Patent ID: 8465363

Claim:
A system for playing a game on a network-connected device with an opportunity to win an award, comprising: a server including a controller running a random number generator implemented in software for generating random numbers that determine an outcome of the game and that correspond to a predefined set of game outcomes including winning and losing outcomes wherein a theoretical player return percentage of an award set provided for winning outcomes on the game to a player exceeds one hundred percent and wherein a theoretical game operator return percentage of the award set to a game operator is less than one hundred percent and further wherein a theoretical return percentage difference between the theoretical player return percentage and the theoretical game operator return percentage is funded by at least one non-cash award having a value to the player that is greater than a cost to the game operator; a network connected device having a display in communication with the server for displaying game play and game outcomes to a player; and an award generator in communication with the controller for providing an award to the player upon a winning outcome being achieved wherein the award set includes the at least one non-cash award.