System and method for providing electronic gaming machines with variable payouts based on random events

Abstract

A system and method for use of electronic gaming machine(s) and a central computer. The electronic gaming machine has a player interface for allowing a player to place a wager and play a game on the electronic gaming machine. The electronic gaming machine is switchable between a normal payout mode and a higher payout mode and provides a payout to the player under a current one of the normal payout mode and the higher payout mode in response to a winning condition in the game. The payout under the higher payout mode is generally higher for the winning condition under the higher payout mode than under the normal payout mode. The central computer is networked to the electronic gaming machine and is configured to establish a first percentage. The first percentage is representative of a desired percentage of time the electronic gaming machine is in the higher payout mode. The central computer monitors the performance of the electronic gaming machine and dynamically controls the electronic gaming machine to switch between the normal payout mode and the higher payout mode as a function of the performance of the central computer and the first percentage.

1 . A system, comprising:
 an electronic gaming machine having a player interface, the player interface for allowing a player to place a wager and play a game on the electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine being switchable between a normal payout mode and a higher payout mode, the electronic gaming machine providing a payout to the player under a current one of the normal payout mode and the higher payout mode in response to a winning condition in the game, the payout under the higher payout mode being generally higher for the winning condition under the higher payout mode than under the normal payout mode; and,   a central computer networked to the electronic gaming machine, the central computer configured to establish a first percentage, the first percentage representative of a desired percentage of time the electronic gaming machine is in the higher payout mode, the central computer for monitoring performance of the electronic gaming machine and dynamically controlling the electronic gaming machine to switch between the normal payout mode and the higher payout mode as a function of the performance of the central computer and the first percentage.   
   
   
       2 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic gaming machine is one of a video slot machine, a pull lever electronic slot machine, a video blackjack machine, a video poker machine, a video roulette machine, a video craps machine, and a video keno machine. 
   
   
       3 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic gaming machine provides multiple games, the game played selectable by the player. 
   
   
       4 . A system, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the multiple games has a normal payout mode and a higher payout mode. 
   
   
       5 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the higher payout mode differs from the normal payout mode by changing at least one of (1) odds related to the game, (2) payout ratio, and (3) rule(s) of the game. 
   
   
       6 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , where the first percentage is representative of the desired percentage of time in the higher payout mode over a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       7 . A system, as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the central computer controls the electronic gaming machine to be in the higher payout mode a plurality of incremental time periods over the predetermine time period. 
   
   
       8 . A system, as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein each incremental time period is less than or equal to two minute. 
   
   
       9 . A system, as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein each incremental time period is less than or equal to four minutes. 
   
   
       10 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a switch to the higher payout mode is performed by providing a different payout ratio. 
   
   
       11 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a switch to the higher payout mode is performed by providing different odds and different game rules. 
   
   
       12 . A system, as set forth in  claim 1 , including a plurality of electronic gaming machines, each gaming machine switchable between the normal payout mode and the higher payout mode by the central computer. 
   
   
       13 . A system, as set forth in  claim 12 , the central computer monitors the performance of all gaming machines and controls one or more of the gaming machines to enter the higher payout mode in response to a triggering performance criteria on at least one of the gaming machines. 
   
   
       14 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a number of players playing on the electronic gaming machines during a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       15 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a number of electronic gaming machines utilized during a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       16 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a number of completed gaming sessions on the electronic gaming machines over a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       17 . A system, as set in  claim 13 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes an amount wagered on the electronic gaming machines over a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       18 . A system, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the player may belong to a player tracking club, and the player's chance of the electronic gaming machine being played being switched to the higher payout mode being dependent upon their status in the player tracking club. 
   
   
       19 . A system, as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a amount of time playing on one or more of the electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       20 . A system, as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a total amount wagered and/or spent by the player. 
   
   
       21 . A method for operating an electronic gaming machine having a player interface, the electronic gaming machine connected to a central computer and being switchable between a normal payout mode and a higher payout mode, the payout under the higher payout mode being generally higher for the winning condition under the higher payout mode than under the normal payout mode, the method including the steps of:
 allowing a player to place a wager and play a game on the electronic gaming machine;   providing a payout to the player under a current one of the normal payout mode and the higher payout mode in response to a winning condition in the game;   establish a first percentage at the central computer, the first percentage representative of a desired percentage of time the electronic gaming machine is in the higher payout mode; and,   monitoring performance of the electronic gaming machine by the central computer and dynamically controlling the electronic gaming machine to switch between the normal payout mode and the higher payout mode as a function of the performance of the central computer and the first percentage.   
   
   
       22 . A method, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the electronic gaming machine is one of a video slot machine, a pull lever electronic slot machine, a video blackjack machine, a video poker machine, a video roulette machine, a video craps machine, and a video keno machine. 
   
   
       23 . A method, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the electronic gaming machine, provides multiple games, the method including the step of allowing the player to select the game to play. 
   
   
       24 . A method, as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein one or more of the multiple games has a normal payout mode and a higher payout mode. 
   
   
       25 . A method, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the higher payout mode differs from the normal payout mode by changing at least one of (1) odds related to the game, (2) payout ratio, and (3) rule(s) of the game. 
   
   
       26 . A method, as set forth in  claim 21 , where the first percentage is representative of the desired percentage of time in the higher payout mode over a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       27 . A method, as set forth in  claim 26 , including the step of controlling, by the central computer, the electronic gaming machine to be in the higher payout mode a plurality of incremental time periods over the predetermine time period. 
   
   
       28 . A method, as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein each incremental time period is less than or equal to one minute. 
   
   
       29 . A method, as set forth in  claim 27 , wherein each incremental time period is less than or equal to 3 minutes. 
   
   
       30 . A method, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein a switch to the higher payout mode is performed by providing a different payout ratio. 
   
   
       31 . A method, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein a switch to the higher payout mode is performed by providing different odds and different game rules. 
   
   
       32 . A method, as set forth in  claim 21 , including a plurality of electronic gaming machines, each gaming machine switchable between the normal payout mode and the higher payout mode by the central computer. 
   
   
       33 . A method, as set forth in  claim 32 , the central computer monitors the performance of all gaming machines and controls one or more of the gaming machines to enter the higher payout mode in response to a triggering performance criteria on at least one of the gaming machines. 
   
   
       34 . A method, as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a number of players playing on the electronic gaming machines during a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       35 . A method, as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a number of electronic gaming machines utilized during a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       36 . A method, as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a number of completed gaming sessions on the electronic gaming machines over a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       37 . A method, as set in  claim 33 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes an amount wagered on the electronic gaming machines over a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       38 . A method, as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the player may belong to a player tracking club, and the player's chance of the electronic gaming machine being played being switched to the higher payout mode being dependent upon their status in the player tracking club. 
   
   
       39 . A method, as set forth in  claim 38 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a amount of time playing on one or more of the electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       40 . A method, as set forth in  claim 38 , wherein the triggering performance criteria includes a total amount wagered and/or spent by the player.