Method and system for operating a linked casino activity

Abstract

Methods and systems for operating one or more linked casino activities, and for distributing awards to two or more eligible participants of the one or more linked casino activities are disclosed. A method can include: establishing a jackpot for one or more linked casino activities; establishing a criterion for selecting one or more primary winners from the two or more eligible participants; selecting one or more primary winners using the established criterion; awarding a first portion of the jackpot to the one or more primary winners; and awarding the remainder of the jackpot to one or more eligible participants.

1 . A method for awarding a jackpot to two or more eligible participants of one or more linked casino activities, the method comprising:
 establishing a jackpot for one or more linked casino activities;   establishing a criterion for selecting one or more primary winners from the two or more eligible participants;   selecting one or more primary winners using the established criterion;   awarding a first portion of the jackpot to the one or more primary winners; and   awarding the remainder of the jackpot to one or more of the eligible participants.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a share of the remainder of the jackpot is not awarded to the one or more primary winners. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising progressively supplementing the jackpot using funds extracted from at least one of the linked casino activities. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein awarding the remainder of the jackpot is based upon a predetermined criterion. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined criterion is the number of eligible participants, the items purchased by one or more eligible participants, the amount wagered by one or more eligible participants, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein awarding the remainder of the jackpot is accomplished using a selected form, where the selected form is restricted gaming credits, non-restricted gaming credits, cash, electronic drawing tickets, reward points, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the one or more linked casino activities is selected from the group consisting of slots, Bingo, poker, table games, machine-based games, race betting, sports betting, food purchase, spa services purchase, beverage purchase, merchandise purchase, rides, shows, and sports. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein each of the one or more linked casino activities is selected from the group consisting of slots, Bingo, poker, table games, machine-based games, race betting, sports betting, food purchase, spa services purchase, beverage purchase, merchandise purchase, rides, shows, and sports. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein awarding the remainder of the jackpot is based upon a predetermined criterion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined criterion is the number of eligible participants, the items purchased by one or more eligible participants, the amount wagered by one or more eligible participants, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein awarding the remainder of the jackpot is accomplished using a selected form, where the selected form is restricted gaming credits, non-restricted gaming credits, cash, electronic drawing tickets, reward points, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more linked casino activities is selected from the group consisting of slots, Bingo, poker, table games, machine-based games, race betting, sports betting, food purchase, spa services purchase, beverage purchase, merchandise purchase, rides, shows, and sports. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the one or more linked casino activities is selected from the group consisting of slots, Bingo, poker, table games, machine-based games, race betting, sports betting, food purchase, spa services purchase, beverage purchase, merchandise purchase, rides, shows, and sports. 
     
     
         14 . A method for awarding restricted gaming credits to an account of a player of a casino machine, the method comprising:
 establishing a specific group of casino machines;   tracking the player's use of the specific group of casino machines; and   awarding restricted gaming credits to an account of the player when the player's use of the specific group of casino machines exceeds a required level.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the restricted gaming credits can only be used on the specific group of casino machines. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the specific group of casino machines are located at two or more casinos. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the restricted gaming credits are delivered the next time the player's account is updated. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein restricted gaming credits are awarded based upon a tiered schedule with variable required levels and variable award amounts. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the restricted gaming credits are usable for a particular gaming session. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the restricted gaming credits are used to reward specific players. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein additional restricted gaming credits are awarded when previously awarded restricted gaming credits are used in a specified way. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the additional restricted credits are awarded based upon the player's prior earnings or worth. 
     
     
         23 . A system for operating one or more linked casino activities, each of the activities having two or more eligible participants, the system comprising:
 at least one casino hosting at least one of the linked casino activities;   a processor;   a data storage device coupled with the processor, the data storage device storing instructions operable to cause the processor to:
 store in memory a jackpot amount for the one or more linked casino activities; 
 determine a first portion of the jackpot amount, the first portion to be awarded to one or more primary winners selected from the two or more eligible participants of the activities, the one or more primary winners selected using a first predetermined criterion; and
 determine shares of the remainder of the jackpot amount, the shares to be awarded to one or more of the eligible participants. 
 
   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a broadcast means for broadcasting at least one of the activities from a first casino to a second casino.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the activities is hosted by both the first casino and the second casino. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the data storage device further contains instructions operable to cause the processor to update the stored jackpot amount based upon funds extracted from at least one of the one or more linked casino activities. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the data storage device further contains instructions operable to cause the processor to determine shares of the remainder of the jackpot amount based upon a second predetermined criterion. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the second predetermined criterion is the number of eligible participants, the items purchased by one or more eligible participants, the amount wagered by one or more eligible participants, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the shares of the remainder of the jackpot amount are to be awarded using a selected form, where the selected form is restricted gaming credits, non-restricted gaming credits, cash, electronic drawing tickets, reward points, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the one or more linked casino activities is selected from the group consisting of slots, Bingo, poker, table games, machine-based games, race betting, sports betting, food purchase, spa services purchase, beverage purchase, merchandise purchase, rides, shows, and sports. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein each of the one or more linked casino activities is selected from the group consisting of slots, Bingo, poker, table games, machine-based games, race betting, sports betting, food purchase, spa services purchase, beverage purchase, merchandise purchase, rides, shows, and sports. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 26 , further comprising one or more jackpot amount displays located at one or more casinos. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the data storage device further contains instructions operable to cause the processor to determine shares of the remainder of the jackpot amount based upon a second predetermined criterion. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the second predetermined criterion is the number of eligible participants, the items purchased by one or more eligible participants, the amount wagered by one or more eligible participants, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the shares of the remainder of the jackpot amount are to be awarded using a selected form, where the selected form is restricted gaming credits, non-restricted gaming credits, cash, electronic drawing tickets, reward points, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the one or more linked casino activities is selected from the group consisting of slots, Bingo, poker, table games, machine-based games, race betting, sports betting, food purchase, spa service purchase, beverage purchase, merchandise purchase, rides, shows, and sports. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein each of the one or more linked casino activities is selected from the group consisting of slots, Bingo, poker, table games, machine-based games, race betting, sports betting, food purchase, spa service purchase, beverage purchase, merchandise purchase, rides, shows, and sports. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising one or more jackpot amount displays located at one or more casinos. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein a share of the remainder of the jackpot amount is not awarded to the one or more primary winners.