CA2297230A1

CA2297230A1 - A continuous play gaming machine and a related method of gaming

Info

Publication number: CA2297230A1
Application number: CA 2297230
Authority: CA
Inventors: Scott Mcbride
Original assignee: Gaming Concepts Inc
Current assignee: Gaming Concepts Inc
Priority date: 2000-01-27
Filing date: 2000-01-27
Publication date: 2001-07-27

Abstract

A gaming machine accepts currency and indicates the number of credits available for use in wagering. As a convenience to the player, a continuous play feature is available, which when activated, automatically wagers and initiates play on behalf of the player. The time between automatic wagers may be adjusted by the player to suit the player's preference for a faster or slower game. A player becomes eligible to participate in certain larger shared prizes by making a sufficiently large qualifying wager. Once eligible, the player remains eligible for a predetermined grace period. According to a preferred embodiment, a countdown timer indicates the time remaining in the grace period. If the countdown timer reaches zero, the grace period has expired and the player is no longer eligible. A player can regain eligibility status by making a subsequent qualifying wager although this eligibility is not retroactive.

Description

A CONTINUOUS PLAY GAMING MACHINE AND
A RELATED METHOD OF GAMING
The present invention relates to a gaming machine and gaming system and, in particular, a machine and system which facilitate and encourage continuous play by a player. The invention further relates to a method of gaming using a continuous play gaming system.
Various improvements have been made to gaming machines in order to permit players to make bets more quickly and conveniently and also to encourage them to play on a continuous or near continuous basis. For example, Celona in U.S. Patent No. 5,564,700, granted on October 15, 1996, discloses an apparatus for conducting a betting game using linked gaming machines wherein the apparatus includes means for determining the eligibility of each player to receive a portion of a progressive jackpot, the eligibility being based on whether a player has initiated a cycle of play within a predetermined time interval. Although means are disclosed to indicate to a player whether that player is eligible to share in the jackpot, a deficiency may be that the player is not cued via a screen display as to when next to bet and there is no provision for the automatic intervention of the machine to assist the player by wagering on the player's behalf, if desired, so as to retain eligibility for an upcoming jackpot.
Byrne in U.S. Patent No. 5,830,063 discloses a method for making collateral wagers when playing a gambling game. A player pays an additional amount to participate in a shared jackpot and a clock display shows the amount of time remaining within which the player is eligible for the jackpot. Once the time period expires, that player is no longer eligible for the jackpot. Byrne also describes a feature permitting a player to select the amount of time desired and to pay an additional fee. Although the player's eligibility for a jackpot may be extended, the player does not have a desired amount of control over the betting.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved gaming machine and gaming system which facilitate a player's ability to play on a continuous or near continuous basis.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming machine comprising: means for accepting currency from a player and making available to the player a corresponding number of credits for use in wagering; means for making a wager; means for initiating play resulting in an outcome; means for determining, based on the outcome, whether a prize is to be awarded and the amount of the prize awarded; and continuous play means which, when selectively activated by the player, repeatedly wagers and initiates play on behalf of the player.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of gaming using the previously described gaming machine, the method comprising the steps: depositing currency in the machine for wagering;
making a wager; initiating play; and activating the continuous play means following completion of the betting cycle of said wager.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming system comprising a plurality of interconnected gaming machines, each machine comprising: means for accepting currency from a player and making available to the player a corresponding number of credits for use in wagering; means for making a wager; means initiating play resulting in an outcome;
means for determining, based on an outcome at any of the plurality of interconnected gaming machines, whether a shared prize is to be awarded and the amount of the shared prize; means for determining whether the player is eligible to share in the shared prize based on at least one predetermined criterion related to the player's wagering; continuous play means which, when selectively activated by the player, repeatedly wagers and initiates play on the player's behalf so as to ensure the player's eligibility to share in the shared prize by complying with the at least one predetermined criterion.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of administering a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine comprising: means for accepting currency from a player and making available to the player a corresponding number of credits for use in wagering;
means for making a wager; means initiating play resulting in an outcome; means for determining, based on an outcome at any of the plurality of interconnected gaming machines, whether a shared prize is to be awarded and the amount of the shared prize; means for determining whether the player is eligible to share in the shared prize based on at least one predetermined criterion related to the player's wagering; continuous play means which, when selectively activated by the player, repeatedly wagers and initiates play on the player's behalf so as to ensure the player's eligibility to share in the shared prize by complying with the at least one predetermined criterion, the method comprising the steps of: providing one or more groups of said gaming machines, each group having a fixed number of machines;
interconnecting the machines of the one or more groups; monitoring information about wagering and play at each machine of the one or more groups; monitoring an activation status of the continuous play means of each machine; wagering and playing on behalf of players at machines having an activated continuous play means so as to ensure the player's eligibility to share in the shared prize by complying with the at least one predetermined criterion.
Although the present invention is applicable to numerous methods of gaming, one area of particular interest is slot machine games.
The advantages of the present invention include the fact that players are able to retain greater control over the timing of their bets, while enjoying the option of automated assistance in placing bets.
Embodiments of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of the machine of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a front view of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part of the machine of Figure 3; and Figure 5 shows a front view of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Like elements in the different figures are denoted by like reference numbers.
First Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 2, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a gaming machine 10 is capable of accepting currency which may include casino chips, electronic currency such as credit card or debit card transactions and cash in the form of bills or coins. In Figure 1, coins may be inserted into coin slot 11 and bills may be inserted into bill acceptor 12. As the currency is deposited, a corresponding number of credits are accumulated in the machine 10 for use in wagering and the number of credits is displayed to the player via credit-display-screen 14. A player who wishes to summon a casino employee in order to deal with a problem with a slot machine or to make change for currency may press change button 13 which activates a light (not shown) on top of the machine. A player who is finished playing at a machine may withdraw the amount of any credit balance from the machine 10 by pressing cash-payout button 15.
Once a sufficient amount of currency has been deposited, the player may make a wager. For fixed wager machines, a wager is made simply by initiating play by pressing play button 20. According to the first embodiment, a variable wager is permitted and a wager amount is selected by the player before initiation of play. The amount of the wager is limited by the number of credits available to the player and, in this embodiment, by a predetermined maximum bet accepted by the machine (hereinafter "maximum wager"). The amount of the wager is displayed in credits-played display 19. Bet-one-credit button 16 may be used to increase the number of credits being wagered up to the maximum wager. Each time Bet-one-credit button 16 is pressed, the amount wagered is increased by a fixed amount and the player's balance is decreased by a corresponding amount. Play is then initiated by pressing play button 20. Bet-max-credits button 18 is available as a convenience for the player who can bet the maximum wager by simply pressing that one button.

The outcome of play is displayed in outcome display 22, which typically comprises three reels or a facsimile thereof bearing symbols used to determine the outcome of play. Of course any other outcome display is possible including a greater or smaller number of reels or a digital display indicating the outcome by means of text or images.
The resulting outcome determines whether a payoff or prize is to be paid out to the player. If the outcome does not result in a prize, then the amount wagered by the player is lost and the player's balance does not change. If the outcome results in a prize, the amount of the prize is displayed in winner-paid display 24 and is added to the player's balance. The player's updated balance is displayed in credit-display screen 14. The events of selecting a wager (and the automatic deduction of the wager amount from the player's balance), initiating play, and paying the player in the event that a winning outcome results, collectively define a betting cycle. See Table 1.
Table 1 Betting Event Example C rLcle Beginning Select amount of wager (amount Press BET-ONE-CREDIT
of betting automatically deducted from button three times cycle player's to credit balance) make a three credit wager (e.g. $3 in a $1 machine, 75 cents in a 25 cent machine, etc.) Initiate play Press PLAY button Display outcome Reels display three cherries (small unshared prize paying 10 to 1 ) End of bettingpay player if prize won Player's credit balance cycle increased by 30 credits won For the convenience of the player, a continuous play mode may be activated by the player using a continuous-play button 26. Once in continuous play mode, the machine automatically commences a new betting cycle on behalf of the player after a predetermined amount of time, for example 2 seconds, elapses following the end of the previous betting cycle. Thus the machine would wager for the player, with the corresponding amount subtracted from the player's credit balance. The machine would then automatically initiate play on behalf of the player (the equivalent of pressing play button 20). Any prizes won by the player (other than larger shared prizes described below) would automatically be paid to the player's balance.
The delay period or amount of time elapsed between betting cycles is preset by either the machine manufacturer or the casino but it may also be desirable to provide a speed adjustment control 27 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 to display the delay period and optionally permit the user to adjust the delay peroid. This delay period is displayed by time interval display 27a. Pressing on 27b of the speed adjustment control 27 makes the machine play faster and reduces the delay period before the next betting cycle is automatically commenced. If the number of seconds is zero then a betting cycle is automatically commenced immediately following the end of the previous betting cycle without waiting for any time to elapse. Conversely, pressing on 27c of the speed adjustment control 27 makes the machine play slower and increases the delay period before the next betting cycle is automatically commenced. In either case, the reduced or increased delay period is displayed in time interval display 27a. The delay period which can be selected by speed adjustment control 27 must be in a predetermined range, for example, any whole number in the range 0 to 5 seconds is permitted.
There is no requirement that the player wager a specific amount in order to use the continuous-play button 26. The player may make any wager normally permitted by the machine and in particular, there is no requirement that the player wager the maximum wager. The player may indicate the size of each wager in continuous play mode by the use of Bet-one-credit button 16 then pressing continuous play button 26. If the player wishes to set the size of each wager to the maximum number of credits, the player may press Bet-max-credits button 18 and then the continuous play button 26. The player may also simply press continuous play button 26 to begin a new betting cycle without indicating the size of the wager desired in which case the size of the wager defaults to the amount of the last wager made on the machine.
Once continuous-play button 26 has been activated and the machine enters continuous play mode, the machine 10 continues to wager on behalf of the player following the predetermined amount of time until the player cancels continuous play mode or until the number of credits available is less than a predetermined minimum wager such as the wager selected by the player.
Alternatively, the machine can be configured to wager on behalf of the player until the number of credits available is less than the smallest wager accepted by the machine.
The choice of buttons used to cancel continuous play mode is one which may be made by the manufacturer or possibly specified by the casino operator.
For the purposes of illustration, in this embodiment, continuous play mode is cancelled by pressing again the continuous play button 26 although it is possible for a manufacturer to use any of the other buttons mentioned above to permit cancellation of continuous play mode as well.
Indicator 29 is used to indicate whether or not the continuous play mode has been activated. Any suitable means may be used to indicate the status of activation of the continuous play feature such as the words "ON" and "OFF" or simply illuminating and dimming the indicator 29.
It should be noted as a practical matter that the use of bill validators and coinless machines has made the practice of requesting change from a casino employee nearly obsolete. Accordingly, the change button 13 may often no longer be required and it is possible to introduce the continuous play button 26 into older machines by having it replace change button 13.
Second embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention adds to the first embodiment the aspect of a shared prize. Two or more machines are interconnected using conventional techniques so as to communicate with each other information regarding the betting cycle of each machine including the outcome of play, the amount wagered and other necessary information. These machines need not be located adjacent each other or even at the same site or casino.
Communications between the machines are preferably handled by a machine or server dedicated for that purpose but may also be controlled by one or more of the individual gaming machines.
In this second embodiment, the game is played as described in the first embodiment except that, in addition to prizes paid to the individual players, larger shared prizes may also result based on the outcome of play. These shared prizes are a predetermined fixed amount, although other possibilities such as a progressive jackpot are also possible. Shared prizes are shared by the person who is playing at the winning machine ("the winner") and by other players who are eligible ("eligible players"). An eligible player is one whose machine was "in use"
when the shared prize winning play was initiated.
A player's machine becomes "in use" when the player makes a qualifying wager of at least a predetermined amount and initiates play. For the purposes of the present embodiment, the predetermined amount is the maximum wager but other amounts are also possible. Once eligible, the player remains eligible during play, for the rest of the betting cycle and for a predetermined grace period, for example 15 seconds, following the end of the betting cycle of the qualifying wager.
For example, in a slot machine, following a qualifying wager and initiation of play, the machine is in use during the time required for the reels to spin (2 seconds) and remains in use during a payout if a prize is won. The betting cycle is then completed and the player has an additional 15 second grace period during which time the machine is also considered to be in use for the purposes of eligibility in a shared prize.
In order to encourage and facilitate continuous play, a countdown timer displays the amount of time remaining in the grace period. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, according to the present embodiment, a continuous play clock 28 acts as a countdown timer to indicate the time remaining before the expiry of the grace _g_ period. Thus immediately following a qualifying wager and initiation of play, the continuous play clock 28 is set to the grace period of 15 seconds. It does not begin to count down from the 15 second readout until the end of the betting cycle.
If a subsequent qualifying wager is made prior to the expiry of the grace period then the countdown timer is reset for the full amount of the grace period. If the countdown timer reaches zero, the grace period has expired and the player is no longer eligible. In other words, as long as the countdown timer (i.e. continuous play clock 28) indicates a non-zero amount of time remaining, the machine is considered to be "in use" and the player is eligible for shared prizes. Once a player's continuous play clock 28 counts down to zero, however, a player can regain eligibility status by making a subsequent qualifying wager although this eligibility is not retroactive.
It will be appreciated that the eligibility of the players, both individually and collectively, varies over time. If a winning outcome occurs at a machine, then all players who were eligible when play was initiated at that machine will be paid a portion of the jackpot. These portions may be equal, although they need not necessarily be so. A player who shares in the prize may be notified by means of a video screen 30 in Figure 3 to display text and images. There may also be a suitable audio component such as music, bells, a siren or a recorded announcement. Shared prizes are not automatically paid out by the machines but would be paid out by casino staff according to the practice of the casino.
In this embodiment a continuous play feature is also provided which, when activated, wagers and initiates play on behalf of a player to prevent the player's eligibility from lapsing. The continuous play button 26 previously described is available and its use ensures that a player need not unnecessarily be disqualified from participating in a shared prize. The continuous play feature of the present embodiment does, however, differ slightly from that of the first embodiment, in that here continuous play button 26 is used in conjunction with the continuous play clock 28.
The continuous play feature uses a "countdown number" to determine when to automatically make the next wager. If the continuous play clock 28 indicates zero time when the continuous play button 26 is pressed then the _g_ countdown number is set to the grace period (e.g. 15 seconds) and this amount of time is indicated on the continuous play clock 28 immediately after play is initiated as a result of pressing the continuous play button 26. If, however, the continuous play button 26 is pressed when the continuous play clock 28 indicates a non-zero amount of time (i.e. following a qualifying wager when the continuous play clock 28 has started to count down the grace period) then that non-zero amount of time is used as the countdown number. Thus whenever the continuous play feature is activated, a countdown number is set. Suitable means may be provided to record the countdown number when it is set.
As the countdown timer counts down from the 15 second grace period toward zero, another betting cycle is automatically initiated when the countdown timer reaches the countdown number. If the countdown number is the full grace period (i.e. 15 seconds) then a new betting cycle is initiated immediately after the end of the previous one and with substantially no delay between cycles.
The wager made during continuous play mode may be any amount and need not be a qualifying wager (the maximum wager in the present example). The amount of the wager may be set by using the procedure described with reference to the first embodiment.
Although continuous play mode can be invoked for a wager amount less than the maximum wager, the rule that a maximum wager must be made to qualify for shared prizes still applies. Thus while additional wagers will automatically be made on behalf of the player during continuous play mode, any wagers less than the maximum wager do not result in the machine being "in use" and the machine is not recognized for shared prize purposes. In such a case, the continuous play countdown number is recognized as before, however, the continuous play clock is not reset. Thus the continuous play clock 28 remains at zero, if already at zero, or continues to count down, if at a number greater than zero.
As an alternative to the foregoing, it is also possible to recognize qualifying wagers of amounts less than the maximum wager but at a reduced payout schedule. For example, if the maximum wager is three credits but only two credits are wagered, then the wager qualifies for a fraction (e.g. two thirds) of the normal shared prize payout. Thus if a maximum wager of three credits would have resulted in a shared prize of $300,000 to that player then a wager of credits would result in a shared prize of, for example, $200,000 to that player.
Another possibility is that if a player bets less than the maximum wager then the player is eligible for shared prizes at the same payout schedule but the grace period is reduced. Thus, a two credit wager may provide only a 10 second grace period in place of the usual 15 second grace period. Note that the reductions in payouts or grace periods need not be proportional to the amounts wagered.
For example, it is possible to have a wager of one or two credits paid out at the same reduced amount (e.g. $100,000) and to have a disproportionately large payout if three credits are wagered (e.g. $300,000) in order to encourage players to make the maximum wager. These two methods may also be used in combination, thus a player making a wager less than the maximum wager may be eligible for a reduced shared prize and have a diminished grace period.
As in the first embodiment, the machine continues to operate in continuous play mode, wagering and initiating play on behalf of the player until continuous play mode is cancelled by the player by pressing on continuous-play button 26 (or any other designated buttons) or until the number of credits available to the player is less than the amount required to make another wager. As a courtesy to the player, when the number of credits available to the player decreases to a predetermined threshold (e.g. enough credits to make three more wagers) the player is alerted to this fact by audio means such as a bell, horn or chime or suitable visual means such as a message or icon displayed on video screen 30.
Third Embodiment In a third embodiment of the present invention, a fixed number (e.g. 10) of gaming machines 10 similar to those described in the second embodiment are grouped at a site to form a "carousel". The machines of a carousel are linked together so as to communicate information regarding the betting cycle of each machine 10 similar to the interconnections of the second embodiment. More than one carousel may be linked together to contribute to and win from a common prize pool. The different carousels need not be located at the same site. Unlike the second embodiment, in this embodiment if a shared prize is won, only eligible players from the same carousel as the winner share in the shared prize. Thus, notionally, the members of a carousel may be considered as a team in that, if any one of them wins a shared prize, all members of the carousel have the potential to benefit.
Referring to Figure 5, within a carousel, each machine 10 is identified by a machine identification number 32. A machine recognition display 34 at each machine shows the eligibility status of all members of the carousel by illuminating the numbers of machines which are "in use" (i.e. which have a non-zero value indicated in their respective continuous play clocks 28) and dimming the numbers of those machines which are not in use (i.e. which have zero showing in their respective continuous play clocks 28). This process of identifying which other machines in the carousel are in use is done at each machine when initiating play at that machine. For slot machines, this means at the time a spin is initiated either by the machine when automatic betting is used or by the player who presses the play button 20 or possibly the bet-max-credits button 18. When play is initiated on a machine, the other machines in the carousel which are in use are "locked in"
so that if a shared prize is won on the particular betting cycle then players at the "locked in" machines are eligible to share in the shared prize.
The continuous play feature of the second embodiment is also available in this embodiment for the convenience of the player, to minimize the effort of placing individual bets and to minimize the possibility that a prize winning opportunity is unintentionally missed.
The following example is provided to better illustrate the method of gaming of the third embodiment. Table 2 shows a chronological sequence of wagers and corresponding outcomes for 10 machines according to the third embodiment. It is assumed that the predetermined amount required to qualify is credits (the maximum wager); a 15 second grace period is used; and that each spin takes 2 second to complete (this is especially relevant with respect to the discussion of Machine 5).
Table 2 Result S Time of Machiner~rn~ Qualifiers of CP On CD CD End iin Suin S pln Start a o s ~o s o o 43 12:00:57 8 2 nla Lost nla nla PM

.0 .
40 '00'5 6 3 1 3 5 9 Lost 0 . . ~0 '0 12:00:52 6 7 10 12:00:54 12:01:09 PM PM PM

38 12:00:45 3 3 1 3 5 9 Lost 12:00:47 12:01:02 37 PM 6 1 6 7 10 Lost PM PM
12:00:44 nla n/a nla PM

'S

'0 0 3 .0 . . 0.5 29 12:00:34 7 3 1 3 4 9 Lost 12:00:36 12:00:51 o 5 .0 .

9 3 9 0 0 .0 90 ~ p .0 .

0' 6 3 3 0 0 00 .0 .

21 12:00:22 3 3 1 3 4 10 Lost 12:00:24 12:00:39 9 5 3 3 6 0 60 p 17 12:00:15 3 3 1 3 4 10 Lost 12:00:17 12:00:32 15 12:00:14 6 3 1 345678 10 15 7 12:00:18 12:00:33 PM PM PM

13 12:00:10 7 3 3 4 5 10 90 12:00:25 12:00:40 0'0 3 5 0 '00'09 '00' .0 3 .0 2 12:00:01 5 3 5 10 Lost 12:00:03 12:00:18 PM PM PM

1 12:00:00 10 3 10 Lost 10 12:00:0212:00:17 PM PM PM

Here is a brief description of the headings used in the preceding Table 2:
Spin: a sequence number for each spin or event;

Time of the time when play was initiated;
Spin:

Machine: the machine identification number;

Coins: the number of credits wagered;

Qualifiers:which machines were in use when play was initiated;

Result of Indicates the amount won or "Lost" if no prize Spin: is awarded for the outcome CP On: the countdown number used when continuous play was activated;

CD Start: the time that the continuous play clock starts to count down (i.e. the time of the end of the betting cycle);
and CD End: the time at which the continuous play clock will count down to zero.

Note that based on this sequence of spins, at 12:00:58 Machine 1 is spun and two seconds later it wins the Jackpot. At the time of the winning spin, the Machine Recognition Display (MRD) of Machine 1 has "locked in" machines 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 since these machines were "in use" when the jackpot winning spin was initiated on Machine 1. The following is an explanation of the status of each machine at the time the winning spin was initiated:
1 Machine Number 1 CPC (seconds) 1 In Use? 1 Discussion 1 In Use 15Lit on Machine 1's Machine Recognition Display (MRD) and Just hit jackpot maximum number of coins played.

2 Not In Use: 0 Not lit on Machine 1's MRD; machine not in use -- perhaps No one playing no player machine 3 In Use: 4 Lit on Machine 1's MRD. This machine was not in actual Player has not use at the moment of Machine 1's spin spun in 13 but would still qualify seconds because the Continuous Play Clock (CPC) had four seconds on it from the previous spin 4 In Use: 15 Lit on Machine 1's MRD. The machine is in the process of Paying out a incremeint Machine 4's credits from winning spin its winning spin which just occurred. Note that paying a winning spin and cashing out tokens are different - a player who is cashing out may or may not qualify, depending on the time left on the machine's CPC at the time Machine 1 was spun In Use: 1 Lit on Machine 1's MRD. The player had been playing but Player sitting has let the CPC reach one second at at machine the time Machine 1 but has not spun was spun. Machine 5 would still be in 16 lit on the MRD of seconds Machine 1 because time had not run out -- this machine is therefore in use.

6 In Use 11 Lit on Machine 1's MRD. This player is ready to play, having spun the reel one second after player #1 spun. This is considered in use. The reel of Machine 6 was actually spinning when Machine 1 hit the jackpot.

7 Not in Use: 0 Not lit on Machine 1's MRD. The player has cashed out Player cased tokens from the machine bank. The out tokens machine's CPC was at zero when Machine 1 was spun making Machine 7 not in use.

8 Not in Use: 0 Not lit on Machine 1's MRD. The player has spun one Player using second earlier than the player at only two Machine 1. However, the coins player has only played two coins.
The number of coins is not the determining factor - rather the CPC was at zero at the time of Machine 1's spin. If the CPC had a time on it from a previous spin by Machine 8, it would have been in use. A spin of one or two coins does not reset the CPC to 15 or qualify the machine as in use.
A player must use maximum coins to reset the clock to 15 seconds.

9 Not in Use: 0 Not lit on Machine 1's MRD. The player is depositing tokens Player deposited into the bank but the machine is not tokens by definition, in use into machine since the CPC is at zero.
but has not yet spun.

In Use: 11 Lit on Machine 1's MRD. This machine was recognized by Machine spun the system as having been spun approximately 1.5 six seconds seconds after before Machine 1. Before the outcome Machine 1 of Machine 1 was known, this machine was spun again, about 1.5 seconds l ater. Its CPC is on and spins each time the Clock reaches 10 seconds. The CPC had time on it when Machine 1 spun so it qualifies as in use on machine 1.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:
means for accepting currency from a player and making available to the player a corresponding number of credits for use in wagering;
means for making a wager;
means for initiating play resulting in an outcome;
means for determining, based on the outcome, whether a prize is to be awarded and the amount of the prize awarded; and continuous play means which, when selectively activated by the player, repeatedly wagers and initiates play on behalf of the player.

2. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein the amount wagered by the continuous play means on behalf of the player is a predetermined fixed amount.

3. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein the predetermined fixed amount is the smallest wager accepted by the machine.

4. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 2 wherein the predetermined fixed amount is the largest wager accepted by the machine.

5. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein the amount wagered by the continuous play means on behalf of the player is the amount last wagered on the machine.

6. A gaming machine in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the continuous play means wagers and initiates play following a specified period of idleness since the last betting cycle.

7. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 6 further comprising means to increase the specified period of idleness.

8. A gaming machine in accordance with either claim 6 or 7 further comprising means to decrease the specified period of idleness.

9. A gaming machine in accordance with any one of claims 6 to 8 further comprising duration display means to indicate the duration of the specified period of idleness.

10. A gaming machine in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 further comprising credit display means to indicate the number of credits available to the player for wagering.

11. A method of gaming using the machine of any of claims 1 to 10 comprising the steps:
depositing currency in the machine for wagering; and activating the continuous play means.

12. A method of gaming using the machine of any of claims 1 to 10 comprising the steps:
depositing currency in the machine for wagering;
making a wager; and activating the continuous play means.

13. A method of gaming using the machine of any of claims 1 to 10 comprising the steps:
depositing currency in the machine for wagering;
making a wager;
initiating play; and activating the continuous play means following completion of the betting cycle of said wager.

14. A gaming system comprising a plurality of interconnected gaming machines, each machine comprising:
means for accepting currency from a player and making available to the player a corresponding number of credits for use in wagering;
means for making a wager;
means initiating play resulting in an outcome;
means for determining, based on an outcome at any of the plurality of interconnected gaming machines, whether a shared prize is to be awarded and the amount of the shared prize;
means for determining whether the player is eligible to share in the shared prize based on at least one predetermined criterion related to the player's wagering;
continuous play means which, when selectively activated by the player, repeatedly wagers and initiates play on the player's behalf so as to ensure the player's eligibility to share in the shared prize by complying with the at least one predetermined criterion.

15. A gaming system according claim 14 wherein each machine further comprises timekeeping means for tracking the amount of idle time elapsed since the end of the last betting cycle at that machine.

16. A gaming system according to claim 15 wherein the timekeeping means is reset upon the initiation of play in a new betting cycle in which the amount wagered is not less than a predetermined minimum amount.

17. A gaming system according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein each machine further comprises eligibility display means for displaying the eligibility of the player to share in the shared prize.

18. A gaming system according to claim 17 wherein the eligibility display means comprises a countdown timer.

19. A gaming system according to either claim 15 or 16 wherein the timekeeping means comprises a countdown timer.

20. A gaming system according to either claim 18 or 19 wherein the countdown timer displays zero to indicate ineligibility of the player to share in the shared prize and displays a non-zero value to indicate eligibility of the player to share in the shared prize.

21. A gaming system according to claim 20 further comprising recording means to record the value displayed in the countdown timer at the time when the continuous play means is activated if the value is non-zero, whereby the continuous play means wagers and initiates play on the player's behalf when the countdown timer subsequently reaches the recorded value.

22. A gaming system according to any one of claims 14 to 21 wherein the at least one predetermined criterion comprises a requirement that a betting cycle is in progress at said machine when eligibility for the shared prize is determined and the amount wagered in the betting cycle is not less than a predetermined minimum amount.

23. A gaming system according to any one of claims 14 to 21 wherein the at least one predetermined criterion comprises the requirements that a previous wager was not less than a predetermined minimum amount and that the time elapsed from the end of the betting cycle of said previous wager to the time when eligibility for the shared prize is determined does not exceed a grace period.

24. A gaming system according to either claim 22 or 23 wherein eligibility for the shared prize is determined when the shared prize winning play was initiated at the shared prize winning machine.

25. A gaming system according to any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the predetermined minimum amount is the smallest wager accepted by the machine.

26. A gaming system according to any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the predetermined minimum amount is the largest wager accepted by the machine.

27. A gaming system according to claim 23 wherein the grace period is predetermined and fixed.

28. A gaming system according to claim 27 wherein the grace period is 15 seconds.

29. A gaming system according to any one of claims 14 to 28 wherein the continuous play means wagers and initiates play on the player's behalf only when the number of credits available is not less than a predetermined minimum wager.

30. A gaming system according to claim 29 wherein the predetermined minimum wager is the smallest wager accepted by the machine.

31. A gaming system according to any one of claims 14 to 30 wherein each machine further comprises means to alert the player when the number of credits available to the player for use in wagering falls below a predetermined threshold when the continuous play means is activated.

32. A gaming system according to any one of claims 14 to 31 wherein each machine is identified by an identifier.

33. A gaming system according to claim 32 wherein the identifier is a number.

34. A gaming system according to any one of claims 32 or 33 wherein each machine further comprises machine recognition display means for indicating, using the identifiers of the machines, which players at the corresponding identified machines are eligible to share in a shared prize won by said player at said machine.

35. A gaming system according to any one of claims 14 to 34 wherein each machine further comprises credit display means to indicate the number of credits available to the player for wagering.

36. A method of administering a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine comprising:
means for accepting currency from a player and making available to the player a corresponding number of credits for use in wagering;
means for making a wager;
means initiating play resulting in an outcome;
means for determining, based on an outcome at any of the plurality of interconnected gaming machines, whether a shared prize is to be awarded and the amount of the shared prize;
means for determining whether the player is eligible to share in the shared prize based on at least one predetermined criterion related to the player's wagering;
continuous play means which, when selectively activated by the player, repeatedly wagers and initiates play on the player's behalf so as to ensure the player's eligibility to share in the shared prize by complying with the at least one predetermined criterion, the method comprising the steps of:
providing one or more groups of said gaming machines, each group having a fixed number of machines;
interconnecting the machines of the one or more groups;
monitoring information about wagering and play at each machine of the one or more groups;
monitoring an activation status of the continuous play means of each machine;
wagering and playing on behalf of players at machines having an activated continuous play means so as to ensure the player's eligibility to share in the shared prize by complying with the at least one predetermined criterion.

37. A method of claim 36 further comprising the steps of:
determining, based on the outcome of play of any of the plurality of gaming machines, whether a shared prize is awarded and the amount of the shared prize;
determining the group to which the machine having the outcome resulting in a shared prize being awarded belongs; and determining the eligibility of each player in said group to share in the shared prize based on at least one predetermined criterion relating to the player's wagering.

38. A method of claim 37 further comprising the steps of: awarding each eligible player in said group a portion of the shared prize.

39. A method of any one of claims 36 to 38 wherein the information monitored comprises the amount of a wager, the time of play and the outcome of play.

40. A method of any one of claims 36 to 39 wherein the at least one predetermined criterion comprises a requirement that a betting cycle is in progress at said machine when eligibility for the shared prize is determined and the amount wagered in the betting cycle is not less than a predetermined minimum amount.

41. A method of any one of claims 36 to 40 wherein the at least one predetermined criterion comprises the requirements that a previous wager was not less than a predetermined minimum amount and that the time elapsed from the end of the betting cycle of said previous wager to the time when eligibility for the shared prize is determined does not exceed a grace period.

42. A method according to either claim 40 or 41 wherein eligibility for the shared prize is determined when the shared prize winning play was initiated at the shared prize winning machine.

43. A method of any one of claims 40 to 42 wherein the predetermined minimum amount is the largest wager accepted by the machine.

44. A method of any one of claims 36 to 43 wherein all eligible players share equally in the shared prize.

45. A method of any one of claims 36 to 44 wherein the portion of the shared prize received by each eligible player is a fixed predetermined amount.

46. A method of any one of claims 36 to 43 wherein the portion of the shared prize received by each eligible player depends on the amount wagered when the player satisfied the at least one predetermined criterion.

47. A method of any one of claims 36 to 43 wherein the portion of the shared prize received by an eligible player varies proportionately with the amount wagered when the player satisfied the at least one predetermined criterion.

48. A method of any one of claims 41 to 47 wherein the grace period is predetermined and fixed.

49. A method of claim 48 wherein the grace period is 15 seconds.

50. A method of any one of claims 41 to 47 wherein the grace period varies with the amount wagered.

51. A method of any one of claims 41 to 47 wherein the grace varies proportionately with the amount wagered.

52. A method of any one of claims 36 to 51 wherein the number of machines in each group is ten.