Patent Publication Number: US-8529329-B2

Title: Gaming machine and control method thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from JP 2009-118859, filed May 15, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a gaming machine using a roulette game and a control method thereof. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     Conventionally, gaming machines are known in which a lotto-type roulette game can be executed simultaneously while executing a normal roulette game. Such gaming machines are disclosed for example in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0239536A1, Brazilian Patent Application Publication No. PI0501415A, Australian Patent Application Publication No. 2005201670A1,Argentine Patent Application Publication No. 049032A1, European Patent Application Publication 1589506A1, South African Patent Publication No. 200503244A, and Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 1689674A, and the like. 
     In the lotto-type roulette game, a set of winning numbers for a given number of roulette games is predicted by a player at a time. When the roulette games are executed in the given number of times, the award for each player is calculated. Accordingly, when a new player participates in a lotto-type roulette game, the maximum time period required for the new player to wait before being allowed to participate in a game equals the time period required to execute the given number of roulette games. That is, the larger the given number is, the greater the possibility becomes that the new player may have to wait longer time. 
     A game related to such a lotto-type roulette game is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 7094150B2. 
     The present invention has been devised in view of the aforementioned issues, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing a player&#39; s waiting time when newly participating in a lotto-type roulette game, and a control method thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a gaming machine having the following configuration. 
     That is, the gaming machine comprises: a plurality of betting terminals, each receiving a bet from a player on one of/both of a first prediction to be used in a roulette game and a set of more than predetermined number of second predictions to be used in a continuous prediction game; and a gaming controller configured to execute the roulette game and the continuous prediction game simultaneously over the plurality of betting terminals, wherein, in order to control execution of the continuous prediction game with respect to each of the plurality of betting terminals, the gaming controller is programmed to perform processing of: (A) identifying, if the gaming controller receives continuous prediction information containing the set of more than predetermined number of second predictions on which the player placed the bet and bet amount on the set of second predictions from at least one of the plurality of betting terminals, actual number of second predictions contained in the continuous prediction information currently received; (B) determining, if the roulette game is repeated after receiving the continuous prediction information same number of times as the actual number of second predictions currently identified, a matching state between each winning outcome of the roulette game currently repeated the same number of times and each content of the second predictions contained in the continuous prediction information; (C) calculating an award based on the matching state currently determined and the bet amount contained in the continuous prediction information currently received; and (D) awarding the award currently calculated to the at least one of the plurality of betting terminals having transmitted the continuous prediction information currently received. 
     According to the gaming machine, the progress of the continuous prediction game is controlled by each of the plurality of betting terminals through the execution of processing (A) to (D). As a result, when a new player participates in the continuous prediction game, the maximum waiting time for the new player to play equals the time required for one roulette game to have executed. Thus, the gaming machine can decrease the waiting time for a new participant in the continuous prediction game. 
     The present invention further provides a gaming machine having the following configuration. 
     That is, the gaming machine comprises: a plurality of betting terminals, each receiving a bet from a player on one of/both of a first prediction to be used in a roulette game and a set of more than predetermined number of second predictions to be used in a continuous prediction game; and a gaming controller configured to execute the roulette game and the continuous prediction game simultaneously over the plurality of betting terminals, wherein each of the plurality of betting terminals comprises: a first input section receiving an input from the player specifying a content of a second prediction in the set of more than the predetermined number of second predictions to be used in the continuous prediction game; a second input section receiving an input from the player specifying number of times the content of the second prediction is to be replicated in the set of more than the predetermined number of second predictions to be used in the continuous prediction game; a third input section receiving an input from the player specifying bet amount on the set of more than the predetermined number of second predictions to be used in the continuous prediction game; and a betting controller programmed to perform processing of: (1) setting the set of more than the predetermined number of second predictions to be used in the continuous prediction game to include the content of the second prediction currently specified at the first input section and the number of times the second prediction is to be replicated currently specified at the second input section; and (2) transmitting to the gaming controller continuous prediction information containing the bet amount specified at the third input section and the set of more than the predetermined number of second predictions currently set, and wherein, in order to control execution of the continuous prediction game with respect to each of the plurality of betting terminals, the gaming controller is programmed to perform processing of: (A) identifying, if the gaming controller receives the continuous prediction information from at least one of the plurality of betting terminals, actual number of second predictions contained in the continuous prediction information currently received; (B) determining, if the roulette game is repeated after receiving the continuous prediction information same number of times as the actual number of second predictions currently identified, a matching state between each winning outcome of the roulette game currently repeated the same number of times and each content of the second predictions contained in the continuous prediction information; (C) calculating an award based on the matching state currently determined and the bet amount contained in the continuous prediction information currently received; and (D) awarding the award currently calculated to the at least one of the plurality of betting terminals having transmitted the continuous prediction information currently received. 
     According to the gaming machine, through the execution of processing (1), the content and the number of times of the second prediction used in the continuous prediction game can be specified. As a result, the specified number of the second predictions used in the continuous prediction game are set to be the same content as specified. Further, through the execution of processing (2), the bet amount is set with respect to the currently set second predictions. Accordingly, a player participating in the continuous prediction game can be spared the repetitive operations to the continuous prediction game. 
     Further, according to the gaming machine, the progress of the continuous prediction game is controlled by each of the plurality of betting terminals through the execution of processing (A) to (D). As a result, when a new player participates in the continuous prediction game, the maximum waiting time for the new player to play equals the time required for one roulette game to be executed. Thus, the gaming machine can decrease the waiting time for a new participant in the continuous prediction game. 
     The present invention further provides a control method of a gaming machine having the following configuration. 
     That is, the control method of a gaming machine in which a roulette game and a continuous prediction game simultaneously progress over a plurality of betting terminals each receiving a bet from a player on one of/both of a first prediction to be used in the roulette game and a set of more than predetermined number of second predictions to be used in the continuous prediction game, wherein, in order to control execution of the continuous prediction game with respect to each of the plurality of betting terminals, the control method of the gaming machine comprises steps of: (A) identifying, if there is received continuous prediction information containing the set of more than predetermined number of second predictions on which the player placed the bet and bet amount on the set of second predictions from at least one of the plurality of betting terminals, actual number of second predictions contained in the continuous prediction information currently received; (B) determining, if the roulette game is repeated after receiving the continuous prediction information same number of times as the actual number of second predictions currently identified, a matching state between each winning outcome of the roulette game currently repeated the same number of times and each content of the second predictions contained in the continuous prediction information; (C) calculating an award based on the matching state currently determined and the bet amount contained in the continuous prediction information currently received; and (D) awarding the award currently calculated to the at least one of the plurality of betting terminals having transmitted the continuous prediction information currently received. 
     According to the control method of a gaming machine, the progress of the continuous prediction game is controlled by each of the plurality of betting terminals through the configuration of steps (A) to (D). As a result, when a new player participates in the continuous prediction game, the maximum waiting time for the new player to play equals the time required for one roulette game to have executed. Thus, the gaming machine can decrease the waiting time for a new participant in the continuous prediction game. 
     The present invention further provides a control method of a gaming machine having the following configuration. 
     That is, the control method of a gaming machine in which a roulette game and a continuous prediction game simultaneously progress over a plurality of betting terminals each receiving a bet from a player on one of/both of a first prediction to be used in the roulette game and a set of more than predetermined number of second predictions to be used in the continuous prediction game, wherein, in order to control execution of the continuous prediction game with respect to each of the plurality of betting terminals, the control method of the gaming machine comprises steps of: (1) setting, at at least one of the plurality of betting terminals, the set of more than the predetermined number of second predictions to be used in the continuous prediction game to include a content of a second prediction specified by the player at a first input section and number of times the second prediction is to be replicated specified by the player at a second input section; and (2) transmitting, at the at least one of the plurality of betting terminals, continuous prediction information containing bet amount specified by the player at a third input section and the set of more than the predetermined number of second predictions currently set, and (A) identifying, if the continuous prediction information is received from the at least one of the plurality of betting terminals, actual number of second predictions contained in the continuous prediction information currently received; (B) determining, if the roulette game is repeated after receiving the continuous prediction information same number of times as the actual number of second predictions currently identified, a matching state between each winning outcome of the roulette game currently repeated the same number of times and each content of the second predictions contained in the continuous prediction information; (C) calculating an award based on the matching state currently determined and the bet amount contained in the continuous prediction information currently received; and (D) awarding the award currently calculated to the at least one of the plurality of betting terminals having transmitted the continuous prediction information currently received. 
     According to the control method of a gaming machine, through the configuration of step (1), the content and the number of times of the second prediction used in the continuous prediction game can be specified. As a result, the specified number of the second predictions used in the continuous prediction game are set to be the same content as specified. Further, through the configuration of step (2), the bet amount is set with respect to the currently set second predictions. Accordingly, a player participating in the continuous prediction game can be spared the repetitive operations to the continuous prediction game. 
     Further, according to the control method of a gaming machine, the progress of the continuous prediction game is controlled by each of the plurality of betting terminals through the configuration of steps (A) to (D). As a result, when a new player participates in the continuous prediction game, the maximum waiting time for the new player to play equals the time required for one roulette game to have executed. Thus, the gaming machine can decrease the waiting time for a new participant in the continuous prediction game. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a flowchart of a lotto-type roulette game processing program according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of a roulette wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on an image display; 
         FIG. 4  is a view illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the image display; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating a bet display section of a second BET screen according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating a bet result display section of the second BET screen according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating an award table according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a coin acceptance unit according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a control system of a roulette gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a control system of a satellite according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view illustrating storage areas of ROM of the roulette gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view illustrating storage areas of RAM of the roulette gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a usual roulette game processing program according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an external perspective view illustrating the schematic configuration of the roulette gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a view illustrating an award table according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart of a lotto-type roulette game processing program according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart of a lotto-type roulette game processing program according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart of a lotto-type roulette game processing program according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart of a lotto-type roulette game processing program according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic view illustrating a bet display section of the second BET screen according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic view illustrating a bet result display section of the second BET screen according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic view illustrating a bet result display section of the second BET screen according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic view illustrating a bet result display section of the second BET screen according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic view illustrating files stored in a bet information storage area according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     [General Description of Embodiment of Present Invention] 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention embodied in a roulette gaming machine  1  (see  FIG. 14 ) is described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     The roulette gaming machine  1  is a gaming machine in which a player predicts a number, etc. to be determined with a roulette wheel  3  (see  FIG. 14 ) and places a bet of a gaming medium such as a coin the player owns on the predicted number, etc., and when the number on which the bet is placed is a winning number, the player is awarded with a predetermined number of coins. 
     In the roulette gaming machine  1  (see  FIG. 14 ) according to the present embodiment, through executing a later-described game processing program, a lotto-type roulette game can be executed (see  FIGS. 1 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18  and  19 ) simultaneously with the execution of a usual roulette game (see  FIG. 13 ). In the lotto-type roulette game, winning numbers for a given number of roulette games are predicted by the player at a time, and when the execution of the given number of roulette games is completed, the award for the player is calculated. 
     In the lotto-type roulette game, if any one of number-of-times buttons  201 A,  201 B and  201 C (see  FIG. 4 ) is pressed (YES at S 222  in  FIG. 19 ) during a betting period, same-setting processing of S 224  illustrated in  FIG. 19  is executed. With this processing, the numbers the player predicts can be set to be a unified number. Then, by the execution of bet information processing of S 215  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , bet amount with respect to the unified number currently predicted can be set. Accordingly, the player participating in the lotto-type roulette game can be spared the repetitive operations in the lotto-type roulette game. 
     Further, a plurality of satellites  4  (see  FIG. 14 ) are provided for the roulette gaming machine  1  (see  FIG. 14 ) according to the present embodiment. In each satellite  4  (see  FIG. 14 ), the player can play a lotto-type roulette game. 
     In the lotto-type roulette game, processing illustrated in  FIG. 1  is executed, such as S 115 , S 122 , S 123  and S 124 . Such processing enables control over the lotto-type roulette game with respect to each of the plurality of satellites  4  (see  FIG. 14 ). Accordingly, when a new player participates in a lotto-type roulette game, the maximum waiting time required for the new player to be allowed to play equals the time required for one roulette game to be over. Thus, the reduction of waiting time can be achieved with respect to a new participant in a lotto-type roulette game. 
     [Schematic Configuration of Roulette Gaming Machine] 
     A schematic configuration of the roulette gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is an external perspective view to illustrate the schematic configuration of the roulette gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the roulette gaming machine  1  basically includes a cabinet  2  of a main body, the roulette wheel  3  provided substantially in the center of the top face of the cabinet  2 , and a plurality of (in the present embodiment, ten) satellites  4  placed so as to surround the roulette wheel  3 . 
     The satellite  4  refers to a place to play a game and includes at least a coin acceptance unit  5  for inputting game media such as coins and tokens for playing the game, a control section  6  including control buttons to be operated by the player to enter commands, and an image display  7  for displaying an image involved in the game. The player operates the control section  6  while seeing the image displayed on the image display  7 , to thereby play the game developed therein. 
     Coin payout openings  8  are provided on the sides of the cabinet  2  where the satellites  4  are installed. A speaker  9  for producing music and effect sound is provided in the upper right portion of the image display  7  of each satellite  4 . 
     [Configuration of Roulette Wheel] 
     The configuration of the roulette wheel  3  according to the present embodiment will be discussed with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a plan view of the roulette wheel  3  according to the present embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the roulette wheel  3  basically includes a frame  11  fixed to the cabinet  2  and a rotation disk  12  housed and rotatably supported inside the frame  11 . The rotation disk  12  is formed with a large number of (in the present embodiment, thirty-eight) concave ball housing grooves  13  on the top face thereof. Number indication plates  14  indicating numbers “0”, “00”, and “1” to “36” as graphic characters in a one-to-one correspondence with the ball housing grooves  13  are formed on the top face of the rotation disk  12  in the outer direction of the ball housing grooves  13 . 
     A ball discharging port  15  is formed in the frame  11 . A ball discharging unit  85  not illustrated in  FIG. 2  (see  FIG. 9  described later) is joined to the ball discharging port  15  and a ball  16  is thrown onto the rotation disk  12  from the ball discharging port  15  by the ball discharging unit  85 . The whole area above the roulette wheel  3  is covered with a transparent acrylic cover member  17  substantially shaped in a hemispheric shape (see  FIG. 14  described above). 
     The frame  11  is inclined gently to the center and is formed in an intermediate portion with a guide wall  18  for guiding the thrown ball  16  against the centrifugal force and rolling the ball  16 . As the rotation speed reduces and the centrifugal force is lost, the ball  16  rolls down the slope of the frame  11 , goes inward and arrives at the rotating rotation disk  12 . 
     The ball  16  rolling to the rotation disk  12  further rolls over the number indication plates  14  outside the rotating rotation disk  12  and then is housed in one of the ball housing grooves  13 . The number described on the number indication plate  14  corresponding to the ball housing groove  13  in which the ball  16  is housed is determined to be the winning number. 
     A win determination unit  84  not illustrated in  FIG. 2 , (see  FIG. 9  described later) is installed below the roulette wheel  3  for determining to which number the ball housing groove  13  in which the ball is housed corresponds. Further, a ball collection unit  86  not illustrated in  FIG. 2  (see  FIG. 9  described later) is installed below the rotation disk  12  for collecting the ball  16  on the rotation disk  12  after each game is over. The ball discharging unit  85 , the win determination unit  84 , and the ball collection unit  86  are conventionally well known in the art and therefore will not be discussed in detail here. 
     [Configurations of Control Section and Image Display] 
     The configurations of the control section  6  and the image display  7  according to the present embodiment will be discussed. 
     &lt;Configuration of Control Section&gt; 
     The control section  6  is provided on the side of the image display  7  of the satellite  4  and buttons to be operated by the player are placed, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Specifically, a BET confirmation button  22 , a cash out (CASHOUT) button  23 , and a help (HELP) button  24  are placed from the left to the right viewed from the position opposed to the satellite  4 . 
     The BET confirmation button  22  is a button to be pressed by the player to confirm the bet after bet operation with the image display  7  described later. When a bet has been confirmed by the player and the bet has been on the number described on the number indication plate  14  corresponding to the ball housing groove  13  in which the ball  16  is housed on the roulette wheel  3  in a game, the player wins the game. When the player wins the game, credit points responsive to the number of chips bet are added to the currently owned credit points of the player. The bet operation is described later in detail. 
     The cash out button  23  is a button to be pressed by the player usually when the player decides to end the game play. When the player presses the cash out button  23 , coins responsive to the currently owned credit points of the player gained with the games and the like (usually, one coin to one credit point) are cashed out to the player from the coin payout opening  8 . 
     The help button  24  is a button to be pressed by the player when the player is unfamiliar with the rules and operation to play the game. When the player presses the help button  24 , a help screen indicating various pieces of operation information is immediately displayed on the image display  7 . 
     &lt;Configurations of Image Display&gt; 
     The image display  7  is a so-called touch-panel liquid crystal display with a touch panel  28  (see  FIG. 10  described later) attached to the front of the liquid crystal display. The player presses an icon displayed on a liquid crystal screen  29  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4  described later) with a finger and the like to select the icon.  FIGS. 3 and 4  are views illustrating examples of display screens displayed on the image display  7  during a game. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , during the gaming with the roulette gaming machine  1 , the image display  7  displays two types of screens: a first BET screen  31  having a usual table-type betting board  30  for allowing the player to predict a winning number only in the current game and a second BET screen  33  having a lotto-type number selection betting board  32  for allowing the player to predict winning numbers in a maximum of four games at a time. The display of the image display  7  is switched between the first BET screen  31  and the second BET screen  33  each time a screen switch button  34 ,  46  displayed on the liquid crystal screen  29  is pressed. After selecting one of the first BET screen  31  and the second BET screen  33 , the player bets a chip using the credit points he/she owns. 
     &lt;Configurations of First BET Screen&gt; 
     First, the first BET screen  31  will be discussed based on  FIG. 3 . The same numbers as the numbers “0”, “00”, and “1” to “36” indicated on the number indication plates  14  are arranged in a grid on the table betting board  30  displayed on the first BET screen  31 . Special BET areas for the player to bet a chip by specifying “odd number,” “even number,” “color of number indication plate (red or black),” or “given number range (for example, “1 to 12” or the like)” are also arranged in a grid. 
     Displayed at a lower portion in the table betting board  30  are a result history display section  35 , the above-mentioned screen switch button  34 , betting unit selection buttons  36 , a payback result display section  37 , and a credit point display section  38  from the left to the right of the screen. 
     The result history display section  35  lists the results of the winning numbers in the previous games (one game refers to an operation sequence from the player betting a chip at a satellite  4 , a ball  16  falling in a ball housing groove  13  to paying out credit points based on a winning number). When one game is over, the new winning number is added to the top of the result history display section  35  to allow the player to check the history of the winning numbers of a maximum of sixteen games. 
     The screen switch button  34  is a button for switching between the first BET screen  31  and the second BET screen  33  displayed on the image display  7  as mentioned above. Two character strings of “Roulette” and “Loto4” are displayed on the screen switch button  34 . If the player presses the screen switch button  34  on the liquid crystal screen  29 , the first BET screen  31  using the table betting board  30  can be switched to the second BET screen  33  using the number selection betting board  32  for display. Then, the player bets a chip based on the betting board on the currently displayed screen. 
     The betting unit selection buttons  36  are buttons for allowing the player to bet a chip on a BET area  42  (within a grid square in the provided with a number or a character or on a grid line forming the grid square) specified by the player. The following four types of betting unit selection buttons  36  are included: 1-BET button  36 A, 5-BET button  36 B, 10-BET button  36 C and 100-BET button  36 D. 
     The player first specifies the BET area  42  with a cursor  40  described later by directly pressing the screen with a finger, etc. When the player presses the 1-BET button  36 A, one chip is bet at a time (the number of bet chips increases in the order of “1”, “2”, “3” and so on each time the player presses the 1-BET button  36 A with a finger). When the player presses the 5-BET button  36 B, five chips are bet at a time (the number of bet chips increases in the order of “5”, “10”, “15” and so on each time the player presses the 5-BET button  36 B with a finger). When the player presses the 10-BET button  36 C, 10 chips are bet at a time (the number of bet chips increases in the order of “10”, “20”, “30” and so on each time the player presses the 10-BET button  36 C with a finger). When the player presses the 100-BET button  36 C, 100 chips are bet at a time (the number of bet chips increases in the order of “100”, “200”, “300” and so on each time the player presses the 100-BET button  36 D with a finger). 
     According to the above configuration, the betting operation can be simplified when betting a large number of chips. 
     The payback result display section  37  displays the number of bet chips of the player in the preceding game and the credit points paid-back. Here, the credit points newly gained by the player in the preceding game can be drawn by subtracting the number of bet chips from the paid-back credit points. 
     The credit point display section  38  displays the credit points presently owned by the player. When the player bets a certain number of chips, the credit points are decremented by the number of the bet chips (one credit point per chip). If the player wins the game and the corresponding credit points are paid back, the credit points owned by the player are incremented by the paid-back credit points. When the credit point owned by the player reaches “0”, the game is over. 
     A BET timer graph  39  is provided at the upper portion of the table betting board  30 . The BET timer graph  39  is a graph for indicating the remaining time during which the player is allowed to bet, and a red graph extends gradually to the right with the passage of time from the start of the bet period. When the graph extends to the rightmost side, the time during which the player can bet in the current game expires. When the bet period of the player at each satellite  4  expires, namely, when the BET timer graph  39  reaches the rightmost side, the ball discharging unit  85  (see  FIG. 9  described later) is activated to throw the ball  16  onto the roulette wheel  3 . 
     The cursor  40  indicating the BET area  42  presently selected by the player is displayed on the table betting board  30 . A chip mark  41  indicating the number of chips bet and the selected BET area  42  so far is also displayed on the table betting board  30 . The number displayed on the chip mark  41  denotes the number of chips bet. For example, a chip mark  41  displayed with a number “7” thereon placed on the grid square “18” as illustrated in  FIG. 3  indicates that the player bets seven chips on the number “18”. The betting method in which to place a bet on a single number is called “straight up.” 
     A chip mark  41  displayed with a number “1” thereon placed at the intersection of the grid squares “5”, “6”, “8” and “9” indicates that the player bets one chip on the four numbers covering “5”, “6”, “8” and “9”. The betting method in which to place a bet covering four numbers is called “corner bet.” 
     Other available betting methods are as follows: “split bet” is a betting method in which to place a bet covering two numbers on the line between two numbers (adjacent grid squares); “street bet” is a betting method in which to place a bet covering three numbers (for example, “13”, “14”, and “15”) on the end of a horizontal row of the numbers (in  FIG. 3 , one row in the vertical direction); “five bet” is a betting method in which to place a bet covering five numbers of “0”, “00”, “1”, “2” and “3” on the line between the numbers “00” and “3”; “line bet” is a betting method in which to place a bet covering six numbers (for example, “13”, “14”, “15”, “16”, “17” and “18”) among numbers of two horizontal rows of the numbers (in  FIG. 3 , two rows in the vertical direction); “column bet” is a betting method in which to place a bet covering twelve numbers on the grid square written as “2 to 1”; and “dozen bet” is a betting method in which to place a bet covering twelve numbers on the grid square written as “1st 12”, “2nd 12” or “3rd 12”. Further, betting methods each covering 18 numbers depending on the number indication plate color (red or black), the odd or even number, whether the number is equal to or less than 18 or is equal to or more than 19 using six grid squares provided at the bottom stage of the table betting board  30  are also available. The betting methods differ in credit award (odds) per chip when the player wins the game in betting a chip (chips). 
     To place a bet on the first BET screen  31  described above, first the player specifies the BET area  42  (within a grid square of a number or a character or on a line forming the grid square) to bet on the screen and presses the BET area  42  directly with a finger. Consequently, the cursor  40  moves to the specified BET area  42 . 
     Then, whenever the player presses one of the betting unit selection buttons  36  (1-BET button  36 A, 5-BET button  36 B, 10-BET button  36 C, 100-BET button  36 D), as many chips as the number indicated by the betting unit selection button are bet on the specified BET area  42 . For example, when the player presses the 10-BET button  36 C four times, the 5-BET button  36 B once, and the 1-BET button  36 A three times, a total of forty-eight chips is bet. 
     &lt;Configurations of Second BET Screen&gt; 
     Next, the second BET screen  33  will be discussed with reference to  FIG. 4 . With the second BET screen  33 , the player uses the number selection betting board  32  to play a lotto-type roulette game for predicting the winning numbers in a maximum of four games including the current game at a time. 
     The number selection betting board  32  displayed on the second BET screen  33  basically includes a selection result display section  43  for displaying the selected numbers, and a number selection section  44  to be pressed by the player for selecting a number. Displayed at a lower portion of the number selection betting board  32  are a result history display section  45 , the above-mentioned screen switch button  46 , betting unit selection buttons  47 , a payback result display section  48 , and a credit points display section  49  as with the first BET screen  31  described above. Further, same result prediction buttons  201  are also displayed. 
     The selection result display section  43  displays the four numbers at the maximum selected by the player through the number selection section  44 , the number of bet chips, and the game result. Specifically, the selection result display section  43  includes: a plurality of substantially rectangular bet display sections  52  each including a selected number display section  50  for displaying the four numbers at the maximum selected by the player and a number-of-chips display section  51  for displaying the number of bet chips; and a plurality of bet result display sections  53  for indicating information concerning the previous bets of the player with the win or loss result confirmed in the preceding game in the same format as the bet display sections  52 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     A result number display section  54  indicating the four winning numbers with the roulette wheel  3  in the past is provided above the bet display sections  52 . 
     The bet display sections  52  will be discussed.  FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating the bet display section  52  of the second BET screen  33  according to the present embodiment. 
     The selected number display section  50  of the bet display section  52  is provided with four display sections of a first selected number display section  50 A, a second selected number display section  50 B, a third selected number display section  50 C and a fourth selected number display section  50 D from the left to the right facing the liquid crystal screen  29  (see  FIG. 4  described above). A maximum of four numbers selected by the player using the number selection section  44  (see  FIG. 4  described above) are displayed on the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D. 
     Before numbers are selected, “?” marks are displayed on the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D as illustrated in  FIG. 4  described above. The player selects any of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D using a cursor  55  described later and selects any numbers through the number selection section  44 , whereby the player-selected numbers are displayed on the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D. 
     The number-of-chips display section  51  of the bet display section  52  displays a chip mark  141  indicating the number of bet chips on the four numbers at the maximum selected in the selected number display section  50 . The number displayed on the chip mark  141  indicates the number of chips bet. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when four numbers of “12”, “21”, “30” and “31” are displayed on the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D and the chip mark  141  indicating “10” is displayed on the number-of-chips display section  51 , it means that ten chips are bet on the numbers “12”, “21”, “30” and “31”. Four games are executed with the roulette wheel  3  including the current game and when the four obtained winning numbers and the four selected numbers match, credit points are paid out to the player based on the number of identical number pairs. 
     Next, the bet result display sections  53  will be discussed. The bet result display section  53  indicates information concerning the bet of the player with the win or loss result confirmed in the preceding game.  FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating the bet result display section  53  of the second BET screen  33  according to the present embodiment. 
     The bet result display section  53  has a similar composition to that of the bet display section  52  and is provided with a selected number display section  56  and a number-of-chips display section  57 . Further, the bet result display section  53  is provided with a win result display section  58  for indicating whether or not a number selected by the player in the selected number display section  56  matches the winning number as a game result with the roulette wheel  3  (see  FIG. 2  described above, etc.) to the left of the selected number display section  56 . 
     The selected number display section  56  is provided with four display sections of a first selected number display section  56 A, a second selected number display section  56 B, a third selected number display section  56 C and a fourth selected number display section  56 D from the left to the right facing the liquid crystal screen  29  (see  FIG. 4  described above). The four numbers at the maximum previously selected by the player using the number selection section  44  (see  FIG. 4  described above) are displayed on the selected number display sections  56 A to  56 D. 
     An “X” mark  62  is displayed additionally to the selected number display sections  56 A to  56 D where the displayed number in each of the selected number display sections  56 A to  56 D does not match any numbers displayed in the result number display section  54  (see  FIG. 4  described above), as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     When the “X” mark  62  is displayed on all the numbers displayed in the selected number display sections  56 A to  56 D, namely, when none of the numbers selected by the player matches the numbers displayed in the result number display section  54 , a character string of “Lose” is displayed in the win result display section  58  (see  FIG. 4  described above). In this case, no award of credit points is paid out to the player and the chips bet and displayed on the number-of-chips display section  57  are lost. 
     The number-of-chips display section  57  of the bet result display section  53  displays the chip mark  141  indicating the number of bet chips on the four numbers at the maximum selected in the selected number display section  56 . The number displayed on the chip mark  141  indicates the number of chips bet. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when four numbers of “6”, “6”, “32” and “27” are displayed on the selected number display sections  56 A to  56 D and the chip mark  141  indicating “7” is displayed on the number-of-chips display section  57 , it means that seven chips are bet on the numbers “6”, “6”, “32” and “27”. Four games are executed with the roulette wheel  3  including the current game and when the four obtained winning numbers and the four selected numbers match, credit points are paid out to the player based on the number of identical number pairs. 
     Meanwhile, if there is at least one number on which no “X” mark  62  is displayed among the numbers displayed on the selected number display sections  56 A to  56 D, namely, when a number selected by the player matches one of the numbers displayed in the result number display section  54 , a character string  60  of “Win” is displayed on the win result display section  58  (see  FIG. 4  described above). Further, credit points (award credit, or odds) to be awarded to the player responsive to the number of the identical number pairs are displayed to the side of the character string  60 . 
     The award credit (odds) is determined according to award tables  61  and  161  (later described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 15 ) stored in ROM  81  (later described with reference to  FIG. 9 ).  FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the award table  61  according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 15  is a view illustrating the award table  161  according to the present embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the award credit (odds) paid out to the player in response to the number of identical number pairs is uniquely determined in the award table  61 . Specifically, when all of the four numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56  match the four winning numbers, credit points of 2000 times as many chips as the chips bet in the number-of-chips display section  57  are paid out and are added to the current credit points owned by the player. When three of the numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56  match the winning numbers, credit points of 180 times as many chips as the chips bet in the number-of-chips display section  57  are paid out and are added to the current credit points owned by the player. When two of the numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56  match the winning numbers, credit points of 15 times as many chips as the chips bet in the number-of-chips display section  57  are paid out and are added to the current credit points owned by the player. When one of the numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56  matches one of the winning numbers, no award of additional credit points is paid out to the player. When none of the four numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56  match the winning numbers, no award of additional credit points is paid out to the player. 
     When all the four numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56  are the same number, the award table  161  illustrated in  FIG. 15  is used instead of the award table  61  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the award credit (odds) paid out to the player in response to the number of identical number pairs is uniquely determined in the award table  161 . Specifically, when all of the four winning numbers by the roulette wheel  3  match the four numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56 , credit points of 20000 times as many chips as the chips bet in the number-of-chips display section  57  are paid out and are added to the current credit points owned by the player. When three of the winning numbers match the numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56 , credit points of 500 times as many chips as the chips bet in the number-of-chips display section  57  are paid out and are added to the current credit points owned by the player. When two of the winning numbers match the numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56 , credit points of 100 times as many chips as the chips bet in the number-of-chips display section  57  are paid out and are added to the current credit points owned by the player. When one of the winning numbers matches the numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56 , credit points of five times as many chips as the chips bet in the number-of-chips display section  57  are paid out and are added to the current credit points owned by the player. When none of the winning numbers match the numbers selected by the player in the selected number display section  56 , no award of additional credit points is paid out to the player. 
     Discussion will be given with reference to  FIG. 4  again. The number selection section  44  will subsequently be discussed. The number selection section  44  includes 38 numeric buttons  63  of numbers “0”, “00”, and “1” to “36” displayed on the number indication plates  14  of the roulette wheel  3 , and a cancel button  64  displayed as “Select Cancel”. The player places the cursor  55  on any one of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D of the bet display section  52  and subsequently presses any numeric button  63  to select the number corresponding to the pressed numeric button  63 . The player places the cursor  55  on the already selected number and subsequently presses the cancel button  64  to cancel the already selected number. Again, “?” mark is displayed in the one of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D where the number is canceled. 
     The result number display section  54  displays the game results with the roulette wheel  3  in the past four games and includes a first result number display section  54 A displaying the winning number of the game result with the roulette wheel  3  in the immediately preceding game, a second result number display section  54 B displaying the winning number of the game result with the roulette wheel  3  in the game before the preceding game, a third result number display section  54 C displaying the winning number of the game result with the roulette wheel  3  in the two games before the preceding game and a fourth result number display section  54 D displaying the winning number of the game result with the roulette wheel  3  in the three games before the preceding game. The player references the winning numbers displayed in the result number display section  54 , whereby it is made possible for the player to easily determine whether or not the numbers displayed in the selected number display section  56  of the bet result display section  53  match the winning numbers. 
     The result history display section  45  lists the results of the winning numbers in the previous games (one game refers to an operation sequence from the player placing a bet in a usual roulette game using the first BET screen  31 , the ball  16  falling in the ball housing groove  13  to paying out credit points based on the winning number). When one game is over, the new winning number is added to the top of the result history display section  35  for display and the player can check the history of the winning numbers of a maximum of sixteen games. 
     The screen switch button  46  is a button that allows the player to switch between the first BET screen  31  and the second BET screen  33  displayed on the image display  7  as mentioned above. Two character strings of “Roulette” and “Loto4” are displayed on the screen switch button  46 . When the player presses the screen switch button  46  on the liquid crystal screen  29 , the second BET screen  33  using the number selection betting board  32  is switched to the first BET screen  31  using the table betting board  30  for display, and vice versa. The player bets a chip based on the betting board on the currently displayed screen. 
     The betting unit selection buttons  47  are buttons each for betting a predetermined number of chips by units, such as by five chips or by ten chips, on the number-of-chips display section  51  specified by the player. The following four types of betting unit selection buttons  47  are included: 1-BET button  47 A, 5-BET button  47 B, 10-BET button  47 C and 100-BET button  47 D. 
     The player first selects four numbers at the maximum in the selected number display section  50  and then specifies the bet display section  52  to bet by pressing the number-of-chips display section  51  on the side of the selected number display section  50 . The cursor  55  is placed on the specified number-of-chips display section  51 . In this state, when the player presses the 1-BET button  47 A, one chip is bet at a time (the number of bet chips increases in order of “1”, “2”, “3” and so on each time the player presses the 1-BET button  47 A with a finger or the like). When the player presses the 5-BET button  47 B, five chips are bet at a time (the number of bet chips increases in order of “5”, “10”, “15” and so on each time the player presses the 5-BET button  47 B with a finger or the like). When the player presses the 10-BET button  47 C, 10 chips are bet at a time (the number of bet chips increases in order of “10”, “20”, “30” and so on each time the player presses the 10-BET button  47 C with a finger or the like). When the player presses the 100-BET button  47 C, 100 chips are bet at a time (the number of bet chips increases in order of “100”, “200”, “300” and so on each time the player presses the 100-BET button  47 D with a finger or the like). According to the above configuration, the betting operation is simplified even when betting a large number of chips. 
     The payback result display section  48  displays the number of bet chips of the player in the preceding game and the paid-back credit points. Here, subtracting the number of bet chips from the paid-back credit points results in the credit points newly gained by the player at the preceding game. 
     The credit points display section  49  displays the credit points presently owned by the player. When the player bets chips, the credit points are decremented by the number of the chips bet (one credit point per chip). If the number in the bet display section  52  on which a bet is placed matches the winning number and the credit based on the award table  61  or  161  is paid back, the credit points are incremented by the paid-back credit points. If the credit points owned by the player reach “0”, the game is over. 
     A BET timer graph  65  is provided at a topmost position of the number selection betting board  32  of the second BET screen  33  as with the first BET screen  31  described above. The BET timer graph  65  is a graph for indicating the remaining time during which the player can bet, and a red graph extends gradually to the right with the passage of time from the bet start time. When the graph extends to the rightmost side, the time during which the player can bet in the current game expires. When the bet period of the player at each satellite  4  expires, namely, when the BET timer graph  65  reaches the rightmost side, the ball discharging unit  85  (see  FIG. 9  described later) throws the ball  16  onto the roulette wheel  3 . 
     The cursor  55  provided for indicating one of selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D and a number-of-chips display section  51  is displayed on the number selection betting board  32 . A chip mark  141  provided for indicating the number of bet chips and the bet display section  52  so far is also displayed on the number selection betting board  32 . The number displayed on the chip mark  141  denotes the number of chips bet. For example, the chip mark  141  displayed with “10” placed on the bet display section  52  where “12”, “21”, “30” and “31” are selected as illustrated in  FIG. 4  indicates that the player bets ten chips on the four numbers “12”, “21”, “30” and “31”. 
     To place a bet on the second BET screen  33  described above, the player first specifies and presses any of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D where “?” mark is displayed, of the bet display section  52  on the screen directly with a finger. Consequently, the cursor  55  moves to the specified one of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D. 
     Then, the player presses a numeric button  63  on which any desired number is displayed in the number selection section  44 , thereby specifying the number. After specifying numbers in maximum four selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D, the player presses the number-of-chips display section  51  provided to the side of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D. Subsequently, whenever the player presses one of the betting unit selection buttons  47  (1-BET button  47 A, 5-BET button  47 B, 10-BET button  47 C and 100-BET button  47 D), as many chips as the number indicated by the betting unit selection button are bet on the number-of-chips display section  51  of the bet display section  52  specified. For example, when the player presses the 10-BET button  47 C four times, the 5-BET button  47 B once, and the 1-BET button  47 A three times, a total of forty-eight chips are bet. 
     The second BET screen  33  also displays same result prediction buttons  201 . The same result prediction buttons  201  includes three number-of-times buttons  201 A,  201 B and  201 C, a repeat button  201 D and a cancel button  201 E. 
     The number-of-times button  201 A is a button to be pressed when the player specifies the same number twice in a row. The player is to press the number-of-times button  201 A before pressing a numeric button  63 . As a result, the same number as the number displayed on the numeric button  63  subsequently pressed is displayed on adjacent two of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D. 
     The number-of-times button  201 B is a button to be pressed when the player specifies the same number three times in a row. The player is to press the number-of-times button  201 B before pressing a numeric button  63 . As a result, the same number as the number displayed on the numeric button  63  subsequently pressed is displayed on adjacent three of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D. 
     The number-of-times button  201 C is a button to be pressed when the player specifies the same number four times in a row. The player is to press the number-of-times button  201 C before pressing a numeric button  63 . As a result, the same number as the number displayed on the numeric button  63  subsequently pressed is displayed, on adjacent four of the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D. 
     The repeat button  201 D is a button to be pressed when the player specifies the whole set of numbers displayed on the formerly-specified selected number display section  50 . The player is to press the repeat button  201 D without pressing any numeric button  63 . As a result, a set of numbers identical to the whole set of numbers displayed on the formerly-specified selected number display section  50  is displayed on the currently-specified selected number display section  50  (see  FIG. 23  described later). 
     The cancel button  201 E is a button to be pressed when the player cancels the operations on a same result prediction button  201 . When the player presses the cancel button  201 E, operations on the three number-of-times buttons  201 A,  201 B and  201 C and the repeat button  201 D are canceled. 
     As described above, the player presses the screen switch button  34 ,  46  for switching between the first BET screen  31  provided with the usual table betting board  30  and the second BET screen  33  provided with the new number selection betting board  32  for display. 
     In a lotto-type roulette game using the second BET screen  33 , the player predicts the game results with the roulette wheel  3  in the maximum four games including the current game and select maximum four numbers at a time from among the numbers displayed on the number indication plates  14  of the roulette wheel  3  (38 numbers of “0”, “00” and “1” to “36”) using the number selection section  44  and can receive payout of credit points based on the number of the selected numbers matching the winning numbers from the game results, so that the player can play a new lotto-type roulette game in addition to a usual roulette game in one roulette gaming machine  1  and the variety of game plays can be increased. In the lotto-type game with the second BET screen  33 , the credit point payout is determined based on the maximum four game results including the current game with the roulette wheel  3 , so that the player can feel a sense of anticipation to a game over a long period of time and can continue to have interest in the game. 
     [Configuration of Coin Acceptance Unit] 
     Next, the configuration of the coin acceptance unit  5  according to the present embodiment will be discussed with  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the coin acceptance unit  5  according to the present embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the coin acceptance unit  5  is a unit substantially shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped in which game media such as coins and tokens are input and accepted. The credit points responsive to the accepted game media are added to the credit points owned by the player and the update is displayed in the credit point display section  38  or  49  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4  described above). 
     The coin acceptance unit  5  is provided with a coin insertion slot  70  for inputting game media such as coins and tokens, a coin return opening  71  for returning inputted coins and the like to the player, and a key insertion slot  72  to be used when opening and closing the inside of the coin acceptance unit  5 . 
     The key insertion slot  72  is an insertion slot of a key (not illustrated) for opening and closing a door (not illustrated) provided on the coin acceptance unit  5 . When a predetermined key is inserted and is turned in a predetermined direction, the lock state of a locking unit is released and the door is opened. A coin storage section  73  for storing input coins is installed in the coin acceptance unit  5 . As the door is opened, the coins in the coin storage section  73  can be collected. Further, it is also made possible to conduct internal maintenance. 
     [Configurations of Circuits Provided for Roulette Gaming Machine] 
     &lt;Configuration of Control System of Roulette Gaming Machine&gt; 
     Next, the configuration of a control system of the roulette gaming machine  1  will be discussed based on  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  is a block diagram to schematically illustrate the control system of the roulette gaming machine  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the roulette gaming machine  1  is provided with a main control section  83  including a main control CPU  80 , ROM  81  and RAM  82 , and the roulette wheel  3  and the ten satellites  4  connected to the main control section (see  FIG. 14  described above). The control system of the satellites  4  is described later in detail. 
     The main control CPU  80  performs various types of processing based on input signals supplied from the satellites  4  and data and programs stored in the ROM  81  and the RAM  82 , and transmits instruction signals to the satellites  4  based on the processing result, thereby controlling the satellites  4  under the initiative of the main control CPU  80  for performing games. Further, the main control CPU  80  controls a win determination unit  84 , a ball discharging unit  85  and a ball collection unit  86  installed in the roulette wheel  3  for inputting the ball  16  onto the roulette wheel  3 , collecting the ball  16  from the roulette wheel  3 , and determining the winning number corresponding to the ball housing groove  13  into which the ball  16  falls. The main control CPU  80  makes a win or loss determination of bet chips based on the obtained winning number and bet information transmitted from each satellite  4  and calculates the credit points to be paid out to the player at the satellite  4 . 
     The ROM  81  is implemented as semiconductor memory, for example, and stores a program for providing the basic function of the roulette gaming machine  1 , a program for controlling the units in the roulette wheel  3 , the odds (the award credit points per chip responsive to a win) for a usual roulette game using the first BET screen  31 , the award tables  61  and  161  for the number of identical number pairs in a lotto-type roulette game using the second BET screen  33  (see  FIGS. 7 and 15  described above), a program for controlling the satellites  4  under the initiative of the main control CPU  80  and the like. 
     Meanwhile, the RAM  82  temporarily stores a first progressive jackpot fund, a second progressive jackpot fund, bet information supplied from the satellites  4 , a winning number of the roulette wheel  3  determined by the win determination unit  84 , data concerning the result of the processing executed by the main control CPU  80  and the like. 
     The win determination unit  84 , the ball discharging unit  85  and the ball collection unit  86  provided for the roulette wheel  3  are also connected to the main control CPU  80 . When the bet time of the player at each satellite  4  expires, namely, when the BET timer graph  39  of the first BET screen  31  or  65  of the second BET screen  33  reaches the rightmost side, the ball discharging unit  85  is driven and throws the ball  16  onto the roulette wheel  3 . 
     Further, when the revolving speed of the ball  16  gradually reduces and the ball  16  loses the centrifugal force, rolls down the slope of the frame  11  and is housed in any one of the ball housing grooves  13 , the win determination unit  84  is driven and determines the number described on the number indication plate  14  corresponding to the ball housing groove  13  in which the ball  16  is housed and transmits the determination result to the main control CPU  80 . Then, the ball collection unit  86  is driven for collecting the ball  16  from the surface of the roulette wheel  3 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the ROM  81  is provided with an award credit storage area  81 A storing the odds concerning a usual roulette game using the first BET screen  31  and an award table storage area  81 B storing the award tables  61  and  161  storing the odds concerning a lotto-type roulette game using the second BET screen  33  (see  FIGS. 7 and 15  described above). As the odds for each BET area  42  of the first BET screen  31  stored in the award credit storage area  81 A, a “2-fold” to “36-fold” award is given depending on the bet method (straight up, corner bet, split bet, etc). Meanwhile, as the odds in the award table  61  stored in the award table storage area  81 B, a “15-fold” to “2000-fold” award is given depending on the number of identical number pairs as described above. Further, as the odds in the award table  161  stored in the award table storage area  81 B, a “5-fold” to “20000-fold” award is given depending on the number of identical number pairs as described above. 
     Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the RAM  82  is provided with a bet information storage area  82 A for storing the bet information of the player playing a game at present, a winning number storage area  82 B for storing a winning number of the roulette wheel  3  determined by the win determination unit  84  and a fund storage area  82 C storing the first progressive jackpot fund and the second progressive jackpot fund. The bet information may specifically include a BET area  42  and the number of bet chips specified on the first BET screen  31  and the maximum four numbers and the number of bet chips specified on the second BET screen  33 . 
     &lt;Control System of Satellite&gt; 
     Next, the configuration of the control system of a satellite  4  connected to the main control CPU  80  of the main control section  83  will be discussed based on  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the control system of the satellite  4  according to the present embodiment. The ten satellites  4  basically have the same configuration and therefore in the description to follow, one satellite  4  is taken as an example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the satellite  4  is basically including a main body  89  in which the image display  7  and the like are installed and the coin acceptance unit  5  attached to the main body  89 . Further, the main body  89  includes a satellite control section  90  and several peripheral machines. The satellite control section  90  includes a satellite control CPU  91 , ROM  92  and RAM  93 . The ROM  92  is implemented as semiconductor memory, for example, and stores a program for providing the basic function of the satellite  4 , various programs required for controlling the satellite  4 , a data table and the like. The RAM  93  is memory for temporarily storing various pieces of data on which operations are performed by the satellite control CPU  91 , the current credit points owned by the player, the bet state of chips by the player, and the like. 
     The BET confirmation button  22 , the cash out button  23 , and the help button  24  placed on the control section  6  (see  FIG. 14  described above) are connected to the satellite control CPU  91 . Based on an operation signal output as each button is pressed, etc., the satellite control CPU  91  controls the satellite  4  to execute the corresponding operation. Specifically, the satellite control CPU  91  executes processing based on an input signal supplied from the control section  6  in response to entry of operation of the player and the data and the programs stored in the ROM  92  and the RAM  93 , and transmits the processing result to the main control CPU  80  of the main control section  83  described above. 
     Meanwhile, the satellite control CPU  91  controls the peripheral machines making up the satellite  4  to carry out the roulette game in the satellite  4 , through receiving an instruction signal from the main control CPU  80 . Alternatively, the satellite control CPU  91  controls the peripheral machines making up the satellite  4  to carry out the roulette game in the satellite  4 , through executing processing based on an input signal supplied from the control section  6  in response to entry of operation of the player, operation information of the touch panel  28  and the data and the programs stored in the ROM  92  and the RAM  93 . Which type of processing is to be performed is determined for each processing responsive to the content of the processing. For example, coin payout processing responsive to a winning number corresponds to the former type of processing and processing with respect to bet operation of the player on the first BET screen  31  or the second BET screen  33  corresponds to the latter type of processing. 
     A hopper  94  is also connected to the satellite control CPU  91 . The hopper  94  pays out a predetermined number of coins to the player from the coin payout opening  8  (see  FIG. 14  described above) in response to an instruction signal from the satellite control CPU  91 . 
     The image display  7  is connected via a liquid crystal drive circuit  95  to the satellite control CPU  91 . The liquid crystal drive circuit  95  includes program ROM, image ROM, an image control CPU, work RAM, a VDP (video display processor), and video RAM. The program ROM stores an image control program and various selection tables concerning display on the image display  7 . The image ROM stores dot data to form images to be displayed on the image display  7 . The image control CPU determines the image to be displayed on the image display  7  from the dot data previously stored in the image ROM in accordance with the image control program previously stored in the program ROM based on a parameter set in the satellite control CPU  91 . The work RAM is implemented as temporary storage for the image control CPU to execute the image control program. The VDP forms an image responsive to the display determined by the image control CPU and outputs the image to the image display  7 . The video RAM is implemented as temporary storage for the VDP to form an image. 
     The touch panel  28  is attached to the front of the image display  7  as mentioned above, and operation information of the touch panel  28  is transmitted to the satellite control CPU  91 . Through the touch panel  28 , the player bets chips on the first BET screen  31  or the second BET screen  33 . Specifically, the player operates the touch panel  28  in selecting the BET area  42 , operating the screen switch button  34 ,  46  and the betting unit selection button  36 ,  47 , moving the cursor  55  to the selected number display sections  50 A to  50 D and the number-of-chips display section  51 , pressing the numeric button  63 , pressing a same result prediction button  201 , and the like, and touch panel operation information is transmitted to the satellite control CPU  91 . Based on the information, the bet information of the current player (the BET areas  42  and the number of bet chips specified on the first BET screen  31  and the maximum four numbers and the number of bet chips, etc. specified on the second BET screen  33 ) is stored in the RAM  93  whenever necessary. The bet information is transmitted to the main control CPU  80  and is stored in the bet information storage area  82 A of the RAM  82 . 
     Further, a sound output circuit  96  and the above-mentioned speaker  9  are connected to the satellite control CPU  91 . The speaker  9  generates various effect sounds in producing various effects based on output signals from the sound output circuit  96 . 
     A data reception section  97  is also connected to the satellite control CPU  91  and further the coin acceptance unit  5  is connected to the data reception section  97 . The coin acceptance unit  5  is a unit into which the player inputs game media such as coins and game tokens in playing a game, as mentioned above. 
     The data reception section  97  receives a credit signal transmitted from the coin acceptance unit  5 . The credit signal is information concerning the additional credit points based on the game media such as coins, game tokens, etc., input into the coin acceptance unit  5 . The satellite control CPU  91  increments the credit points of the player stored in the RAM  93  based on the received credit signal. 
     [Contents of Program] 
     Subsequently, main processing programs in the roulette gaming machine  1  will be discussed based on drawings. 
     &lt;Program for Usual Roulette Game&gt; 
     First, a game processing program for a usual roulette game using the first BET screen  31  will be discussed.  FIG. 13  is a flowchart of the game processing program for a usual roulette game using the first BET screen  31  in the roulette gaming machine  1 . The program illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 13  is stored in the ROM  81  and the RAM  82  included in the roulette gaming machine  1  and is executed by the main control CPU  80 . 
     First, at step (abbreviated as “S” hereinafter)  1 , the main control CPU  80  determines whether or not the player owns one or more credit points. In the roulette gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment, when a game token or a coin is input into the coin acceptance unit  5  at any of the satellites  4 , a coin input signal is sent from the satellite control section  90  of the satellite  4  to the main control section  83 . According to the signal, the main control CPU  80  determines the input of the game token or the coin and increments the credit points owned by the player. The credit points incremented by the CPU  80  according to the number of input game tokens or coins, are recorded by the satellite control section  90  in the RAM  93  as credit data indicative of the credit points. If no credit point is owned by the player (NO at S 1 ) a wait mode is entered until the game token or the coin is input. Meanwhile, if one or more credit points are owned by the player (YES at S 1 ), the process proceeds to S 2 . 
     The first BET screen  31  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is displayed on the image display  7  of the satellite  4  used by the player, enabling the player to bet a chip. Other players can enter the game at midpoint and the roulette gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment allows a maximum of ten players at a time to play a game. 
     When the first player entering the game inputs a game token or a coin, the bet period in which each player can place a bet is started (S 2 ). If the current game follows the preceding game, the bet period is started immediately after the preceding game is over. Each player entering the game can operate the touch panel  28  during the bet period to bet his or her chip on a BET area  42  corresponding to a number he or she predicts (see  FIG. 3  described above). The specific bet method using the first BET screen  31  is already described and therefore will not be discussed again. 
     Next, whether or not the bet period expires is determined at S 3 . The bet period is displayed with the BET timer graph  39 . When the bet period starts (S 2 ), the red graph starts to extend to the right gradually. When the red graph extends to the rightmost side, the bet period in the current game expires. 
     Before the bet period expires (NO at S 3 ), a bet is accepted. If the bet period expires (YES at S 3 ), a bet end signal is output to the satellite control sections  90  of all satellites  4  and an image to the effect that the bet period expires is displayed on the liquid crystal screen  29  of each satellite  4 , disabling each player from performing bet operation on the touch panel  28 . The bet information (source address, specified BET area  42  and the number of bet chips on the specified BET area  42 ) is received (S 4 ) of the player at each satellite  4  and is stored in the bet information storage area  82 A of the RAM  82 . 
     Next, the main control section  83  executes game processing with the roulette wheel  3  in accordance with a game execution program. First, at S 5 , the ball discharging unit  85  throws the ball  16  onto the roulette wheel  3 . The thrown ball  16  rolls on the roulette wheel  3  along the guide wall  18 . Then, when the rotation speed reduces and the centrifugal force is lost, the ball  16  rolls down the slope of the frame  11  and goes to the inside thereof and arrives at the rotating rotation disk  12  (see  FIG. 2  described above). 
     The ball  16  rolling to the rotation disk  12  further passes through the surfaces of the number indication plates  14  outside the rotating rotation disk  12  and is housed in any one of the ball housing grooves  13 , and the number described on the number indication plate  14  corresponding to the ball housing groove  13  in which the ball  16  is housed (any one of “0”, “00”, “1” to “36”) becomes the winning number. 
     Subsequently, after the ball  16  is housed in the ball housing groove  13 , the main control CPU  80  drives the win determination unit  84  for identifying to which number the ball housing groove  13  in which the ball is housed corresponds (S 6 ). 
     Further, from the bet information at each satellite  4  received at S 4  and the winning number determined at S 6 , the main control CPU  80  determines whether or not the chip bet at each satellite  4  wins (S 7 ). 
     Based on the win or loss determination at S 7 , whether or not at least one chip bet at one satellite  4  wins is determined (S 8 ). If it is determined that the at least one chip bet at one satellite  4  wins (YES at S 8 ), the main control CPU  80  executes award calculation processing (S 9 ). In the award calculation processing, the winning chip is recognized for each satellite  4  and the total award amount of credit to be paid out at each satellite  4  is calculated using the odds (the credit points to be paid out per chip) for each BET area  42  stored in the award credit storage area  81 A of the ROM  81 . Subsequently, the process proceeds to S 10 . 
     Meanwhile, if it is determined that none of the chips bet at the satellite  4  wins (NO at S 8 ), the process proceeds to S 11 . 
     At S 10 , credit payout processing is executed based on the award calculation processing at S 9 . To pay out credit to the winning satellite  4 , the main control section  83  outputs the credit data corresponding to the award amount to the satellite control section  90  of the winning satellite  4 . The credit data is added to the RAM  93  of the winning satellite  4 . 
     At S 11 , the ball collection unit  86  installed below the rotation disk  12  is driven for collecting the ball  16  on the rotation disk  12 . The collected ball  16  will again be thrown onto the roulette wheel  3  in the later game. Following S 11 , the process proceeds to S 12 . 
     At S 12 , whether or not at least the player continues to play a game at one satellite  4  is determined. To quit playing another game, usually the player presses the cash out button  23 . If the cash out button  23  is pressed, as many coins as the number responsive to the credit points (usually, one coin per one credit point) owned by the player at present gained by playing the game are paid back to the player from the coin payout opening  8 . 
     If the player at any satellite  4  continues to play a game (NO at S 12 ), the process returns to S 2  and another bet period is started for starting another game. 
     Meanwhile, if the players at all satellites  4  quit playing a game (YES at S 12 ), the roulette game processing is terminated. 
     &lt;Processing for Lotto-Type Roulette Game&gt; 
     Next, a game processing program for a lotto-type roulette game using the second BET screen  33  will be discussed. FIGS.  1 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18  and  19  are flowcharts of the game processing program for a lotto-type roulette game using the second BET screen  33  in the roulette gaming machine  1 . The program illustrated in the flowchart of one of  FIGS. 1 ,  16 ,  17  and  18  is stored in the ROM  81  and the RAM  82  included in the roulette gaming machine  1  and is executed by the main control CPU  80 . Further, the program illustrated in the flowchart of one of  FIGS. 1 ,  16  and  19  is stored in the ROM  92  and the RAM  93  included in a satellite  4  of the roulette gaming machine  1  and is executed by the satellite control CPU  91 . 
     Each of the satellites  4  cooperates with the main control section  83  to perform the similar game operations. However, to avoid complication, one satellite  4  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 16  as an example. 
     First, at S 201  in  FIG. 16 , the satellite control CPU  91  determines whether or not a game token or a coin is input by the player. In each satellite  4  of the roulette gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment, when a game token or a coin is input into the coin acceptance unit  5 , the satellite control CPU  91  determines the input of the game token or the coin and increments the credit points owned by the player. The credit points incremented by the satellite control CPU  91  according to the number of input game tokens or coins, is recorded in the RAM  93  as the credit data indicative of the credit points. If no game token or coin is input by the player (NO at S 201 ), the process proceeds to S 203  described later. Meanwhile, if a game token or coin is input by the player (YES at S 201 ), the process proceeds to S 202 . 
     At S 202 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs coin insertion processing. In this processing, the satellite control CPU  91  transmits a coin insertion signal to the main control section  83 . Then the process proceeds to S 211  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Meanwhile, at S 203  in  FIG. 16 , the satellite control CPU  91  determines whether or not the player owns one or more credit points. To quit playing another game, usually the player presses the cash out button  23 . If the cash out button  23  is pressed, as many coins as the number responsive to the credit points (usually, one coin per one credit point) owned by the player at present gained by playing the game are paid back to the player from the coin payout opening  8 . Accordingly, the determination is made based on the credit data stored in the RAM  93 . If no credit point is owned by the player (NO at S 203 ), the process returns to S 201 . If one or more credit points are owned by the player (YES at S 203 ), the process proceeds to S 204 . 
     At S 204 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs game continuation processing. In the processing, the satellite control CPU  91  transmits a game continuation signal to the main control section  83 . Following S 204 , the process proceeds to S 211  in  FIG. 1 . 
     At the same time, the main control CPU  80  performs signal reception processing at S 101  in  FIG. 16 . In the processing, the main control CPU  80  receives a coin insertion signal or a game continuation signal transmitted from one of the satellites  4 . Then, the process proceeds to S 102 . 
     At S 102 , the main control CPU  80  determines whether or not a coin insertion signal is received. If a coin insertion signal is received (YES at S 102 , the process proceeds to S 111  in  FIG. 1 . If no coin insertion signal is received (NO at S 102 ), the process proceeds to S 103  in  FIG. 16 . 
     At S 103 , the main control CPU  80  determines whether or not a game continuation signal is received. If no game continuation signal is received (NO at S 103 ), the process returns to S 101 . If a game continuation signal is received (YES at S 102 ), the process proceeds to S 111  in  FIG. 1 . 
     At S 111  in  FIG. 1 , the main control CPU  80  transmits a bet period start signal to all the satellites  4 . Then, the process proceeds to S 112 . 
     At S 112 , the main control CPU  80  determines whether or not the current bet period expires. Here, the current bet period denotes a time period from transmission of a bet period start signal until the elapse of a certain length of time. If the current bet period has not expired (NO at S 112 ), a wait mode is entered until the current bet period expires. If the current bet period has expired (YES at S 112 ), the process proceeds to S 113 . 
     At S 113 , the main control CPU  80  transmits a bet end signal to all the satellites  4 . Then, the process proceeds to S 114 . 
     At S 114 , the main control CPU  80  determines whether or not bet information transmitted from any one of the satellites  4  is received. Here, if no bet information is received (NO at S 114 ), a wait mode is entered until bet information is received. If bet information is received (YES at S 114 ), the process proceeds to S 115 . 
     At S 115 , the main control CPU  80  performs bet information processing. In the processing, the main control CPU  80  stores all the bet information currently received in the bet information storage area  82 A in the RAM  82 . Then, the process proceeds to S 116  in  FIG. 1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 24 , a plurality of files  301  are formed in the bet information storage area  82 A, and the plurality of files are corresponding respectively to the satellites  4 . Each file  301  includes an item number field  311 , a prediction data field  312 , a designated number-of-games field  313 , an executed number-of-games field  314  and a bet number-of-chips field  315 . 
     The main control CPU  80  stores the received bet information in the bet information storage area  82 A of the RAM  82  through the following processes. 
     First, the main control CPU  80  refers to the source address included in the bet information currently received and identifies the file  301  corresponding to the satellite  4  of the source address. Further, the main control CPU  80  identifies, from among all item numbers stored in the item number field  311  of the identified file  301 , an item number whose corresponding fields  312 ,  313 ,  314  and  315  are all free space. 
     Next, the main control CPU  80  stores the selected numbers included in the received bet information in the prediction data field  312  corresponding to the identified item number. 
     Further, the main control CPU  80  counts the selected numbers included in the received bet information. The counted value is stored in the designated number-of-games field  313 . 
     Further, the main control CPU  80  stores a value “0” in the executed number-of-games field  314  corresponding to the identified item number. 
     Further, the main control CPU  80  stores the number of chips included in the received bet information in the bet number-of-chips field  315  corresponding to the identified item number. 
     At S 116  referring back to  FIG. 1 , the main control CPU  80  performs savings processing.  FIG. 17  is a flowchart of savings processing program. In the processing, the main control CPU  80  determines at S 131  whether or not all the four selected numbers included in the received bet information are the same number. If not all the four selected numbers are the same number (NO at S 131 ), the process proceeds to S 132 . If less than four selected numbers are included in the received bet information, the process also proceeds to S 132 . 
     At S 132 , the main control CPU  80  performs first savings processing. In the processing, the main control CPU  80  saves, in a first progressive jackpot fund, 1.5% of the bet amount corresponding to the number of chips included in the received bet information. The first progressive jackpot fund is stored in the RAM  82 . Then the process proceeds to S 117  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Meanwhile, at S 131  in  FIG. 17 , if all four the selected numbers are the same number (YES at S 131 ), the process proceeds to S 133 . 
     At S 133 , the main control CPU  80  performs second savings processing. In the processing, the main control CPU  80  saves, in a second progressive jackpot fund, 1.5% of the bet amount corresponding to the number of chips included in the received bet information. The second progressive jackpot fund is stored in the RAM  82 . Then the process proceeds to S 117  in  FIG. 1 . 
     It should be noted that the savings processing is performed with respect to all the pieces of received bet information. 
     Next, the main control CPU  80  executes a game with the roulette wheel  3  in accordance with a game execution program. First, at S 117 , the ball discharging unit  85  throws the ball  16  onto the roulette wheel  3 . The thrown ball  16  rolls on the roulette wheel  3  along the guide wall  18 . When the rotation speed reduces and the centrifugal force is lost, the ball  16  rolls down the slope of the frame  11  and goes to the inside thereof and arrives at the rotating rotation disk  12  (see  FIG. 2  described above). 
     The ball  16  rolling to the rotation disk  12  further passes through the surfaces of the number indication plates  14  outside the rotating rotation disk  12  and is housed in any one of the ball housing groove  13 , and the number described on the number indication plate  14  corresponding to the ball housing groove  13  in which the ball  16  is housed (any one of “0”, “00”, “1” to “36”) becomes the winning number. 
     Subsequently, after the ball  16  is housed in the ball housing groove  13 , the main control CPU  80  performs winning number processing at S 118 . In this processing, the main control CPU  80  drives the win determination unit  84  for identifying to which number the ball housing groove  13  in which the ball is housed corresponds. The identified number (winning number) is stored in a winning number storage area  82 B of the RAM  82  by the main control CPU  80 . Further, the main control CPU  80  transmits winning number information in which the identified number (winning number) is included to all the satellites  4 . Then, the process proceeds to S 119 . 
     At S 119 , the main control CPU  80  performs number-of-games processing. In this processing, the main control CPU  80  increments “1” to the value stored in the executed number-of-games field  314  in each file  301 . Then the process proceeds to S 120 . 
     At S 120 , the main control CPU  80  performs number-of-games match determination. Specifically, the main control CPU  80  performs the determination based on the values stored in the fields  313  and  314  by item number in each file  301 . Then the process proceeds to S 121 . 
     At S 121 , the main control CPU  80  determines whether or not a number-of-games match is found. This determination is performed based on the determination of S 120  above. That is, if the values in fields  313  and  314  sharing the same item number are matched, the main control CPU  80  determines that there is a number-of-games match. Further, the main CPU  80  identifies an item number of the matched fields, and then identifies the file  301  including the item number. This identification is performed to all the item numbers in which the fields  313  and  314  have the same value. Here, if there is no number-of-games match (NO at S 121 ), the process proceeds to S 126  described later. Meanwhile, if there is a number-of-games match (YES at S 121 ), the process proceeds to S 122 . 
     At S 122 , the main control CPU  80  determines winning number match. This determination is performed with respect to all the item numbers identified at S 121  as above described. Here, the main CPU  80  determines how many selected numbers stored in the prediction data field  312  corresponding to one of the item numbers identified at the above S 121  match the winning numbers stored in the above S 118 . 
     The winning numbers to be used in the determination are as follows: 
     (1) The most recent four winning numbers, if “4” is stored as the designated number-of-games in the designated number-of-games field  313  corresponding the item number identified at the above S 121 ; 
     (2) The most recent three winning numbers, if “3” is stored as the designated number-of-games in the designated number-of-games field  313  corresponding the item number identified at the above S 121 ; 
     (3) The most recent two winning numbers, if “2” is stored as the designated number-of-games in the designated number-of-games field  313  corresponding the item number identified at the above S 121 ; and 
     (4) The most recent one winning number, if “1” is stored as the designated number-of-games in the designated number-of-games field  313  corresponding the item number identified at the above S 121 . 
     The above condition in the determination may include the number order. 
     After the determination is performed, the process proceeds to S 123 . 
     At S 123 , the main control CPU  80  performs award calculation processing.  FIG. 18  illustrates a flowchart of an award calculation processing program. The processing is performed with respect to each of the item numbers identified at the above S 121 . 
     The main control CPU  80  determines, at S 141 , whether all the maximum of four selected numbers stored in the prediction data field  312  corresponding to the item number identified at S 121  as above described is the same number or not. If not all four selected numbers are the same number (NO at S 141 ), the process proceeds to S 142 . If less than four selected numbers are stored in the prediction data field  312  corresponding to the item number identified at the above S 121 , the process also proceeds to S 142 . 
     At S 142 , the main control CPU  80  performs first award calculation processing. In the processing, the main control CPU  80  calculates the award amount based on the number of identical number pairs identified at the above S 122 , the number of chips stored in the bet number-of-chips field  315  corresponding to the item number identified at S 121  as above described, the award table  61  of  FIG. 7  and the like. Then the process proceeds to S 143 . 
     At S 143 , the main control CPU  80  performs first progressive jackpot processing. In this processing, the main control CPU  80  increments all the first jackpot fund to the calculated award amount if the number of identified number pairs identified at the above S 122  is “4”. Accordingly, the amount of the first jackpot fund immediately after the incrementing is “0”. Part of the first jackpot fund may be incremented to the calculated award amount, alternatively. Following this processing, the process proceeds to S 124  in  FIG. 1 . 
     At S 141  in  FIG. 18 , meanwhile, if all four selected numbers are the same number (YES at S 141 ), the process proceeds to S 144 . 
     At S 144 , the main control CPU  80  performs the second award calculation processing. In this processing, the main control CPU  80  calculates the award amount based on the number of identical number pairs identified at the above S 122 , the number of chips stored in the bet number-of-chips field  315  corresponding to the item number identified at S 121  as above described, the award table  161  in  FIG. 15  and the like. Then the process proceeds to S 145 . 
     At S 145 , the main control CPU  80  performs second progressive jackpot processing. In this processing, the main control CPU  80  increments the second jackpot fund to the calculated award amount if the number of identified number pairs identified at the above S 122  is “4”. Accordingly, the amount of the second jackpot fund immediately after the incrementing is “0”. Part of the second jackpot fund may be incremented to the calculated award amount, alternatively. Following this processing, the process proceeds to S 124  in  FIG. 1 . 
     At S 124 , the main control CPU  80  performs payout processing. In this processing, the main control CPU  80  creates payout information including the award amount calculated with respect to an item number identified at above-described S 121 . The payout information is transmitted to the satellite  4  corresponding to the file  301  of the item number currently identified by the main control CPU  80 . The creation and transmission are performed with respect to all the item numbers identified at above-described S 121 . The process then proceeds to S 125 . Here, the main control CPU  80  makes a set of fields  312 ,  313 ,  314  and  315  corresponding to the item number identified at S 121  free-space. 
     At S 125 , the ball collection unit  86  installed below the rotation disk  12  is driven for collecting the ball  16  on the rotation disk  12 . The collected ball  16  will again be thrown onto the roulette wheel  3  in the later game. Following S 125 , the process proceeds to S 101  in  FIG. 16  described above. 
     Meanwhile, the satellite control CPU  91  determines, at S 211  in  FIG. 1 , whether or not a bet period start signal transmitted from the main control section  83  is received or not. Here, if no bet period start signal is received (NO at S 211 ), a wait mode is held until a bet start signal is received. If a bet period start signal is received (YES at S 211 ), the process proceeds to S 212 . 
     At S 212 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs bet acceptance processing.  FIG. 19  is a flowchart of a bet acceptance processing program. In this processing, the second BET screen  33  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is displayed on the image display  7  of the satellite  4  used by the player, enabling the player to bet a chip. Other players can enter the game at midpoint and the roulette gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment allows a maximum of ten players to play the game. 
     At S 221  in  FIG. 19 , the satellite control CPU  91  determines whether or not the repeat button  201 D is pressed. Here, the determination is performed based on operation information transmitted from the touch panel  28 . If the repeat button  201 D is pressed (YES at S 221 ), the process proceeds to S 225  described later. If the repeat button  201 D is not pressed (NO at S 221 ), the process proceeds to S 222 . 
     At S 222 , the satellite control CPU  91  determines whether or not any one of the number-of-times buttons  201 A,  201 B and  201 C is pressed. Here, the determination is performed based on operation information transmitted from the touch panel  28 . If any one of the number-of-times buttons  201 A,  201 B and  201 C is pressed (YES at S 222 ), the process proceeds to S 224  described later. If none of the number-of-times buttons  201 A,  201 B and  201 C is pressed (NO at S 222 ), the process proceeds to S 223 . 
     At S 223 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs regular setting processing. In the processing, each player entering the game can operate the touch panel  28  during the bet period to select a maximum of four numbers (for example, “12”, “21”, “30” and “31”) and bet his or her chip (see  FIG. 4  described above). The specific bet method available in this processing is already described and therefore will not be discussed again. Following S 223 , the process proceeds to S 213  in  FIG. 1 . 
     At S 224  in  FIG. 19 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs same setting processing. Also in the processing, each player entering the game can operate the touch panel  28  during the bet period to select a maximum of four numbers and bet his or her chip. 
     However, if the number-of-times button  201 A is pressed before a numeric button  63  is pressed, the same number as indicated on the numeric button  63  pressed after the number-of-times button  201 A is pressed is selected twice in a row (for example, “3” and “3” as illustrated in  FIG. 20 ). 
     Also, if the number-of-times button  201 B is pressed before a numeric button  63  is pressed, the same number as indicated on the numeric button  63  pressed after the number-of-times button  201 B is pressed is selected three times in a row (for example, “4”, “4” and “4” as illustrated in  FIG. 21 ). 
     Also, if the number-of-times button  201 C is pressed before a numeric button  63  is pressed, the same number as indicated on the numeric button  63  pressed after the number-of-times button  201 C is pressed is selected four times in a row (for example, “5”, “5”, “5” and “5” as illustrated in  FIG. 22 ). 
     Following S 224 , the process proceeds to S 213  in  FIG. 1 . 
     At S 225  in  FIG. 19 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs repetitive setting processing. Also in the processing, each player entering the game can operate the touch panel  28  during the bet period to select a maximum of four numbers and bet his or her chip. 
     However in this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the same set of numbers as a set of all numbers displayed in the selected number display section  50  is repeatedly selected. 
     Following S 225 , the process proceeds to S 213  in  FIG. 1 . 
     At S 213  in  FIG. 1 , the satellite control CPU  91  determines whether or not a bet end signal transmitted from the main control section  83  is received. If the bet end signal is not received (NO at S 213 ), the process returns to the bet acceptance processing at S 212 . Accordingly, the current bet period continues. The current bet period is displayed with the BET timer graph  65 . When the bet period start signal is received, the red graph starts to extend to the right gradually. When the red graph extends to the rightmost side, the bet period in the current game expires. Meanwhile, if the bet end signal is received (YES at S 213 ), the process proceeds to S 214 . 
     At S 214 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs bet end processing. By the processing, the current bet period is terminated, and an image to the effect that the current bet period expires is displayed on the liquid crystal screen  29 . 
     In the lotto-type roulette game, however, a chip may be bet on the next game immediately after a predetermined period of bet expires, contrary to the usual roulette game. In this case, game efficiency can be improved. 
     Following S 214 , the process proceeds to S 215 . 
     At S 215 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs bet information processing. In the processing, the satellite control CPU  91  transmits the current bet information (source address, a maximum of four selected numbers and number of chips bet on the maximum of four selected numbers) to the main control section  83 . Then the process proceeds to S 216 . 
     At S 216 , the satellite control CPU  91  determines whether or not winning number information transmitted from the main control section  83  is received. Here, if no winning number information is received (NO at S 216 ), a wait mode is entered until the winning number information is received. If the winning number information is received (YES at S 216 ), the process proceeds to S 217 . 
     At S 217 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs winning number processing. In the processing, the satellite control CPU  91  transmits a control signal to the liquid crystal drive circuit  95 . Accordingly, the new winning number is displayed additionally in the result history display section  45  and the result number display section  54 . The new winning number is included in the winning number information thus received. Following S 217 , the process proceeds to S 218 . 
     At S 218 , the satellite control CPU  91  determines whether or not payout information transmitted from the main control section  83  is received. If no payout information is received (NO at S 218 ), the process returns to S 201  in  FIG. 16 . If payout information is received (YES at S 218 ), the process proceeds to S 219 . 
     At S 219 , the satellite control CPU  91  performs payout processing. In the processing, the credit data corresponding to the award amount included in the payout information is added to RAM  93  by the satellite control CPU  91 . Further, the satellite control CPU  91  transmits a control signal to the liquid crystal drive circuit  95 . Accordingly, displays in the payback result display section  48 , the credit points display section  49  and the win result display section  58  are updated. Then the process returns to S 201  in  FIG. 16 . 
     The usual roulette game played in each of the steps S 1  to S 12  and the lotto-type roulette game played in each of the step S 101  and steps that follow are carried out on one roulette gaming machine  1  at the same time. That is, the player can switch the display screen between the first BET screen  31  and the second BET screen  33  by pressing the screen switch button  34  or  46  displayed on the liquid crystal screen  29  and can play a lotto-type roulette game by displaying the second BET screen  33  while playing a usual roulette game using the first BET screen  31 . 
     [Conclusion] 
     As described above, the roulette gaming machine  1  according to the present embodiment enables the player to switch the display screen between the first BET screen  31  provided with the table betting board  30  like a usual betting table and the second BET screen  33  provided with the new number selection betting board  32  by pressing the screen switch button  34 ,  46 . 
     In the roulette game using the second BET screen  33 , the player can predict the game results in a given number of games including the current game and select the given number of numbers at a time from among the numbers (38 numbers of “0”, “00”, and “1” to “36”) displayed on the number indication plates  14  of the roulette wheel  3  using the number selection section  44 . Then, after game processing is performed the given number of times with the roulette wheel  3 , how many of the given number of selected numbers match the winning numbers is determined, and credit is paid out based on the match number count (the number of identical number pairs), so that the player can play the new lotto-type roulette game on one roulette gaming machine  1 . Therefore, the variety of game plays of the roulette gaming machine  1  can be increased and the player can continue to have interest in the game. 
     Further, in the lotto-type roulette game using the second BET screen  33 , credit award at a high ratio of 20000 times at the maximum may be given to the player, so that the desire of the player to play a game can be increased. 
     Further, the player can also play a usual roulette game of predicting only the current winning number on the first BET screen  31  using the table betting board  30  displayed by pressing the screen switch button  46 , so that bet considering various demands of the player is made possible. 
     [Others] 
     The invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. 
     For example, in the present embodiment, as for the bet method on the second BET screen  33 , the player predicts the game results in a maximum of four games including the current game and selects numbers for a maximum of four games at a time through the number selection section  44 , but the maximum number of selected numbers is not limited to four and any number can be employed if it is at least two. In that case, as the number of selected numbers increases, the ratio of award to be paid out to the winning player can be made larger. 
     In the present embodiment, as for the lotto-type roulette game using the second BET screen  33 , the award ratio of payout of credit responsive to the number of identical number pairs is fixed according to the award table  61  or  161  but may be changed at random from one game to another. 
     In the present embodiment, screen display is switched between the first BET screen  31  and the second BET screen  33  as the player presses the screen switch button  34 ,  46 , but the liquid crystal screen  29  may be divided into two parts of right and left parts or upper and lower parts for displaying the first BET screen  31  and the second BET screen  33  at the same time. This enables the player to play two types of games at the same time without the need for operating the screen switch button  34 ,  46  for switching the screen. 
     Although the embodiments of the present invention were described above, they were just illustrations of specific examples, and hence do not particularly restrict the present invention. A specific configuration of each step and the like is appropriately changeable in terms of design. Further, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are just recitations of the most suitable effects generated from the present invention. The effects of the present invention are thus not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. 
     Further, the foregoing detailed descriptions centered the characteristic parts of the present invention in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments in the foregoing specific descriptions but applicable to other embodiments with a variety of application ranges. Further, terms and phrases in the present specification were used not for restricting interpretation of the present invention but for precisely describing the present invention. It is considered easy for the skilled in the art to conceive other configurations, systems, methods and the like included in the concept of the present invention from the concept of the invention described in the specification. Therefore, it should be considered that recitations of the claims include uniform configurations in a range not departing from the range of technical principles of the present invention. Moreover, an object of the abstract is to enable a patent office, a general public institution, an engineer belonging to the technical field who is unfamiliar with patent, technical jargon or legal jargon, and the like, to smoothly determine technical contents and an essence of the present application with simple investigation. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention which should be evaluated by recitations of the claims. Furthermore, for thorough understanding of an object of the present invention and an effect specific to the present invention, it is desired to make interpretation in full consideration of documents already disclosed and the like. 
     The foregoing detailed descriptions include processing executed on a computer. Explanations and expressions above are described with the aim of being most efficiently understood by the skilled person in the art. In the specification, each step for use in deriving one result should be understood as the self-consistent processing. Further, in each step, transmission/reception, recording or the like of an electrical or magnetic signal is performed. While such a signal is expressed by using a bit, a value, a symbol, a letter, a term, a number or the like in processing of each step, it should be noted that those are used simply for the sake of convenience in description. While there are cases where processing in each step may be described using an expression in common with that of action of a human, processing described in the specification is essentially executed by a variety of devices. Further, other configurations requested for performing each step should become apparent from the above descriptions.