Gaming display device

Abstract

A display device comprising a plurality of prize balls, a ball holder adapted to hold the balls in an individually controlled manner, a controller adapted to select a prize ball, a display mechanism adapted to display the selected prize ball to the player; and a positioning mechanism in communication with the controller adapted to position the selected prize ball relative to the display mechanism. The display device may be combined with a jumbled ball display wherein the balls displayed by the display device appear to originate from the jumbled ball display. The display device may also be combined with a game apparatus that is adapted to allow players to play a game. In this embodiment, the display device may provide a bonus award for the player. Several games are also provided that may be used with the display device. In an alternative embodiment, the jumbled ball display is replaced with a video display device that displays the balls in video form. The display device may also be replaced by the video display device in which case a prize ball appears to be randomly selected from the agitated display balls.

1 . A gaming device comprising: 
 A) at least one game apparatus means for allowing a player to place a wager and play a game of chance;    B) at least one container means comprising: 
 (a) an at least partially spherical outer surface; and  
 (b) an inner surface defining a cavity; and  
   C) structure means covering a portion of the container means such that at least a portion of the container means is viewable by the player.    
     
     
         2 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the inner surface of the container means defines at least a partially spherical cavity.  
     
     
         3 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the container means comprises a substantially continuous wall defining the outer surface and the inner surface.  
     
     
         4 . The gaming device of  claim 1  wherein the container means is substantially non-movable relative to the game apparatus means.  
     
     
         5 . A gaming device comprising: 
 A) at least one game apparatus means for allowing a player to place a wager and play a game of chance;    B) at least one display means for providing game activity, the display means comprising: 
 a) an at least partially spherical outer surface; and  
 b) an inner surface defining a cavity; and  
   C) structure means covering a portion of the display means such that at least a portion of the display means is viewable by the player.    
     
     
         6 . The gaming device of  claim 5  wherein the inner surface of the display means defines at least a partially spherical cavity.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming device of  claim 5  wherein the display means comprises a substantially continuous wall defining the outer surface and the inner surface.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming device of  claim 5  wherein the display means is substantially non-movable relative to the game apparatus means.  
     
     
         9 . A gaming device comprising: 
 A) at least one game apparatus configured to allow a player to place a wager and play a game of chance; and    B) at least one display device in communication with the game apparatus, the display device comprising: 
 a) an outer surface, the outer surface being at least partially spherical, and wherein the outer surface comprises a first side, a second side and a top portion;  
 b) an inner surface defining a cavity, and  
 c) a structure positioned in close proximity to the outer surface and wherein the structure covers at least a portion of the first side, second side and top portions of the outer surface.  
   
     
     
         10 . The gaming device of  claim 9  wherein the outer surface further comprises a rear portion and wherein the structure does not cover the rear portion.  
     
     
         11 . The gaming device of  claim 9  wherein the display device is substantially non-movable relative to the game apparatus.  
     
     
         12 . The gaming device of  claim 9  wherein the display device comprises a substantially continuous wall defining the outer surface and the inner surface.