Patent ID: 7374486

Claim:
A gaming machine operable under control of a processor, said gaming machine comprising: a plurality of reels controlled by the processor; a plurality of paylines associated with the reels; at least one wager input device operable to communicate with the processor; and a bonus game controlled by the processor and having a bonus award, wherein odds of generating a designated combination of symbols on the reels that trigger a play of the bonus game are constant regardless of: (i) the number of paylines wagered on; and (ii) the wager per payline, and the bonus game has a plurality of levels, wherein (a) a first one of the levels has odds contributing to a generation of said bonus award that vary based on the number of the paylines wagered on and do not vary based on the wager per payline, and (b) a second one of the levels has odds contributing to the generation of said bonus award that vary based on the wager per payline and do not vary based on the number of paylines wagered on.