Patent Publication Number: US-2010113138-A1

Title: Providing alternative gaming payouts

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Gaming establishments provide players the ability to place a wager in exchange for the opportunity to receive some sort of payout win for the wager. Players who play higher denominations, such as five dollars ($5), have a tendency to desire higher payouts and risks than those players playing lower denominations, such as a nickel (5 cents). In one aspect, current tax laws related to gaming require that any win over $1200 be reported on a W2G form and noted on the winning players&#39; income tax return as income. For example, winning an automobile on a slot machine generates taxable income to the player. This often entails locking the machine up and having a gaming employee obtain the player&#39;s identification and address information for tax purposes before providing the payout. This is a time consuming process that is not desirable for either the player or the gaming establishment. 
     Some gaming establishments offer point play. Point play allows users to exchange winnings for credits for further play. This provides higher returns, provides cost savings to the gaming establishment, and enhances player loyalty. However, such programs do not enable the player to exchange the winnings for other prizes. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention enable a gaming machine to determine a plurality of payout options. A threshold value is predetermined and/or altered dependent on data contained on a player&#39;s card. The player makes a wager and a game is controlled by a computing device. A payout dependent on the wager and outcome of the game is determined and compared against the threshold value. If the determined payout is greater than the threshold value, a plurality of payout options are determined where at least one has a cash payout less than the threshold value. In some embodiments, the plurality of payout options are displayed to the player and the player selects one of the payout options. 
     Benefits of providing a plurality of payout options are: reduction of tax liability to the player, enticements for player&#39;s to play a particular gaming machine, repeat players based on defining preferences on their player&#39;s card, and many more that one of ordinary skill in the art would determine. Furthermore, gaming operator may offset some of their cash payouts by providing equivalent value in merchandise, lodging, show tickets, airplane vouchers, gaming credits, gaming tokens, and other options as determined by the gaming operator. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming machine; 
         FIG. 2  is a block circuit diagram of an exemplary architecture incorporated into the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary gaming network utilizing an Ethernet hub and bank controllers; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary gaming network utilizing a central gaming network controller; 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 B are flowcharts illustrating exemplary methods for determining a plurality of payout values of a gaming machine; and 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are flowcharts illustrating exemplary methods for determining and displaying a plurality of payout values of a gaming network. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention enable a gaming machine and/or gaming network to determine a plurality of payout options where at least one of the plurality of payout options has a cash value less than a threshold value. The payout options are determined based on at least a wager and a payout table where the determined payout exceeds the threshold value as determined by the gaming operator, player, and/or the gaming house as described in  FIG. 2 . The threshold value may be set using a player&#39;s card data, a tax liability value, a house limit, or any other means determined by the gaming operator, player, and/or gaming house. In some embodiments, the player is presented with the payout options and the player selects one of the plurality of payout options. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with a device such as gaming machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary schematic diagram illustrates a gaming machine  100  that includes a gaming machine which may be used to determine and display a plurality of payout options based on the outcome of a game played on the gaming machine. Gaming machine  100  may be any type of gaming machine, and may include different structures than those shown in  FIG. 1 . Moreover, gaming machine  100  may employ different methods of operation than those described below. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine  100  includes a main cabinet  102  having a main door  104  hingedly coupled to a front  106  of gaming machine  100 . When opened, door  104  provides access to an interior of gaming machine  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, pluralities of player-input switches and/or buttons  108  are coupled to main door  104 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, a coin acceptor  110 , for accepting coins and/or tokens, a bill acceptor  112 , for accepting and/or validating cash bills, a coin tray  114 , for collecting a coin-based payout, and a belly glass  116  are each coupled to main door  104 . A video display monitor  118  and an information panel  120  are viewable through main door  104 . Video display monitor  118  may be implemented as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or any other electronically-controlled video monitor. In another embodiment, the gaming machine  100  includes mechanical reels for displaying the game. Moreover, video display monitor  118  may include touch screen capabilities. In the exemplary embodiment, information panel  120  is a back-lit, silk screened glass panel that includes lettering to indicate general game information including, for example, a number of coins wagered. Coin acceptor  110 , bill acceptor  112 , player-input buttons  108 , video display monitor  118 , and information panel  120  are each used by a player to play a game on gaming machine  100 . Each component  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  118 , and/or  120  is controlled by a gaming machine controller (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that is housed inside main cabinet  102 . Numerous games including, but not limited to only including, video slot games, video poker, video pachinko, video black jack, video card games, and/or video keno may be implemented for play on gaming machine  100 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine  100  also includes a top box  122  that is positioned on a top surface  124  of main cabinet  102 . In the exemplary embodiment, top box  122  includes a number of devices that may be used to add features to a game being played on gaming machine  100 . Such devices may include, but are not limited to only including, speakers  126 ,  128 , and  130 , a ticket printer  132  for printing bar-coded tickets  134 , a key pad  136  for entering player tracking information, or player preferences or characteristics, a florescent display  138  for displaying player tracking information and/or player preferences or characteristics, and a card reader  140  for receiving a magnetic striped card containing player tracking information and/or player preferences or characteristics encoded thereon. Card reader  140  may also be used to accept coupons, credit cards, debit cards, private house cards, printed cards, smart cards, and/or ticket vouchers. Moreover, top box  122  may house additional devices not shown in  FIG. 1 , such as, for example, a bonus wheel, a secondary video display, and/or a back-lit silk screened panel that may be used to add bonus features to a game being played on gaming machine  100 . During game play, such devices may be controlled by circuitry, such as the gaming machine controller housed within main cabinet  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary block circuit diagram illustrates an exemplary electrical architecture  200  incorporated into an exemplary gaming machine, such as gaming machine  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine  100  includes a gaming machine controller  202  that includes a read-only memory (ROM)  204 , a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP)  206 , a random-access memory (RAM)  208 , and an input/output (I/O) circuit  210 , each coupled via an address/data bus  212 . As used herein, the terms “controller” and “processor” may include any programmable system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the terms “controller” or “processor”. 
     Alternative embodiments of controller  202  may include more than one microprocessor  206 , multiple RAM modules  208 , and/or multiple ROM modules  204 . Moreover, although I/O circuit  210  is shown in  FIG. 2  as a single component, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that I/O circuit  210  may include any number or a plurality of different types of I/O circuits. Further, RAM  208  and/or ROM  204  may be implemented as, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories. In one embodiment, each operational component of gaming machine  100  is coupled to I/O circuit  210  via a respective conductor. Alternative embodiments may include a single coupling between the operational components of gaming machine  100  and I/O circuit  210 . In the exemplary embodiment, I/O circuit  210  is coupled to a gaming network (not shown) via a network interface  214 . 
     Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, architecture  200  includes a sound circuit  216  that generates audio signals and that communicates the audio signals between I/O circuit  210  and speakers  126 ,  128 , and/or  130 . Further, the gaming machine controller  202  is coupled to a memory area  220 , such as, for example, a database. The memory area  220  is configured to store data in regards to the game machine and player information such as, for example, a threshold value  222 , player card information  224 , a game meter  226  for storing the number of wins at the gaming machine  100 , a payout table, and any other data that an operator desires to store at the memory area  220 . As used herein, a value input interface  230  may include the coin acceptor  110 , the bill acceptor  112 , the card reader  140  and any other input device capable of executing the functions described herein. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the gaming machine controller  202  displays game images and/or video to the video display monitor  118  of gaming machine  100 . Gaming machine controller  202  receives input from a player at the value input interface  230 ; the gaming machine controller  202  may display to the player a request to input a wager amount and/or amounts of a wager to choose. The player selects the wager amount using the key pad  136  or any other mechanism to indicate a selection. 
     The threshold value  222  bonus or progressive flag is associated with the payout tables  228  stored in the memory area  220  coupled to the gaming machine controller  202 . The payout tables  228  include at least a payout table, but may also include at least one alternative payout table. The gaming machine controller  202  may further store data from the player&#39;s card. A game is displayed at the video display monitor  118  by the gaming machine controller  202 . The gaming machine controller  202  determines an outcome and based at least partially on the wager determines a payout based on the payout tables  228  stored in the memory area  220  of gaming machine controller  202 . 
     When the gaming machine controller  202  determines that the payout is greater than the threshold value  222 , the payout is altered in the payout tables  228  associated with the wager by a secondary pay table. This pay table can reside in the main games processor or on a remote server. Although the following examples present a progressive interrupt flag associated with a payout table, other methods to determine the threshold value  222  may be implemented by a gaming operator such as, for example, data stored on a player&#39;s card, a predetermined threshold stored in a memory area such as a house limit, tax liability amount or any value determined by the gaming operator, player or gaming vendor, or any other method that may be supported by the system. It should be appreciated that the payout need not be a progressive, but the payout tables  228  of any payout associated with a wager of a specific amount may be altered in the manner described herein. In one embodiment, the payout tables  228  are modified so that a number of different progressive levels may be defined. The defined progressive levels are set based on the wager. That is, if a determined payout results in a win over the threshold value  222 , for example, a taxable amount, its modified entry in the payout tables  228  will be set. If the modified payout tables  228  are set for the payout, a flag will be sent to the gaming machine controller  202  when the payout combination is hit. 
     Some embodiments allow for a progressive interrupt flag to alter any determined payout greater than the threshold value  222 . In another embodiment, the gaming machine controller  202  only pays a higher payout when a progressive level is achieved by the player. Once the interrupt occurs, a type of bonus game may be presented to the player which has a determined payout equal to or greater than the threshold value  222 , but yields payouts that range from below the determined payout value to above the determined payout value in order to move a larger percentage of payouts into the non-taxable area and provide much larger payouts for those that are taxable or to create a higher volatility. 
     When the progressive flag is sent to the gaming machine controller  202  to indicate a payout has been hit, the game receives a “0” pay and the gaming machine controller  202  (or remote gaming server  310  in a server-based embodiment) reads the progressive level and determines a plurality of payout options. For example, the player may select one of the plurality of payout options, but it is not reported to the game. If the selected one of the plurality of payout options results in a taxable payout, a W2G will still need to be processed. Otherwise, play may continue as normal. 
     In one embodiment, the gaming machine  100  may mark any number of combinations as a threshold payout by identifying the combination with the progressive flag. The following is an exemplary break down of payout amounts with possible progressive flags for the denominations of $5, $10, $25, and $100. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Exemplary Payout Table. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Credit 
                 Progressive 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Win 
                 Flag 
                 $5 
                 $10 
                 $25 
                 $100 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 &lt;20 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 20 
                 P8 
                 $100 
                 $200 
                 $500 
                 $2,000 
               
               
                 40 
                 P7 
                 $200 
                 $400 
                 $1,000 
                 $4,000 
               
               
                 50 
                 P6 
                 $250 
                 $500 
                 $1,250 
                 $5,000 
               
               
                 80 
                 P6 
                 $400 
                 $800 
                 $2,000 
                 $8,000 
               
               
                 100 
                 P5 
                 $500 
                 $1,000 
                 $2,500 
                 $10,000 
               
               
                 160 
                 P4 
                 $800 
                 $1,600 
                 $4,000 
                 $16,000 
               
               
                 200 
                 P4 
                 $1,000 
                 $2,000 
                 $5,000 
                 $20,000 
               
               
                 320 
                 P3 
                 $1,600 
                 $3,200 
                 $8,000 
                 $32,000 
               
               
                 640 
                 P2 
                 $3,200 
                 $6,400 
                 $16,000 
                 $64,000 
               
               
                 1600 
                 P1 
                 $8,000 
                 $16,000 
                 $40,000 
                 $160,000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     When a player is wagering high limits, they are likely to see a payout equal to or exceeding a taxable value. Embodiments of the present invention allows for the progressive interrupt flags to be set when a payout is equal to or greater than a taxable event. In the above illustration, the flags are enabled as follows: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Exemplary Setting of the Progressive Flag. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Wager Amount 
                 Progressive Flag(s) Set 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 $5 
                 P1, P2, and P3 
               
               
                 $10 
                 P1, P2, P3, and P4 
               
               
                 $25 
                 P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 
               
               
                 $100 
                 P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 P6, P7, and P8 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Using the information, the game designer may implement a variable pay model for the progressive events. In this model, the goal is to offer a larger number of $1000 payouts (non taxable cash payouts) and a few larger payouts so that the average payback equals the expected progressive amount. That is, the actual payout amount may not be provided to the player, but payout options ranging from lower than the determined payout to higher than the determined payout are available and weighted in such a manner that the average payout is equal to the determined payout. 
     For instance, referencing the chart above, P 7  has a normal payout of 40 coins. The $5, $10, and $25 denominations, this does not result in a payout equal to or in excess of taxable value, where the taxable value is $1200. However, for the $100 denomination, the determined payout is $4000 and is thus taxable. Therefore, the P 7  progressive interrupt is set for the $100 denomination and anytime the payout triggers, the gaming system will set the progressive interrupt flag. When the progressive interrupt flag is set, the system may enable any type of bonus game to be provided. In the following example, a “pick one” bonus game is provided to the player when the progressive interrupt flag is set. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Payout Table with Bonus Game Altering Payout. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Pay 
                 ($ Value) 
                 Times 
                 Probability 
                 Contribution 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 5 
                 $500 
                 3 
                 7.50% 
                 0.38 
               
               
                 8 
                 $800 
                 8 
                 20.00% 
                 1.60 
               
               
                 10 
                 $1,000 
                 10 
                 25.00% 
                 2.50 
               
               
                 11 
                 $1,100 
                 11 
                 27.50% 
                 3.03 
               
               
                 50 
                 $5,000 
                 2 
                 5.00% 
                 2.50 
               
               
                 100 
                 $10,000 
                 3 
                 7.50% 
                 7.50 
               
               
                 200 
                 $20,000 
                 2 
                 5.00% 
                 10.00 
               
               
                 500 
                 $50,000 
                 1 
                 2.50% 
                 12.50 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 40.00 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As is shown above, even though the determined payout is expected to be $4000 a number of different payout options are offered that range from $500 up to $50,000 with the average expected payout being equal to 40 coins (or $4000 for the $100 denomination). By using this model, a number of lower paying non-taxable payouts are offered to the player as well as some much higher payouts than would otherwise be available. In this example, 80% of the payouts are moved into the non-taxable range and the taxable payouts are more substantial (such as, in this example, ranging from $5000 up to $50,000). 
     In another embodiment, a split pay model is used when the progressive flag interrupt occurs by offering the player promotional (non-cashable) credits as part of the win. When a determined payout is over the threshold value  222  a message is sent to the gaming machine controller  202  which splits the win into a partial cash payout and a partial promotional credit pay to the player account. For instance, if a determined payout is associated with 100 coins, it is set for the $25 and $100 denominations (as both results in taxable wins). If the payout were to occur at the $ 25  denomination, it could pay $1175 in cash or credits and $1325 in promotional credits allowing the payout to remain in the non-taxable range. Likewise, if it were to occur at the $100 denomination, it could pay $1100 in cash or credits and $8900 in promotional credits. The operator may adjust the payout such as, for example, adjusting the promotion credits to a higher value to give a perceived advantage to the player, such as adjusting the value to $9,000 in the later example. This provides a higher return to the player. This embodiment allows for the progressive interrupt flag to split a determined payout equal to or greater than a taxable value in a manner that no longer makes it taxable by offering the player promotional credits as part of the win. 
     In yet another embodiment, an alternative prize model is used when a progressive interrupt occurs. When a determined payout over the threshold value  222  occurs, a message is sent to the gaming machine controller  202  where players are provided payout options that include, for example, merchandise or resort amenities. Cash prizes are able to be exchanged for player points or gift shopping points. The selected alternative payouts may be stored on the player&#39;s card, a certificate produced at the gaming machine, or any other method to provide the payout to the player. Further, the payout option could be combined with split pay such that a player may receive $1000 cash and the rest could be paid in amenities of the player&#39;s choice. This embodiment allows for the progressive flag to split a taxable payout in a manner that no longer makes it taxable by offering the player promotional credits as part of the win. 
     In another embodiment, the player may choose how their win is to be paid, such as, for example, selecting the determined payout, selecting an payout option paying part cash and part promotional, selecting an all promotional payout, selecting a part cash, part merchandise payout, selecting an all merchandise payout, determined by data stored on a player&#39;s card, or in any other manner supported by the system. 
     By providing the progressive flag or other flag to interrupt the game, the gaming system has the capability to alter payouts such that taxable payouts occur less frequently, but the overall payback percentage associated with the game is not changed. This allows for a wider range of prizes to be presented to the player wherein any taxable payouts are much more substantial and non-taxable payouts occur more frequently. Further, a player may be provided with options on how they wish to be paid. 
     Aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the progressive flag described herein. Other embodiments contemplate that any flag or other trigger will pause game play and provide the player with alternative pay options. 
     After the payout options have been determined, processor displays the options to the player at the video display monitor. The player selects a choice of the plurality of payout options using the player input device. The payout is then dispensed, a certificate is dispensed to the user for redemption at a payout window, or the player receives the payout in some other manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, an exemplary block diagram illustrates a gaming network  300  that includes a plurality of gaming machines  100 . A gaming network is also referred to as Server based gaming which is a technology that allows elements of the gaming experience to be configurable based upon a variety of factors. The games could be configurable by a supplier, by a player, or by the operator. This configurability provides a dynamic flexibility that allows greater control of not only how the game plays, but also how the game interacts within the system and how it looks and feels to the player. Server based gaming has a wide variety of applications and uses in the gaming field. Server based gaming has also provided the ability to incorporate a service window (e.g., a mobile service window) into the main game window to provide information and/or further gaming opportunities to the player. 
     In this example of  FIG. 3 , three banks  302  of gaming machines  100  are coupled preferably by an Ethernet. In other embodiments, the gaming machines  100  are coupled using non-Ethernet, private networks, and combinations of networking types. Each gaming machine  100  is coupled via a network connection  214  to a bank controller  304 . In one embodiment, each bank controller  304  includes a processor (not shown) that facilitates data communication between each gaming machine  100  within each bank  302 , and between each gaming machine  100  and other components of gaming network  300 . In one embodiment, each bank controller  304  also includes audio capabilities, such as a CD-ROM drive (not shown) or DVD-ROM drive (not shown), that are coupled to a sound card (not shown) for processing and transmitting digitized sound effects to one or more speakers  306  in response to commands issued over gaming network  300  by bank controller  304 . Each bank controller  304  is also coupled via gaming network  300  to an electronic sign or screen  308  that displays information, such as via scrolling and/or flashing messages that indicate, for example, jackpot amounts, and that are visible to players playing gaming machines  100 . Messages for display on each electronic screen  308  are generated and/or modified in response to commands issued over gaming network  300  by bank controller  304 . 
     As described above, gaming machines  100  may include video poker machines, video slot machines, and/or other similar gaming machines that implement alternative games. Moreover, gaming machines  100  may be terminal-based machines, wherein the actual games, including random number generation and/or outcome determination, are performed at a remote gaming server  310 . In such an embodiment, the gaming machine  100  displays results of the game played on gaming server  310  via video display monitor  118  (shown in  FIG. 1  above). 
     A network connector, such as an Ethernet hub  312 , couples each bank controller  304  to a concentrator  314 . Concentrator  314  functions as a data control switch that routes data from each bank  302  to a translator  316 . Translator  316  provides a compatibility buffer (not shown) between concentrator  314  and an accounting system  318 . Moreover, translator  316  translates data gathered from each bank  302  into a format that is compatible with accounting system  318 . A progressive controller  315  controls, monitors, or otherwise manages progressive games. 
     Another Ethernet hub  320  couples concentrator  314  to a configuration workstation  322 , a player server  324 , and to one or more bonus servers  326 . Configuration workstation  322  includes a user interface that enables an administrator to set up and/or to modify portions of gaming network  300  and/or servers  310 ,  324 , and  326 . Player server  324  tracks data of players using gaming machines  100 . Player server  324  also controls messages that appear on each video display monitor  118  and/or information panel  120  of gaming machines  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, player server  324  also stores physical characteristics of players, such as the player age and/or vision data. Bonus server  326  controls bonus applications or bonus systems on gaming network  300 . Bonus server  326  includes a set of rules for awarding jackpots in excess of those established by winning pay tables (not shown) of each gaming machine  100 . Some bonus awards may be awarded randomly, while other bonus awards may be made to groups of gaming machines  100  operating in a progressive jackpot mode. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, an exemplary block diagram illustrates a gaming network  400  that includes a plurality of gaming machines  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine  100  includes a gaming network controller  402  that includes a read-only memory (ROM)  404 , a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP)  406 , a random-access memory (RAM)  408 , and an input/output (I/O) circuit  410 , each coupled via an address/data bus  412 . As used herein, the terms “controller” and “processor” may include any programmable system including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. 
     The above examples are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the terms “controller” or “processor”. Alternative embodiments of gaming network controller  402  may include more than one microprocessor  406 , multiple RAM modules  408 , and/or multiple ROM modules  404 . Moreover, although I/O circuit  410  is shown in  FIG. 4  as a single component, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that I/O circuit  410  may include any number or a plurality of different types of I/O circuits. Further, RAM  408  and/or ROM  404  may be implemented as, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories. In one embodiment, each operational component of gaming machine  100  is coupled to l/O circuit  410  via a network  414 . The network may be of any type and use any protocol such as, for example, the Internet, Ethernet, Local Area Network, Wide Area Network, Private Network, Bluetooth, WIFI, WiMAX, etc. 
     Alternative embodiments may include a single coupling between the operational components of gaming machine  100  and I/O circuit  410 . In the exemplary embodiment, I/O circuit  410  is coupled to the network  414  via a network interface  416 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, gaming server  400  includes a memory area  220 . The memory area  220  is configured to store information about each of the plurality of gaming machines comprising the gaming network, the information stored may be, for example, player card info  224  including, but not limited to, player specific data from a player&#39;s card and game machine associated with player, at least one threshold value  222 , one or more payout tables  228 , at least one game meter  226 , and any other data the operator programs the gaming network controller  402  to store. The gaming network controller  402  is further coupled to an accounting system  428 , the accounting system,  428  is configured to store information such as, for example, a player&#39;s data, a payout associated with the player, and any other information the accounting system  428  is programmed to receive and store. 
     Gaming network controller  402  is coupled to the network  414  via a network interface  416 . In this example of  FIG. 4 , three  430  gaming machines  100  coupled to the network  414  via network interface  214 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the gaming network controller  402  displays video images to the video display monitor  118  of gaming machine  100 . Gaming network controller  402  receives input from the user at the value input interface  230  of gaming machine  100 ; the gaming network controller  402  may display to the player a request to input a wager amount and/or amounts of a wager to choose. The player selects the wager amount using the keypad  136  or any other mechanism to indicate a selection. 
     The threshold value  222  and/or progressive flag associated with the payout tables  228  stored in the memory area  220 . A game is displayed at the video display monitor  118  controlled by the gaming network controller  402 . The gaming network controller  402  determines an outcome and based at least partially on the wager determines a payout based on the payout tables  228  stored in the memory area  220 . 
     The example for determining payout options when the determined payout value exceeds the threshold is described with reference to Tables 1, 2, and 3 above are applicable in the network based embodiment described in  FIG. 4 . 
     The gaming network controller  402  routes player information and payout information to the accounting system  428 . The accounting system  428  stores accounting information for each payout including, but not limited to, player&#39;s name, address, and social security number, payout value, and payout option chosen. 
     The embodiments illustrated and described herein as well as embodiments not specifically described herein but within the scope of aspects of the invention constitute exemplary means for determining a payout value based on a progressive interrupt flag associated with a payout table. For example, the gaming network controller in  FIG. 4  constitutes exemplary means for determining a payout value based on a progressive interrupt flag associated with a payout table. 
     The embodiments illustrated and described herein as well as embodiments not specifically described herein but within the scope of aspects of the invention constitute exemplary means for altering the payout value associated with the gaming machine associated with the determined status of the number of wins for of the gaming machines. For example, the gaming network controller in  FIG. 4  constitutes exemplary means for altering the payout value associated with the gaming machine associated with the determined status of the number of wins for of the gaming machines. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, exemplary flowcharts illustrate methods for determining, at a gaming machine controller  202 , a plurality of payout values for an outcome of a game at a gaming machine  100 . 
     At  500  of  FIG. 5A , game machine controller  202  controls the game being displayed at the video display monitor  118  of gaming machine  100 . At  502 , gaming machine controller  202  determines an outcome of the game being displayed and determines a payout value associated with the outcome of the game. At  504 , gaming machine controller  202  compares the determined payout value with the threshold value  222  assigned to the gaming machine  100 , which can be communicated by a flag. At  506 , if the determined payout value is less than the assigned the threshold value  222 , then at  508  the determined payout value is displayed and dispensed to the player. At  506 , if the determined payout value is greater than or equal to the assigned the threshold value  222 , then at  510  the game machine controller  202  determines a plurality of payout options. At  512 , the game machine controller  202  displays the payout options at the video display monitor  118  and request the player to select at least one of the plurality of payout options. 
     At  514  of  FIG. 5B , a gaming machine controller  202  controls a video and/or audio display at the video display monitor  118 . At  516 , a player inputs a wager, player&#39;s card, debit card, credit card, tokens, etc. at the value input interface at gaming machine  100 . At  518 , gaming machine controller  202  determines if the input by the player was a player&#39;s card. At  520 , if the input was a player&#39;s card the player&#39;s card data is stored in the memory area. At  522 , the gaming machine controller  202  requests the player to select the amount of wager for a game. At  524 , the computing device receives the wager from the player and stores the amount of the wager at the memory area  220 . 
     At  526 , the gaming machine controller  202  displays and controls the game. At  528 , the gaming machine controller  202  determines the outcome and displays the game to the player at the video display monitor  118  of the gaming machine  100 . At  530 , the gaming machine controller  202  determines the payout of the game based at least partially on the wager and the outcome of the game. The payout may further be determined based on data contained on the player&#39;s card if one has been input by the player and/or the payout tables  228 . At  532 , the gaming machine controller  202  updates the number of wins in the memory area  220  of the gaming machine  100 . 
     At  534 , the gaming machine controller  202  determines if the payout is equal to or greater than the threshold value  222 . At  536 , if the determined payout is less than the threshold value  222  the gaming machine controller  202  determines payout options and displays the payout options to the player at the video display monitor  118 . 
     At  538  of  FIG. 5C , the gaming machine controller  202  sets a progressive flag to be used in association with the payout tables  228  stored in the memory area. At  540 , the gaming machine controller  202  determines if a bonus game is to be played. At  542 , if a bonus game is to be played, the gaming machine controller  202  displays and controls the video of the bonus game at the video display monitor  118  of the gaming machine  100 . At  544 , the gaming machine controller  202  determines the outcome of the bonus game. At  546 , the gaming machine controller  202  alters the payout based at least partially on the outcome of the bonus game. 
     At  548 , the gaming machine controller  202  or remote gaming server  310  (or other remote server controlling play on the gaming machine  100 ) determines a plurality of payout options, where at least one of the determined payout options has a cash payout less than the threshold value  222  stored in the memory area  220 . At  550 , gaming machine controller  202  determines if player&#39;s card data indicates payout preferences. At  552 , if data from the player&#39;s card indicates payout option preferences, the gaming machine controller  202  alters the plurality of payout options. 
     At  554 , the gaming machine controller  202  displays the plurality of payout options to the player at the gaming machine  100 . At  556 , once the player has selected a particular payout option, the gaming machine controller  202  the computing device outputs the selected payout option to the player. The selected payout option may also be stored on the player&#39;s card if one was inserted at block  516  of  FIG. 5B . Alternatively, the payout is controlled by the remote gaming server  310  or other server controlling play on the gaming machine  100 , in server-based embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , exemplary flowcharts illustrate methods for determining a plurality of payout options and altering the payout options based on the payout option chosen in a gaming network  400 . At  600  of  FIG. 6A , the gaming network controller  402  controls a video and/or audio display at the video display monitor  118 . At  602 , a player inputs a wager, player&#39;s card, debit card, credit card, tokens, etc. at the value input interface at the gaming machine  100 . At  604 , the gaming network controller  402  determines if the input by the player was a player&#39;s card. At  606 , if the input was a player&#39;s card the player&#39;s card data is stored in the player&#39;s card data  224  of the memory area  220 . At  608 , the gaming network controller  402  requests the player to select the amount of wager for a game. At  610 , the gaming network controller  402  receives the wager from the player and stores the amount of the wager at the memory area  220 . At  612 , the gaming network controller  402  determines the game machine  100  associated with the player. At  614 , the gaming network controller  402  stores the gaming machine  100  associated with the player in the memory area  220 . At  616 , the gaming network controller  402  displays and controls the game selected by the player. At  618 , the gaming network controller  402  determines the outcome of the game at the gaming machine  100 . 
     At  620  of  FIG. 6B , if the outcome of the game is a “WIN”, then at  622  the number of wins for the gaming machine  100  is incremented in the game meter  226  stored in the memory area  220  At  624  the determined payout is compared with the stored the threshold value  222 . At  626 , if the determined payout is less than the stored the threshold value  222  the gaming network controller  402  determines payout options and control proceeds to block  640 , which is described below. 
     At  630 , if a bonus game is not to be played, the gaming network controller  402  determines the payout of the game based at least partially on the wager and the outcome of the game. The payout may further be determined based on data contained on the player&#39;s card data stored in the player&#39;s card data  224  of the memory area  220 . 
     At  632 , the gaming network controller  402  determines if a bonus game is to be played. At  634 , if a bonus game is to be played, the gaming network controller  402  displays and controls the video of the bonus game at the video display monitor  118  of the gaming machine  100 . At  636 , the gaming network controller  402  determines the outcome of the bonus game. At  638 , the gaming network controller  402  alters the payout based on at least one of: the outcome of the bonus game, the number of wins associated with the gaming machine  100 , data contained on the player&#39;s card, wager, and the progressive flag. 
     At  640 , if the determined payout is equal to or greater than the threshold value  222  stored in the memory area  220 , stores payout exceeds the threshold value  222  in the memory area  220 . At  642 , the gaming network controller  402  determines a plurality of payout options, where at least one of the determined payout options has a cash payout less than the threshold value  222  stored in the memory area  220 . At  644 , the gaming network controller  402  may alter the plurality of payout options based on data stored on the player&#39;s card. 
     At  646 , the gaming network controller  402  displays the plurality of payout options to the player at the video display monitor  118  of the gaming machine  100 . At  648 , the gaming network controller  402  alters the payout options based on the selection by the player. At  650 , once the player has selected a particular payout option, the gaming network controller  402  updates the accounting system with player information and payout option chosen. 
     The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention. 
     A computing device or computer such as described herein has one or more processors or processing units and a system memory. The computer typically has at least some form of computer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, pro gram modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. The computing system environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of any aspect of the invention. Moreover, the computing system environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein. Other embodiments of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein. 
     When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.