Abstract: A ticket checker is provided for activating a player's previously purchased ticket that is preprinted with game content and which is associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some winning tickets. A previously purchased winning ticket cannot be redeemed until it is activated. Machine readable indicia is scanned on the previously purchased ticket at a ticket checker that is in communication with a ticket results database. A ticket activation database electronically records that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker, thereby activating the winning ticket. Redemption of the winning ticket includes electronically verifying in the ticket activation database that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker.

Abstract: A winning progressive jackpot ticket is selected from deals of instant tickets that are dispensed from a network of gaming machines by randomly selecting, upon initiation of a progressive jackpot, a progressive jackpot value that falls within a predetermined range of progressive jackpot values, detecting in the server when the progressive jackpot value is reached as a result of a purchase of an instant ticket at one of the gaming machines, randomly selecting the winning progressive jackpot ticket from all of the currently unplayed instant tickets, or from the next n number of currently unplayed instant tickets, when the progressive jackpot value is detected as reaching the progressive jackpot value that was randomly selected, and awarding the current progressive jackpot amount to the player who subsequently purchases the winning progressive jackpot ticket.

Abstract: A ticket checker is provided for activating a player's previously purchased ticket that is preprinted with game content and which is associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some winning tickets. A previously purchased winning ticket cannot be redeemed until it is activated. Machine readable indicia is scanned on the previously purchased ticket at a ticket checker that is in communication with a ticket results database. A ticket activation database electronically records that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker, thereby activating the winning ticket. Redemption of the winning ticket includes electronically verifying in the ticket activation database that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker.

Abstract: A winning progressive jackpot ticket is selected from deals of instant tickets that are dispensed from a network of gaming machines by randomly selecting, upon initiation of a progressive jackpot, a coin-in value that falls within a predetermined range of coin-in values, detecting in the server when the coin-in value is reached as a result of a purchase of an instant ticket at one of the gaming machines, randomly selecting the winning progressive jackpot ticket from all of the currently unplayed instant tickets, or from the next n number of currently unplayed instant tickets, when the coin-in value is detected as reaching the coin-in value that was randomly selected, and awarding the current progressive jackpot amount to the player who subsequently purchases the winning progressive jackpot ticket. A similar process randomly selects a progressive jackpot value that falls within a predetermined range of progressive jackpot values.

Abstract: A ticket checker is provided for activating a player's previously purchased ticket that is preprinted with game content and which is associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some winning tickets. A previously purchased winning ticket cannot be redeemed until it is activated. Machine readable indicia is scanned on the previously purchased ticket at a ticket checker that is in communication with a ticket results database. A ticket activation database electronically records that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker, thereby activating the winning ticket. Redemption of the winning ticket includes electronically verifying in the ticket activation database that the winning ticket was scanned at the ticket checker.

Abstract: A method and system are provided with instant probability tickets combined with gaming machines wherein the win/lose outcome of the probability game is determined by the subset selections the player makes from a superset comprising a multiplicity of possible game element spots. The gaming machines hold the purchased probability ticket in escrow in an internal region of the gaming machine such that the player cannot gain physical access to the probability ticket until he or she commits to a selection of subset game elements.

Abstract: A plurality of variable jackpot tickets having a predefined expected value and a plurality of predetermined non-jackpot winning tickets are provided in a deal of tickets preprinted with game content. A first random number generator using a first prize table selects physical locations in the deal of tickets for the plurality of predetermined non-jackpot winning tickets, and the plurality of variable jackpot tickets. A second random number generator using a second prize table different than the first prize table selects a jackpot prize for each of the plurality of variable jackpot tickets. Some of the jackpot prizes in the second prize table are less than the expected value. The difference between some of the jackpot prizes in the second prize table and the expected value are used to fund one or more jackpot prizes that are greater than the expected value.

Abstract: Systems are provided for resetting and incrementing a progressive jackpot and its associated progressive jackpot display for a game defined by a plurality of tickets that are preprinted with game content and which are associated with a deal of tickets. The deal of tickets include at least some predetermined non-jackpot winning tickets, and at least some progressive jackpot tickets. The tickets are dispensed at a plurality of different remote locations. The progressive jackpot is the same progressive jackpot for each of the plurality of different remote locations.

Abstract: Preprinted game tickets, such as pull tab tickets or instant game lottery tickets, are dispensed from a vending machine. A selection option on the vending machine allows the patrons to select either redemption of the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket, or deferral of redemption of the value of the winning ticket immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket. A ticket dispenser dispenses the purchased winning ticket after a selection option is made. A ticket marker in the vending machine visually defaces winning tickets as they are dispensed only if a patron selects the option to redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket. The visual defacing of the winning tickets inhibits attempts to perform deferred redemption of the winning tickets.

Abstract: Tickets are preprinted with game content and are associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets. Each ticket has a base ticket denomination and each winning ticket has a predetermined base award amount. For each vended ticket, an indication is received from a patron for inputting into a vending machine of a total wager amount for payment of a ticket. The total wager amount is determined from the base ticket denomination and a multiple of the base ticket denomination that the patron selects for the ticket. The ticket is dispensed from the vending machine, The vending machine indicates on a winning dispensed ticket, using a ticket marker in the vending machine, an indicia of the total wager amount that visually communicates the multiple of the base ticket denomination that the patron selected. The indicia is not a numerical value. The indicia is used to determine the value of the winning ticket.

Abstract: The value of winning tickets dispensed by a vending machine to patrons who purchased the winning tickets are awarded using selection buttons on the vending machine that provide a first option to immediately redeem the value of a winning ticket at the vending machine, and a second option to defer immediate redemption of the value of a winning ticket. The tickets are preprinted with game content and are associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets.

Abstract: A method is provided of awarding the value of winning tickets dispensed by a vending machine to patrons who purchased the winning tickets. The tickets are preprinted with game content and are associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets. For each winning ticket, the patron selects a ticket redemption option provided by the vending machine to either immediately redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine, or defer immediate redemption. Electronic records are provided in a database for each winning ticket that include an indication of whether the winning ticket was redeemed. The deferral option allows the patron to redeem the value of the winning ticket at a cashier, wherein the electronic records are used by the cashier to assist in the redemption process. The dispensed winning ticket is redeemed in accordance with the first option or the second option without needing to be re-inserted into the vending machine.

Abstract: A strip of chance-type tickets are interconnected end-to-end with rows of perforations that extend widthwise across the strip and that separate and define individual tickets. A side edge of each ticket includes ruler markings which extend continuously from ticket to ticket, thereby encouraging the ticket purchaser to purchase tickets by a standard unit of length, instead of by a monetary denomination or number of tickets.

Abstract: A gaming machine provides for random winning payouts for game plays. The gaming machine includes a game score module and a visual indicator. The game score module tracks previous game play results including all winning and losing game play results, and determines from the previous game play results the degree in which the gaming machine is currently playing hot. The visual indicator is on the gaming machine or physically mounted to the gaming machine and indicates the degree in which the gaming machine is currently playing hot. The visual indicator may be a thermometer-type gauge.

Abstract: A method is provided of vending game tickets from a vending machine during a game play session. Each ticket is preprinted with a plurality of individually playable games, and each game has a game result. The games are associated with at least one deal of games that includes at least some games that have predetermined winning game results. One or more games on a ticket are electronically purchased in a current game play session in response to a request inputted into the vending machine from a patron. Less than all of the games on the ticket may be purchased during the current game play session. An indication of which games on the ticket have been purchased is electronically recorded in database records. The vending machine dispenses all tickets that are played, including tickets wherein less than all of the games on the ticket were purchased during the current game play session.

Abstract: A method is provided of vending game tickets from a vending machine during a game play session. Each ticket is preprinted with a plurality of individually playable games, and each game has a game result. The games are associated with at least one deal of games that includes at least some games that have predetermined winning game results. One or more games on a ticket are electronically purchased in a current game play session in response to a request inputted into the vending machine from a patron. Less than all of the games on the ticket may be purchased during the current game play session. An indication of which games on the ticket have been purchased is electronically recorded in database records. The vending machine dispenses all tickets that are played, including tickets wherein less than all of the games on the ticket were purchased during the current game play session.

Abstract: A strip of chance-type tickets are interconnected end-to-end with rows of perforations that extend widthwise across the strip and that separate and define individual tickets. A side edge of each ticket includes ruler markings which extend continuously from ticket to ticket, thereby encouraging the ticket purchaser to purchase tickets by a standard unit of length, instead of by a monetary denomination or number of tickets.

Abstract: Preprinted game tickets, such as instant game lottery tickets, are dispensed from a vending machine. Instead of having a fixed cost and a fixed prize amount, the game tickets may be purchased at different bet levels and credit values, both of which change the cost and prize amount.

Abstract: Strips of two-ply instant lottery tickets are provided that have features which encourage multiple ticket purchases. Strips of purchased tickets can be opened in one motion, revealing the ticket results without needing to scratch off any material. Ruler markings along edges of the strips of tickets, and ticket indicia that spans multiple tickets further encourage multiple ticket purchases. Security panels flank one or more edges of the tickets which discourage tampering with unpurchased tickets.

Abstract: Preprinted game tickets, such as pull tab tickets or instant game lottery tickets, are dispensed from a vending machine. Instead of having a fixed cost and a fixed prize amount, the game tickets may be purchased at different bet levels and credit values, both of which change the cost and prize amount. Buy-a-pay payments are also provided to buy additional symbol combinations.