Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system includes a set of scratch-off lottery ticket blanks, each lottery ticket blank having a front face and a back face and a game play area on the front face with play indicia that presents a pre-determined game outcome, the play indicia covered by a scratch-off coating (SOC). A coating layer is applied over at least the game play area such that an entirety of the front face presents an empty composition area void of lottery ticket indicia. The set of lottery ticket blanks are housed within an automated dispenser. An interface is configured with the dispenser and is in communication with a printer associated with the dispenser and accepts input of composition indicia from a patron for printing on portions of or the entirety of the front face to generate a finished scratch-off lottery ticket prior to dispensing the finished lottery ticket.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system includes a set of scratch-off lottery ticket blanks, each lottery ticket blank having a front face and a back face and a game play area on the front face with play indicia that presents a pre-determined game outcome, the play indicia covered by a scratch-off coating (SOC). A coating layer is applied over at least the game play area such that an entirety of the front face presents an empty composition area void of lottery ticket indicia. The set of lottery ticket blanks are housed within an automated dispenser. An interface is configured with the dispenser and is in communication with a printer associated with the dispenser and accepts input of composition indicia from a patron for printing on portions of or the entirety of the front face to generate a finished scratch-off lottery ticket prior to dispensing the finished lottery ticket.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system and method includes a set of scratch-off lottery ticket blanks, each lottery ticket blank having a composition area and a separate game play area with play indicia that presents a pre-determined game outcome, the play indicia covered by a scratch-off coating (SOC). The set of lottery ticket blanks are housed within an automated dispenser. An interface is configured with the dispenser and is in communication with the printer, the interface configured to accept player input of personalized indicia for printing in the composition area. A printer is operably configured with the dispenser and is in communication with the interface via a controller. The printer prints the personalized indicia from the player in the composition area to generate a finished scratch-off lottery ticket prior to dispensing of the finished lottery ticket from the dispenser.

Abstract: A pack of lottery tickets includes a plurality of inter-connected lottery tickets fan-folded into a stack, wherein each lottery ticket comprises a first side edge. A code on each lottery ticket identifies the pack and an order or position of the lottery ticket in the pack. A marking pattern is printed along the first side edge of each of the lottery tickets and includes at least one mark. The pack has a side face defined by the stacked first side edges of the tickets in the stack, wherein the marking pattern on the lottery ticket side edges align so as to form a unique identification image on the side face of the pack. The marking pattern on each lottery ticket is unique to the respective ticket such that each lottery ticket in the pack can be separately authenticated at a later time by comparing its marking pattern to a retrieved or replicated image of the marking pattern based on the pack identification and order of the lottery ticket in the pack provided by the ticket code.

Abstract: A pack of lottery tickets includes a plurality of inter-connected lottery tickets fan-folded into a stack, wherein each lottery ticket comprises a first side edge. A code on each lottery ticket identifies the pack and an order or position of the lottery ticket in the pack. A marking pattern is printed along the first side edge of each of the lottery tickets and includes at least one mark. The pack has a side face defined by the stacked first side edges of the tickets in the stack, wherein the marking pattern on the lottery ticket side edges align so as to form a unique identification image on the side face of the pack. The marking pattern on each lottery ticket is unique to the respective ticket such that each lottery ticket in the pack can be separately authenticated at a later time by comparing its marking pattern to a retrieved or replicated image of the marking pattern based on the pack identification and order of the lottery ticket in the pack provided by the ticket code.

Abstract: A method for implementing a virtual and augmented reality scratch-off lottery ticket includes configuring a game server for communication with a player mobile device, the game server receiving real-world location data from the mobile device. A virtual scratch-off lottery ticket is downloaded to the mobile device, wherein the player simulates removal of a scratch-off coating from a plurality of scratch spots on the lottery ticket to reveal underlying game indicia that indicates the outcome of the lottery ticket. Via an application running on the mobile device, the player moves to a geographic location before the simulated removal of the scratch-off coating is enabled on the mobile device. At the geographic location, the game server and running application overlay a virtual objet on a screen image of the location on the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for implementing a virtual and augmented reality scratch-off lottery ticket includes configuring a game server for communication with a player mobile device, the game server receiving real-world location data from the mobile device. A virtual scratch-off lottery ticket is downloaded to the mobile device, wherein the player simulates removal of a scratch-off coating from a plurality of scratch spots on the lottery ticket to reveal underlying game indicia that indicates the outcome of the lottery ticket. Via an application running on the mobile device, the player moves to a geographic location before the simulated removal of the scratch-off coating is enabled on the mobile device. At the geographic location, the game server and running application overlay a virtual objet on a screen image of the location on the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for dispensing lottery tickets at retail establishments, the tickets having a ticket purchase code and a separate authentication code. The tickets are scanned and the ticket purchase code is input into the establishment's POS system such that purchase of the ticket mimics purchase of a non-lottery product. If the authentication mark is detected from the scan, a signal is transmitted to a host lottery system and the lottery ticket is entered a set of functionalities that produce sales event data reports for the retail establishments or lottery authority that reflect the number of lottery tickets sold and the particular retail establishment at which the lottery tickets were sold. Tickets without the authentication mark are not entered into the set of functionalities but are still input into the POS system for sale.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a plurality of separate bins, with each bin defined by a housing having a defined first internal space for receipt of first stack of interconnected lottery tickets. A plurality of different sized bin inserts are also provided, with each bin insert insertable into the bin housings and defining a second internal space that is less than the first internal space of the housing for receipt of a second stack of lottery tickets having a lesser individual length than the first stack of lottery tickets. A controller within each bin housing recognizes placement and size of the bin insert within the housing. The controller is in communication with an electronic drive mechanism to modify operation thereof to accommodate the lesser individual length of the lottery tickets in the second stack of lottery tickets.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array system includes a plurality of separate bins, with each bin defined by a housing having a defined first internal space for receipt of first stack of interconnected lottery tickets and a removable first front panel. A plurality of different sized bin inserts are also provided, with each bin insert insertable into the bin housings and defining a second internal space that is less than the first internal space of the housing for receipt of a second stack of lottery tickets having a lesser individual length than the first stack of lottery tickets. A second front panel is associated with each of the bin inserts. Upon removal of the first front panel, one of the different sized bin inserts and associated second front panel are configured with the bin to convert the bin for dispensing of different sized lottery tickets.

Abstract: A method is provided for a network-based multi-player game wherein a plurality of players access a website via a network enabled device and join a multi-player game hosted by a game provider. The players are assigned individual virtual game plays and a play order is assigned to the plurality of players, wherein the players take turns revealing an aspect of their respective game play according to the assigned play order. Upon a first one of the players revealing a winning game outcome of their game play during one of their respective turns, further play of the multi-player game stops and the first winning player is credited with the prize award assigned to their game play. The first winning player is given the option to pay an additional wager amount for transfer at least one of the remaining game plays for further play by the first winning player.