AU2011101349B4

AU2011101349B4 - Communal Jackpot System and Method

Info

Publication number: AU2011101349B4
Application number: AU2011101349A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stan Brecko
Original assignee: Ebet Ltd
Current assignee: Ebet Ltd
Priority date: 2011-10-20
Filing date: 2011-10-20
Publication date: 2012-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-20
Also published as: AU2011101349A4

Abstract

Disclosed are a system and method for awarding jackpots in a linked progressive jackpot system. The electronic gaming machines which are linked are grouped into two or more groups, so that if any player in a group wins the jackpot, at least a proportion is shared with the other active players in the group. The determination of the jackpot winner is based on a random or pseudo-random selection which has the same probability of success for the player regardless of the time since the last jackpot was won, and in a preferred form is also proportional to the bet placed.

Description

1 COMMUNAL JACKPOT SYSTEM AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to jackpot systems and methods for use with communal gaming systems. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Jackpot systems have been used for many years on stand alone electronic gaming machines. In such systems, a jackpot is typically triggered by a relatively infrequently occurring combination of game symbols. However, as the prize can only trigger from play at a single machine, the prize necessarily remains relatively small. [0003] In recent years, linked progressive jackpot systems have come into wide use. In such systems, part of each wager on each participating slot machine is attributed to a shared prize pool. When a jackpot trigger event occurs, the entire accumulated progressive jackpot prize is awarded to the successful player. Typical triggers may be a particular (uncommon) game outcome, a bonus game, or a 'mystery' trigger, in which an active machine is selected based upon the jackpot reaching a certain randomly selected total. [0004] A communal game is one in which more than one player is contributing to a jackpot in which, if won, all active players share. Thus, there is a benefit to all the players of the communal game if any one of the players wins the jackpot whilst they are playing. Although this reduces the prize for each player, it increases the prospect of a jackpot win, particularly if the jackpot has already accumulated to a significant level when the player commences play. [0005] It is disclosed in Australian Innovation Patent No 2009100816 to provide a jackpot in a communal game, wherein a group of EGMs all contribute to a common jackpot but where the EGMs form groups. If the jackpot trigger condition is met, all players in the group receive a share in the prize. The jackpot trigger disclosed is a mystery bet arrangement. The disclosure of this patent is hereby incorporated by reference. [0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative communal progressive jackpot method and system.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a system for awarding a jackpot in a linked progressive jackpot system, the system including at least a plurality of EGMs, and a jackpot controller in communication with each of said EGMs, wherein each EGM provides an individual game of chance for a player, and wherein from each wager placed on each individual game, a portion is allocated to the progressive jackpot; the active EGMs being grouped into two or more groups, so that if any one of the EGMs in one of the groups are is awarded the progressive jackpot, all players of EGMs in that group receive a prize; and the jackpot controller determining whether the player at each active EGM has won the progressive jackpot, wherein the determination is based on a random or pseudo random selection which has the same probability of success for the player regardless of the time since the last jackpot was won. [0008] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method for awarding a jackpot in a linked progressive jackpot system, the system including at least a plurality of EGMs, and a jackpot controller in communication with each of said EGMs, wherein each EGM providing an individual game of chance for a player, wherein from each wager placed on each individual game, a portion is allocated to the progressive jackpot; the method including at least the steps of: (a) allocating each active EGMs into one of a plurality of groups; (b) determining whether each active EGM has won the progressive jackpot, all players in that group receive a prize; (c) the jackpot controller determining, each time any of the EGMs are played, whether the player has won the jackpot, wherein the determination is based on a random or pseudo-random selection which is not dependant upon the time since the last jackpot was won; (d) allocating a least a part of the jackpot to all other active EGMs allocated to the same group as the winning EGM.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative gaming system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a conceptual flow chart illustrating one implementation of the jackpot determination process; and Figure 3 is an alternative implementation tailored to achieve higher computational speeds and overall performance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0010] The present invention will be described with reference to a particular illustrative example, however it will be understood that the present invention may be implemented in a wide variety of ways, for example within one venue or across multiple venues; using EGMs of any suitable type, from different manufacturers; and using many different possible implementations of the jackpot determining mechanism. [0011] A general principle of the present invention is that the communal groups (however formed, as will be discussed below) all take some share in the jackpot when any member of the group wins the jackpot. In addition, the determination of the jackpot is done using a mechanism for which the chances of success do not change over time. [0012] The present invention may be implemented using a wide variety of possible networks, machines, hardware and software arrangements, jackpot controllers and physical locations. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that in practice, many of these aspects are specifically and closely regulated in each jurisdiction. [0013] The EGM must be of a type which is capable of either providing itself, or being interrogated by another device to provide, live wagering data so that an increment of the amount placed by the player on each wager can be used for the jackpot. It will be understood that the stand alone game RTP should be set, in practice, taking the jackpot increment into account. A wide variety of EGMs are in use which are adapted to provide a jackpot facility. EGMs include, for example, simulated reel machines, slot machines, poker 4 machines, machine playing electronic card games, and many other types. The precise base game on the EGM, so long as it is compatible with the implementation of the present invention, is not a limitation to the application of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the general features, construction and operation of gaming machines, for example as publically used and provided in jurisdictions in Australia, and so these will not be further detailed. [0014] The communal groups may be selected in a number of ways. They may be defined by the location of the EGM - either because the EGM is in a particular venue, or because the EGM is in a particular bank of machines. The EGMs could be coded, for example, by colour, to indicate membership of a particular group. The player could, for example, select a group associated with a football or other sporting team; a geographical areas such as a town, suburb, state, region, or city; or a self selected group, for example within as player loyalty group within a club. [0015] The selection may be made by, for example, which machine is chosen. The machine may be in a bank of machines with signage, livery or the like indicating association with a particular group. Such marked machines may be scattered around a venue. Alternatively, upon commencing play at an EGM, the player may select which group they want to join, for example, from a screen display. The player may have defined the group in advance, the selection being indicated by the EGM assessing a player database when a loyalty card is inserted. [0016] Alternatively, the group may be randomly assigned at the start of play. [0017] The communal jackpot game may be played in machines in a single local venue, or across multiple venues. [0018] The present invention may be provided in association with and using the jackpot triggering mechanisms of a wide range of existing progressive jackpot systems, subject of course to appropriate regulatory approval. Such systems include, for example, the Hyperlink system provided by Aristocrat Technologies Limited, and as detailed in (for example) Australian Patent No. 754689; and the system disclosed by Neurizon Limited, in Australian Patent No. 714299. The disclosure of those patents is hereby incorporated by reference. Those skilled in the field will appreciate that there are many different jackpot systems in operation in Australia, and that many of the technical details for an 5 implementation can be provided by reference to such systems and the accompanying manuals. [0019] Figure 1 illustrates a general hardware implementation of a jackpot system suitable for use with the present invention. The overall system, generally labelled as 20, includes a number of EGMs, labelled as 10, 11, 12, 13, connected to a network 21. It will be appreciated that the number of EGMs is arbitrary, and would generally in practice include many more EGMs. The network may be of any suitable type, in a preferred form it is an optical fibre network, or any other suitable local or wide area network. [0020] The network also includes a site controller 30. The function of the site controller 30 is to monitor information output from EGMs 10, 11, 12, 13, and based on this information build a jackpot prize pool. The contribution to the pool is typically based upon a percentage of each bet made on participating machines to be added to the jackpot pool. In some implementations, there may be additional qualifying criteria, for example a minimum wager level, however, the present implementation will be described on the basis that all active machines in the system - that is, on which a player is actively playing - are part of the jackpot pool and have a chance to win. [0021] The implementations described will additionally operate on the basis that the chance of each player winning in any cycle is proportional to their bet on the current cycle. That is, a larger wager will produce a larger chance of winning the jackpot. By cycle is meant the period of time it takes the system in sequential order to calculate a winning event occurrence for each participating gaming machine. [0022] The winning event for the purposes of the present implementation will be generated by the site controller. It will be appreciated that it is possible, for example, to determine the winner using a separate machine, or that in a multi-site jackpot, the jackpot controller and jackpot determining device may be remotely located relative to any given site. [0023] An important feature of the present invention is that is uses standard or non deterministic jackpots. In such implementations, the probability of the triggering event remains fixed over time. That is, for the same size bet (e.g. $1) the probability of triggering the jackpot is (e.g.) 1 in 1,000,000. This remains constant even though the jackpot may 6 have just been awarded, or has not been awarded for a long time. This is in contrast to mystery or similar type jackpots. [0024] One implementation for selecting a jackpot winning EGM according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2. This process is carried out sequentially for each active machine, that is, which has made a wager contributing to the jackpot and met any applicable time criteria. At block 40, a first random number is selected from within a number range that corresponds to the desired win probability. This is preferably performed using a software or hardware implementation of a random or pseudo random number generator. It will be appreciated that the lower the probability, the larger the average jackpot, but the interval between jackpots being won is statistically greater. For the purposes of the present example, we will assume that the number range is 1 to 1,000,000. This is carried out for each 1 cent bet made. At block 41, a second random number in the range is selected. The numbers are compared at block 42. [0025] If the numbers match, at 43, then a jackpot win is awarded at block 44. In most implementations, this will require an attendant activity at the machine and appropriate records to be completed for the jackpot to be paid out. [0026] If the numbers do not match, at block 45, then this process is repeated, as indicated at block 46, corresponding to the number of cents which have been bet. [0027] After this is completed, the same process is undertaken for the next active machine in sequence. [0028] It will be appreciated that there are numerous other ways to undertake this random jackpot draw. For example, the RNG could simulate rolls of multiple dice or cards, or otherwise undertake a random draw with the required probability. [0029] In another implementation, shown in Figure 3, the range size for the random number draw is adjusted proportionally to the best size. In this process, the first step is to establish the range of numbers from which the random numbers will be selected. For example, for a one cent bet, the range may be 1 to 1 million. For a one dollar bet, the range may be 1 to 10,000. This provides the same probability of success, however, only one draw would need to be performed, rather than 100. This achieves significant savings in computation and cycle time.

7 [0030] Figure 3 shows the range size being selected at step 50. A first random number is selected at step 51, within the range, and a second random number is selected at step 52. These numbers are compared at step 53. If they are the same, step 54, then the jackpot is awarded, step 55. If they are different, step 56, then the process is repeated for the next active EGM 57. [0031] The site controller 30 may combine the functions of a jackpot controller and a jackpot determiner, or these may be provided by physically or logically separate devices or software. The contribution to the jackpot, for example, may be determined in the site controller software by simply taking a percentage of the turnover meter data for each EGM which is participating. [0032] Once the jackpot is determined, it may be allocated in a variety of ways. One option is to evenly divide the jackpot, pro rata according to wager levels, to all the players in the group. Another option is to provide a large proportion, for example 75%, to the winning player and pro rata divide the rest. Another option is, subject to a sufficient jackpot pool, provide fixed minimums to all group players, with the balance to the winning player. Other alternative ways of dividing the jackpot between the players in the group can be contemplated. [0033] It will be appreciated that all players, regardless of which group they belong to, contribute to a common pool. Thus, players may come and go, with their notional contribution remaining in the pool. The jackpot is split amongst the players who are in the group and active at the time that the jackpot is won. There is necessarily a time delay between spins of the EGM for each player. It is necessary to define rules, and implement those rules in software, to determine which members of the group are deemed active, and moreover, to ensure that these are well publicised. For example, only those machines which have been played in the 60 seconds prior to the win may be included. In a preferred form, it would be desired to provide a countdown timer, or other indication, to each EGM to show whether it is part of an active group or not, and to prompt the player to continue if they want to be part of the communal return. This display may, for example, indicate which group the player is currently part of, and how long until their active status in the group expires.

8 [0034] It will be appreciated that each group will have a fluctuating number of members. In one implementation, a display showing the numbers of active players in each group may be provided. [0035] It will be understood that many conventional features of progressive jackpot games can be overlaid on the present invention. For example, there may be different possible jackpot levels, and only some of these may be shared between all players in the group. There may be a bonus game played when the jackpot has been won, to determine the value of the prize.

Claims

1. A system for awarding a jackpot in a linked progressive jackpot system, the system including at least a plurality of EGMs, and a jackpot controller in communication with each of said EGMs, wherein each EGM provides an individual game of chance for a player, and wherein from each wager placed on each individual game, a portion is allocated to the progressive jackpot; the active EGMs being grouped into two or more groups, so that if any one of the EGMs in one of the groups is awarded the progressive jackpot, all players of EGMs in that group receive a prize; and the jackpot controller determining whether the player at each active EGM has won the progressive jackpot, wherein the determination is based on a random or pseudo-random selection which has the same probability of success for the player regardless of the time since the last jackpot was won.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the probability of success is proportional to the amount wagered, and wherein an active EGM is one which has been operated so as to contribute to the progressive jackpot pool within a predetermined period prior to the jackpot being awarded.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the player is able to select which group they wish to join.

4. A method for awarding a jackpot in a linked progressive jackpot system, the system including at least a plurality of EGMs, and a jackpot controller in communication with each of said EGMs, wherein each EGM providing an individual game of chance for a player, wherein from each wager placed on each individual game, a portion is allocated to the progressive jackpot; the method including at least the steps of: (a) allocating each active EGMs into one of a plurality of groups; (b) determining whether each active EGM has won the progressive jackpot, all players in that group receive a prize; 10 (c) the jackpot controller determining, each time any of the EGMs are played, whether the player has won the jackpot, wherein the determination is based on a random or pseudo-random selection which is not dependant upon the time since the last jackpot was won; (d) allocating a least a part of the jackpot to all other active EGMS allocated to the same group as the winning EGM.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the probability of success in the determination of step (c) is proportional to the amount wagered, and wherein an active EGM is one which has been operated so as to contribute to the progressive jackpot pool within a predetermined period prior to the jackpot being awarded.