Progressive game scheme for machine play and lotteries

Abstract

A progressive jackpot gaming system that includes a central server, central controller or remote host in communication with a linked plurality of gaming machines or gaming devices is disclosed. The gaming devices are capable of generating video or mechanical images, and are programmed to allow a person to make a wager. Preferably a portion of each wager is contributed to a progressive pool of funds. The gaming system provides the ability to configure progressive jackpot awards based upon the total available progressive pool of funds, allowing the progressive jackpot to be repeatedly reapportioned to include secondary jackpots available to additional non-winning players. The value of any secondary jackpots are predetermined and preferably equal; the value of the primary jackpot may be at least equal to one secondary jackpot but less than the value of two secondary jackpots. Players may have the choice to either join in the shared jackpot scheme, or play to solely win the entire jackpot.

1 . A method of playing a wagering game on networked wagering apparatus comprising:
 a player placing a wager on a game that provides a progressive jackpot;   wherein the progressive jackpot is incremented by portions of the wager into the progressive jackpot and the progressive jackpot resets at a predetermined reset value after a previous win of a largest amount of the progressive jackpot;   wherein after the progressive jackpot is reset, the progressive jackpot is divided into (1) a primary jackpot, and (2) additive funds identified in an accounting function of the wagering apparatus;   wherein the additive funds increase until a predetermined repeatable threshold value is at least equaled in the accounting function and that threshold value above a seed value for the primary jackpot is used to establish a second jackpot awarded in relation to when the primary jackpot is awarded, so that when at least the primary jackpot is awarded to a first player because the first player is provided with a progressive jackpot winning event, the value of any additive funds that have not reached the threshold value are awarded to either the first player or another active player on the networked system; and   when the threshold value has been first reached and a second jackpot has been established, the first player is awarded the primary jackpot and at least one player on the networked system different from the first player is awarded the second jackpot.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one other player is randomly selected from among networked players active in play of the networked system. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one other player is selected according to predetermined criteria from among networked players active in play of the networked system. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the progressive jackpot is retained at least X value and when the additive funds reach value Y, the second jackpot becomes functional at a value of Y. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein after a second jackpot has become functional, additional progressive contributions are added to at least the progressive jackpot to provide second additive funds, and when the second additive funds reach a second predetermined threshold, a third jackpot is established that is awarded in conjunction with the award of the primary jackpot and the award of the second jackpot. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the value of the primary jackpot is at least equal to the second jackpot and less than the value of the second jackpot plus the third jackpot. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein when the threshold value is reached, the threshold value is deducted from additive funds, providing a second jackpot. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein each time the threshold value Y is equaled above amount X in a jackpot award amount, an additional jackpot is provided that is awarded in conjunction with the award of the primary jackpot. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein when one player is awarded the primary jackpot, that one player is awarded the primary jackpot plus additive funds up to but less than the threshold amount. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein all additional jackpots are awarded to at least one other player in play on the network other than the one player. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined threshold value equals a reset value for the progressive jackpot after a winning progressive jackpot event. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  where any player on the networked system may chose to opt out of the shared progressive jackpot awards in a winner-take-all play format. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the winning player who chooses winner-take-all play format wins the primary jackpot, all additional jackpots and all additive funds if the winning player is provided with the progressive jackpot award. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the winning player who chooses winner-take-all play format wins an amount that is more than the primary jackpot and all additive funds if the winning player is provided with the progressive jackpot award. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the amount that is more than the primary jackpot and all additive funds comprises at least one additional jackpot. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein a player who chooses winner-take-all play format does not win any awards if the winning player is a player who chose the office pool option and is provided with the progressive jackpot award. 
   
   
       17 . A method of playing a networked lottery game in which a progressive jackpot resets at predetermined reset value after previous win:
 wherein the progressive jackpot is divided into at least (a) primary jackpot being the initially reset value, and (b) additive funds being at an initial mount of $0 or more;   a portion of each wager is diverted to the additive funds of the progressive jackpot;   wherein the additive funds increase until a predetermined first threshold value is at least equaled and an additional jackpot is established;   wherein when at least the progressive jackpot is awarded to a first player, both any additive funds are awarded and any secondary jackpots are awarded, with at least secondary jackpots being awarded to a player in the networked lottery game other than first player.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the value of any secondary jackpots is predetermined and equal to a minimum amount allowed for the progressive jackpot.