Patent ID: 8317601

Claim:
A method of using gaming machines in a casino gaming environment comprising: creating two or more groups of casino-style gaming machines; issuing one or more bonus points as a result of play of a non-bonus game at a first gaming machine associated with a first group of the created groups; wherein the one or more bonus points are stored in a database and redeemable for play of a bonus game at the first gaming machine and a second gaming machine belonging to the first group and invalid for redemption for play of a bonus game at a third gaming machine belonging to a second group of the created groups, wherein the bonus game at the first gaming machine is initiatable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein the first mode includes an occurrence of an event during play of the non-bonus game and the second mode includes a redemption of the one or more bonus points; and initiating play of the bonus game for which the one or more bonus points was redeemed.