Method and apparatus for variable contribution progressive jackpots
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatuses for variable contribution multiple progressive jackpot games are disclosed. A variable contribution rate is determined as a function of a wager level. A contribution amount is determined by multiplying each wager by its corresponding contribution rate. The contribution amount is then added to at least two jackpot meters.
1. A method of operating a gaming device to fund at least two jackpots for a wagering game, the method comprising:
using a processor of the gaming device to:
accept a selected minimum rate of return to players over time;
accept at least one selected reseed value for a first future jackpot of the wagering game, wherein the at least one selected reseed value is accumulated on at least one reseed meter, and the accumulated reseed value is transferred to a first jackpot meter after a first jackpot is awarded;
identify an initial contribution rate and one or more additional contribution rates of player wagers to be selectively apportioned between the first jackpot meter, a second jackpot meter and the at least one reseed meter;
apply a portion of at least the initial contribution rate to a first series of wagers to the first jackpot meter to fund the first jackpot, another portion of at least the initial contribution rate to the second jackpot meter to fund the second jackpot and another portion of at least the initial contribution rate to the at least one reseed meter;
cease applying a portion of at least the initial contribution rate to the at least one reseed meter when the accepted at least one selected reseed value is reached; and
applying at least one additional contribution rate to a second series of wagers in response to an occurrence of a threshold event.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial contribution rate is higher than at least some of the one or more additional contribution rates.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial contribution rate and the one or more additional contribution rates are applied by the processor to provide, over time, the selected minimum rate of return to players of the wagering game.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the initial contribution rate and the one or more additional contribution rates are applied by the processor to provide a rate of return, over time, that does not exceed the selected minimum rate of return.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial contribution rate and the one or more additional contribution rates are identified by an algorithm.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the minimum rate of return is 75%.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reseed value is a fixed amount of zero or greater.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial contribution rate and the one or more additional contribution rates comprise between 2 and 12 contribution rates, and the applied contribution rate is altered, in addition to the at least one selected reseed value being reached, responsive to an occurrence of another threshold event in play of the wagering game.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the another threshold event is determined as an event selected from the group consisting of: a number of wagers placed, a jackpot amount, elapsed time, a multiple of the at least one selected reseed value, and percentage of a theoretical maximum jackpot.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein amounts contributed in excess of an amount that guarantees a minimum rate of return to the player are accumulated.
11. A method of operating a gaming device to fund at least two jackpots for a wagering game, the method comprising:
using a processor of the gaming device to:
accept a selected minimum rate of return to players over time;
accept at least one selected reseed amount for a future jackpot of the wagering game to be accumulated on at least one reseed meter, and transferred to a first jackpot meter responsive to game play after a current first jackpot is awarded;
identify a first, a second and at least a third contribution rate of player wagers to be selectively apportioned between a first jackpot meter, a second jackpot meter and the at least one reseed meter;
apply the first contribution rate to a first series of wagers to the first jackpot meter to fund the future first jackpot;
apply the second contribution rate to the first series of wagers to the second jackpot meter to fund the future second jackpot;
apply the third contribution rate to the first series of wagers to the at least one reseed meter to fund the at least one selected reseed amount; and
apply the at least a third contribution rate to at least the first jackpot meter solely to fund the current jackpot after the occurrence of a threshold event.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first contribution rate is higher than the second and the at least a third additional contribution rates.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first, the second and the at least a third contribution rates are applied by the processor to provide, over time, the selected minimum rate of return to players of the wagering game.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first, the second and the at least a third contribution rates are applied by the processor to provide a rate of return, over time, that does not exceed the selected minimum rate of return.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first, the second and the at least a third contribution rates are identified by an algorithm.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the minimum rate of return is 75%.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least one selected reseed amount is a fixed amount of zero or greater.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first, the second and the at least a third contribution rates comprise between 2 and 12 contribution rates, and the applied contribution rate is altered, in addition to the at least one selected reseed amount being reached and the selected minimum rate of return being reached, responsive to an occurrence of another threshold event in play of the wagering game.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the another threshold event is determined as an event selected from the group consisting of: a number of wagers placed, a jackpot amount, elapsed time, a multiple of the at least one selected reseed amount, and percentage of a theoretical maximum jackpot.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein amounts contributed in excess of an amount that guarantees a minimum rate of return to the player are accumulated.