Gaming machines

Abstract

 A gaming machine has the representation of movable reels 1 that can be spun and stopped in a random manner to reveal new combinations of symbols, some of which will represent a "win" outcome on a "win" line. One symbol on a reel can carry a "FREE TO WIN" indicator. When this appears on a winning line a panel 1 lights up to indicate to the player that this feature of the machine is in operation. The player then enters into a "free play" situation whereby no credits are taken from the player until such time as a winning situation is achieved. The winning situation could be the award of a prize, or the entry into a particular feature operation of the play of the machine.

Description

[0001] One type of gaming machine is referred to as a gaming or amusement-with-prizes (AWP) machine, particularly known as a fruit machine. Machines of this type have a number of reels or drums, or equivalents such as endless bands hereinafter referred to as "reels", which are spun and then stop in a variable manner to reveal a combination of symbols in display windows. The indication of reels nowadays is normally simulated electronically on a screen. Certain combinations result in prizes, usually monetary, being awarded. Such machines will be referred to generally as AWP machines.

[0002] Another type of display used in a gaming machine comprises what is known as a "Rolling Road" unit, which will hereinafter be referred to generally as an RR unit. Such a unit comprises an essentially rectangular grid/array of lamps with a flexible transparent/translucent movable "band" which can be driven/rotated relative to a fixed translucent sheet between different stopping positions to introduce different display regions in front of the array of lamps, whereby prizes can be indicated by selectively illuminating relevant lamps.

[0003] According to the invention there is provided a gaming machine in the form of an AWP machine or an RR unit, wherein one or more display regions carries a symbol which causes the machine to operate in a manner enabling the user to have as many further free plays as are needed to achieve a normal win condition of the machine.

[0004] The winning condition can be the award of a prize or the entry into a special feature operation which will result in the award of a prize or will enhance the prospects of the award of a prize.

[0005] The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred example thereof will now be described, with reference to the accompanying Figure 1, which is a diagrammatic illustration of the layout of symbols and features of a gaming machine of this invention.

[0006] The gaming machine shown in Figure 1 incorporates a well-known AWP machine design having the representation of movable reels 1 that can be spun and stopped in a random manner to reveal new combinations of symbols, some of which will represent a "win" outcome on a "win" line. One symbol on a reel can carry a "FREE TO WIN" indicator. When this appears on a winning line (as a result of a simulated spinning, nudging or stepping of the reels) a panel 1 lights up to indicate to the player that this feature of the machine is in operation. The player then enters into a "free play" situation whereby no credits are taken from the player until such time as a winning situation is achieved (for example, by spinning, nudging or stepping the reels 1 or the movement of lit illustrations along a line of symbols on the screen). The winning situation could be the award of a prize, or the entry into a particular feature operation of the play of the machine. Thereafter the panel 2 is turned off and the normal display returns. The player can then only continue by using further credits.

[0007] In the game as illustrated in Figure 1, there is shown an entry trail 3. The screen could also incorporate an RR unit which includes a "FREE TO WIN" symbol and operates otherwise in the same way as with the AWP machine. This could replace the movable reel display or be in addition to it.

[0008] It will be appreciated that the symbols and decorative features shown in the drawings can be modified as desired and that the concepts described can be extended to other implementations or layouts and could also be created using video technology.

Claims

1. A gaming machine in the form of an AWP machine or an RR unit, wherein one or more display regions carries a symbol which causes the machine to operate in a manner enabling the user to have as many further free plays as are needed to achieve a normal win condition of the machine.

2. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the win condition is the award of a prize or the entry into a special feature operation which will result in the award of a prize or will enhance the prospects of the award of a prize.

3. A gaming machine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. Any novel combination of features of a gaming machine as described herein and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Drawing