Computer-implemented systems and methods for secondary game creation and management include a plurality of gaming machines, and a scheduler configured to initiate a secondary game in response to a request from one or more players or a schedule defined by an administrator, the secondary game including one or more games executed on the plurality of gaming machines. A controller is also provided that is configured to validate each player to participate in the secondary game on respective ones of the plurality of gaming machines and enable secondary gameplay by the validated players on the plurality of gaming machines. Further, a data analyzer is provided that is configured to receive primary game player data and secondary game player data from the plurality of gaming machines and process the primary game player data and secondary game player data to determine at least one of a progression, position, or score of a player of a secondary game.