Patent ID: 7874915

Claim:
A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising: an input device configured to receive a wager input from a player for playing a wagering game; a display device configured to display a basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of said basic game, said randomly selected outcome being selected in response to the wager input by the player, said basic game having a first mathematical model; and a progressive game feature having a progressive award that is triggered by a predetermined event, said progressive game feature having a second mathematical model that is different than said first mathematical model, said progressive award including a plurality of free plays incrementally increasing based on said wager being received at said gaming terminal and other wager inputs being received from other gaming terminals, said progressive award having an expected value and an actual value, said expected value being defined by a statistical advantage associated with said second mathematical model and said actual value being determined by said plurality of free plays of said progressive award; wherein upon being awarded, said plurality of free plays is received by said player independent of said wager input.