Systems and methods of linking gaming stations
Systems and methods of operating progressive jackpots linked to wagering games having different jackpot triggers with different probabilities. The jackpot winning probabilities may be normalized such that players may have the substantially the same odds to win the major progressive jackpot regardless on the wagering game being played. The jackpot triggers may be associated with particular wagering game outcomes. The jackpot triggers may also be associated with a prize of a segment of a spin wheel that is spun in response to the occurrence of a particular wagering game outcome. The spin wheel may be displayed on a player interface of a gaming machine in response to the particular wagering game outcome.
1. A progressive jackpot system, comprising:
at least one processor programmed to:
link at least two gaming stations to a progressive jackpot, the at least two gaming stations configured to administer at least two different wagering games that have different jackpot trigger probabilities for achieving a jackpot trigger for the progressive jackpot;
normalize a jackpot winning probability based, at least in part, on the different jackpot trigger probabilities such that the jackpot winning probability for players of the at least two different wagering games is substantially the same,
wherein the jackpot trigger of at least one of the two gaming stations is associated with a prize of a segment of a spin wheel spun in response to an occurrence of a particular wagering game outcome, the particular wagering game outcome comprising a qualifying win; and
when the qualifying win is achieved, populate each of a plurality of segments of the spin wheel with a segment pay value based, at least in part, on a value of the qualifying win, an amount of a placed wager associated with the qualifying win, and a probability of the segment pay value being awarded, wherein the segment pay value of at least one of the plurality of segments differs from the segment pay value of an adjacent segment of the plurality of segments.
2. The progressive jackpot system of claim 1 , wherein the jackpot trigger probability of at least one of the two gaming stations is based, at least in part, on a probability of a segment of the spin wheel associated with the progressive jackpot being selected after being spun.
3. The progressive jackpot system of claim 1 , wherein the jackpot trigger probability of at least one of the two gaming stations is based, at least in part, on a probability of the particular wagering game outcome occurring.
4. The progressive jackpot system of claim 1 , wherein the jackpot trigger probability of at least one of the two gaming stations is equal to a probability of a segment of the spin wheel associated with the progressive jackpot being selected after being spun multiplied by a probability of the particular wagering game outcome occurring.
5. The progressive jackpot system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to normalize the jackpot winning probability by assigning an eligibility probability to each wagering game of the at least two wagering games, wherein the eligibility probability is a probability that the respective wagering game is eligible to participate in the progressive jackpot for a current round.
6. The progressive jackpot system of claim 5 , wherein the eligibility probability is equal to the jackpot winning probability divided by the jackpot trigger probability for the respective wagering game.
7. The progressive jackpot system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor links the at least two gaming stations to a major progressive jackpot and a mega progressive jackpot.
8. A progressive jackpot system, comprising:
a processor programmed to:
manage a jackpot for a plurality of linked gaming stations administering different wagering games;
normalize a jackpot winning probability to be substantially the same probability for each of the different wagering games to win the jackpot even though the different wagering games have jackpot triggers that have different jackpot trigger probabilities from each other,
wherein at least one of the jackpot triggers of the different wagering games is associated with a prize of a payout determination device triggered in response to an occurrence of a particular wagering game outcome comprising a qualifying win; and
display the payout determination device having a plurality of segments, each segment of the plurality of segments having a segment pay value of a plurality of segment pay values associated with the respective segment, the segment pay value based, at least in part, on a value of the qualifying win, an amount of a placed wager associated with the qualifying win, and a probability of the segment pay value being awarded, wherein an average pay of the plurality of segment pay values is at least substantially equal to a normal pay out of the particular wagering game outcome according to a pay table associated with at least one wagering game of the different wagering games.
9. The progressive jackpot system of claim 8 , wherein the payout determination device comprises a spin wheel, and wherein the processor is programmed to display the spin wheel on a player interface of a gaming station of the plurality of linked gaming stations in response to a player associated with the gaming station of the plurality of linked gaming stations achieving the particular wagering game outcome.
10. The progressive jackpot system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is programmed to spin the spin wheel responsive to the player pressing a spin button on the player interface.
11. The progressive jackpot system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is programmed to spin the spin wheel responsive to the player touching and dragging a finger on a surface player interface.
12. The progressive jackpot system of claim 9 , wherein the processor is programmed to display the spin wheel on the player interface of the gaming station only if the player has previously placed a side wager.
13. The progressive jackpot system of claim 8 , wherein plurality of segments includes at least one jackpot prize and at least one set amount prize.
14. The progressive jackpot system of claim 8 , wherein the occurrence of a particular wagering game outcome comprises a player winning the wagering game with the qualifying win.
15. A method for operating a jackpot system, the method comprising:
providing a first gaming station administering a first wagering game with a first jackpot trigger probability of achieving a first jackpot trigger, wherein the first jackpot trigger is associated with a prize segment of a spin wheel spun in response to an occurrence of a particular wagering game outcome;
providing a second gaming station administering a second wagering game with a second jackpot trigger probability of achieving a second jackpot trigger, the first wagering game and the second wagering game being different;
assigning a first eligibility probability to the first wagering game for the first gaming station to be eligible to participate in a jackpot;
assigning a second eligibility probability to the second wagering game for the second gaming station to be eligible to participate in the jackpot;
determining whether at least one of the first gaming station and the second gaming station is eligible to participate in the jackpot based, at least in part, on the corresponding first eligibility probability and the second eligibility probability;
populating a plurality of segments of the spin wheel with a segment pay value based, at least in part, on a value of the first jackpot trigger, an amount of a placed wager associated with the first jackpot trigger, and a probability of the segment pay value being awarded; and
populating the plurality of segments of the spin wheel with another segment pay value based, at least in part, on a value of the second jackpot trigger, an amount of a placed wager associated with the second jackpot trigger, and a probability of the another segment pay value being awarded.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising displaying the spin wheel on a player interface of the first gaming station responsive to the occurrence of the particular wagering game outcome.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising spinning the spin wheel on the player interface responsive to a player input.
18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising receiving at least one side wager to participate in a chance to spin the spin wheel if the particular wagering game outcome occurs.