IP Library Granted Patent US 8,128,486
Granted Patent B2
US 8,128,486 · App. 11/572,314 · Granted Mar 6, 2012

Wagering game with wager manipulation

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,128,486
App. No.
11/572,314
Granted
Mar 6, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Wagering game terminal and method of operating same are disclosed that increases the excitement and entertainment value over existing gaming terminals. The wagering game terminal manipulates the player's wagers instead of his winnings so that any winning outcome resulting from the wagers is increased. This allows the player to feel as if he has already won “free money” before the game has even started. Such an arrangement may increase the overall excitement felt by the player and may encourage the player to wager more. And since only some wagers will result in a winning outcome, it is possible to perform the wager increases without significantly changing the underlying mathematics of the game.

Claims (16)

1. A wagering game terminal comprising:

a wager input for accepting a wager for a wagering game from a player at said wagering game terminal; and

a display for displaying a first outcome of said wagering game, said first outcome being randomly selected from a plurality of first outcomes;

said display further displaying a mini game within said wagering game, said mini game comprising a miniature reel having a plurality of symbols including a wager contribution symbol, said mini game indicating a second outcome randomly selected from a plurality of second outcomes by spinning said mini reel to display a symbol,

wherein said wagering game terminal is configured to increase said wager for said wagering game based on said second outcome of said mini game, said wager being increased without requiring additional funds from said player.

2. A wagering game terminal comprising:

a wager input for accepting a wager for a wagering game from a player at said wagering game terminal; and

a display for displaying a first outcome of said wagering game, said first outcome being randomly selected from a plurality of first outcomes,

said display further displaying a mini game within said wagering game, said mini game comprising a miniature reel having a plurality of symbols including a wager contribution symbol, said miniature reel, when activated, spinning to display a symbol indicating a second outcome randomly selected from a plurality of second outcomes, said miniature reel being activated by one of said player and said wagering game terminal independently of said player, and

wherein said wagering game terminal is configured to increase said wager for said wagering game based on said second outcome of said mini game, said wager being increased without requiring additional funds from said player.

3. A method of manipulating wagers in a wagering game terminal, the method comprising:

accepting a wager, via an input device, for a wagering game at said wagering game terminal, said wagering game including randomly selecting and displaying an outcome, via a display, from a plurality of outcomes, said plurality of outcomes including at least one winning outcome;

siphoning a portion of said wager and contributing said portion to a pool of funds;

increasing said wager by turning at least one of said plurality of outcomes from a non-winning outcome to a winning outcome, said increased wager funded by said wagering game terminal from said pool of funds;

conducting said wagering game by randomly selecting an outcome from the plurality of outcomes; and

awarding said player an award commensurate with said increased wager if said randomly selected outcome is one of said winning outcomes.

Assignments (12)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 23, 2025
From: LNW GAMING, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071340/0404 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 7, 2023
From: SG GAMING, INC.
To: LNW GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 062669/0341 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2022
From: SG GAMING INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059793/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.; DON BEST SPORTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059756/0397 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 20, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051643/0283 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (RELEASES REEL/FRAME 034530/0318) Recorded Nov 5, 2018
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.
Reel/Frame 047924/0701 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045909/0513 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044889/0662 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 29, 2015
From: WMS GAMING INC.
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 036225/0201 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 4, 2014
From: BALLY GAMING, INC; SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC; WMS GAMING INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034530/0318 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 18, 2013
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031847/0110 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2007
From: THOMAS, ALFRED
To: WMS GAMING INC.
Reel/Frame 018773/0475 →