Patent ID: 8308549

Claim:
A gaming system central server comprising: at least one memory device; and at least one processor configured to operate with the at least one memory device to: (a) receive from a gaming device first data including primary game configuration data for a play of a primary game; (b) evaluate the first data and, if the first data meets a designated condition, determine at least one gaming system wagering opportunity for a gaming system wagering event, each said gaming system wagering opportunity associated with a respective gaming system wager; (c) send second data to cause the gaming device to display the at least one gaming system wagering opportunity of the gaming system wagering event to a player of the gaming device before a primary game outcome is displayed to the player; (d) receive third data regarding a player selection of one of the at least one displayed gaming system wagering opportunity and place the gaming system wager associated with any selected gaming system wagering opportunity; (e) if the player selects one of the at least one displayed gaming system wagering opportunity and places the gaming system wager associated with the selected one of the at least one gaming system wagering opportunity, send fourth data to cause the gaming device to deduct a number of credits from a credit meter based on the placed gaming system wager; (f) receive from the gaming device fifth data including primary game outcome data; (g) if the player placed one of the gaming system wagers, determine a gaming system outcome; (h) utilize the fifth data and the determined gaming system outcome to determine a gaming system award; and (i) send sixth data to cause the gaming device to display any determined gaming system award to the player and to add any additional credits owed to the player based on said determined gaming system award to the credit meter.