System and method for shared wins

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a system and method for providing shared wins in a gaming system. Certain embodiments include establishing a shared win award, wherein the shared win award has an amount or value. One or more eligible players may be identified to participate in a shared win, wherein eligibility of a player is independent of player choice. A shared win event may be determined and at least a portion of the shared win award may be awarded to each of the one or more eligible players. At least one group of players may be defined as eligible to participate in a shared win. A sharing percentage of the shared win award may be assigned to each of the eligible players as a function of relative play among the eligible players. The sharing percentage assigned to a player may be adjusted based on play relative to other eligible players, for example.

1 . A method for awarding a shared prize, said method comprising: 
 establishing a shared win award, wherein said shared win award has an amount or a value;    identifying one or more players eligible to participate in a shared win, wherein eligibility of a player is independent of player choice;    determining a shared win event; and    awarding at least a portion of said shared win award to each of said one or more eligible players.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating said shared win at a certain time.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating said shared win during a certain time period.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said identifying step further comprises identifying eligible players at a certain time.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said identifying step further comprises defining at least one group of players eligible to participate in a shared win.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said awarding step further comprises awarding at least a portion of said shared win award to each of said one or more eligible players based on a criterion.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising assigning a sharing percentage of said shared win award to each of said eligible players as a function of relative play among said eligible players.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising adjusting said sharing percentage assigned to a player based on play of said player relative to other eligible players.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said amount of said shared win award comprises a static amount.  
   
   
       10 . The set of instructions of  claim 1 , wherein said shared win award comprises a non-progressive shared win award.  
   
   
       11 . A computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computing device, the set of instructions comprising: 
 a configuration routine for configuring parameters of a shared win, wherein said parameters include at least one of a shared win award, a shared win event, a shared win time period, and a sharing percentage;    a selection routine configured to allow an authorized user of a gaming establishment to identify players or selection criteria for participation in a shared win game;    a monitoring routine for monitoring play of eligible players during said shared win time period; and    an award routine for allocating said shared win award among said eligible players based on said sharing percentage.    
   
   
       12 . The set of instructions of  claim 11 , wherein said shared win routine allocates said shared win award based on at least one criterion.  
   
   
       13 . The set of instructions of  claim 11 , wherein said monitoring routine further comprises dynamically adjusting said sharing percentage for each of said eligible players; and wherein said award routine further comprises allocating said shared win award among said eligible players based on said sharing percentage.  
   
   
       14 . The set of instructions of  claim 11 , wherein said shared win award comprises a non-progressive shared win award.  
   
   
       15 . The set of instructions of  claim 11 , wherein said selection routine allows selection of players eligible for said shared win game without player interaction in the selection.  
   
   
       16 . A gaming management system providing a shared win, said system comprising: 
 a shared wins manager configured to set parameters for a shared win game, wherein said shared wins manager allows selection of eligible players for participation in said shared win game;    a gaming terminal, wherein said gaming terminal executes a base game for play by a player, and wherein said gaming terminal is capable of operating a shared win game along with said base game; and    a meter associated with said player, wherein said meter tracks play of said player during said shared win game, and wherein said meter is used to determine said player's percentage of said shared win award, and    wherein said shared wins manager divides a shared win award among said eligible players upon occurrence of a shared win event.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said shared wins manager dynamically determines an award sharing percentage for said player based on said meter.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said player wagers a certain amount to become eligible to participate in said shared win game.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein a percentage of said shared win award allotted to said player increases as said player plays eligible games.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein occurrence of said shared win event is independent of a winning result of said base game.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said shared wins manager is capable of configuring a recurring shared win game based on a schedule.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said shared wins manager is capable of defining one or more groups eligible for one or more shared wins.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a card reader capable of determining player eligibility for said shared win based on player card information.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said shared win award is automatically credited to a player account.