Abstract:
A gaming machine of the present invention provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; and to control the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-005382, filed on Jan. 15, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to a gaming machine that provides a game using symbols and an effect process, and to a control method thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    When a player inserts a game medium such as coin or bill into an insertion slot of a gaming machine and presses a spin button, symbols are scroll-displayed in a display mounted on a front of a cabinet and the respective symbols are then stopped automatically. 
         [0006]    According to the above gaming machine, for example, when the symbols stopped on a payline constitute a predetermined combination, the predetermined number of game media are paid out (refer to U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,999 B2, U.S. Patent No. 2002065124A1). In addition, when a certain symbol referred to as scattered symbol is displayed on the display after the scroll, the predetermined number of game media are paid out in accordance with the number of scattered symbols displayed, irrespective of the payline. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The gaming machine provides a player with a base game and a bonus game that is advantageous to the player than the base game. The base game is a game using the symbols. In the bonus game, in the display, it is displayed, as an effect, an image that balls are successively thrown toward a basket. When a predetermined number of the balls are put in the basket, a payout is awarded. Herein, when the bonus game is started, the number of the balls, which are put in the basket, is determined in advance and an effect is made in accordance with the determined result. Since the effect does not influence on a result of a game using the symbols, the player derives little pleasure from the game. 
         [0008]    An object of the invention is to provide a gaming machine that provides a player with a new entertainment characteristic and a control method thereof. 
         [0009]    According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine that provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; and to control the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game. 
         [0010]    According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine that provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; to control the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game; and to change a payout number relating to a winning in accordance with the special form. 
         [0011]    According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine that provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; and to control the first display so that a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received, while the symbols are variably displayed and stopped in the first game, the special symbol being replaceable with any one of all the symbols. 
         [0012]    According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine that provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; a communicator that communicates with a host computer, the host computer managing a plurality of gaming machines including the gaming machine and dividing the gaming machines into groups which correspond to the receivers, respectively; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; to control the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game; to transmit a data item relating to the receiver in which the ball is received to the host computer via the communicator; and to receive a payout data item about a special payout from the host computer via the communicator and to perform a special payout based on the payout data item, when the gaming machine belongs to a group corresponding to the receiver based on the data item relating to the receiver. 
         [0013]    According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine that provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; to control the first display so that a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received, while the symbols are variably displayed and stopped in the first game, the special symbol being replaceable with any one of all the symbols, and to change a payout number relating to a winning in accordance with the special symbol fixedly displayed. 
         [0014]    According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine that provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; a communicator that communicates with a host computer, the host computer managing a plurality of gaming machines including the gaming machine and dividing the gaming machines into groups which correspond to the receivers, respectively; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; to control the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game; to change a payout number relating to a winning in accordance with the special form; to transmit a data item relating to the receiver in which the ball is received to the host computer via the communicator; and to receive a payout data item about a special payout from the host computer via the communicator and to perform a special payout based on the payout data item, when the gaming machine belongs to a group corresponding to the receiver based on the data item relating to the receiver. 
         [0015]    According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine that provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; a communicator that communicates with a host computer, the host computer managing a plurality of gaming machines including the gaming machine and dividing the gaming machines into groups which correspond to the receivers, respectively; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; to control the first display so that a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received, while the symbols are variably displayed and stopped in the first game, the special symbol being replaceable with any one of all the symbols; to transmit a data item relating to the receiver in which the ball is received to the host computer via the communicator; and to receive a payout data item about a special payout from the host computer via the communicator and to perform a special payout based on the payout data item, when the gaming machine belongs to a group corresponding to the receiver based on the data item relating to the receiver. 
         [0016]    According to a eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine that provides a first game and a second game different from the first game. The gaming machine comprises: a first display that displays a plurality of areas in which symbols are displayed; a second display that displays a plurality of receivers corresponding to the respective areas; a communicator that communicates with a host computer, the host computer managing a plurality of gaming machines including the gaming machine and dividing the gaming machines into groups which correspond to the receivers, respectively; and a processor. The processor operates: to control the first display to variably display and then to stop the symbols in the first game; to determine a winning of the first game in accordance with the stopped symbols; to control the second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of the receivers, in the second game; to control the first display so that a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received, while the symbols are variably displayed and stopped in the first game, the special symbol being replaceable with any one of all the symbols; to change a payout number relating to a winning in accordance with the special symbol fixedly displayed; to transmit a data item relating to the receiver in which the ball is received to the host computer via the communicator; and to receive a payout data item about a special payout from the host computer via the communicator and to perform a special payout based on the payout data item, when the gaming machine belongs to a group corresponding to the receiver based on the data item relating to the receiver. 
         [0017]    According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method of a gaming machine comprising the steps of: controlling a first display to variably display and then to stop a plurality of symbols in a first game; determining a winning of the first game in accordance with the symbols stopped in the first display; controlling a second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of a plurality of receivers which correspond to the respective areas, in a second game different from the first game; and controlling the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game. 
         [0018]    According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method of a gaming machine comprising the steps of: controlling a first display to variably display and then to stop a plurality of symbols in a first game; determining a winning of the first game in accordance with the symbols stopped in the first display; controlling a second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of a plurality of receivers which correspond to the respective areas, in a second game different from the first game; controlling the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game; and changing a payout number relating to a winning in accordance with the special form. 
         [0019]    According to a eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method of a gaming machine comprising the steps of: controlling a first display to variably display and then to stop a plurality of symbols in a first game; determining a winning of the first game in accordance with the symbols stopped in the first display; controlling a second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of a plurality of receivers which correspond to the respective areas, in a second game different from the first game; and controlling the first display so that a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received, while the symbols are variably displayed and stopped in the first game, the special symbol being replaceable with any one of all the symbols. 
         [0020]    According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method of a gaming machine comprising the steps of: controlling a first display to variably display and then to stop a plurality of symbols in a first game; determining a winning of the first game in accordance with the symbols stopped in the first display; controlling a second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of a plurality of receivers which correspond to the respective areas, in a second game different from the first game; controlling the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game; transmitting a data item relating to the receiver in which the ball is received to a host computer that manages a plurality of gaming machines including the gaming machine and divides them into groups which correspond to the receivers, respectively; and receiving a payout data item about a special payout from the host computer and performing a special payout based on the payout data item, when the gaming machine belongs to a group corresponding to the receiver based on the data item relating to the receiver. 
         [0021]    According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method of a gaming machine comprising the steps of: controlling a first display to variably display and then to stop a plurality of symbols in a first game; determining a winning of the first game in accordance with the symbols stopped in the first display; controlling a second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of a plurality of receivers which correspond to the respective areas, in a second game different from the first game; controlling the first display so that a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received, while the symbols are variably displayed and stopped in the first game, the special symbol being replaceable with any one of all the symbols; and changing a payout number relating to a winning in accordance with the special symbol fixedly displayed. 
         [0022]    According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method of a gaming machine comprising the steps of: controlling a first display to variably display and then to stop a plurality of symbols in a first game; determining a winning of the first game in accordance with the symbols stopped in the first display; controlling a second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of a plurality of receivers which correspond to the respective areas, in a second game different from the first game; controlling the first display so that a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received is displayed in a special form, in the first game; changing a payout number relating to a winning in accordance with the special form; transmitting a data item relating to the receiver in which the ball is received to a host computer that manages a plurality of gaming machines including the gaming machine and divides them into groups which correspond to the receivers, respectively; and receiving a payout data item about a special payout from the host computer and performing a special payout based on the payout data item, when the gaming machine belongs to a group corresponding to the receiver based on the data item relating to the receiver. 
         [0023]    According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method of a gaming machine comprising the steps of: controlling a first display to variably display and then to stop a plurality of symbols in a first game; determining a winning of the first game in accordance with the symbols stopped in the first display; controlling a second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of a plurality of receivers which correspond to the respective areas, in a second game different from the first game; controlling the first display so that a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received, while the symbols are variably displayed and stopped in the first game, the special symbol being replaceable with any one of all the symbols; transmitting a data item relating to the receiver in which the ball is received to a host computer that manages a plurality of gaming machines including the gaming machine and divides them into groups which correspond to the receivers, respectively; and receiving a payout data item about a special payout from the host computer and performing a special payout based on the payout data item, when the gaming machine belongs to a group corresponding to the receiver based on the data item relating to the receiver. 
         [0024]    According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a control method of a gaming machine comprising the steps of: controlling a first display to variably display and then to stop a plurality of symbols in a first game; determining a winning of the first game in accordance with the symbols stopped in the first display; controlling a second display to display an image that a ball is received in any of a plurality of receivers which correspond to the respective areas, in a second game different from the first game; controlling the first display so that a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which the ball is received, while the symbols are variably displayed and stopped in the first game, the special symbol being replaceable with any one of all the symbols; changing a payout number relating to a winning in accordance with the special symbol fixedly displayed; transmitting a data item relating to the receiver in which the ball is received to a host computer that manages a plurality of gaming machines including the gaming machine and divides them into groups which correspond to the receivers, respectively; and receiving a payout data item about a special payout from the host computer and performing a special payout based on the payout data item, when the gaming machine belongs to a group corresponding to the receiver based on the data item relating to the receiver. 
         [0025]    In the above first to sixteenth aspects, a result of a second game influences on a first game. Thereby, a new entertainment characteristic is provided to a player. To be more specific, in the first, second, fourth, sixth, ninth, tenth, twelfth and fourteenth aspects, a symbol in an area corresponding to a receiver in which a ball is received is displayed in a special form, so that a winning probability of the first game is increased or decreased. In the third, fifth, seventh, eighth, eleventh, thirteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth aspects, a special symbol is fixedly displayed in an area corresponding to a receiver in which a ball is received, so that a winning probability of the first game is increased. In addition, in the second, fifth, sixth, eighth, tenth, thirteenth, fourteenth and sixteenth aspects, a payout number relating to a winning is increased or decreased in accordance with the special form or the special symbol fixedly displayed. Furthermore, in the fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth, twelfth, fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth aspects, a benefit called as a special payout may be provided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing that gaming machines according to an embodiment of the invention are connected in communication with a host computer; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view showing an external appearance of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows an example of an image that is displayed in a center display of the gaming machine in a base game; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a data table of symbols depicted on each display window; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  show examples of an effect image that is displayed in each of a center display and an upper display of the gaming machine in a bonus game; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  are block diagrams showing an electrical structure of the gaming machine; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  shows a payout table; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing a game process that is executed by the gaming machine; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart showing a bonus game process that is executed by the gaming machine. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart showing an effect process that is performed during a bonus game; 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart showing a special payout process that is performed by the gaming machine; 
           [0038]      FIG. 14  is a flow chart showing a WILD symbol display process that is performed by the gaming machine; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart showing a payout data transmit process that is performed by a host computer. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    Hereinafter, it will be described an embodiment of a gaming machine according to the invention with reference to the drawings. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , gaming machines  1  according to an embodiment of the invention are equipped in a game arcade such as casino, and connected in communication with a host computer  200  via an internet network  300 , respectively. Each of the gaming machines  1  provides a player with a base game and a bonus game that is more advantageous to the player than the base game. As described below, in a bonus game, a sub game using the symbols same as in a base game is executed one or several times and an effect process, which will be described later, is executed whenever the sub game is executed three times. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the gaming machine  1  has a cabinet  3  that is longitudinally long. To a front face of the cabinet are provided an upper display  4 A, a center display  4 B and a sub display  4 C. 
         [0043]    The upper display  4 A has a transparent liquid crystal panel fixed to a front door of the cabinet  3  and displays an upper effect image  40   a  (refer to  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) in an effect process that is performed during a bonus game, which will be described later. 
         [0044]    The center display  4 B also has a transparent liquid crystal panel that is fixed to the front door of the cabinet  3 . In a base game, the center display  4 B performs a display as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . To be more specific, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the center display  4 B is provided with five transparent display windows  7 A,  7 B,  7 C,  7 D,  7 E. A player plays a base game while seeing that the symbols  180  are scrolled in each of the display windows  7 A to  7 E. Each of the display windows  7 A to  7 E is divided into an upper stage  7   a , a central stage  7   b  and a lower stage  7   c . At the time when the scroll display is ended in the base game, the symbols  180  are stopped in the respective upper stage  7   a , central stage  7   b  and lower stage  7   c . Accordingly, the display windows  7 A to  7 E display the symbols  180  in a matrix type of 5 colums/3 rows. For example, in  FIG. 3 , “PLUM” is stopped in the upper stage  7   a  of the display window  7 A, “ORANGE” is stopped in the central stage  7   b  of the display window  7 A and “PLUM” is stopped in the lower stage  7   c  of the display window  7 A. 
         [0045]    A payline L is provided which horizontally traverses the central stages  7   b  of the display windows  7 A to  7 E. A winning is determined depending on a combination of the symbols  180  stopped on the payline L. When a winning is made, a payout is awarded or a game state is shifted to a bonus game, in accordance with a combination of the symbols  180  on the payline L. The “payout” means awarding a game medium to a player. The game medium may include the credits to be stored in the gaming machine  1 , in addition to a coin. In payment, a credit-number relating to a combination of the symbols is added to a current credit-number or a predetermined number of coins is discharged to a coin tray  19  that will be described later. 
         [0046]    The symbols  180  include eight types of “JACKPOT 7,” “BLUE 7,” “BELL,” “CHERRY,” “STRAWBERRY,” “PLUM,” “ORANGE” and “APPLE.” As shown in  FIG. 4 , 22 symbols  180 , which are combined in different orders, are sequentially displayed in each of the display windows  7 A to  7 E. The symbols  180  are given with code numbers of 0 to 21 in an order. 
         [0047]    For example, when a symbol of “APPLE” is arranged on the payline L, the game state is shifted to a bonus game. When a symbol of “CHERRY” is arranged on the payline L, 20 coins are paid out per one bet. When a symbol of “PLUM” is arranged on the payline L, 5 coins are paid out per one bet. 
         [0048]    Back to  FIG. 2 , a payout-number indicator  8  and a credit-number indicator  9  are disposed above the display windows  7 A to  7 E in the center display  4 B. The center display  4 B also displays a moving picture to carry out an effect when a winning is made. 
         [0049]    The center display  4 B displays a central effect image  40   b  (refer to  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) in an effect process that is performed during a bonus game. In an effect process in a bonus game, a player sees an upper effect image  40   a  displayed in the upper display  4 A and a central effect image  40   b  displayed in the center display  4 B. 
         [0050]    Here, examples of the effect images  40   a ,  40   b  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0051]    Pins  46  arranged at a predetermined distance, five receivers  42   a ,  42   b ,  42   c ,  42   d ,  42   e , a gate  47  and a second passage  48   b  through which a ball  41  passes are displayed in the upper effect image  40   a . A first passage  48   b  through which the ball  41  passes is displayed in the central effect image  40   b  in addition to the display windows  7 A to  7 E. The receivers  42   a  to  42   e  correspond to the display window  7 A to  7 E, respectively. 
         [0052]    The ball  41  is a same display form as a WILD symbol  181 . The WILD symbol  181  is a special symbol that is displayed in a bonus game only and can be replaced with any of the symbols  180 . For example, the WILD symbol  181  can be considered as a symbol of “PLUM” or “ORANGE”. 
         [0053]    The gaming machines  1 , which are managed by the host computer  200 , are divided into five groups. The receiver  42   a , the receiver  42   b , the receiver  42   c , the receiver  42   d  and the receiver  42   e  correspond to a first group, a second group, a third group, a fourth group and a fifth group, respectively. 
         [0054]    When an effect process is started in a bonus game, the ball  41  is shot upwards in the central effect image  40   b . The ball  41  passes through the first passage  48   a . When the ball reaches a top of the passage  48   a , the ball disappears from the central effect image  40   b  and moves to the second passage  48   b  of the upper effect image  40   b . Then, the ball passes through the second passage  48   b , is throw away left from an exit of the passage  48   b , and is dropped while colliding with the pins  46  and thus changing a direction. When the ball  41  passes through the gate  47 , the number of the ball  41  is doubled and becomes two. When the ball  41  is received in any one of the receivers  42   a  to  42   e , the WILD symbol  181  is sequentially displayed from a lower stage of the corresponding display window. The WILD symbol  180  is fixedly displayed at a corresponding location in a sub game that is performed after an effect process and is erased when the bonus game ends. In addition, as described below with reference to  FIG. 13 , a gaming machine  1 , which belongs to a group corresponding to the receivers  42   a  to  42   e  in which the ball  41  is received, performs a special payout. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  shows an example in which when the ball  41  is received in the receiver  42   d  without passing through the gate  47 , the WILD symbol  181  is displayed in a lower stage of the display window  7 D corresponding to the receiver  42   d .  FIG. 6  shows an example in which the two balls  41  are received in the receiver  42   d  and the one ball  41  has been received in the receiver  42   e , so that the WILD symbol  181  has been already displayed in the lower and central stages of the display window  7 D and the lower stage of the display window  7 E, and the ball  41  is received in the receiver  42   b  without passing through the gate  47 , so that the WILD symbol  181  is displayed in the lower stage of the display window  7 B corresponding to the receiver  42   b . 
         [0056]    Again referring to  FIG. 2 , a card reader  15  is provided to a right side of the sub display  4 C. The card reader  15  reads the data from a smart card possessed by a player, or writes the data to the smart card. The sub display  4 C displays the credit-number read by the card reader  15 , the summed credit-number obtained by adding the credit-number acquired in a game to the corresponding credit-number, and the like. The “credit-number acquired in a game” corresponds to an amount of money that is paid out based on a display result of the center display  4 B. For example, when a combination of the symbols about a winning is displayed in the center display  4 B in a base game, the credit-number resulting from the combination of the symbols is added to the current credit-number. A ticket printer  14  that prints the current credit-number and the like onto a ticket is provided to a left side of the sub display  4 C. 
         [0057]    A control panel  10  that forward protrudes from the front of the cabinet  3  is provided below the sub display  4 C. On the control panel  10  is arranged a button group  11  including a BET button, a start button, and the like. The BET button is pushed in betting, and the start button is pushed in starting a game. In addition, the control panel  10  is provided with a coin insertion slot  12  and a bill insertion slot  13 . 
         [0058]    In the front of the cabinet  3 , a sub-panel  17  is provided below the control panel  10 . The sub-panel  17  is a plastic panel having a game-related image printed thereto and is outward illuminated by a cold cathode tube. A coin tray  19  that receives the coins discharged is disposed below the sub-panel  17 . 
         [0059]    In the front of the cabinet  3 , protrusions  21  that are outward protruded in a bow shape are formed at both sides of the upper display  4 A and the center display  4 B. Side lamps  22  are arranged at the respective protrusions  21 . The cabinet  3  is provided at both sides thereof with speakers  23  so that they protrude in an arc shape. Speaker lamps  24  are arranged along edges of the speakers  23 . Under lamps  25  are arranged along a lower edge of the sub-panel  17 . To an upper part of the upper display  4 A are provided top lamps  26  including a pair of right and left lamps  26   a  and band-shaped lamps  26  that are horizontally arranged between the power lamps  26   a.    
         [0060]    In the followings, an electrical structure of the gaming machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the gaming machine  1  comprises a main control substrate  71 . The main control substrate  71  comprises a microcomputer  71 , a random number generator  35 , a sampling circuit  36 , a clock pulse generating circuit  37 , a frequency dividing circuit  38 , a lamp driving circuit  61 , a hopper driving circuit  63 , a payout completion signal circuit  65 , an indicator driving circuit  67  and an image control circuit  68 . 
         [0061]    The microcomputer  31  has a main CPU  32 , a RAM  33  and a ROM  34 . The main CPU  32  operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM  34  and executes an input/output of a signal to and from the other components through an I/O port  39 , thereby controlling an overall operation of the gaming machine  1 . The RAM  34  stores data of the symbols  180  including the code numbers, data or program that is used when the main CPU  32  operates, and the like. For example, after a game starts, the RAM  33  temporarily maintains a random number that is sampled by the sampling circuit  36 . In addition, the RAM  33  stores a payout table shown in  FIG. 9 . The ROM  34  stores a program that is executed by the main CPU  32 , permanent data and the like. 
         [0062]    The random number generator  35  operates and generates a random number within a predetermined range, in accordance with an instruction of the main CPU  32 . The sampling circuit  36  samples any random number of the random numbers that are generated by the random number generator  35  and inputs the sampled random number into the main CPU  32 , in accordance with an instruction of the main CPU  32 . The clock pulse generating circuit  37  generates a reference clock for operating the main CPU  32 . The frequency dividing circuit  38  inputs a signal, which the reference clock is divided in a predetermined period, to the main CPU  32 . 
         [0063]    The main control substrate  71  is connected with the button group  11 . A signal corresponding to the push of each button included in the button group  11  is inputted into the main CPU  32  via the I/O port  39 . 
         [0064]    In addition, the main control substrate  71  is connected with a bill validator  58 , a coin counter  59 , a ticket printer  14 , a card reader  15  and a communication interface  69 . 
         [0065]    The bill validator  58  reads an image of bill inserted into the bill insertion slot  13  and receives the normal bill in the cabinet  3 . When receiving the normal bill, the bill validator  58  inputs a signal to the main CPU  32  based on an amount of the bill. The main CPU  32  having received the signal stores a credit-number in the RAM  33 , which corresponds to the amount of bill. 
         [0066]    The coin counter  59  is provided in the coin insertion slot  12  and identifies whether the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot  12  by a player is normal or not. The abnormal coin is discharged to the coin tray  19 . In addition, the coin counter  59  inputs a signal to the main CPU  32  when it detects a normal coin. 
         [0067]    The ticket printer  14  prints a barcode on a ticket, in which data stored in the RAM  33  such as credit-number, the day and time, the identification number of the gaming machine  1  and the like is coded, and outputs a ticket having the barcode attached thereto. 
         [0068]    The card reader  15  reads the data from a smart card possessed by a player to transmit it to the main CPU  32 , or writes the data to the smart card based on a control signal from the main CPU  32 . 
         [0069]    The communication interface  69  communicates with the host computer  200 . 
         [0070]    The lamp driving circuit  61  outputs a lighting-on or lighting-off signal to the lamps  22 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26  so as to perform an illumination effect. 
         [0071]    The hopper driving circuit  63  drives a hopper  64  under control of the main CPU  32 . The hopper  64  operates to discharge a coin to the coin tray  19 . The payout completion signal circuit  65  is connected with the coin sensor  66 . The coin sensor  66  counts the coins that are discharged as the hopper  64  is driven, thereby inputting count data to the payout completion signal circuit  65 . The payout completion signal circuit  65  inputs a payout completion signal to the main CPU  32  when the discharged coin-number reaches a predetermined number, based on the count data from the coin sensor  66 . The indicator driving circuit  67  controls the display operations of the payout-number indicator  8 , the credit-number indicator  9  and the sub display  4 C. 
         [0072]    The image control circuit  68  controls the upper display  4 A to display the upper effect image  40   a  in an effect process that is performed during a bonus game. The image control circuit  68  has an approximately same structure as an image control circuit  81  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) included in a sub-control substrate  72 . 
         [0073]    Further, the main control substrate  71  is connected with a sub-control substrate  71 . In a base game, the sub-control substrate  72  controls the display of the center display  4 B and the voice output of the speakers  23 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the sub-control substrate  71  is a separate substrate from the main control substrate  71  and comprises a sub microcomputer  73 , a sound source IC  78 , a power AMP  79  serving as an amplifier and an image control circuit  81 . The sound source IC  78  controls a voice sound outputted from the speakers  23 . The image control circuit  81  controls the display of the center display  4 B. 
         [0074]    The sub microcomputer  73  has a sub CPU  74 , a program ROM  75 , a work RAM  76 , an IN port  77  and an OUT port  80 . The sub CPU  74  performs a control operation in accordance with a control command transmitted from the main control substrate  71 . Although the sub-control substrate  72  does not have a clock pulse generating circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, a random number generator and a sampling circuit, the sub CPU  74  executes a random number sampling on the operating program. The program ROM  76  stores a control program that is executed by the sub CPU  74 . The work RAM  76  temporarily stores the data when the sub CPU  74  executes the control program. 
         [0075]    The image control circuit  81  has an image control CPU  82 , an image control work RAM  83 , an image control program ROM  84 , an IN port  85 , an image ROM  86 , a video RAM  87  and an image control IC  88 . The image control CPU  82  determines an image that is displayed in the center display  4 B in a base game, in accordance with the image control program stored in the image control program ROM  84 , based on a parameter that is set by the sub microcomputer  73 . 
         [0076]    The image control program ROM  84  stores an image control program that is related to a display in the center display  4 B, or various selection tables. The image control work RAM  83  temporarily stores the data when the image control CPU  82  executes the image control program. The image control IC  88  forms an image that is determined by the image control CPU  82  and outputs it to the center display  4 B. 
         [0077]    The image ROM  86  stores dot data for forming an image. The video RAM  87  temporarily stores the data when the image control IC  88  forms the image data. 
         [0078]    Although not shown, the host computer  200  has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication interface and the like. 
         [0079]    In the followings, a payout table will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 . A payout table is stored in the RAM  33  of the main control substrate  71 . In the payout table, payouts depending on types of the symbols arranged on the payline L are set for each of a base game and a bonus game. In addition, in a bonus game, the payouts are set in accordance with the number of the WILD symbols  181 . In a base game and a bonus game, even when the same symbols are arranged on the payline L, the payouts may be different. For example, in a case where a symbol of “BELL” is arranged on the payline L, 10 is paid out in a base game, and in a bonus game, 10 and 20 are respectively paid out when the number of the WILD symbol  181  is 0 and when the number of the WILD symbol  181  is 6 to 10. In a bonus game, the payout to be awarded when the number of the WILDA symbol  181  is 0 is same as in the base game. The more the number of the WILD symbol  181 , the more payouts. 
         [0080]    In the followings, a game process that is executed by the gaming machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . When the main CPU  32  reads out a game program stored in the ROM  34 , a game process is progressed. 
         [0081]    Firstly, the main CPU  32  determines whether a bet is made, based on whether it receives a signal accompanying with the push of the BET button (S 10 ). When a bet is not made (S 10 , NO), the process of S 10  is repeated. In other words, the main CPU stands by until a bet is made. 
         [0082]    When a bet is made (S 10 , YES), the main CPU  32  subtracts the credit-number stored in the RAM  33  by the amount of money bet (S 11 ). When the amount of money bet is larger than the credit-number stored in the RAM  33 , or when the amount of money bet exceeds an upper limit capable of being bet in one game, i.e., maximum betting amount of money, the main CPU proceeds to a step of S 12  without the step of S 11  of subtracting the credit-number. In this embodiment, the maximum betting amount of money is 50. 
         [0083]    Then, the main CPU  32  determines whether to start a game, based on whether a signal accompanying with the push of the start button is received (S 12 ). When the start button is not pushed (S 12 , NO), the process is returned to the step of S 10 . For example, when the start button is not pushed and an instruction to end the game is inputted, the subtraction process of S 10  is canceled. 
         [0084]    When the start button is pushed (S 12 , YES), the main CPU  32  executes the symbol determining program stored in the ROM  34 , thereby determining the symbols  180  to be stopped after the scroll display in the display windows  7 A to  7 E (S 13 ). 
         [0085]    Then, the main CPU  32  controls the center display  4 B so that the symbols  180  are scroll-displayed in the display windows  7 A to  7 E (S 14 ). The main CPU  32  controls the center display  4 B so that the symbols determined in the step of S 13  are stopped in the display windows  7 A to  7 E. 
         [0086]    Then, the main CPU  32  determines whether a winning is made, based on whether a combination of the symbols stopped on the payline L is a predetermined combination (S 15 ). When a winning is not made (S 15 , NO), this routine is ended. When a winning is made (S 15 , YES), a payout is awarded which corresponds to the combination of the symbols stopped on the payline L, based on the payout table shown in  FIG. 9  (S 16 ). 
         [0087]    Then, the main CPU  32  determines whether to shift the game state to a bonus game (S 17 ). In this embodiment, when a symbol of “APPLE” is arranged on the payline L, the game state is shifted to a bonus game. When it is determined not to shift the game state to a bonus game (S 17 , NO), this routine is ended. When it is determined to shift the game state to a bonus game (S 17 , YES), a bonus game process is executed which will be described later (S 18 ). The main CPU  32  ends this routine after executing the bonus game process. 
         [0088]    In the followings, a bonus game process that is executed by the gaming machine  1  will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . 
         [0089]    Firstly, the main CPU  32  determines the number (T) of the sub games to be executed in a bonus game (A 1 ). The sub game is same as a base game and means such a series of operations that the symbols  180  are scroll-displayed in the display windows  7 A to  7 E and a payout depending on a combination of the symbols stopped on the payline L is awarded. Therefore, processes of A 5 , A 6 , A 7 , A 8 , A 9 , A 10  and A 11  described below are approximately same as those of S 10 , S 11 , S 12 , S 13 , S 14 , S 15  and S 16  in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0090]    After the process of A 1 , the main CPU  32  determines whether a sub game, which will be performed from now, is a 3n-th game (n: natural number) (A 2 ). When the sub game is a 3n-th game (A 2 : YES), an effect process that will be described later is executed (A 3 ). 
         [0091]    When the sub game is not a 3n-th game (A 2 : NO) or after the process of A 3 , the main CPU  32  determines whether a bet is made or not (A 5 ). When a bet is not made (A 5 : NO), the process of A 5  is repeated. In other words, the main CPU waits until a bet is made. When a bet is mage (A 5 : YES), the main CPU subtracts the credit-number stored in the RAM  33  by the bet number (A 6 ). When the amount of money bet is larger than the credit-number stored in the RAM  33 , or when the amount of money bet exceeds an upper limit capable of being bet in one game, i.e., maximum betting amount of money, the main CPU proceeds to a step of A 7  without the step of A 6  of subtracting the credit-number. 
         [0092]    Then, the main CPU  32  determines whether to start a sub game, based on whether a signal accompanying with the push of the start button is received (A 7 ). When the start button is not pushed (A 7 , NO), the process is returned to the step of A 5 . For example, when the start button is not pushed and an instruction to end the game is inputted, the subtraction process of A 6  is canceled. 
         [0093]    When the start button is pushed (A 7 , YES), the main CPU  32  executes the symbol determining program stored in the ROM  34 , thereby determining the symbols  180  to be stopped after the scroll display in the display windows  7 A to  7 E (A 8 ). 
         [0094]    Then, the main CPU  32  controls the center display  4 B so that the symbols  180  are scroll-displayed in the display windows  7 A to  7 E (A 9 ). The main CPU  32  controls the center display  4 B so that the symbols determined in the step of A 8  are stopped in the display windows  7 A to  7 E. At this time, the WILD symbol  181  displayed due to the effect process of A 3  is as it is displayed at corresponding locations in the display windows  7 A to  7 E. 
         [0095]    Then, the main CPU  32  determines whether a winning is made, based on whether a combination of the symbols stopped on the payline L is a predetermined combination (A 10 ). At this time, when the WILD symbol  181  is displayed on the payline L, a winning probability is increased. When a win is made (A 10 : YES), a payout based on the payout table shown in  FIG. 9  is awarded (A 11 ). The payout is determined in accordance with the symbol relating to a win and the number of the WILD symbol  181 . 
         [0096]    When a win is not made (A 10 : NO), or after the process of A 11 , the main CPU  32  subtracts the number (T) of the sub game by “1” (A 12 ). Then, the main CPU determines whether the number (T) of sub game is “0” or not (A 13 ). When the number (T) is not “0” (A 13 : NO), the process is returned to A 2 . When the number (T) is “0” (A 13 : YES), the main CPU  32  transmits a bonus game ending signal to the sub control substrate  71  (A 14 ). Then, this sub routine is ended. 
         [0097]    In the followings, an effect process that is performed in A 3  will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
         [0098]    Firstly, the main CPU  32  determines the upper display  4 A and the center display  4 B so that the upper effect image  40   a  and the central effect image  40   b  are displayed (B 1 ). Then, the main CPU  32  controls the center display  4 B so that the ball  41  is shot upward in the central effect image  40   b  (B 2 ). The shot ball  41  passes through the first passage  48   a  and moves to the second passage  48   b  of the upper effect image  40   b.    
         [0099]    Then, the main CPU  32  controls the upper display  4 A so that the ball  41  is thrown away left from the exit of the second passage  48   b  (B 3 ). Then, the main CPU  32  determines whether the ball  41  has passed through the gate  47  (B 4 ). When the ball  41  has passed through the gate  47  (B 4 : YES), the main CPU makes the number of the ball  41  double, i.e., two (B 5 ). 
         [0100]    When the ball  41  has not passed through the gate  47  (B 4 : NO), or after the process of B 5 , the main CPU  32  determines whether one or two balls  41  have been received in any one of the receivers  42   a  to  42   e  (B 6 ). When one or two balls  41  are not received in any one of the receivers  42   a  to  42   e  (B 6 : NO), the process of B 6  is repeated. In other words, the main CPU waits until one or two balls  41  are received in any one of the receivers  42   a  to  42   e . When one or two balls  41  are received in any one of the receivers  42   a  to  42   e  (B 6 : YES), the main CPU  32  transmits to the sub CPU  74  of the sub control substrate  72  and the host computer  200  a signal relating to a result of the receiver in which the ball  41  is received (B 7 ). Then, the main CPU  32  controls the upper display  4 A and the center display  4 B so that the upper effect image  40   a  and the central effect image  40   b  are erased (B 8 ). Then, this sub routine is ended. 
         [0101]    The main CPU  32  further executes a special payout process shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0102]    Firstly, the main CPU  32  determines whether it receives payout data of a special payout from the host computer  200  (C 1 ). When the data is not received (C 1 : NO), the process of C 1  is repeated. In other words, the main CPU waits until the payout data is received. When the data is received (C 1 : YES), the main CPU  32  controls the sub substrate  72  so that a message indicating that a special payout will be awarded is notified in the center display  4 B, as shown in  FIG. 3  (C 2 ). Then, the main CPU awards a special payout based on the payout data received (C 3 ). 
         [0103]    The sub CPU  74  of the gaming machine  1  executes a WILD symbol display process shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0104]    Firstly, the sub CPU  74  determines whether it has received the result signal transmitted from the main CPU  32  in the B 7  of the effect process (refer to  FIG. 12 ) (D 1 ). When the signal is not received (D 1 : NO), the process of D 1  is repeated. In other words, the sub CPU waits until the result signal is received. When the signal is received (D 1 : YES), the sub CPU  74  controls the center display  4 B so that a WILD symbol  181  is displayed in the display window corresponding to the receiver, based on the result signal (D 2 ). Here, as described above, the WILD symbol  181  is arranged in an order of lower, central and upper stages of the display window. 
         [0105]    Then, the sub CPU  74  determines whether it has received a bonus game ending signal transmitted from the main CPU  32  in the A 14  of the bonus game process (D 3 ). When the signal is not received (D 3 : NO), the process is returned to the D 1 . When the signal is received (D 3 : YES), the sub CPU  74  controls the center display  4 B so that all the WILD symbols  181 , which are currently displayed in the display windows, are erased (D 4 ). Then, the process is returned to the D 1 . 
         [0106]    The CPU of the host computer  200  executes a payout data transmit process shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0107]    Firstly, the CPU of the host computer  200  determines whether it has received the result signal transmitted from the main CPU  32  of the gaming machine  1  in the B 7  of the effect process (refer to  FIG. 12 ) (E 1 ). When the signal is not received (E 1 : NO), the process of E 1  is repeated. In other words, the CPU waits until the signal is received. When the signal is received (E 1 : YES), the CPU of the host computer  200  transmits the payout data of a special payout to each of the gaming machines  1  belonging to the group corresponding to the receivers, based on the result signal (E 2 ). Then, the process is returned to the E 1 . 
         [0108]    As described above, according to this embodiment, in a bonus game, a result of an effect process influences on a sub game. Thereby, a new entertainment characteristic is provided to a player. To be more specific, the WILD symbol  181  is fixedly displayed in a display window corresponding to a receiver in which the ball  41  is received in an effect process. That is, after the WILD symbol  181  is displayed at a location corresponding to the display window, the WILD symbol  181  is stopped at the location while the scroll display of symbols is performed. Thus, a winning probability is increased. In addition, a payout, which is awarded when a win is made, is increased when the number of the WILD symbol  181  is increased. Moreover, the gaming machine  1  belonging to a group corresponding to the receivers  42   a  to  42   e  in which the balls  41  are received performs a special payout. Therefore, a player can play a game with more interests in the game. 
         [0109]    In the mean time, a special symbol, which is fixedly displayed in a display window corresponding to a receiver in which the ball  41  is received in an effect process, is not limited to a symbol that can be replaced with any of all the symbols  180 , such as the WILD symbol  181 . For example, any symbol, e.g. “ORANGE”, may be the special symbol. In addition, “a special form” of display is not limited to the fixedly display. In the embodiment, as a result of the effect, the WILD symbol  181  is displayed, so that a winning probability is increased. However, a winning probability may be decreased. In addition, as a result of an effect process, a payout relating to a winning may be lowered. Furthermore, a special payout may not be performed. 
         [0110]    It may be determined in advance when an effect process is started that a ball  41  is received in which receiver  42   a  to  42   e . In this case, a movement of the ball  41  is controlled based on a result of the determination. Alternatively, it may be determined during an effect process that a ball  41  is received in which receiver  42   a  to  42   e . To be more specific, a movement of the ball  41  may be randomly controlled and the ball  41  may be accidentally received in any one of the receivers  42   a  to  42   e . In addition, in the embodiment, the main CPU waits until the ball  41  is received in any one of the receivers  42   a  to  42   e , so that the ball  41  is without fail received in any one of the receivers  42   a  to  42   e . However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be possible that the ball  41  is not received in any receiver  42   a  to  42   e.    
         [0111]    The bonus game is not limited to the above embodiment, as long as it is a game that is more advantageous to a player than a base game. Specifically, a game in which more game media can be obtained than in a base game, a game in which game media can be obtained in a higher probability than in a base game, a game in which consumption of the game media can be more suppressed than in a base game and the like may be adopted as a bonus game. For example, so-called a free game in which no game medium is consumed may be executed one or more times in a bonus game. 
         [0112]    In the above embodiment, the symbols are displayed with the video reels in a base game and in a sub game executed in a bonus game. However, the invention is not limited. For example, mechanical reels may be used to display the symbols, or a combination of the mechanical reels and the video reels may be used to display the symbols. The vide reel may include a liquid crystal device, a CRT (cathode-ray tube) device, a plasma device and the like. 
         [0113]    In a base game and in a sub game executed in a bonus game, the matrix of the symbols to be stopped after the scroll display is not limited to 5 colums/3 rows. 
         [0114]    In the above embodiment, it is determined whether a winning is made, depending on a combination of the symbols stopped on the payline L, in a base game and in a sub game executed in a bonus game. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, when a certain symbol referred to as scattered symbol is displayed in the display after the scroll display, the payout may be made in accordance with the number of the scattered symbols displayed, irrespective of the payline L. 
         [0115]    The invention may be implemented by software, as required. 
         [0116]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.