Method and apparatus for providing advertising

Abstract

A method and system for providing a game of chance agent and/or a game of chance operator an opportunity for increased revenue, includes the following steps: placing a bet slip a game agent's retail location and offering the bets slip to a prospective player at no charge. The bet slip includes an area for the prospective player to record bet information for a game of chance and a coupon or other promotional message on a consumer item or service.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/295,434 filed Nov. 15, 2002, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 60/336,124, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Advertising,” filed on Nov. 15, 2001, and Ser. No. 60/340,871, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Advertising,” filed on Dec. 7, 2001. Each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Games of chance continue to be very popular in our culture. Games of chance include the following conventional games: instant ticket games, pull tab ticket games, bingo, lotteries and the like. To play many of the aforementioned games betting slips are provided to a prospective player at no charge. The prospective player enters bet information onto the bet slip and gives the bet slip to a game of chance agent or operator who enters the bet information. In these cases, a prospective player only pays when placing his or her bet.

Referring to FIG. 1, a known game of chance bet slip 10 is shown. In the example depicted in FIG. 1, the game of chance is a lottery. A front facing surface 12 of the bet slip 10 as illustrated does not include any promotional messages, e.g. advertising or coupons for goods or services. The back facing surface (not shown) of this bet slip 10 is blank. The bet slip includes imprinted graphical grids 14 that create areas 16 for a bet slip holder to record bet information, e.g. day(s) desired, type of bet, amount of bet and numbers to be played.

Many games of chance are played with play tickets that are purchased prior to the player placing, e.g. writing, any information on the ticket. If these tickets are not “winners,” i.e. nothing of value is due to the holder, they are typically discarded soon after completion of the game. Because most holders of the play tickets are not ultimately winners in these games, the holders are sometimes left with a feeling disappointment or sorrow regarding the particular game of chance. To counteract this affect, some games of chance include “second chance” options to compensate certain losing players. For example, some lottery tickets include promotions offering discounts on products or services if the tickets do not win a drawing-based prize.

These second chance tickets do not provide an incentive for a lottery game player to increase the revenue of the lottery game agent, e.g. a store owner, by making an incremental sale, e.g. a sale that typically would not have occurred, because the lottery game player typically realizes that he is the holder of a losing ticket only after he has left the store. Once he has left the store it is difficult to entice him back into the store to redeem the discount provided on his losing lottery ticket. Additionally, these second chance tickets do not provide the proper incentive to entice more individuals to play the lottery. Many times one can not know the promotional offering provided as a second chance until after the ticket is shown to be a losing ticket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed toward a method and system for providing a game of chance agent and/or a game of chance operator an opportunity for increased revenue. Such a method includes the following steps: placing a bet slip in a game agent's retail location and offering the bets slip to a prospective player at no charge. The bet slip includes an area for the prospective player to record bet information for a game of chance and a coupon for a discount on a consumer item or service.

A system for supplying a lottery game agent with additional revenue includes a retail location, a lottery bet slip, a lottery terminal disposed at the lottery retail location, and consumer items or services offered for sale at the retail location. The lottery bet slip includes an area for the lottery player to record bet information for a lottery game and a promotional message for a consumer item or service. The lottery bet slip is offered to prospective lottery play at no charge. The lottery terminal is configured to allow for the entry of the bet information recorded on the lottery bet slip.

A method of operating a lottery includes the following steps: having printed a plurality of bet slips for a lottery game, having distributed a plurality of bet slips to a plurality of retail locations, receiving bets for the lottery game, and drawing lottery numbers for the lottery game. Each bet slip includes an area upon which bet information is recorded by a prospective lottery player prior to the prospective lottery player paying any money to place a bet and a coupon for a discount on a product or service. The retail locations are where the bets are placed for the lottery game. The retail locations are where or adjacent where products or services are offered for sale that correspond to at least one of the coupons. Bets are received in response to the bet information recorded on one of the bet slips.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a prior art game of chance bet slip.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a bet slip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the bet slip illustrated in FIG. 2, showing a back facing surface.

FIG. 4a is a front view of a bet slip ticket constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.

FIG. 4b is a back view of the bet slip illustrated in FIG. 4a, showing a back facing surface.

FIG. 5a is a front view of a bet slip constructed in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.

FIG. 5b is a back view of the bet slip illustrated in FIG. 5a, showing a back facing surface.

FIG. 6a is a front view of a bet slip constructed in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.

FIG. 6b is a back view of the bet slip illustrated in FIG. 6a, showing a back facing surface.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a bet slip in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of a bet slip 20 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, showing a front facing surface 22. A portion of the bet slip may be pre-printed at another location and a portion may be printed at a point-of-sale location. The bet slip 20 includes a sheet of paper, a first graphical image 26 and at least one advertising graphical image 40a.

As illustrated, the bet slip 20 is designed for use as a bet slip in a conventional lottery. It should be apparent to others with ordinary skill in the art that bet slips for use in other games of chance, i.e. bingo, may be constructed in accordance with the present invention in view of this disclosure.

The bet slip 20 includes a sheet of paper. The bet slip 20 may be constructed from paper, chip board, or any other suitable medium. In a preferred embodiment, 60 lb. paper is used. The sheet has a front facing surface 22 and a back facing surface 24. The back facing surface 24 is best shown in FIG. 3.

The bet slip 20 is weakened along at least one predetermined line 30a. The predetermined lines 30a may be scored to facilitate folding or perforated to facilitate tearing. As illustrated, the bet slip 20 includes three perforated lines 30a, 30b, 30c. Only one line 30a is illustrated in FIG. 2, however all three 30a, 30b, 30c are illustrated in FIG. 3. The line 30a acts to separate the bet slip into two portions 32a, 32b. A top portion 32a includes printing directed to the game of chance and a bottom portion 32b includes printing directed to advertising. The perforation 30a allows a player to tear off the advertising portion 32b and retain for future reference after the top portion 32a is discarded. The player may do so before or after the game is played.

In an alternative embodiment, the line 30a is scored and allows a game operator to fold a bet slip 20 in half to facilitate insertion into a computer ticket entry opening.

In yet another alternative embodiment, a bottom portion 32b includes printing directed to the game of chance and a top portion 32a includes printing directed to advertising.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the bet slip 20 includes a first graphical image 26. The first graphical image 26 is imprinted on the front facing surface 22. The first graphical image 26 includes required indicia for playing a game of chance. As discussed, the indicia may be pre-printed, or generated by a computer at a point-of-sale location. The indicia may include imprinted graphical grids for player use, instructions to players, and general game of chance information.

The bet slip 20 also includes at least one advertising graphical image 40a. The at least one advertising graphical image 40a is imprinted on the front facing surface 22. The at least one advertising graphical image 40a includes indicia identifying an advertiser's products or services. The image 40a may be imprinted in black ink, by a four color printing process, or by any other conventional method.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a back view of the bet slip 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 showing a back facing surface 24 is illustrated. The back facing surface 24 of the bet slip 20 is divided into four portions 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d by three perforations 30a, 30b, 30c. As illustrated, the bet slip 20 further includes four advertising graphical images 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e imprinted on the back facing surface 24. Alternatively, one or more of the images 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e could be replaced with game of chance instructions 50 imprinted on the back facing surface 24.

As illustrated, the advertising graphical image 40e imprinted on the bottom portion 41d includes a readable data form 42. The readable data form may be one of several known systems that utilize coded data, including bar coding. In one embodiment, the coded data includes information identifying a product and a product discount. In other words, after the portion 41d is separated by the play ticket holder from the bet slip 20, the portion 41d may act as a conventional coupon. In a preferred embodiment, the coded data of the present invention the code data includes information identifying the bet slip of the game of chance as an advertising vehicle source. Therefore, after the portion 41d with the bar code is utilized by a consumer as a coupon, an advertiser could identify the bet slip of the game of chance as the source of the coupon.

Referring now to FIG. 4a, a front view of a bet slip 50 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A front facing surface 52 is shown in FIG. 4a. A back facing surface 54 of the ticket 50 is illustrated in FIG. 4b.

Again to FIG. 4a, the bet slip 50 includes perforations 60a, 60b. The bet slip 50 includes a perforation 60a that defines a supplemental information portion 61e. As illustrated, the supplemental portion 61e includes imprinted fanciful information 64 for the enjoyment of a bet slip holder.

Referring now to FIG. 4b, the back facing surface of the bet slip 50 is divided into five portions 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d, 61e by four perforations 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d. As illustrated, the ticket portion 61e has been separated from the bet slip 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 5a and 5b, a bet slip 70 in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in the two referenced figures, a front facing surface 72 and a back facing surface 74 is illustrated. The general physical construction of the bet slip 70 is essentially the same as the bet slip 50 illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

The bet slip 70 includes perforations 80a, 80b. The bet slip 70 includes a perforation 80a that defines a supplemental information portion 81e. As illustrated, the supplemental portion 81e includes a second game of chance 84 for the enjoyment of a bet slip holder for the enjoyment of a play ticket holder. In the embodiment illustrated, the player does not pay any money to play the scratch-off game. In fact, in certain applications, no purchase is required of any kind. As illustrated, the second game of chance is a scratch-off game 84.

Referring now to FIGS. 6a and 6b, a bet slip 90 in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in the two figures, a front facing surface 92 and a back facing surface 94 is illustrated. The general physical construction of the bet slip 70 is essentially the same as the bet slip 50 illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, as well as the bet slip 90 illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

The bet slip 90 includes perforations 100a, 100b. The bet slip 90 includes a perforation 100a that defines a supplemental information portion 101e. As illustrated, the supplemental portion 101e includes indicia 104 for providing a method for selecting a number to be played in the game of chance by the holder of the bet slip 90.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a front view of a bet slip 110 in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The bet slip 110 includes a front facing surface 112. The bet slip 110 includes a perforation 114 defining a first portion 116a and a second portion 116b. As illustrated, the second portion 116b includes at least one advertising graphical image 120. As shown, the image is an imprinted coupon 120. The coupon 120 details a product discount offered to a bet slip holder. The exemplary coupon shown details a “buy one, get one free” offer. It should be understood by others with ordinary skill in the art that other promotional strategies could be used in the practice of the present invention.

Each of the above described bet slips 20, 50, 70, 90 and 110 can be offered to a prospective game of chance player at no charge. By providing promotional material e.g. coupons, advertisements, and the like, prospective lottery players may purchase an item that is promoted or discounted on the bet slip. Accordingly, the retailer who owns the lottery agent may make an incremental sale, or a sale that would not otherwise had been made other than the fact the promotional material was provided on the bet slip. Additionally, the promotional material on the bet slip may induce one who has an affinity for of coupons to play the game of chance. This would provide and incremental sale to the lottery agency, which many times is a government agency such as the state government.

The lottery agent, which as mentioned above, typically is a retailer or service provider, can allow the redemption of the coupon at the retail locations. Furthermore, since the bet slips are typically offered at no charge the lottery game agent can allow the redemption of the coupon without requiring the prospective lottery player to purchase a lottery ticket. This differentiates the above-described bet slips from the “second chance” lottery tickets. The coupons that are provided on the bet slips will typically correspond with a consumer item or service that is offered at the lottery game agent's retail location. For example, if the lottery game agent provides a dry cleaning service, then one of the coupons can be for the dry cleaning service. Furthermore, promotional material may be provided that advertises services or goods provided at the retail location. For example, promotional material may advertise a certain price for a consumer item, for example potato chips, and the like.

The lottery bet slips 20, 50, 70, 90 and 110 typically will be placed adjacent a lottery terminal, an example which is the device in which the bet information is input and transmitted to the central lottery authority, for example the state lottery commission. The central authority processes the bet request by storing the selected numbers and assigning a ticket identifier to the bet for the lottery player to hold. Alternatively, lottery bet slips may be placed away from the lottery terminal and near products and/or services that are advertised using the bet slip. Accordingly, a consumer who is in the market for a product that is being advertised on the lottery bet slip may be induced to play the lottery because the coupon or other promotional material provided on the lottery bet slip.

The lottery bet slip may include a plurality of coupons, as shown above, with some of the coupons on the lottery bet slip adding up to a percentage of the minimum bet required to play the lottery game. For example fifty cents worth of coupons may be provided on a bet slip for a game of chance where the minimum bet is one dollar. Accordingly, some or a percentage of the price to pay the game of chance can be defrayed by redeeming the coupons for products and/or services that are advertised on the bet slip. Also, the discounts offered by the coupons can be at least as great as the minimum bet required to play the game of chance. Accordingly, the entire cost of playing the game of chance can be defrayed when redeeming the coupons or items that are advertised on the bet slip. The coupons can offer a discount on a product at a certain retail location, i.e. a first provider, and coupons can be provided on a discount from a second retail location, i.e. a second provider. For example, a coupon can be provided on the bet slip for a service that is provided by a retailer and/or service provider that is located down the street from the game of chance agent.

To operate the lottery game and/or game of chance using one of the above-described bet slips, a game operator has a plurality bet slips printed for the game of chance. Each bet slip includes an area upon which bet information is recorded by a prospective player prior to the prospective player paying any money to place a bet. Each bet slip also includes at least one coupon and/or promotional message. The game of chance operator has distributed the plurality of bet slips to a plurality of the retail locations. The retail locations are where the bets are placed for the game of chance. The retail locations are also where or adjacent to where products or services are offered for sale that correspond to at least one of the coupons. The operator then receives bets for the game in response to the bet information recorded on one of the bet slips. The operator then draws numbers for the game. The exact order of these steps need not be followed. The operator can distribute the bet slips according to the coupon on the bet slip. For example, some coupons may be better suited for convenience stores while other coupons may be better suited for grocery stores. The operator can provide different bet slips to different retail locations. Furthermore the operator can print lottery tickets in response to the bet information received.

Many variations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically shown and described.

Claims

1. A method for supplying a game of chance agent with additional revenue, the method comprising:

placing a bet slip at a game agent's retail location, the bet slip comprising an area for a prospective player to record bet information for a game of chance and a coupon for a discount on a consumer item or service; and

offering the bet slip to the prospective player at no charge.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the redemption of the coupon at the game agent's retail location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the allowing step further comprises allowing the redemption of the coupon without requiring the prospective player to purchase a game of chance ticket.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising offering for sale a consumer item or service that corresponds to the coupon on the bet slip.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein placing a bet slip step further comprises placing the bet slip adjacent a lottery terminal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein placing a bet slip further comprises placing the bet slip adjacent the consumer item that corresponds to the coupon.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupon includes an indication of source that corresponds to the bet slip.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the bet slip comprises a plurality of coupons, each coupon offering a discount on a consumer item or service, wherein a sum of the discounts offered by the coupons on the bet slip is at least as great as a minimum bet required to play the game of chance.

9. A system for supplying a lottery game agent with additional revenue, the system comprising:

a retail location;

a lottery bet slip comprising an area for a lottery player to record bet information for a lottery game and a promotional message for a consumer item or service, the lottery bet slip being offered to a prospective lottery player at no charge;

a lottery terminal disposed at the retail location, the lottery terminal configured to allow for the entry of the bet information recorded on the lottery bet slip; and

consumer items or services offered for sale at the retail location.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the lottery bet slip further comprises a plurality of coupons.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of coupons comprises a first coupon offering a discount on a product from a first provider and a second coupon offering a discount on a product from a second provider.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of coupons provides a discount on a consumer item or service, a sum of the discounts provided by the coupons being a percentage of a minimum bet for the lottery game.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the coupon offers a discount for consumer items or services that are not associated with an operator of the lottery game.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the bet information comprises numbers that are to be drawn in the lottery game and the type of bet that is to be placed by the prospective lottery player.

15. A method of operating a lottery comprising:

having printed a plurality of bet slips for a lottery game, each bet slip comprising an area upon which bet information is recorded by a prospective lottery player prior to the prospective lottery player paying any money to place a bet and a coupon for a discount on a product or service;

having distributed the plurality of bet slips to a plurality of retail locations, the retail locations being where bets are placed for the lottery game, the retail locations also being where or adjacent where products or services are offered for sale that correspond to at least one of the coupons;

receiving bets for the lottery game in response to the bet information recorded on at least one of the bet slips; and

drawing lottery numbers for the lottery game.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the bet information comprises numbers that are to be drawn and a type of bet for the numbers.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein having distributed step comprises having distributed the plurality of bet slips according to the coupon on the bet slip.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising printing lottery tickets in response to the bet information received in the receiving bets step.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein having printed further comprises each bet slip comprising a plurality of coupons, a sum of discounts provided by the coupons being at least 50% of a minimum bet for the lottery game.