Patent ID: 8052517

Claim:
A method of customizing play of a gaming device to a particular player level or group, wherein the gaming device is connected by a network to a host computer, said method comprising: creating a player account accessible by the host computer, wherein the player account is associated with a player; storing within the player account one of a plurality of player levels, each player level including a threshold amount of play required by the player and a minimum award amount to be awarded to the player; allowing the player to play on the gaming device; operating the gaming device responsive to responsive to play on the gaming device and the player level; establishing an award associated with a plurality of players of a particular player level; funding the award based on play by the plurality players of the particular player level; displaying at least one prompt message to the player to induce the player to play enough to reach a next bonus level; and awarding the award to only players of the particular player level, wherein the award comprises a payment made to the player that includes a jackpot determined by a first set of rules for paying awards established by pay tables on the gaming device and a bonus determined by a second set of rules, different then the first set of rules, for paying awards in excess of those established by the pay tables on the gaming device.