Patent ID: 8613660

Claim:
A gaming device having a plurality of games of chance for play, the gaming device comprising: a plurality of mechanical reels having indicia provided on an outer surface of each reel, wherein at least one indicia is a generic symbol having a uniform appearance for each game, and the generic symbol has a unique, predefined property for each game; a game controller in communication with the plurality of mechanical reels, wherein the game controller generates a game outcome and controls the spinning of the mechanical reels; and a game rating system in communication with the game controller, wherein the game rating system alters a game style and volatility index affecting payout frequency of a game of chance in response to player input, wherein the game rating system includes a game rating icon that corresponds to and represents game rating information for an associated game on the gaming device, wherein the game rating icon is displayed to players to enable players to quickly and easily determine if the game associated with the game rating icon is compatible with the player's gambling habits.