Methods are provided for enabling audience members at a live or substantially live performance to interact with performers and participate in the performance.

A method of managing a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network having a first user and a second user, the method comprising the step of: ascertaining a competitive characteristic associated with the first user and a competitive characteristic associated with the second user (210); comparing the ascertained competitive characteristics (220); identifying whether there is a disparity between the competitive characteristics that exceeds a threshold (230), thereby to identify a competitive advantage associated with the first or second user; and if it is identified that the disparity exceeds the threshold, adapting a network configuration of a network connection associated with the first user so as to offset the competitive advantage associated with the first or second user (240).

There is disclosed a multi-player game system for allowing a user to play a repeatable game of chance in a competitive context against at least one competitor, the game system comprising: a client device (410) operable by the user, providing a user interface module which is configured to display the state of a game of chance played by the user and to receive user input requesting a new result of the game of chance; a game engine (430, 432, 434), configured to provide a new result of the game of chance to the client device on receipt of a request from the client device (410) to provide the new result, where the system further comprises a multi-player engine (440), configured to: process multi-player game data representing a multi-player game that links a plurality of games of chance being played by a respective plurality of players on a respective plurality of client devices, said plurality of players consisting of said user and at least one competitor, and transmit to the client device (410) state data relating to the state of the plurality of games of chance, to allow the client device (410) additionally to display the state of said at least one competitor's games.

A bonusing system for gaming devices provides a first bonus award eligible to be won via participating gaming devices. The bonusing system is configured to: establish the first bonus award as available to participating gaming devices based on a bonus award configuration; register a plurality of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and a plurality of table gaming devices to participate in the first bonus award; receive, from a first electronic gaming machine (EGM), a first wager event message indicating a first wager being performed by a first player at the first EGM; receive, from a first table gaming device, a second wager event message indicating a second wager being performed by a second player at the first table gaming device; determine that one of the first and second wager events results in an award of the bonus award based on output of a random number generator (RNG), the award of the bonus award identifying one or more of a winning player and a winning gaming device; and award the bonus award to the winning player at the winning gaming device based on the determination.

A system and method are provided for implementing a uniquely automated, and otherwise gamified, version of a Squares Game. The disclosed schemes incorporate technology for hosting on, or interacting/reacting with, potential participants' mobile and personal communicating and computing devices. The disclosed systems and methods uniquely adapt the gamified Squares Game to implement hybrid schemes employed by one or more of the myriad “fantasy sports” leagues that have become attractive to mass audiences. The disclosed schemes provide event-long score tabulation as a mechanism by which to allocate awards. The disclosed schemes provide for branding to certain sponsors of a Super Squares event, league, or season, in a manner that the a sponsoring entity's retail and/or website properties may be linked to the automated game in order to facilitate increased traffic, sales and/or exposure.

In one embodiment, zone-based gaming activity within a gaming establishment can be configured. The method can, for example, include: setting a location within the gaming establishment for the zone-based gaming activity, the location being at least one defined region within the gaming establishment; configuring a virtual gaming zone for the location within the gaming establishment for the zone-based gaming activity; identifying one or more gaming devices that are within the virtual gaming zone; and permitting the identified one or more gaming devices that are within the virtual gaming zone to participate in the zone-based gaming activity.

Embodiments of the invention include a gaming device that has a video display. When the player initiates the game, an animation is shown. If the game had a losing outcome, the animation is very short and allows the player to quickly try for a win. If instead the game has a winning outcome the gaming device spins reels or otherwise shows the player how much he or she has one. The animation may also indicate progress toward a mystery jackpot or a group mystery jackpot.

A marketing bonus system and method for use in one or more casino establishments for awarding a prize to a player who is a member of a loyalty program and has a player card in active use at an eligible electronic gaming machine. The marketing bonus system and method randomly selects a player for an award. It may be configured to offer multiple bonuses across the floor of a casino or other gaming establishment at any given time. Players are notified prior to a bonus being awarded so that they may insert their card into an electronic gaming machine on the casino floor in the area where the bonus is active and be eligible to win. Awards are offered to eligible players at electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be offered on other types of devices that are in active use such as general purpose computing devices connected to the system over a network such as the internet.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a bonus game that is common to a bank of electronic gaming devices. One or more pools accrue with each wager placed. A player qualifies to play the bonus game when at least one tracked player or game criterion, such as wagers made, exceeds a threshold, triggers a mystery jackpot counter, or is selected by a weighted pay table. The bonus game includes a video display of a wheel bouncing against a brick wall with bricks being exploded by coins. After an opening is formed in the wall and the wheel escapes, a wheel spin determines the bonus game outcome. More than one player may play the bonus game in sequence until the last player spins the wheel.

A gaming system is provided, including a jackpot server and a gaming server. The jackpot server accumulates respective contributions from gaming client devices into a progressive jackpot. The gaming server presents wagering games to a player on a gaming client device. The wagering games include a first wagering game having a progressive jackpot component, and a second wagering game not having a progressive jackpot component. The gaming server receives a jackpot token from the player, including a token identification associated with the player and a progressive jackpot identification correlating to a token progressive jackpot. A wager is received for the second wagering game, which is conducted such that the player participates in the token progressive jackpot. The gaming server transmits a message to the jackpot server, including a portion of the wager as a contribution to the token progressive jackpot and an outcome of the second wagering game.