Player-funded loss amelioration

1. A method of operating an electronic gaming machine that has a paytable having random winning outcomes and losing outcomes, the method comprising:

receiving, via a user interaction with a button panel housed in the electronic gaming machine, one or more wagers;

accumulating, in an electronic player account associated with a player, a portion of each wager made by the player on the electronic gaming machine;

storing, in the electronic player account, the accumulated portions in a pool associated with the player;

monitoring, via a machine interface device housed in the electronic gaming machine, outcomes of play by the player on the electronic gaming machine;

determining, based on records stored on a player tracking server, when the losing outcomes exceed a defined threshold;

awarding, via the electronic gaming machine, the player a bonus when the defined threshold is exceeded; and

if the bonus results in an award, funding, via electronic funds transfer, the bonus from the pool.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bonus comprises a free play of the electronic gaming machine.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein if the free play does not result in a win based on the paytable, the player is given a bonus award.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bonus comprises forcing the electronic gaming machine to display a predetermined winning outcome and giving the player a bonus award that corresponds to the award for the predetermined winning outcome in the paytable.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bonus comprises permitting the player to play a bonus game.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a period for monitoring outcomes of play comprises monitoring outcomes of play by the player for a session of play of the electronic gaming machine.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein monitoring outcomes of play comprises monitoring outcomes of play by the player for a session that includes multiple electronic gaming machines during a single visit to a casino where the multiple electronic gaming machines are located.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bonus comprises an award to the player after conclusion of a play session on the electronic gaming machine.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the defined threshold is a function of a player's preference for volatility during game play.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

monitoring an amount in the pool; and

preventing an award from the pool until the amount reaches a defined level.

11. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of electronic gaming machines;

a player tracking server;

a network interconnecting the plurality of electronic gaming machines; and

at least one computing processor operatively connected to the network, the at least one computing processor configured to:

receive, via a user interaction with a button panel housed in an electronic gaming machine of the plurality of electronic gaming machines, one or more wagers;

accumulate, in an electronic player account associated with a player, a portion of each wager made by the player on at least one electronic gaming machine of the plurality of electronic gaming machines;

store, in the electronic player account, the accumulated portions in a pool associated with the player;

monitor, via a machine interface device housed in the at least one electronic gaming machine, outcomes of play by the player on the at least one electronic gaming machine;

determine, based on records stored on the player tracking server, when losing outcomes exceed a defined threshold;

award, via the electronic gaming machine, the player a bonus when the defined threshold is exceeded; and

if the bonus results in an award, fund the bonus, via electronic funds transfer, from the pool.

12. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the bonus comprises a free play of the at least one electronic gaming machine.

13. The gaming system of claim 12 , wherein if the free play does not result in a win based on a paytable, the player is given a bonus award.

14. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the bonus comprises forcing the at least one electronic gaming machine to display a predetermined winning outcome and giving the player a bonus award that corresponds to the award for the predetermined winning outcome in a paytable.

15. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the bonus comprises permitting the player to play a bonus game.

16. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein a period for monitoring outcomes of play comprises monitoring outcomes of play by the player for a session of play of the at least one electronic gaming machine.

17. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein monitoring outcomes of play comprises monitoring outcomes of play by the player for a session that includes multiple electronic gaming machines during a single visit to a casino where the multiple electronic gaming machines are located.

18. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the bonus comprises an award to the player after conclusion of a play session on the at least one electronic gaming machine.

19. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the defined threshold is a function of a player's preference for volatility during game play.

20. The gaming system of claim 11 , further comprising:

monitoring an amount in the pool; and

preventing an award from the pool until the amount.