US20100093420A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100093420A1
Application number: US12/557,273
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert J. Wright; Stan Pade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Integrated Group Assets Inc
Priority date: 2004-01-27
Filing date: 2009-09-10
Publication date: 2010-04-15

Abstract

A process provides operates, with a processor, a lottery game. Further, the process indicates, with the processor, a first price at which a lottery player can purchase a first price lottery entry into the lottery game. The first price lottery entry has a predetermined quantity of numbers. The process also indicates, with the processor, a second price at which the lottery player can purchase a second price lottery entry into the lottery game. The lottery player has to purchase the first price lottery entry to be eligible to purchase the second price lottery entry. The second price lottery entry has the predetermined quantity of numbers as provided with the first price lottery entry.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND

1. Field

A system and method are disclosed which generally relate to gaming, and more specifically to lotteries.

2. General Background

A lottery is generally a distribution of tokens such that a subset of the distributed tokens may win a prize. The token can be in the form of a ticket. One of the most popular forms of lottery involves the distribution of lottery tickets. Each lottery ticket includes a lottery number. After the lottery tickets have been distributed to the lottery ticket holders, the winning number is chosen. The usual method of selecting the winning number involves a random selection of the winning number. A random number generator can be used to randomly select the winning number. Some lottery systems require the ticket to have the entire number that is randomly selected while other lottery systems require the ticket to have a superset of an ordered sequence of numbers that are randomly selected.

Lotteries as normally used by jurisdictions reflect a pari-mutuel model in which the prize is funded by a portion of the ticket sales. One potential problem with the pari-mutuel model is that a sufficient number of tickets need to be sold in order to provide a reasonable lottery prize. However, interest in purchasing lottery tickets is generally stimulated only when the prize becomes substantial. For instance, a large number of lottery tickets are purchased in a $10 million dollar lottery, but a disproportionately large number of lottery tickets are purchased in a $50 million dollar lottery.

In addition, traditional lotteries sell tickets for one price. If there are multiple winners of a jackpot, the winners split the jackpot prize.

SUMMARY

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a single priced lottery system that is based on a pari-mutuel model.

FIG. 2 illustrates a shared multiple-priced single-pool lottery system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a winnings table for the shared multiple-priced single-pool lottery system ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process that can be used with the shared multiple-priced single-pool lottery system illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a winnings table of a lottery having two three-dollar ticket winners.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a winnings table of a lottery having one three-dollar ticket winner and one one-dollar ticket winner.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a winnings table of a lottery having two three-dollar ticket winners and two one-dollar ticket winners.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a winnings table of a lottery having one three-dollar ticket winner, one two-dollar ticket winner, and one one-dollar ticket winner.

FIG. 9 illustrates a probabilistic lottery system.

FIG. 10 illustrates a probabilistic software configuration that can be used with the probabilistic lottery system.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for conducting a variable ratio based multiple-priced lottery system.

FIG. 12 illustrates a graph for a constant ratio between associations.

FIG. 13 illustrates a graph in which a variable ratio exists between at least two associations.

FIG. 14 illustrates a graph in which two different variable ratios exist.

FIG. 15 illustrates a lottery ticket dispensing machine.

FIG. 16 illustrates the internal components of the housing of the lottery ticket dispensing machine.

FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration in which the lottery ticket dispensing machine communicates with a server to receive a price category and the associated distribution of the price category.

FIG. 18 illustrates a configuration in which the lottery ticket dispensing machine communicates with a server to transmit a verification code.

FIG. 19 illustrates a configuration in which a server sends data to the lottery ticket dispensing machine.

FIG. 20 illustrates a multi-priced distribution system. A first price category input module provides a first price category to a multi-priced distribution module.

FIG. 21 illustrates a multi-priced lottery system configuration for intra-shared distributions.

FIG. 22 illustrates an inter-shared lottery distribution system, which encompasses the lottery distribution configuration ofFIG. 21.

FIG. 23 illustrates a lottery ticket dispensing system.

FIG. 24 illustrates a virtual lottery system.

FIG. 25 illustrates the components of the first virtual lottery unit.

FIGS. 26A-26E illustrate the contents of the memory as data is received from the server.

FIG. 27 illustrates the virtual lottery unit.

FIG. 28 illustrates a process for the conducting the virtual lottery.

FIG. 29 illustrates another process for conducting the virtual lottery.

FIG. 30 illustrates a virtual lottery system with a progressive jackpot wherein the advertised jackpot is increased based on a portion of ticket sale revenue.

FIG. 31A illustrates the memory containing a plurality of virtual lottery ticket prices and a plurality of known percentages of a progressive jackpot.

FIG. 31B illustrates the memory containing a plurality of virtual lottery ticket prices and a plurality of known percentages of a progressive jackpot that has increased.

FIG. 32 illustrates the virtual lottery unit for a progressive jackpot.

FIG. 33 illustrates a lottery prize display having a lottery prize structure that may be utilized by for separate prize distributions.

FIG. 34 illustrates another configuration in which the lottery prize structure illustrated inFIG. 33 has fixed prize distributions rather than prize distributions that are known percentages of a jackpot prize.

FIG. 35A illustrates a prize allocation when only one one dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and no two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets.

FIG. 35B illustrates a prize allocation when only one two dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and no one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets.

FIG. 35C illustrates a prize allocation when only one one dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and only one two dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket.

FIG. 35D illustrates a prize allocation when two one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets and no two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets.

FIG. 35E illustrates a prize allocation when two two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets and no one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets.

FIG. 35F illustrates a prize allocation when two one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets and one two dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket.

FIG. 35G illustrates a prize allocation when one one dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and two two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets.

FIG. 35H illustrates a prize allocation when two one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets and two two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets.

FIG. 36 illustrates the configuration ofFIG. 34 in which a progressive prize is provided in addition the first prize distribution and the second prize distribution.

FIG. 37 illustrates a process that may be utilized to provide separate prizes.

FIG. 38 illustrates an electronic lottery game apparatus.

FIG. 39 illustrates a display having a stacked lottery prize structure.

FIG. 40A illustrates an example of a lottery player that purchased the first lottery price entry and has a winning match.

FIG. 40B illustrates an example of a lottery player that purchased the second lottery price entry and has a winning match.

FIG. 40C illustrates an example of two lottery players that each purchased the first lottery price entry and each has a winning match.

FIG. 40D illustrates an example of two lottery players that each purchased the second lottery price entry and each has a winning match.

FIG. 40E illustrates an example of one lottery player that purchased the first price lottery entry and one player that purchased the second price lottery entry.

FIG. 40F illustrates an example of two lottery players that purchased the first price lottery entry and one player that purchased the second price lottery entry.

FIG. 40G illustrates an example of one lottery player that purchased the first price lottery entry and two lottery players that purchased the second price lottery entry.

FIG. 40H illustrates an example of two lottery players that each purchased the first price lottery entry and two lottery players that each purchased the second price lottery entry.

FIG. 41 illustrates a display having a stacked lottery prize structure with three lottery price entries.

FIG. 42 illustrates a process that is utilized to implement a stacking configuration for a lottery game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system and method are disclosed for a virtual lottery. A lottery player can purchase a virtual lottery ticket as opposed to a paper lottery ticket. Further, the lottery player will find out instantly whether the virtual lottery ticket has a winning lottery number rather than having to wait hours or even days for a drawing with respect to a paper lottery ticket. In essence, the virtual lottery player is provided with a similar experience to playing in an actual lottery through an electronic machine.

FIGS. 1-23 illustrate various embodiments of a lottery. In addition,FIGS. 24-28 illustrate the virtual lottery. The various features illustrated inFIGS. 1-23 can be implemented in the virtual lottery.

An overview ofFIGS. 1-23 is now provided. After describingFIGS. 1-23, the disclosure explains how many of the features inFIGS. 1-23 can be implemented in the virtual lottery as illustrated inFIGS. 24-28.FIGS. 24-28 illustrate various embodiments of the virtual lottery. Finally,FIGS. 30-34 illustrate a virtual lottery with a progressive jackpot.

FIG. 1 illustrates a single pricedlottery system100 that is based on a pari-mutuel model. Alottery operator102 establishes the lottery. Thelottery operator102 can be a jurisdiction such as a country, state, province, city, town, municipality, or any division or department thereof. Further, thelottery operator102 can be a private organization that a jurisdiction hires to coordinate the lottery. Thelottery operator102 can also be a private organization that is not hired by a jurisdiction. The coordination involved can include establishment, maintenance, operation and oversight and/or winnings determination.

Thelottery operator102 can advertise that a lottery has a prize. For example, thelottery operator102 can advertise that the lottery prize will be a minimum of ten million dollars. Thelottery operator102 provides the lottery prize from ajackpot104. In one embodiment, thejackpot104 is a variable jackpot that increases through allocation of a portion of the ticket sales. Thelottery operator102 can also provide a fixedprize106. In one embodiment,ticket holders108 purchase tickets at a price of $x per ticket from aticket seller110. The ticket seller then sends the ticket numbers on each of the tickets to the lottery operator, typically through acomputer network102. If one of theticket holders108 wins the lottery, thelottery operator102 disburses thejackpot104 to theticket holder108. On the other hand, ifmultiple ticket holders108 win the lottery, the multiple ticket holders with the winning tickets split thejackpot104. For instance,FIG. 1 illustrates twoticket holders108 winning the lottery. Thelottery operator102 then splits thejackpot104 and distributes half of the jackpot to each of theticket holders108.

Thelottery operator102 can also distribute a fixedprize106. Aticket holder108 can win a fixed prize that theticket holder108 does not have to share withother ticket holders108. For instance, ifmultiple ticket holders108 won the fixedprize106, thelottery operator102 would distribute the fixedprize106 in its entirety to each of themultiple ticket holders108 that won the fixedprize106. In one embodiment, the multiple pricing method and system can be applied to the fixedprize106. Theticket holder106 can qualify for the higher fixedprize106 by purchasing a higher priced ticket.

In one embodiment, thelottery operator102 can use a random number generator (not shown) to determine the winning number. In another embodiment, thelottery operator102 can use a ball draw machine to randomly select the winning number.

One of the difficulties of the single pricedlottery system100 is that the single pricedlottery system100 does not optimize the amount spent by a customer and the size of thejackpot104. Someticket holders108 may want to purchase a less expensive lottery ticket even if the associated prize is relatively small. Further, someticket holders108 may not wish to purchase a lottery ticket unless thejackpot104 is very large. Theseticket holders108 may be willing to pay more for a lottery ticket that provides a larger prize. Further, someticket holders108 generally buy lottery tickets in almost any lottery regardless of the size of thejackpot104. The single pricedlottery system100 does not optimize the performance of a lottery since it does not create an optimal incentive for the customer to spend more and thereby increase the revenue of the lottery.

FIG. 2 also illustrates that aticket holder206 can purchase a lottery ticket in a second price category. For instance, the second price category can be lottery tickets purchased for $y. The second price category is associated with a second distribution of a lottery prize that can be won. For example, theticket holder206 may have purchased the lottery ticket for two dollars in order to win fifty percent of the jackpot. In one embodiment, if the only winning lottery ticket or winning lottery tickets are in the second price category, then the second distribution is distributed according to a second price category intra sharing distribution formula. In one embodiment, the second price category intra sharing distribution formula requires an even distribution among all the winners in the second price category. In the example above, if twoticket holders206 have winning ticket numbers, the twoticket holders206 share the applicable distribution evenly. In the example, the second distribution of the prize or in combination of the first and second distributions was fifty percent. Therefore, the twoticket holders206 would each receive twenty five percent of the prize. In one embodiment, if theticket holder206 is the only winning ticket in the lottery, the second price category intra sharing distribution formula provides the entirety of the second distribution of the prize to theticket holder206. In this example, theticket holder206 would receive fifty percent of the jackpot.

In one embodiment, the progressive model can be applied so that each price category benefits. If the jackpot increases in size, potential winnings for each price category can increase because the jackpot increases.

In one embodiment, if the only winning lottery ticket or winning lottery tickets are in the first price category, then the first distribution is distributed according to a first price category intra sharing distribution formula. In one embodiment, the first price category intra sharing distribution formula requires an even distribution among all the winners in the first price category. In the example above, if twoticket holders204 have winning ticket numbers, the twoticket holders204 share the first distribution evenly. In the example, the first distribution of the prize was twenty-five percent. Therefore, the twoticket holders204 would each receive twelve and one half percent of the prize. In one embodiment, if theticket holder204 has the only winning ticket in the lottery, the first price category intra sharing distribution formula provides the entirety of the first distribution of the prize to theticket holder204. In this example, theticket holder204 would receive twenty-five percent of the prize. In one embodiment, the remaining seventy five percent of thejackpot104 would be rolled over to increase the prize for subsequent drawings.

In another embodiment, the first price category intra sharing distribution formula can be weighted. In one embodiment, the intra sharing distribution formula can be weighted in favor of the number of tickets purchased in the current drawing of the lottery. For example, if twoticket holders204 are the only ticket winners in the lottery, one of the ticket holders,204 may have purchased one hundred lottery tickets in the current drawing whereas the other one of theticket holders204 may have only purchased one lottery ticket in the current drawing. A weighting can be established so that theticket holder204 that purchased one hundred tickets in the current lottery can win, for example, twenty percent of the prize whereas theticket holder204 that purchased one ticket in the current lottery can win, for example, five percent of the prize.

In yet another embodiment, the first price category intra sharing distribution can be weighted in favor of previous ticket purchases. For example, if twoticket holders204 are the only ticket winners in the lottery, one of theticket holders204 may have purchased one hundred lottery tickets in previous lotteries whereas the other one of theticket holders204 may have purchased a lottery ticket for the first time. The first price category intra sharing distribution formula can include a frequent lottery variable that would provide a larger portion of the first distribution to theticket holder204 that previously purchased one hundred tickets. For example, theticket holder204 that purchased one hundred tickets may receive twenty percent of the prize whereas theticket holder204 that only purchased one ticket may receive only five percent of the prize. This is only one example. The frequent lottery variable can also provide a small change. For instance, theticket holder204 that purchased one hundred tickets may receive thirteen percent of the prize and thethicket holder204 that purchased one ticket may receive twelve percent prize. Thelottery operator102 may find that use of the frequent lottery variable provides more incentive toticket holders204 to participate in the lottery. The first price category intra sharing distribution formula can be determined according to consumer demand. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a variety of formulae can be used for weighting the distribution. The first price category intra sharing distribution formula can be a variable, a ratio, etc.

In one embodiment, the lottery prize is a jackpot. In alternative embodiments, other types of prizes can be used. The prize is not limited to jackpots.

In one embodiment, the second price category intra sharing distribution formula is weighted. The second price category intra sharing distribution formula can be weighted in a similar manner as the first price category intra sharing distribution formula. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a variety of formulae can be used for weighting the distribution. The second price category intra sharing distribution formula can be a variable, a ratio, etc.

In one embodiment, if aticket holder204 and aticket holder206 have winning lottery tickets, an inter sharing distribution formula is used to determine how theticket holder204 and theticket holder206 should share the jackpot. In one embodiment, thelottery operator102 splits the first distribution so that theticket holder204 receives half of the first distribution and theticket holder206 receives half of the first distribution. Theticket holder206 additionally receives the second distribution minus the first distribution. For example, if the first distribution is twenty five percent and the second distribution is fifty percent, theticket holder204 would receive twelve and one half percent. Theticket holder206 would receive twelve and one half percent in addition to twenty five percent. Therefore, theticket holder206 would receive thirty seven and one half percent. The inter sharing distribution formula is not limited to an even distribution. In one embodiment, the inter sharing distribution formula may be weighted to favor the higher price category. In other words, theticket holder206 may be rewarded for purchasing a higher priced ticket. For example, theticket holder204 may only receive one third of the twenty five percent with theticket holder206 receiving two thirds of the twenty five percent in addition to an entire twenty five percent.

Although each ticket price is associated with a percentage of the jackpot, the winnings come from a single jackpot. In the example above, even if only one ticket is purchased in the first price category, theticket holder204 that has the winning number gets to receive twenty five percent of a jackpot that may be funded primarily by higher ticket price categories. Variations may occur from lottery to lottery in the numbers of tickets purchased in each price category. Thelottery operator102 increases the chances that the jackpot will be sufficient to cover winnings in each of the price categories by having a single pool from which disbursements are made for winnings in any of the price categories. The use of the single pool for multiple priced lottery tickets can be used independently of the sharing methodology discussed above. However, thelottery operator102 can further optimize the performance of the lottery by using the single pool in conjunction with the sharing methodology. Further, the intra sharing methodology can be used independent of the inter sharing methodology. However, thelottery operator102 can optimize performance by using the intra sharing methodology in conjunction with the inter sharing methodology.

In one embodiment, the third price category intra sharing distribution formula is weighted. The third price category intra sharing distribution formula can be weighted in a similar manner as the first price category intra sharing distribution formula. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a variety of formulae can be used for weighting the distribution. The third price category intra sharing distribution formula can be a variable, a ratio, etc. In one embodiment, if theticket holder204, theticket holder206, and theticket holder208 have winning lottery tickets, a first triplet inter sharing distribution formula is used to determine how theticket holder204, theticket holder206, and theticket holder208 should share the first distribution of the jackpot. In one embodiment, thelottery operator102 splits the first distribution so that theticket holder204 receives one third of the first distribution, theticket holder206 receives one third of the first distribution, and theticket holder208 receives one third of the first distribution. A second triplet inter sharing distribution formula is used to determine how theticket holder206 and theticket holder208 share the second distribution minus the first distribution. In one embodiment, thelottery operator102 splits the second distribution so that theticket holder206 receives one half of the second distribution and theticket208 receives the other half of the second distribution. Theticket holder208 additionally receives the third distribution minus the second distribution. For example, if the first distribution is twenty five percent, the second distribution is fifty percent, and the third distribution is one hundred percent, theticket holder204 would receive eight and one third percent. Theticket holder206 would receive eight and one third percent in addition to twelve and one half percent. Therefore, theticket holder206 would receive twenty and five sixths percent. Finally, theticket holder208 would receive eight and one third percent in addition to twelve and one half percent in addition to fifty percent. Therefore, theticket holder208 would receive seventy and five sixths percent.

The first triplet inter sharing distribution formula can require an even distribution of the first distribution. However, in one embodiment, the first inter sharing distribution formula can be weighted. Theticket holder206 can be given a greater portion of the first distribution than theticket holder204. Further, theticket holder208 can be given a greater portion of the first distribution than theticket holder206. However, different variations are possible. A volume lottery variable (based, for example on the number of tickets purchased or amount spent on tickets) can be used to determine weighting. In other words, theticket holder204 could potentially receive the largest portion of the first distribution if theticket holder204 has purchased the most lottery tickets. Further, theticket holder204 may receive the largest weighting of the first distribution to give incentive to theticket holder204 because theticket holder204 does not get to receive a portion of the second distribution or of the third distribution. Even if theticket holder204 spent an equivalent or a greater amount on purchasing tickets than theticket holder206, the incentive of theticket holder206 can be further increased over that of theticket holder204. Similarly, theticket holder206 may receive a greater weighted portion of the second distribution than theticket holder208 because theticket holder206 does not receive a portion of the third distribution or for other reasons related to the weighting formula. In one embodiment, the incentive of theticket holder208 can be further increased over that of theticket holder204. These weighted variations can also be used with the second triplet inter sharing distribution formula.

The example above discusses the possibility of having one winning ticket from each price category. In one embodiment, multiple ticket winners exist in some or all of the different price categories. A divided intra sharing distribution within each price category is applied so that winners in each price category split the winnings according to a divided intra sharing distribution formula. In the example above, theticket holder204 received eight and one third percent. In one embodiment, a first divided intra sharing distribution formula determines how to split the winnings for the first distribution. For instance, in the example above, if twoticket holders204 had winning numbers, one of theticket holders204 could receive approximately four and sixteen one hundredths percent and theother ticket holder204 would also receive approximately four and sixteen one hundredths percent. In one embodiment, a second divided intra sharing distribution formula determines how to split the winnings for the second distribution. For instance, in the example above, if twoticket holders206 had winning numbers, one of theticket holders206 would receive ten and five twelfths percent and theother ticket holder206 would also receive ten and five twelfths percent. In one embodiment, a third divided intra sharing distribution formula determines how to split the winnings for the third distribution. For instance, in the example above, if twoticket holders208 had winning numbers, one of theticket holders208 would receive thirty five and three twelfths percent while the other one of theticket holders208 would also receive thirty five and three twelfths percent. The divided intra shared distributions do not have to be the same across price categories. Further, within price categories, the divided intra shared distributions can be weighted as discussed above with respect to the intra sharing distributions.

Although, in the above discussion, the first price category was associated with theticket holder204, the second price category with theticket holder206, and the third price category with theticket holder208, the ticket holders can be associated with different price categories. For instance, the first price category may be associated with theticket holder204 and the third price category may be associated with theticket holder206. The inter sharing distribution variable as discussed above could be used to share the jackpot if theticket holder204 and theticket holder206 were the only winning tickets. For instance, theticket holder204 would receive one half of twenty five percent. Theticket holder206 would receive one half of twenty five percent in addition to seventy five percent. Further, the methodologies discussed above can be extended to any number of price categories. For instance, there could be a fourth price category. Any number of price categories can be used.

In one embodiment, the shared multiple priced singlepool lottery system200 can be used with a video lottery game. In another embodiment, the shared multiple priced singlepool lottery system200 can be used with online lotteries that are provided on a network such as the Internet.

In one embodiment the shared multiple priced singlepool lottery system300 can be computerized. Software modules can be used to establish and coordinate the multiple priced single pool lottery system. The use of computerized technologies can help facilitate calculating the sharing distributions. Without the computerized technologies, the quantity of the calculations could be burdensome.

A first price category module can provide a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased. Further, a second price category module can provide a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased. In addition, a random number selection module can randomly select the winning lottery number. The random number selection module can be a random number generator, can be coupled to a ball draw machine, or can simulate a ball draw machine. A first price intra shared distribution module provides a first price category intra shared distribution of the first distribution of the prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number. Further, a second price category intra shared distribution module provides a second price category intra shared distribution of the second distribution of the prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number. Additional intra shared distribution modules can be used for additional price categories.

In one embodiment, a divided first price category intra shared distribution module provides a divided first price category intra shared distribution of the first distribution of the prize. In addition, a divided second price category intra shared distribution module provides a divided second price category intra shared distribution of the second distribution. An inter shared distribution module provides an inter shared distribution of the first distribution of the prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number and if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a winnings table300 for the shared multiple priced single pool lottery system ofFIG. 2. For example, a lottery can have a jackpot of ten million dollars. Lottery players can purchase a one-dollar ticket, a two-dollar ticket, and a three-dollar ticket. The one-dollar ticket only gives the ticket holder a chance at receiving twenty five percent of the jackpot. Therefore, the one dollar ticket holder could at best receive two million five hundred thousand dollars if the one dollar ticket holder did not have to share the jackpot with any other winners. The two-dollar ticket holder could at best receive five million dollars if the two-dollar ticket holder does not have to share the jackpot with any other ticket holders. Finally, the three-dollar ticket holder could at best receive the full jackpot of ten million dollars if the three-dollar ticket holder does not have to share the jackpot with any other ticket holders.

FIG. 4 illustrates aprocess400 that can be used with the shared multiple priced singlepool lottery system200 illustrated inFIG. 2. Theprocess400 begins at aprocess block402. Theprocess400 advances to aprocess block404 to provide a first price category. Further, theprocess400 then advances to aprocess block406 to provide a second price category. The process then advances to aprocess block408 to randomly select the winning lottery number. Theprocess400 then advances to adecision block410 where it is determined whether there is a winner in both the first price category and the second price category. If there is a winner in both the first price category and the second price category, then theprocess400 advances to aprocess block412 where the first distribution of the jackpot prize is distributed through an intra shared distribution as discussed inFIG. 2. Theprocess400 then advances to aprocess block414 where the second distribution of the jackpot prize is distributed through an intra shared distribution as discussed inFIG. 2. Theprocess400 then advances to aprocess block416 where the first distribution is distributed through an intershared distribution of the jackpot so that the winning ticket holders in the second price category receive the appropriate share of the first distribution.

If thedecision block410 determines that there is not both a winner in the first price category and a winner in the second price category, theprocess400 advances to adecision block418. At thedecision block418, theprocess400 determines if there is a winner in the first price category. If there is a winner in the first price category, theprocess400 advances to aprocess block420 where theprocess400 distributes the jackpot prize through an intra shared distribution to a winner or winners in the first price category. If thedecision block418 determines that there is not a winner in the first price category, theprocess400 advances to adecision block422 to determine if there is a winner in the second price category. If there is a winner in the second price category, theprocess400 advances to aprocess block424 where theprocess400 distributes the jackpot prize through an intra shared distribution to winners in the second price category. If there is not a winner in the second price category, theprocess400 determines that there are not any winners and the process ends atprocess block426. In one embodiment, there is a roll over. In one embodiment, the undistributed jackpot is used in a future draw. In one embodiment, the roll over includes a percentage of the jackpot for use in a future draw. In one embodiment, thelottery operator102 takes a percentage of the ticket sales revenue and adds that percentage to a future lottery jackpot even if there is a winner in the present jackpot. Theprocess400 can be extended to cover three price categories. Further, theprocess400 can be extended to cover any number of price categories. In one embodiment, theprocess400 can be implemented on a computer readable medium.

FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate various examples of the multiple priced singleprize lottery system200.FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a winnings table500 of a lottery having two three dollar ticket winners. The jackpot is for ten million dollars. The distribution displays one three dollar ticket winner sharing the ten million dollar jackpot with another three dollar ticket winner through an intra sharing distribution. One of the three dollar ticket winners receives five million dollars at asharing section504. Further, the other three dollar ticket winner receives five million dollars at asharing section506.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a winnings table600 of a lottery having one three dollar ticket winner and one one-dollar ticket winner. The jackpot is for ten million dollars. Thedistribution602 displays one three dollar ticket winner that shares the jackpot with one one-dollar ticket winner. The one dollar ticket winner receives one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars at asection604 through an inter sharing distribution. Further, the three dollar ticket winner receives one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars through an inter sharing distribution at aninter sharing section606. Finally, the three dollar ticket winner receives seven million five hundred thousand dollars at asection608 through an intra shared distribution.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a winnings table700 of a lottery having two three dollar ticket winners and two one dollar ticket winners. The jackpot is for ten million dollars. Adistribution702 displays a one dollar winner receiving six hundred twenty-five thousand dollars at asection704, a one dollar winner receiving six hundred twenty-five thousand dollars at asection706, a three dollar winner receiving six hundred twenty-five thousand dollars at asection708, and a three dollar winner receiving six hundred twenty-five thousand dollars at asection710. The one dollar ticket winners receive their winnings through an intra shared distribution. Further, the three dollar ticket winners receive a portion of the twenty five percent associated with the first price category through an inter shared distribution of half. Further, each of the three dollar ticket holders receives an additional three million seven hundred fifty thousand dollars through an intra shared distribution of the one hundred percent minus the twenty five percent.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a winnings table800 of a lottery having one three dollar ticket winner, one two dollar ticket winner, and one one-dollar ticket winner. The jackpot is for ten million dollars. Adistribution802 displays a one dollar winner receiving eight hundred thirty three thousand dollars in a section804 according to an inter shared distribution of twenty five percent of the jackpot. The two dollar ticket holder also receives eight hundred thirty three thousand dollars in asection806 according to the inter shared distribution of twenty five percent of the jackpot. Accordingly, the three dollar ticket holder also receives eight hundred thirty three thousand dollars in asection808 according to the inter shared distribution of twenty five percent of the jackpot. Further, the two dollar ticket holder receives an additional one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars at asharing section810 through an inter shared distribution of the second distribution. In addition, the three dollar ticket holder receives an additional one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars at asharing section812 through an inter shared distribution of the second distribution. Finally, the three dollar ticket holder receives an additional five million dollars at asection814 because the third distribution minus the second distribution equals fifty percent. In one embodiment, the ticket holder in the highest price category receives the distribution associated with the highest price category minus the next highest distribution with an inter sharing distribution. Intra sharing distribution may occur in this remainder. Alternative embodiments will allow for different methodologies for calculating the remainder.

FIG. 9 illustrates aprobabilistic lottery system900. The multiple priced sharedlottery system200 can be used in conjunction with theprobabilistic lottery system900. Ajackpot guarantor902 assumes the risk that would normally not exist in a pure pari-mutuel lottery or might be assumed in whole or in part by thelottery operator920. In one embodiment, thejackpot guarantor902 is a private organization other than a jurisdiction. In another embodiment, the jackpot guarantor is a publicly held company other than a jurisdiction. Thejackpot guarantor902 establishes apredetermined jackpot940. In one embodiment, thepredetermined jackpot204 is a very large prize that will enticeticket holders108 that would not normally purchase a lottery ticket to do so. Thelottery operator920 can advertise thepredetermined jackpot204 in order to stimulate and increase ticket sales. In one embodiment, thepredetermined jackpot940 is unfunded. Instead, thejackpot guarantor902 sets thepredetermined jackpot940 at an amount that is large enough so that there is a probability that the allocable prize portion of ticket sales will equal or exceed thepredetermined jackpot940. If the allocable prize portion of ticket sales is less than thepredetermined jackpot940, thejackpot guarantor902 assumes the risk for paying the differential between the ticket sales and the pre determinedjackpot930.

In one embodiment, thejackpot guarantor902 provides a guarantee to thelottery operator920. In one embodiment, the guarantee provides that thejackpot guarantor902 assumes the risk for paying the predetermined jackpot if the allocable prize portion of ticket sales is not sufficient to cover the predetermined jackpot. In another embodiment, the guarantee provides that the jackpot guarantor assumes the risk of paying a portion of the predetermined amount of any secondary prizes that are won to the extent that the allocable prize portion of ticket sales is not sufficient.

In one embodiment, thejackpot guarantor902 provides the guarantee in exchange for a stipulation. In one embodiment, the stipulation includes an obligation by thelottery operator920 to provide a percentage of revenue generated from future ticket sales in exchange for the guarantee. In another embodiment, the stipulation includes an obligation by thelottery operator920 to provide a fee in exchange for the guarantee.

Thelottery operator920 receives payments for ticket sales from the point ofsale106. Further, thelottery operator920 receives ticket numbers from the tickets sold to theticket holders108 from the point ofsale906. The lottery operator provides the ticket numbers to the winningnumber selector910 to determine which are winning tickets.

In one embodiment, thejackpot guarantor902 allocates the funds to the pre determinedjackpot940 pool. In one embodiment, the entity has set aside the large prize in a protected account to provide for payment. Therefore, the lottery operator can advertise a large prize because another entity actually has set aside the large prize.

FIG. 10 illustrates aprobabilistic software configuration1000 that can be used with the probabilistic lottery system in conjunction with the multiple pricing sharedlottery system200. As can be seen fromFIG. 10, theprobabilistic software configuration1000 includes software for establishing a guarantee for apredetermined lottery prize940. Aguarantee transmission module404 transmits the guarantee through anetwork1008. Thenetwork1008 can be a wide area network, a local area network, the network, a wireless network, or any other network known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The guarantee transmission module1004 transmits the guarantee in exchange for a stipulation. In one embodiment, the stipulation can be an obligation for a percentage of future ticket sales. A stipulation reception module1006 receives the stipulation through thenetwork408. In one embodiment, after the stipulation reception module1006 receives the stipulation, the stipulation reception module1006 transmits a confirmation that the stipulation was received to the guarantee transmission module1004.

Aguarantee reception module1010 receives the guarantee from thenetwork1008. In one embodiment, upon receiving the guarantee, theguarantee reception module1010 provides an instruction to astipulation transmission module1012. Thestipulation transmission module1012 then sends the stipulation through thenetwork1008. As discussed above, the stipulation reception module1006 can receive the stipulation and send the confirmation to the guarantee transmission module1004 that the guarantee has been sent and the stipulation, in exchange for which the guarantee was sent, has been received.

FIG. 11 illustrates amethod1100 for conducting a variable ratio based multiple pricing lottery system. The terms “variable” and “constant” will be explained in the following discussion.

In one embodiment, the multiple pricing system as discussed above can be implemented with a constant ratio based system. For example, a lottery player can purchase a one dollar ticket in the hope of winning a lottery distribution of ten million dollars. The lottery player can also purchase a two dollar ticket in the hope of winning a lottery distribution of twenty million dollars. A first association between the price category of one dollar and the distribution of ten million dollars can be the quotient of ten million divided by one, which equals ten million. Similarly, a second association between the price category of two dollars and the distribution of twenty million dollars can be the quotient of twenty million divided by two, which equals ten million. A constant ratio exists when the first association equals the second association. In one embodiment, a lottery player can purchase one two dollar ticket as opposed to two one dollar tickets to avoid having to purchase multiple tickets.

In one embodiment, the multiple pricing system as discussed above can be implemented to induce the purchase of higher priced lottery tickets. For example, a lottery player can purchase a one dollar ticket in the hope of winning a lottery distribution of ten million dollars. The lottery player can also purchase a two dollar ticket in the hope of winning a lottery distribution of thirty million dollars. The first association equals ten million (ten million divided by one) and the second association equals fifteen million (thirty million divided by two). A variable ratio exists because the first association does not equal the second association. In one embodiment, this variable ratio provides the lottery player with incentive to purchase a two dollar ticket. In one embodiment, the lottery ticket holder can purchase the two dollar ticket as opposed to two one dollar tickets because the potential distribution is greater by purchasing the two dollar ticket as opposed to the two one dollar tickets.

In one embodiment, the association is evaluated by dividing the total distribution by the associated price category. If multiple players share in that distribution, the association is still evaluated by dividing the total distribution by the associated price category. For instance, if two one dollar ticket holders win and share in the distribution of ten million dollars, the ten million dollars is the number that is divided by the price category (one dollar) to determine the first association. In another embodiment, a ticket holder in another price category (e.g., three dollar) shares the ten million dollar distribution with the winners in the first price category. Even in this situation, the ten million dollars is the number that is divided by the price category (one dollar) to determine the first association. In one embodiment, the potential distribution is the distribution that is divided by the price category to determine the association.

Themethod1100 begins at aprocess block1102 where a first price category is provided. A plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased in the first price category. Themethod1100 then advances to aprocess block1104 where a first distribution is established. The first distribution can be won with the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number. Themethod1100 next advances to aprocess block1106 where a second price category is established. A plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased in the second price category. Finally, themethod1100 advances to aprocess block1108 where a second distribution is established so that a first association has a variable ratio with a second association.

FIG. 12 illustrates agraph1200 for a constant ratio between associations. Thegraph1200 illustrates the potential distribution on the y axis for a price category listed on the x axis. In one embodiment, afirst point1202 is plotted to illustrate that a potential distribution of ten million dollars can be won for a first price category of one dollar tickets. The lottery ticket purchaser in the first price category may not actually win the full ten million dollars if there are other winners in the first price category or other price categories for which the lottery ticket purchaser must share the distribution. Thesecond point1204 is plotted to illustrate that a potential distribution of twenty million dollars can be won for a second price category for two dollar tickets. Finally, thethird point1206 is plotted to illustrate that a potential distribution of thirty million dollars can be won for a third price category for three dollar tickets.

In order to determine a first association and a second association in thegraph1200, any two of the plotted points can be chosen. For instance, thefirst point1202 can be used to determine the first association. In one embodiment, the first potential distribution of ten million dollars is divided by the first price category of one dollar to result in the first association being ten million. Thesecond point1204 can be used to determine the second association. In one embodiment, the second potential distribution of twenty million dollars is divided by the second price category of two dollars to result in the second association being ten million. The second association minus the first association equals zero. In other words, the first association equals the second association. Therefore, a constant ratio exists between the first association and the second association. Thegraph1200 illustrates this constant ratio by displaying a straight line between thefirst point1202 and thesecond point1204.

Any two points in thegraph1200 can be used to determine the first association and the second association. For instance, thesecond point1204 can be used to determine the first association and thethird point1206 can be used to determine the second association. In this instance, a constant ratio also exists between the first association and the second association. The first and the third points can also be used as the first and the second associations. Alternatively, the points can even be used backwards for associations. For instance, the third point can be the first association and the first point can be the second association. Similarly, the second point can be the first association and the first point can be the second association.

FIG. 13 illustrates agraph1300 in which a variable ratio exists between at least two associations. Afirst point1302 is plotted to illustrate a potential distribution of ten million dollars that can be won in the first price category. Asecond point1304 is plotted to illustrate a potential distribution of twenty million dollars that can be won in the second price category. The first association is ten million (ten million dollars divided by the one dollar price category) and the second association is ten million (twenty million dollars divided by the two dollar price category). Therefore, a constant ratio exists between the first association and the second association.

In other words, anorigin line1308, which connects the origin with thefirst point1302, has an equal slope to afirst line1310, which connects thefirst point1302 with the second point,1304. In one embodiment, the slope does not have to be identical but rather approximately the same to be considered a constant ratio.

However, a variable ratio exists between the first association and the second association when the reference points are thesecond point1304 and athird point1306. The first association is ten million (ten million dollars divided by the one dollar price category) and the second association is twenty five million (fifty million dollars divided by the two dollar price category). The second association minus the first association equals fifteen million (twenty five million minus ten million). A variable ratio exists between the first association and the second association when the reference points are thesecond point1304 and thethird point1306 because the second association minus the first association is a positive number. The variable ratio is depicted in thegraph1300 because asecond line1312 is displayed between thesecond point1304 and thethird point1306, which has a different slope than theorigin line1308 or thefirst line1310. In one embodiment, a variable ratio would exist between the first association and the second association if the second association minus the first association equals a negative number.

The entire graph may be but is not necessarily entirely constant. For instance, thegraph1300 depicts a constant ratio and a variable ratio. A purchaser of a lottery ticket is provided with an added incentive to purchase a lottery ticket when a variable ratio exists. For instance, the purchaser can purchase a one dollar ticket to potentially win ten million dollars. The purchaser could purchase two one dollar tickets or one two dollar ticket to potentially win twenty million dollars. In one embodiment, the purchaser receives a benefit in purchasing the two dollar ticket if the purchaser is not the sole winner and has to share the distribution. The two dollar ticket could potentially end up with a larger share than the two one dollar ticket winners according to the sharing formulae as discussed above. Whether a sole winner or a shared winner, the purchaser can win a potentially greater distribution by purchasing one three dollar ticket rather than purchasing three one dollar tickets. If the purchaser was the sole winner, the purchaser of the three dollar ticket could potentially win fifty million dollars. On the other hand, if that purchaser instead purchased three one dollar tickets, the purchaser could at most potentially win ten million dollars. Whether the purchaser has one one-dollar ticket that has a winning number or three one dollar tickets with winning numbers, the purchaser of the one dollar ticket can only win in the first price category. The purchaser would share winnings with himself if he or she had multiple one dollar tickets with winning numbers. Therefore, purchasers are more likely to purchase higher priced lottery tickets thereby leading to an increase in lottery ticket sales revenues.

FIG. 14 illustrates agraph1400 in which two different variable ratios exist. Afirst point1402 is plotted to illustrate a potential distribution of ten million dollars that can be won in the first price category. Asecond point1404 is plotted to illustrate a potential distribution of thirty million dollars that can be won in the second price category. The first association is ten million (ten million dollars divided by the one dollar price category) and the second association is fifteen million (thirty million dollars divided by the two dollar price category). The second association minus the first association equals five million (fifteen million minus ten million). Therefore, a variable ratio exists between the first association and the second association. In addition, a variable ratio exists between the first association and the second association when the reference points are thesecond point1404 and athird point1406. The first association is fifteen million (thirty million dollars divided by the two dollar price category) and the second association is twenty million (sixty million dollars divided by the three dollar price category). The second association minus the first association equals five million (twenty million minus fifteen million). These variable ratios are depicted in thegraph1400 because afirst line1410 is depicted between thefirst point1402 and thesecond point1404, and asecond line1412 is depicted between thesecond point1404 and thethird point1406. Thefirst line1410 has a greater slope than anorigin line1408 that is depicted from the origin to thefirst point1402 because there is more incentive for a purchaser of a ticket to purchase a two dollar ticket than a one dollar ticket. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the term “origin” refers to the point on a graph that has an x-coordinate of zero and a y-coordinate of zero. Further, thesecond line1412 has a greater slope than thefirst line1410, thereby illustrating that a purchaser of a ticket has more incentive to purchase a three dollar ticket than a two dollar ticket.

In one embodiment, the potential distributions are not limited to specific ratios. For instance, the potential distributions can be established according to a constant ratio, a variable ratio, or a combination of a constant ratio and a variable ratio.

FIG. 15 illustrates a lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. The different embodiments discussed above can be implemented with the use of the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500, which can be positioned at various point of sale locations. The lottery ticket dispensing machine has ahousing1502 which stores the internal components of the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. In addition, the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 also has auser input device1504 on which a user can input data for the sale of a lottery ticket. For instance, the vendor can input one of the different price categories in the multi-priced lottery system.

The price category that the vendor enters can be displayed on ascreen1508 of adisplay1506. In one embodiment, thedisplay1506 is a graphical user interface. In another embodiment, thedisplay1506 displays data other than the price categories.

The vendor can then sell tickets in the respective price categories. When a purchaser would like to purchase a lottery ticket, the vendor enters the purchase information into the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 via theuser input device1504. In one embodiment, the user input device is a keyboard. In another embodiment, the user input device is operated by using a computer mouse. In an alternate embodiment, the user input device is a touch screen. In yet another embodiment, the user input device is voice activated. In an alternative embodiment, thedisplay1506 displays the purchased information that is entered via theuser input device1504.

In one embodiment, the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 has a payment reception module (not shown) that receives a payment for the purchase of a lottery ticket. In another embodiment, the payment reception module receives an electronic payment.

After the vendor inputs the data needed to sell a ticket from one of the selected price categories, a ticket1512 is printed from alottery ticket printer1510. In one embodiment, theticket printer1510 is housed within thehousing1502. In another embodiment, thelottery ticket printer1510 is positioned outside of thehousing1502 and is operably connected to the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. In yet another embodiment, thelottery ticket printer1510 receives data from the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 through a wireless connection.

FIG. 16 illustrates the internal components of thehousing1502 of the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. Thehousing1502 houses acontroller1604, a pricecategory reception module1606, auser input module1608, and alottery ticket printer1610. Thecontroller1604 coordinates the operation of these internal components.

The pricecategory reception module1606 receives the different price categories in which lottery tickets can be purchased in the multi-priced lottery system. In one embodiment, the price category reception module receives the different price categories and the associated distributions for each of the respective price categories. In one embodiment, a vendor can manually input the different price categories into the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. In another embodiment, the vendor can electronically input the different price categories into the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 by inserting a computer readable medium into the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. In yet another embodiment, the pricecategory reception module1606 receives the data related to the price category reception module from a server through a network.

In one embodiment, theuser input module1608 receives a user input from theuser input device1504. Theuser input module1608 communicates with thecontroller1504 so that the controller can provide an instruction to thelottery ticket printer1610 to print the lottery ticket.

FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration in which the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 communicates with a server1702 to receive a price category and the associated distribution of the price category. The price category and the associated distribution can be determined according to the multi-priced lottery as a variable ratio or as a constant ratio as discussed above. The internal components housed within the housing1602 are once again illustrated. The server1702 provides a price category through anetwork1704 to the pricecategory reception module1606 in the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. In one embodiment, multiple price categories are sent simultaneously with their associated distributions. In another embodiment, each price category is sent by itself with its associated distribution.

FIG. 18 illustrates a configuration in which the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 communicates with a server1702 to transmit a verification code. In one embodiment, the housing1602 also houses a lottery ticketpurchase transmission module1802. The lottery ticketpurchase transmission module1802 determines when a ticket has been purchased and transmits a verification code to aserver1806 through anetwork1804. Upon a lottery ticket winner winning a distribution, the lottery operator can verify that the ticket holder purchased a valid lottery ticket by confirming that the verification code printed on the ticket matches the verification code received by theserver1806. In one embodiment, thelottery ticket printer1610 prints the verification code on the ticket.

In another embodiment, the lottery ticket purchase transmission module transmits other data to theserver1806. For instance, the price category of the purchased ticket can be transmitted. The lottery operator can then record how large a jackpot is increasing in order to advertise the size of the jackpot to the public.

In another embodiment, theserver1806 is the same server as the server1702. Therefore, the transmission of the price category and the reception of the verification code can be done by one server. In another embodiment, theserver1806 and the server1702 are located at the same location. Therefore, the server1702 and theserver1806 can more easily communicate with one another.

FIG. 19 illustrates a configuration in which aserver1902 sends data to the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. Theserver1902 provides instructions to aprice category module1904 and to a pricecategory transmission module1906. Theprice category module1904 determines price categories and distributions according to a variable ratio or a constant ratio in a multi-priced lottery distribution as discussed above. The pricecategory transmission module1906 then transmits the price category and the associated distribution through thenetwork1704 to the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. In one embodiment, the price category reception module illustrated inFIG. 17 receives the price categories and associated distributions.

FIG. 21 illustrates a multi-priced lottery system configuration for intra-shared distributions. A first pricecategory distribution module2102 receives requests to distribute portions of the first distribution to lottery ticket holders in the first price category. If there are multiple lottery ticket holders in the first price category, the first pricecategory distribution module2102 sends a request to a first price categoryintra-shared distribution module2108, which distributes portions of the first distribution to the lottery ticket holders in the first price category.

A second pricecategory distribution module2104 receives requests to distribute portions of the second distribution to lottery ticket holders in the second price category. If there are multiple lottery ticket holders in the second price category, the second pricecategory distribution module2104 sends a request to a second price categoryintra-shared distribution module2110, which distributes portions of the second distribution to the lottery ticket holders in the second price category.

In one embodiment, a randomnumber selection module2106 randomly selects a winning lottery number. The randomnumber selection module2106 provides the winning lottery number to the first price categoryintrashared distribution module2108, and to the second pricecategory distribution module2110.

FIG. 22 illustrates an inter-sharedlottery distribution system2200, which encompasses the lottery distribution configuration ofFIG. 21. If there are winners in both the first price category and the second price category, the firstprice category module2102 sends a request to a divided first pricecategory distribution module2202 and the secondprice category module2104 sends a request to a divided second pricecategory distribution module2204. The divided firstprice distribution module2202 and the secondprice distribution module2204 provide requests to a firstinter-shared distribution module2206. The firstinter-shared distribution module2206 calculates the inter-shared distribution according to the inter-shared distribution in the multi-priced lottery system discussed above.

FIG. 23 illustrates a lottery ticket dispensing system2300. The lottery ticket dispensing system2300 includes aserver2302, which is operably connected to adatabase2304. In one embodiment, the components of the inter-sharedlottery distribution system2200 are stored on thedatabase2304. Theserver2302 communicates with the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 through thenetwork1704 to provide price categories and associated distributions. In one embodiment, theserver2302 receives a verification code from lotteryticket dispensing machine1500. In another embodiment, theserver2302 receives statistical information regarding lottery ticket sales from lotteryticket dispensing machine1500.

FIG. 24 illustrates avirtual lottery system2400. In one embodiment, aserver2402 communicates with a firstvirtual lottery unit2404, a secondvirtual lottery unit2406, and a thirdvirtual lottery unit2408. Theserver2402 can communicate with these units through anetwork2410 such as a Local Area Network (“LAN”), a Wide Area Network (“WAN”), the Internet, cable, satellite, etc. Alternatively, theserver2402 can be hardwired to the units.

In one embodiment, as players provide payment to enter a virtual lottery at one of the units, at least a portion of the payment is added to ajackpot2412 stored in amemory2414. In one embodiment, thejackpot2412 is a progressive jackpot where the advertised jackpot is increased with a percentage of virtual ticket sales revenue. Therefore, player can win a larger jackpot than initially advertised. In one embodiment, the jackpot is increased with a percentage of the revenue from each virtual ticket sold. In essence, a variable prize is offered with a progressive jackpot. The prize can increase with each ticket sale. Thus, an increase in ticket sales results in the jackpot increasing or progressing in value. In one embodiment, the prize increases with a portion of the virtual ticket sales. In another embodiment, the progressive jackpot can be divided among multiple winners located at multiple units. For example, inFIG. 24, theprogressive jackpot2412 can be shared among

virtual units

2402,2406, and2408. In one embodiment, a minimum amount of ticket sales is not required. The lottery prize can be a variable prize from the outset. A percentage of each ticket sale can be contributed to the variable prize jackpot.

By having the virtual lottery units connected through a network, theprogressive jackpot2412 can build up more than in a paper based lottery. Players do not have the time constraints of having to wait for a lottery drawing. Further, players do not have to wait for selections of other players. Accordingly, the progressive jackpot can build up much more quickly through this type of configuration. The progressive jackpot can also build up in a similar manner if the virtual lottery units are linked to one another.

When the player at the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 enters a virtual lottery, the player is essentially purchasing a virtual lottery ticket for a drawing in which that virtual lottery ticket is the only virtual lottery ticket that exists. Accordingly, the player can instantly determine if a winning virtual lottery-ticket has been purchased.

Similar to a regular lottery, the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 provides the player with the opportunity to select a virtual lottery ticket number or to have the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 randomly generate a “quick pick” for the player. The firstvirtual lottery unit2404 then randomly selects the winning virtual lottery ticket numbers. Further, the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 compares the virtual lottery ticket number to determine if the player won the virtual lottery. If the player won the virtual lottery, then a portion of the jackpot or the jackpot in its entirety is provided to the player and is deducted from the jackpot for future play. On the other hand, if the player does not win the virtual lottery, the jackpot is available to future players of the virtual lottery.

In another embodiment, theserver2402 randomly generates the winning virtual lottery ticket number. In yet another embodiment, the player selects the virtual lottery ticket number by entering the number of the virtual lottery ticket without having a quick pick option. In yet another embodiment, the player selects the virtual lottery ticket number by selecting the quick pick option and cannot manually enter the numbers of the virtual lottery tickets.

In one embodiment, thejackpot2412 is probabilistic. In other words, a large amount is indicated as being thejackpot2412 in order to induce the purchase of virtual lottery tickets regardless of whether sufficient sales of virtual lottery tickets have occurred to cover thejackpot2412. Accordingly, there is an increased likelihood that the sales of the virtual lottery tickets will suffice to cover thejackpot2412 because players are more likely to purchase virtual lottery tickets for a large jackpot than for a low jackpot. In one embodiment, insurance is purchased as a guarantee that the jackpot will be paid in the event that the virtual lottery ticket sales are insufficient to cover thejackpot2412.

FIG. 25 illustrates the components of the firstvirtual lottery unit2404. In one embodiment, anumber selection input2502 receives a virtual lottery ticket number selected by the player. In one embodiment, thenumber selection input2502 is a keypad that the player can utilize to manually enter the virtual lottery ticket number. In another embodiment, thenumber selection input2502 is a touch screen on which the player can enter the virtual lottery ticket number. In yet another embodiment, thenumber selection input2502 is a voice recognition system through which the player can vocally provide the virtual lottery ticket number. In yet another embodiment, the player can enter a command for a quick pick so that the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 randomly generates the virtual lottery number.

In one embodiment, the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 has arandom number generator2504. In one embodiment, therandom number generator2504 randomly generates the winning virtual lottery number. In another embodiment, therandom number generator2504 randomly generates a quick pick virtual lottery number. In yet another embodiment, therandom number generator2504 both randomly generates the winning virtual lottery number and the quick pick number. In another embodiment, theserver2402 has a random number generator that randomly generates the winning virtual lottery number while therandom number generator2504 in thevirtual lottery unit2404 randomly generates the quick pick number.

In one embodiment, the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 has a lottery unit processor that coordinates the various operations of the firstvirtual lottery unit2404. For instance, thelottery unit processor2506 receives the virtual lottery number from thenumber selection input2502 that was selected by the player. Thelottery unit processor2506 can then store the virtual lottery number in amemory2414. In addition, thelottery unit processor2506 receives the winning virtual lottery number from therandom number generator2504 and stores the winning virtual lottery number in thememory2414. Thelottery unit processor2506 then retrieves the virtual lottery number in thememory2414. Thelottery unit processor2506 then retrieves the virtual lottery number to compare the two numbers. If the two numbers are the same in entirety, then the player wins a known percentage of the virtual lottery prize. If subsets of the two numbers are the same, then the player wins a secondary prize which is a fixed prize.

In one embodiment, acommunication controller2510 in thevirtual lottery unit2404 communicates with theserver2402. Thecommunication controller2510 receives data such as the value of the jackpot. Thecommunication controller2510 can store this value on thememory2414 so that thelottery unit processor2506 can compute a known percentage of the jackpot that can be won by the player. In another embodiment, thelottery unit processor2506 communicates with thecommunication controller2510 after data is received by thecommunication controller2510 from thememory2414. Thelottery unit processor2506 then stores the data in thememory2414.

In one embodiment, apayment acceptor2512 accepts payment for a virtual lottery ticket. Thelottery unit processor2506 stores the amount provided by the player. In one embodiment, thepayment acceptor2512 is a bill acceptor that accepts paper currency. In another embodiment, thepayment acceptor2512 is a coin acceptor that accepts coins for payment. In yet another embodiment, the payment acceptor accepts cashless payment. Various forms of cashless can include a credit card, smart card, stored value card purchased at a kiosk, stored value card received in a promotion, code such as number that is printed on a ticket, etc.

The firstvirtual lottery unit2404 can be implemented in a number of different combinations. Any type of computing device, such as a personal computer, can be utilized. Further, various displays can be operably attached or integrated into the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 to provide the player with data such as the jackpot value, known percentages of the jackpot that can be won according to respective virtual lottery ticket prizes, the virtual lottery ticket, and the winning virtual lottery number. Other embodiments may provide displays with other pertinent information.

FIGS. 26A-26D illustrate the contents of thememory2414 as data is received from theserver2402. One or more displays operably connected to or operably integrated into the firstvirtual lottery unit2404 to provide the player with data such as the jackpot value, known percentages of the jackpot that can be won according to respective virtual lottery ticket prices, the virtual lottery ticket, and the winning virtual lottery number. Other embodiments may provide displays with other pertinent information.

FIGS. 26A-26E illustrate the contents of thememory2414 as data is received from theserver2402. One or more displays operably connected to or operably integrated into thevirtual lottery unit2404 can display these contents.

FIG. 26A illustrates thememory2414 containing a plurality of virtual lottery ticket prices and a plurality of knownpercentages2604 of the jackpot. In one embodiment, each of the knownpercentages2604 corresponds to one of the virtuallottery ticket prices2602. For instance, a purchase of a one dollar virtual lottery ticket can provide the player with the ability to win twenty five percent of the jackpot. Similarly, a purchase of a two dollar ticket can provide the player with the ability to win fifty percent of the jackpot. Finally, a purchase of the three dollar ticket can provide the player with the ability to win one hundred percent of the jackpot.

The player has more inducement to purchase the three dollar ticket than the one dollar ticket or the two dollar ticket because the player can win a larger portion of the jackpot. The player is actually eligible to win a larger percentage of the jackpot by purchasing one three dollar ticket as opposed to three one dollar tickets. Therefore, over an extended period of time, players are more likely to purchase higher-priced tickets rather than lower-priced tickets, thereby creating higher revenues.

In one embodiment, the player can purchase a plurality of virtual lottery tickets for a single virtual lottery drawing. For instance, the player can purchase a one dollar virtual lottery ticket and a three dollar virtual lottery ticket, each having different virtual lottery ticket numbers. Accordingly, the player increases the odds at winning that particular virtual lottery drawing by having multiple different virtual lottery ticket numbers. The player can also purchase multiple virtual lottery tickets for the same drawing. For instance, the player can purchase two three dollar virtual lottery tickets. On the other hand, the player may choose to enter different drawings.

In one embodiment, the player can select the virtual lottery ticket number for some of the virtual lottery tickets and can have quick picks of the virtual lottery tickets for other virtual lottery tickets in the same drawing. Accordingly, additional interest in playing the lottery is provided because the player can have a mixture of some of the player's own selections of virtual lottery ticket numbers and the random number generator's selection of virtual lottery ticket numbers.

The various choices that the player is given provide further inducement to play the virtual lottery more frequently and to purchase higher priced virtual lottery tickets. The player is given an opportunity to purchase differently priced tickets to win various percentages of thejackpot2412 and/or secondary prizes, and to increase the odds at winning a percentage of thejackpot2412 or a secondary prize by purchasing multiple virtual lottery tickets.

Different percentages than the percentages illustrated may be utilized. Further, different virtual lottery ticket prices than the virtual lottery ticket prices illustrated may also be utilized. A different number of virtual lottery ticket prices and a different number of corresponding jackpot percentages may also be utilized. Further, the virtuallottery ticket prices2602 and thepercentages2604 of the jackpot may be updated by theserver2404. Alternatively, the virtuallottery ticket prices2602 and thepercentages2604 of the jackpot may be permanently stored in thememory2414 such as if thememory2414 is a read only memory.

FIG. 26B illustrates thememory2414 depicted inFIG. 26A with ajackpot value2606 and a plurality ofjackpot distributions2610. In one embodiment, thejackpot value2606 is received from theserver2404. As players at other

virtual lottery units

2406 and2408 win or lose, thejackpot value2606 is increased or decreased. Theserver2402 stores the current value of the jackpot. Once thevirtual lottery unit2404 receives thejackpot value2606, thevirtual lottery unit2404 can calculate thepercentage values2610 corresponding to the virtuallottery ticket prices2602. For instance, the one dollar virtual lottery ticket holder can win two hundred fifty thousand dollars. The two dollar virtual lottery ticket holder can win five hundred thousand dollars. Finally, the three dollar virtual lottery ticket holder can win one million dollars.

In another embodiment, thejackpot value2606 is based on a probabilistic model rather than a strictly pari-mutuel model. For instance, thejackpot value2606 will initially be a guaranteed large prize prior to any sales of virtual lottery tickets. Accordingly, more players will be induced to purchase virtual lottery tickets because they do not have to wait for a significant number of virtual lottery ticket sales in order for thejackpot value2606 to become large. A third party entity can provide insurance so that the situations in which players happen to win virtual lotteries where the virtual lottery ticket sales are not significant enough to be greater than or equal to thejackpot value2606 are provided for. A portion or all of virtual lottery ticket sales that exceed the guaranteed prize amount can be added to thejackpot value2606.

In one embodiment, thevirtual lottery unit2404 calculates thejackpot distribution2610 after receiving thejackpot value2606 from theserver2402. For instance, the virtual lottery unit processor2506 (FIG. 25) can perform the calculation. In another embodiment, theserver2402 performs the calculation and sends the result to thevirtual lottery unit2404.

FIG. 26C illustrates the virtuallottery ticket price2602 depicted inFIG. 26A with the addition of a secondary prize. In one embodiment, a secondary prize is a fixed prize. By the term fixed prize, the same prize will be provided irrespective of virtual lottery ticket sales at other virtual lottery units. In other words, the fixed prize is not increased or decreased according to virtual lottery ticket sales. The fixed prize may be accumulated according to a probabilistic or a pari-mutuel model.

In one embodiment, if the virtual lottery ticket number is not the same in entirety as the winning virtual lottery ticket number, the player cannot win the percentage of thejackpot value2606 associated with virtual lottery ticket price of the virtual lottery ticket purchased. However, the player can still win a secondary prize if a subset of the virtual lottery ticket number equals a subset of the winning virtual lottery ticket number.

In one embodiment, the secondary prize is a fixed prize that is the same across virtual lottery prices. For instance, if the player has virtual lottery ticket number that has a subset of the winning virtual lottery ticket number, the player wins a fixedprize distribution2612 of, for example, thirty thousand dollars regardless of the amount that the player purchased the virtual lottery ticket for.

FIG. 26D illustrates an embodiment in which the secondary prize is a fixed prize that can be won according to a known percentage configuration. In one embodiment, the percentage configuration is the same as that associated with the virtual lottery ticket prices for winning a percentage of the jackpot. For instance, if the fixed prize is one hundred thousand dollars, a virtual lottery player with a virtual lottery ticket number that has a match which is a subset of the full match may win a knownpercentage2604 associated with price of the virtual lottery ticket purchased. For example, a player that purchases a one-dollar virtual lottery ticket can win a known twenty five percent of one hundred thousand dollars, which is twenty five thousand dollars. A player that purchases a two-dollar virtual lottery ticket can win fifty percent of one hundred thousand dollars, which is fifty thousand dollars. Finally, a player that purchases a three-dollar virtual lottery ticket can win one hundred percent of one hundred thousand dollars, which is one hundred thousand dollars.

In one embodiment, each of the percentages of the fixed prize can vary according to the quality of the match. For instance, in the above example, if the player had a match that had all of the numbers of the winning virtual lottery number except for one, the player could win twenty-five percent of the fixed prize. If the player had a match that had all of the numbers of the winning virtual lottery number except for two, the player could win twenty percent of the fixed prize. In other words, the percentage of the fixed prize associated with a virtual lottery ticket price can be smaller for virtual lottery ticket numbers that have a smaller subset of the winning virtual lottery number.

FIG. 26E illustrates an embodiment in which the fixed prize distribution is based on a percentage configuration other than that of the progressive jackpot configuration. In one embodiment, higher percentages are utilized for higher priced virtual lottery tickets. For instance, the known fixedprize percentages2608 can be thirty percent for the first lottery ticket price, sixty percent for the second lottery ticket price, and one hundred percent for the third lottery ticket price. As a result, a series of fixedprize distributions2612 can be made. For instance, a thirty thousand dollar distribution can be made for the one-dollar virtual lottery ticket, a sixty thousand dollar distribution can be made for the two-dollar virtual lottery ticket, and a one hundred thousand dollar distribution can be made for the three-dollar virtual lottery ticket.

FIG. 27 illustrates thevirtual lottery unit2404. The virtual lottery unit has ajackpot display2703 that indicates the current progressive jackpot value. In one embodiment, theserver2402 sends the jackpot value to the virtual lottery unit for display on aprogressive jackpot display2703. The virtual lottery unit also has a virtuallottery price display2702 that displays prices for virtual lottery tickets and associated known percentages for each of the virtual lottery ticket prices. An indication is also provided as to whether a virtual lottery ticket is for a fixed prize. For instance, a one-dollar virtual lottery ticket may be purchased to potentially win a fixed prize of one hundred thousand dollars. A two-dollar virtual lottery ticket may be purchased to potentially win twenty-five percent of the jackpot for a possible two hundred fifty thousand dollars. In addition, a three-dollar virtual lottery ticket may be purchased to potentially win one hundred percent of the jackpot for a possible one million dollars.

A plurality ofprice selection inputs2704 are provided so that the player can select the virtual lottery ticket that the player would like to purchase. For instance, the player can press the one-dollar button if the player would like to purchase the one-dollar virtual lottery ticket to potentially win the fixed prize of one hundred thousand dollars. Further, the player can press the two-dollar button if the player would like to purchase the two-dollar virtual lottery ticket to potentially win twenty five percent of the jackpot. In addition, the player can press the three-dollar button if the player would like to purchase the three-dollar virtual lottery ticket to potentially win one hundred percent of the jackpot.

The player can enter a selection of a virtual lottery ticket number through aninput module2706. In one embodiment, theinput module2706 is a keypad. In another embodiment, theinput module2706 is a touch screen. Alternatively, the player can press aquick pick button2708 to have thevirtual lottery unit2404 select the virtual lottery ticket number for the player. The player can press a virtuallottery initiation button2710 to being lottery play. Further, thepayment module2712 receives one of the various forms of payment described above.

In one embodiment, thevirtual lottery unit2402 has the plurality of buttons illustrated, such as theinput module2706 and thequick pick button2708, to determine the virtual lottery ticket number. In another embodiment, a menu is provided that provides the player with the ability to make a choice of a manual selection or of a quick pick selection of the virtual lottery ticket number. The menu can be provided on a computerized display such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display.

In one embodiment, the player can choose a first known percentage that is distinct from a second known percentage in which to purchase a virtual lottery ticket. The first known percentage is associated with a first price of a virtual lottery ticket, and the second known percentage is associated with a second price of a virtual lottery ticket.

FIG. 28 illustrates aprocess2800 for the operating the virtual lottery. At aprocess block2802, a selection of a virtual lottery ticket price is received. A determination of the potential distribution of the jackpot that can be won is then determined at aprocess block2804. If the lottery ticket price is associated with a percentage of the jackpot, the percentage of the current jackpot is calculated and displayed to the player. In one embodiment, this calculation is performed and displayed for all of the price categories prior to the player's selection at theprocess block2802. A calculation is not needed for the fixed prize as the fixed prize does not change. At aprocess block2806, the player selects a virtual lottery ticket number. The player can manually enter the virtual lottery ticket number through theinput module2706 on the virtual lottery machine. In an alternative embodiment, the player can choose the quick pick button to have thevirtual lottery unit2404 randomly generated the virtual lottery ticket number for the player. At aprocess block2808, the winning virtual lottery ticket number is generated. In one embodiment, the virtual lottery unit generates the winning virtual lottery ticket number. In another embodiment, the server generates the winning virtual lottery ticket number.

At aprocess block2810, a comparison is made between virtual lottery ticket number and the winning virtual lottery ticket number. In one embodiment, thevirtual lottery unit2404 performs this comparison. In another embodiment, the server performs this comparison. At aprocess block2812, a determination is made if the virtual lottery ticket number equals the winning virtual lottery ticket number. If the virtual lottery ticket number equals the winning virtual lottery number, the process2300 proceeds to aprocess block2814 where the winner is provided with the percentage of the jackpot associated with the virtual lottery ticket price. Alternatively, if the virtual lottery ticket price is associated with a fixed prize, the winner is provided with the fixed prize. The process2300 then proceeds to theend block2816. If the virtual lottery ticket number does not equal the winning virtual lottery number, the process2300 proceeds to theend block2816.

At aprocess block2910, a comparison is made between virtual lottery ticket number and the winning virtual lottery ticket number. In one embodiment, thevirtual lottery unit2404 performs this comparison. In another embodiment, the server performs this comparison. At aprocess block2912, a determination is made if the virtual lottery ticket number equals the winning virtual lottery ticket number. If the virtual lottery ticket number equals the winning virtual lottery number, the process2300 proceeds to aprocess block2914 where the winner is provided with the percentage of the jackpot associated with the virtual lottery ticket price. Alternatively, if the virtual lottery ticket price is associated with a fixed prize, the winner is provided with the fixed prize. The process2300 then proceeds to theend block2916. If the virtual lottery ticket number does not equal the winning virtual lottery number, the process2300 proceeds to theend block2916.

In one embodiment, the inter-sharing and intrasharing methodologies discussed above can be implemented in the virtual lottery. For instance, if two players at different virtual lottery units happen to win a jackpot at the same time, the two players may intra-share if they purchased virtual lottery tickets for the same price or may inter-share if they purchased virtual lottery tickets for different prices. If multiple players win at the same time, the players may inter share across price categories and may intra share within the same price category.

FIG. 30 illustrates avirtual lottery system3000 with aprogressive jackpot3012 wherein the advertised jackpot is increased based on a portion of ticket sale revenue. Thelottery system3000 depicted inFIG. 30 is the lottery system depicted inFIG. 24 with a jackpot that is illustrated as being progressive.

Because the lottery system ofFIG. 30 utilizes a progressive jackpot, the ticket holder can win a larger jackpot than initially advertised. In one embodiment, the jackpot is increased with a portion of the revenue from each virtual lottery ticket sold.

In one embodiment, theserver2402 communicates with the firstvirtual lottery unit2404, the secondvirtual lottery unit2406, and the thirdvirtual lottery unit2408. As players provide payment to enter a virtual lottery at one of the units, at least a portion of the payment is added to aprogressive jackpot3012 stored in thememory2414. This networking capability between several virtual lottery units allows each of the several units to access a singleprogressive jackpot3012. Thus, theprogressive jackpot3012 can be shared among

virtual units

2404,2406, and2408. In one embodiment, a minimum amount of ticket sales is not required. The lottery prize can be a variable prize from the outset. A percentage of each ticket sale can be contributed to the progressive jackpot.

In another embodiment, a fixed amount of money is added to the jackpot for each ticket sold regardless of the value of the ticket. This makes the progressive jackpot increase in direct proportion to the number of tickets sold.

By having the virtual lottery units connected through thenetwork2410, theprogressive jackpot3012 can build up based on the quantity and the utilization of the virtual lottery units. Players do not have the time constraints of having to wait for a lottery drawing as in traditional lottery game. Further, players do not have to wait for selections of other players. Accordingly, the progressive jackpot can build up quickly through this type of configuration. Theprogressive jackpot3012 can also build up in a similar manner if the virtual lottery units are linked to one another.

If the majority of potential ticket holders are induced to purchase three-dollar tickets, the potential ticket holders that can only afford to purchase a one-dollar ticket are still provided with an incentive to participate in the lottery because these ticket holders may still win a portion of aprogressive jackpot3012 that can potentially grow quite large. The growth of theprogressive jackpot3012 is particularly enhanced with the percentage contribution from the higher priced tickets and relatively high starting jackpots resulting from probability-based third-party prize guarantees, as compared with the more traditional pari-mutuel lottery model. The potential ticket holders that can afford the more expensive virtual tickets through the virtual lottery machine are even further induced to purchase tickets that are more expensive. As stated previously, lottery players have an incentive to buy three-dollar tickets because the more expensive tickets carry a greater distribution percentage. With a progressive jackpot, players have an even greater incentive to buy tickets that are more expensive because the jackpot keeps increasing and the potential distribution grows larger.

Furthermore, when a multiple pricing scheme is utilized, players are further encouraged to buy virtual lottery tickets. In traditional lotteries, when the jackpot is won, the next game starts anew with a starting-level jackpot that is generally low. When a multiple pricing scheme is utilized, however, the jackpot is on average maintained at higher levels than without a multiple pricing scheme.

That is, following the selection of a winning number, the jackpot is reduced for ongoing games only if the winner was the purchaser of a three-dollar virtual lottery ticket. If the player with a one-dollar virtual lottery ticket was the winner, such winner would win only twenty-five percent of the jackpot, and the remaining seventy-five percent would carry over for continuing play. Similarly, if the winner was a purchaser of a two-dollar virtual lottery ticket, such winner would only win fifty percent of the jackpot, and the balance of fifty percent would be carried over for continuing play. As contrasted with the foregoing, which results from the multiple pricing scheme and pre-determined percentage allocations for the multiple-priced virtual lottery game, as described herein, in the case of single-priced virtual lottery game or single-priced participation in a progressive jackpot, or with traditional single-priced online lottery games, any winner qualifies for the entire jackpot and, accordingly, the jackpot for continuing play is reduced down to the minimum level. At this minimum level, the lower jackpot is less likely to induce a volume of play consistent with the volume anticipated from the higher average jackpots that would result from both the effect of the jackpot-retention feature described above with the multiple pricing configuration, as well as with the higher starting jackpot levels permitted through the contemplated probability-based third-party prize guarantee structure that is contemplated.

In essence, a rollover is provided when no players win the jackpot, and a limited rollover is provided even when there is a winner, as long as the winner has a lower level denomination priced ticket. Accordingly, the jackpot is on average at a significant level that can induce ticket holders to purchase lottery tickets. This is in contrast to traditional lotteries, which do not have the limited rollover and thereby have jackpots that fall to minimum levels which do not induce potential lottery ticket holders to purchase lottery tickets.

A multiple pricing scheme entails multiple players having multiple levels of participation. Players at lower levels of participation only win a portion of the jackpot but not the complete jackpot. For example, if a one-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder wins, the progressive jackpot distribution can be twenty-five percent of the progressive jackpot leaving seventy-five percent of the progressive jackpot for subsequent players. In addition, the progressive jackpot continues to increase as new virtual lottery tickets are purchased.

Similarly, if a two-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder wins, the progressive jackpot distribution can be fifty percent of the progressive jackpot, leaving the other fifty percent of the progressive jackpot for subsequent players. Again, the progressive jackpot continues to increase. Only when a three-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder wins does the progressive jackpot distribution reach one hundred percent. As such, it is only then when a progressive jackpot starts anew at starting minimum levels.

As it is well known in the art, higher jackpots attract more players to the game. A virtual lottery that has both, a progressive jackpot that continuously grows with the virtual ticket sales, and a multiple-level pricing scheme, maintains the average progressive jackpot at higher amounts. Higher average progressive jackpots further induce play and increase ticket sales revenue.

FIG. 31A illustrates thememory2414 containing a plurality of virtual lottery ticket prices and a plurality of known percentages of aprogressive jackpot3012. In one embodiment,percentage3108 corresponds to a virtuallottery ticket price3102 providing a one-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder with the ability to win twenty-five percent of theprogressive jackpot3012.Percentage3104 corresponds to a virtuallottery ticket price3110 providing a two-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder with the ability to win fifty percent of theprogressive jackpot3012.Percentage3106 corresponds to a virtuallottery ticket price3112 providing a three-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder with the ability to win one hundred percent of theprogressive jackpot3012.

In one embodiment, when theprogressive jackpot3012 is initiated, theprogressive jackpot3012 may start with an arbitrary amount, such as one million dollars. In another embodiment, theprogressive jackpot3012 can start with a much higher amount based on an expectation of play and the odds of the game, reflecting a probability-based model and third-party prize guarantee. Such guarantee enables the lottery guarantor to avoid the risk associated with the higher starting jackpot.

The progressive jackpot distribution for each virtual lottery ticket holder varies according to the virtual lottery ticket price and the corresponding percentage. Based on

distribution percentages

3112,3110 and3108, winning one-dollar virtual lottery ticket holders will receive a progressivejackpot distribution value3118 of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Similarly, winning two-dollar virtual lottery ticket holders will receive a progressivejackpot distribution value3116 of five hundred thousand dollars. Finally, winning three-dollar virtual lottery ticket holders will receive a progressivejackpot distribution value3114 of one million dollars.

As the progressive jackpot continues to grow, players have more incentive to continue to buy virtual lottery tickets because the prize that each player can win also grows in proportion to the increase of theprogressive jackpot3012.

In one embodiment, the inter-sharing and intrasharing methodologies discussed above can be implemented in a virtual lottery that uses aprogressive jackpot3012. For instance, if two players at different virtual lottery units happen to win a progressive jackpot at the same time, the two players may intra-share if they purchased virtual lottery tickets for the same price or may inter-share if they purchased virtual lottery tickets for different prices. The distributions that the two players inter share and intra share would be based on theprogressive jackpot3012. If multiple players win at the same time, the players may inter share across price categories and may intra share within the same price category. The distributions that the multiple players inter share and intra share may be also based on theprogressive jackpot3012.

FIG. 31B illustrates the memory3014 containing a plurality of virtual lottery ticket prices and a plurality of known percentages of aprogressive jackpot3012 that has increased. In one embodiment, a percentage of the virtual lottery ticket price is contributed to theprogressive jackpot3012. As a result, virtual lottery tickets that are more expensive contribute more to theprogressive jackpot3012 than the less expensive virtual lottery tickets. For example, if the contributed percentage were thirty-three percent, a three-dollar virtual lottery ticket would contribute one dollar to thatprogressive jackpot3012. By contrast, a one-dollar virtual lottery ticket would contribute thirty-three cents. Therefore, the three-dollar virtual lottery ticket contributes sixty-seven cents more than the one-dollar virtual lottery ticket. However, if he wins, the one-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder may still benefit from the extra sixty-seven cents contributed by the revenue of the three-dollar virtual lottery ticket sale.

In one embodiment, theprogressive jackpot3012 can increase from one million dollars to, for example, one million four hundred thousand dollars. This increase can be the accumulation of the contributions from sales revenue of one-dollar virtual lottery tickets, two-dollar virtual lottery tickets, and three-dollar virtual lottery tickets. With a twenty-fivepercent distribution3108, a winning one-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder will receive aprogressive jackpot distribution3120 equal to three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In comparison to the initialprogressive jackpot distribution3118 of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, theprogressive jackpot distribution3120 is higher as result of the value increase of theprogressive jackpot3012. Theprogressive jackpot3012 in turn increased by contribution of one-dollar, two-dollar and three-dollar virtual lottery tickets. Therefore, the one-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder also benefits from the contributions of the two-dollar and three-dollar virtual lottery ticket sales revenue, as well as from other one-dollar ticket purchases.

Likewise, with a fiftypercent distribution3110, a winning two-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder will receive aprogressive jackpot distribution3122 of seven hundred thousand dollars. In comparison to the initialprogressive jackpot distribution3116 of five hundred thousand dollars, theprogressive jackpot distribution3122 is higher as result of the value increase of theprogressive jackpot3012. Theprogressive jackpot3012 in turn increased by contribution of one-dollar, two-dollar and three-dollar virtual lottery tickets. Consequently, the two-dollar virtual lottery ticket holder also benefits from the contributions of one-dollar and three-dollar virtual lottery ticket sales revenue, as well as from other two-dollar ticket purchases.

FIG. 32 illustrates the virtual lottery unit3004 for aprogressive jackpot3012. The virtual lottery unit3004 has aprogressive jackpot display3203 that indicates the currentprogressive jackpot value3012. In one embodiment, the server3004 sends theprogressive jackpot value3012 to the virtual lottery unit3004 for display on theprogressive jackpot display3203. The virtual lottery unit3004 also has a virtuallottery price display3202 that displays prices for virtual lottery tickets and associated known percentages for each of the virtual lottery ticket prices. The distribution amount corresponding to each virtual lottery ticket price is also provided. For instance, a player that utilizes the virtual lottery unit3004 is able to see that a ticket with a virtuallottery ticket price3102 of one dollar has apercentage distribution3108 of twenty-five percent. Since theprogressive jackpot value3012 is one million four hundred thousand dollars, the one-dollarprogressive jackpot distribution3120 is three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Similarly, the player can see that a ticket with a virtuallottery ticket price3104 of two dollars has apercentage distribution3110 of fifty percent. Since theprogressive jackpot value3012 is one million four hundred thousand dollars, the two-dollarprogressive jackpot distribution3122 is seven hundred thousand dollars. Finally, the player can also see that a ticket with a virtuallottery ticket price3106 of three dollars has apercentage distribution3112 of one hundred percent. Since theprogressive jackpot value3012 is one million four hundred thousand dollars, the three-dollarprogressive jackpot distribution3124 is also one million four hundred thousand dollars.

In another embodiment, the progressive jackpot is sent to a plurality of virtual lottery units operably connected to the server3004. Each virtual lottery unit receives confirmation of the amount updated progressive jackpot from the server3004. The update occurs every time a virtual lottery ticket is purchased at any of the connected virtual lottery units. In another embodiment, the update occurs periodically.

In any of the above lottery or virtual lottery configurations, the player may be able to win a secondary prize by having a lottery number that has a subset that equals a subset of the winning lottery number. For instance, the player may choose six numbers, the first three of which are the same as the first three numbers of the winning lottery number. The player may then win a secondary prize. For instance, if the player purchased a one-dollar lottery ticket with a twenty-five percent maximum participation, the player may win half of the twenty-five percent distribution, or twelve and a half percent, as opposed to the full twenty five percent. Alternatively, the winner of a secondary prize may receive a fixed-dollar amount which may vary proportionately or disproportionately with the secondary prize applicable to tickets with alternative denominations and with such fixed secondary prize being based on the applicable ticket price. Thus, a three-dollar ticket winner may win a secondary prize that is three times or four times the amount won by a one-dollar ticket winner.

Other combinations of using a progressive jackpot exist. For example, the progressive jackpot may be available to two-dollar and three-dollar ticket holders only, while one-dollar ticket holders benefit only from the initial amount in the jackpot. Likewise, the progressive jackpot may be available only to three-dollar ticket holders, while two-dollar and one-dollar ticket holders benefit from the initial amount in the jackpot.

FIG. 33 illustrates alottery prize display3300 having alottery prize structure3302 that may be utilized by for separate prize distributions. Thelottery prize structure3302 has afirst price category3304, e.g., one dollar, and asecond price category3306, e.g., two dollars. Each price category has an associated known percentage of a prize that may be won with a winning lottery ticket. For example, afirst distribution3308 associated with thefirst price category3304 is twenty percent of a jackpot prize that may be won with a winning lottery ticket and asecond distribution3310 is eighty percent of a jackpot prize that may be won with a winning lottery ticket. In one embodiment, the sum of the distributions is one hundred percent of the prize. In other words, a winning lottery ticket in the highest price category does not win the entire prize. In order to still provide incentive to the purchase a lottery ticket from the highest price category, the second distribution associated with the second price category, which has a higher price than that of the first price category, may be significantly larger than the first distribution associated with the first price category. As an example, a two dollar lottery ticket may win four times more of the jackpot prize than the one dollar lottery ticket. In one embodiment, the second prize distribution is funded from at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the second price category and at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the first price category. In another embodiment, the first prize distribution is funded from at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the second price category. In yet another embodiment, the first prize distribution and the second prize distribution are funded from at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the second price category.

In another embodiment, the known percentages may be expressed in other formats, e.g., numerically. In an alternative embodiment, the known percentages are expressed in portions.

FIG. 34 illustrates another configuration in which thelottery prize structure3302 illustrated inFIG. 33 has fixed prize distributions rather than prize distributions that are known percentages of a jackpot prize. As an example, the first price category is associated with afirst prize distribution3402 of one million dollars and thesecond prize distribution3404 is associated with asecond prize distribution3404 of four million dollars. In one embodiment, the second prize distribution is funded from at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the second price category and at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the first price category. In another embodiment, the first prize distribution is funded from at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the second price category. In yet another embodiment, the first prize distribution and the second prize distribution are funded from at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and at least a portion of lottery ticket sales from lottery tickets purchased from the second price category.

In another embodiment, minimum jackpots as opposed to fixed prizes may be utilized for thefirst distribution3402 and thesecond distribution3404. In other words, thefirst distribution3304 and thesecond distribution3404 may grow in size based on ticket sales, but have a minimum amount that is guaranteed. For example, thefirst distribution3402 may grow to one million five hundred thousand in a given drawing based on lottery ticket sales. However, if thefirst distribution3402 only grows to five hundred thousand dollars, the lottery player can still win one million dollars. The difference may be guaranteed by a third party entity. The difference may alternatively be self insured by a lottery.

FIG. 35A-FIG.35H illustrate asharing methodology configuration3500 for thelottery prize structure3302 illustrated inFIG. 34. The sharing methodology configuration with respect to thelottery prize structure3302 ofFIG. 34 is utilized for illustrative purposes. However, the sharing methodology configuration may also be utilized for percentages as seen inFIG. 33 or portions.

FIG. 35A illustrates a prize allocation when only one one dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and no two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets. The one dollar lottery ticket wins the entirefirst prize distribution3402 of one million dollars.

FIG. 35B illustrates a prize allocation when only one two dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and no one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets. The two dollar lottery ticket wins the entiresecond prize distribution3404 of four million dollars.

FIG. 35C illustrates a prize allocation when only one one dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and only one two dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket. The one dollar lottery ticket wins the entirefirst prize distribution3402 of one million dollars. The two dollar lottery ticket wins the entiresecond prize distribution3404 of four million dollars. In this configuration, no inter-sharing is utilized amongst multiple winners from different price categories. In other words, the two dollar winner does not obtain a portion of thefirst prize distribution3402. A total prize allocation of five million dollars exists, and the one dollar winner can one million dollars and the two dollar winner can win four million dollars of that five million dollars.

FIG. 35D illustrates a prize allocation when two one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets and no two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets. An intra-shared distribution is provided to the multiple winners in the first price category. In other words, the two one dollar ticket winners split the first prize distribution such that each one dollar ticket winner receives five hundred thousand dollars. In an alternative embodiment, if the first price category is associated with a known percentage, e.g., twenty percent, of a prize, the two one dollar tickets winners split the percentage such that each receives ten percent. The intra-shared distribution is not limited to two winners. For example, three one dollar lottery ticket winners would each receive one third of one million dollars.

FIG. 35E illustrates a prize allocation when two two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets and no one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets. An intra-shared distribution is provided to the multiple winners in the second price category. In other words, the two two dollar ticket winners split the second prize distribution such that each two dollar ticket winner receives two million dollars. In an alternative embodiment, if the second price category is associated with a known percentage, e.g., eighty percent, of a prize, the two two dollar tickets winners split the percentage such that each receives forty percent. The intra-shared distribution is not limited to two winners. For example, three one dollar lottery ticket winners would each receive one third of four million dollars.

FIG. 35F illustrates a prize allocation when two one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets and one two dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket. An intra-shared distribution is provided to the multiple winners in the first price category and the two dollar ticket winner receives the entire second prize distribution. In other words, the two one dollar ticket winners split the first prize distribution and do not have to inter-share a portion of that first prize distribution with the two dollar winner.

FIG. 35G illustrates a prize allocation when one one dollar lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and two two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets. The one dollar lottery ticket winner receives the entire first prize distribution whereas an intra-shared distribution is provided to the multiple winners in the second price category. In other words, the two two dollar ticket winners split the second prize distribution and do not inter-share to obtain a portion of that first prize distribution of the one dollar winner.

FIG. 35H illustrates a prize allocation when two one dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets and two two dollar lottery tickets are winning lottery tickets. An intra-shared distribution is provided to the multiple winners in the first price category and an intra-shared distribution is provided to the multiple winners in the second price category. In other words, the two one dollar ticket winners split the first prize distribution and do not have to inter-share a portion of that first prize distribution with the two two dollar ticket winners that split the second prize distribution.

FIG. 36 illustrates the configuration ofFIG. 34 in which aprogressive prize3602 is provided in addition thefirst prize distribution3304 and thesecond prize distribution3306. Theprogressive prize3602 is a portion or percentage of lottery ticket sales that is taken from current and one or more previous drawings to create a prize. After a portion or the entireprogressive prize3602 is won, theprogressive prize3602 is reset, i.e., reduced by the amount won, and builds in future drawings off of the remainder of the reset. The progressive prize is distinct from the configuration ofFIG. 34 which has fixed prizes for thefirst distribution3304 and thesecond distribution3306. In other words, a lottery ticket holder that purchases a one dollar ticket from thefirst price category3304 has the opportunity to, at a minimum, to win thefirst prize distribution3402, e.g., one million dollars, if no other lottery ticket holders have winning lottery tickets in that drawing. However, theprogressive prize3602 may vary from drawing to drawing depending on ticket sales and whether the progressive prize has been reset recently, in part or in entirety. For example, theprogressive prize3602 may grow to aprogressive prize amount3604 of ten million dollars in one drawing. However, if a lottery player has a winning lottery ticket for that drawing, theprogressive prize amount3604 may be reduced for a subsequent drawing.

In one embodiment, theprogressive prize3602 is distributed in the same proportional manner of thefirst prize distribution3402 and thesecond prize distribution3404. For example, from a total prize fund of five million dollars, the first prize distribution is a proportion of one fifth, i.e., one million out of five million, and the second prize distribution is a proportion of four fifths, i.e., four million out of five million. Accordingly, a one dollar lottery ticket holder may win afirst prize distribution3402 of one million dollars and one fifth of what theprogressive prize3602 is for a given drawing. In the example, a one dollar lottery ticket holder can potentially win one million dollars plus two million dollars, i.e., one fifth of the ten million dollar progressive prize, for a total of three million dollars. Further, a two dollar lottery ticket holder may win asecond distribution3404 of four million dollars and four fifths of what theprogressive prize3602 is for a given drawing. In the example, a two dollar lottery ticket holder can potentially win four million dollars plus eight million dollars, i.e., four fifths of the ten million dollar progressive prize, for a total of twelve million dollars.

Further, an intra-shared distribution is provided to multiple winners in the same price category of theprogressive prize3602. For example, two one dollar ticket winners each get one tenth instead of one fifth of theprogressive prize3602. In addition, in one embodiment, no inter-sharing is utilized for multiple winners of the progressive prize. In other words, a one dollar ticket winner wins one fifth of theprogressive prize3602 without having the two dollar ticket winner that wins fourth fifths of theprogressive prize3602 also share in the one fifth of theprogressive prize3602. In an alternative embodiment, inter-sharing may be utilized according to a variety of inter-sharing formulae.

In another embodiment, any price category other than the maximum price category resets after a portion of the progressive prize has been won for that price category although the remaining price categories do not reset. For example, a one dollar lottery ticket winner initiates a reset such that the portion of the progressive prize that may be won in future drawings for the one dollar price category is only based on future lottery ticket sales and not any previous rollover. In contrast, the remaining price categories have rollover for the respective portions of progressive that has not been won yet and continues to build until there is a winner. Once the maximum price category has a winner, the progressive prize resets for all price categories.

In yet another embodiment, the progressive prize only resets when at least one winner exists for each price category. As a result, if less than all price categories have a winner, a rollover remainder progressive prize will exists for one or more future draws. That rollover remainder progressive prize is available to be won by one or more tickets in any of the price categories in one or more future draws. For example, if a one dollar ticket wins twenty percent of the progressive prize in a current draw, a future winner from one dollar price category still has an opportunity to win twenty percent of the remaining eighty percent of that progressive in a future draw. The one dollar ticket holder may even win more than that amount as the progressive prize may grow in one or more future draws.

In yet another embodiment, the entireprogressive prize3602 is provided to a winner irrespective of price category. In other words, a one dollar lottery ticket winner may potentially win the entire ten million dollar progressive prize in addition to thefirst prize distribution3402 of one million dollars similar to the two dollar lottery ticket winner that may potentially win the entire ten million dollar progressive prize in addition to thesecond prize distribution3404 of four million dollars. Multiple winners from the same price category may receive and intra-shared distribution that splits the progressive prize evenly. In one embodiment, multiple winners from different price categories split theprogressive prize3602 evenly. In another embodiment, multiple winners from different price categories split theprogressive prize3602 according to the same proportion of the prize that each would win for thefirst prize distribution3304 and thesecond prize distribution3306.

In another embodiment, minimum jackpots as opposed to fixed prizes may be utilized for thefirst distribution3402 and thesecond distribution3404 in conjunction with theprogressive prize3602 configurations discussed above. Whereas theprogressive prize3602 includes one or more rollovers, i.e., progressive prize amounts that have not been won from previous drawings, the minimum jackpots may or may not include rollovers. In other words, the minimum jackpots may be solely based on lottery ticket sales for a given drawing or for a previous drawing.

Further, the electronic lottery game apparatus3800 may have a plurality of input devices3808, e.g., buttons, that may be utilized by the player to interact with the electronic lottery game apparatus3800. Some or all of the plurality of buttons3800 may instead be utilized as touch screen buttons on the display3802. The electronic lottery game apparatus3800 may be utilized to implement an electronic lottery game based on any of the various configurations having separate prizes described herein.

In one embodiment, the electronic lottery game is played over the Internet. Accordingly, a player may utilize his or her own computer to communicate with a server that determines the set of drawn numbers and performs the comparison between the set of drawn numbers and the player's numbers. In one embodiment, the player may provide a selection of player numbers to the server. In another embodiment, the server randomly determines the set of player numbers for the player.

The random selection of the player numbers for any of the configurations described above may occur in a single drawing event. However, one or more random selection devices may be utilized at that single drawing event. For example, a drawing of six balls may involve the utilization of two hoppers such that one hopper draws five of the six balls and the other hopper draws the remaining ball. Alternatively, one or more random number generators may be utilized for a single drawing event. Irrespective of how many random selection devices are utilized, a single drawing event produces a set of numbers that a player compares to his or her own player numbers to determine if he or she has a match for a prize.

In any of the configurations provided herein, the payout for the prize distribution and/or progressive prize distribution may be guaranteed by a third party entity. As a result, a lottery provider may be able to provide a larger lottery prize than might otherwise be the case. Further, any of the configurations provided herein may be utilized as a part of a stand alone lottery game, an add-on lottery game, or both.

Theprocess3700 shown inFIG. 37 may be implemented in a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor. Such a processor will execute instructions, either at the assembly, compiled or machine-level, to perform theprocess3700. Those instructions can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art following the description ofFIG. 37 and stored or transmitted on a computer readable medium. The instructions may also be created using source code or any other known computer-aided design tool. A computer readable medium may be any medium capable of carrying those instructions and include a CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic or other optical disc, tape, silicon memory (e.g., removable, non-removable, volatile or non-volatile), packetized or non-packetized data through wireline or wireless transmissions locally or remotely through a network.

The electronic lottery game provided herein is not intended to be limited for play at a VLT. Accordingly, the lottery game may be played at any type of kiosk. For example, a kiosk that allows for additional time to be placed on a cell phone may also be utilized to play the electronic lottery game. Alternatively, the kiosk may be utilized to buy a paper lottery ticket for the lottery game. The kiosk may also be utilized to provide both electronic and paper versions of the lottery game.

A computer is herein intended to include any device that has a general, multi-purpose, or single purpose processor as described above. For example, a computer may be a set top box (“STB”), cell phone, portable media player, or the like.

Any of the configurations provided above regarding separate prizes may be implemented with any number of multiple price categories. For example, although the illustrated number of price categories was two, a configuration could utilize three price categories.

Further, any of the configurations provided above regarding separate prizes may be implemented with respect to any type of prize distribution or prize distributions provided in multiple price categories. For example, the configurations provided above may be utilized for full match prize distributions that vary according to price category purchase that necessitate a full match between player numbers and randomly generated numbers. Further, the configurations provided above may be utilized for partial match prize distributions that vary according to price category purchase that necessitate a partial match between player numbers and randomly generated numbers. In addition, any of the configurations provided above regarding separate prizes may be implemented with a variable ratio and/or a constant ratio. In addition, the configurations provided above may allow for at least a portion of revenue received from lottery ticket sales to help fund a price category and/or an additional price category. For example, the prize may include at least a portion of revenue received from lottery ticket sales from the first price category and at least a portion of revenue received from lottery ticket sales from the second price category. Further, a first prize distribution may include at least a portion of revenue received from lottery ticket sales from the first price category and at least a portion of revenue received from lottery ticket sales from the second price category. In addition, a second prize distribution may include at least a portion of revenue received from lottery ticket sales from the first price category and at least a portion of revenue received from lottery ticket sales from the second price category.

In an alternative embodiment, a stacking configuration may be utilized. A lottery game may have a plurality of separate prizes. In one configuration, each of the separate prizes may be independently funded. In other words, ticket sales for one prize are restricted to being utilized to fund that particular prize, not any other prize.

In one embodiment, thefirst prize3912 and thesecond prize3914 are separately funded. For example, sales of first price lottery entries fund thefirst prize3912 and sales of second price lottery entries fund thesecond prize3912. With respect to a second price lottery entry sale, funds from the sale of the secondprice lottery entry3906 are provided for thesecond prize3914 and funds from the sale of the firstprice lottery entry3904 that the lottery player also has to purchase are provided to thefirst prize3912. For instance, a player that spends two dollars for a secondprice lottery entry3906 and the firstlottery price entry3904 that also has to be purchased will have at least a portion of one dollar for the secondlottery price entry3906 fund thesecond prize3906 and at least a portion of one dollar for the firstlottery price entry3904 fundfirst prize3912.

The stackedlottery prize structure3902 is stacked because a lottery player has to purchase the firstprice lottery entry3904 to be eligible to purchase the secondprice lottery entry3906. For example, a player that wishes to purchase the secondprice lottery entry3906 having the second lotteryprice entry value3910 of one dollar has to also purchase the firstprice lottery entry3904 having the first pricelottery entry value3908 of one dollar for a total of two dollars. However, for purposes of prize distribution, a prize or a share of a prize is allocated to a player based on a particular lottery price entry. For example, a lottery player that provides two dollars for a secondlottery price entry3906 and a firstlottery price entry3904 that also has to be purchased is provided prizes or shares of prizes based on the respective lottery price entries.

Further, the same set of lottery numbers selected for or by the lottery player is utilized for all the lottery price entries purchased by the lottery player. In other words, if the lottery player has a match of his or her set of player numbers with a randomly generated winning set of lottery numbers, he or she wins a prize or a share of a prize for each price entry that she or she purchased.

FIGS. 40A-40H illustrate examples of a variety of prize distributions based on the stackedlottery prize structure3902 illustrated inFIG. 39.FIG. 40A illustrates an example of a lottery player that purchased the firstlottery price entry3904 and has a winning match. As thefirst prize3912 is six million dollars, the lottery player wins the full six million dollars.

FIG. 40B illustrates an example of a lottery player that purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 and has a winning match. To have the secondlottery price entry3906, the lottery player also had to purchase the firstlottery price entry3904. Accordingly, for purposes of distribution of thefirst prize3912, the lottery player is a first price lottery entrant and wins the full six million dollars. For purposes of the distribution of thesecond prize3914, the lottery player is a second price lottery entrant and wins the full four million dollars.

FIG. 40C illustrates an example of two lottery players that each purchased the firstlottery price entry3904 and each has a winning match. In one embodiment, an intra-sharing formula is utilized distribute shares of thefirst prize3912. An example of an intra-sharing formula is an even sharing of thefirst prize3912. For instance, the two players would each receive a half of thefirst prize3912 such that each receives three million dollars. The intra-sharing may also be an uneven distribution. For example, one player may receive one third of thefirst prize3912 and another player may receive two thirds of thefirst prize3912. In an alternative embodiment, full prize payout is utilized rather than a sharing formula when multiple winners win the same prize. For example, two first price lottery entrants each receive the full first prize, i.e., each lottery player receives six million dollars for a total payout of twelve million dollars.

FIG. 40D illustrates an example of two lottery players that each purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 and each has a winning match. Since each of the lottery players purchased a secondlottery price entry3906, each lottery player also had to purchase a first price lottery entry. Accordingly, for purposes of distribution of thefirst prize3912, each of the lottery players is treated as a first price lottery entrant and shares thefirst prize3912 according to an intra-sharing formula with other first price lottery entrants. As a result, both lottery players each receive half of thefirst prize3912 of three million dollars each. Further, for purposes of distribution of thesecond prize3914, each of the lottery players is treated as a second price lottery entrant and shares thesecond prize3914 according to an intra-sharing formula with other second price lottery entrants. As a result, both lottery players each receive half of thesecond prize3914 of two million dollars each. Accordingly, each player receives a total of five million dollars, i.e., the sum of three million dollars and two million dollars. In an alternative embodiment, full prize payout may be utilized. Accordingly, each player would receive ten million dollars, i.e., the sum of the six million dollars and four million dollars.

FIG. 40E illustrates an example of one lottery player that purchased the firstprice lottery entry3904 and one player that purchased the secondprice lottery entry3906. Both players have a winning match. Since the player that purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 also had to purchase a firstprice lottery entry3904, both players are treated as first price lottery entrants for purposes of distribution of thefirst prize3912. Accordingly, both players share thefirst prize3912 according to an intra-sharing formula. As a result, both lottery players each receive half of thefirst prize3912 of three million dollars each. Further, for purposes of distribution of thesecond prize3914, only the player that purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 is a second price lottery entrant. As a result, the second price lottery entrant receives four million dollars in addition three million dollars for a total of seven million dollars whereas the lottery player that purchase only the firstprice lottery entry3904 receives only three million dollars. In an alternative embodiment, full prize payout may be utilized. Accordingly, the player that purchase only the firstlottery price entry3904 receives six million dollars whereas the lottery player that purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 and thereby had to purchase the firstprice lottery entry3904 receives ten million dollars, i.e., the sum of four million dollars and six million dollars.

FIG. 40F illustrates an example of two lottery players that purchased the firstprice lottery entry3904 and one player that purchased the secondprice lottery entry3906. All three players have a winning match. Since the player that purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 also had to purchase a firstprice lottery entry3904, all three players are treated as first price lottery entrants for purposes of distribution of thefirst prize3912. Accordingly, all three players share thefirst prize3912 according to an intra-sharing formula. As a result, all three lottery players each receive a third of thefirst prize3912 of two million dollars each. Further, for purposes of distribution of thesecond prize3914, only the player that purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 is a second price lottery entrant. As a result, the second price lottery entrant receives four million dollars in addition two million dollars for a total of six million dollars whereas the other lottery players that purchased only the firstprice lottery entry3904 receive only two million dollars each. In an alternative embodiment, full prize payout may be utilized. Accordingly, the two players that purchased only the firstlottery price entry3904 each receives six million dollars whereas the lottery player that purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 and thereby had to purchase the firstprice lottery entry3904 receives ten million dollars, i.e., the sum of four million dollars and six million dollars.

FIG. 40G illustrates an example of one lottery player that purchased the firstprice lottery entry3904 and two lottery players that purchased the secondprice lottery entry3906. All three players have a winning match. Since the two players that each purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 also had to each purchase a firstprice lottery entry3904, all three players are treated as first price lottery entrants for purposes of distribution of thefirst prize3912. Accordingly, all three players share thefirst prize3912 according to an intra-sharing formula. As a result, all three lottery players each receive a third of thefirst prize3912 of two million dollars each. Further, for purposes of distribution of thesecond prize3914, only the two players that each purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 are second price lottery entrants. Accordingly, these two players share thesecond prize3914 according to an intra-sharing formula. As a result, the two second price lottery entrants each receives a two million dollar share of thesecond prize3914 in addition to a two million dollar share of thefirst prize3912 for a total of four million dollars whereas the other lottery player that purchased only the firstprice lottery entry3904 receives only a two million dollar share of thefirst prize3912. In an alternative embodiment, full prize payout may be utilized. Accordingly, the lottery player that purchased only the firstlottery price entry3904 receives six million dollars whereas the two lottery players that each purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 and thereby had to each purchase the firstprice lottery entry3904 each receives ten million dollars, i.e., the sum of four million dollars and six million dollars.

FIG. 40H illustrates an example of two lottery players that each purchased the firstprice lottery entry3904 and two lottery players that each purchased the secondprice lottery entry3906. All four players have a winning match. Since the two players that each purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 also had to each purchase a firstprice lottery entry3904, all four players are treated as first price lottery entrants for purposes of distribution of thefirst prize3912. Accordingly, all four players share thefirst prize3912 according to an intra-sharing formula. As a result, all four lottery players each receive a fourth of thefirst prize3912 of one million five hundred thousand dollars each. Further, for purposes of distribution of thesecond prize3914, only the two players that each purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 are second price lottery entrants. Accordingly, these two players share thesecond prize3914 according to an intra-sharing formula. As a result, the two second price lottery entrants each receives a two million dollar share of thesecond prize3914 in addition to a one million five hundred thousand dollar share of thefirst prize3912 for a total of three million five hundred thousand dollars whereas the two other lottery players that each purchased only the firstprice lottery entry3904 each receives only a one million five hundred thousand dollar share of thefirst prize3912. In an alternative embodiment, full prize payout may be utilized. Accordingly, the two lottery players that each purchased only the firstlottery price entry3904 each receives six million dollars whereas the two lottery players that each purchased the secondlottery price entry3906 and thereby had to each purchase the firstprice lottery entry3904 each receives ten million dollars, i.e., the sum of four million dollars and six million dollars.

The number of lottery price entries is not limited to two lottery price entries. Any number of lottery price entries greater than or equal to two may be utilized.FIG. 41 illustrates adisplay4100 having a stackedlottery prize structure4102 with three lottery price entries. The stackedlottery prize structure4102 has a firstlottery price entry4104, a secondlottery price entry4106, and a thirdlottery price entry4116. In one embodiment, the firstlottery price entry4104, the secondlottery price entry4106, and the thirdlottery price entry4116 have equal values. For example, a first lotteryprice entry value4108 may be one dollar, a second lotteryprice entry value4110 may be one dollar, and a thirdlottery price entry4118 may be one dollar. In an alternative embodiment, the firstlottery price entry4104, the secondlottery price entry4106, and the thirdlottery price entry4116 have different values. For example, the firstlottery price entry4104 may be less than or greater than the secondlottery price entry4106 and the thirdlottery price entry4116. Further, the firstlottery price entry4104 corresponds to a first prize4112, the secondlottery price entry4106 corresponds to asecond prize4114, and the thirdlottery price entry4116 corresponds to athird prize4120. For example, the first prize4112 may be six million dollars, thesecond prize4114 may be four million dollars, and the third prize may be two million dollars. In one embodiment, thesecond prize4114 and/or thethird prize4120 are less than thefirst prize4104. In another embodiment, thesecond prize4114 and/or thethird prize4120 are greater than thefirst prize4104. In another embodiment, thesecond prize4114 and/or thethird prize4120 are equal to thefirst prize4104. In yet another embodiment, the first prize4112, thesecond prize4114, and/or thethird prize4120 may fluctuate in value. Accordingly, thesecond prize4114 and/or thethird prize4120 may be less than, greater than, or equal to thefirst prize4104 at different times. In the instance of multiple winners, the intra-sharing sharing and/or full prize payout methodologies described herein may be utilized.

In one embodiment, the first prize4112, thesecond prize4114, and thethird prize4120 are separately funded. For example, sales of first price lottery entries fund the first prize4112, sales of second price lottery entries fund thesecond prize4114, and sales of third price lottery entries fund thethird prize4120. With respect to a second price lottery entry sale, funds from the sale of the secondprice lottery entry4106 are provided for thesecond prize4114 and funds from the sale of the firstprice lottery entry4104 that the lottery player also has to purchase are provided to the first prize4112. For instance, a player that spends two dollars for a secondprice lottery entry4106 and the firstlottery price entry4104 that also has to be purchased will have at least a portion of one dollar for the secondlottery price entry4106 fund thesecond prize4114 and at least a portion of one dollar for the firstlottery price entry4104 fund first prize4112. To purchase the thirdprice lottery entry4116, the lottery player also has to purchase the secondlottery price entry4106 and the firstlottery price entry4104. With respect to a third price lottery entry sale, funds from the sale of the thirdlottery price entry4116 are provided for thethird prize4120, funds from the sale of the secondlottery price entry4106 that the lottery player also has to purchase are provided for thesecond prize4114, and funds from the sale of the firstlottery price entry4104 that the lottery player also has to purchase are provided to the first prize4112. For instance, a player that spends three dollars for a thirdlottery price entry4116, a secondlottery price entry4106 that also has to be purchased, and the firstlottery price entry4104 that also has to be purchased will have at least a portion of one dollar for the thirdlottery price entry4116 fund thethird prize4120, at least a portion of one dollar for the secondlottery price entry4106 fund thesecond prize4114, and at least a portion of one dollar for the firstlottery price entry4104 fund the first prize4112.

In one embodiment, the prizes described herein for utilization with a stacked configuration are fixed prizes. In this configuration, intra-sharing or full prize payout may be utilized in the instance of multiple winners for a prize. In an alternative embodiment, the prizes described herein for utilization with a stacked configuration are progressive prizes. In this configuration, intra-sharing or full prize payout may be utilized in the instance of multiple winners for a prize. In yet another alternative embodiment, each of the prizes described herein for utilization with a stacked configuration has a fixed component and a progressive component. For example, a prize may have a fixed amount of one million dollars, but may increase beyond that one million dollars if a threshold of lottery price entry sales is surpassed. In this configuration, intra-sharing or full prize payout may be utilized in the instance of multiple winners for a prize. Alternatively, different methodologies may be utilized for different components of the prize in the instance of multiple winners. For example, full prize payout may be provide for the fixed portion of the prize, but intra-sharing may be utilized for the progressive portion of the prize. As another example, intra-sharing may be utilized for the fixed portion of the prize, but full prize payout may be utilized for the progressive portion of the prize.

Theprocess4200 shown inFIG. 42 may be implemented in a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor. Such a processor will execute instructions, either at the assembly, compiled or machine-level, to perform theprocess4200. Those instructions can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art following the description ofFIG. 42 and stored or transmitted on a computer readable medium. The instructions may also be created using source code or any other known computer-aided design tool. A computer readable medium may be any medium capable of carrying those instructions and include a CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic or other optical disc, tape, silicon memory (e.g., removable, non-removable, volatile or non-volatile), packetized or non-packetized data through wireline or wireless transmissions locally or remotely through a network.

In any of the stacking configurations provided herein, the payout for each of the prizes may be guaranteed by a third party entity. As a result, a lottery provider may be able to provide a larger lottery prize than might otherwise be the case. In one embodiment, the same third party entity guarantees all of the prizes. In another embodiment, different third party entities may guarantee different prizes. Further, any of the configurations provided herein may be utilized as a part of a stand alone lottery game, an add-on lottery game, or both.

The price lottery entries described herein may be indicated on lottery tickets. In one embodiment, the price lottery entries may be indicated on the same lottery ticket. For example, a single lottery ticket may indicate a first price lottery entry and a second price lottery entry. In an alternative embodiment, the price lottery entries may be indicated on separate lottery tickets. For example, a first lottery ticket may indicate a first price lottery entry and a second lottery ticket may indicate a second price lottery entry.

In one embodiment, the lotteryticket dispensing machine1500 may be utilized to implement and print lottery tickets for any of the stacked configuration lottery games provided herein. In another embodiment, the electronic lottery game apparatus3800 may be utilized to implement and display an electronic version for any of the stacked configuration lottery games provided herein. For example, virtual lottery tickets may be utilized.

It is understood that the method and apparatus described herein may also be applied in other types of systems. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of this method and apparatus may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present method and system. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present method and apparatus may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

operating, with a processor, a lottery game;

indicating, with the processor, a first price at which a lottery player can purchase a first price lottery entry into the lottery game, the first price lottery entry having a predetermined quantity of numbers;

indicating, with the processor, a first prize that is associated with the first price lottery entry such that the first prize can be won if the first price lottery entry has a match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers and a randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating, with the processor, a second price at which the lottery player can purchase a second price lottery entry into the lottery game, the lottery player having to purchase the first price lottery entry to be eligible to purchase the second price lottery entry, the second price lottery entry having the predetermined quantity of numbers as provided with the first price lottery entry;

indicating, with the processor, a second prize that is associated with the second price lottery entry such that the second prize can be won if the second price lottery entry has the match, the first prize being distinct from the second prize;

generating, with the processor, the randomly selected set of numbers;

providing the first prize to the lottery player that purchases the first price lottery entry if the first price lottery entry has the match without any other first price lottery entries having the match; and

providing the first prize and the second prize to the lottery player that purchases the second price lottery entry if the first price lottery entry and the second price lottery entry have the match without any other first price lottery entries and second price lottery entries having the match.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first price equals the second price.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first prize increases in value based on sales of first price lottery entries independently of sales of second price lottery entries and the second prize increases in value based on sales of second price lottery entries independently of sales of first price lottery entries.

4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing an intra-shared distribution of the first prize to the lottery player that purchases the first lottery price entry if at least one additional lottery player has an additional first price lottery entry with the match.

5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing an intra-shared distribution of the second prize to the lottery player that purchases the second lottery price entry if at least one additional lottery player has an additional second price lottery entry with the match.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first prize is a first progressive prize and the second prize is a second progressive prize.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first prize has a first fixed prize component and a first progressive prize component and the second prize has a second fixed prize component and a second progressive prize component, the first progressive prize component increasing the first prize beyond the first fixed prize component based on first price lottery entries surpassing a first threshold, the second progressive prize component increasing the second prize beyond the second fixed prize component based on second price lottery entries surpassing a second threshold.

8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising providing a full prize payout distribution of the first fixed prize component of the first prize and an intra-shared distribution of the first progressive prize component of the first prize to the lottery player that purchases the first lottery price entry if at least one additional lottery player has an additional first price lottery entry with the match.

9. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising providing a full prize payout distribution of the second fixed prize component of the second prize and an intra-shared distribution of the second progressive prize component of t second he first prize to the lottery player that purchases the second lottery price entry if at least one additional lottery player has an additional second price lottery entry with the match.

10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein payment of the first prize is guaranteed by a third party entity and payment of the second prize is guaranteed by the third party entity.

11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a purchase of the first price lottery entry and a purchase of the second price lottery entry are indicated on a single lottery ticket.

12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a purchase of the first price lottery entry and a purchase of the second price lottery entry are indicated on separate lottery tickets.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

operate a lottery game;

indicate a first price at which a lottery player can purchase a first price lottery entry into the lottery game, the first price lottery entry having a predetermined quantity of numbers;

indicate a first prize that is associated with the first price lottery entry such that the first prize can be won if the first price lottery entry has a match of the predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers and a randomly selected set of numbers;

indicate a second price at which the lottery player can purchase a second price lottery entry into the lottery game, the lottery player having to purchase the first price lottery entry to be eligible to purchase the second price lottery entry, the second price lottery entry having the predetermined quantity of numbers as provided with the first price lottery entry;

indicate a second prize that is associated with the second price lottery entry such that the second prize can be won if the second price lottery entry has the match, the first prize being distinct from the second prize;

generate the randomly selected set of numbers;

provide the first prize to the lottery player that purchases the first price lottery entry if the first price lottery entry has the match without any other first price lottery entries having the match; and

provide the first prize and the second prize to the lottery player that purchases the second price lottery entry if the first price lottery entry and the second price lottery entry have the match without any other first price lottery entries and second price lottery entries having the match.

14. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein the first price equals the second price.

15. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein the first prize increases in value based on sales of first price lottery entries independently of sales of second price lottery entries and the second prize increases in value based on sales of second price lottery entries independently of sales of first price lottery entries.

16. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein the first prize is a first progressive prize and the second prize is a second progressive prize.

17. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein the first prize has a first fixed prize component and a first progressive prize component and the second prize has a second fixed prize component and a second progressive prize component, the first progressive prize component increasing the first prize beyond the first fixed prize component based on first price lottery entries surpassing a first threshold, the second progressive prize component increasing the second prize beyond the second fixed prize component based on second price lottery entries surpassing a second threshold.

18. The computer program product ofclaim 13, wherein payment of the first prize is guaranteed by a third party entity and payment of the second prize is guaranteed by the third party entity.

19. A system comprising:

a processor that operates a lottery game;

a display module that indicates a first price at which a lottery player can purchase a first price lottery entry into the lottery game, a first prize that is associated with the first price lottery entry such that the first prize can be won if the first price lottery entry has a match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers and a randomly selected set of numbers, a second price at which the lottery player can purchase a second price lottery entry into the lottery game, a second prize that is associated with the second price lottery entry such that the second prize can be won if the second price lottery entry has the match, the first prize being distinct from the second prize, the lottery player having to purchase the first price lottery entry to be eligible to purchase the second price lottery entry, the first price lottery entry having the predetermined quantity of numbers, the second price lottery entry having the predetermined quantity of numbers as provided with the first price lottery entry;

a random generation module that generates the randomly selected set of numbers; and

a prize distribution module that provides the first prize to the lottery player that purchases the first price lottery entry if the first price lottery entry has the match without any other first price lottery entries having the match or provides the first prize and the second prize to the lottery player that purchases the second price lottery entry if the first price lottery entry and the second price lottery entry have the match without any other first price lottery entries and second price lottery entries having the match.

20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the first price equals the second price.