Gaming machine including a multi-matrix modifier symbol

1. A gaming system, comprising:

a regulated gaming machine primarily dedicated for use in playing at least one regulated casino wagering game, the gaming machine including an electronic display device and a value input device; and

game-logic circuitry configured to:

detect, via the value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;

receive an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance;

randomly select an outcome of the casino wagering game;

direct the electronic display device to display the selected outcome via first and second non-contiguous matrices each comprising a plurality of game symbols and via a modifier symbol displayed in a position to temporarily overlay at least one symbol in each of the first and second matrices and to convert any overlaid symbols to another symbol, the first and second matrices comprising respective first and second sets of adjacent columns, the first and second matrices being visually spaced from each other such that (i) adjacent ones of the columns in the first set are visually closer to each other than to the second set of columns and (ii) adjacent ones of the columns in the second set are visually closer to each other than to the first set of columns; and

award an award in response to the displayed outcome meeting predetermined award criteria, the predetermined award criteria being set forth in first and second pay tables, the first pay table being applicable to the first matrix independent from the second matrix, the second pay table being applicable to the second matrix independent from the first matrix.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a third non-contiguous matrix, wherein the modifier symbol temporarily overlays at least one symbol in each of the first, second and third matrices and converts any overlaid symbols to another symbol.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the modifier symbol is randomly positioned horizontally over the first and second matrices.

4. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the modifier symbol converts each overlaid symbol to the modifier symbol.

5. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the modifier symbol converts each overlaid symbol to a symbol other than the modifier symbol.

6. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a second modifier symbol displayed in a position to temporarily overlay at least one symbol in each of the first and second matrices and to convert any overlaid symbols to another symbol.

7. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the size of the modifier symbol is randomly determined.

8. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the first pay table includes first paying symbol combinations in the first matrix independent from any symbol combinations in the second matrix, and the second pay table includes second paying symbol combinations in the second matrix independent from any symbol combinations in the first matrix.

9. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein the first paying symbol combinations include at least one of first line pays or first scatter pays, and the second paying symbol combinations include at least one of second line pays or second scatter pays.

10. A regulated casino gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game, comprising:

an electronic display device;

a value input device; and

game-logic circuitry configured to:

detect, via the value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;

receive an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance;

randomly select an outcome of the casino wagering game;

direct the electronic display device to display the selected outcome via first and second non-contiguous matrices comprising a plurality of game symbols and via a modifier symbol displayed in a position to temporarily overlay at least one symbol in each of the first and second matrices and to convert any overlaid symbols to another symbol, the first and second matrices comprising respective first and second sets of adjacent columns, the first and second matrices being visually spaced from each other such that (i) adjacent ones of the columns in the first set are visually closer to each other than to the second set of columns and (ii) adjacent ones of the columns in the second set are visually closer to each other than to the first set of columns; and

award an award in response to the displayed outcome meeting predetermined award criteria, the predetermined award criteria being set forth in first and second pay tables, the first pay table being applicable to the first matrix independent from the second matrix, the second pay table being applicable to the second matrix independent from the first matrix.

11. The gaming system of claim 10 further comprising a third non-contiguous matrix, wherein the modifier symbol temporarily overlays at least one symbol in each of the first, second and third matrices and converts any overlaid symbols to another symbol.

12. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein the modifier symbol is randomly positioned horizontally over the first and second matrices.

13. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein the modifier symbol converts each overlaid symbol to the modifier symbol.

14. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein the modifier symbol converts each overlaid symbol to a symbol other than the modifier symbol.

15. The gaming system of claim 10 further comprising a second modifier symbol displayed in a position to temporarily overlay at least one symbol in each of the first and second matrices and to convert any overlaid symbols to another symbol.

16. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein the size of the modifier symbol is randomly determined.

17. A method of operating a gaming system, the gaming system including game-logic circuitry and a regulated gaming machine, the gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game, the gaming machine including an electronic display device and a value input device, the method comprising:

detecting, via the value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance;

receiving an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance;

randomly selecting an outcome of the casino wagering game;

directing the electronic display device to display the selected outcome via first and second non-contiguous matrices comprising a plurality of game symbols and via a modifier symbol displayed in a position to temporarily overlay at least one symbol in each of the first and second matrices and to convert any overlaid symbols to another symbol, the first and second matrices comprising respective first and second sets of adjacent columns, the first and second matrices being visually spaced from each other such that (i) adjacent ones of the columns in the first set are visually closer to each other than to the second set of columns and (ii) adjacent ones of the columns in the second set are visually closer to each other than to the first set of columns;

award an award in response to the displayed outcome meeting predetermined award criteria, the predetermined award criteria being set forth in first and second pay tables, the first pay table being applicable to the first matrix independent from the second matrix, the second pay table being applicable to the second matrix independent from the first matrix; and

receiving, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising a third non-contiguous matrix, wherein the modifier symbol temporarily overlays at least one symbol in each of the first, second and third matrices and converts any overlaid symbols to another symbol.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the modifier symbol is randomly positioned horizontally over the first and second matrices.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the modifier symbol converts each overlaid symbol to the modifier symbol.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the modifier symbol converts each overlaid symbol to a symbol other than the modifier symbol.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the size of the modifier symbol is randomly determined.