Wagering game system with community gaming system

1. A computer-implemented method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system including an input device, and at least one display device, operably connected to one or more processors, the method comprising:

receiving an indication of a wager;

displaying outcomes of wagering games on the at least one display device in response to a wager indication being received, the displayed outcomes being randomly generated by at least one of the one or more processors;

accumulating a bonus-event playing time upon satisfying at least one predetermined condition as the wagering games are played;

initiating a bonus game in which a player is eligible to receive awards for a period of time;

determining, via at least one of the one or more processors, the accumulated playing time accrued prior to the initiation of the bonus game;

allowing the player to participate in the bonus game for at least as long as the accumulated playing time; and

providing any awards earned by the player during their participation in the bonus game.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein additional playing time may be accrued during play of the bonus game, this additional playing time being used to lengthen the duration of the player's participation in the current bonus game.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein eligibility to participate in the bonus game is contingent upon the player accruing at least a minimum amount of playing time prior to the initiation of the bonus game.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the player is provided the option to initiate the bonus game at any time after accruing the minimum amount of playing time.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the randomly generated outcomes can award credits, playing time for a subsequent bonus game, or both upon satisfying at least another predetermined condition.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, triggering, during play of the wagering games, the bonus game to be initiated.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wagering game is a spinning-reels slot game and the at least one predetermined condition is a particular winning combination being displayed.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wagering game is a spinning-reels slot game and the at least one predetermined condition is a particular symbol being displayed.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wagering game is a spinning-reels slot game and the at least one predetermined condition is independent of the spinning-reels outcome.

10. A gaming system for conducting a wagering game including a bonus game, the gaming system comprising:

at least one input device;

at least one display device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to

receive an indication of a wager, display a randomly generated outcome of the wagering game in response to the wager indication being received,

accumulate bonus-event playing time upon satisfying at least one predetermined condition as the wagering games are played,

initiate a bonus game in which a player is eligible to receive awards for a period of time,

determine the accumulated playing time accrued prior to the initiation of the bonus game,

provide the bonus game for at least as long as the accumulated playing time; and

credit any awards earned by the player during their participation in the bonus game.

11. The gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the wagering game is a spinning-reels slot game and the at least one predetermined condition is a particular winning combination being displayed.

12. The gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the wagering game is a spinning-reels slot game and the at least one predetermined condition is a particular symbol being displayed.

13. The gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the wagering game is a spinning-reels slot game and the at least one predetermined condition is independent of the spinning-reels outcome.

14. The gaming system of claim 10 , the plurality of instructions further causing the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to award additional playing time during play of the bonus game, this additional playing time being used to lengthen the duration of the player's participation in the current bonus game.

15. The gaming system of claim 10 , wherein eligibility to participate in the bonus game is contingent upon the player accruing at least a minimum amount of playing time prior to the initiation of the bonus game.

16. The gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the randomly generated outcome of the wagering game can award credits, playing time for a subsequent bonus game, or both in response to a particular outcome being displayed.

17. A computer program product comprising a non-transient computer-readable medium having an instruction set borne thereby, the instruction set being configured to cause, upon execution by one or more controllers, the acts of:

receiving an indication of a wager;

determining outcomes for wagering games in response to a wager indication being received, the outcomes being randomly determined from a plurality of outcomes;

accumulating a bonus-event playing time upon satisfying at least one predetermined condition as the wagering games are played;

initiating a bonus game in which a player is eligible to receive awards for a period of time;

determining the accumulated playing time accrued prior to the initiation of the bonus game; and

executing the bonus game for at least as long of a duration as the accumulated playing time.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein additional playing time may be accrued during the execution of the bonus game, this additional playing time being used to lengthen the duration of the current bonus game.

19. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein eligibility to participate in the bonus game is contingent upon the accumulation of at least a minimum amount of playing time prior to the initiation of the bonus game.

20. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the randomly generated outcomes can award credits, playing time for a subsequent bonus game, or both.