Gaming system and a method of gaming

This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2007907068, having a filing date of Dec. 21, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Not Applicable]

Not Applicable]

The present invention relates to a gaming system, a controller, and method for awarding prizes.

Many venues employ controllers for awarding prizes to one or more of a plurality of gaming devices participating in a linked event. For example, in a linked event where jackpot prizes are awarded, a portion of turnover on each gaming device will typically be forwarded to a jackpot controller as a contribution. That is, part of each wager goes towards the jackpot. The technique can be extended to a so called wide area jackpot where gaming devices from a number of different venues contribute to a single jackpot pool.

One common way of awarding a jackpot is a so called mystery jackpot where a trigger value, generally in a prize range, is randomly selected and stored by the jackpot controller. The jackpot controller determines to award the jackpot prize when the contributions cause the value of the jackpot pool to reach the trigger value.

While such techniques provide an opportunity for players to win large jackpot prizes, the need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment. It would also be advantageous if there was provided a gaming system for increasing the social interaction between players.

In a first aspect there is provided a method of conducting a linked gaming event, comprising:

determining that a first gaming device participating in the gaming event is to be awarded the primary prize;

determining at least one second gaming device to award a secondary prize, the determination based at least in part on the location of the second gaming device with respect to the first gaming device; and

awarding the primary prize and secondary prize.

In an embodiment the method comprises the further step of determining a proportional amount of the primary prize to be awarded as the secondary prize.

In an embodiment the method comprises the further step of determining a further proportional amount for awarding to at least one third gaming device.

In an embodiment the at least one second gaming device is located in closer proximity to the first gaming device than the at least one third gaming device.

In an embodiment the further proportional amount has a lesser value than the proportional amount awarded to the at least one second gaming device.

In an embodiment the at least one second gaming device is located within a specified distance of the first gaming device.

In an embodiment the at least one second gaming device has a specific spatial orientation with respect to the first gaming device.