Patent ID: 8449380

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming machines; and a controller configured to communicate with said gaming machines, wherein the controller is programmed to: (a) maintain a designated pool during a bonus event accumulation period, wherein said designated pool at least includes an amount formed by at least a portion of any wagers placed on the gaming machines during the bonus event accumulation period; (b) determine if a bonus event will occur; and (c) if the bonus event is determined to occur: (i) modify the amount of said designated pool, (ii) determine which of the gaming machines will each provide at least one bonus award, wherein said determination is based at least in part on the modified amount of said designated pool and is independent of any event in any play of any primary games of the gaming machines, and (iii) send a signal to each gaming machine determined to provide at least one bonus award to cause said gaming machine to display and provide said at least one bonus award.