Patent ID: 8251791

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming tables, each gaming table including a support structure, a table top supported by the support structure and controlled by at least one gaming table processor; and a controller configured to communicate with said gaming table processors, wherein the controller is programmed to determine if a bonus event will occur, and if the controller determines that the bonus event will occur, the controller is programmed to: (a) determine which of the gaming tables were in an active state during a bonus event qualification period for said bonus event, (b) select a first one of the gaming tables in the active state, and (c) after selecting the first one of the gaming tables in the active state, cause a primary bonus award to be provided to at least one of a selected one of a plurality of players of said selected first one of the gaming tables, wherein: (i) said gaming table processor for the selected first one of the gaming tables determines at least part, but not all, of an amount of the primary bonus award, (ii) said determination of the amount of the primary bonus award is independent of any wagering game outcomes determined in association with any plays of any wagering games of any of the gaming tables, and (iii) said selection of the at least one of the plurality of players of said selected first one of the gaming tables occurs distinct from the selection of the first one of the gaming tables in the active state.