PROGRESSIVE GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

1 . A progressive prize gaming system comprising:

(A) at least one display device comprising:

(a) a plurality of prize objects;

(b) a prize object holder configured to hold the prize objects in an individually controlled manner; and

(c) a prize object display mechanism configured to display a selected prize object to a player;

(B) a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device configured to receive wagers and allow the player to play at least one game of chance having a randomly determined game outcome; and

(C) a control device in communication with the plurality of gaming devices, the at least one display device and the prize object display mechanism, the control device being configured to select at least one of the plurality of prize objects in the prize object holder and display the selected prize object to the player, wherein the displayed selected prize object conveys information related to a progressive prize.

2 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 1 wherein the display device further comprises a progressive prize display configured to display prize information representing at least a portion of the progressive prize.

3 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 1 wherein the prize objects in the prize object holder are hidden from view of the player.

4 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 3 wherein the display device further comprises:

(A) a plurality of moveable objects;

(B) at least one container configured to hold the moveable objects; and

(C) at least one agitator configured to agitate the moveable objects inside of the container.

5 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 4 wherein the container further comprises a wall, at least a portion of the wall being at least partially transparent, wherein the player can view the moveable objects in the container.

6 . The progressive gaming system of claim 4 wherein the display device is configured to provide an illusion that the prize object selected for display in the prize object display mechanism has been selected from the moveable objects within the container.

7 . The progressive gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a positioning mechanism configured to transfer the selected prize object from the prize object holder to the prize object display mechanism.

8 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of gaming devices are in communication with each other.

9 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of progressive prizes wherein the selected prize object indicates identity of at least one of the progressive prizes to be awarded to the player.

10 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 1 wherein the prize object display mechanism comprises:

(A) a container;

(B) at least one game element coupled to the container wherein the at least one game element is capable of receiving the prize object; and

(C) at least one actuator associated with the game element and configured to cause the prize object to engage the game element.

11 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 10 further comprising a prize object dispenser configured to release prize objects within the container.

12 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 10 and wherein the at least one game element comprises a receptacle element comprising:

(A) an opening sufficient to allow passage of the prize object through the receptacle element; and

(B) at least one barrier member configured:

(a) to allow passage of the prize object through the receptacle element when the barrier member is in a first position; and

(b) to constrain the prize object within the receptacle element when the barrier member is in a second position.

13 . The progressive gaming system of claim 10 wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a suction device and a magnet.

14 . The progressive gaming system of claim 1 wherein the control device is further configured to calculate contributions to the progressive prize based on wagers received by the gaming device.

15 . The progressive gaming system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the prize objects comprises a symbol corresponding to a good or service.

16 . The progressive gaming system of claim 1 wherein the prize object holder comprises a circular housing having a plurality of compartments configured to releasably hold the plurality of prize objects, the prize object display mechanism further comprising:

(A) a moveable display element comprising a wheel and a plurality of compartments configured to receive the selected prize object, the prize object holder and the moveable display element being in a concentric relationship to each other; and

(B) a moveable display element actuator coupled to the moveable display element and configured to move the moveable display element.

17 . The progressive gaming system of claim 16 further comprising an actuating mechanism coupled to the prize object holder and configured to move the prize object holder, wherein the actuating mechanism is in communication with the control device and the control device is configured to move the actuating mechanism and the prize object holder such that at least one prize object may be moved from the prize object holder to at least one of the compartments of the moveable display element to convey information related to the progressive prize.

18 . The progressive gaming system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of compartments of the moveable display element form segments of the wheel.

19 . The progressive gaming system of claim 16 wherein the prize object holder and moveable display element are rotatable in opposite directions.

20 . The progressive gaming system of claim 19 wherein the progressive prize is indicated by combination of a game related indicium appearing on the selected prize object and a game related indicium appearing on a selected compartment of the moveable display element.

21 . A progressive prize gaming system comprising:

(A) at least one display device comprising:

(a) a plurality of prize objects;

(b) a prize object holder configured to hold the prize objects in an individually controlled manner;

(c) a prize object display mechanism configured to display a selected prize object to a player; and

(d) a progressive prize display configured to display prize information representing at least a portion of at least one progressive prize;

(B) a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device configured to receive wagers and allow the player to play at least one game of chance having a randomly determined game outcome; and

(C) a control device in communication with the plurality of gaming devices, the at least one display device and the prize object display mechanism, wherein the control device is configured to select one of the plurality of prize objects in the prize object holder and display the selected prize object to the player, the displayed selected prize object conveying information related to the at least one progressive prize.

22 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 21 wherein the progressive prize display is further configured to store prize information representing at least a portion of the progressive prize.

23 . The progressive prize gaming system of claim 21 wherein the progressive prize display comprises a meter in communication with the control device and wherein the meter is configured to display a value for the at least one progressive prize.

24 . A method for operating a progressive prize gaming system comprising, but not necessarily in order listed:

(A) providing a plurality of gaming devices configured to allow a player to place a wager and to play a game of chance;

(B) providing a plurality of prize objects wherein the prize objects are configured to display game related information;

(C) releasably holding the plurality of prize objects in an individually controlled manner;

(D) displaying game related information representing at least a portion of a progressive prize;

(E) displaying at least one selected prize object to the player, thereby conveying information to the player related to the progressive prize;

(F) providing communication among the plurality of gaming devices, the display of game related information and the plurality of prize objects; and

(G) causing at least one of the plurality of prize objects to be selected and displayed to the player to convey information related to the progressive prize.

25 . The method of claim 24 further comprising providing a plurality of progressive prizes and indicating at least one of the progressive prizes to be awarded by displaying the selected prize object to the player.

26 . The method of claim 24 further comprising calculating a progressive prize contribution wherein the progressive prize contribution corresponds to a predetermined relationship based on the wagers placed in the wagering devices.

27 . The method of claim 24 further comprising hiding the plurality of prize objects from view of the player while storing the plurality of prize objects.

28 . The gaming method of claim 27 further comprising moving a plurality of moveable objects in a moveable object container.

29 . The gaming method of claim 28 further comprising providing an illusion that the selected prize object displayed to the player has been selected from the plurality of moveable objects.

30 . The gaming method of claim 24 comprising indicating identity of the progressive prize by displaying one or more prize objects bearing numerical information where the one or more displayed prize objects are presented in a sequence to communicate monetary value of the progressive prize.