US20100203958A1

US20100203958A1 - Progressive game scheme for machine play and lotteries

Info

Publication number: US20100203958A1
Application number: US12/658,306
Authority: US
Inventors: Kathleen Nylund Jackson
Original assignee: Precedent Gaming Inc
Current assignee: Precedent Gaming Inc
Priority date: 2009-02-06
Filing date: 2010-02-05
Publication date: 2010-08-12

Abstract

A progressive jackpot gaming system that includes a central server, central controller or remote host in communication with a linked plurality of gaming machines or gaming devices is disclosed. The gaming devices are capable of generating video or mechanical images, and are programmed to allow a person to make a wager. Preferably a portion of each wager is contributed to a progressive pool of funds. The gaming system provides the ability to configure progressive jackpot awards based upon the total available progressive pool of funds, allowing the progressive jackpot to be repeatedly reapportioned to include secondary jackpots available to additional non-winning players. The value of any secondary jackpots are predetermined and preferably equal; the value of the primary jackpot may be at least equal to one secondary jackpot but less than the value of two secondary jackpots. Players may have the choice to either join in the shared jackpot scheme, or play to solely win the entire jackpot.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/206,964 filed Feb. 6, 2009, and having the Title PROGRESSIVE GAME SCHEME FOR MACHINE PLAY AND LOTTERIES.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a networked or interconnected progressive jackpot method suitable for use in casinos and other gaming enterprises including lotteries. The invention further relates to mechanical, electro-mechanical, internet or video gaming play providing a progressive jackpot scheme that provides additional jackpot winners based at least upon the total jackpot funding.
2. Background of the Art
Gambling and gaming activities have been elements of civilized society for at least thousands of years. In particular, lotteries, which involve the drawing of lots for a prize, can be traced back to biblical times. It is also said that the construction of the Great Wall of China was financed by funds raised by lotteries. Lotteries have flourished in one form or another up to the present day, with the key appeal for players being the chance to win huge sums of money for a small investment. Although the chances of winning a jackpot may be astronomical, players are drawn to participate so that they may experience the thrill and indulge in a fantasy of possibly becoming wealthy.
Over the last few decades, multi-state lotteries in the United States have become increasingly popular as the jackpots have grown to staggering amounts. One lucky winner won a $315 million Powerball® jackpot on Christmas Day in 2002. Since the chances of winning one of these huge payouts is so slim, some players have decided to increase their chances by pooling money to buy multiple tickets, even though winning would mean splitting the jackpot. One of the largest Powerball® jackpots was taken by eight co-workers from Nebraska meat processing plant who jointly bought a single ticket that earned them $365,000,000 during the drawing held on Feb. 18, 2006.
The concept of providing opportunities for life-changing jackpots has advanced into casino gaming as well. Over the last fifteen years, gaming device manufacturers have offered machines that are electronically linked within individual casinos, individual states and/or even within the country itself. By connecting multiple machines, it is now possible for thousands of players to contribute a portion of each wager to a progressive jackpot pool. Just as with the mega-lottery schemes, player interest in progressive jackpot play has been strong, and revenues generated by such devices have proved to be a significant part of any casino's profits.
Various attempts have been made to improve upon the well-known basic progressive method wherein a portion of each wager executed at a linked gaming machine funds a progressive jackpot, the jackpot being paid to the player who receives a triggering event in the base game. Some prior art involves changing how the jackpot is funded or varying the odds of winning the jackpot as the player's bet varies.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,336 (Torango) discloses a progressive method that determines a participation outcome based at least on a monetary transaction acceptor's contribution percent factor and that enables linking a device and prize regardless of the device's currency or denomination of monetary transaction or theoretical payout.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,108,603 and 7,056,215 (Olive) provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize that include a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. Certain embodiments provide a trigger condition for a feature outcome based on an event having a probability related to credits bet per game at a gaming machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,395 (Baerlocher) provides a gaming device, wherein the game requires the same average investment from a player to win an award, including a jackpot award, regardless of the amount that the player bets at any one time.
United States Patent Application No. 20080248862 (Joshi, et al.) teaches a gaming system that includes a first type of wager, which allows the player to play a wagering game, and the second type of wager, which allows the player to be eligible for a progressive jackpot.
United States Patent Application No. 20080188296 (Seelig, et al.) discloses a gaming method and apparatus that can provide a progressive gaming system that changes or varies the contribution or funding to the progressive jackpot over time. The funding of progressive jackpot is not static but is variable.
Other prior art teaches methods that include bonus or secondary awards that may be provided when the primary jackpot is hit or that may be determined upon other factors.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,154 (Luciano, et al.) discloses a progressive system that provides two payouts: the first payout (defined by a primary meter) is paid to the player triggering the progressive payout event, and the second payout (defined by the secondary meter) is paid to other players having “active” or “enrolled” status at the time of the primary payout event.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,832,958; 6,162,122; 5,836,817; 5,820,459; 5,752,882; 5,741,183; 5,702,304; and 5,655,961 (Acres, et al.) disclose a system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network wherein the gaming device reconfigures its payout schedule responsive to reconfiguration commands to provide a variety of promotional bonuses such as multiple jackpot bonuses, mystery jackpot bonuses, progressive jackpot bonuses, or player specific bonuses.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,569 (Acres) discloses a progressive gaming machine system featuring a first prize accumulation phase during which a value is added to an initial value for each play signal up to a level where the accumulating value equals a prize value that will be awarded to one of the gaming machines, and then executing a second prize award winning phase.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,862 (Byrne) describes a collateral gambling game which can be won by players on at least one specific event occurring in the principal game, the collateral game being separate from the principal game.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,125 (Acres) describes a method and apparatus for controlling a bonusing promotion system using a bonus server interconnected to a plurality of gaming devices. A percentage of a wager played on each gaming device is accumulated into a bonus pool stored on the bonus server. The bonus pool is compared to a threshold value stored on the bonus server each time the bonus pool changes. One of the gaming devices is selected when the threshold value is substantially met. A bonus prize funded by the bonus pool is awarded to the selected gaming device.
United States Patent Application No. 20080176650 (Wolf, et al.) provides a gaming apparatus and method that is capable of rewarding a distributed jackpot that may be shared among non-winning players when a winning result is achieved by a winning player. A controller may be programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game, to compare the value payout to a threshold amount, and to generate a distributed jackpot payout message if the value payout is greater than or equal to the threshold amount.
United States Patent Application No. 20080020825 (Cuddy, et al.) discloses a gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device.
United States Patent Application No. 20070218982 (Baerlocher) teaches a gaming system that includes a plurality of different types of progressive awards adapted to be provided to one or more players of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a progressive hit value, wherein when each progressive award increments to its respective progressive hit value, a triggering event occurs and such progressive award is provided to a player. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with a secondary game, wherein if the secondary game is triggered, a player is provided either a fixed award or one of the progressive awards associated with the secondary game based on a play of the secondary game. In one embodiment, one or more progressive awards are each associated with an outcome of a primary game, such as a designated symbol combination, wherein if the associated primary game outcome is generated, such progressive award is provided to a player.
United States Patent Application No. 20070184896 (Dickerson) provides certain embodiments for providing shared wins in a gaming system. Certain embodiments include establishing a shared win award, wherein the shared win award has an amount or value. A sharing percentage of the shared win award may be assigned to each of one or more eligible players as a function of relative play among the eligible players.
United States Patent Application No. 20060116201 (Gauselmann) discloses a group of linked gaming machines that generate one or more progressive jackpots, common to all the linked machines, where the amount of each jackpot is increased by a percentage of the wagers made by the players. In order to provide added incentive for the player to keep playing the machines and to add additional excitement, non-jackpot awards are paid out to players of the linked gaming machines based on triggering thresholds met by each jackpot. Since the frequency of the awards being granted is generally higher than the frequency of the full jackpots being won, the players will anticipate awards being granted and will continue to play the machines.
United States Patent Application No. 20040242320 (Jackson) provides a method for all players on a linked network to receive a bonus opportunity based on one player hitting the primary jackpot. This bonus can be in many different forms. Examples of bonuses are of “scratch tickets” to players that would distribute varying amounts, or a secondary jackpot bonus of a fixed amount or an amount in proportion to the main jackpot, randomly assigned bonuses, an immediately available mini-jackpot for less then jackpot hands, and a period of time of increased pay amounts or an amount of mini-jackpot that is exhausted by players who are playing the game at the time of the jackpot.
Still additional prior art is disclosed that may change either the chances of winning a progressive jackpot, the size of the jackpot(s) or the determination of when the jackpot hits.
United States Patent Application No. 20080161105 (Mishra) describes various embodiments of progressive gaming systems and methods. One method embodiment, among others, comprises providing a progressive jackpot, and biasing a chance of winning the progressive jackpot based on a wager amount.
United States Patent Application Nos. 20080153564, 20080139274 and 20080113771 (Baerlocher, et al.) teach a gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.
United States Patent Application No. 20080125211 (Plowman) discloses gaming methods and apparatus for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.
United States Patent Application No. 20080108430 (Evans) discloses a gaming system that includes a progressive award adapted to be provided to a designated winning player of the gaming machines in a gaming system. In one embodiment, the gaming system designates the winning player when the progressive award reaches a player threshold value. The gaming system provides the progressive award to the designated winning player when the progressive award reaches an award threshold value.
United States Patent Application No. 20080090651 (Baerlocher) describes a gaming system that includes a plurality of progressive awards wherein upon a suitable initiating event, a wager amount or value is randomly generated from at least one predetermined range of wager amounts or values. Upon a suitable triggering event, such as an accumulated wager pool incrementing to the randomly generated wager amount or value, a designated award, such as a progressive award, is provided to a player.
United States Patent Application No. 20080070676 (Baerlocher, et al.) teaches a gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards.
United States Patent Application Nos. 20080020846 (Vasquez, et al.), 20080020834 (Breckner, et al.), 20080020833 (Baerlocher, et al.) and 20080020832 (Iddings, et al.) describe a gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.
United States Patent Application No. 20070218975 (Iddings, et al.) teaches a gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server includes a plurality of progressive modules. Each progressive module maintains one or more progressive awards and is associated with zero, one or more of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Upon a determination that a designated one of the progressive awards will be provided, one of the gaming machines associated with the progressive module which maintains the designated progressive award provides the designated progressive award to the player of such gaming machine.
United States Patent Application No. 20070060320 (Kelly, et al.) discloses a progressive game that is implemented on a gaming system, wherein the gaming system includes one or more gaming machines connected to a game server, and wherein the progressive game has a progressive prize value that increases according to a progressive prize growth rate. The progressive game includes a selectable targeted progressive prize value, a selectable targeted progressive prize time, and one or more enticement factors. The progressive prize growth rate is calculated using the selectable targeted progressive prize value, the selectable targeted progressive prize time, and the one or more enticement factors. Additionally, a random number generation algorithm tests to determine if there is a progressive prize win at each predetermined time period. The selectable targeted progressive prize time is used to calculate the predetermined time period for testing for a progressive prize win. If a progressive prize win has not been identified, the progressive prize value is incremented by the progressive prize growth rate. If a progressive prize win has been identified, a random number generation algorithm determines one or more winners of the progressive prize.
United States Patent Application No. 20060183536 (Gagner, et al.) discloses a method and system for operating wagering game terminals where each terminal contributes an award to an award pool. A bank controller aggregates the awards, reapportions, and randomly assigns them back to the wagering game terminals. The reapportioned award assigned to a given wagering game terminal may be less than, the same as, or greater than the award contributed by that terminal. At regular or irregular intervals, the bank controller may shuffle the reapportioned awards and reassign them. As a result, the volatility of the wagering game terminals increases significantly while the payout percentage of each wagering game terminal remains the same over time.
United States Patent Application No. 20060142079 (Ikehara, et al.) provides systems and methods that allow gaming machines to participate in a progressive pool and offer a progressive award regardless of the game installed on the gaming machine and regardless of wager amount.
All disclosures of the cited prior art above are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Yet despite these innovations and enhancements, there remains a need to provide a progressive jackpot scheme that will attract greater numbers of new players, keep players motivated to play and increase the time that players spend on the machines. Although progressive machine jackpots have traditionally been allowed to grow larger and larger until hit, many players are still reluctant to play since the chances of being the player that hits the progressive jackpot are astronomically small. The present invention relies on the proven evidence from lottery play which shows that some players are willing to pool their money in order to receive more chances at a smaller prize. Depending on the seed money or reset value, these so-called smaller wins may still have life-changing results for a majority of players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a gaming system that includes a central server, central controller or remote host in communication with a linked plurality of gaming machines or gaming devices. The gaming devices are capable of generating video or providing random distributions of mechanical images, and are programmed to allow a person to make a wager. Preferably a portion of each wager is contributed to a progressive pool of funds, although alternate methods of funding the progressive jackpot may be utilized. The gaming system provides the ability to configure progressive jackpot awards based upon the total available progressive pool of funds, and allows the progressive jackpot to be repeatedly reapportioned to include additional non-winning players. The value of any secondary jackpots are predetermined and equal; the value of the primary jackpot may be at least equal to one secondary jackpot but less than the value of two secondary jackpots. Players may have the choice to either join in the shared jackpot scheme, or play to solely win the entire jackpot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart illustrating a first play method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a networked slot machine comprising a slot machine housing, operational buttons, and a video slot screen monitor displaying a multiline slot game result. FIG. 2 b shows a preferably overhead display unit that exhibits real-time jackpot information to the player.

FIG. 3 a shows the elements of FIG. 2 a at a later stage. FIG. 3 b shows the elements of FIG. 2 b at a later stage.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart illustrating a second play method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a networked slot machine comprising a slot machine housing, operational buttons, and a mechanical reels displaying a 3-reel slot game result. FIG. 5 b shows a preferably overhead display unit that exhibits real-time jackpot information to the player.

FIG. 6 a shows the elements of FIG. 5 a at a later stage. FIG. 6 b shows the elements of FIG. 5 b at a later stage.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart illustrating a third play method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart illustrating a fourth play method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for progressive mechanical, electromechanical, internet or video slot play on networked or banked (e.g., multiple player monitors on a single bank of monitors) gaming machines is disclosed. Each gaming machine in the network comprises a primary mechanical reel array or video symbol array (“base game”) and a progressive jackpot opportunity. Preferably a maximum bet in the base game is required to be eligible to “hit” the jackpot, although alternate proprietary methods of funding the progressive jackpot may be utilized. A predetermined result in the base game triggers the jackpot.
The practice of the present technology can be described as including at least a method of playing a wagering game on networked wagering apparatus. Steps include:
a) a player placing a wager on a game that provides a progressive jackpot; wherein the progressive jackpot is incremented by portions of the wager into the progressive jackpot and the progressive jackpot resets at predetermined reset value after a previous win of a largest amount of the progressive jackpot;
b) wherein after the progressive jackpot is reset, the progressive jackpot is divided into (1) a primary jackpot, and (2) additive funds identified in an accounting function of the wagering apparatus;
c) wherein the additive funds increase until a predetermined repeatable threshold value is at least equaled in the accounting function and that threshold value above a seed value for the primary jackpot is used to establish a secondary jackpot awarded in relation to when the primary jackpot is awarded, so that when at least the primary jackpot is awarded to a first player because the first player is provided with a progressive jackpot winning event, the value of any additive funds that have not reached the threshold value are awarded to either the first player or another active player on the networked system; and
d) when the threshold value has been first reached and a first secondary jackpot has been established, the first player is awarded the primary jackpot and at least one player on the networked system different from the first player is awarded the first secondary jackpot. The at least one other player may be randomly selected from among networked players active in play of the networked system. The at least one other player may be selected according to predetermined criteria from among networked players active in play of the networked system.
The progressive jackpot may be retained at least X value and when the additive funds reach value Y, the secondary jackpot becomes functional at a value of Y. After a first secondary jackpot has become functional, additional progressive contributions may be added to at least the progressive jackpot to provide second additive funds, and when the second additive funds reach a second predetermined threshold, a second secondary jackpot may be established that is awarded in conjunction with the award of the primary jackpot and the award of the first secondary jackpot.
The value of the primary jackpot portion of the progressive jackpot may be at least equal to the first secondary jackpot and less than the value of the first secondary jackpot plus the second secondary jackpot. When the threshold value is reached, the threshold value may be deducted from additive funds, providing a secondary jackpot. Each time the threshold value Y is equaled above amount X in a jackpot award amount, an additional jackpot may be provided that is awarded in conjunction with the award of the progressive jackpot. When one player is awarded the progressive jackpot, that one player may be awarded the primary (first) jackpot plus additive funds up to but less than the threshold amount. All additional (second, third, fourth, etc.) jackpots may or must be awarded to at least one other player in play on the network other than the one player. The predetermined threshold value may be defined as equaling a reset value for the progressive jackpot after a winning progressive jackpot event.
Any player on the networked system may be able to chose to opt out of the shared progressive jackpot awards in a winner-take-all play format. The winning player who chooses winner-take-all play format wins the progressive jackpot, all additional jackpots and all additive funds if the winning player is provided with the progressive jackpot award. The winning player who chooses winner-take-all play format may win an amount that is more than the progressive jackpot and all additive funds if the winning player is provided with the progressive jackpot award. The amount that is more than the progressive jackpot and all additive funds may be at least one additional jackpot.
Another description of a method of playing a networked lottery game according to the present technology is in which a progressive jackpot resets at predetermined reset value after previous win. The progressive jackpot may be divided into at least (a) a primary jackpot being the initially reset value, and (b) additive funds being at an initial amount of $0 or more. A portion of each wager is diverted to the additive funds of the progressive jackpot. The additive funds increase until a predetermined first threshold value is at least equaled and an additional jackpot is established. When at least the progressive jackpot is awarded to a first player, both any additive funds are awarded and any secondary jackpots are awarded, with at least secondary jackpots awarded to a player in the networked lottery game other than first player. The value of any secondary jackpots may be predetermined and equal to a minimum amount allowed for the progressive jackpot.
The present progressive jackpot scheme (herein called “Office Pool”) provides a progressive jackpot that may be repeatedly reapportioned to include additional non-winning players. The progressive jackpot is initially set at a predetermined “seed” or reset amount (X, which may even be zero or a fixed positive amount), and grows as a portion of each wager is added. It is preferable that initially (“initially” will be later defined) only the player who hits the jackpot may win the jackpot. As new monies (“additive funds”) are added to the jackpot by additional machine wagers, the total amount will rise until either (a) the progressive jackpot is hit, or (b) until the value of the additive funds reaches a predetermined threshold value (wherein the combination of (a) and (b) determines the limits of “initially”), the threshold value preferably being an amount equal to or greater than Y (a threshold value wherein a portion of the progressive jackpot can be shared). If the jackpot is hit before the additive funds reach an amount equal to or greater than Y, the player who hit the progressive jackpot will win at least X, and preferably X+the additive funds. If, however, the additive funds reach an amount equal to or greater than Y (or for example, when Y=X) before the jackpot is hit, the progressive jackpot will be now considered as two distinct X value jackpots plus any remaining or subsequently added additive funds. In other words, when the additive funds at least equal the seed or reset value X (as an example), the reset value portion of the additive funds are subtracted from the additive funds total and become in effect an additional jackpot, becoming two separate and distinct jackpots of value X. As additional additive funds are provided, the total progressive jackpot will be comprised of the two X jackpots plus the additive funds (which may be distributed between the two jackpots, or held in reserve, building to a third jackpot), until either (a) the progressive jackpot is hit, or (b) until the cumulative reserve additive funds reach another threshold value, such as an amount equal to or greater than X. If the progressive jackpot is hit before the additive funds again equal or exceed X, the player who hit the progressive jackpot will win at least the first X jackpot, and preferably X+the reserve additive funds, with one additional player in play on the network being selected (randomly or by predetermined qualifications) to receive the second X jackpot. Alternately, the additive funds may not be provided to the player who hit the progressive jackpot, but instead may be used as a bonus or bonuses to additional players on the network, or may be used to help fund (seed) the next jackpot. If, however, the reserve additive funds reach an equivalent of or exceed X before the progressive jackpot is hit, the progressive jackpot will be now considered as three X jackpots plus any remaining additive funds. The jackpot scheme continues as described herein until the progressive jackpot is hit. At such point when the progressive jackpot is finally hit, the total progressive jackpot monies may be described as (NX)+Z, where N=a whole number multiplier equaling the number of times that the additive funds have reached or exceeded the reset value plus 1 (initial reset amount), X=the reset value, and Z=the additive funds. For instance, if the total progressive jackpot monies are $15,475,545.72 at the time of the hit, and having a $1,000,000.00 initial seed or reset value, this may be considered 15X+475,545.72. According to a preferred progressive jackpot scheme “Office Pool”, the one player who hits the progressive jackpot trigger would win X+Z, or $1,475,545.72 and 14 additional players on the network would each win X, or $1,000,000.00.
It may be possible for any player on the network to have the choice to either play the described progressive scheme “Office Pool”, or play a traditional progressive jackpot scheme (herein referred to as “Winner-Take-All”). If a player chooses “Winner-Take-All” before wagering to play, and hits the progressive jackpot, he would win all jackpot monies (NX)+Z, and no additional players would share in the win. He would win more money, but his chances of winning would be UN the chances of winning the lesser but still potentially life-changing amount X. If on the other hand the player chooses “Office Pool” before wagering, he would win at least X, but preferably X+Z, if he hits the progressive jackpot, or would still have N−1 chances of winning X if another “Office Pool” player hits the progressive jackpot.
It is also contemplated that alternately, the initial seed money or reset value may initially provide for more than one winner. The initial seed money divided by the number of potential initial winners would dictate the amount that the additive funds must reach for an additional player to share in the jackpot. For instance, two $500,000.00 jackpots may be provided by an initial seed of $1,000,000.00, and a third $500,000.00 jackpot may be provided when the additive funds reach a threshold value of $500,000.00, and so on. Again alternately, the additive funds may not be provided to the player who hit the jackpot, but instead may be used as a bonus or bonuses to additional players on the network, or may be used to help fund (seed) the next jackpot.
In yet another alternate method, it is contemplated that the threshold value may not equal the reset value of the progressive jackpot, but may instead be a predetermined value less than the reset value. For instance, if the reset value is $1,000,000 (i.e., primary jackpot), and the predetermined threshold value is $50,000, the amount of $50,000 secondary jackpots (for non-winning players in play on the network) would equal the amount of times that the additive funds have equaled the threshold value before the progressive jackpot is hit. The winning player would win the reset value primary jackpot plus any additive funds, and the number of non-winning players chosen to win a secondary jackpot would equal the number of times that the additive funds have equaled the threshold value before the progressive jackpot was hit.
The present invention may also be utilized in lottery games. The purchase of a chance or ticket in a progressive lottery is akin to wagering to play a networked progressive slot machine. As described in the progressive gaming machine scheme above, the progressive lottery jackpot may be repeatedly reapportioned to include additional non-winning ticketholders. When purchasing a chance or ticket for a progressive jackpot lottery, the player may or may not have the choice to either play the “Office Pool” method or go for the “Winner-Take-All” payout. It is also contemplated that additive funds from ticket sales may not be provided to the player who bought the winning ticket, but instead may be used as a bonus or bonuses to additional ticket holders, or may be used to help fund (seed) the next jackpot.
In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a progressive jackpot gaming system and scheme is disclosed wherein a progressive jackpot herein described as “Office Pool” is provided that may be repeatedly reapportioned to include additional non-winning players. Contrary to most progressive jackpot schemes as known in prior art, the progressive jackpot in the present invention does not grow ever larger until hit by and rewarded to one player, but rather grows until a predetermined threshold value is reached that causes the progressive jackpot to be reapportioned to include jackpot awards available to more than one player. The gaming system includes a central server, central controller or remote host in communication with a linked plurality of gaming machines or gaming devices. The gaming devices are capable of generating video or mechanical images, and are programmed to allow a person to make a wager. The gaming devices preferably provide a base wagering game (mechanical slots, video slots, video poker, video keno, video bingo and the like) and a progressive jackpot opportunity. Preferably a maximum wager is required in the base game for qualification into the progressive jackpot opportunity. The progressive jackpot is divided into two sections: (1) the jackpot amount that is initially set at a predetermined seed money amount (“reset value”) and (2) additive funds provided by a portion of each maximum wager. The additive funds amount grows as the number of wagers increase, until the progressive jackpot is hit by a predetermined trigger event in the base game or until the additive funds amount at least equals the reset value. If the progressive jackpot is hit, the player who triggered the hit is paid the jackpot and the additive funds. If on the other hand the additive funds have reached an amount at least equal to the reset value before the progressive jackpot is hit, the reset value portion of the additive funds is subtracted from the additive funds and deemed as an additional jackpot to be awarded to an additional non-winning player on the network upon the progressive jackpot being hit. This scheme is ongoing until the progressive jackpot is triggered by one player. At such time, the player who triggered the jackpot will win one reset-value jackpot plus any available additive funds, and any remaining jackpots will be awarded randomly or by predetermined qualification to non-winning players on the network. Predetermined qualifications may include, but are not limited to, a specified time on machine, a specified minimum total of wagers within a predetermined time period, the insertion of an active player's card, total credits on the machine, the win total within a specified time period, etc.
A second preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises the first preferred embodiment, with the addition of a player choice feature. In this progressive jackpot scheme, the player is allowed a prewager opportunity to play the progressive jackpot game as “Office Pool” as discussed in the first embodiment, or as a “Winner-Take-All” method. If the player chooses the “Winner-Take-All” method, he would win all progressive jackpot monies (all jackpots plus any additive funds), with no other players sharing in the progressive jackpot. If, however, the player chooses the “Winner-Take-All” method, and the progressive jackpot is won by an “Office Pool” player, the “Winner-Take-All” player may not participate the sharing of additional jackpots.
In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and/or second embodiment methods as described above may be offered to players at traditional table games that provide a linked progressive jackpot opportunity.
In a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, a progressive jackpot scheme is provided for lottery systems. The purchase of a chance or ticket in a progressive lottery is akin to wagering to play a networked progressive gaming device just as the jackpot increasing until the winning progressive jackpot number is drawn and matched by a player ticket is akin to the jackpot increasing until a trigger is facilitated. Just as reapportioning the progressive jackpot provides for additional machine network players' winners, the progressive lottery jackpot may be reapportioned to include additional non-winning ticketholders. Unlike systems wherein there are second chance winners in lotteries where, after the drawing, residual amounts may be won by resubmitting losing tickets, the present method provides for immediate winners without resubmission of player game entries. The method comprises players purchasing tickets for a progressive jackpot, wherein the progressive jackpot is initially set at a predetermined reset value. The progressive jackpot is divided into two sections: (1) the jackpot amount that is initially set at a predetermined seed money amount (“reset value”) and (2) additive funds provided by ticket sales. As ticket sale monies are added, these additive funds will continue to grow until either (1) a winning ticket number is drawn and matched by at least one ticketholder or (2) the additive funds at least equal the reset value. If the progressive jackpot number is drawn and matched by one ticketholder, that ticketholder is paid the jackpot and the additive funds. If multiple ticketholders have winning tickets, the jackpot plus additive funds will be divided among them equally. If on the other hand the additive funds have reached an amount at least equal to the reset value before a winning ticket is drawn, the reset value portion of the additive funds is subtracted from the additive funds and deemed as an additional jackpot that may be awarded to an additional non-winning ticketholder upon at least one winning ticket being drawn. This scheme is ongoing until at least one winning progressive jackpot ticket is drawn. At such time, the winning ticketholder(s) will each win one reset-value jackpot plus equal portions of any available additive funds (or alternately equal portions of the entire progressive jackpot if there are more winning ticketholders than jackpots), and any remaining jackpots will be awarded randomly or by predetermined qualification to non-winning ticketholders. When purchasing a ticket for a progressive jackpot lottery, the player may or may not have the choice to either play the “Office Pool” method as described above or go for the “Winner-Take-All” payout. If the player chooses the “Winner-Take-All” method, he would win all progressive jackpot monies (all jackpots plus any additive monies), with no other ticketholders sharing in the progressive jackpot. If, however, the player chooses the “Winner-Take-All” method, and the progressive jackpot is won by an “Office Pool” ticketholder, the “Winner-Take-All” ticketholder may not participate in the sharing of additional jackpots. If there are multiple progressive jackpot winning ticketholders, including both “Office Pool” ticketholders and “Winner-Take-All” ticketholders, the amount of the winning total progressive jackpot may be divided equally among ticketholders. In this case, any “Winner-Take-All” ticketholders would keep the entirety of their shares, and any “Office Pool” players would receive exactly one jackpot (reset amount) plus any additive fund shares, with the remaining jackpots being won by random or qualified non-winning ticketholders.
Although specific examples and specific images have been provided in this discussion, these specifics are intended to be only support for the generic concepts of the invention and are not intended to be absolute limits in the scope of the technology discussed.
Reference to the Figures will assist in further understanding of the practice of the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a flow chart describing a first play method of the present invention wherein an “Office Pool” progressive jackpot scheme is utilized on each slot machine in a network. In Step 102, a new progressive jackpot game is offered after the previous progressive jackpot has been won. The amount of the new progressive jackpot is set at a predetermined reset value. In Step 104, the progressive jackpot is immediately divided into two sections: (1) one first reset value jackpot and (2) additive funds that begin at $0. As described in Step 106, slot machines are linked on a network, and a portion of each qualified or maximum bet wager made on each machine is diverted to the additive funds section of the progressive jackpot. As each wager is made, the total of the additive funds will increase. The additive funds are constantly monitored to see if they at least equal the reset value jackpot amount (Step 108). If not (Step 110), and the progressive jackpot has not yet been hit (Steps 112 and 114), portions of each wager are still diverted into the additive funds that continue to increase with each wager. If however, the progressive jackpot has been hit, (Steps 112 and 120), the player who hits the progressive jackpot wins the reset value jackpot plus all additive funds as shown in Step 122. The next progressive jackpot then resets at the predetermined reset value as shown in Step 102. Returning now to Step 108, if the additive funds have increased to at least equal the reset jackpot value (Step 130), the additive funds are reapportioned as described in Step 132. The reset value amount now included in the additive funds total is subtracted from the additive funds total, providing an additional reset value jackpot. For instance, if the progressive jackpot has been reset at an initial $1,000,000, and finally a particular wager causes the additive funds to increase to $1,000,000.02, the additive funds are shown now as $0.02, and a second $1,000,000 jackpot is now available. When the additive funds keep increasing and finally again reach at least $1,000,000, a third $1,000,000 jackpot will become available when subtracted from the additive funds. This gameplay repeats over and over (Step 136) until the progressive jackpot is hit (Steps 134 and 140). At this point, the player who hit the jackpot wins one jackpot (following the same example, $1,000,000) plus the totality of additive funds (Step 142). Step 144 shows that the remaining amount of jackpots are then won by the same amount of non-winning players on the network, the non-winning players being chosen randomly or by predetermined qualifications (i.e., the total amount of the player's wagers on the network in a specified amount of time, the timing of the player's last wager, the total amount of a player's winnings on the network in a specified amount of time, the size of the player's recent win or wins, etc.). The next progressive jackpot then resets at the predetermined reset value as shown in Step 102.
FIG. 2 a illustrates a slot machine comprising the basic elements of the present invention as described in FIG. 1. A slot machine housing 150 is shown, along with a monitor screen 152 displaying a multiline slot game result 158. Wagering buttons 154 and a Spin button 156 are also shown. FIG. 2 b shows an informational display 160 (preferably placed above a bank of networked machines) comprising electronic display areas showing real-time values for the number of jackpot winners 162, the amount of the jackpot 164 and additive funds 166. The display depicts the progressive jackpot at the time of reset, with one $1,000,000 jackpot 164 being available for one winner 162, and $0 funds in the additive funds portion 166 of the progressive jackpot.
FIGS. 3 a and 3 b shows the game elements of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b at a later stage. In FIG. 3 a, a winning symbol combination 172 is detected on Payline 1 174 in a new multiline slot game result 170. FIG. 3 b shows the informational display with the display areas showing the real-time values at the instant the progressive jackpot was hit. The player who received the winning symbol combination 172 in FIG. 3 a wins all of the additive funds 166, plus one of the six $1,000,000 jackpots. Five additional non-winning players are then rewarded with $1,000,000 each.
FIG. 4 shows a flow chart describing a second method of the present invention wherein a progressive jackpot scheme allows the player to choose either an “Office Pool” or “Winner-Take-All” play method when wagering to play a slot machine in a network. In Step 200, a new progressive jackpot game is offered after the previous progressive jackpot has been won. The amount of the new progressive jackpot is set at a predetermined reset value. In Step 202, the progressive jackpot is immediately divided into two sections: (1) one first reset value jackpot and (2) additive funds that begin at $0. At Step 204, the player chooses to either play the progressive game as described described in FIG. 1, or as a “Winner-Take-All” format wherein the winning player (the player who triggers the progressive jackpot) is rewarded with all of the progressive jackpot funds comprised of all jackpots plus all additive funds. As described in Step 206, slot machines are linked on a network, and a portion of each qualified or maximum bet wager made on each machine is diverted to the additive funds section of the progressive jackpot. As each wager is made, the total of the additive funds will increase. The additive funds are constantly monitored to see if they at least equal the reset value jackpot amount (Step 208). If not (Step 210), and the progressive jackpot has not yet been hit (Steps 212 and 214), portions of each wager are still diverted into the additive funds that continue to increase with each wager. If however, the progressive jackpot has been hit, (Steps 212 and 216), the player who hits the progressive jackpot wins the reset value jackpot plus all additive funds as shown in Step 218. The next progressive jackpot then resets at the predetermined reset value as shown in Step 200. Returning now to Step 208, if the additive funds have increased to at least equal the reset jackpot value (Step 220), the additive funds are reapportioned as described in Step 222. The reset value amount now included in the additive funds total is subtracted from the additive funds total, providing an additional reset value jackpot. For instance, if the progressive jackpot has been reset at an initial $1,000,000, and finally a particular wager causes the additive funds to increase to $1,000,000.02, the additive funds are shown now as $0.02, and a second $1,000,000 jackpot is now available. When the additive funds keep increasing and finally again reach at least $1,000,000, a third $1,000,000 jackpot will become available when subtracted from the additive funds. This gameplay repeats over and over (Step 226) until the progressive jackpot is hit (Steps 224 and 228). At this point, it is determined whether the winning player at Step 204 chose to play the “Winner-Take-All” option (Step 230). If so (Step 232), that winning player is awarded the totality of the progressive jackpot, including all jackpots plus all additive funds. On the other hand, if the winning player did not chose the “Winner-Take-All option, and instead chose the “Office Pool” option (Step 236), that player wins one jackpot (following the same example, $1,000,000) plus the totality of additive funds (Step 238). Step 240 shows that the remaining amount of jackpots are then won by the same amount of non-winning “Office Pool” players only on the network, the non-winning players being chosen randomly or by predetermined qualifications (i.e., the total amount of the player's wagers on the network in a specified amount of time, the timing of the player's last wager, the total amount of a player's winnings on the network in a specified amount of time, the size of the player's recent win or wins, etc.). The next progressive jackpot then resets at the predetermined reset value as shown in Step 200.
FIG. 5 a illustrates a slot machine comprising the basic elements of the present invention as described in FIG. 4. A slot machine housing 250 displays a mechanical 3-reel slot game result, comprising a pencil symbol on the first reel 264, a desk symbol on the second reel 266, and a computer symbol on the third reel 268 along Payline 270. Wagering buttons (252, 254, and 256) and a Spin button 262 are shown. Two additional buttons for the player's choice option are also shown: one button for the “Office Pool” option 258, and one button for the “Winner-Take-All” option 260. FIG. 5 b shows an informational display 272 (preferably placed above a bank of networked machines) comprising electronic display areas showing real-time values for the number of jackpot winners 274, the amount of the jackpot 276 and additive funds 278. The display depicts the progressive jackpot at the time of reset, with one $1,000,000 jackpot 276 being available for one winner 274, and $0 funds in the additive funds portion 278 of the progressive jackpot.
FIGS. 6 a and 6 b shows the game elements of FIGS. 5 a and 5 b at a later stage. In FIG. 6 a, the player makes a 3-coin maximum wager 280 in order to play the game, and chooses to play the “Winner-Take-All” option 282. After the reels spin and stop, a winning symbol combination on reels 1-2-3 (284-286-288) is detected on Payline 270 in a new 3-reel slot game result. FIG. 6 b shows the informational display with the display areas showing the real-time values at the instant the progressive jackpot was hit. The player who received the winning symbol combination in FIG. 6 a wins all of the additive funds 278, plus all of the four $1,000,000 jackpots, for a total win of $4,246,805.50.
FIG. 7 shows a flow chart describing a third method of the present invention wherein an “Office Pool” progressive jackpot scheme is utilized in a lottery event. Described is a game scheme wherein when the progressive jackpot is won, there are at least as many jackpots as winning tickets. If there is a less number of jackpots than winning tickets, the entire progressive jackpot is divided equally among the winning ticketholders. In Step 300, a new progressive jackpot game is offered after the previous progressive jackpot has been won. The amount of the new progressive jackpot is set at a predetermined reset value. In Step 302, the progressive jackpot is immediately divided into two sections: (1) one first reset value jackpot and (2) additive funds that begin at $0. As described in Step 304, the player buys a lottery ticket and a portion of each ticket sale is diverted to the additive funds section of the progressive jackpot. As each ticket sale is made, the total of the additive funds will increase. The additive funds are constantly monitored to see if they at least equal the reset value jackpot amount (Step 306). If not (Step 308), and a winning drawn progressive jackpot number has not been matched by a player's ticket (Steps 310 and 312), portions of each ticket sale are still diverted into the additive funds that continue to increase with ticket sales. If however, the winning drawn progressive jackpot number has been matched by at least one player's ticket (Step 314), the total of the progressive jackpot (jackpot plus all additive funds) is divided equally among all winning ticketsholders 316, and each winner is awarded his entire share of the winnings 318. The next progressive jackpot then resets at the predetermined reset value as shown in Step 300. Returning now to Step 306, if the additive funds have increased to at least equal the reset jackpot value (Step 330), the additive funds are reapportioned as described in Step 332. The reset value amount now included in the additive funds total is subtracted from the additive funds total, providing an additional reset value jackpot. For instance, if the progressive jackpot has been reset at an initial $1,000,000, and finally a particular ticket sale causes the additive funds to increase to $1,000,000.02, the additive funds are shown now as $0.02, and a second $1,000,000 jackpot is now available. When the additive funds keep increasing and finally again reach at least $1,000,000, a third $1,000,000 jackpot will become available when subtracted from the additive funds. This gameplay repeats over and over (Step 336) until a winning drawn progressive jackpot number is matched by at least one ticketholder's ticket (Steps 334 and 340). At this point, the entire progressive jackpot is initially divided equally among the number of winning ticketholders 342. If there are more winning tickets than available jackpots, each winning ticketholder wins his equal share of the entire progressive jackpot. If there are more jackpots than winning tickets, each player having a winning ticket wins one jackpot (following the same example, $1,000,000) plus his share of additive funds (Step 344). As a further example, if a progressive jackpot of $240,400,000.00 is won by four ticketholders, the progressive jackpot would be divided into four $60,100,000 sums, each including 60 $1,000,000 jackpots and 100,000 in additive funds. Each winning ticketholder would then be awarded one jackpot and his share of the additive funds, or a total of $1,100,000. Step 346 shows that the remaining amount of jackpots (59 [60 minus 1] jackpots×4, or a total of 236 jackpots to follow the further example) are then won by the same amount of non-winning ticketholders, the non-winning ticketholders being chosen randomly and/or by predetermined qualifications (i.e., tickets matching one less than all of the winning progressive jackpot numbers, tickets matching a special number only, tickets purchased within a specific time period, etc.). The next progressive jackpot then resets at the predetermined reset value as shown in Step 300.
FIG. 8 shows a flow chart describing a fourth method of the present invention wherein an “Office Pool” or “Winner-Take-All” option is provided for a progressive jackpot scheme that is utilized in a lottery event. Described is a game scheme wherein when the progressive jackpot is won, there are at least as many jackpots as winning tickets. If there is a less number of jackpots than winning tickets, the entire progressive jackpot is divided as described below among the winning ticketholders. In Step 400, a new progressive jackpot game is offered after the previous progressive jackpot has been won. The amount of the new progressive jackpot is set at a predetermined reset value. In Step 402, the progressive jackpot is immediately divided into two sections: (1) one first reset value jackpot and (2) additive funds that begin at $0. As described in Steps 404 and 406, the player buys a lottery ticket, requesting either an “Office Pool” designated ticket or a “Winner-Take-All” designated ticket, and a portion of each ticket sale is diverted to the additive funds section of the progressive jackpot. As each ticket sale is made, the total of the additive funds will increase. The additive funds are constantly monitored to see if they at least equal the reset value jackpot amount (Step 408). If not (Step 410), and a winning drawn progressive jackpot number has not been matched by a player's ticket (Steps 412 and 414), additional “Office Pool” or “Winner-Take-All” tickets are purchased, and portions of each ticket sale are still diverted into the additive funds that continue to increase with ticket sales. If however, the winning drawn progressive jackpot number has been matched by at least one player's ticket (Step 416), the total of the progressive jackpot (jackpot plus all additive funds) is divided equally between all winning ticketsholders 418. Regardless of whether a winning ticketholder has chosen the “Winner-Take-All” option ( Steps 420, 422, and 424) each winner is awarded his entire share of the winnings 426. The next progressive jackpot then resets at the predetermined reset value as shown in Step 400. Returning now to Step 408, if the additive funds have increased to at least equal the reset jackpot value (Step 430), the additive funds are reapportioned as described in Step 432. The reset value amount now included in the additive funds total is subtracted from the additive funds total, providing an additional reset value jackpot. For instance, if the progressive jackpot has been reset at an initial $1,000,000, and finally a particular ticket sale causes the additive funds to increase to $1,000,000.02, the additive funds are shown now as $0.02, and a second $1,000,000 jackpot is now available. When the additive funds keep increasing and finally again reach at least $1,000,000, a third $1,000,000 jackpot will become available when subtracted from the additive funds. This gameplay repeats over and over (Step 436) until a winning drawn progressive jackpot number is matched by at least one ticketholder's ticket (Steps 434 and 440). At this point, the entire progressive jackpot is initially divided equally among the number of winning ticketholders 442. If there are more winning tickets than available jackpots, each winning ticketholder, whether “Office Pool” or “Winner-Take-All”, wins his equal share of the entire progressive jackpot. If there are more jackpots than winning tickets, it is then determined if a winning ticketholder bought a “Winner-Take-All” ticket 444. If so 446, that ticketholder is awarded his entire share of winnings. If a ticketholder has instead played the “Office Pool” option, and not the “Winner-Take-All” option 450, that player having a winning “Office Pool” ticket wins one jackpot (following the same example, $1,000,000) plus his share of additive funds (Step 452). For example, if a progressive jackpot of $12,300,000.00 is won by six ticketholders, the progressive jackpot would be divided into six $2,050,000 sums, each including two $1,000,000 jackpots and $50,000 in additive funds. Each winning “Winner-Take-All” ticketholder would then be awarded $2,050,000, or in other words, his entire share of winnings. Each winning “Office Pool” winner would win one jackpot and his share of the additive funds, or a total of $1,050,000. Step 346 shows that the remaining amount of jackpots are then won by the same amount of non-winning “Office Pool” ticketholders only, the non-winning ticketholders being chosen randomly and/or by predetermined qualifications (i.e., tickets matching one less than all of the winning progressive jackpot numbers, tickets matching a special number only, tickets purchased within a specific time period, etc.). Whether the winning ticketholder wins a “Winner-Take-All” jackpot 448 or an “Office Pool” jackpot 452 and 454, the next progressive jackpot then resets at the predetermined reset value as shown in Step 400.
The distribution or assignment of the second or additional jackpots to players that did not have the jackpot triggering game event can be selected in a wide variety of manners. In games with ranks, for example, the highest ranking hand(s) within a given previous, overlapping or subsequent time period (e.g., spins that overlap the winning event of were active during the time of the spin of the winning event) could be declared the winner. Game machines may be randomly selected. The processor may select gaming machines with a highest rate of play, the greatest losses over a period of time, the greatest winnings over time, or other criteria.
Although specific examples and specific images have been provided in this discussion, these specifics are intended to be only support for the generic concepts of the invention and are not intended to be absolute limits in the scope of the technology discussed.

Claims

1. A method of playing a wagering game on networked wagering apparatus comprising:

a player placing a wager on a game that provides a progressive jackpot;

wherein the progressive jackpot is incremented by portions of the wager into the progressive jackpot and the progressive jackpot resets at a predetermined reset value after a previous win of a largest amount of the progressive jackpot;

wherein after the progressive jackpot is reset, the progressive jackpot is divided into (1) a primary jackpot, and (2) additive funds identified in an accounting function of the wagering apparatus;

wherein the additive funds increase until a predetermined repeatable threshold value is at least equaled in the accounting function and that threshold value above a seed value for the primary jackpot is used to establish a second jackpot awarded in relation to when the primary jackpot is awarded, so that when at least the primary jackpot is awarded to a first player because the first player is provided with a progressive jackpot winning event, the value of any additive funds that have not reached the threshold value are awarded to either the first player or another active player on the networked system; and

when the threshold value has been first reached and a second jackpot has been established, the first player is awarded the primary jackpot and at least one player on the networked system different from the first player is awarded the second jackpot.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one other player is randomly selected from among networked players active in play of the networked system.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one other player is selected according to predetermined criteria from among networked players active in play of the networked system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the progressive jackpot is retained at least X value and when the additive funds reach value Y, the second jackpot becomes functional at a value of Y.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein after a second jackpot has become functional, additional progressive contributions are added to at least the progressive jackpot to provide second additive funds, and when the second additive funds reach a second predetermined threshold, a third jackpot is established that is awarded in conjunction with the award of the primary jackpot and the award of the second jackpot.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the value of the primary jackpot is at least equal to the second jackpot and less than the value of the second jackpot plus the third jackpot.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein when the threshold value is reached, the threshold value is deducted from additive funds, providing a second jackpot.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein each time the threshold value Y is equaled above amount X in a jackpot award amount, an additional jackpot is provided that is awarded in conjunction with the award of the primary jackpot.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein when one player is awarded the primary jackpot, that one player is awarded the primary jackpot plus additive funds up to but less than the threshold amount.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein all additional jackpots are awarded to at least one other player in play on the network other than the one player.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined threshold value equals a reset value for the progressive jackpot after a winning progressive jackpot event.

12. The method of claim 1 where any player on the networked system may chose to opt out of the shared progressive jackpot awards in a winner-take-all play format.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the winning player who chooses winner-take-all play format wins the primary jackpot, all additional jackpots and all additive funds if the winning player is provided with the progressive jackpot award.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the winning player who chooses winner-take-all play format wins an amount that is more than the primary jackpot and all additive funds if the winning player is provided with the progressive jackpot award.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the amount that is more than the primary jackpot and all additive funds comprises at least one additional jackpot.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein a player who chooses winner-take-all play format does not win any awards if the winning player is a player who chose the office pool option and is provided with the progressive jackpot award.

17. A method of playing a networked lottery game in which a progressive jackpot resets at predetermined reset value after previous win:

wherein the progressive jackpot is divided into at least (a) primary jackpot being the initially reset value, and (b) additive funds being at an initial mount of $0 or more;

a portion of each wager is diverted to the additive funds of the progressive jackpot;

wherein the additive funds increase until a predetermined first threshold value is at least equaled and an additional jackpot is established;

wherein when at least the progressive jackpot is awarded to a first player, both any additive funds are awarded and any secondary jackpots are awarded, with at least secondary jackpots being awarded to a player in the networked lottery game other than first player.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the value of any secondary jackpots is predetermined and equal to a minimum amount allowed for the progressive jackpot.