PROGRESSIVE GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE
A gaming apparatus includes a gaming device that is adapted to accept a wager and allow a player to play a game. A controller is in communication with the gaming device. The controller maintains a first progressive jackpot and a second progressive jackpot. When a triggering event occurs, at least a portion of the first progressive jackpot is deducted and added to the second progressive jackpot. A gaming method using the gaming apparatus is also disclosed.
1 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
(A) at least one gaming device that is adapted to accept a wager and allow a player to play a game; and
(B) a controller in communication with the gaming device, the controller being adapted to maintain a first progressive jackpot and a second progressive jackpot, wherein upon the occurrence of a triggering event, at least a portion of the first progressive jackpot is deducted and added to the second progressive jackpot.
2 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the triggering event is the expiration of a time period.
3 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the triggering event occurs randomly.
4 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the triggering event occurs when the first progressive jackpot reaches a pre-determined award value.
5 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the progressive jackpots has a hidden award value.
6 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to maintain a third progressive jackpot, wherein upon the occurrence of a triggering event, at least a portion of the second progressive jackpot is deducted and added to the third progressive jackpot.
7 . A method of gaming, comprising, not all necessarily in the order shown:
(A) allowing a player to place a wager and play a game;
(B) funding a first progressive jackpot having a first award value;
(C) detecting the occurrence of a triggering event;
(D) deducting a first portion of the first award value; and
(E) adding the first portion to a second progressive jackpot, the second progressive jackpot having a second award value.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the triggering event is the expiration of a time period.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the triggering event occurs randomly.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the triggering event occurs when the first award value exceeds a pre-determined amount.
11 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising deducting a least a portion of the second award value and adding the second award value to a third progressive jackpot.
12 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
(A) gaming means for allowing a player to play a game;
(B) display means for displaying a plurality of progressive jackpots, each of the progressive jackpots having a value, the display means mounted in association with the gaming means; and
(C) server means for determining a triggering event, the server means in communication with the gaming means and the display means, the server means being adapted to subtract a portion of at least one of the progressive jackpots and add the portion to at least one of the other progressive jackpots in response to the occurrence of the triggering event.
13 . The gaming apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the triggering event is the expiration of a time period.
14 . The gaming apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the triggering event occurs when a value of one of the progressive jackpots exceeds a pre-determined amount.
15 . A method of gaming, comprising, not all necessarily in the order shown:
(A) apportioning a percentage of a plurality of wagers on a plurality of gaming devices to fund a first progressive jackpot;
(B) detecting the occurrence of a triggering event;
(C) deducting a first portion of the first progressive jackpot upon the occurrence of the triggering event; and
(D) adding the first portion of the first progressive jackpot to a second progressive jackpot.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the triggering event is the expiration of a time period.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the triggering event occurs when the first award value exceeds a pre-determined amount.
18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising deducting a second portion of the second progressive jackpot and adding the second portion to a third progressive jackpot.
19 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first progressive jackpot is a primary progressive jackpot that is funded from the wager.
20 . The gaming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second progressive jackpot is a secondary progressive jackpot that is funded from the first progressive jackpot.