Patent ID: 8579702

Claim:
A method of operating a wagering game comprising: receiving, using a controller, one or more configuration inputs to create at least one wagering game configuration for a gaming device, the at least one wagering game configuration comprising at least one base game and at least one portal game, the at least one base game operable in response to receipt of a primary wager, the at least one portal game having a set of eligibility criteria and being activated through play of the at least one base game; storing in a memory storage device a plurality of distinct wager categories based upon the set of eligibility criteria and a size of the primary wager, wherein a first of the wager categories defines a range of allowable wagers for the primary wager and includes a first meter and a first paytable having a first expected value corresponding to the base game of the at least one wagering game configuration, the range extending between minimum and maximum allowable wagers, and wherein a second of the wager categories defines a minimum portal eligibility amount for the portal game and includes a second meter, a second paytable distinct from the first paytable, and a second expected value corresponding to the base game and the portal game of the at least one wagering game configuration, wherein the second expected value is a function of the first expected value and an expected value of the second paytable that differs from the first expected value; using the controller or another controller, activating participation in the at least one portal game if the set of eligibility criteria is satisfied, and responsive thereto, metering the entire primary wager to the second wager category by adding the entire primary wager to the second meter; if the eligibility criteria is not satisfied for any of the at least one portal game, metering, using the controller or another controller, the entire primary wager to the first wager category by adding the entire primary wager to the first meter; calculating, using the controller or another controller, a theoretical overall payback percentage for the at least one wagering game configuration of the gaming device based upon at least the entire primary wager, the first expected value, the second expected value, an amount in the first meter, and an amount in the second meter; calculating, using the controller or another controller, an actual payback percentage for the at least one wagering game configuration of the gaming device; and comparing, using the controller or another controller, the theoretical overall payback percentage with the actual payback percentage.