Jackpot prediction controller, a gaming system and a method of gaming

Abstract

A method of gaming comprising conducting a jackpot having a jackpot prize awarded from a jackpot pool; receiving at least one player prediction of a final value of a parameter characterizing the jackpot prize when the jackpot is awarded determining that a jackpot prize is to be awarded; determining a final value of the parameter corresponding to the award of the jackpot; and determining whether to award one or more prizes from a prediction prize pool based on each player prediction and the final value.

1 . A method of gaming comprising:
 conducting a jackpot having a jackpot prize awarded from a jackpot pool;   receiving at least one player prediction of a final value of a parameter characterizing the jackpot prize when the jackpot is awarded   determining that a jackpot prize is to be awarded;   determining a final value of the parameter corresponding to the award of the jackpot; and   determining whether to award one or more prizes from a prediction prize pool based on each player prediction and the final value.   
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein determining whether to award one or prizes comprises determining whether one or more player predictions matches the final value. 
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a prize is awarded to each prediction which matches the final value. 
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein determining whether to award one or more prizes comprises determining the closest player prediction or predictions to the final value. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  comprising:
 receiving a bet amount in respect of each player prediction; and   collecting at least a portion of each bet amount in the prediction prize pool.   
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein determining whether to award one or prizes comprises determining whether one or more player predictions matches the final value, wherein a prize is awarded to each prediction which matches the final value, and wherein any prizes awarded in respect of different predictions are proportional with the bet amount associated with the prediction. 
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each player prediction comprises a value of the parameter. 
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each player prediction comprises a range of values of the parameter. 
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the parameter is the amount of the jackpot prize awarded. 
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the parameter is the time when the jackpot prize is awarded. 
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of jackpot pools and player predictions may be made in respect of any one or more of the jackpot pools. 
   
   
       12 . A gaming system comprising:
 a jackpot controller arranged to:
 conduct a jackpot having a jackpot prize awarded from a jackpot pool; and 
 determine that a jackpot prize is to be awarded; and 
   a jackpot prediction controller arranged to:
 receive at least one player prediction of a final value of a parameter characterizing the jackpot prize when the jackpot is awarded; 
 determine a final value of the parameter corresponding to the award of the jackpot; and 
 determine whether to award one or more prizes from a prediction prize pool based on each player prediction and the final value. 
   
   
   
       13 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the jackpot prediction controller is arranged to determine whether to award one or prizes by determining whether one or more player predictions matches the final value. 
   
   
       14 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the jackpot prediction controller is arranged to award a prize to each prediction which matches the final value. 
   
   
       15 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12 , the jackpot prediction controller determines whether to award one or more prizes by determining the closest player prediction or predictions to the final value. 
   
   
       16 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12  arranged to:
 receive a bet amount in respect of each player prediction; and   collect at least a portion of each bet amount in the prediction prize pool.   
   
   
       17 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the jackpot prediction controller is arranged to determine whether to award one or prizes by determining whether one or more player predictions matches the final value, wherein the jackpot prediction controller is arranged to award a prize to each prediction which matches the final value, and wherein the jackpot prediction controller is arranged such that any prizes awarded in respect of different predictions are proportional with the bet amount associated with the prediction. 
   
   
       18 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each player prediction comprises a value of the parameter. 
   
   
       19 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each player prediction comprises a range of values of the parameter. 
   
   
       20 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the parameter is the amount of the jackpot prize awarded. 
   
   
       21 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the parameter is the time when the jackpot prize is awarded. 
   
   
       22 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein there are a plurality of jackpot pools and player predictions may be made in respect of any one or more of the jackpot pools. 
   
   
       23 . A jackpot prediction controller for a gaming system, the jackpot prediction controller arranged to:
 receive at least one player prediction of a final value of a parameter characterizing a jackpot prize when the jackpot is awarded   determine a final value of the predictable parameter corresponding to the award of the jackpot; and   determine whether to award one or more prizes from the prediction pool based on each player prediction and the final value.   
   
   
       24 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 23 , arranged to determine whether to award one or prizes by determining whether one or more player predictions matches the final value. 
   
   
       25 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 24 , arranged to award a prize to each prediction which matches the final value. 
   
   
       26 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 23 , arranged to determine whether to award one or more prizes by determining the closest player prediction or predictions to the final value. 
   
   
       27 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 23  arranged to
 collect at least a portion of a bet amount in respect of each player prediction in the prediction prize pool.   
   
   
       28 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 27  when dependent on  claim 25 , arranged such that any prizes awarded in respect of different predictions are proportional with the bet amount associated with the prediction. 
   
   
       29 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 23  wherein each player prediction comprises a value of the parameter. 
   
   
       30 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 23  wherein each player prediction comprises a range of values of the parameter. 
   
   
       31 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the parameter is the amount of the jackpot prize awarded. 
   
   
       32 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the parameter is the time when the jackpot prize is awarded. 
   
   
       33 . A jackpot prediction controller as claimed in  claim 23  wherein there are a plurality of jackpot pools and player predictions may be made in respect of any one or more of the jackpot pools. 
   
   
       34 . A computer readable medium including computer program code which when executed implements a method of gaming comprising:
 conducting a jackpot having a jackpot prize awarded from a jackpot pool;   receiving at least one player prediction of a final value of a parameter characterizing the jackpot prize when the jackpot is awarded   determining that a jackpot prize is to be awarded;   determining a final value of the parameter corresponding to the award of the jackpot; and   determining whether to award one or more prizes from a prediction prize pool based on each player prediction and the final value.