Patent ID: 8668577

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at least one input device; at least one processor; and at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to: (a) receive a wager to initiate a first play of a game, said first play of the game having a first average expected payout and including a plurality of symbols, wherein at least two of the symbols are different; (b) for said first play of the game: (i) randomly generate a plurality of the symbols, (ii) display the randomly generated symbols, (iii) determine any awards associated with the displayed symbols, and (iv) display any determined awards: and (c) if the displayed symbols include a designated symbol, accumulate the designated symbol, and when a designated quantity of the designated symbol is accumulated, for a subsequent play of the game, automatically cause the subsequent play of the game to have a second different average expected payout.