Games, gaming machines and gaming systems are provided wherein a player playing a first wagering game may be awarded one or more free game plays (e.g. without the player having to place an additional wager) of a second wagering game which comprises a different game instance than the game that the player is playing. The one or more free games may be awarded based upon events or criteria occurring in the game that the player is playing or based upon events or criteria external thereto, or combinations thereof. The free games may comprise different game instances of the same game that the player is playing, or may comprise plays of different games, such as of games that the player may or may not select to play. The free games may be presented immediately or at a later time.