AU2012200360A1 - A gaming system, a gaming device, a bonus controller, and a method of gaming - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming system comprising, a bonus controller arranged to make an award, the award having at least one associated 5 game parameter which specifies at least one game round; and a gaming device in data communication with the bonus controller, the gaming device adapted to receive the game parameters and to provide the award to a player of the gaming device by conducting each at least one game round 10 specified by the at least one game parameter to determine a game outcome without requiring a further bet to be placed by the player. 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218 AU.2 20/01/12 CN (Cf) co (.0 Q) 0 N m- CL E) 0)0 1~ N CV~) C14 Co (D E, Ch o E m 0 (0 >>0 N :~ N C

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Invention Title: A GAMING SYSTEM, A GAMING DEVICE, A BONUS CONTROLLER, AND A METHOD OF GAMING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: -2 Title A GAMING SYSTEM, A GAMING DEVICE, A BONUS CONTROLLER, AND A METHOD OF GAMING 5 Related Application This application is a divisional application of Australian application no. 2008205414, the disclosure of which is 10 incorporated herein by reference. Field The present invention relates to a gaming system, a gaming 15 device, a bonus controller, and a method of gaming. Background Gaming machines at some venues are linked via a network to 20 a player loyalty system that tracks play by a player and makes an award to the player based on game play, for example based on the number of games played or amount wagered. To implement the player tracking system, a player marketing module (PMM) is connected to the gaming machine 25 which includes a card reader for reading a player tracking card. While a player's card is inserted in the reader, data is transferred from the gaming machine by the PMM to the player tracking system and reconciled with the player's account, for example by awarding loyalty points 30 to the player. A display of the PMM displays the points that are awarded to the player. Typically such points can be redeemed later by the player, for example for complimentary food and drink or merchandise, by presenting the player loyalty card. 35 In some cases the player loyalty system is arranged to award promotional prizes to player's connected to the 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20/01/12 - 3 loyalty system. Promotional prizes can be awarded as credits which are paid, via the PMM, into the gaming machine as either promotional credits or cashable credits. 5 There is a need for an alternative technique for making an award to a player. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the invention provides a gaming system 10 comprising: a bonus controller arranged to make an award, the award having at least one associated game parameter which specifies at least one game round; and a gaming device in data communication with the 15 bonus controller, the gaming device adapted to receive the game parameters and to provide the award to a player of the gaming device by conducting each at least one game round specified by the at least one game parameter to determine a game outcome without requiring a further bet 20 to be placed by the player. In an embodiment, the at least one game parameter includes a number of game rounds. 25 In an embodiment, the at least one game parameter includes a game type. In an embodiment, at least one game parameter comprises at least one bet parameter. 30 In an embodiment, the at least one bet parameter is determined from at least one prior bet made on the gaming device. 35 In an embodiment, the at least one bet parameter is determined from a bet made on an immediate past game played on the gaming device. 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU 2 20/01/12 In an embodiment, the at least one bet parameter is determined from bets made on a plurality of games played on the gaming device. 5 In an embodiment, the gaming device is arranged to advise the bonus controller when all game rounds specified by the game parameters have been completed. 10 In an embodiment, the gaming device advises the bonus controller of at least one outcome of all game rounds. In an embodiment, the at least one outcome includes at is least one of a cost of the game rounds and an amount of credits won during the game rounds. In an embodiment, the gaming device comprises a promotional meter and credits spent during the game rounds 20 are recorded as promotional credits whereby any win amounts awarded as the award do not affect the gaming devices return to player. In an embodiment, the game outcomes are provided to a 25 further external device. In an embodiment, the further external device is a jackpot controller and the game outcomes are used to determine a jackpot outcome. 30 In an embodiment, the further external device is a player loyalty system. In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a plurality 35 of gaming devices, each in data communication with the bonus controller. 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU 2 20/01/12 - 5 In an embodiment, the bonus controller is arranged to monitor the gaming device and determine whether to make the award based on game play on the gaming device. 5 In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a monitoring module for monitoring the game device. In a second aspect, the invention provides a gaming device for a gaming system comprising a bonus controller, the gaming device arranged to: 10 receive at least one game parameter specifies at least one game round; and provide an award to a player of the gaming device by conducting each at least one game round specified by the at least one game parameter to determine a game 15 outcome without requiring a further bet to be placed by the player. In an embodiment, the gaming device comprises a game controller. 20 In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a bonus controller interface for receiving the at least one game parameter. 25 In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a bonus module arranged to conduct the at least one game round specified by the at least one game parameter. In an embodiment, the gaming device comprises a player 30 interface comprising a display for displaying game outcomes. In an embodiment, the at least one game parameter includes a number of game rounds. 35 In an embodiment, the at least one game parameter includes a game type. 3090108_1 (GHManers) P7221 AU.2 20/01/12 - 6 In an embodiment, at least one game parameter comprises at least one bet parameter. s In an embodiment, the gaming device is arranged to advise a bonus controller when all game rounds specified by the game parameters have been completed. In an embodiment, the gaming device is arranged to advise io the bonus controller of at least one outcome of all game rounds. In an embodiment, the at least one outcome includes at least one of a cost of the game rounds and an amount of 15 credits won during the game rounds. In an embodiment, the gaming device comprises a promotional meter and credits spent during the game rounds are recorded as promotional credits whereby any win 20 amounts awarded as the award do not affect the gaming devices return to player. In an embodiment, the game outcomes are provided to a further external device. 25 In a third aspect, the invention provides a bonus controller for a gaming system comprising at least one game device, the bonus controller arranged to: make an award having at least one associated game 30 parameter which specifies at least one game round; communicate the game parameters to a gaming device in data communication with the bonus controller, whereafter the gaming device can provide the award to a player of the gaming device by conducting each at least 35 one game round specified by the game parameters to determine a game outcome without requiring a further bet to be placed by the player. 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20/01/12 - 7 In an embodiment, the bonus controller is arranged to monitor the gaming device and determine whether to make the award based on game play on the gaming device. 5 In an embodiment, the bonus controller comprises a monitoring module arranged to monitor the gaming device and determine whether to make the award based on game play 10 on the gaming device. In an embodiment, the bonus controller comprises an award module arranged to make the award. is In an embodiment, the award module is arranged to determine the at least one game parameter. In an embodiment, the at least one game parameter includes a number of game rounds. 20 In an embodiment, the at least one game parameter includes a game type. In an embodiment, at least one game parameter comprises at 25 least one bet parameter. In an embodiment, the bonus controller is arranged to determine the at least one bet parameter from at least one prior bet made on the gaming device. 30 In an embodiment, the at least one bet parameter is determined from a bet made on an immediate past game played on the gaming device. 35 In an embodiment, the at least one bet parameter is determined from bets made on a plurality of games played on the gaming device. 3090108_I (GHMatters) P72218 AU2 20/01/12 -8 In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming, comprising: making an award at a bonus controller, the award s having at least one associated game parameter which specifies at least one game round; communicating the game parameters of the award to a gaming device in data communication with the bonus controller; and 10 providing the award to a player of the gaming device by conducting each at least one game round specified by the game parameters to determine a game outcome without requiring a further bet to be placed by the player. 15 In an embodiment, the at least one game parameter includes a number of game rounds. In an embodiment, the at least one game parameter includes 20 a game type. In an embodiment, at least one game parameter comprises at least one bet parameter. 25 In an embodiment, the method comprises determining the at least one bet parameter from at least one prior bet made on the gaming device. In an embodiment, the method comprises determining the at 30 least one bet parameter from a bet made on an immediate past game played on the gaming device. In an embodiment, the method comprises determining the at least one bet parameter from bets made on a plurality of 35 games played on the gaming device. In an embodiment, the method comprises advising the bonus 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU2 20101/12 -9 controller when all game rounds specified by the game parameters have been completed. In an embodiment, the method comprises advising the bonus 5 controller of at least one outcome of all game rounds. In an embodiment, the at least one outcome includes at least one of a cost of the game rounds and an amount of credits won during the game rounds. 10 In an embodiment, the method comprises recording credits spent during the game rounds of the bonus award as promotional credits whereby any win amounts awarded as the award do not affect the gaming devices return to player. 15 In an embodiment, the method comprises providing the game outcomes to a further external device. In an embodiment, the method comprises monitoring the 20 gaming device and determine whether to make the award based on game play on the gaming device. In a fifth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above method. 25 In a sixth aspect the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising the program code. In a seventh aspect, the invention provides a data signal 30 comprising the above program code. In an eighth aspect, the invention extends to transmitting the above program code. 35 Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system. 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20/01/12 - 10 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming machine; 5 Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; 10 Figure 5 is a block diagram of a bonus controller; and Figure 6 is a block diagram of a gaming device of the embodiment. 15 Detailed Description Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system arranged to implement a bonus controller adapted to make an award to any one or more of a plurality of gaming 20 devices to which it is connected. The award is implemented by the gaming device carrying out one or more game rounds specified by parameters sent to the gaming device. 25 General System Configuration In the gaming system configuration 100, a bonus controller 110 is in data communication with a plurality of gaming devices 120 over a network 130. A person skilled in the 30 art will also appreciate that other configurations may be viable. For example, the gaming devices could be connected in a peer-to-peer arrangement with the bonus controller executed by one of the gaming devices. Alternatively a dedicated bonus controller may be provided 35 for each gaming device. Gaming Devices 3090108_1 (GH.Matters) P72218.AU.2 20/01/12 - 11 Herein, the term gaming device is used to refer to any device used by a player to a play a game and specifically includes stand alone gaming machines and interactive video s terminals which implement games in a client/server architecture. A gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which is 10 displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input is mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module comprising a reading 20 device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. 25 A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front 30 panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10. The display 14 shown in Figure 2 is in the form of a video 35 display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218 AU.2 20/01/12 - 12 display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different 5 type. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of Figure 2. 10 The gaming machine 300 includes a game controller 301 having a processor 302. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 302 are stored in a memory 303, which is in data communication with the processor 302. 15 Typically, the gaming machine 300 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 303. 20 The gaming machine has hardware meters 304 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/0) interface 305 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 300. The input/output interface 305 and/or the 25 peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 313 generates random numbers for use by the processor 302. Persons 30 skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 320 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game 35 controller 301 including one or more displays 306, a touch screen and/or buttons 307, a card and/or ticket reader 308, a printer 309, a bill acceptor and/or coin input 3090108_ (GHMatters)P72218AU.220/01/12 - 13 mechanism 310 and a coin output mechanism 311. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 300, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. 5 In addition, the gaming machine 300 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 312. The network card may, for example, send status 10 information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database. 15 Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 303. The memory 303 includes RAM 303A, EPROM 303B and a mass storage device 303C. The RAM 303A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 302 and related data. The 20 EPROM 303B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 303C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 302 using protected code from the EPROM 303B 25 or elsewhere. It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 300 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 306,307,308,309,310,311 to be 30 provided remotely from the game controller 301. A gaming device as indicated above may also take the form of a client/server architecture where a portion of the game is executed on the client and a portion of the game 35 is executed on the server. In such embodiments, the client typically takes the form of an interactive video terminal which has a similar outward appearance to the 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20/01/12 - 14 gaming machine described above. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the type of gaming device that is employed is not important to the present invention. 5 The bonus controller 500 is connected to gaming devices by a device interface 540 and contains a monitoring module 510 for monitoring game play on one or more game devices to determine based on trigger data 560 when to provide an award to a gaming machine. The criteria for the system 10 triggering the bonus feature can be based on a number of criteria including a random trigger, time-based, activity based, player promotion outcome, progressive jackpot outcome or a combination thereof. In one advantageous embodiment, the bonus controller 500 is arranged to make is an award to the player when the player has a sequence of consecutive losing games. When the monitoring module 510 determines that a trigger condition is being met, it advises award module 520 which 20 consults award data 530 to determine what award should be made to the player. The award module has a parameter module 525 for communicating parameters to the gaming device via device interface 540 in order to implement the award. 25 In an embodiment, the bonus controller 500 is arranged to trigger a special feature game within the game offered on the gaming device. Accordingly, sending the game parameters to the gaming device indicates that the bonus 30 feature should be started at an appropriate juncture. The game parameters specify the characteristics of at least one game round and typically also specifies the number of game rounds to be provided to the player. The parameters may also specify other factors, for example, the type of 35 credits to be provided to the player such as promotional credits. Accordingly, when the bonus trigger feature is triggered in a free-spin embodiment, the gaming machine 3090108_1 (GH{Matters) P72218AU.2 20/01/12 - 15 carries out the free game. To this end, as shown in the functional block diagram of Figure 6, a gaming device having a player interface 50 having a credit mechanism 52, a display 54 and an instruction input mechanism 56 in data 5 communication with the game controller 60. The game controller has a processor 62 that implements a series of modules based on data stored in memory 64. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements are possible. 10 In this embodiment the processor implements a bonus interface module 624 arranged to receive game parameters from the device interface 540 of the bonus controller 500. Once the game parameters are received, the bonus module is 625 stores the game parameters as system bonus data 643 and monitors for an appropriate point in game play to initiate the feature. For example, the conclusion of a game. The bonus module then implements a series of free spins specified by the game parameters, for example 10 20 free spins. It does this by controlling the symbol selectors to select using random number generator 621, symbols from symbol data 641. The game outcome is determined for each game round by outcome determiner 623 based on game/prize data 642. The current status of the 25 bonus award is stored in the system bonus data - eg. to keep track of the number of remaining game rounds that form part of the award defined by the game parameters. The game outcomes are displayed on the display 54 under control of the display controller 626. The cost of 30 providing the bonus game is stored as cost data 644, for example, to keep track of the number of promotional credits used by the gaming machine and any associated awards made to the player. 35 A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of variations may be made to the invention. For example, the gaming device may be connected to a progressive 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20/01/12 - 16 jackpot such as a hyperlink system even though the electronic gaming machine is not a hyperlink gaming device. The triggered bonus feature could be a hyperlink reel spin feature or a pick a box feature. Thus, during 5 such a feature the player will interact to stop hyperlink reels or pick boxes. In another example, the bonus feature outcome generates an event to external progressive jackpot system. The feature outcome determines the type of the event generated for 10 example the jackpot level 1. The player gets paid based on the win. In a further embodiment, the outcome may be reported to a promotional system and the promotional system may 15 determine an award based on the outcome of the feature. That is the outcome may determine the number of promotional points to add to our player loyalty system. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that there are 20 number of benefits in the invention. For example the bonus feature does not affect the gaming devices return to player percentage. Further it does not require the payment of promotional wins back to the gaming device by the system. 25 An advantage of the present system is that awards can be made to players who are not participating in the loyalty system or who do not have their tracking card insert. A further advantage is that the award, particularly where it 30 takes the form of a special bonus feature, is more closely tied into the game play occurring on the gaming machine so that it is possible to apply tighter controls on how the player experiences the award and make the award more interesting. 35 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the bonus module 625 can generate a report to the bonus controller 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218 AU.2 20/01/12 - 17 500 on the cost of the feature. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the game parameters can vary from embodiment to embodiment. For 5 example the gaming parameters can determine the type of bonus feature, for example, free spins, a number of free spins, features such as repeat game play, max bet, max lines, max bet per line and or the duration to wait for the next game. Persons skilled in the art will also io appreciate that parameters can be derived from the past play on the gaming device. For example, the bet type and bet amount for the plurality of gaming rounds can be determined by the monitoring module 510 based on the average bet amount and number of win lines from the is player's losing streak for which the bonus controller has triggered the awards. In a similar example, the parameters could be based on the last play of the gaming machine. In this example, the bonus controller does not need to know the nature of the last bet - e.g. the bonus controller can 20 control the gaming machine to implement a plurality of games based on the last bet by instructing it to implement the last bet in respect of the free games or the gaming device can be configured such that when it receives game parameters from the bonus controller it always implements 25 the last bet. Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may place a bet by selecting a number of reels to play and an amount to bet per reel. 30 Such games are marketed under the trade name "Reel Power" by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. In other words, all symbol positions of a 35 selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with designated, displayed symbol positions of other reels. Accordingly, the bonus controller may specify a number of 3090108_1 (GHMatters)P72218.AU.220/01/12 - 18 reels to be played by means of the game parameters, that is the game parameters can include a bet parameter specifying the nature of the bet. 5 Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method of the embodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of 10 memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a server). It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without is departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments. 20 It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country. 25 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, 30 i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20/0l/12

Claims (43)

1. A gaming system comprising: a bonus controller arranged to make an award, the 5 award having at least one associated game parameter which specifies at least one game round; and a gaming device in data communication with the bonus controller, the gaming device adapted to receive the game parameters and to provide the award to a player of 10 the gaming device by conducting each at least one game round specified by the at least one game parameter to determine a game outcome without requiring a further bet to be placed by the player. 15 2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one game parameter includes a number of game rounds.

3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, 20 wherein the at least one game parameter includes a game type.

4. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one game parameter comprises at 25 least one bet parameter.

5. A gaming system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one bet parameter is determined from at least one prior bet made on the gaming device. 30

6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one bet parameter is determined from a bet made on an immediate past game played on the gaming device. 35

7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one bet parameter is determined from bets 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20/01/12 - 20 made on a plurality of games played on the gaming device.

8. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gaming device is arranged to advise the bonus controller when all game rounds specified by the 5 game parameters have been completed.

9. A gaming system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the gaming device advises the bonus controller of at least one outcome of all game rounds. 10

10. A gaming system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one outcome includes at least one of a cost of the game rounds and an amount of credits won during the game rounds. 15

11. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the gaming device comprises a promotional meter and credits spent during the game rounds are recorded as promotional credits whereby any win amounts 20 awarded as the award do not affect the gaming devices return to player.

12. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the game outcomes are provided to a further 25 external device.

13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the further external device is a jackpot controller and the game outcomes are used to determine a jackpot outcome. 30

14. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the further external device is a player loyalty system.

15. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 35 to 14, comprising a plurality of gaming devices, each in data communication with the bonus controller. 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P7221 8AU2 20/01/12 - 21 16. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the bonus controller is arranged to monitor the gaming device and determine whether to make the award 5 based on game play on the gaming device.

17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 comprising a monitoring module for monitoring the game device. 10 18. A gaming device for a gaming system comprising a bonus controller, the gaming device arranged to: receive at least one game parameter specifies at least one game round; and provide an award to a player of the gaming device is by conducting each at least one game round specified by the at least one game parameter to determine a game outcome without requiring a further bet to be placed by the player. 20 19. A gaming device as claimed in claim 18 comprising a game controller.

20. A gaming device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the game controller comprises a bonus controller interface 25 for receiving the at least one game parameter.

21. A gaming device as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the game controller comprises a bonus module arranged to conduct the at least one game round specified 30 by the at least one game parameter.

22. A gaming device as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 21 comprising a player interface comprising a display for displaying game outcomes. 35

23. A gaming device as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the at least one game parameter includes 3090108_I (GHMatters) P72218.AU 220/01/12 - 22 a number of game rounds.

24. A gaming device as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the at least one game parameter includes a game type. 5

25. A gaming device as claimed in any one of any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein at least one game parameter comprises at least one bet parameter. 10 26. A gaming device as claimed in any one of any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the gaming device is arranged to advise a bonus controller when all game rounds specified by the game parameters have been completed. 15 27. A gaming device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the gaming device is arranged to advise the bonus controller of at least one outcome of all game rounds.

28. A gaming device as claimed in claim 27, wherein 20 the at least one outcome includes at least one of a cost of the game rounds and an amount of credits won during the game rounds.

29. A gaming device as claimed in any one of claims 25 18 to 28, comprising a promotional meter and credits spent during the game rounds are recorded as promotional credits whereby any win amounts awarded as the award do not affect the gaming devices return to player. 30 30. A gaming device as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 29, wherein the game outcomes are provided to a further external device.

31. A bonus controller for a gaming system comprising 35 at least one game device, the bonus controller arranged to: make an award having at least one associated game 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20/01/12 - 23 parameter which specifies at least one game round; communicate the game parameters to a gaming device in data communication with the bonus controller, whereafter the gaming device can provide the award to a 5 player of the gaming device by conducting each at least one game round specified by the game parameters to determine a game outcome without requiring a further bet to be placed by the player. 10 32. A bonus controller as claimed in claim 31 arranged to monitor the gaming device and determine whether to make the award based on game play on the gaming device. 15 33. A bonus controller as claimed in claim 32, comprising a monitoring module arranged to monitor the gaming device and determine whether to make the award based on game play on the gaming device. 20 34. A bonus controller as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 33, comprising an award module arranged to make the award.

35. A bonus controller as claimed in claim 34, 25 wherein the award module is arranged to determine the at least one game parameter.

36. A bonus controller as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the at least one game parameter 30 includes a number of game rounds.

37. A bonus controller as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the at least one game parameter includes a game type. 35

38. A bonus controller as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 37, wherein at least one game parameter 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU 2 20/01/12 - 24 comprises at least one bet parameter.

39. A bonus controller as claimed in claim 38, arranged to determine the at least one bet parameter from at least one prior bet made on the gaming device. 5

40. A bonus controller as claimed in claim 39, wherein the at least one bet parameter is determined from a bet made on an immediate past game played on the gaming device. 10

41. A bonus controller as claimed in claim 39, wherein the at least one bet parameter is determined from bets made on a plurality of games played on the gaming device. 15

42. A method of gaming, comprising: making an award at a bonus controller, the award having at least one associated game parameter which specifies at least one game round; 20 communicating the game parameters of the award to a gaming device in data communication with the bonus controller; and providing the award to a player of the gaming device by conducting each at least one game round 25 specified by the game parameters to determine a game outcome without requiring a further bet to be placed by the player.

43. A method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the at 30 least one game parameter includes a number of game rounds.

44. A method as claimed in claim 42 or claim 43, wherein the at least one game parameter includes a game type. 35

45. A method as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein at least one game parameter comprises at least 3090 108_1 (GHMatters) P72218.AU.2 20101/12 - 25 one bet parameter.

46. A method as claimed in claim 45, comprising determining the at least one bet parameter from at least 5 one prior bet made on the gaming device.

47. A method as claimed in claim 46 comprising determining the at least one bet parameter from a bet made on an immediate past game played on the gaming device. 10

48. A method as claimed in claim 46, comprising determining the at least one bet parameter from bets made on a plurality of games played on the gaming device. 15 49. A method as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 48 comprising advising the bonus controller when all game rounds specified by the game parameters have been completed. 20 50. A method as claimed in claim 49, comprising advising the bonus controller of at least one outcome of all game rounds.

51. A method as claimed in claim 50, wherein the at 25 least one outcome includes at least one of a cost of the game rounds and an amount of credits won during the game rounds.

52. A method as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 30 51, recording credits spent during the game rounds of the bonus award as promotional credits whereby any win amounts awarded as the award do not affect the gaming devices return to player. 35 53. A method as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 52, comprising providing the game outcomes to a further external device. 3090108_1 (GHMaters) P72218.AU-2 20101/12 - 26 54. A method as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 53, comprising monitoring the gaming device and determine whether to make the award based on game play on the gaming 5 device.55. Computer program code which when executed implements the method of any one of claims 42 to 54.

56. A computer readable medium comprising the program code of claim 55. 10

57. A data signal comprising the program code of claim 55.

58. Transmitting the program code of claim 55. 3090108_1 (GHMatters) P72218 AU.2 20/01/12