Patent ID: 8100760

Claim:
A gaming system comprising: a plurality of gaming apparatuses, each gaming apparatus including: at least one display unit operable to display a primary game and a bonus game, and at least one input device; and at least one controller configured to operate with said gaming apparatuses to: (a) determine if a qualifying event occurs in association with one of said gaming apparatuses; (b) if the qualifying event occurs in association with one of said gaming apparatuses, associate at least one of a plurality of bonus game entries with said gaming apparatus, wherein a quantity of associated bonus game entries is based, at least in part, on an amount wagered on at least one play of the primary game of said gaming apparatus; (c) thereafter, repeat (a) to (b) at least once, wherein (a) to (b) are repeated until a determination occurs to initiate the bonus game, the determination to initiate the bonus game occurring distinct from any occurrence of the qualifying event, and each of said plurality of bonus game entries being associated with said plurality of gaming apparatuses prior to the initiation of said bonus game; and (d) when the determination to initiate the bonus game occurs, for each initiated bonus game: (i) randomly select one of said associated bonus game entries, (ii) eliminate said selected bonus game entry, (iii) thereafter, repeat (i) to (ii) at least once, wherein (i) to (ii) are repeated until a predetermined quantity of the associated bonus game entries remain, and (iv) cause any of the gaming apparatuses associated with the remaining predetermined quantity of bonus game entries to display and provide an award.