Patent ID: 8444476

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: at least one processor; at least one input device; at least one display device; and at least one memory device which stores 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: (a) enable a player to place at least one wager on at least one play of a game, (b) for each wagered on play of the game during a first period of time: (A) randomly determine one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, (B) display the randomly determined primary game outcome, and (C) determine whether to provide a designated award to the player, said determination being separate from any randomly determined primary game outcomes and said determination being based on a first probability of winning the designated award, said determined first probability being based on: (I) a static probability greater than zero of winning the designated award, and (II) a first variable probability of winning the designated award, said first variable probability being determined based on a first amount of wagers placed during the first period of time, and (c) for each wagered on play of the game during a second, partially overlapping period of time: (A) randomly determine one of the plurality of different primary game outcomes, (B) display the randomly determined primary game outcome, and (C) determine whether to provide the designated award to the player, said determination being separate from any randomly determined primary game outcomes and said determination being based on a second probability of winning the designated award, said determined second probability being based on: (I) the static probability greater than zero of winning the designated award, and (II) a second variable probability of winning the designated award, said second variable probability being determined based on a second amount of wagers placed during the second period of time.