A system provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.
1. A gaming system, comprising:
a tournament server connected to a physical network;
a plurality of gaming devices connected to the physical network, each gaming device enabling, via one or more processors, play of a base game and a secondary bonus game, wherein at least a first gaming device enables play of a first base game that has a first theoretical payout percentage, and wherein at least a second gaming device enables play of a second base game that has a second theoretical payout percentage, the plurality of gaming devices each comprising:
(i) at least one display device;
(ii) a plurality of input devices including:
(a) an acceptor of a first physical item associated with a first monetary value; and
(b) a cashout button actuatable to cause an initiation of a payout associated with a credit balance;
(iii) at least one gaming device processor;
(iv) an output device comprising a currency dispenser, a ticket dispenser, a physical prize dispenser, or combinations thereof that dispense currency, a paper ticket, or a physical prize, respectively; and
(v) at least one gaming device memory device storing gaming device game code that enables game play; and
an additional server including a promotional credit accrual engine connected to the physical network, wherein the engine accrues promotional credits in response to base game play;
wherein the play of the secondary bonus game is activate-able using the accrued promotional credits, wherein the secondary bonus game is a tournament game and awards a tournament prize to at least one tournament winner using the tournament server, and wherein calculation of each tournament score is normalized with the theoretical payout percentage from each of the first and second base game, respectively.
2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the secondary bonus game is player funded.
3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the secondary bonus game is promotionally funded.
4. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the funding for the activation of the secondary bonus game is player-determined.
5. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming devices is a portable computer that is wirelessly connected to the gaming system.
6. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming devices is a computer that is connected to the gaming system via the Internet.
7. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the gaming system further comprises at least one server.
8. A gaming system, comprising:
a tournament server connected to a physical network;
a plurality of gaming devices connected to the physical network, each gaming device enabling, via one or more processors, play of a base game and a secondary bonus game, wherein at least a first gaming device enables play of a first base game that has a first theoretical payout percentage, and wherein at least a second gaming device enables play of a second base game that has a second theoretical payout percentage, the plurality of gaming devices each comprising:
(i) at least one display device;
(ii) a plurality of input devices including:
(a) an acceptor of a first physical item associated with a first monetary value; and
(b) a cashout button actuatable to cause an initiation of a payout associated with a credit balance;
(iii) at least one gaming device processor;
(iv) an output device comprising a currency dispenser, a ticket dispenser, a physical prize dispenser, or combinations thereof that dispense currency, a paper ticket, or a physical prize, respectively; and
(v) at least one gaming device memory device storing gaming device game code that enables game play; and
an additional server including a promotional credit accrual engine connected to the physical network, wherein the engine accrues promotional credits in response to base game play;
wherein the play of the secondary bonus game is activate-able using the accrued promotional credits, wherein the secondary bonus game is a tournament game and awards a tournament prize to at least one tournament winner using the tournament server, and wherein an outcome of the tournament game is based on the theoretical payout percentage from each of the first and second base game.
9. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the secondary game is player funded.
10. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the secondary game is promotionally funded.
11. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the funding for the activation of the second game is player-determined.
12. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming devices is a portable computer that is wirelessly connected to the gaming system.
13. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming devices is a computer that is connected to the gaming system via the Internet.
14. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the gaming system further comprises at least one server.
15. A gaming system, comprising:
a secondary bonus game server connected to a physical network;
a plurality of gaming devices connected to the physical network, each gaming device enabling, via one or more processors, play of a base game and a secondary bonus game, wherein at least a first gaming device enables play of a first base game that has a first theoretical payout percentage, and wherein at least a second gaming device enables play of a second base game that has a second theoretical payout percentage, the plurality of gaming devices each comprising:
(i) at least one display device;
(ii) a plurality of input devices including:
(a) an acceptor of a first physical item associated with a first monetary value; and
(b) a cashout button actuatable to cause an initiation of a payout associated with a credit balance;
(iii) at least one gaming device processor;
(iv) an output device comprising a currency dispenser, a ticket dispenser, a physical prize dispenser, or combinations thereof that dispense currency, a paper ticket, or a physical prize, respectively; and
(v) at least one gaming device memory device storing gaming device game code that enables game play; and
an additional server including a promotional credit accrual engine connected to the physical network, wherein the engine accrues promotional credits in response to base game play;
wherein the play of the secondary bonus game is activate-able using the accrued promotional credits, wherein the secondary bonus game awards a prize to at least one winner using the secondary bonus game server, and wherein calculation of each score is determined with the theoretical payout percentage from the first and second base game, respectively.
16. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein the secondary bonus game is player funded.
17. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein the secondary bonus game is promotionally funded.
18. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein the funding for the activation of the secondary bonus game is player-determined.
19. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming devices is a portable computer that is wirelessly connected to the gaming system.
20. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming devices is a computer that is connected to the gaming system via the Internet.
21. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein the gaming system further comprises at least one server.