Patent ID: 8298064

Claim:
A method for operating a gaming machine having a video display unit to generate a video display, for providing a spinning reel game, the method comprising: controlling the video display unit to display on the video display representations of a plurality of spinning reels carrying symbols, including representing each of the spinning reels as stopping in a stopped position determined according to a random selection process for revealing a plurality of said symbols on the video display, and defining the plurality of spinning reels to carry at least one bonus symbol; if the revealed plurality of symbols represent a winning combination, paying a prize, wherein the display of said at least one bonus symbol affects whether the prize is paid; in response to said at least one bonus symbol being one of the revealed plurality of symbols on a particular one of said plurality of spinning reels, visually depicting the at least one bonus symbol on the video display as being revealed to remain in place on the video display superimposed over a particular spinning reel while the particular spinning reel is re-spun a plurality of times in a series of games; and during the series of games, displaying all bonus symbols that are revealed on any particular one of said plurality of spinning reels in a place on the video display superimposed over the particular spinning reel.