Gaming system, a method of gaming and a game outcome prediction controller

1. An electronic method of gaming for use with a gaming system configured to play a game having a plurality of possible outcomes, said gaming system having a plurality of linked gaming devices and a controller, the method comprising:

receiving via the controller a first trigger signal from a first of a plurality of linked gaming devices and a second trigger signal from a second of said plurality of linked gaming devices;

in response to receiving both said first trigger signal and said second trigger signal, triggering via the controller said game;

determining via the controller which gaming devices of said plurality of linked gaming devices are to participate in said game so as to provide participating gaming devices which participate in said game and non-participating gaming devices which do not participate in said game;

receiving via the controller from at least one of said non-participating gaming devices of said plurality of linked gaming devices at least one predicted outcome of said possible outcomes of said game;

conducting via the controller said game for each participating gaming device;

determining via the controller an actual outcome of said game; and

determining via the controller whether to make an award to one or more non-participating gaming devices based on said at least one predicted outcome and the actual outcome of said game.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the game is a linked game and each linked gaming device is configured also to play a base game.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein each linked gaming device is configured to play the same base game.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising said non-participating devices predicting which of the participating devices will win the game.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising applying an eligibility criterion to all devices of the plurality of linked gaming devices, and determining that all eligible gaming devices are to participate in said game and that all ineligible gaming devices are non-participating gaming devices being able to provide to said controller a predicted outcome for the game.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising making an award in respect of said at least one predicted outcome matching the actual outcome of said game.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising:

receiving a bet amount in respect of said at least one predicted outcome from at least one non-participating gaming device; and

making an award based on the bet amount.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising selecting at least one predicted outcome by at least one of said non-participating devices before the game is conducted.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 , and further comprising allowing a predicted outcome to be made during the game.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 , and further comprising varying the award based on the progress of the game when the predicted outcome was made.

11. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of linked gaming devices;

a linked game controller configured to:

receive (1) a first trigger signal from a first of said linked gaming devices, and (2) a second trigger signal from a second of said linked gaming devices;

in response to receiving both said first trigger signal and said second trigger signal, trigger a game having a plurality of possible outcomes;

determine which gaming devices of said plurality of linked gaming devices are to participate in said game; and

conduct the game for the participating devices in order to determine an actual outcome; and

a game outcome prediction controller configured to:

receive from a non-participating gaming device of said plurality of linked gaming devices at least one predicted outcome of said possible outcomes; and

determine whether to make an award to one or more non-participating gaming devices based on said at least one predicted outcome and the actual outcome.

12. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 , and wherein the game is a linked game and each linked gaming device is configured to play a base game.

13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein each linked gaming device is configured to play the same base game.

14. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12 , and wherein said linked game controller is further configured to initiate the linked game in response to receiving at least two trigger events.

15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 , and wherein where two devices of said plurality of gaming devices are determined to participate in the game, any other devices of the linked gaming devices are non-participating devices, and are eligible to predict which of the participating devices will win the game.

16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 , and further comprising a participation module configured to apply an eligibility criterion to all players of the plurality of linked gaming devices, and determine that all eligible devices are to participate and that all ineligible players are non-participating devices able to select a predicted outcome for the game.

17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 , and wherein the game outcome prediction controller is configured to make an award in respect of each predicted outcome which matches the actual outcome.

18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the game outcome prediction controller is configured to:

receive a bet amount in respect of each predicted outcome; and

make any award based on the bet amount.

19. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 , and wherein the game outcome prediction controller is configured such that non-participating devices select a predicted outcome before the game is conducted.

20. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11 , and wherein the game outcome prediction controller is configured such that non-participating devices make a predicted outcome during at least part of conduct of the game.

21. A gaming system as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the game outcome prediction controller is configured to vary the award based on the progress of the game when the predicted outcome was made.

22. A game outcome prediction controller for a gaming system configured to play a game having a plurality of possible outcomes, said gaming system having a plurality of linked gaming devices, the game outcome prediction controller configured to:

(1) receive a first trigger signal from a first device of said linked gaming devices, (2) a second trigger signal from a second device of said linked gaming devices, (3) in response to receiving both said first trigger signal and said second trigger signal, trigger said game, (4) receive from a non-participating gaming device of said plurality of linked gaming devices at least one predicted outcome of said game in which said first gaming device and said second gaming device of the plurality of linked gaming devices participate; and

determine whether to make an award to one or more non-participating devices based on said at least one predicted outcome and an actual outcome of the game.

23. A game outcome prediction controller as claimed in claim 22 , configured to make an award in respect of each outcome which matches the actual outcome.

24. A game outcome prediction controller as claimed in claim 22 , configured to:

receive a bet amount in respect of each predicted outcome; and

make any award based on the bet amount.

25. A game outcome prediction controller as claimed in claim 22 , configured such that non-participating devices only make a predicted outcome before the game is conducted.

26. A game outcome prediction controller as claimed in claim 22 , configured such that non-participating devices make a predicted outcome during the game.

27. A game outcome prediction controller as claimed in claim 26 , configured to vary the award based on the progress of the game when the predicted outcome was made.