A GAMING SYSTEM

Abstract

A gaming system comprising a roulette wheel including a rotating wheel and a ball which generates a random number; one or more wager receiver to receive wagers placed by one or more players; a plurality of first winning event tokens; and a prize pool server, wherein the prize pool server includes a data receiver to receive details of the wagers placed by the players via the or each wager receiver, a processor for determining a prize pool and a data storage module for storing data relating to the prize pool; wherein if the random number generated by the roulette wheel does not satisfy a predetermined condition a losing event is defined and the monetary value of the wagers placed by the player(s) are added to the prize pool; and if the random number satisfies the pre-determined condition then a winning event is defined and the or each winning player receives one of the first winning event tokens which is used to select a number from an array of numbers that correspond to the numbers of the rotating wheel for a subsequent spin of the roulette wheel, wherein if the random number generated by the roulette wheel on its subsequent spin matches the selected number, a second winning event is defined and the player then wins a portion of the prize pool.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising a roulette wheel including a rotating wheel and a ball which generates a random number; one or more wager receiver to receive wagers placed by one or more players; a plurality of first winning event tokens; and a prize pool server, wherein the prize pool server includes a data receiver to receive details of the wagers placed by the players via the or each wager receiver, a processor for determining a prize pool and a data storage module for storing data relating to the prize pool; wherein if the random number generated by the roulette wheel does not satisfy a pre-determined condition a losing event is defined and the monetary value of the wagers placed by the player(s) are added to the prize pool; and if the random number satisfies the pre-determined condition then a winning event is defined and the or each winning player receives one of the first winning event tokens which is used to select a number from an array of numbers that correspond to the numbers of the rotating wheel for a subsequent spin of the roulette wheel, wherein if the random number generated by the roulette wheel on its subsequent spin matches the selected number, a second winning event is defined and the player then wins a portion of the prize pool.

2. A gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the gaming system further includes one or more second winning event tokens, wherein in the event of a second winning event, the or each winning player receives a second winning event token which is used to select a number from an array of numbers that correspond to the numbers of the rotating wheel for a further subsequent spin of the roulette wheel, wherein if the random number generated by the roulette wheel on its further subsequent spin matches the number selected with the second winning event token, a third winning event is defined and the player then wins at least a further portion of the prize pool.

3. A gaming system according to claim 2, wherein the gaming system further includes one or more third winning event tokens, wherein in the event of a third winning event, the or each player receives a third winning event token which is used to select a number from an array of numbers that correspond to the numbers of the rotating wheel for a further subsequent spin of the roulette wheel, wherein if the random number generated by the roulette wheel on its further subsequent spin matches the number selected with the third winning event token, a fourth winning event is defined and the player then wins at least a further portion of the prize pool.

4. A gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the processor of the prize pool server determines a first portion of the prize pool, a second portion of the prize pool and, optionally, a third portion of the prize pool.

5. A gaming system according to claim 4, wherein the second portion of the prize pool is greater in value than the first portion of the prize pool, and optionally, the third portion of the prize pool is greater in value that the second portion of the prize pool.

6. A gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the or each wager receiver includes a wager input component, wherein the wager input component is connected to the data receiver of the prize pool server and transmits details of the wagers placed via the respective wager receiver to the data receiver of the prize pool server.

7. A gaming system according to claim 6, wherein the wager input component includes an electronic device into which details of the wagers are entered by a user or which senses one or more properties relating to a chip used to place wagers.

8. A gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the rotating wheel defines a plurality of pockets around a peripheral edge portion thereof, and the pre-determined condition is a pre-determined pocket of the rotating wheel.

9. A gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the system further includes a display which displays the monetary value of the or each portion of the prize pool.

10. A networked gaming system, wherein the networked system includes a plurality of roulette wheels, wherein each roulette wheel has associated with it one or more corresponding wager receivers and plurality of first winning event tokens; and the networked system further includes a common prize pool server, wherein the prize pool server includes a data receiver to receive details of the wagers placed by the players via each wager receiver, a processor for determining a prize pool and a data storage module for storing data relating to the prize pool; wherein the roulette wheels are as defined in claim 1; wherein if the random number generated by each roulette wheel does not satisfy a pre-determined condition a losing event is defined by that roulette wheel and the monetary value of the wagers placed by the player(s) in connection with that wheel are added to the prize pool; and if the random number generated at a table satisfies the pre-determined condition then a winning event is defined and the or each winning player in connection with the roulette wheel that generated the winning event receives one of the first winning event tokens which is used to select a number from an array of numbers that correspond to the numbers of the rotating wheel for a subsequent spin of that roulette wheel that generated the winning event, wherein if the random number generated by the roulette wheel on its subsequent spin matches the selected number, a second winning event is defined and the player then wins a portion of the prize pool.

11. A networked gaming system according to claim 10, wherein each wager receiver includes a wager input component, wherein the wager input component is connected to the data receiver of the prize pool server and transmits details of the wagers placed via the respective wager receiver to the data receiver of the prize pool server.

12. A networked gaming system according to claim 10, wherein each of the linked roulette wheels has associated with it a display which displays the monetary value of the or each portion of the prize pool.

13. A networked gaming system wherein the networked system includes a master physical roulette wheel; one or more electronic gaming terminals (EGTs), wherein each EGT includes a respective wager receiver which receives data relating to wagers placed by a respective player; and a common prize pool server, wherein the prize pool server includes a data receiver to receive details of the wagers placed by the players via the respective wager receiver, a processor for determining a prize pool and a data storage module for storing data relating to the prize pool; wherein the master roulette wheel includes a rotating wheel and a ball which generates a random number; wherein each of the electronic gaming terminals includes a data input which receives data relating to the random number generated by the physical table; wherein each of the electronic gaming terminals includes a data output which transmits data relating to the wagers placed by a user to the data receiver of the prize pool server; and wherein each of the electronic gaming terminals includes a plurality of electronic first winning tokens; wherein if the random number generated by the master physical roulette wheel does not satisfy a pre-determined condition a losing event is defined and the monetary value of the wagers placed by the player(s) at each of the EGTs is added to the prize pool; and if the random number generated by the master physical roulette wheel satisfies a pre-determined condition then a winning event is defined and the or each winning player at one or more of the EGTs receives one of the electronic first winning event tokens which is used to select a number from an array of numbers that correspond to the numbers of the rotating wheel for a subsequent spin of the master physical roulette wheel, wherein if the random number generated by the master physical roulette wheel on its subsequent spin matches the selected number, a second winning event is defined and the player(s) who selected the winning number then wins a pre-determined portion of the prize pool.

14. A networked gaming system according to claim 13, wherein each wager receiver includes a wager input component, wherein the wager input component is connected to the data receiver of the prize pool server and transmits details of the wagers placed via the respective wager receiver to the data receiver of the prize pool server.

15. A networked gaming system according to claim 13, wherein each EGT includes a display which displays the monetary value of the or each portion of the prize pool.

16. A networked gaming system according to claim 13, wherein the networked gaming system further includes one or more roulette wheels connected to the network, wherein each roulette wheel has associated with it one or more corresponding wager receivers and plurality of first winning event tokens.

17-39. (canceled)

Description

[0068] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0069] FIG. 1 is a plan view from above of a roulette table according to the first aspect of the invention;

[0070] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a prize pool server for use with the roulette table shown in FIG. 1;

[0071] FIG. 3 is a view of part of a roulette table which forms part of the fourth aspect of the invention showing areas upon which wagers are placed; and

[0072] FIG. 4 is a view of a display board which forms part of the fourth aspect of the invention, showing a display based on the computer controlled random number generator.

[0073] For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “width”, etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when installed for normal use as shown in the Figures.

[0074] FIG. 1 shows components of a gaming system according to the invention. The system includes a standard roulette wheel 3 comprising a rotating wheel and a ball, a roulette table 2 which receives the roulette wheel and includes a progressive wager receiver including indicia 5a-5e which indicate where wagers may be placed on the table 2 by players who wish to partake in the progressive game associated with the roulette table 2; and a wager input component 6 in the form of a touch-screen tablet device via which a user (e.g. a croupier) manually inputs bets placed on the progressive game (i.e. chips placed in the areas defined by indicia 5a-5e).

[0075] The roulette table 2 further includes a display 4 which displays current values of the progressive jackpot (which is discussed in more detail below).

[0076] The first aspect of the invention further includes a prize pool server 7 which is shown in FIG. 2. The prize pool server 7 is associated with the roulette table 2.

[0077] As noted from FIG. 1 a player is able to play one or both of two roulette-based games: the first of which is a standard game of roulette and relies simply on a random number generated by the roulette ball landing in a numbered pocket defined by the periphery of the rotating wheel; and the second of which is a progressive jackpot game, which is based on a pre-determined pocket of the rotating wheel. The pre-determined pocket is a 38.sup.th pocket that includes progressive jackpot indicia; it is separate from the customary pockets numbered 0 to 36.

[0078] The standard game of roulette is well known and as such will not be discussed in detail herein.

[0079] As noted above, the table 2 includes the wager input component 6 in the form of a touch-screen tablet computer. It also includes a plurality of Bronze prize tokens (not shown); a plurality of silver prize tokens (not shown); and a plurality of gold prize tokens (not shown). These may be suitably coloured chips.

[0080] The touch-screen tablet computer 6 is wirelessly connected to the prize pool server via a wireless transmitter 6a.

[0081] The prize pool server 7 includes a wireless transceiver 7a; a data input 7b which receives data from the touch-screen tablet computer relating to the wagers placed by players associated with the table 2 via the wireless transceiver 7a; a processor 7c which determines the monetary value of the wagers placed and which allocates monetary values to a first prize pool portion, a second prize pool portion and a third prize pool portion according to an algorithm run by the processor 7c; a memory storage component 7d which stores data relating to the prize pool portions; and a data output port 7e which transmits data relating to the first, second and third prize pool portions to the display 4.

[0082] In use, the players associated with the table 2 place wagers on the progressive jackpot by placing relevant chips on one of the wager receiver areas defined by indicia 5a-5e. The croupier enters the wagers into the touch-screen tablet computer 6, which in turn transmits data relating to the wagers to the prize pool server 7.

[0083] In the event that the ball lands in a pocket other than the 38.sup.th pocket, a losing event is defined for the progressive jackpot game and the progressive jackpot game continues on the next spin of the roulette wheel 3 as described above.

[0084] However, if the ball lands in the 38.sup.th pocket, then a winning event is defined and all players who had placed wagers on the progressive game by placing one or more chips on the wager receiver areas 5a-5e are defined as winning players. Each of the winning players receives one or more of the bronze prize tokens, depending on the number of wagers they placed on the progressive game. The winning players place the or each of their bronze prize tokens on a selected number 8 on the roulette table 2 prior to the roulette wheel 3 being spun for a subsequent time.

[0085] If the numbered pocket on the roulette wheel 3 in which the ball lands on the subsequent spin matches the number 8 selected by one or more of the winning players and indicated by a bronze prize token, a second winning event is defined. In this case, the player who matched the random number generated by the roulette wheel 3 with their bronze prize token wins the first prize pool portion as defined by the prize pool server 7 (or a share thereof in the event of multiple winners) and obtains one of the silver prize tokens. The first prize pool portion is then re-set back to a starting value.

[0086] The winning player(s) place the or each of their silver prize tokens on a selected number 8 on the roulette table 2 prior to the roulette wheel 3 being spun for a second subsequent time.

[0087] If the numbered pocket on the roulette wheel 3 in which the ball lands on the second subsequent spin matches the number 8 selected by one or more of the winning players and indicated by a silver prize token, a third winning event is defined. In this case, the player who matched the random number generated by the roulette wheel 3 with their silver prize token wins the second prize pool portion as defined by the prize pool server 7 (or a share thereof in the event of multiple winners) and obtains one of the gold prize tokens. The second prize pool portion is then re-set back to a starting value.

[0088] The winning player then places their gold prize tokens on a selected number 8 on the roulette table 2 prior to the roulette wheel 3 being spun for a third subsequent time.

[0089] If the numbered pocket on the roulette wheel 3 in which the ball lands on the third subsequent spin matches the number selected by one or more of the winning players and indicated by a gold prize token, a fourth winning event is defined. In this case, the player who matched the random number generated by the roulette wheel 3 with their gold prize token wins the third prize pool portion as defined by the prize pool server 7 (or a share thereof in the event of multiple winners). The third prize pool portion is then re-set to a starting value.

[0090] It will be appreciated that the algorithm used by the processor 7c to calculate the prize pool portions is configured such that the second prize pool portion is greater than the first prize pool portion and the third prize pool portion is greater than the second prize pool portion.

[0091] A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0092] FIGS. 3 and 4 show components of a gaming system according to the invention. The system includes a standard roulette wheel (as shown in FIG. 1) comprising a rotating wheel and a ball, a roulette table 9 which receives the roulette wheel and includes indicia indicating where wagers may be placed by players (only the portion of the roulette table 9 which includes the indicia is shown in FIG. 3); a controller which includes a computer controlled random number generator; and a display board 4 (shown in FIG. 4) which is controlled by the controller.

[0093] As noted from FIG. 3 a player is able to play one or more of three roulette-based games: the first of which is a standard game of roulette and relies simply on a first random number generated by the roulette ball landing in a numbered pocket defined by the periphery of the rotating wheel; the second of which is a spread bet game based on the first random number and a second random number which is generated by the computer controlled random number generator and described in more detail below; and a progressive jackpot game, which is also based on the first and second random numbers.

[0094] The spread bet version of roulette and the alternative embodiment of a progressive jackpot version of roulette are both based on the second random number, which is generated as follows:

[0095] A computer controlled random number generator includes two concentric rings, wherein the outer ring 20 corresponds to the rotating wheel. Thus, the outer ring 20 includes a number of numbered segments which corresponds exactly with the numbered pockets of the rotating wheel. The inner ring 22 also comprises numbered segments which include the same set of numbers in the same order as the outer ring 20 and the numbered pockets of the rotating wheel. Thus, each of the rings 20, 22 defines a plurality of numbered segments which correspond to the numbered pockets of the rotating wheel.

[0096] Before the rotating wheel is rotated by the croupier, the numbered segments of the inner ring 22 are aligned with the numbered segments of the outer ring 20, such that each number of the inner ring 22 is the same as the adjacent number on the outer ring 20. This is the configuration shown in FIG. 4.

[0097] When the rotating wheel is rotated by the croupier, the outer ring 20 rotates in a clockwise sense and the inner ring 22 rotates in an anti-clockwise sense. The inner and outer rings 20, 22 spin at the same speed and this is controlled by the controller.

[0098] The croupier then introduces the roulette ball to the rotating wheel in the normal way. The roulette wheel includes a sensor which senses the speed of the roulette ball. When the speed of the ball drops to a pre-determined speed, such as, for example 40 rpm, the controller locks together the inner and outer rings 20, 22 and they stop rotating. The inner and outer rings 20, 22 are locked together in such a way that each of the numbered segments of the inner ring 22 aligns exactly with a corresponding numbered segment of the outer ring 20.

[0099] The skilled person will appreciate that the point at which the inner and outer rings 20, 22 are locked together is controlled by a physical state of the roulette wheel, namely the speed of the ball equalling 40 rpm (or any other measurable and variable physical property of the roulette wheel). Thus, the point at which the inner and outer rings 20, 22 are locked together is determined by a physical property and not a computer algorithm.

[0100] The ball will land in one of the numbered pockets defined by the rotating wheel. This is indicated on the outer ring 20 of the display 4 and constitutes the first random number. The second random number is the number of the adjacent numbered segment of the inner ring 22.

[0101] For the spread bet game, the first random number and the second random number are added together to obtain a summed value. Players are able to place bets on pre-defined ranges of the summed value with the corresponding odds. The spread betting portions of the roulette table 2 are indicated by the reference numerals 10a-10g. The odds of each group may be as follows:

TABLE-US-00001 Summed value is in the range Odds 0-1 400-1 2-4 100-1 5-28 2-1 29-47 1-1 48-67 3-1 68-70 100-1 71-72 400-1

[0102] For the progressive jackpot game, a winning event is defined as both the first and second random numbers being 0. All other combinations of numbers are defined as losing events.

[0103] In order to play the progressive jackpot game, one or more players place one or more gaming tokens on one of the progressive jackpot wager areas 12a-12g. Each of these wager areas 12a-12g includes a sensor that senses a monetary value associated with the gaming token(s) placed thereon. Once the rotating wheel is rotated by the croupier, the controller transmits data relating to the monetary value of the gaming tokens placed on the progressive jackpot wager areas 12a-12g to a prize pool defined by the prize pool server 7 described above. If no winning event occurs, the value of the prize pool remains the same until the next game, wherein the monetary value of the subsequent progressive jackpot wagers is added to the prize pool and so on.

[0104] As noted in FIG. 4, the prize pool in this embodiment is split into a first (minor) prize pool portion, which is indicated on the display by reference numeral 14 and a second (major) prize pool portion, which is indicated on the display by the reference numeral 16. A pre-determined portion of the monetary value of each losing wager is added to the first prize pool portion and a pre-determined portion of the monetary value of each losing wager is added to the second prize pool portion by the processor 7c in accordance with the software run by the processor 7c.

[0105] In the event of a winning event occurring (i.e. both the first and second random numbers are 0), all of the players who placed a gaming token on one or more of the progressive jackpot wager areas 12a-12g are defined as winning players and the winning players share the first (minor) prize pool. In addition, the or each winning player obtains a major prize gaming token, which they then place on one of the individual numbers 18 of the roulette table 9. If the ball lands in the numbered pocket associated with one of the selected individual numbers 18 (a winning first random number) on the next spin of the roulette wheel, the or each winning player that selected the winning first random number also wins the second (major) prize pool.

[0106] If the second (major) prize pool is not won, its monetary value continues to increase as described above.

[0107] The skilled person will appreciate that the embodiments described above relate to a single table. However, the progressive jackpot game may be networked across two or more physical tables to form a networked gambling system. In such embodiments, the gambling system includes a common prize pool server 7 which is connected via a secure wired or wireless data connection to each of the table controllers. In this embodiment, each table generates its own respective first and second random numbers as described above. However, each table controller transmits data relating to the monetary value of the losing wagers placed on the respective progressive jackpot wager areas 12a-12g to the prize pool server 7, which distributes the monetary value of the wagers placed at all of the networked tables between the relevant prize pool portions.

[0108] The skilled person will also appreciate that one or more of the tables of the networked gaming system may be replaced by an electronic gaming terminal (EGT), provided that a master physical roulette wheel forms part of the network. In this embodiment, the random number generated by the master physical roulette wheel is transmitted to each of the EGTs. Accordingly, the EGTs use the random number generated by the master physical roulette wheel and do not generate their own random number.

[0109] In embodiments in which the EGTs run the spread bet/progressive jackpot games described above in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, the physical state of the master physical roulette wheel at which the first and second rings 20, 22 are locked together is the same physical state that is used by each of the EGTs to lock together their first and second arrays of numbers.

[0110] It will be appreciated that if the first and second rings 20, 22 of numbers for the master physical roulette wheel and each EGT start with the same alignments of numbers and rotate at the same speed, the first and second random number of each of the EGTs will be the same as the first and second random numbers generated by the master physical roulette wheel. However, if it is desired that each EGT generates a different second random number to each other and the master physical roulette wheel, then the first and second rings simply need to rotate at different speeds and/or start with different alignments of the numbers of the first and second rings 20, 22.