Lighting system for gaming devices using light emitting diodes having different beam angles

1. A reel device comprising:

(A) a chassis;

(B) an actuator attached to the chassis;

(C) a reel structure rotatably attached to the chassis, the reel structure comprising:

(a) a hub;

(b) a frame defining the periphery of the reel structure, the periphery of the reel structure comprising media adapted to display a symbol to a game player;

(D) a board attached to the chassis; and

(E) a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned on the board, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are adapted to transmit light to at least a portion of the media, the plurality of light emitting diodes comprising:

(a) at least one first light emitting diode that projects light into a first beam angle relative to the first light emitting diode; and

(b) at least one second light emitting diode that projects light into a second beam angle relative to the second light emitting diode, wherein the second beam angle is different to the first beam angle.

2. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light emitting diodes have a different output power level than another portion of the plurality of light emitting diodes.

3. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are more densely spaced in one portion of the board than another portion of the board.

4. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of light emitting diodes emit different colors than another portion of the plurality of light emitting diodes.

5. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein a first color light emitting diode is configured to communicate a first game outcome when illuminated.

6. The reel device of claim 1 , wherein the media comprises a flexible belt disposed around at least two reels that rotate on respective axes that are displaced from each other.

7. The reel device of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in communication with the light emitting diodes, wherein the controller selectively illuminates the light emitting diodes.

8. The reel device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are configured on the board so that a first symbol of the media can be illuminated with one or more light emitting diodes of the at least one first light emitting diodes and a second symbol of the media can be simultaneously illuminated with one or more light emitting diodes of the at least one second light emitting diodes to create a different display effect between the first symbol and the second symbol.

9. A method for awarding prizes comprising, but not necessarily in the order shown:

(A) providing a gaming device, the gaming device comprising at least a first mechanical spinning wheel, the first wheel rotatable about an axis, the first wheel comprising translucent media, a board mounted inside the first wheel, the board comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes comprising at least one first light emitting diode that projects light at a first power level into a first beam angle relative to the first light emitting diode and at least one second light emitting diode that projects light at a second power level into a second beam angle relative to the second light emitting diode, wherein the second beam angle is different to the first beam angle;

(B) determining a game outcome;

(C) rotating the wheel, the wheel having a portion viewable by a player;

(D) illuminating at least a portion of the light emitting diodes;

(E) stopping the mechanical reel in accordance with the game outcome; and

(F) awarding a prize to the player if the game outcome is a winning event.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the media comprises a flexible belt disposed around at least two reels that rotate on respective axes that are displaced from each other.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the illuminated light emitting diodes appear colored.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the color of the illuminated symbol is correlated to a prize the player may be awarded.

13. The method of claim 9 comprising illuminating a first symbol of the media with one or more light emitting diodes of the at least one first light emitting diodes and simultaneously illuminating a second symbol of the media with one or more light emitting diodes of the at least one second light emitting diodes to create a different display effect between the first symbol and the second symbol.

14. A reel device comprising:

(A) reel means for displaying a media;

(B) chassis means for supporting the reel means;

(C) actuator means for moving the reel means; and

(D) light means for illuminating the media, the light means comprising at least one first light emitting diode having a first beam angle relative to the first light emitting diode and at least one second light emitting diode having a second beam angle relative to the second light emitting diode, wherein the second beam angle is different to the first beam angle.

15. The reel device of claim 14 , wherein the light means further comprises a first output power and a second output power.

16. The reel device of claim 14 , wherein the light means further comprises a printed circuit board and a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on the printed circuit board.

17. The reel device of claim 14 , wherein the light means further comprises a plurality of colors.

18. The reel device of claim 17 , wherein a first color light emitting diode is configured to communicate a first game outcome when illuminated.

19. The reel device of claim 14 , wherein the reel means further comprises a flexible belt disposed around at least two reels that rotate on respective axes that are displaced from each other.

20. The reel device of claim 19 , wherein the flexible belt includes a plurality of indicia, at least one of the indicia conveying a game outcome.