(19)
(11) EP 1 296 294 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
11.02.2004 Bulletin 2004/07

(43) Date of publication A2:
26.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/13

(21) Application number: 02020544.9

(22) Date of filing: 16.09.2002
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G07F 17/32
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 21.09.2001 US 960762

(71) Applicant: IGT
Reno, Nevada 89521 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Chilton, Ward W.
    Reno, Nevada 89509 (US)
  • Lowell, Denise C.
    Reno, Nevada 89511 (US)
  • Berlocher, Anthony J.
    Reno, Nevada 89509 (US)

(74) Representative: Manitz, Finsterwald & Partner GbR 
Postfach 31 02 20
80102 München
80102 München (DE)

   


(54) Gaming device providing tournament entries


(57) The present invention provides a gaming device which enables a player to enter a tournament based on a qualifying outcome achieved on the gaming device. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a set of reels including at least one qualification symbol. If at least one qualification symbol is displayed within a display device of the gaming device, the player qualifies for a tournament to be played at a later time. The tournament is preferably a slot machine tournament. One or more prizes are awarded at the tournament, including high value items such as cars and motorcycles as well as lower valued items such as hats, T-shirts, jackets, memorabilia and other merchandise. In this regard, the tournament provides convenience to a casino as far as prize acquisition, distribution and record keeping are concerned because prizes are awarded at one specific event instead of on sporadic occasions. The payout percentages of the gaming devices providing entry into the tournament are set relative to a cost of the tournament.






Search report