In overview, the technology is primarily directed to the implementation of linked gaming in respect of a plurality of gaming machines. In particular, a controller device is disclosed, this controller device being adapted to enable the management of a plurality of linked games via a single piece of hardware. This is achieved in part by virtualization of jackpot controllers within the controller device. More specifically, a user is enabled to configure a plurality of virtual jackpot controllers by way of interaction with a graphical user interface, and select compatible electronic gaming machines to participate in a linked game provided by a given one of the virtual jackpot controllers.