Abstract: Information can be retrieved from lottery tickets and lottery ticket security can be improved by printing electronic circuits or circuit elements on the ticket. Conductive or semiconductive ink can be printed on the ticket by using gravure, relief, planographic, letter press or flexographic methods to form the circuit elements. In one embodiment the circuit elements are printed over play indica and under a scratch-off coating so that they are removed when the ticket is played. An electronic verification machine can then be used to determine which portions of the scratch-off coatings coveting the play indicia have been removed. A second group of circuit elements can also be printed under the play indicia which improves security by blocking light that may be shined through the ticket and by being tested, along with the first group of circuit elements, for integrity by the electronic verification machine.

Abstract: The playability of an instant bingo game card or similar type game cards can be enhanced by providing for improved marking of numbers on a player card portion of the bingo card. In one approach, a space is provided along side each number in which a mark is printed and a scratch-off coating is applied over the mark. In a second approach, a microencapsulated pressure sensitive dye is applied over each number and by simply rubbing a particular number can be marked.

Abstract: Determination of the authenticity and integrity of various types of documents such as lottery tickets is accomplished by using an electronic verification machine to compare data contained in electronic circuits printed on the document to document data printed on the document. The electronic circuits are printed on the document in conductive or semiconductive ink using, for example the gravure printing process, and the presence or status of the circuits can be used to verify or authenticate the document. Data can be represented in the electronic circuits by the electrical signature of the circuit which is measured by the electronic verification machine. In the case of lottery tickets, a ticket can be validated by having the electronic verification machine determine which play spots have been removed from the ticket and comparing data on the ticket with the removed play spots to determine a play redemption value for the ticket.

Abstract: A game piece and a method of simulating a player selection lottery game using the game piece. The game piece is made from a substrate. The game piece has predetermined playing groups of digits and at least two matching groups of digits printed thereon. The game piece also has, for each matching group of digits, a predetermined prize indicia. These prize indicia represent prizes associated with each of the matching groups. Either the playing or matching groups (or preferably both) are covered with, for example, aluminum permeated latex. The player scratches off the latex from a playing and a matching group, and depending upon the relevant match type, compares the groups accordingly. The relevant match types include a potential exact order match to a selected playing group, an any order match to a selected playing group, a plurality match to a selected playing group, and a single digit match to a selected playing group.

Abstract: Security of game cards such as instant lottery tickets can be improved by locating a confusion pattern below a primer layer on the game cards substrate and by locating another confusion pattern on a release coat above the game card play indica. Game card security can be further enhanced by using confusion pattern ink that bleeds through the game card in response to the application of various solvents.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the security of instant lottery tickets. A book number indicating from which packet a particular lottery ticket originated is printed on the back of the ticket and an integrity number is printed on the front of the ticket. The integrity number is related to the book number by an algorithm known only to the ticket manufacturer and the lottery administration. To further enhance the security of the ticket, the book number and integrity number are simultaneously printed onto the ticket.