Patent ID: 7285049

Claim:
A gaming system having overlay games comprising: a gaming machine configured to allow a player to play a game whose outcome is at least partially determined by chance, said gaming machine having at least one video display, a primary game, and an overlay module operably disposed therein, where said overlay module is configured to receive at least one downloadable overlay game, load a downloadable overlay game operably in said gaming machine, start an overlay game, and end an overlay game such that said primary game is either running or ready-to-run; a server having at least one overlay game thereon, operably networked with said gaming machine and further configured to download a copy of said at least one overlay game; and, where said overlay game is a game program configured to be executed in a manner showing a player at least a video sequence and being executable in a plurality of gaming machines, said plurality of gaming machines further comprising a plurality of game themes and differing player controls.