PLAY LEVEL GAMING SYSTEM
A gaming system and method is disclosed that comprises a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a server. The server is configured to measure play level and adjust payback percentage based on the play level. The play level may comprise one of several gaming factors related to the number of players, wagering, the number of games played, and others. A portion of each wager made during low play level may be contributed to a pool to be distributed during a period of high play level. A method of providing a wagering game wherein payback percentage is adjusted according to play level is also provided. An advantage provided is increased enjoyment of the gaming experience of players due to enhanced expectation of receiving additional awards when play level is high.
1 . A gaming system, comprising:
(A) a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device being configured to:
(a) allow a player to place a wager and play a game; and
(b) determine an outcome of the game; and
(B) at least one server in communication with each of the plurality of gaming devices, the server being configured to:
(a) measure a play level on the plurality of gaming devices;
(b) cause the gaming devices to provide a first payback percentage if the play level on the plurality of gaming devices is below a first predetermined level; and
(c) cause the gaming devices to provide a second payback percentage, the second payback percentage being higher than the first payback percentage, if the play level on the plurality of gaming devices exceeds the predetermined level;
2 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the server is further configured to calculate a contribution, the contribution being be based at least in part on a difference between revenue receive from the gaming devices played below the first predetermined level and revenue received from the gaming devices played above the first predetermined level.
3 . The gaming system of claim 2 , wherein the server is further configured to apply the contribution to a pool, and the second payback percentage is funded by the pool.
4 . The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein if the second payback percentage is being provided and the amount of money in the pool decreases below a first predetermined amount, the server causes the gaming devices to provide the first payback percentage.
5 . The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the server causes the gaming devices to provide the second payback percentage only if the amount of money in the pool exceeds a second predetermined amount.
6 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gaming machines are further configured to allow the player to select a first game from a plurality of different games.
7 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the play level comprises a number selected from the group consisting of: a number of players playing the game on the system, a number of players playing on the system, and a number of players playing a type of gaming machine on the system.
8 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the play level comprises the total amount of money wagered on the system during a period of time.
9 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the play level comprises the average amount of money wagered per game on the system during a period of time.
10 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the play level comprises a number selected from the group consisting of: a number of times the game has been played on the system during a period of time, a number of games played on the system during a period of time, and a number of games played on a type of gaming machine during a period of time.
11 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the play level comprises a number selected from the group consisting of: a number of wagers on the system during a period of time, a number of wagers on the game during a period of time, and a number of wagers on a type of gaming machine during a period of time.
12 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the second payback percentage is equal to or greater than 100 percent.
13 . A method of providing a wagering game, not all necessarily in the order shown:
(A) allowing at least one player to place a wager and play a game;
(B) measuring a play level on a plurality of gaming devices;
(C) if the play level is below a predetermined level, causing the gaming devices to provide a first payback percentage;
(D) if the play level is equal to or greater than the predetermined level, causing the gaming devices to provide a second payback percentage, the second payback percentage being higher than the first payback percentage.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising calculating a contribution, the contribution being based at least in part on a difference between revenue receive from the gaming device played below the predetermined level and revenue received from the gaming devices played above the predetermined level.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising applying the contribution to a pool, wherein the second payback percentage is funded by the pool.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising causing the gaming devices to return to providing the first payback percentage if the amount of money in the pool decreases below a predetermined amount.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the play level comprises the number of players playing the game.
18 . A gaming system, comprising:
(A) gaming device means for allowing a plurality of different players to place wagers and play a game
(B) means for measuring play level on the plurality of gaming device means;
(C) means for causing the gaming device means to provide a first payback percentage if the play level is below a predetermined level;
(D) means for causing the gaming device means to provide a second payback percentage if the play level is above a predetermined level the second payback percentage being greater than the first payback percentage.
19 . The gaming system of claim 18 , further comprising means for calculating a contribution, the contribution being be based at least in part on a difference between revenue receive from the gaming device played below the predetermined level and revenue received from the gaming devices played above first predetermined level.
20 . The gaming system of claim 19 , further comprising means for applying the contribution to a pooling means, wherein the pooling means is used to fund the second payback percentage.
21 . The gaming system of claim 18 , wherein the play level comprises the number of players playing the game.