PROGRESSIVE GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

1 . A gaming apparatus comprising:

(A) a gaming device:

(B) a communication device;

(C) a controller in communication with the gaming device and the communication device, the controller being configured to:

(a) receive a first wager from the gaming device;

(b) play a first game on the gaming device;

(c) apportion a first percentage of the first wager to a progressive jackpot:

(d) award a first prize on the gaming device;

(e) receive a second wager through the communication device;

(f) play a second game;

(g) communicate the outcome of the second game to the communication device;

(h) apportion a second percentage of the second wager to the progressive jackpot;

(i) award a second prize;

(j) communicate the award of the second prize to the communication device;

(k) determine if a progressive jackpot-winning event has occurred for either the gaming device or the communication device;

(l) communicate the occurrence of the progressive jackpot-winning event, if the progressive jackpot-winning event has occurred;

(m) award a progressive jackpot.

2 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a computer.

3 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a mobile telephone.

4 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a portable music player.

5 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a portable digital assistant.

6 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is in communication with the controller through the internet.

7 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is in communication with the controller through a wide area network.

8 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gaming device is located in a casino.

9 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is not located in a casino.

10 . A method of gaming comprising:

(A) receiving a first wager from a gaming device;

(B) playing a first game on the gaming device;

(C) apportioning a first percentage of the first wager to a progressive jackpot;

(D) awarding a first prize on the gaming device;

(E) receiving a second wager through a communication device;

(F) playing a second game on a server;

(G) communicating the outcome of the second game to the communication device:

(H) apportioning a second percentage of the second wager to the progressive jackpot;

(I) awarding a second prize;

(J) communicating the award of the second prize to the communication device;

(K) determining if a progressive jackpot-winning event has occurred for either the gaming device or the communication device;

(L) communicating the occurrence of the progressive jackpot-winning event, if the progressive jackpot-winning event has occurred; and

(M) awarding a progressive jackpot.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising programming the server with software to perform the method.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the communication device is selected from the group consisting of:

(A) computer;

(B) mobile telephone;

(C) portable music player;

(D) personal digital assistant.

13 . A gaming apparatus comprising:

(A) a plurality of gaming device means for allowing players to place a wager and play a game, the gaming device means in communication with a server;

(B) a plurality of non-gaming device means for allowing players to play a game on the server, the non-gaming device means in communication with the server, the server being adapted to accept a wager and to play the game;

(C) funding means for funding at least one progressive jackpot, the funding means being adapted to apportion a percentage of the wagers from the gaming device means and the non-gaming device means to the progressive jackpot;

(D) determining means for determining if a progressive jackpot-winning event has occurred; and

(E) award means for awarding the progressive jackpot, if the progressive-jackpot-winning event has occurred.

14 . The gaming apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the non-gaming device means are remotely located from the gaming device means.

15 . The gaming apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the non-gaming device means are selected from the group consisting of:

(A) computer;

(B) mobile telephone;

(C) portable music player;

(D) personal digital assistant.

16 . A gaming apparatus comprising:

(A) a plurality of gaming devices;

(B) a plurality of non-gaming devices;

(C) a server in communication with the gaming devices and the non-gaming devices;

(D) software operable on the server to;

(a) allow the gaming devices to accept a first wager;

(b) apportion a first percentage of the first wager to a progressive jackpot;

(c) allow the gaming devices to play a first game;

(d) allow the gaming devices to communicate the outcome of the first game;

(e) allow the gaming devices to award a first prize;

(f) receive a request from the non-gaming devices to play a second game;

(g) credit a second wager to the non-gaming devices;

(h) apportion a second percentage of the second wager to the progressive jackpot;

(i) play a second game;

(j) communicate the outcome of the second game to the non-gaming devices;

(k) award a second prize to the non-gaming devices;

(l) determine if a progressive jackpot-winning event has occurred;

(m) communicate the occurrence of the progressive jackpot-winning event to at least one of the gaming devices or the non-gaming devices, if the progressive jackpot-winning event has occurred;

(n) award a progressive jackpot.

17 . The gaming apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the non-gaming devices are selected from the group consisting of:

(A) computer;

(B) mobile telephone;

(C) portable music player;

(D) personal digital assistant.

18 . The gaming apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the gaming devices have a higher probability of receiving the progressive jackpot.

19 . The gaming apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the server is in communication, with the non-gaming devices through the internet.