Patent ID: 8118664

Claim:
A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising: (a) enabling a plurality of players at a plurality of gaming machines to each place at least one wager on at least one play of a game; and (b) for each of said gaming machines: (i) for each wagered on play of the game of said gaming machine: (A) randomly determining a primary game outcome, and (B) causing a display device to display the randomly determined primary game outcome, (ii) monitoring a first amount of wagers placed on said gaming machine during a first period of time, (iii) for each wagered on play of the game of said gaming machine during the first period of time, determining a first probability of winning a designated award for the first period of time, wherein said determined first probability is based, at least in part, on the monitored first amount of wagers placed during the first period of time and the first probability is determined regardless of any amounts of wagers placed at any of said other gaming machines; (iv) causing said gaming machine to display and provide the designated award if a first determination occurs to provide the designated award, wherein said first determination is associated with the first period of time, based on the determined first probability and is separate from randomly determining any primary game outcomes, (v) monitoring a second amount of wagers placed on said gaming machine during a second, subsequent period of time, wherein the second time period partially overlaps the first period of time such that at least one wager on at least one game is placed at a point in time that is during the first period of time and the second period of time, (vi) for each wagered on play of the game of said gaming machine during the second period of time, determining a second probability of winning the designated award for the second period of time, wherein said determined second probability is based, at least in part, on the monitored second amount of wagers placed during the second period of time and the second probability is determined regardless of any amounts of wagers placed at any of said other gaming machines; and (vii) causing said gaming machine to display and provide the designated award if a second determination occurs to provide the designated award, wherein said second determination is associated with the second period of time, is based on the determined second probability and is separate from randomly determining any primary game outcomes.