U.S. patent application number 11/579665 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for method or apparatus for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games.
This patent application is currently assigned to Paltronics Australasia Pty Limited. Invention is credited to Stephen Cowan, Dean Wright.
Application Number | 20080026831 11/579665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35320076 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080026831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wright; Dean ; et
al. |
January 31, 2008 |
Method or Apparatus for Allocating a Player's Contribution in a
Gaming Apparatus Between a Plurality of Games
Abstract
A method and apparatus for allocating a player's contribution in
a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games is disclosed. The
plurality of games includes a first game, provided by a gaming
machine, and a second game, provided by a second game controller.
The method includes the steps of receiving (401) a contribution
from a player of the gaming apparatus; selecting (405) an
allocation ratio in response to an input by the player; splitting
(407) the contribution into a number of parts in accordance with
the selected ratio; and allocating (411) at least one of the parts
of the contribution to one of the games.
Inventors: |
Wright; Dean; (New South
Wales, AU) ; Cowan; Stephen; (New South Wales,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOX P.L.L.C.
1100 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Paltronics Australasia Pty
Limited
Unit 4, 12-14 Mangrove Lane
Taren Point
AU
2229
|
Family ID: |
35320076 |
Appl. No.: |
11/579665 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
May 10, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU05/00668 |
371 Date: |
November 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3258 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/3281 20130101; G07F 17/32
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/026 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 10, 2004 |
AU |
2004902460 |
Claims
1. A method for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming
apparatus between a plurality of games, the method comprising the
steps of: a) receiving a contribution from a player of the gaming
apparatus; b) selecting an allocation ratio in response to an input
by the player; c) splitting the contribution into a number of parts
in accordance with the selected ratio; and d) allocating at least
one of the parts of the contribution to one of the games.
2. A method according to claim 1 in which, in step c) the
contribution is split into two parts and, in step d), each part is
allocated to a respective game.
3. A method according to claim 1 in which the ratio is selected
from a set of predetermined ratios.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the set of ratios
comprises a full range of possible ratios.
5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the set of ratios is
pre-selected from group of such sets.
6. A method according to claim 3 in which the set is varied in
response to one or more predetermined conditions such as the time
of day, the current state of play of a given game, or the current
gaming activity within a particular gaming environment.
7. A method according to claim 3 in which the set of predetermined
ratios are varied in a random or pseudo random manner.
8. A method according to claim 1 in which each of the plurality of
games is provided by a respective gaming device.
9. A method according to claim 1 in which the plurality of games
are provided by the same gaming device.
10. Apparatus for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming
apparatus between a plurality of games, the apparatus comprising:
a) input means for receiving a contribution from a player of the
gaming apparatus; b) selection means operable by the player to
select an allocation ratio; c) splitting means for splitting the
contribution into a number of parts in accordance with the selected
ratio; and d) allocating means for allocating at least one of the
parts of the contribution to one of the games.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which, the splitting means
is further operable to split the contribution into two parts and,
the allocating means is further operable to allocate each part to a
respective game.
12. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the ratio is selected
from a set of predetermined ratios.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the set of ratios
comprises a full range of possible ratios.
14. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the set of ratios
available for selection by the player is pre-selected from group of
such sets.
15. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the set is varied in
response to one or more predetermined conditions such as the time
of day, the current state of play of a given game, or the current
gaming activity within a particular gaming environment.
16. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the set of
predetermined ratios are varied in a random or pseudo random
manner.
17. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which each of the plurality
of games is provided by a respective gaming device.
18. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the plurality of games
are provided by the same gaming device.
19. Apparatus for enabling a player of a gaming machine to control
the distribution of the player's contribution to a game, the
apparatus comprising: a display operable to indicate a set of
possible distributions to the player; at least one control means
operable by the player to indicate a choice of one of the
distributions; and communication means for communicating the
player's choice to the gaming machine.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the distribution is
between a plurality of games.
21. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which the games are provided
by respective gaming devices.
22. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the control means is
operable to select a distribution from a full range of possible
distributions.
23. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the set of
distributions is pre-selected from a group of such sets.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23 in which the group of sets
available for selection is determined in accordance with one or
more predetermined conditions such as the time of day, the current
state of play of a given game, or the current gaming activity
within a particular gaming environment.
25. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the control means is
provided by a dial, push buttons or a slider control.
26. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the control means is
operable to select the distribution and to start the respective
game.
27. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the control means is
operable by the player to hold the selected distribution for a
given game for use in a subsequent game or games.
28. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the control means is
operable to prompt the player to select a distribution for each
game played.
29. (canceled)
30. (canceled)
31. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatus between a
plurality of games.
[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use with a
plurality of interlinked gaming terminals in one or more gaming
establishments and will be described hereinafter predominantly with
reference to this application. However, the invention is not
limited to that particular field of use and is also suitable for
use with online gaming, lotto, pools, lotteries, art unions, bingo,
raffles and other games involving one or more wagers being placed
upon an outcome having a finite probability of occurring.
Additionally, the invention is applicable to any type of gaming,
such as gaming that may be entered into on a personal computer via
the Internet, for example.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The discussion of the prior art within this specification is
to assist the addressee understand the invention and is not an
admission of the extent of the common general knowledge in the
field of the invention and is included without prejudice.
[0004] It is known to "link" gaming terminals to provide a number
of additional functionalities. This includes the ability to control
the awarding of a prize, as the pool of available funds is greater
and the amount of funds available is known rather than having to be
estimated. Another functionality of interlinked gaming terminals is
that secondary gaming is possible. For example, for a given group
of interlinked gaming terminals, a central display provides the
gamers with a visual indication of a presently available jackpot
prize that is being incrementally increased as the gamers operate
the interlinked gaming terminals.
[0005] It is known by the gamers that the prize will be awarded
when it is incremented to a randomly selected value that is less
than a predefined value. Typically, the predefined value will also
be visually indicated to the gamers by the display. The use of such
functionality is intended to provide additional impetus to the
gamers to play the terminals and thereby win the jackpot prize in
addition to any prize available to be awarded by the respective
terminal.
[0006] It is known in gaming systems to specify the proportion of
what a player inputs to a game that is returned to that player.
This measure is referred to as the Return to Player (RTP) amount
which is usually expressed as a percentage of the player input (RTP
%). The RTP % can be described as the proportion of the value input
by a player that contributes to the prizes paid out by the machine.
The actual value of the RTP % is determined by the attributes of
the gaming device itself i.e. the likelihood of a winning
combination accruing within a specified time period. Where the
gaming device is a so called a "pokie" or "fruit" machine, the RTP
% is determined by the probability of the winning combinations of
symbols occurring on the reels over a given time. The RTP % is
calculated is calculated with reference to the number of unique
sequences of symbols that the machine is capable of generating.
[0007] In known gaming systems, the RTP % is controlled by the
manufacturer, operator or venue controller prior to gaming devices
being available for play. The RTP % may be displayed to the players
as required in some jurisdictions. The RTP % may be varied where
gaming systems are provided with the functionality to enable the
selection of the RTP %. In some cases this may be from a
predetermined set of RTP % values (also known as variations). The
manufacturer of the gaming system commonly determines such
variations.
[0008] As noted above, gaming machines may be linked to other such
machines to provide secondary gaming facilities such as a communal
jackpot, i.e. a jackpot that can be won by playing any one of an
associated group of machines. The communal jackpot is available
over and above the possible prizes from the base game being played
on each individual machine. In this situation, the RTP % is split
between the first, base game and the second, communal game. The
manufacturers of the gaming system traditionally determine the
proportion of the split.
[0009] One problem with the prior art arrangement is that it is
difficult from the controller's point of view to understand which
of the split configurations is preferred by the players and in what
circumstances. This makes the choice of how and when to provide
configurations difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or
ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or
to provide a useful alternative.
[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method for allocating a player's contribution in a
gaming apparatus between a plurality of games, the method
comprising the steps of: [0012] a) receiving a contribution from a
player of the gaming apparatus; [0013] b) selecting an allocation
ratio in response to an input by the player; [0014] c) splitting
the contribution into a number of parts in accordance with the
selected ratio; and [0015] d) allocating at least one of the parts
of the contribution to one of the games.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, in step c) the contribution is
split into two parts and each part is allocated to a respective
game in step d). In some embodiments each game is provided by a
respective gaming device. Alternatively, each game is provided by
the same gaming device. Other embodiments, include the step of
selecting from the plurality of games in response to an input from
the player, the or each game to which the contribution is
allocated.
[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the allocation ratio is
selected from a set of predetermined ratios. Preferably, the set of
ratios comprises a full range of possible ratios or alternatively
the set of ratios is selected from group of such sets.
[0018] In a further alternative, the set of predetermined ratios
from which the player makes a selection is varied in response to
one or more predetermined conditions such as the time of day, the
current state of play of a given game, or the current gaming
activity within a particular gaming environment. In yet a further
alternative, the set of predetermined ratios are varied in a random
or pseudo random manner.
[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided apparatus for allocating a player's contribution in a
gaming apparatus between a plurality of games, the apparatus
comprising: [0020] a) input means for receiving a contribution from
a player of the gaming apparatus; [0021] b) selection means
operable by the player to select an allocation ratio; [0022] c)
splitting means for splitting the contribution into a number of
parts in accordance with the selected ratio; and [0023] d)
allocating means for allocating at least one of the parts of the
contribution to one of the games.
[0024] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided apparatus for enabling a player of a gaming machine to
control the distribution of the player's contribution to a game,
the apparatus comprising: [0025] a display operable to indicate a
plurality of possible distributions to the player; [0026] at least
one control means operable by the player to indicate a choice of
one of the distributions; [0027] communication means for
communicating the player's choice to the gaming machine.
[0028] In some embodiments the control means is provided by a dial,
push buttons or a slider control. Preferably the control means is
operable to select the distribution and to start the respective
game. More preferably the control means is operable by the player
to hold the selected distribution for a given game for use in a
subsequent game or games. The control means may operable to prompt
the player to select a distribution for each game played.
[0029] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the specification the words "comprise", "comprising" and the like
are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive
sense; that is to say, in the sense of "included, but not limited
to".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a gaming system
comprising gaming terminals;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a control panel
associated with one of the gaming terminals of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the hardware
associated with each of the gaming system of FIG. 1; and
[0034] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing steps performed by the gaming
machines of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] In broad overview, apparatus for allocating a player's
contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games is
shown schematically in FIG. 3. The apparatus includes input means,
in the form of a revenue input device 303 such as a coin slot, note
validator, smart card reader or the like, for receiving a
contribution from a player of the gaming device. Selection means in
the form of split control 203 are operable by the player to select
an allocation ratio. Splitting means, for example appropriate
software routines executed on a game controller 301, split the
contribution into a number of parts in accordance with the selected
ratio. Finally, allocating means, also for example appropriate
software routines executed by the game controller 301, allocate at
least one of the parts of the contribution to one of the games.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a gaming system 101 comprising a number of
gaming machines 103 in communication with a system controller 105
via a network 107. The system controller 105 is connected to a
display 109. The system controller is provided with a connection
111 to another system controller (not shown). Each gaming machine
103 comprises a screen 115 for displaying the game, which the
terminal 103 offers, and a set of player controls 117 through which
a player (not shown) inputs their choices in the running of the
game. Each gaming machine has a payment port 119 such as a coin
slot or electronic card reader to enable the player to pay for the
game to be played.
[0037] In return for a player submitting a suitable payment via the
payment port 119 the gaming machine 103 enables the player to play
a game of chance. The game may result in the player winning a
prize. The likelihood of a gaming machine 103 awarding a prize for
a particular game play is determined by the design of the game. The
game is designed to pay out in prizes a percentage of what players
pay in over a predetermined number of game plays, i.e. the Return
To Player percentage (RTP %).
[0038] In the arrangement of FIG. 1, players are able to
participate in two games that are linked. The first game is
provided by the gaming machines 103 as described above, and the
jackpot controller 105 provides a second game. The second game is a
communal jackpot built up from contributions from each of the
gaming machines 103. The jackpot is incremented towards an upper
limit by the value of each contribution as it is received from the
gaming machines 103 via the network 107. The jackpot controller 105
uses the display 109 to show the current value of the jackpot to
the players of the gaming machines 103. The jackpot controller 105
is arranged to award the jackpot prize when the jackpot value
increments over an undisclosed threshold. The threshold is set
randomly or pseudo randomly on initialization of the system
controller 105 or after the system controller 105 is reset in
response to the awarding of a previous jackpot.
[0039] Since the first game provided by the gaming machines 103 is
linked to the second game provided by the game controller 105, the
RTP % (which can be described as the money held aside from a
player's payment to pay out prizes) is split between the first and
second games. Each gaming machine 103 is arranged to split the RTP
% from a game play in accordance with a predetermined percentage.
The proportion of the RTP % that is allocated to the second game is
communicated to the jackpot controller 105 via the network 107.
This is the contribution referred to above that the jackpot
controller 105 uses to increment the jackpot value. The jackpot is
incremented by the value of the contribution i.e. the value of the
wager multiplied by the RTP % allocated to the second game.
[0040] In prior art gaming systems the proportions used to split
the RTP % between linked games has been under the control of the
proprietors or controllers of the gaming system 1. Table 1 below
sets out examples of the options available in such systems to vary
the split of RTP % between games. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Total/
Option First Game RTP % Second Game RTP % Combined RTP % 1 =86.5%
=4% 90.5% 2 =87.5% =3% 90.5% 3 =88.5% =2% 90.5% 4 =90.5% =0%
90.5%
[0041] In the present embodiment, the player is provided with the
option to vary the split of the RTP % between the first and second
games. As shown in table 1 above, four options are available in
which the split of RTP % between the first game and the second game
varies. As shown in the fourth column, the total RTP % (i.e. the
combination of the RTP % for the first and second games) remains
constant over the four options at 90.5%. Option 1 has the highest
RTP % allocated to the second game (4%). Options 2 and 3 have 3%
and 2% respectively. Option 4 effectively switches off the
splitting mechanism by allocating 0% from the total RTP % to the
second game.
[0042] For example, if a player pays $0.5 for a game and chooses
option 1 from table 1 then the overall proportion of that sum that
will statistically ultimately be returned to the player is 45.25
cents (and the same for the other three options). However with
option 1, 43.25 cents of this will contribute to the prizes paid
out for the first game and 2 cents will be communicated to the
second game. In response to this communication, the second game
jackpot prize will be incremented by 2 cents. If the second or
third option is chosen then the first game would receive 43.73
cents or 44.25 cents and the second game would receive 1 cent or
1.5 cents respectively. If the player chooses option 4 the first
game receives 45.25 cents and the second game receives nothing.
[0043] The four split options are available to the player via the
control panel 117 of the gaming machine 103 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2
shows the relevant part of the control panel 117 in further detail
which is located adjacent a button 201 arranged to start each game
play. This part 117 of the control panel is referred to as the
split control 203. The split control comprises a first "Maximum
Split" button 205, a second "High Split" button 207, a third "Low
Split" button 209 and a fourth "No split" button 211. The split
control 203 is provided for use prior to each game play at the
option of the player. The "Maximum Split" button 205 selects option
1 from table 1, the "High Split" button 207 selects option 2, the
"Low Split" button 209 selects option 3 and the "No split" button
211 selects option 4. The split controller 203 also comprises an
information panel 213 arranged to provide information to the player
relating to the split of the RTP % between the first and second
games for each option selectable via the buttons 205, 207, 209,
211.
[0044] Returning to FIG. 3, this figure illustrates schematically
some of the functionality of the gaming machine 103 and the jackpot
controller 105. In one embodiment, this functionality is provided
by hardware. The split control 203 is connected to a first game
controller 301 which is in turn connected to a revenue input device
303 and a first accumulator 305. The game controller 301 is also
connected via the network 107 to a second game controller 307 in
the jackpot controller 105. The game controller 307 is also
connected to a second accumulator 309, which is in turn connected
to the display 109 (not shown).
[0045] The revenue input device 303 is operable to accept monetary
input from a player in the form of coins or notes, tokens, payment
card or other suitable form of payment. The revenue input device
303 indicates the amount of the payment to the game controller 301,
which responds by adding the input value to the accumulator 305.
The accumulator is used to store input values and log them against
output prizes. The game controller 301 is the element in the gaming
machine that actually runs the first game in response to player
commands input via the control panel 117 (FIG. 1). The game
controller also controls the paying out of prizes as they are won
and communicates the split of the RTP to the second game controller
307. This communication also includes data that identifies to the
second game controller 307 which of the gaming machines 103 has
provided a given contribution to the second game. The first game
controller 301 is also responsive to signals from the split control
panel 203 to modify the RTP % split between the first and second
games.
[0046] The second game controller 307 responds to the signals from
the first game controller by adding the indicated contribution to
the accumulator 309 and updating the display 109 (FIG. 1) with the
revised jackpot value. The second game controller 307 is the
element of the jackpot controller 105 that runs the second game. In
other words, the game controller 307 sets the undisclosed threshold
value at which the jackpot will be paid out; receives signals from
the gaming machines; and updates the accumulator 309 and the
display 109 appropriately. The game controller 307 handles prize
payout when a received RTP % split value added to the accumulator
309 causes the jackpot to meet or exceed the payout threshold. When
this occurs, the game controller 307 identifies which of the gaming
machines 103 triggered the jackpot and sends a signal to the
identified machine. The first game controller 301 of the identified
gaming machine 103 responds to this signal by indicating to the
player that the jackpot has been awarded and by paying out the
jackpot amount. When a jackpot is awarded, the second game
controller 307 resets the jackpot value and generates a new payout
threshold before receiving further signals from the gaming machines
103 and incrementing the jackpot value in the accumulator 309
accordingly.
[0047] The operating process of one of the gaming machines 103 will
now be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4. The
gaming machine initializes at step 400, for example when the gaming
machine is switched on or reset. A player inputs some monetary
value at step 401, at which point processing moves to step 403. At
step 403, the split control is reset to the default level of "No
Split" and the corresponding button 211 displays this fact in the
split control 203, for example by being illuminated. Processing
then moves to step 405 where the player is prompted to change the
split-level using the split control 203. If the player chooses an
alternative split level then processing moves to step 407 at which
the game controller 301 updates its RTP % split parameters in
accordance with the input from the player and processing returns to
step 405. If at step 405 no change in the RTP split is input and
instead the start button 201 is actuated then processing moves to
step 409.
[0048] At step 409 the gaming controller starts the game play
sequence and while the game is in progress processing continues to
step 411. At step 411 the accumulator is updated with the
contribution paid by the player for the game in progress and
processing moves to step 413. At step 413 the gaming controller
extracts from the accumulator the appropriate value of the split
RTP % for the second game in accordance with the split parameters
determined in step 407 above. This value is then signalled to the
second game controller in combination with an indication of the
identity of the current gaming machine. Processing then moves to
step 415 where it is determined whether a jackpot prize is due in
response to any return signal from the second game controller 307.
If a prize is due then processing moves to step 417 where the
second game prize is paid and process then moves to step 419. If no
prize signal arrives from the second gaming controller 301 before
the end of the game play of the first game then processing moves
from step 415 to step 419.
[0049] At step 419 it is determined whether a prize is due as a
result of the end sequence of the current first game play. If a
prize is due then processing moves to step 421 where the prize for
the first game is paid and the process moves to step 423. At step
423 the accumulator 305 is updated to take into account the prize
paid out. If no prize results from the game play then processing
moves straight from step 419 to step 425.
[0050] At step 425, the gaming controller 301 establishes whether
sufficient credit remains for a further game play and if not
processing moves to step 401 where the player is prompted to input
more credit. If at step 425 sufficient credit remains then
processing moves to step 405 and continues as described above for
that step.
[0051] Embodiments of the invention provide an element of control
to the player by enabling them to change stakes in response to the
perceived attractiveness of the second game relative to the first.
This is an advantage to both the player and operator of the gaming
system. The player has more control over the game they are playing
and is able strategically to modify the proportion of the split.
The higher the split to the second game, the higher the player's
chance of winning the jackpot. Similarly, if the player may choose
to increase their chance of winning in the first game, perhaps
preferring smaller wins instead of a chance of winning the larger
jackpot.
[0052] As a post-manufacture addition to a gaming system,
embodiments of the present invention may extend the life of a
gaming machine. Furthermore, use of the system embodying the
invention and observation of player behavior provide the operator
with a better understanding of the players' preferences and
performances enabling improved marketing and design of future
gaming systems.
[0053] In the embodiment described above the player is provided
with four options for the RTP % split. In a further embodiment, the
player is provided with a choice of splitting the RTP % in any
proportion they wish. In another embodiment, the gaming machines
are arranged to allow the player to set a random variation of the
RTP % split over a ranges of games. In yet a further embodiment the
gaming machine is provided with a system to prompt the player to
increase the split to the jackpot game when the jackpot reaches a
predetermined level. In this embodiment the level could be set by
the player or determined by the gaming machine in accordance with a
set of predetermined rules. Similarly, the gaming machine could be
set by the player to reduce the split to the second game when a
certain jackpot level has been reached.
[0054] In some embodiments the player is provided with a choice of
one of a number of linked or jackpot games to play in conjunction
with the first game. The player indicates their choice prior to
each sequence of game play or game plays.
[0055] In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to enable the
player to modify the overall RTP %. In further embodiments the
player may be provided with choice from a plurality of sets of
variations to the RTP % split. Alternatively, different sets of
RPT% split choices could be offered in accordance to different
conditions such as the time of day, the state of the current
jackpot, the occupancy of a gaming establishment or gaming machine
usage (predicted or actual).
[0056] In some embodiments of the invention, the split control
panel may be modified from the form described above. The panel may
be positioned at various locations relative to the gaming machine.
The buttons may be arranged to enable the player to select a
variable RTP % split using a slider control or by inputting a
number via a keyboard or dial arrangement. Also, the RTP % split
could be designed to reset to a particular split option after each
game and the player provided with a hold button, which would keep
the split choice from a previous game for use in subsequent games.
In some cases, rather than the RTP % split being reset when new
credit is added as described above, the system may be arranged to
reset after a predetermined period of non-play.
[0057] Other embodiments of the present invention may provide for a
player to personalize their RTP % split control setting and allow
these settings to be retrieved on a subsequent use of a gaming
machine or transferred to another machine. Further embodiments of
the present invention may provide a control panel in which the
selection of the RTP % split and start command are combined into
one action i.e. there is no start button but split control button
also starts the game.
[0058] In further embodiments, the indication of the present RTP %
split or available RTP % splits may include or consist of an
indication of the respective RTP splits given a particular
wager.
[0059] In further embodiments, the information panel of the split
controller may be provided separately from the panel itself or
absent. The information panel may be arranged to reveal or "pop up"
when requested by a player. The control panel may be provided using
any combination of traditional switches and displays or touch
screens and so called "soft buttons". The gaming system may be
provided purely by software. The hardware block arrangements and
software steps used in the above description and respective Figures
may be varied to suit different applications. The functionally
described hardware blocks and software steps may be joined, split
or modified. The split control feature may be provided as a
software and/or hardware upgrade to the design of existing gaming
machines.
[0060] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the
apparatus that embodies a part or all of the present invention may
be a general purpose device having software arranged to provide a
part or all of an embodiment of the invention. The device could be
single device or a group of devices and the software could be a
single program or a set of programs. Furthermore, any or all of the
software used to implement the invention can be communicated via
various transmission or storage means such as computer network,
floppy disc, CD-Rom or magnetic tape so that the software can be
loaded onto one or more devices.
[0061] Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that it may be embodied in other forms.
* * * * *