System for initiating a group play feature on a plurality of casino games

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a gaming system including a group play feature. The system includes a plurality of gaming machines associated with one another, and a plurality of indicators with one indicator associated with one gaming machine. There is also a bonus feature module in communication with the plurality of gaming machines and the plurality of indicators. A random event in one of the plurality of gaming machines triggers a bonus feature, and the bonus feature module activates the plurality of indicators in a sequential order to highlight one gamine machine at a time. The activation of the indicators in a sequential order stops leaving only the activation of the indicators on one gaming machine that is awarded a bonus.

1 . A gaming system, comprising:
 a plurality of gaming machines, the gaming machines positioned for association with one another during a bonus feature;   a plurality of indicators with one indicator associated with each gaming machine; and   a bonus feature module in communication with the plurality of gaming machines and the plurality of indicators, wherein a triggering event in one of the plurality of gaming machines triggers the bonus feature, the bonus feature module activates the plurality of indicators in a sequential order until the bonus feature module stops the progression of the plurality of indicators so that only one gaming machine indicator remains activated and a bonus is awarded.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a network server in communication with the plurality of gaming machines. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a player tracking system in communication with the network server, wherein the player tracking system includes a database of player accounts. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the bonus feature module is stored on the network server. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bonus feature module is stored on a bonus server, wherein the bonus server is in communication with the plurality of gaming machines. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bonus feature module is stored on one of the plurality of gaming machines. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gaming machines are positioned together in a circular bank. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein eight gaming machines are positioned together in the circular bank. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a central display unit disposed on top of the plurality of gaming machines in the circular bank, wherein the plurality of indicators are located on the central display unit. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of indicators are lights that illuminate in a sequential circular motion around the circular bank indicating each individual gaming machine at a time when the bonus feature is triggered. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the frequency of illuminating the lights in a circular motion around the circular bank increases. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of indicators are lights disposed on the seat backs of chairs positioned around the gaming machines. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the bonus feature module activates an announcement when the bonus feature is triggered. 
   
   
       14 . A gaming system, comprising:
 a plurality of gaming machines networked with one another and arranged in a circular bank;   a plurality of indicators each identifying one gaming machine; and   a bonus feature module in communication with the plurality of gaming machines and the plurality of indicators, wherein a triggering event occurring at one of the plurality of gaming machines triggers a bonus feature and activates the plurality of indicators in a sequential circular motion around the circular bank, highlighting each individual gaming machine one at a time, until the bonus feature module stops the sequential circular motion of the plurality of indicators so that only one gaming machine indicator is activated, and a player at the one gaming machine is awarded a bonus.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the bonus is monetary. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the bonus is a prize. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein bonus feature module determines if a player is present at each of the plurality of gaming machines and prevents a player-less gaming machine from being awarded the bonus. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of sensors each associated with one of the plurality of gaming machines, and the sensors are in communication with the bonus feature module, wherein the sensor communicates to the bonus feature module the presence of a player at a gaming machine. 
   
   
       19 . A gaming system, comprising:
 a plurality of gaming machines networked with one another and arranged in a circular bank;   a central unit disposed on top of the plurality of gaming machines arranged in a circular bank, the central unit including lights for identifying each of the plurality of gaming machines; and   a bonus feature module in communication with the plurality of gaming machines and the plurality of lights, wherein an event associated with one of the plurality of gaming machines triggers a bonus feature and illuminates the lights in a sequential circular motion around the circular bank, until the bonus feature module stops the sequential circular motion of the lights so that only one gaming machine indicator is activated, and a player at the one gaming machine is awarded a bonus.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the bonus feature module increases the frequency of illuminating the lights in a sequential circular motion around the circular bank.