated with the change button  24 ; a cashout switch  25 S associated with the cashout button  25 ; a 1-BET switch  26 S associated with the 1-BET button  26 ; a MAX-BET switch  27 S associated with the MAX-BET button  27 ; and a side-bet switch  90 S. Each of the switches  235  to  27 S, and  90 S outputs a signal to the main CPU  41 , when a player presses the associated button. 
     The coin counter  21 C is provided within the coin receiving slot  21 , and identifies whether a coin inserted into the coin receiving slot  21  by the player is genuine. A coin other than a genuine coin is discharged from the coin outlet  19 . The coin counter  21 C outputs an input signal to the main CPU  41  upon detection of a genuine coin. 
     The reverter  21 S is operated based on a control signal output from the main CPU  41 . The reverter  21 S distributes a coin, which the coin counter  21 C has recognized as a genuine coin, to the hopper  66  or a cash box (not shown) mounted in the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C. In other words, when the hopper  66  is full of coins, genuine coins are distributed into the cash box by the reverter  21 S. On the other hand, when the hopper  66  is not yet full of coins, genuine coins are distributed into the hopper  66 . The cold cathode tube  81  functions as a backlight mounted to rear sides of the lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C and the upper image display panel  33 . The cold cathode tube  81  turns on based on a control signal output from the main CPU  41 . 
     [Base Game Winning Combination Lottery Table] 
     A base game winning combination lottery table  130  which is used in a game running process executed by the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is an explanatory view showing a base game winning combination lottery table. The base game winning combination lottery table  130  is stored in the RAM  43 , and read during a symbol determining process of the game running process which will be described later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , random numerical values used in the base game winning combination lottery table  130  ranges from 0 to 5998. When a random numerical value sampled by the main CPU  41  is 0 to 29, a winning combination of “SUN”  181  is made, and five symbols  180  presenting “SUN”  181  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 . When a random numerical value sampled by the main CPU  41  is 30 to 51, a winning combination of “HEART”  182  is made, and five symbols  180  presenting “HEART”  182  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 . When a random numerical value sampled by the main CPU  41  is 52 to 107, a winning combination of “MOON”  183  is made, and five symbols  180  of “MOON”  183  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 . Likewise, when a random numerical value is 108 to 207, a winning combination of “K”  186  is made. When a random numerical value is 208 to 407, a winning combination of “A”  184  is made. When a random numerical value is 408 to 807, a winning combination of “Q”  187  is made. When a random numerical value is 808 to 1477, a winning combination of “J”  185  is made. When a random numerical value is 1478 to 1807, a winning combination of “10”  188  is made. When a random numerical value sampled by the main CPU  41  is 1808 to 5998, it means a loss, and a losing combination of symbols  180 , which is different from any of the above-mentioned winning combinations, is stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 . Here, making any of these combinations is referred to as making a win. 
     [Base Game Payout Table] 
     Next, a base game payout table  131  will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . The base game payout table  131  indicates the number of coins to be paid out for a winning combination determined by the base game winning combination lottery table shown in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 11  shows a base game payout table. The base game payout table is stored in the RAM  43 , and read during a payout process of the game running process which will be described later. 
     For a result of sampling using the base game winning combination lottery table  130 , coins are paid out in accordance with a winning combination displayed in the display windows  151  to  155  based on the base game payout table  131 . 
     More specifically, when five symbols  180  of “SUN”  181  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , one hundred coins are paid out. When five symbols  180  of “HEART”  182  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , fifty coins are paid out. When five symbols  180  of “MOON”  183  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , thirty coins are paid out as a payout. Likewise, when five symbols  180  of “K”  186  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , twenty-five coins are paid out as a payout. When five symbols  180  of “A”  184  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , twenty coins are paid out as a payout. When five symbols  180  of “Q”  187  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , fifteen coins are paid out as a payout. When five symbols  180  of “J”  185  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , ten coins are paid out as a payout. When five symbols  180  of “10”  188  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , five coins are paid out as a payout. When a lottery results in losing, and a losing combination of symbols  180 , which is different from any of the above-mentioned winning combinations, is stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , zero coin is paid out as a payout. Note that, when one coin is inserted for a game, the above-mentioned number of coins are paid out as a payout. When two or more coins are inserted for one game, the number of coins actually paid out is the number of inserted coins being multiplied by the above-mentioned number of coins paid out. 
     [Electrical Structure of Central Control Board] 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of the central control board  210 . A control unit is provided within the central control board  210 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the control unit includes a motherboard  240 , a gaming board  250 , an actuator, and the like. The central control board  210  functioning as a controller corresponds to the controller  111  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The motherboard  240  has a main CPU  241 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  242 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  243 , a power unit  245 , a graphic board  268 , a common display  201  connected to the graphic board  268 , and a communication interface  244 . The RAM  243  stores therein a COMMON SYMBOL number determining program, a COMMON SYMBOL number lottery table  132 , a side-bet game payout table  133 , and a side-bet game running processing program. 
     The motherboard  240  has a main CPU  241 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  242 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  243 , a power unit  245 , a graphic board  268 , a common display  201  connected to the graphic board  268 , and a communication interface  244 . The RAM  243  stores therein a side-bet game lottery program, a side-bet game winning combination lottery table  132 , a side-bet game payout table  133 , and a side-bet game running processing program. The RAM  243  stores therein a payout of a side-bet game, as a side-bet credit value. Here, the side-bet credit value means a value obtained by accumulating, as a payout of a side-bet game, base payouts, which are paid out when predetermined winning combinations are accomplished during base games run in the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C. The RAM  243  corresponds to the payout stock unit  117  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The common display  201  has a transparent liquid crystal panel which displays various information. The common display  201  displays display windows  231  to  235  where a plurality of symbols  180  are arranged. In addition, the common display  201  displays as needed game-related various information, effect images, and the like. 
     This embodiment deals with, as an example, a case where the common display  201  electrically displays symbols  180  to arrange the symbols  180  in five columns and three rows. However, this is not limitative. The symbols  180  may be arranged in three columns and three rows, or five columns and five rows, for example. 
     In this embodiment, moreover, symbols  180  displayed in the display windows  231  to  235  are a group of symbols included in a stage that is set on the display windows  151  to  155  (a, b, or c stage). In other words, the group of symbols included in the stage that is set on the display windows  151  to  155  (a, b, or c stage) correspond to the predetermined ones of symbols  180  rearranged in the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B and  3 C, which ones are arranged in the display windows  231  to  235 . 
     The main CPU  241  controls the entire central control board  210 . In particular, the main CPU  241  controls the following operations of: outputting a command signal for making the graphic board  268  variably display symbols  180 , at a time when a game using the common display  201  is run; determining symbols  180  to be stopped after the variable-displaying of symbols  180 ; and stopping the symbols  180  thus determined in the display windows  231  to  235 . The main CPU  241  corresponds to the side-bet game running unit  113  shown in  FIG. 2 . The main CPU  241  also corresponds to the side-bet game win determining unit  114  and the side-bet game payout determining unit  115  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The communication interface  224  communicates with the communication interfaces  44  of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C through a communication line. 
     The graphic board  268  has the same structure as that of the graphic board  68 , except that the graphic board  268  controls image displaying on the common display  201  based on a control signal output from the main CPU  241 . 
     The drive motor  270  is a stepping motor and is connected to a not-shown drive wheel. The drive motor  270  is driven based on a control signal output from the main CPU  241 , and rotates the drive wheel to move the common display  201  on the rail  271 . 
     [Sidebet Game Winning Combination Lottery Table] 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 12 , a description will be given to a side-bet game winning combination lottery table  132  used in the side-bet game running process which is run with the common display  201 .  FIG. 12  shows the side-bet game winning combination lottery table. The side-bet game winning combination lottery table  132  is stored in the RAM  243 , and read during a side-bet game lottery process which will be described later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , random numerical values adopted in the side-bet game winning combination lottery table  132  ranges from 0 to 5998. When a random numerical value sampled by the main CPU  241  is 0 to 49, a winning combination of “SUN”  181  is made, and five symbols  180  of “SUN”  181  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 . When a random numerical value sampled by the main CPU  241  is 50 to 51, a winning combination of “HEART”  182  is made, and five symbols  180  of “HEART”  182  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 . When a random numerical value sampled by the main CPU  241  is 52 to 57, a winning combination of “MOON”  183  is made, and five symbols  180  of “MOON”  183  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 . Likewise, when a random numerical value is 58 to 97, a winning combination of “K”  186  is made. When a random numerical value is 98 to 177, a winning combination of “A”  184  is made. When a random numerical value is 178 to 277, a winning combination of “Q”  187  is made. When a random numerical value is 278 to 477, a winning combination of “J”  185  is made. When a random numerical value is 478 to 777, a winning combination of “10”  188  is made. When a random numerical value sampled by the main CPU  241  is 778 to 5998, it means a loss, and a losing combination of symbols  180 , which is different from any of the above-mentioned winning combinations, is stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 . Here, making any of these combinations is referred to as making a win. 
     [Sidebet Game Payout Table] 
     Next, a side-bet game payout table  133  will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . The side-bet game payout table  133  indicates the number of coins to be paid out which is according to a winning combination determined by the side-bet game winning combination lottery table  132  shown in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 13  shows a side-bet game payout table. The side-bet game payout table  133  is stored in the RAM  243 , and read in a payout step of a side-bet game running process which will be described later. 
     As a result of sampling with the side-bet game winning combination lottery table  132  shown in  FIG. 12 , coins are paid out in accordance with the winning combination which is displayed in the display windows  231  to  235  based on the side-bet game payout table  133 . 
     To be more specific, in a case where five symbols  180  of “SUN”  181  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , thirty three coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is three, fifty coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is two, and one hundred coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is one. In a case where five symbols  180  of “HEART”  182  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , thirty coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is three, forty five coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is two, and ninety coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is one. In a case where five symbols  180  of “MOON”  183  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , twenty coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is three, thirty coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is two, and sixty coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is one. In a case where five symbols  180  of “K”  186  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , sixteen coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is three, twenty five coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is two, and fifty coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is one. In a case where five symbols  180  of “A”  184  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , ten coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is three, fifteen coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is two, and thirty coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is one. In a case where five symbols  180  of “Q”  187  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , six coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is three, ten coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is two, and twenty coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is one. In a case where five symbols  180  of “J”  185  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , three coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is three, five coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is two, and ten coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is one. In a case where five symbols  180  of “10”  188  are stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , two coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is three, three coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is two, and six coins are paid out when the number of terminal devices participating in the side-bet game is one. When a lottery results in losing, and a losing combination of symbols  180 , which is different from any of the above-mentioned winning combinations, is stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 , zero coin is paid out as a payout. 
     [Display State of Display Windows 151 to 155 of Terminal Device] 
     The following details an exemplary display state of the lower image display panels  16 A,  16 B, and  16 C of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B,  3 C during operations of the gaming machine  1  and the controlling method thereof. Note that the following example deals with a case where symbols  180  are arranged in the display windows  151  to  155  by means of a video reel method, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
     The lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C has display windows  151  to  155  where symbols  180  are arranged. The display windows  151  to  155  are disposed at a center part of the lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C. In the display windows  151  to  155 , symbol columns (symbol lines A to E) each made up of symbols  180  are scrolled (see  FIG. 5 ). The display windows  151  to  155  are respectively divided into a-stages  151   a  to  155   a , b-stages  151   b  to  155   b , and c-stages  151   c  to  155   c . The symbols  180  are stopped (arranged) in the stages  151   a  to  155   a ,  151   b  to  155   b , and  151   c  to  155   c , respectively. For example, in  FIG. 5 , on the lower image display panel  16 A of the terminal device  3 A, a symbol of “SUN”  181  is stopped in the a-stage  151   a  of the display window  151 , a symbol of “J”  185  is stopped in the central stage  151   b  of the display window  151 , and a symbol of “SUN”  181  is stopped in the lower stage  153   c  of the display window  153 . In short, the display windows  151  to  155  displays a matrix  156  as an arrangement region made up of five columns and three rows. The matrix  156  however is not limited to the one with the five-columns/three-rows. 
     In a basic game (base game), a payout awarding process such as paying out coins is executed when a predetermined number of symbols  181  to  188  called scatter symbols are displayed on the lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C as a winning combination. Scatter symbols are symbols which provide an effective result (such as awarding a payout, giving a bonus game, or the like) merely when a predetermined number of them are stopped on any of the display areas of the arrangement region made up of five columns and three rows of the display windows  151  to  155 . For example, when five symbols of “J”  185 , which is one of the scatter symbols shown in  FIG. 5 , are rearranged (displayed) in the display windows  151  to  155 , ten coins are paid out as a payout. When five symbols of “HEART”  182 , which is one of the scatter symbols, are rearranged (displayed) in the display windows  151  to  155 , fifty coins are paid out as a payout. 
     Although in this embodiment the symbols  181  to  188  are defined as scatter symbols, this is not limitative and only a specific symbol may be defined as a scatter symbol. Alternatively, a player may select a scatter symbol. It may also be possible that a coin payout process or the like is executed when a predetermined combination of symbols is stopped on a payline L extending horizontally through the b-stages ( 151   b  to  155   b ) of the display windows  151  to  155 . That is, the payline L is for determining a combination of symbols  180 . When symbols  180  are rearranged on the payline L and outside the payline L, only the symbols  180  rearranged on the payline are judged for a combination. It may be possible that, when a winning combination is made as a result of the determination of a combination, a coin payout process or the like is executed. 
     [Display State of Display Windows 231 to 235 of Shared Display] 
       FIG. 6  shows a state where: symbols  180  are rearranged in the display windows  151  to  155  in a base game of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C; among groups of symbols in three stages (a, b, or c stage) thus rearranged, a predetermined stage determined at random is rearranged in the display windows  231  to  235  of the common display  201 ; and further symbols  180  are rearranged in the display windows  231  to  235  as a side-bet game. 
     To be more specific, as shown in  FIG. 6 , symbols  180  arranged in the c-stage of the lower image display panel  16 A (a cursor  15 A shown in  FIG. 6 ) are arranged in the c-stage of the common display  201  (a cursor  14 C shown in  FIG. 6 ); symbols  180  arranged in the b-stage of the lower image display panel  16 B (a cursor  15 B shown in  FIG. 6 ) are arranged in the b-stage of the common display  201  (a cursor  14 B shown in  FIG. 6 ); and symbols  180  arranged in the a-stage of the lower image display panel  16 C (a cursor  15 C shown in  FIG. 6 ) are arranged in the a-stage of the common display  201  (a cursor  14 A shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
     The symbols  180  thus rearranged in the display windows  231  to  235  are scrolled and then rearranged again. More specifically, five symbols  180  of “HEART”  182  are rearranged in the display windows  231  to  235 , so that the winning combination of “HEART”  182  is accomplished. 
     [Symbol Column, etc.] 
     Symbols  180  displayed in the display windows  151  to  155  of the lower image display panel  16 A,  16 B,  16 C of the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C form five symbol columns (symbol lines A to E) each including twenty-two symbols, as shown in  FIG. 7 . To each of the symbols  180  constituting the columns is given one of code numbers  00  to  21 . Each of the symbol columns has a combination of picture symbols of “SUN”  181 , “HEART”  182 , and “MOON”  183 , and letter symbols of “A”  184 , “J”  185 , “K”  186 , “Q”  187 , and “10”  188 . 
     Three successive symbols in the symbol columns are displayed (arranged) in the upper stages  151   a ,  152   a ,  153   a ,  154   a ,  155   a , the center stages  151   b ,  152   b ,  153   b ,  154   b ,  155   b  and the lower stages  151   c ,  152   c ,  153   c ,  154   c ,  155   c  of the display windows  151  to  155 , respectively, to form a matrix of five columns and three rows in the display windows  151  to  155 . When a BET button is pushed and then a start button is pushed to start a game, the symbols forming the matrix are scrolled. When a predetermined period of time has elapsed after scroll is started, the scroll of each symbol is stopped (rearranged). 
     The symbols  181  to  188  are set as scatter symbols. Scatter symbols are such symbols that a player is put into an advantageous position when a predetermined number or more of them are displayed in the display windows  151  to  155 . The advantageous position is a state where coins corresponding to the scatter symbols are paid out, a state where the number of coins to be paid out is added to a credit, or the like. 
     For example, when five or more symbols of “MOON”  183  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 , thirty coins (game media) per bet are paid out. 
     In this embodiment, a game value is paid out when a predetermined number of predetermined symbols are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 . However, a bonus game may be given instead. The bonus game is a gaming state which is more advantageous than a basic game. For example, the bonus game is a free game. The free game is a game allowing a player to play a game a predetermined number of times without betting a coin. No particular limitation is put on the bonus game, as long as it is a gaming state advantageous to the player, that is, it is more advantageous than the basic game. For example, the bonus game may include a state where more game media are obtainable than in the basic game, a state where a game medium is obtainable with higher probability than in the basic game, a state where a game medium is less consumed than in the basic game, and the like. Specifically, a free game, a second game, a feature game, and the like may be mentioned as examples of the bonus game. 
     [Operation of Gaming Machine] 
     Next, various processes executed in the gaming machine  1  will be described. As the main CPU  41  and the main CPU  241  read out and execute programs stored in the ROM  42 , the RAM  43 , the ROM  242 , and the RAM  243 , processes relating to various games are run. 
     [Operation of Gaming Machine: Boot Process] 
     The following describes a boot process which takes place in the gaming machine  1 . Upon powering on the gaming machine  1 , a boot processing routine shown in  FIG. 14  starts in the mother board  240  and gaming board  250  in the central control board  210 , and in the mother board  40  and the gaming board  50  in the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C. The memory cards  53  and  253  are assumed to be inserted into the card slots  53 S and  253 S of the gaming boards  50  and  250 , respectively. Further, the GALs  54  and  254  are assumed to be attached to the IC sockets  54 S and  254 S, respectively. 
     First, turning on the power switch of (powering on) the power units  45  and  245  boots the motherboards  40  and  240 , and the gaming boards  50  and  250 . Booting the motherboards  40  and  240  and the gaming boards  50  and  250  starts separate processes in parallel. Specifically, in the gaming board  50  and  250 , the CPUs  51  and  251  read out preliminary authentication programs stored in the boot ROMs  52  and  252 , respectively. Then, preliminary authentication is performed according to the read out programs so as to confirm and authenticate that no modification is made to authentication programs, before reading them into the motherboards  40  and  240 , respectively (S 1 ). Meanwhile, the main CPUs  41  and  241  of the motherboards  40  and  240  run BIOS stored in the ROMs  42  and  242  to load into the RAMs  43  and  243  compressed data built in the BIOS, respectively (S 2 ). Then, the main CPUs  41  and  241  run a procedure of the BIOS according to the data loaded into the RAMs  43  and  243  so as to diagnose and initialize various peripheral devices (S 3 ). 
     The main CPUs  41  and  241 , which are respectively connected to the ROMs  55  and  255  of the gaming boards  50  and  250  via PCI buses, read out authentication programs stored in the ROMs  55  and  265  and store them into the RAMs  43  and  243  (S 4 ). During this step, the main CPUs  41  and  241  each derives a checksum through ADDSUM method (a standard check function) which is adopted in a standard BIOS, and store the authentication programs into the RAMs  43  and  243  while confirming if the operation of storing is carried out without an error. 
     Next, the main CPUs  41  and  241  each checks what connects to the IDE bus. Then, the main CPUs  41  and  241  accesses, via the IDE buses, to the memory cards  53  and  253  inserted into the card slots  53 S and  253 S, and read out game programs and game system programs from the memory cards  53  and  253 . In this case, the CPUs  41  and  241  each reads out four bytes of data constituting the game program and the game system program at one time. Next, in accordance with the authentication programs stored in the RAMs  43  and  243 , the CPUs  41  and  241  authenticate the game program and the game system program read out to confirm and prove that these programs are not modified (S 5 ). 
     When the authentication properly ends, the main CPUs  41  and  241  write and store the authenticated game programs and game system programs into RAMs  43  and  243  (S 6 ). 
     Next, the main CPUs  41  and  241  accesses, via the PCI buses, to the GALs  54  and  254  attached to the IC socket  54 S and  254 S, and read out data from the GALs  54  and  254 , respectively. The data read out is then written and stored in the RAMs  43  and  243  (S 7 ). 
     Next, the main CPUs  41  and  241  read out, via the PCI buses, country identification information stored in the ROMs  55  and  255  of the gaming boards  50  and  250 , respectively. The country identification information read out is then written and stored in the RAMs  43  and  243  (S 8 ). 
     After this, the main CPUs  41  and  241  each performs an initial process shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     [Operation of Gaming Machine: Initial Process] 
     The following describes an initial process which takes place in the gaming machine  1 . When the boot process of  FIG. 14  is completed, the central control board  210  reads out from the RAM  243  a center side initial setting routine illustrated in  FIG. 15  and executes the routine. Meanwhile, the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C reads out from the RAM  43  a terminal side initial setting routine illustrated in  FIG. 15  and executes the routine. The center side and terminal side initial setting routines are executed in parallel. 
     First, the main CPU  41  of each of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C checks operations of work memories such as the RAM  43 , various sensors, various driving mechanisms, and various decorative illuminations (A 1 ). Then, the main CPU  41  determines if all the check results are normal (A 2 ). If the main CPU  41  determines that the check results contains an error (A 2 : NO), the main CPU  41  outputs a signal notifying the error (hereinafter, error signal) to the central control board  210  (A 3 ). Further, the main CPU  41  reports the error in the form of illuminating the lamp  30  or the like (A 4 ), and then ends the routine. 
     On the other hand in A 2 , if the main CPU  41  determines that all the check results are normal (A 2 : YES), an initial setting signal is output to the central control board  210  (A 5 ). Then, an initial setting signal is waited from the central control board  210  (A 6 , A 7 : NO). 
     The main CPU  241  of the central control board  210  receives signals from each of the terminals (B 1 ). Then, the main CPU  241  determines whether a signal received is an error signal (B 2 ). If the main CPU  241  determines that the signal is an error signal (B 2 : YES), the main CPU  241  outputs an error signal to a management server such as a not-shown host computer (B 9 ) to report the error (B 10 ), and ends the routine. 
     On the other hand in B 2 , if the main CPU  241  determines that the signal is not an error signal (B 2 : NO), the main CPU  241  determines whether a predetermined time (check time) has elapsed from the time of powering on (B 3 ). If the main CPU  241  determines that the check time has elapsed (B 3 : YES), B 9  is executed. On the other hand, if the main CPU  241  determines that the check time has not yet elapsed (B 3 :NO), it is determined whether an initial setting signal is received from each of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C (B 4 ). If the main CPU  241  determines that an initial setting signal from any one of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C is not received (B 4 : NO), the process returns to B 1 . On the other hand, if it is determined that initial setting signals from all the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C are received (B 4 : YES), the main CPU  241  checks operations of work memories such as RAM  243  or the like, various sensors, various driving mechanisms, and various decorative illuminations (B 5 ). Then, the main CPU  241  determines whether all the check results are normal (B 6 ). If the main CPU  241  determines the check results contains an error (B 6 : NO), the main CPU  241  executes B 9 . 
     On the other hand in B 6 , if the main CPU  241  determines that all the check results are normal (B 6 : YES), the main CPU  241  outputs an initial setting signal to all the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C (B 7 ), and causes the common display  201  to display a demo-screen (B 8 ). Then, the main CPU  241  ends the routine. 
     In A 7 , the main CPU  41  of each of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C determines that an initial setting signal is received from the central control board  210  (A 7 : YES), and causes the upper image display panel  33  to display a demo-screen (A 8 ). The main CPU  41  then ends the routine. 
     [Operation of Gaming Machine: Game Running Process] 
     After the terminal side initial setting routine of  FIG. 15 , the main CPU  41  of the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C reads out and executes the game program and the game system program sequentially, thereby executing a game running process shown in  FIG. 16 . A game running processing program is stored in the PAM  43 . 
     The main CPU  41  of the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C executes the game running process shown in  FIG. 16 . When the game running process is run, first, the main CPU  41  determines whether a coin is bet or not (C 1 ). In this step, whether an input signal from the 1-BET switch  26 S entered by pressing of the 1-BET button  26  is received or not is determined. Meanwhile, whether an input signal from the maximum BET switch  27 S entered by pressing of the maximum BET button  27  is received or not is determined. If no coin is BET (C 1 : NO), C 1  is repeated so that a standby state continues until a coin is bet. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that a coin is bet (C 1 : YES), the credit value stored in the RAM  43  is reduced according to the number of coins bet (C 2 ). When the number of coins bet surpasses the number of coins equivalent to the credit value stored in the RAM  43 , the credit value is reduced to zero and he step C 3  is performed. When the number of coins bet exceeds the maximum number of coins bet-table on one game (50 pieces in this embodiment), the credit value is reduced by fifty and the step C 3  is performed. 
     Then, whether a spin button  23  is turned on or not is determined (C 3 ). If the spin button  23  is not turned on (C 3 : NO), the process returns to C 1 . Here, if the spin button  23  is not turned on (for example, the spin button  23  is not turned on but a command to end the game is input), the reduction of the credit value in C 2  is canceled. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the spin button  23  is turned on (C 3 : YES), a symbol determining process is executed (C 4 ). In other words, a stop symbol determining program is executed based on the base game winning combination lottery table  130  stored in the RAM  43 , to determine fifteen symbols  180  to be stopped in the display windows  151  to  155 . 
     Then, symbols  180  in the symbol columns (symbol lines A to E) in the display windows  151  to  155  are scrolled (C 5 ). When a predetermined period of time (base time) has elapsed after the scroll of the symbols  180  is started, the symbols  180  determined in C 4  is stopped (rearranged) in the display windows  151  to  155  (A 7 ). At this time, a scroll stop signal is transmitted. 
     Then, whether a win is made or not, that is, whether a combination of symbols  180  stopped in the display windows  151  to  155  is a winning combination listed in the base game payout table  131  or not, is determined (C 7 ) When it is determined that the combination is not a winning combination (C 7 : NO), the process goes to C 12 . When it is determined that the combination is a winning combination (C 7 : YES), whether a side-bet ON signal, which is transmitted in the course of a later-described side-bet process, is received or not is determined (C 8 ). When the signal is not received (C 8 : NO), a payout process based on the base game is executed (C 9 ). More specifically, the number of coins to be paid out which corresponds to a kind of the winning combination is calculated based on the base game payout table  131  shown in  FIG. 11 . When coins to be paid out are reserved, a credit value equivalent to the coins is added to the credit value stored in the RAM  43 . When the coins are paid out, a control signal is transmitted to the hopper  66  so that a predetermined number of coins are paid out to the coin tray  18 . That is, a base payout is awarded in accordance with the winning combination. 
     On the other hand, when the side-bet ON signal is received (C 8 : YES), whether the winning combination of “SUN”  181  is made or not is determined (C 10 ). That is, whether five symbols of “SUN”  181  are stopped in the display windows  151  to  155  or not is determined. When it is determined that the winning combination of “SUN”  181  is not made (C 10 : NO), the payout process based on the base game is executed (C 9 ). More specifically, the number of coins to be paid out which corresponds to a kind of the winning combination is calculated based on the base game payout table  131  shown in  FIG. 11 . Then, the process goes to C 12 . 
     When it is determined that the winning combination of “SUN”  181  is made (C 10 : YES), the number of coins to be paid out (one hundred) which corresponds to the winning combination of “SUN”  181  is stored as a stock based on the base game payout table  131  shown in  FIG. 11  (C 11 ). Then, information about the number of coins to be paid out is transmitted to the central control board  210 , and added to the side-bet credit value stored in the RAM  243 . That is, an amount equivalent to the number of coins to be paid out which corresponds to the winning combination of “SUN”  181  is reserved as coins to be paid out for a side-bet game. 
     Then, a stage symbol group to be arranged in the display windows  231  to  235  of the common display  201  is determined (C 12 ). To be specific, a predetermined stage (a, b, or c stage) is determined at random among the symbols  180  arranged in the display windows  151  to  155  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Then, a side-bet game start signal is transmitted (C 13 ). The side-bet game start signal includes information about the symbols  180  arranged in the predetermined stage (a, b, or c stage) thus determined. 
     Then, whether a side-bet game end signal is received or not is determined (C 14 ). When it is determined that the signal is not received (C 14 : NO), reception of the side-bet game end signal is waited. When it is determined that the signal is received (C 14 : YES), a side-bet game payout process is executed (C 15 ). More specifically, information about the number of coins to be paid out (a payout of the side-bet game) is read out from the side-bet game end signal which is transmitted in E 11  of a later-described side-bet game running process. Then, coins are paid out based on the information about the number of coins thus read out. When coins to be paid out are reserved, a credit value equivalent to the number of coins to be paid out is added to the credit value stored in the RAM  43 . When the coins are paid out, a control signal is transmitted to the hopper  66  so that such number of coins are paid out to the coin tray  18 . Then, this process once ends. 
     [Operation of Gaming Machine: Side-bet Process] 
     The main CPU  41  of each of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C executes a side-bet process shown in  FIG. 17  in parallel with the game running process. In the side-bet process, whether or not to participate in a side-bet game, which is played using the common display  201 , is determined. A side-bet processing program is stored in the RAM  43 .  FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing a side-bet process. 
     First, when a side-bet process is executed, a side-bet period starts (D 1 ). The period starts since the spin button  23  is turned on. Then, whether the scroll stop signal, which has been transmitted in C 6  of the game running process, is received or not is determined (D 2 ). When the scroll stop signal is not received (D 2 : NO), the scroll stop signal is waited. When the scroll stop signal is received (D 2 : YES), a side-bet period ends (D 3 ). 
     Then, whether there has been a side-bet during the side-bet period or not is determined (D 4 ). More specifically, whether, by input of the side-bet button  90 , an input signal has been received from the side-bet switch  90 S or not is determined. 
     When it is determined that there has not been a side-bet (D 4 : NO), a side-bet OFF signal is transmitted (D 5 ). When it is determined that there has been a side-bet (D 4 : YES), a side-bet ON signal is transmitted (D 6 ). Then, this process once ends. 
     According to the above-described structure, only when a player participates in a game on the common display  201  using the side-bet button  90 , a base payout involved in a game result on the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C is accumulatively stored, so that a part of all of the accumulatively-stored base payouts can be equally awarded in accordance with a relation among symbols  180  rearranged on the common display  201 . This allows a player of a game to select whether or not to participate in a game played on the common display  201 . Thus, a game pattern matching a player&#39;s taste can be provided. 
     [Operation of Gaming Machine: Side-Bet Game Running Process] 
     After the center side initial setting routine shown in  FIG. 15  ends, the main CPU  241  of the central control board  210  reads out and executes the game program and the game system program sequentially, thereby running the side-bet game running process shown in  FIG. 18 . A side-bet game running processing program is stored in the RAM  243 . 
     When the side-bet game running process is executed, first, whether a side-bet OFF signal or a side-bet game start signal from the terminal device  3 A is received or not is determined (E 1 ). When the signal is not received (E 1 : NO), the step E 1  is repeated. When the signal is received (E 1 : YES), whether a side-bet OFF signal or a side-bet game start signal from the terminal device  3 B is received or not is determined (E 2 ). When the signal is not received (E 2 : NO), the step E 2  is repeated. When the signal is received (E 2 : YES), whether a side-bet OFF signal or a side-bet game start signal from the terminal device  3 C is received or not is determined (E 3 ). When the signal is not received (E 3 : NO), the step E 3  is repeated. 
     When the signal is received (E 3 : YES), the number of side-bet game start signals which have been received during E 1  to E 3  is stored in the RAM  243  (E 4 ). That is, the number of terminal devices having made a side-bet is calculated. 
     Then, information included in the side-bet game start signals transmitted from the respective terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C is read out, and symbols  180  arranged in the predetermined stage (a, b, or c stage) which has been determined in C 12  of the game running process are randomly arranged in the display windows  231  to  235  of the common display  201  (E 5 ). 
     Next, a side-bet game lottery process is executed (E 6 ). More specifically, the side-bet game lottery program is executed based on the side-bet game winning combination lottery table  132  stored in the RAM  243 , to thereby determine symbols  180  to be stopped in the display windows  231  to  235 . 
     Then, the symbols  180  arranged in the display windows  231  to  235  are scrolled (E 7 ). When a predetermined period of time (base time) has elapsed after the scroll of the symbols  180  is started, the symbols  180  which has been determined in E 6  are stopped (rearranged) in the display windows  231  to  235  (E 8 ). 
     Then, whether a winning combination is made or not, that is, whether a combination of symbols  180  stopped in the display windows  231  to  235  forms a winning combination shown in the side-bet game payout table  133  or not is determined (E 9 ). When it is determined that a winning combination is not made (E 9 : NO), the process goes to Ell. When it is determined that a winning combination is made (E 9 : YES), the number of coins to be paid out is calculated based on the side-bet game payout table  133  (E 10 ). The number of coins to be paid out is according to the side-bet credit value (stock payout) stored in the RAM  243 , and the number of terminal devices having transmitted the side-bet game start signals (that is, the number of terminal devices having made a side-bet). Here, this calculated number of coins to be paid out is equivalent among the terminal devices having made a side-bet (that is, the number of coins to be paid out is the same thereamong). Then, a side-bet game end signal is transmitted (Ell). The side-bet game end signal includes information about the number of coins to be paid out which has been calculated in E 10 . Then, this process once ends. 
     According to the above-described structure, a player playing on the terminal device  3 A,  3 B, or  3 C is given a payout as a result of a game on the common display  201 , which payout is the same as the payout given to a player playing on a neighboring terminal device  3 A,  3 B, or  3 C. Therefore, the player playing a game on the common display  201  can sometimes enjoy the game while feeling some togetherness (unity) with players playing on neighboring terminal devices  3 A,  3 B,  3 C. In addition, a payout of a game played on the common display  201  is equivalent among the respective terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C. Therefore, even when symbols  180  rearranged on the terminal device  3 A,  3 B,  3 C do not form a predetermined relation, a player can obtain the payout, which can enhance player&#39;s motivation for participating in the game. 
     [Operation of Gaming Machine: Effect Operation] 
     When the above-described various processes are executed in the gaming machine  1 , results or contents corresponding to the processes are, in the form of commands or data, input to respective actuators. For example, when the side-bet button  90  is inputted in each of the terminal devices  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C, the main CPU  41  receives an input signal from the side-bet switch  90 S and controls the lamp  30  to blink the lamp  30 . In addition, when the side-bet button  90  is inputted, the main CPU  41  displays an effect image on the upper image display panel  33 . Moreover, the main CPU  41  performs effect presentation by an audio output from the speaker  29 , together with or independently of the effect made on the upper image display panel  33 . 
     In the detailed description provided above, characteristic parts have mainly been described in order that the present invention can be understood more easily. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the detailed description provided above, and may be applied to other embodiments. The scope of application of the present invention should be construed as broadly as possible. Terms and phraseologies adopted in the present specification are for correctly illustrating the present invention, not for limiting. It would be easy for those skilled in the art to derive, from the spirit of the invention described in the present specification, other structures, systems, methods and the like which are included in the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it should be considered that claims cover equivalent structures, too, without departing from the technical idea of the present invention. An object of the abstract is to enable an intellectual property office, general public institutions, persons belonging to the art but not familiar with patent, legal terms, or technical terms to quickly understand technical contents and essences of the present invention through a simple research. Therefore, the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention that should be evaluated by the claims. In addition, it is desirable to sufficiently refer to already-disclosed documents and the like, in order to fully understand the objects and effects of the present invention. 
     The detailed description provided above includes a process which is executed on a computer or a computer network. The descriptions and expressions provided above are given for the purpose of allowing those skilled in the art to understand the invention most effectively. In the specification, respective steps used to induce one result, or blocks having a predetermined processing function should be understood as a process having no self-contradiction. In addition, in each step or block, an electrical or magnetic signal is transmitted/received, recorded, and the like. In a process in each step or block, such a signal is embodied in the form of a bit, a value, a symbol, a character, a term, a number, and the like. However, it should be noted that they have been used simply because they are convenient for explanations. A process in each step or block has sometimes been described using an expression which is common to a human behavior. However, in principle, the process described in the specification is executed by a variety of devices. In addition, other structures necessary for each step or block are apparent from the above description.