Gaming System and a Method of Gaming

Abstract

A gaming system and method of gaming whereby a tournament can be provided to two or more game machines using a player marketing module of each gaming machine. Tournament participation of a player of each game machine is controlled by the player marketing module, and tournament outcomes are determined based on game outcomes generated in accordance with regular game play of the gaming machines of each participating player during the tournament.

1 . A method of gaming comprising:
 providing a tournament to two or more game machines each having a player marketing module;   controlling tournament participation of a player of each game machine by the player marketing module; and   determining tournament outcomes based on game outcomes generated in accordance with regular game play of the gaming machines of each participating player during the tournament.   
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein controlling tournament participation for each player comprises the steps of:
 monitoring game outcomes generated in accordance with regular game play of the gaming machine during the tournament; and   providing game outcome data to a tournament controller.   
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising the steps of:
 advertising an available tournament to the player;   receiving, via the player monitoring module, an instruction from the player to join the tournament; and   joining the player into the tournament in response to the instruction.   
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein joining the player into the tournament includes deducting a tournament entry fee from the players credit balance. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  further comprising the step of causing free play of the regular game during the tournament. 
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising the step of adjusting player credit by the player marketing module during tournament participation. 
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the player marketing module adjusts player credit during tournament participation to restore the player's original credit balance at the time the tournament started. 
   
   
       8 . A gaming system comprising:
 a tournament controller; and   two or more game machines each adapted to enable a player to play a regular game and having a player marketing module, wherein the player marketing module is in data communication with the tournament controller, the player marketing module comprising a tournament participation controller adapted to control tournament participation of a player of the game machine,   wherein the tournament controller is adapted to determine tournament outcomes based on game outcomes generated in accordance with regular game play of the game machines of each participating player during the tournament.   
   
   
       9 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the tournament participation controller of the player marketing module is adapted to:
 monitor game outcomes generated in accordance with regular game play of the gaming machine during the tournament; and   provide game outcome data to a tournament controller.   
   
   
       10 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the player marketing module of each game machine further comprises a player input interface whereby a player can input an instruction to join an advertised tournament. 
   
   
       11 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the player marketing module further comprises a display whereby an invitation to join a tournament is advertised to the player. 
   
   
       12 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the player marketing module further comprises a player credit controller adapted to update player credit based on tournament participation. 
   
   
       13 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the player credit controller is adapted to deduct a tournament entry fee from a player credit balance. 
   
   
       14 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the tournament participation controller is adapted to cause free play of the regular game during the tournament. 
   
   
       15 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the player credit controller is adapted to adjust player credit during tournament participation. 
   
   
       16 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the player credit controller is adapted to adjust player credit during tournament participation to restore the player's original credit balance at the time the tournament started. 
   
   
       17 . A method of controlling participation in a gaming tournament by a player marketing module, wherein the player marketing module is in data communication with a game controller adapted to implement a game and a tournament controller adapted to run tournament, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving an instruction from the player to join a tournament;   joining the player in a tournament run by the tournament controller;   monitoring game outcomes generated for the game implemented by the game controller;   providing game outcome data to the tournament server; and   receiving tournament result data.   
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  wherein joining the player into the tournament includes deducting a tournament entry fee from the players credit balance. 
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising the step of adjusting player credit during the tournament. 
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the player credit is adjusted during tournament participation to restore the player's original credit balance at the time the tournament started. 
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising the step of causing free play of the regular game during the tournament. 
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 17  further comprising the step of advertising the tournament. 
   
   
       23 . A player marketing module comprising:
 a game controller interface for connection to a game controller adapted to implement regular game play;   a tournament controller interface for connection to a tournament controller adapted to run a tournament; and   tournament participation controller adapted to:   join a player in a tournament run by the tournament controller;   monitor game outcomes generated in accordance with regular game play of the gaming machine during the tournament;   provide game outcome data to the tournament controller; and   receive tournament result data.   
   
   
       24 . A player marketing module as claimed in  claim 23  further comprising a player input interface which enables a player to input an instruction to join an advertised tournament. 
   
   
       25 . A player marketing module as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the player marketing module includes a display whereby an invitation to join a tournament is advertised to the player. 
   
   
       26 . A player marketing module as claimed in  claim 25  further comprising a player credit controller adapted to update player credit based on tournament participation. 
   
   
       27 . A player marketing module as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the player credit controller is adapted to deduct a tournament entry fee from a player credit balance. 
   
   
       28 . A player marketing module as claimed in  claim 27  adapted to cause free play of the regular game during the tournament. 
   
   
       29 . A player marketing module as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the player credit controller is adapted to adjust player credit during tournament participation. 
   
   
       30 . A player marketing module as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the player credit controller is adapted to adjust player credit during tournament participation to restore the player's original credit balance at the time the tournament started. 
   
   
       31 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising executing a computer program code implementing said method. 
   
   
       32 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising storing said computer program code in a computer readable medium. 
   
   
       33 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising generating a data signal indicative of said computer program code. 
   
   
       34 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising transmitting and receiving said data signal.