Patent ID: 8864573

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at least one input device; at least one processor; 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 to: (a) if a player inputs a value amount: (i) increase an amount of time the player is eligible to play a game, and (ii) display to the player a graphical indicator of the amount of time the player is eligible to play the game; (b) display to the player a decrease in said amount of time the player is eligible to play the game, wherein said displayed decrease is based on an amount of elapsed time; and (c) if the graphical indicator indicates that the player is eligible to play the game and a determination occurs to trigger the game: (i) determine an award for said triggered game, said award being partially based on at least part of said increase of the amount of time the player is eligible to play the game, and (ii) display the determined award to the player.