Patent Publication Number: US-8529340-B2

Title: Game system and jackpot drawing apparatus constituting the same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a game system including a jackpot drawing apparatus for determining a winner who wins a jackpot award from players who play by using the four or more game apparatuses or the players lose the game, and a jackpot drawing apparatus constituting the same. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, as this type of a jackpot drawing apparatus, there is known that which is utilized for a game system configured by a plurality of token-operated game machines (game apparatuses) installed in a gaming arcade, etc. (e.g., Patent Document 1). Generally, the token-operated game machine is configured to control game progress under a condition of receiving a token (betting target) from a player, and according to a game result, to pay out to the player a predetermined number of tokens (payout target). One example of a token-operated game machine utilizing the jackpot drawing apparatus will be now explained: a number of tokens equivalent to a part of the number of tokens (betting target) received from the player is cumulatively added, and this number is held, as payout amount data, in a storage unit of the jackpot drawing apparatus. Then, when a predetermined drawing start condition is satisfied, a drawing is carried out in the jackpot drawing apparatus so as to determine whether the jackpot award is won or it is lost (the jackpot award is not won). When the jackpot award is won in this drawing, a number of tokens equivalent to at least a part of the amount of the payout amount data is paid out to the player who satisfies the predetermined drawing start condition, and at the same time, the payout amount data is restored to an initial value. 
     Generally, the jackpot drawing apparatus is often utilized in a game system configured by a plurality of game apparatuses, each including a game progress control unit for independently advancing a game. The reason for this is provided below: That is, the number of tokens that each game apparatus can pay out to the player once is limited to a certain degree because of a factor arising from a payout ratio previously set to each game apparatus. Therefore, when the jackpot drawing apparatus is utilized for a single game apparatus, a limit imposed on the number of tokens to be paid out that is determined when that jackpot award is won is greatly limited by a payout ratio set to that game apparatus. On the contrary, when the jackpot drawing apparatus is utilized for a game system configured by a plurality of game apparatuses, the limit imposed on the number of tokens to be paid out that is determined when that jackpot award is won can be determined by using a factor arising from payout ratios set to the plurality of game apparatuses. In this case, as compared to a case where the jackpot drawing apparatus is utilized for a single game apparatus, it is possible to increase the number of tokens to be paid out that is determined when the jackpot award is won. As a result, it becomes possible to give a player an expectation that winning of the jackpot award ensures a payout of a large amount of tokens at once, making it possible to attract the player&#39;s interest. Because of these benefits, the jackpot drawing apparatus is not utilized for a single game apparatus but is often utilized for the game system configured by a plurality of game apparatuses. 
     Especially in recent years, a game system including a plurality of types of game apparatuses and a game system configured with a plurality of game apparatuses installed in a plurality of gaming arcades (gaming facilities) are also known, and it is also possible to utilize a jackpot drawing apparatus also for these kinds of the game systems. 
     [Patent Document 1] Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-253842 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     Generally, in the game system utilizing a jackpot drawing apparatus, each time a player who plays by using each game apparatus satisfies a predetermined start condition, a jackpot drawing for determining whether the player wins a jackpot award or does not win (loses) is carried out. In such a drawing method, even if a drawing probability is equal, a case may occur where the winner for the jackpot award is consequently concentrated on a player who plays by using a game apparatus of a specific type of machine or a player who plays in a specific region or in a specific gaming arcade, for example. A case like this poses a problem in that it decreases the sense of expectation for winning the jackpot award, which is developed by the player who plays by using a game apparatus of another type of machine or a player who plays in a different region or in a different gaming arcade, and as a result, the interest of the player in the jackpot drawing is eliminated. 
     Such a problem occurs also when the jackpot drawing is carried out by using a drawing method for determining, each time a predetermined start condition is satisfied, whether the player who wins the jackpot award is selected or neither player is selected (i.e., the player is lost) from all the players. 
     The game system utilizing the jackpot drawing apparatus can be installed in not only a gaming arcade and the like, but also utilized for a pachinko machine or a slot machine installed in a pachinko parlor, etc. Such a game system also encounters the problem described above. 
     The present invention realizes and provides a game system capable of preventing a situation where a winner for a jackpot award is consequently concentrated on a player who plays by using a particular game apparatus that is a part of a game system, and a jackpot drawing apparatus constituting the same. 
     Means for Solving the Problem 
     As an aspect of the present invention, it is listed that a game system including four or more game apparatuses, each of which comprises a game progress control unit for performing game progress control, comprises a jackpot drawing apparatus including: a drawing unit for carrying out a jackpot drawing for determining a winner who wins a jackpot award from players who play by using the four or more game apparatuses; a storage unit for storing payout amount data indicating an amount including a payout target amount to be paid out to the winning player when the drawing unit determines winning of the jackpot award; a payout processing unit for performing a payout process for paying out to the winning player a payout target of at least a part of an amount that is indicated by the payout amount data obtained by reading out the payout amount data from the storage unit; and a payout amount increasing unit for cumulatively increasing the amount indicated by the payout amount data stored in the storage unit when a predetermined payout amount increasing condition is satisfied, wherein the drawing unit of the jackpot drawing apparatus carries out the jackpot drawing by carrying out a group drawing for determining whether one winning group is selected or neither group is selected according to a predetermined group drawing condition, from previously determined two or more groups, each of which is made up of two or more game apparatuses, and by carrying out, when the winning group is selected by the group drawing, a winner drawing for determining whether the player who wins the jackpot award is selected or neither player is selected, from the players who play by using the two or more game apparatuses belonging to the winning group. 
     In this game system, when a group drawing condition is appropriately set during a group drawing, it becomes possible to manage a group drawing result so that a winning group is not concentrated on a particular group but is distributed among various groups. Therefore, according to the game system, it becomes possible to avoid a situation where a winner is concentrated on game apparatuses belonging to the same group. For example, when it is not desired that the winner for the jackpot award is concentrated on the game apparatuses installed in the same gaming arcade, four or more game apparatuses that are a part of the game system are grouped into each gaming arcade. Moreover, when it is not desired that the winner for the jackpot award is concentrated on game apparatuses of the same type of machine, four or more game apparatuses that are a part of the game system are grouped into each type of machine. Thus, when the four or more game apparatuses that are a part of the game system are appropriately grouped, concretely, when a previous grouping is arranged so that the game apparatuses on which the winner for the jackpot award is desirably not concentrated belong to the same group, it becomes possible to prevent a situation where the winner for the jackpot award is concentrated on such a game apparatus. 
     In the above-described game system, the four or more game apparatuses may be business-use game apparatuses installed in a game facility, and the previously determined two or more groups may be grouped so that each of the groups is made in each of gaming arcades where the game apparatuses are installed respectively. 
     According to the game system, it is possible to prevent a situation where a player who plays by using a game apparatus installed in a particular gaming arcade very frequently wins the jackpot award. 
     In the above-described game system, the jackpot drawing apparatus may comprise a gaming arcade server in each gaming arcade, the gaming arcade server being connected to and capable of communicating with two or more game apparatuses installed in the same gaming arcade, and a management server connected to and capable of communicating with each gaming arcade server, the group drawing may be carried out by a drawing unit arranged in the management server, and the winner drawing may be carried out by the drawing unit arranged in the gaming arcade server of a gaming arcade relating to the winning group determined by the group drawing. 
     In this game system, a winner drawing in the jackpot drawing is carried out in the gaming arcade server in each gaming arcade, and thus, a part of the jackpot drawing process can be distributed. As a result, even when constructing a large-scale game system configured by a large number of game apparatuses, it is possible to avoid a failure such as a decreased performance in a whole system caused by concentration of the jackpot drawing process. 
     In the above-described game system, the winner drawing may be carried out so that the player who wins the jackpot award is determined from players who play by using two or more game apparatuses belonging to the winning group, and determination of not selecting any player is not made, when the winning group is selected by the group drawing. 
     In this game system, when a winning group is selected in a group drawing, a winner for the jackpot award is always determined from a player who plays by using a game apparatus belonging to the winning group. Therefore, when the players who play by using the game apparatus belonging to the winning group are notified that a certain player has won the jackpot award, it becomes possible to develop a great sense of expectation that any player can win the jackpot award. 
     In the above-described game system, the payout processing unit of the jackpot drawing apparatus may perform, when the winning group is selected by the group drawing, a small-amount payout process for paying out a payout target to the players who play by using the two or more game apparatuses belonging to the winning group, the payout target having an amount smaller than a payout amount paid out when winning of the jackpot award is determined. 
     In this game system, in the winning group in which the winner for the jackpot award is produced, even a player who cannot become the winner for the jackpot award can receive a payout of a predetermined amount of a payout target. 
     In the above-described game system, when the winning group is selected by the group drawing, the drawing unit of the jackpot drawing apparatus may carry out not only the jackpot drawing but also a payout award drawing for determining a winner for a payout award allowing a payout target to be received, from the players who play by using the two or more game apparatuses belonging to the winning group, the payout having an amount smaller than a payout amount paid out when winning the jackpot award, and the payout processing unit of the jackpot drawing apparatus may perform the small-amount payout process on the winner when the drawing unit determines the winner for the payout award. 
     In this game system, in the winning group in which the winner for the jackpot award is produced, even a player who cannot become the winner for the jackpot award can receive a payout of a predetermined amount of a payout target if a payout award is won. 
     As another aspect of the present invention, it is listed that a jackpot drawing apparatus comprises: a drawing unit for carrying out a jackpot drawing for determining a winner who wins a jackpot award from players who play by using four or more game apparatuses, each of which is provided with a game progress control unit for performing game progress control; a storage unit for storing payout amount data indicating an amount including a payout target amount to be paid out to the winning player when the drawing unit determines winning of the jackpot award; a payout processing unit for performing a payout process for paying out to the winning player a payout target of at least a part of an amount that is indicated by the payout amount data obtained by reading out the payout amount data from the storage unit; and a payout amount increasing unit for cumulatively increasing the amount indicated by the payout amount data stored in the storage unit when a predetermined payout amount increasing condition is satisfied, the jackpot drawing apparatus, wherein the drawing unit carries out the jackpot drawing by carrying out a group drawing for determining whether one winning group is selected or neither group is selected according to a predetermined group drawing condition, from previously determined two or more groups each of which is made up of two or more game apparatuses, and by carrying out, when the winning group is selected by the group drawing, a winner drawing for determining whether the player who wins the jackpot award is selected or neither player is selected, from the players who play by using the two or more game apparatuses belonging to the winning group. 
     In this jackpot drawing apparatus, four or more game apparatuses are grouped in advance so that the game apparatuses on which the winners for the jackpot award are desirably not concentrated belong to the same group. In doing so, it becomes possible to prevent a situation where the winner for the jackpot award is concentrated on such a game apparatus. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a situation where a winner for a jackpot award is consequently concentrated on a player who plays by using a particular game apparatus that is a part of a game system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration diagram of a whole game system according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an outline view showing one example of a horse-racing game machine constituting the same game system. 
         FIG. 3  is a control block diagram showing a main control unit for controlling a whole operation of the same horse-racing game machine in an integrated way. 
         FIG. 4  is a control block diagram showing a station control unit arranged in each station of the same horse-racing game machine. 
         FIG. 5  is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of a station unit in a pusher game machine constituting the same game system. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a game control system of the same pusher game machine. 
         FIG. 7  is an explanatory view showing an example of a slot game screen displayed on a display unit of the same pusher game machine. 
         FIG. 8  is an explanatory view showing an example of a bingo game screen displayed on the display unit of the same pusher game machine. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the outline of a slot machine constituting the same game system. 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed front view showing part of a front panel of the same slot machine. 
         FIG. 11  is a control block diagram relating to a main configuration of the same slot machine. 
         FIG. 12  is a control block diagram of a management server. 
         FIG. 13  is a control block diagram of a gaming arcade server. 
         FIG. 14  is a sequence flowchart showing a flow of a total jackpot drawing. 
         FIG. 15  is a sequence flowchart for explaining a determining process of a total jackpot performance timing. 
         FIG. 16  is an explanatory view showing an example of a jackpot start screen displayed on a display unit at each of the stations, etc., which are drawing targets. 
         FIG. 17  is an explanatory view showing an example of a slot screen displayed on a display unit at each of the stations, etc., which are drawing targets. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       1000  Horse-racing game machine 
       1010  Station 
       1011  Display 
       1101  Main control device 
       1108 ,  2625 ,  3107 ,  4003 ,  5003  External communication device 
       1201  Station control device 
       2000  Pusher game machine 
       2001  Satellite drawing apparatus 
       2002  Center drawing apparatus 
       2500  Play field 
       2601 ,  2611 ,  2621  Control device 
       2700  Display unit 
       3000  Slot machine 
       3011  Performance panel 
       3101  Control device 
       4000  Management server 
       4001  Control device 
       5000  Gaming arcade server 
       5001  Control device 
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The following description will explain one embodiment applied to a game system configured with three types of token-operated game machines as arcade game machines (business-use game apparatuses) having game contents different from each other, and a gaming arcade server and a management server that are jackpot drawing apparatuses connected to and capable of communicating with these token-operated game machines. 
     [System Overview] 
     First, the configuration of a whole game system according to the present embodiment will be explained. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration diagram of the whole game system according to the present embodiment. 
     Three types of token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  constituting the game system are different types of game machines having hardware configurations different from each other. In the present embodiment, the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  are installed in a game facility such as a game center, etc., and connected to a gaming arcade server  5000  in the gaming arcade via a LAN (Local Area Network) that is a high-speed communication network. A management server  4000  is connected to the gaming arcade server in each gaming arcade, via a WAN (Wide Area Network) that is a low-speed communication network. The management server  4000  performs data communication with the gaming arcade server that performs system management for the whole gaming arcade by performing data communication with each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  so as to manage the whole game system. It is noted that a game system covering a plurality of gaming arcades will be explained in the present embodiment; the explanation, however, will be applied also to a game system within a single gaming arcade. 
     Next, the configuration and the operation of each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  will be explained. 
     [Horse-racing Game Machine  1000 ] 
     The token-operated game machine  1000  is a horse-racing game machine. 
     In the horse-racing game machine  1000 , one or at least two players predict an order of arrival for a horse race played in the horse-racing game machine, and when the prediction is correct, the player is capable of receiving a token payout according to odds against that order. 
       FIG. 2  is an outline view showing one example of the horse-racing game machine  1000 . 
     The horse-racing game machine  1000  is provided with a field unit  1002  arranged at the center portion and a plurality of stations  1010  as game apparatuses arranged to surround the field unit  1002 . In the field unit  1002 , a field surface  1004  as a moving surface that resembles turf on a race track on which a starting gate  1003  as a model is installed, is arranged, and when a plurality of model horses (not shown) are moved within the field surface  1004 , a race is developed. Around the field unit  1002 , a plurality of speakers  1005  for providing live race coverage, cheers, etc., are placed. Above the field unit  1002 , placed are: a display unit  1006  for displaying, for example, a total accumulated token count indicating the number of pieces to be paid out for a total jackpot drawing described later; an illuminating device  1007  for illuminating the field unit  1002 ; and a camera  1009  that is an imaging unit functioning as imaging means for imaging the field unit  1002 . The display unit  1006 , the illuminating device  1007 , and the camera  1009  are supported by a support column  1008 . The speaker  1005  and the illuminating device  1007  that are performance units functioning as performance means of the horse-racing game machine  1000 . 
     In the station  1010 , a display  1011  for displaying thereon a game screen according to the progress of the game, and a touch panel  1012  overlapped on a display surface of the display  1011 , are arranged. When a player touches a predetermined position of the game screen displayed on the display  1011  according to an instruction on the game screen, the position is detected by the touch panel  1012  and an operation content of the player is recognized by the horse-racing game machine  1000 . In the station  1010 , further arranged are: a token drop-in unit  1013  into which a token is dropped in by the player; a token payout opening  1014  from which the token is paid out to the player; and a magnetic-card inserting slot  1015  into which a magnetic card for recording thereon data that becomes necessary when the game is resumed is inserted. 
     In the horse-racing game machine  1000 , races having the same titles as those of actual horse races held by the Japan Racing Association are sequentially held according to a predetermined cycle. For races held during one year, about 60 races are prepared, and for each race, a time for betting a token, i.e., a time for purchasing a betting ticket; a time during which a race is held by model horses; and a time for displaying race results are secured. The player predicts the order of arrival for each race, and is capable of freely purchasing a betting ticket. The purchasing of the betting ticket is carried out by betting a token, and when the purchased betting ticket matches the results of the race, the player is paid out, as a dividend, tokens of which the number of pieces corresponds to that obtained in accordance with the number of pieces of tokens to be bet and odds. 
     In the horse-racing game machine  1000  in the present embodiment, the field unit  1002  forms the field surface  1004 , and on the field surface  1004 , an artificial lawn resembling an actual turf and models such as a starting gate  1003 , etc., are arranged. A model horse as a moving body is moved on the field surface  1004 . 
       FIG. 3  is a control block diagram showing a main control unit for controlling the whole operation of the horse-racing game machine  1000  in an integrated way. 
       FIG. 4  is a control block diagram showing a station control unit arranged in each station  1010 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the main control unit  1100  placed on the field unit side is provided with: a main control device  1101 ; a movement control device  1102  for controlling a movement of the model horse in the field unit  1002 ; an illumination control device  1103  for controlling the illuminating device  1007 ; an audio control device  1104  for controlling the cheers, the live coverage, etc., provided by the speaker  1005 ; an SRAM  1105  and a flash memory  1106  for temporarily recording data processed by the main control device  1101 ; a ROM  1107  in which a program necessary for the game and various types of databases are stored; and an external communication device  1108  for performing data communication via a LAN with an external device such as the gaming arcade server  5000 . The main control device  1101  is connected to each of the movement control device  1102 , the illumination control device  1103 , the audio control device  1104 , the SRAM  1105 , the flash memory  1106 , the ROM  1107 , the external communication device  1108 , and the camera  1009 . In the ROM  1107 , a movement control program that is movement control information for each model horse, various types of data relating to each horse used for the race, a database for a race schedule, etc., are stored. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the station control unit  1200  arranged in each station  1010  is provided with: a station control device  1201 ; a token managing device  1202  for managing a payout of the token and any other similar task; a RAM  1203  for temporarily recording various types of data of the player; a magnetic-information reader  1204  for reading the magnetic information of the magnetic card inserted into the magnetic-card inserting slot  1015 ; and a magnetic-information writer  1205  for writing various types of information such as an ID code into the magnetic card. The station control device  1201  is connected to each of the token managing device  1202 , the RAM  1203 , the magnetic-information reader  1204 , and the magnetic-information writer  1205 . The station control device  1201  is also connected to each of units such as: the display  1011  and the touch panel  1012  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) arranged in the station  1010 ; a token drop-in sensor (not shown) for detecting the token dropped in via the token drop-in unit  1013 ; and a magnetic-card driving device (not shown) for driving the magnetic card inserted into the magnetic-card inserting slot  1015 . 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the station control device  1201  of each station  1010  is connected to the main control device  1101  on the game machine main body side, enabling data communication necessary between these components. 
     The main control device  1101  of the main control unit  1100 , in order to realistically reproduce an actual horse race when holding a race, changes a movement control content of each model horse for each race according to various types of data such as a parameter of each horse. Then, the movement control content is determined before the start of a race, and the movement of the model horse is controlled according to the resultant movement control content. Concretely, before the start of a race, the main control device  1101  of the main control unit  1100  reads out various types of parameters of horses competing in the current race and data such as turf condition, from the ROM  1107 , so as to determine the order of arrival for the current race. It is noted that only a first place horse and a second place horse affect the payout of the token to the player, and thus, it is not necessary to determine the orders of all the horses competing in that race and it suffices to determine at least the first place horse and the second place horse. In this case, the movement of the other horses is controlled according to the various types of parameters so that the other horses do not arrive at the finish line first or second. Order of arrival data, the parameter of each horse, etc., determined by the main control device  1101  are forwarded to the movement control device  1102 . 
     The movement control device  1102  that receives the data from the main control device  1101  executes the movement control program recorded in a ROM (not shown) so as to perform movement control on each horse. The movement control device  1102  executing the movement control program calculates a moving pattern of each horse from the parameter, etc., of each horse, and transmits a control command to each control chip  1022  so that each model horse  1060  is moved according to the resultant moving pattern. Concretely, in order to generate a magnetic field allowing each model horse  1060  to move according to the moving pattern of each horse, a control command is transmitted to the control chip of each magnetic field generation-use circuit board. Each control chip  1022  that receives the control command controls a current that passes through each coil so that a magnetic force that pulls a south pole of a permanent magnet of each model horse  1060  along a planned moving route of each model horse  1060  is sequentially generated. Thereby, each model horse  1060  can be moved along the planned moving route. As a result, each model horse  1060  of which the movement is controlled by the movement control device  1102  develops the race in the play field. 
     [Pusher Game Machine  2000 ] 
     Next, the token-operated game machine  2000  will be explained. 
     The token-operated game machine  2000  is a pusher game machine. 
       FIG. 5  is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of a station unit ST in the pusher game machine  2000 . 
     In the pusher game machine  2000 , four satellite units SA as game apparatuses are arranged to surround a center drawing apparatus (not shown). Each satellite unit SA is provided with the four station units ST, and each player is to individually play a game at each station unit ST. Moreover, each satellite unit SA is provided with one satellite drawing apparatus  2001 , and around the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 , each station unit ST is lined and placed. 
     The station unit ST is configured mainly by: a token drop-in mechanism (drop-in unit)  2100 ; a play field  2500 ; a station control unit (not shown); and a display unit  2700 . In the station unit ST, the token drop-in mechanism  2100  is placed on an upper near side, the display unit  2700  that functions as display means is placed on an upper far side, and the play field  2500  is placed at an upper center. The “near side” means a side on which the player is positioned during the game, the “far side” means a side opposite to the side on which the player is positioned during the game, and the “center” means an area between the “near side” and the “far side.” 
     The token drop-in mechanism  2100  is a mechanism for the player to drop a token M into the pusher game machine  2000  during the game. The token M dropped into the token drop-in mechanism  2100  is conveyed via a token conveyance route (not shown) in the interior of the cabinet of the station unit ST to a lift-up hopper, and the resultant token M is temporarily retained by the lift-up hopper. The lift-up hopper includes: a token retaining unit for accumulating the token M; the lift-up unit for lifting up the token M to a predetermined height; and a token discharge unit (discharge unit) for discharging the token M that is lifted up at a predetermined timing. At a discharge opening of the token discharge unit, arranged is a token discharge route  2400  for leading the discharged token M to the play field  2500  in a manner to laterally swing. An upper end of the lift-up unit is placed above the play field  2500 . As a result, the token discharge unit arranged at the upper end of the lift-up unit is placed above the play field  2500 . Therefore, the token M temporarily accumulated in the token retaining unit arranged below the play field  2500  is raised above the play field  2500  by the lift-up unit, and thereafter, the raised token M is exited via the token discharge route  2400  from the token discharge unit, out onto the play field  2500 . 
     Within the play field  2500 , arranged mainly are: a main table  2501  that is a token mount table for retaining thereon the token M, and the pusher unit  2510  as a token extruding member which is mounted on the main table  2501 . The pusher unit  2510  includes: a top surface (this is called a sub table) for retaining thereon the token M; a sloping table on which the token M that falls from the sub table slides; and a push-forward wall that pushes forward the token M retained on the main table  2501 . Moreover, the pusher unit  2510 , which is arranged to enable sliding on the main table  2501  in the play field  2500 , makes a back-and-forth slide movement in a constant cycle or an arbitrary cycle. A part (far side) of the pusher unit  2510  is housed in a housing part (described later) arranged beneath the display unit  2700 . The pusher unit  2510 , which slides to come out of and into the housing part, makes a back-and-forth reciprocating movement. 
     With the sub table, a frame member of the display unit  2700  comes into contact in a manner to enable sliding. Therefore, when the pusher unit  2510  moves to a direction in which it is housed in the housing part, the token M on the sub table is pushed forward by the frame member. By the pushing forward, some tokens M on the sub table fall onto the sloping table. Some tokens M that fall from the sub table enter into an opening (this is called a “chucker”) that is a token pass-through opening arranged on the sloping table. The remaining tokens M fall directly onto the main table  2501  and are retained on the main table  2501 . 
     The tokens M on the main table  2501 , similar to the tokens M on the sub table, are pushed forward by the slide movement of the pusher unit  2510 . That is, the pusher units  2510  are seamlessly mounted on the main table  2501 , and thus, when the pusher unit  2510  is moved in a discharge direction from the housing part, the tokens M on the main table  2501  are pushed forward by the push-forward wall on the front surface of the pusher unit  2510 . By the pushing forward, some tokens M on the main table  2501  fall. Out of the tokens M that fall, the token M that falls from an end on the player side (this is called a “front end”) to a token fall groove is paid to the player, and the other tokens M, e.g., the tokens M that fall from both sides (these are called “side ends”) of the main table  2501  are stocked in a predetermined retaining unit within the station unit ST. 
     Besides, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the station unit ST includes a ball drop-in mechanism  2800  on at least one side. The ball drop-in mechanism  2800  is configured to drop balls B 1  and B 2  that are spherical objects (as differently shaped objects described later) into the play field  2500 , and includes a ball drop-in slope  2801  and a ball drop-in position drawing mechanism  2810 . The balls B 1  and B 2  are objects for drawing used for executing a bingo game described later. 
     The ball drop-in slope  2801 , which is configured to lead the balls B 1  and B 2  dropped in from a ball carrier  2520  described later to the ball drop-in position drawing mechanism  2810  by gravity, is formed as a downhill slope. The ball drop-in position drawing mechanism  2810  is configured to draw a position on the play field  2500  onto which the balls B 1  and B 2  are dropped. Thus, the balls B 1  and B 2  dropped in from the ball carrier  2520  described later to the station unit ST are dropped in via the ball drop-in slope  2801  and the ball drop-in position drawing mechanism  2810  onto the play field  2500 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the station unit ST includes a ball transportation mechanism  2900  on at least one side. The ball transportation mechanism  2900  is configured, when the balls B 1  and B 2  fall from the main table  2501  in the play field  2500  onto the token fall groove arranged on the near side, to transport the balls B 1  and B 2  to the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 , and includes a ball conveying route (not shown), a ball transporting unit  2910 , and a ball transporting unit traveling slope  2901 . The ball conveying route is arranged below the front end of the main table  2501 , and leads the balls B 1  and B 2  that fall from the front end to the ball transporting unit  2910 . The ball transporting unit  2910  is configured to transport the balls B 1  and B 2  received via the ball conveying route, to the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 , and travels on the ball transporting unit traveling slope  2901  according to control of the control unit of the station unit ST. The balls B 1  and B 2  transported to the satellite drawing apparatus  2001  are handed over to the ball carrier  2520 . 
     Moreover, the station unit ST includes a token payout mechanism  2030 , and as a result of the token payout mechanism being driven, the tokens M of which the number of pieces is equal to that of the tokens M that fall onto the token fall groove from the front end of the main table  2501  are discharged to the retaining unit  2101  of the token drop-in mechanism  2100 . 
     Next, a control system of the pusher game machine  2000  will be explained. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a game control system of the pusher game machine  2000 . In this block diagram, for the sake of explanation, configurations of a drive control system for driving each unit according to the game progress and any other systems are omitted. 
     The game control system of the pusher game machine  2000  is configured mainly by: a control unit  2600  at the station unit ST; a control unit  2610  of the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 ; and a control unit  2620  of the center drawing apparatus  2002 . The control unit  2600  of the station unit ST mainly assumes a role of overall process control of a slot game and a bingo game described later, the control unit  2610  of the satellite drawing apparatus  2001  mainly assumes a role of control of a physical drawing of the bingo game and transportation control of the balls B 1  and B 2 , and the control unit  2620  of the center drawing apparatus  2002  mainly assumes a role of a single-unit jackpot drawing control described later and overall control of the pusher game machine  2000 . 
     The control unit  2600  of the station unit ST is configured mainly by: a control device  2601 ; a ROM  2602 ; a RAM  2603 ; and a communication device  2604 . The control device  2601  executes various types of programs stored in the ROM  2602  so as to perform various types of controls. The ROM  2602  stores, for example, execution programs for various types of controls that should be carried out in the control unit  2600  of the station unit ST. The RAM  2603  is for temporarily storing various types of data or information. The communication device  2604  is for performing data communication with the control unit  2610  of the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 . Although not shown, the station unit ST includes a performance unit such as a speaker and an illuminating device, used for various types of performances, and the control device  2601  controls these performance units so as to carry out various types of performances. 
     The control unit  2610  of the satellite drawing apparatus  2001  is configured mainly by: a control device  2611 ; a ROM  2612 ; a RAM  2613 ; a station-side communication device  2614 ; and a center-side communication device  2615 . The control device  2611  executes various types of programs stored in the ROM  2612  so as to perform various types of controls. The ROM  2612  stores, for example, execution programs for various types of controls that should be carried out in the control unit  2610  of the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 . The RAM  2613  is for temporarily storing various types of data or information. The station-side communication device  2614  is for performing data communication with the control unit  2600  of the each station unit ST belonging to the satellite unit SA. The center-side communication device  2615  is for performing data communication with the control unit  2620  of the center drawing apparatus  2002 . Although not shown, the satellite unit SA includes a performance unit, such as a speaker and an illuminating device, used for various types of performances, and the control device  2611  controls these performance units so as to carry out various types of performances. 
     The control unit  2620  of the center drawing apparatus  2002  is configured mainly by: a control device  2621 ; a ROM  2622 ; a RAM  2623 ; a communication device  2624 ; and an external communication device  2625 . The control device  2621  executes various types of programs stored in the ROM  2622  so as to perform various types of controls. The ROM  2622  stores, for example, execution programs for various types of controls that should be carried out in the control unit  2620  of the center drawing apparatus  2002 . The RAM  2623  is for temporarily storing various types of data or information. The communication device  2624  is for performing data communication with the control unit  2610  of each satellite unit SA. The external communication device  2625  is for performing data communication via a LAN with an external device such as a gaming arcade server  5000 . Although not shown, the center drawing apparatus  2002  includes a performance unit, such as a speaker and an illuminating device, used for various types of performances, and the control device  2621  controls these performance units so as to carry out various types of performances. 
     In the above-described configuration, in the pusher game machine  2000 , in addition to the pusher game, a slot game is carried out by displaying a slot game screen as shown in  FIG. 7  on the display unit  2700 , and a bingo game is carried out by displaying a bingo game screen as shown in  FIG. 8  on the display unit  2700 . In the pusher game machine  2000 , a single-unit jackpot drawing using the center drawing apparatus  2002  is also carried out. On the display unit  2700 , a single-unit accumulated token count indicating the number of pieces to be paid out in a single-unit jackpot drawing described later and a total accumulated token count indicating the number of pieces to be paid out in a total jackpot drawing described later are displayed. 
     The slot game is a digital drawing game in which the control unit  2600  at the station unit ST mainly performs a drawing digitally. This slot game is started under the condition that the token M enters into any one of chuckers arranged on the sloping table at the pusher unit  2510 . The slot game screen shown in  FIG. 7  is displayed on the display unit  2700  during a period when the bingo game described later does not progress. When the token M enters into any one of the chuckers and thereby the slot drawing start condition is satisfied, the control unit  2600  performs display control to rotate three dice-shaped slots DS. In the digital drawing of the slot game, the control unit executes a predetermined drawing program, and checks a generated random number in reference to a predetermined winning table so as to determine whether to win any payout-symbol combination or lose. Thereafter, where a winning payout-symbol combination is determined, the control unit  2600  performs display control to stop the rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS so that a combination of symbols relating to the winning payout-symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the display unit  2700 . 
     In the present embodiment, as a payout-symbol combination for a digital drawing, prepared are: a minor payout-symbol combination A in which three tokens are supplied to the play field  2500 ; a minor payout-symbol combination B in which eight tokens are supplied to the play field  2500 ; a ball supply payout-symbol combination in which the ball B 1  is supplied to the play field  2500 ; a normal bonus payout-symbol combination in which thirty tokens are supplied to the play field  2500 ; a probability-change bonus payout-symbol combination in which thirty tokens are supplied to the play field  2500  and a winning table at which a winning probability is set to be higher is used in subsequent digital drawings; a direct satellite payout-symbol combination in which the ball B 1  is directly supplied to the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 ; a direct center payout-symbol combination in which the ball B 1  is directly supplied to the center drawing apparatus  2002 , and other payout-symbol combinations. The winning probability of each of these payout-symbol combinations is set to be lowered according to the above-described order. It is noted that, which payout-symbol combination is prepared or to which winning probability of each of the payout-symbol combinations is set is determined arbitrarily. For example, it may be possible to configure that various benefits are given to a player such as direct payout of tokens M to the player. Then, when these payout-symbol combinations are won, the control device  2601  of the station unit ST controls the speaker or the illumination device, etc., so as to carry out individual performance to liven up the winning. 
     The bingo game is a physical drawing game which progresses by a physical drawing using two types of balls B 1  and B 2  and the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 . The bingo game progresses by the control unit  2610  of the satellite drawing apparatus  2001  and the control unit  2600  at the station unit ST. In the bingo game, the control unit  2610  of the satellite drawing apparatus  2001  mainly controls a drawing for determining winning bingo numbers of the bingo game. The control unit  2600  of each of the station units ST belonging to the satellite unit SA including the satellite drawing apparatus  2001  is mainly in charge of controlling the performance of the bingo game, a decision of the establishment of BINGO, and so on. In the present embodiment, the balls B 1  and B 2  are moved by the satellite drawing apparatus  2001 , by which a physical drawing is carried out in which one winning bingo number (a winning target) is selected from a plurality of bingo numbers (drawing targets) different from each other. In the physical drawing of the present embodiment, one winning bingo number is selected from the bingo numbers of “1” through “9”. Then, array information of the bingo card having these bingo numbers of “1” through “9” arrayed in a matrix is generated individually for each of the station units ST by the control unit  2600  that is as an array-information producing unit which functions as array-information producing means for the station unit ST, for example. Thereafter, a bingo card image BC in which images of the bingo numbers of “1” through “9” (drawing target images) are arrayed according to the array information is displayed on the display unit  2700  of each of the station units ST, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Then, when the BINGO is established, the control device  2601  of the station unit ST or the control device  2611  of the satellite unit SA each controls the speaker, the illuminating device, etc., so as to carry out an individual performance to liven up the establishment of BINGO. 
     In the single-unit jackpot drawing, when either one of conditions under which the single-unit jackpot drawing is started is satisfied, i.e., the balls B 1  and B 2  are thrown into a winning spot to which a right of starting a single-unit jackpot drawing in the center drawing apparatus  2002  in the physical drawing in the satellite drawing apparatus  2001  in the above-described bingo game is assigned, or the center combination is directly won in the above-described slot game, the control device  2621  of the control unit  2620  in the center drawing apparatus  2002  executes a single-unit jackpot execution program stored in the ROM  2622  so as to start the single-unit jackpot drawing. Then, in the center drawing apparatus  2002 , the ball B 1  is moved thereby to perform the physical drawing that determines whether a single-unit jackpot award is won or lost (including a case where awards other than the single-unit jackpot award are won). When the single-unit jackpot award is won, the control device  2621  of the center drawing apparatus  2002  controls the speaker, the illuminating device, etc., so as to carry out an individual performance to liven up the winning of the single-unit jackpot award. 
     Moreover, when the single-unit jackpot award is won, the control device  2621  reads out the single-unit JP retaining count data that is payout amount data from the RAM  2623 , and performs a process for supplying the tokens M having the number of pieces indicated by a count value of that data, to the play field  2500  of the station unit ST that has satisfied the condition under which the jackpot drawing is started. At this time, another option would be: a token supply command is output to the control device  2601  of the control unit  2600  at the station unit ST from the control device  2621 , and under the control of the control device  2601 , the token M is supplied to the play field  2500  by using a method similar to a normal token supply process. In this case, however, the number of pieces of tokens to be supplied when the single-unit jackpot award is won is obtained by cumulatively adding the number of pieces equivalent to a part of the number of pieces of tokens to be dropped into all the station units ST (for example, 0.03 pieces) from a time when the single-unit JP retaining count data is reset to an initial value (for example, 500 pieces), therefore, it is a great number. For this reason, instead of the normal token supply process, a process using an original token supply mechanism may be optionally adopted. This is preferable as a performance carried out when the single-unit jackpot award is won. Moreover, when the single-unit jackpot award is won, the control device  2621  resets the single-unit JP retaining count data stored in the RAM  2623 , to the initial value. 
     [Slot machine  3000 ] Next, the token-operated game machine  3000  will be explained. 
     The token-operated game machine  3000  as a game apparatus is a slot machine. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the outline of a slot machine  3000  according to the present embodiment. 
     The slot machine  3000  includes a box-type cabinet  3002 , a front panel  3003  attached to a front surface side of the cabinet  3002  in a freely openable and closable manner, and other components. On the front panel  3003 , arranged are: a display window  3004  for displaying part of a varying display unit described later; a token drop-in opening  3005 ; a start button  3006  as a start operation device; a dice display window  3007 ; a credit settlement button  3008 ; a speaker  3009 ; a token receiving tray  3010  having a token payout opening  3010   a;  a performance panel  3011 ; a count display unit  3014 ; a BET operation unit  3015 ; and so on. The speaker  3009  and the performance panel  3011  that are performance units function as performance means of the slot machine  3000 . Moreover, on the performance panel  3011 , various types of information such as a total accumulated token count indicating the number of pieces of payouts in the total jackpot drawing described later are displayed. 
     Inside the cabinet  3002 , three reels that as three varying display units of which the outer peripheral surface is printed with a plurality of types of symbols are assembled. The three reels (hereinafter, in the order of a “left reel”, a “middle reel”, and a “right reel”) are each rotated and driven by a reel drive motor (not shown) configured by a stepping motor. These reels are printed with a plurality of types of symbols such as “white 7”, “blue 7”, “green 7”, “red 7”, “cherry”, and “blank” in a predetermined order. In the present embodiment, the symbol of “blank” configures neither one of the payout-symbol combinations. A main control circuit board on which electronic circuits are formed by various types of electronic components such as a CPU and a ROM, a token payout device having a token hopper capable of containing a large number of pieces of tokens, an internal speaker, and any other similar components are also assembled. 
       FIG. 10  is a detailed front view showing part of the front panel  3003 . 
     Symbols formed by about three images at a predetermined rotation position of each reel are to be visually recognized by a player through the display window  3004 . In this display window  3004 , five winning lines IL are depicted across all of the reels. When symbols relating to a payout-symbol combination corresponding to an award group previously defined on these winning lines IL become all the same in a combination (hereinafter, this is simply referred to as the “symbols become all the same in a payout-symbol combination”), a game value is imparted to a player, such as the tokens are paid out to the token receiving tray  3010  and a current period is moved to a special game period during which a special game can be played. It is noted that, in the slot machine  3000  according to the embodiment, the five winning lines IL are arranged; however, the number of winning lines may be optionally increased or decreased. Moreover, the winning line may suffice to be visually recognized by a CPU 17a, described later, for performing stop control of the slot machine, rather than to be visually recognized by the player. 
     The count display unit  3014  is provided with a credit display  3014   a , a bonus-count display  3014   b , a token payout count display  3014   c , etc. 
     The BET operation unit  3015  is configured by two buttons, i.e., a 1BET button  3015   a  and a max BET button  3015   b.    
       FIG. 11  is a control block diagram relating to a main configuration of the slot machine  3000 . The main control unit  3100  of the slot machine  3000  includes: a control device  3101 ; a reel control device  3102  for performing drive control for the three reels; a storage device  3103  in which various types of programs necessary for the game, various types of databases, etc., are stored; a display control device  3104  for performing display control of the count display unit  3014 ; an illumination control device  3105  for controlling illumination of the performance panel  3011 , etc.; an audio control device  3106  for controlling a sound output from the speaker  3009 ; and an external communication device  3107  for performing a data communication with an external apparatus such as the gaming arcade server  5000  via a LAN. The main control device  1101  is connected not only to these devices but also to, for example, the token drop-in sensor  3022 , the BET operation unit  3015 , and the token payout device  3018 . 
     Next, a flow of the game of the slot machine  3000  will be explained. 
     Before the game is started, as a preparation, a player first needs to drop a token into the token drop-in opening  3005 . When a token is dropped by the player into the token drop-in opening  3005 , the token passes through a passage (not shown) and falls onto the token hopper. In this passage, various components are arranged such as a fall opening through which a token smaller than a standard falls back to the token payout opening  3010   a , a token block solenoid for returning or permitting the token to the token payout opening  3010   a  by blocking the passage of the token, and a token drop-in sensor  3022  configured by, for example, a photo sensor for detecting the passed tokens one by one. A token detection signal output from the token drop-in sensor  3022  that detects the token is forwarded to the control device  3101  of the main control unit  3100 . In receipt thereof, by means of the display control device  3104 , the control device  3101  performs control to increase a display count value by one on the credit display  3014   a  and to increase a value of credit count data stored in the storage device  3103  by one. Normally, a plurality of pieces of tokens are dropped in at once so as to increase the number of pieces of credit to a certain extent. When the player operates the BET operation unit  3015  to perform a bet operation, the control device  3101  decreases the value of the credit count data stored in the storage device  3103  by as much as the number of pieces to be bet, and at the same time, performs control to decrease the display count value on the credit display  3014   a  by as much as the number of pieces to be bet. Moreover, the control device  3101  recognizes the winning line IL that has become effective according to the number of pieces to be bet. It is noted that, unless the symbols become all the same in the payout-symbol combination on the effective winning line IL, the winning is not granted even when the symbols become all the same in the payout-symbol combination on an ineffective winning line IL. 
     When the start button  3006  is operated by the player, the control device  3101  that is a start-command receiving unit executes a start-command receiving program stored in the storage device  3103  thereby to function as start-command receiving means so as to receive a varying-display start command from its start button  3006 . The control device  3101  that has received this varying-display start command, first, starts rotation drive of all the reels by the reel control device  3102 . Further, the control device  3101  that has received the varying-display start command executes an award-group drawing program stored in the storage device  3103  so as to perform an internal drawing. In this case, the control device  3101  functions as means for performing an internal drawing to determine a winning in which any award group is selected out of a plurality of award groups or a loss in which neither award group is selected. The internal drawing is carried out by checking random number data forwarded from a random-number generating circuit with a value on an award group drawing table stored in the storage device  3103 . On this award-group drawing table, each random number is associated with any award group or the loss. As a result of such an association, any one of the award groups is won at an individual predetermined probability, or the loss occurs at a predetermined probability. 
     Rotation positions of the reels that start the rotation drive are respectively detected by a reel position sensor (not shown). The reel control device  3102  performs an arithmetic operation on the rotation speed of the reel based on an output signal from each reel position sensor. When the rotation speed of the reel is stabilized, the reel control device  3102  becomes capable of recognizing a position of each symbol on each reel based on the output signal from each reel position sensor. Then, the control device  3101  executes a stop control program stored in the storage device  3103 , and based on a drawing result of the above-described internal drawing, performs stop control of the reel by the reel control device  3102  so that a combination of predetermined symbols is stopped and displayed on the winning line. Concretely, when any one of the award groups is won by the internal drawing, the control device  3101  performs stop control so that a combination of symbols relating to a payout-symbol combination corresponding to the award group that has won is stopped and displayed on the winning line IL. On the other hand, in the case of the loss as a result of neither one of the award groups being selected by the internal drawing, the control device  3101  performs stop control so that a combination of symbols corresponding to neither award group is stopped and displayed on the winning line IL. 
     In a normal game, the internal drawing is carried out by using an award-group drawing table corresponding to that normal game. Examples of award groups that may be won by the internal drawing of this normal game include token payout awards of: a cherry award corresponding to a cherry combination formed by “cherry-ANY (any symbol pattern)-ANY (any symbol pattern)”; an ANY7 award corresponding to an ANY7 combination formed by a plurality of colors of “7” that are “ANY7 (any color of “7”)-ANY7 (any color of “7”)-ANY7 (any color of “7”)”; a white 7 award corresponding to a white 7 combination formed by “white 7-white 7-white 7”; a blue 7 award corresponding to a blue 7 combination formed by “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7”; a green 7 award corresponding to a green 7 combination formed by “green 7-green 7-green 7”; and a red 7 award corresponding to a red 7 combination formed by “red 7-red 7-red 7.” When any one of the token payout awards is won as a result of the internal drawing and the symbols corresponding thereto become all the same in a winning combination on the winning line IL, the control device  3101  causes the token payout count display  3014   c  of the count display unit  3014  to display the number of pieces of tokens to be paid out corresponding to the winning award. Then, the control device  3101  performs a token payout process for paying out the number of pieces of tokens corresponding to the winning award. Concretely, the control device  3101  increases a value of the credit count data stored in the storage device  3103  by as much as the number of pieces of tokens to be paid out, and at the same time, performs control to increase the token credit on the credit display  3014   a  by as much as the number of pieces of tokens to be paid out. When a token credit upper limit value is exceeded, the exceeded amount is paid out to the token receiving tray  3010  from the token payout opening  3010   a  by the token payout device  3018 . According to the order in which the above-described award groups are described, the number of pieces of tokens that are paid out is larger. 
     [Jackpot System] 
     Next, the total jackpot drawing carried out in the whole system will be explained. 
       FIG. 12  is a control block diagram of the management server  4000  for performing progress control of the total jackpot drawing which is carried out together with each gaming arcade server  5000 . 
     The management server  4000  is configured mainly by a control device  4001 , a storage device  4002  and an external communication device  4003 . The storage device  4002  stores various types of control programs, and stores total accumulated token count data that is payout amount data of the whole system. The external communication device  4003  is for performing data communication via a WAN with an external apparatus such as the gaming arcade server  5000  at each gaming arcade. 
       FIG. 13  is a control block diagram of the gaming arcade server  5000  for managing a system within each gaming arcade and also performing data communication between the management server  4000  and each token-operated game machine at the gaming arcade. 
     The gaming arcade server  5000  is configured mainly by a control device  5001 , a storage device  5002 , an external communication device  5003  and an intra-arcade communication device  5004 . The storage device  5002  stores various types of control programs. The storage device  5002  stores intra-arcade accumulated token count data that is a part of the tokens consumed in the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  within the gaming arcade constituting the game system, and also stores the total accumulated token count data forwarded from the management server  4000 . The external communication device  5003  is for performing data communication via a WAN with an external apparatus such as the management server  4000 . The external communication device  5003  is for performing data communication via a LAN with each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 ,  3000 , etc. 
       FIG. 14  is a sequence flowchart showing a flow of the total jackpot drawing in the present embodiment. In  FIG. 14 , for the sake of explanation, only one token-operated game machine and one gaming arcade server are described. 
     In the game system, when a player consumes the tokens in each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , data indicating a consumption amount is forwarded to the gaming arcade server  5000  located in its gaming arcade. Based on the data forwarded from each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , the control device  5001  of the gaming arcade server  5000  cumulatively stores, as the intra-arcade accumulated token count data, a part of the tokens (for example, 0.01 pieces) consumed by the player in the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  within the gaming arcade connected to this gaming arcade server  5000  into the storage device  5002 . Then, the control device  5001  transmits the intra-arcade accumulated token count data in the storage device  5002  to the management server  4000  at a predetermined timing. It is noted that the intra-arcade accumulated token count data to be transmitted this time is as much as that cumulatively stored between a last transmission time point and a current transmission time point. 
     At each reception of the intra-arcade accumulated token count data forwarded from each gaming arcade server  5000 , the management server  4000  cumulatively adds the number of pieces of tokens indicated by the received data to the total accumulated token count data in the storage device  4002 . Thereby, a part of the number of pieces of tokens (for example, 0.01 pieces) consumed in all the token-operated game machines constituting the present game system is added up as the total accumulated token count data. In the present embodiment, for example, an initial value of the total accumulated token count data is 1000 pieces of tokens and a part of the number of pieces of tokens consumed by the player is cumulatively added to this initial value. 
     In the present embodiment, also in the above-described pusher game machine  2000 , the single-unit jackpot drawing is carried out, and the accumulated token count data of the single-unit jackpot drawing is obtained by calculation only from the number of pieces of tokens consumed in that pusher game machine  2000 . On the other hand, the accumulated token count data of the total jackpot drawing managed and run by the management server  4000  is obtained by calculation from the number of pieces of tokens consumed by all the token-operated game machines constituting the present game system. As a result, it is possible to increase the number of pieces of tokens to be paid out to a winner when the winner wins the jackpot drawing. 
     A specific process flow will be now explained. The control device  4001  of the management server  4000  receives the intra-arcade accumulated token count data transmitted from each gaming arcade server  5000  at a predetermined timing (for example, at intervals of 10 minutes) thereby, first, to perform a process for cumulatively adding to the total accumulated token count data in the storage device  4002 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . Thereafter, the total accumulated token count data stored in the storage device  4002  at this time point is transmitted to the gaming arcade server  5000  that is a transmission source of the intra-arcade accumulated token count data that is received immediately before. The gaming arcade server  5000  that receives the total accumulated token count data transmits the same data to each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . Then, in each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  that receive that data, respective displays of the total accumulated token count are updated based on the received total accumulated token count data. In the present embodiment, the total numbers of pieces of accumulated tokens are individually displayed in each token-operated game machine. In this case, a display device for displaying the total accumulated token count may be arranged within the gaming arcade in order to omit the individual display in each token-operated game machine. 
     The total jackpot drawing in the present embodiment is started under the condition that the management server  4000  receives the intra-arcade accumulated token count data from the gaming arcade server  5000 . 
     In the present embodiment, when receiving the intra-arcade accumulated token count data from each gaming arcade server  5000 , the control device  4001  of the management server  4000  executes the total jackpot drawing program and carries out a gaming arcade drawing as a group drawing. In this gaming arcade drawing, a drawing is carried out to determine whether the gaming arcade of the transmission source of that data is won or lost by checking the generated random number in reference to the predetermined winning table. When the winning is determined in the gaming arcade drawing, the control device  4001  transmits winning data to the effect that the gaming arcade server  5000  is won in the gaming arcade drawing, to the gaming arcade server  5000  that has transmitted the intra-arcade accumulated token count data that is a condition for starting the drawing. 
     Another method therefor may include the following, for example. That is, when receiving the intra-arcade accumulated token count data from any one of the gaming arcade servers  5000 , the control device  4001  of the management server  4000  executes the total jackpot drawing program so as to perform the gaming arcade drawing to determine which one of the gaming arcades win or neither one of the gaming arcades win by checking the generated random number in reference to the predetermined winning table. In this gaming arcade drawing, the winning gaming arcade may not necessarily be determined. Therefore, there is a case where neither one of the gaming arcades wins in the gaming arcade drawing. When winning of any one of the gaming arcades is determined in the gaming arcade drawing, the control device  4001  transmits the winning data to the effect that the gaming arcade server  5000  is won in the gaming arcade drawing, to the gaming arcade server  5000  (of the gaming arcade) relating to that winning 
     It is noted that the condition for starting the total jackpot drawing is not limited to the above-described condition but may include any condition as long as it may occur at suitable time intervals. For example, the total jackpot drawing may be optionally started under the condition that a predetermined constant time is elapsed. 
     It is desired that a drawing condition in the gaming arcade drawing (group drawing) carried out by the control apparatus  4001  of the management server  4000  is appropriately set so that the gaming arcade that is won by this drawing can be distributed among as many gaming arcades as possible instead of being concentrated on a particular gaming arcade. Examples of such a drawing condition include that under which a winning probability of the winning gaming arcade is decreased for a next time and onward, and that under which a winning probability of a gaming arcade that has not so often won is increased. This embodiment adopts a drawing condition as follows: basically, the winning probability of each gaming arcade is set so that a gaming arcade that has more greatly contributed to an increase in the total accumulated token count is imparted with a higher winning probability, and in addition thereto, the winning gaming arcade has its winning probability temporarily decreasing in a drawing carried out during a certain period for a next time and onward (a period until a next winning gaming arcade is determined, a period until a predetermined number of times of drawings is elapsed, etc.). 
     It is noted that the drawing condition (group drawing condition) in the gaming arcade drawing is not limited to those described above. 
     For example, it is possible to adopt a drawing condition as follows: basically, the winning probability for each gaming arcade is equal, but the winning probability in a drawing carried out during a certain period for a next time and onward is temporarily decreased in the winning gaming arcade, similarly to the above-described case. 
     Alternatively, for example, it is possible to adopt a drawing condition as follows: a winning probability for a next time and onward is increased in a gaming arcade server  5000  in which an accumulated value of the intra-gaming arcade accumulated token count data transmitted to the management server  4000  from a last winning time reaches a predetermined amount. 
     The gaming arcade server  5000  that has received the winning data performs a process for determining, as a winner for the total jackpot award, which one of the players who plays in the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  connected to the gaming arcade server  5000  in the gaming arcade. In this process, it is informed that there is a winner for the total jackpot drawing within the gaming arcade. In this way, a sense of expectation (such as any player can be a winner) is grown and an interest in who has won the game is developed. In doing so, a performance used for an advance notification (hereinafter, referred to as a “total jackpot advance performance”) is carried out for getting attention of, for example, the player and the audience in the whole gaming arcade. This total jackpot performance needs to be carried out simultaneously at all the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  in the gaming arcade, and in this case, due to a certain reason related to the game progress at each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , a timing at which the performance is carried out (total jackpot performance timing) needs to be adjusted. Because at each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , the game is individually progressed, and thus, depending on a certain progress situation, the progress of that game may be impeded by the total jackpot performance, resulting in an undesirable case where a sense of enjoyment of the player is greatly decreased. 
     For example, in the horse-racing game machine  1000 , if the total jackpot performance is suddenly started at a time when a race is reproduced by using the field unit  1002 , the excitement of the game originally provided in that horse-racing game machine is significantly decreased, hence not preferable. Further, in the pusher game machine  2000 , if the total jackpot performance is suddenly started in the middle of a drawing where a large amount of tokens to be paid out can be expected such as in a physical drawing of the bingo game and the single-unit jackpot drawing, the excitement of the game originally provided in that pusher game machine is significantly decreased, hence not preferable. Moreover, in the slot machine  3000 , if the total jackpot performance is suddenly started in the middle of the winning performance when a large amount of tokens to be paid out such as in the green 7 award and the red 7 award is determined, the joy of the player is significantly decreased, hence, not preferable. 
     On the other hand, at each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , there is a timing at which adverse effect (such as decreasing the enjoyment originally provided in that token-operated game machine) is less caused even when the individual game progress is impeded by the total jackpot performance. For example, in the horse-racing game machine  1000 , at a timing used for betting a token by the player, i.e., a timing used for purchasing a betting ticket, the adverse effect is less caused. Thus, this timing is suitable for starting the total jackpot performance. Further, for example, in the pusher game machine  2000 , at a timing except for a middle of a drawing where a large amount of tokens to be paid out can be expected or a middle of the winning performance therefor, the adverse effect is less caused. Thus, this timing is suitable for starting the total jackpot performance. Moreover, for example, in the slot machine  3000 , at a timing from a first slot game is ended to a subsequent slot game is started, concretely, from a time after the loss is determined in the last slot game or after the winning performance is ended to a time before the start button  3006  of the subsequent slot game is operated, the adverse effect is caused less. Thus, this timing is suitable for starting the total jackpot performance. 
     In each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  of the present embodiment, the game progress situations illustrated here are set in advance as situations where the total jackpot performance can be carried out. 
       FIG. 15  is a sequence flowchart for explaining a determining process of the total jackpot performance timing. 
     The gaming arcade server  5000  that has received the winning data, first, inquires all the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  through the LAN of a timing at which the game progress situation becomes capable of carrying out the total jackpot performance. In response to this inquiry, the control devices  1101 ,  2621 , and  3101  of the respective token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  function as timing anticipation processing means, by working solely or working together with the other control devices  1201 ,  2601 , and  2611 , and constituting timing anticipation processing units, and execute a timing anticipation program so as to perform a process for predicting a timing at which each game progress situation becomes the above-described setting situation previously determined. Then, the control devices  1101 ,  2621 , and  3101  of the respective token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  send total performance enabling timing information indicating the anticipated timing, back to the gaming arcade server  5000  from the external communication devices  1108 ,  2625 , and  3107 . The control device  5001  that is a total performance timing determining unit of the gaming arcade server  5000  functions as total performance timing determining means, and based on the total performance enabling timing information forwarded from each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , determines the total performance timing at which the total jackpot performance is carried out. Concretely, based on each total performance enabling timing information, an earliest timing at which the total performance enabling timings of all the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  overlap is specified, and the resultant timing is determined as a total performance timing. Then, information on the determined total performance timing is transmitted to each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . In each token-operated game machine that has received the information, at the determined total performance timing, the game progress is controlled so that the game progress situation at each token-operated game machine becomes the above-described predetermined setting situation where the total jackpot performance can be carried out. A specific method of controlling is as follows: the above-described setting situation is stored in each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , the stored information on the setting situation is read out to perform the game progress control, or the above-described setting situation is previously installed in a game progress control-use program, and the game progress control is carried out according to a content of that program. 
     It is noted that, in order for the game progress situation to become the above-described setting situation at the exact timing of the total performance timing determined by the control device  5001  of the gaming arcade server  5000 , it may need to perform a fine adjustment for the game progress in the individual token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . 
     As examples of a method for the fine adjustment in the horse-racing game machine  1000 , a reproducing time of a race reproduction movie is shortened or lengthened in a reproducing process of a race reproduction movie executed after each race is ended. Concretely, the reproducing time may be shortened or lengthened by setting a time for starting the reproduction of the race reproduction movie in a middle stage of the race or a final stage thereof. 
     Further, another method for the fine adjustment in the pusher game machine  2000  is as follows: in the slot game executed at each station unit ST, the fine adjustment is carried out by display control to lengthen or shorten a time from which the rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS is started until it is stopped. Concretely, a speed for reproducing video from the start of the rotation of the three dice-shaped slots DS to the stop thereof may be lengthened or shortened, for example. In this case, there is no need of editing the video itself, thus, the display process is easy. 
     Moreover, the method for the fine adjustment in the slot machine  3000  is as follows: the fine adjustment is carried out by drive control in which a time from a start of the rotation of the three reels to a stop thereof is lengthened or shortened. 
     The method for the fine adjustment is not limited to those described above, and it is determined, where appropriate, depending on a game content, etc., of each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . 
     In particular, in a game machine in which a digital drawing is carried out, a method for lengthening or shortening a time period during which drawing performance-use video is displayed is effective as in the case of the above-described pusher game machine  2000 . 
     It is noted that the method for determining the total performance timing is not limited to those described above. 
     For example, the control device  5001  that is a performance timing determining unit of the gaming arcade server  5000  is functioned as performance timing determining means. In doing so, rather than inquiring each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  of the total performance enabling timing, the total performance timing is determined according to a predetermined total performance timing determining condition. Then, the determined total performance timing is transmitted to each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , and the game progress control is carried out in each token-operated game machine so that the game progress situation at each token-operated game machine becomes the above-described predetermined setting situation in which the total jackpot performance can be carried out at the determined total performance timing. This method is effective particularly when the token-operated game machine constituting the present game system is high in the degree of freedom of the control of the game progress situation. 
     When the total performance timing determined by the gaming arcade server  5000  arrives, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the control device  5001  of the gaming arcade server  5000  performs a player presence confirming process for recognizing the players who play at each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . Concretely, all the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  are inquired through the LAN of whether a player is present at each game machine. In the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  that have been inquired, the player presence confirming process according to the respective game content is carried out. 
     Concretely, in the horse-racing game machine  1000 , the players are each capable of playing at a plurality of stations, and thus, a process for confirming whether the player who plays the game is present is carried out at each station. An example of a method for confirming includes: it is decided that there is a player at a station at which a magnetic card is inserted into a magnetic-card inserting slot  1015 . 
     Further, also in the pusher game machine  2000 , the players are each capable of playing at a plurality of station units, and thus, the process for confirming whether the player who plays the game is present is carried out at each station unit. An example of a method for confirming this includes: it is decided that there is a player at a station unit at which there is a token on the retaining unit  2101  of the token drop-in mechanism  2100 . 
     Moreover, since the slot machine  3000  is a game machine in which a single player plays, a process for confirming whether there is a player who plays the game at the slot machine  3000  is carried out. An example of a method for confirming this includes: it is decided that there is a player when one or more credit count data is stored in the storage device  3103 . 
     It is noted that the method for confirming whether a player is present is not limited to those described above, and may adopt any other methods. 
     Each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  performs the player presence confirming process, and then, sends back presence confirming information that is the process result of that confirming process to the gaming arcade server  5000  from the external communication devices  1108 ,  2625 , and  3107 . The control device  5001  of the gaming arcade server  5000  recognizes the station or the station unit or the slot machine played by the player (hereinafter, referred to as a “station and others”) which are specified based on the presence confirming information forwarded from each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . Then, the control device  5001  executes a winner determination drawing program so as to perform a winner determination drawing process for determining which drawing target is won while respectively regarding the recognized station and others as the drawing targets. Concretely, a winning table on which each drawing target is assigned an equal winning probability is generated, and a drawing target corresponding to a random number generated based on the winning table is chosen, thereby determining the winning of the chosen drawing target. In the present embodiment, in the winner determination drawing process, in addition to the total jackpot award, prepared are: a big winning with a fixed number of pieces of tokens (big bonus award), a medium winning with a fixed number of pieces of tokens (middle bonus award), and a small winning with a fixed number of pieces of tokens (small bonus award). Therefore, for these awards, the control device  5001  sequentially determines the winning drawing target by using the above-described method. 
     It is noted that the winning probability of each drawing target is set equally; however, it is not always the case. For example, in the gaming arcade server  5000 , token consumption data is regularly received from each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , and thus, the degree of contribution contributed to an increase in the total accumulated token count data of this time per each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  (i.e., a ratio of the token consumption data received from each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  for the purpose of increasing the total accumulated token count data of this time) can be specified. For the drawing target corresponding to the token-operated game machine with a high ratio, the winning probability may be relatively increased, and for the drawing target corresponding to the token-operated game machine with a lower ratio, the winning probability may be relatively decreased. 
     The winner determination drawing process is ended in this way, and the station and others that have won each award are determined. Then, the control device  5001  that is a control command transmitting unit of the gaming arcade server  5000  functions as control command transmitting means, informs each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  of the winning result, and at the same time, transmits the total performance control command to each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . Thereby, the total jackpot performance that utilizes the performance unit of each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  connected to the gaming arcade server  5000  is carried out. 
     Next, the total jackpot performance will be explained. 
     In each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  that has received the total performance control command from the gaming arcade server  5000 , jackpot start screens to the effect that a total jackpot drawing is started as shown in  FIG. 16  are simultaneously displayed on the display  1011 , the display unit  2700 , and the performance panel  3011  that are display units of the station and others relating to the drawing target. At the station and others that are not the drawing targets, i.e., the station and others at which it is decided that a player is not playing the game, this jackpot start screen is not displayed. 
     In the present embodiment, at the station and others that are not drawing targets, a player is capable of playing a game of the token-operated game machine even during the total jackpot performance. Thus, there is a probability that during the total jackpot performance, an individual performance according to the game progress at the station and others that are not the drawing target is carried out. However, it is probable that if an individual performance not related to the total jackpot performance is carried out during the total jackpot performance, the total jackpot performance is impeded by the individual performance, thereby decreasing a good characteristic of the total jackpot performance. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the station and others that are not the drawing targets are controlled so that the individual performance according to the game progress is not carried out or a subtle performance only is carried out by decreasing a sound volume, a light amount, etc., so that the individual performance does not stand out during the total jackpot performance. 
     As a result of working solely or working together with the other control devices  1201 ,  2601 , and  2611 , and constituting timing anticipation processing units, the control devices  1101 ,  2621 , and  3101  of the respective token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  function as performance control means for advance notification so as to carry out the total jackpot performance process by executing the total performance program. In particular, when the performance units such as the speaker and the illuminating device of each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  are caused to carry out a performance assuming part of the total jackpot performance, it becomes possible to carry out a single total performance (total jackpot performance) in which all the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  connected to the gaming arcade server  5000  are cooperated with each other. Concretely, for example, in all the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , illumination in blue and red are alternately emitted at the same timing, the same music or sound effect to the effect that a player who plays one of the token-operated game machines wins the total jackpot award is output at the same timing, and other similar effects are provided. 
     It is noted that, in the present embodiment, the performance unit of each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  is configured by hardware different from each another, and thus, it is not possible to carry out the completely same performance. To solve this, it may be possible to carry out the total jackpot performance that gives a sense of unity as a whole by deliberately combining the performances different from each other at each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . As an example of music and sound effect, the horse-racing game machine  1000  may take a low-sound part, the pusher game machine  2000  may take a middle-sound part, and the slot machine  3000  may take a high-sound part. 
     There are specific, various performance methods for the total jackpot performance that can carry out a performance that gives a sense of unity as a whole, which is achieved as a result of a mutual synchronization of the performances provided by the performance units of each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . 
     By starting the total jackpot performance in this way, the players and audience in the gaming arcade can know that someone of the players playing the token-operated game machines in the gaming arcade wins the total jackpot award within. Thus, the player develops a sense of expectancy to the effect that the player him/herself may win the jackpot award and waits a notification of the drawing result. 
     After the total jackpot performance is started, on each of the display units  1011 ,  2700 , and  3011 , a slot screen as shown in  FIG. 17  is displayed subsequent to the jackpot start screen as shown in  FIG. 16 . Then, after the three reel images on the slot screen start a varying display, stop/display control is carried out on the three reel images on each of the display units  1011 ,  2700 , and  3011  so that symbols that reflect winning or losing at the respective corresponding station and others are stopped and displayed. Concretely, in the present embodiment, as described above, there are the four awards, i.e., the total jackpot award, the big bonus award that is a payout award, the middle bonus award that is a payout award, and the small bonus award that is a payout award, and the stop/display control is carried out so that a combination of symbols corresponding to the respective awards is stopped and displayed on the slot screen. More particularly, on the display units  1011 ,  2700 , and  3011  of the station and others that have won the total jackpot award, the stop/display control is carried out so that three identical A symbols are stopped and displayed. On the display units  1011 ,  2700 , and  3011  of the station and others that have won the big bonus award, the stop/display control is carried out so that three identical B symbols are stopped and displayed. On the display units  1011 ,  2700 , and  3011  of the station and others that have won the middle bonus award, the stop/display control is carried out so that a combination of symbols mixed with the A symbols and B symbols is stopped and displayed. On the display units  1011 ,  2700 , and  3011  of the station and others that have won the small bonus award, the stop/display control is carried out so that a combination of symbols is stopped and displayed. In this case, the combination is: the A symbol or the B symbol is stopped and displayed on both a left reel image and a middle reel image, and neither the A symbol nor the B symbol is stopped and displayed on a right reel image (i.e., a blank symbol is stopped and displayed). 
     It is noted that there is no need that the jackpot start screen and the slot screen are completely the same in all the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . For example, these screens may be appropriately modified according to hardware with which these screens are displayed, or may be arranged according to the game content of each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 . 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, the varying display of the reel images on the slot screen is simultaneously started in all the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  connected to the gaming arcade server  5000 ; however, a completion timing at which the three reel images are stopped and displayed is differed depending on each award. Concretely, with respect to a time it takes for the stop display completion timing, it takes the least time for the station and others corresponding to the loss; it gradually takes more time in the order of the small bonus award, the middle bonus award, the big bonus award, and the total jackpot award. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, also while the varying display of the reel images on the slot screen is started and the stop display is completed, the total jackpot performance is carried on. For example, after the varying display of the reel image is started on the slot screen, the performance is carried out so that the station and others illuminated with a light are sequentially switched. In this case, the illumination of the corresponding station and others (that are drawing targets of each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 ) are lit only in periods different from each other. Then, the drawing performance is carried out so that at the timing at which the stop display of the reel images at the station and others is completed, the illumination of the station and others is flashed. 
     After the total jackpot performance is ended in this way, a process for paying out tokens of which the number of pieces corresponds to that of each award is carried out for the player who plays at the station and others that have won each award. This token payout may be carried out by utilizing the token payout unit of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , or may be carried out by way of an attendant pay in which the payout is made by an employee at the gaming arcade. 
     In the present embodiment, the total accumulated token count data indicates a value obtained by adding the number of tokens to be paid out to the player who has won the total jackpot award and the number of tokens to be paid out to the player who has won the payout award (the big bonus award, the middle bonus award, and the small bonus award). That is, when winning of the total jackpot award is determined, a predetermined number of tokens that is a part of the total accumulated token count data is paid out to the player who has won the payout award, and the remaining number of tokens is paid out to the player who has won the total jackpot award. In this case, the total accumulated token count individually displayed in each token-operated game machine may not display the number of tokens indicated by the total accumulated token count data but display only a part thereof, i.e., the number of tokens to be paid out when the total jackpot award is won. 
     It is noted that the total accumulated token count data indicates only the number of tokens to be paid out to the player who has won the total jackpot award, and the number of tokens for the payout award (the big bonus award, the middle bonus award, and the small bonus award) may be stored as data different from the total accumulated token count data. 
     Thus, according to the present embodiment, the drawing condition at the time of the gaming arcade drawing is set to the condition under which the winning gaming arcade is not concentrated on a particular gaming arcade but is distributed among various gaming arcades. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation where the winner for the jackpot award is very frequently produced from the token-operated game machine installed in a particular gaming arcade. In this way, when a framework allowing the winner for the jackpot award to be produced in various gaming arcades is established, it becomes possible to encourage many gaming arcades to participate in the jackpot drawing system provided by the game system, enabling the construction of a large-scale game system. 
     In the game system of the present embodiment, all the token-operated game machines constituting the present system are grouped into each gaming arcade server  5000  (into each gaming arcade). Then, first, the gaming arcade drawing (group drawing) is carried out in the management server  4000  to determine whether, from all the gaming arcade servers  5000 , one gaming arcade server  5000  relating to the winning is selected or the loss is established (where neither gaming arcade is selected), and then, the winner drawing is carried out in the gaming arcade server relating to the winning to determine the winner for the jackpot award. Thereby, a processing load of the management server  4000  can be alleviated, and thus, it becomes possible to process a large-scale game system at a low cost. 
     It is noted that, in the present embodiment, by means of the advance notification-use performance carried out by using the performance unit provided in each of the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  connected to the winning gaming arcade server  4000 , the advance notification notifying that either player who plays by using these token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  has won the total jackpot award is issued. However, the advance notification may be alternatively issued. 
     For example, by means of performance or information notification issued by, for example, a dedicated apparatus that is independent of these token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000 , it may be possible to notify that either player who plays by using these token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  has won the total jackpot award. 
     In this embodiment, the case where the grouping for each gaming arcade is carried out so that the winner for the jackpot award is not concentrated on the same gaming arcade is described. However, the gaming arcades may be grouped so that another object is achieved. For example, the gaming arcade itself may be further grouped into each game-machine installation area. Moreover, for example, in this game system, the game apparatuses of the same type of machine (for example, the horse-racing game machine  1000 ) are respectively installed in a plurality of gaming arcades. However, if the winner for the jackpot award is concentrated on the game apparatus of this type of machine, the interest of a player who plays by using another type of machine (for example, the pusher game machine  2000  and the slot machine  3000 ) in the jackpot drawing may be eliminated. In this case, the game apparatuses that are a part of the game system are grouped into each type of machine. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation where the player who plays by using a specific type of machine (for example, the horse-racing game machine  1000 ) very frequently wins the jackpot award. 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, there is a case where among the players who play by using each game apparatus belonging to the gaming arcade that has won in the gaming arcade drawing, there is a player who does not win the payout award (the big bonus award, the middle bonus award, and the small bonus award) and therefore cannot receive the token payout. In this case, it may be possible to perform a process (small-amount payout process) for paying out a predetermined amount of tokens to all the players who play by using each game apparatus belonging to the gaming arcade that has won in the gaming arcade drawing. Alternatively, in a case of further grouping the gaming arcade into each game machine installation area instead of grouping into each gaming arcade or further grouping into each type of the game machine, it may be possible to perform the process (small-amount payout process) for paying out a predetermined amount of tokens to the player who plays by using each game apparatus belonging to that group. 
     In addition, instead of being applied to the above-described types of machines, the token-operated game machine applicable to the game system of the present embodiment can be applied to a wide use. 
     Moreover, the gaming arcade server  5000  of the present embodiment is an apparatus dedicated to the present game system to which only the token-operated game machines  1000 ,  2000 , and  3000  participating in the jackpot system are connected. However, the gaming arcade server  5000  may be a general gaming arcade server to which other game machines not participating in the jackpot system are also connected.