Abstract: A lottery game system, product and method employs multiple connected crossword grids, where players can employ a set of player letters to form words within the crossword grids. In various embodiments of the present invention, a total number of potentially winnable prizes is provided, with a first subset of the potentially winnable prizes associated with the first crossword grid, a second subset of the potentially winnable prizes associated with the second crossword grid, and a third subset of the potentially winnable prizes associated with the first and second crossword grids together. In various embodiments, at least one game play element is not in either the first or second grids and is not player indicia.

Abstract: A lottery system, ticket product and method incorporate a lottery ticket product having encrypted planar displays, wherein results are revealed through malforming the ticket, such as by manipulating the ticket to decrypt information contained on the ticket.

Abstract: A game card incorporates a marking system having one or more layers of varnish or rubber-based material that is removable when applied to a substrate and one or more overlying screens having a pattern of opaque ink elements printed on the removable layer or layers such that the ink elements are blended into smooth tones when viewed by the human eye. An optional underlying screen provides another pattern of opaque ink elements underneath the removable layer. The marking system and method of the present invention permit a wide range of combinations of designs and security measures, while ensuring that indicia printed on the game card are visible so that players can scratch or otherwise remove the removable layer and at least a portion of the overlying screen as a way of marking the underlying indicia.

Abstract: A printed game card, sheet or ticket set can incorporate multiple individual tickets separated by perforation, scoring or folds, for example. In various embodiments, the game card or sheet is printed with at least one playable game on each individual ticket, wherein the games can be instant win games with game indicia and one or more layers of varnish or rubber-based material that is removable to reveal the indicia. Each ticket on the game card, sheet or ticket set can include individual validation and/or activation indicia. The indicia can be human-readable and/or computer readable. Further, the entire game card, sheet or ticket set can include game or sheet activation indicia, such that when the entire sheet is sold, the entirety of individual game tickets can be activated simultaneously. When the individual game ticket validation codes are read, embodiments of the present invention can operate to individually assess whether the ticket is a winner, as well as whether the ticket has previously been redeemed.

Abstract: A system, device and method provide for the printing of an instant, scratch-off lottery ticket product on demand at a retail location. In various embodiments, a pre-activation printing process applies an active thermal layer and other coatings on a ticket substrate, but excludes any game indicia or security codes. An activator printer thermally applies game indicia and/or security code(s) at a retail location according to ticket selections made by a user and further according to data generated via a central host, wherein the activator printer applies the indicia and code(s) at least partially under one or more security coatings on the ticket substrate, where the coatings had been applied during the pre-activation process.

Abstract: The present invention combines aspects of social media with traditional lottery games. In one aspect, the present invention provides lottery game for drawing-based and instant-based games, where the numbers or icons that are traditionally used are replaced by player profiles.

Abstract: A transaction card facilitates typical consumer transactions as well as transactions related to lottery offerings and can incorporate a reader terminal to associate lottery tickets with the transaction instrument. New gaming opportunities tied to the instrument are also facilitated, including a personalized guaranteed prize structure, a personalized and/or localized jackpot and an opportunity for winning additional prizes when making purchases using the instrument. The system according to one embodiment of the present invention provides at least a lottery data processing system for communicating a first funding amount to be applied to a multi-purpose transaction card based on winnings from a lottery offering, and a reader terminal for reading at least a portion of the transaction card, reading indicia on one or more gaming tickets, and associating the one or more gaming tickets with the transaction card.