Gaming machine providing free game pots to reward extended playing

US8708796B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Spielo International Canada ULC · CA

Inventors

• Christian Baumgartner · Burghausen, DE
• Andreas Zehetner · Edern, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 16, 2008
• Grant date: Apr 29, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07F17/34
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

For each bet on a slot machine game, such as a conventional reel-type game, a fraction of a free game is stored in the machine's memory, where the stored free game fraction is associated with the amount bet. Thus, each possible bet amount option is associated with a particular free game pot in memory. Each paid-for play may accumulate any free game fraction, such as 1/10, ⅕, ¼, ⅓, etc. The player is notified of the accumulated free games on a video screen so the player wants to keep playing so as to not waste any stored free game fractions. The player may play stored whole free games at any time by actuating a button. The free game pots may be easily added to existing games without significant regulatory involvement and does not affect the casino's profit.