Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for dispensing lottery tickets at a retail establishment. Lottery tickets are provided for purchase from a dispenser array in the retail establishment, the dispenser array including a plurality of separate bins having a pack of different respective lottery tickets stored therein. The dispenser array is in communication with a central lottery server. Upon loading of a ticket pack into the bins, a code associated with the ticket pack is scanned and transmitted to the central lottery server. With the central lottery server, a total minimum winning prize amount of the lottery tickets in the pack associated with each bin is determined, and a message is generated and transmitted as a function of this minimum total prize amount of the lottery tickets in all of the bins in the array, with the message being displayed to consumers at the retail establishment.

Abstract: A security-enhanced document, such as an instant lottery ticket, includes a substrate. Indicia is provided on the substrate, and a scratch-off-coating (SOC) layer is applied over the indicia to maintain the indicia unreadable until removal of the SOC layer. The indicia is printed onto the substrate as pigmented particles. One or more opacity film layers may be provided over or under the pigmented particle indicia.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game structure and method includes a set of instant lottery tickets, wherein a plurality of these tickets are winning tickets having a predetermined first prize value, as well as a predetermined enhanced second prize value. A first validation file is maintained in a central host computer having a primary record for each winning ticket, the primary record including ticket identification data and the predetermined first prize value. A second validation file maintained by a computer includes a base record for each winning ticket having the prize enhancement code for the winning ticket and the second prize value assigned to the winning ticket. A logic gate in the base record automatically activates upon entry of the prize enhancement code, wherein the computer creates a final record for the winning ticket by modifying the base record to include the second prize value as a final prize value. The first validation file is periodically updated with the final records.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a frame and a plurality of separate bins contained within the frame. Each bin includes a housing having a front side that faces a purchaser in operational use of the dispenser array, an opposite back side, and an internal space for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets, wherein each lottery tickets contains a code printed thereon. Each bin has an electronic drive mechanism that dispenses the lottery tickets therefrom. A controller is in communication with each of the drive mechanisms to initiate a dispense sequence upon receipt of a ticket dispense command from the controller. The controller is configured on the frame and is variably positional relative to the frame between different operational positions.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for conducting a lottery game play purchase at a retail establishment. At an interactive kiosk located within the retail establishment and in communication with a central lottery server, payment is accepted from a player via the kiosk for a lottery game play selected by the player at the kiosk. A transaction ID is generated at the server associated with the lottery game play, and is transmitted back to the kiosk. The player is able to input the transaction ID to their mobile smart device via an application downloaded to the mobile smart device, wherein the application generates an identifier code unique to the mobile smart device. The identifier code is transmitted by the mobile smart device to the server and is stored with the transaction ID in a file, along with the identity of the selected lottery game plays.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes a frame and a plurality of separate bins contained within the frame. Each bin includes a housing having a front side that faces a purchaser in operational use of the dispenser array, an opposite back side, and an internal space for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets, wherein each lottery tickets contains a code printed thereon. Each bin has an electronic drive mechanism that dispenses the lottery tickets therefrom. The bins are separately removable and insertable into the array. A printer module is provided in the array and has a size and configuration so as to be insertable into the array in place of at least one of the bins.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser system includes a physical dispenser array having a plurality of separate bins for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. A control system is in communication with a drive mechanism in each bin to initiate a dispense sequence upon receipt of a ticket dispense command. A central lottery server is in communication with the control system. An electronic display device is in communication with the central lottery server and is configured to present a virtual dispenser array with bin positions that mimics the physical dispenser array. The central lottery server transmits lottery ticket images to the electronic display device that correspond to the lottery tickets in the physical dispenser array and bin position assignments for the lottery ticket images in the virtual dispenser array.

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 a retail establishment. Lottery tickets are provided for purchase from a dispenser array in the retail establishment, the dispenser array including a plurality of separate bins having a pack of different respective lottery tickets stored therein. The dispenser array is in communication with a central lottery server. Upon loading of a ticket pack into the bins, a code associated with the ticket pack is scanned and transmitted to the central lottery server. With the central lottery server, a total minimum winning prize amount of the lottery tickets in the pack associated with each bin is determined, and a message is generated and transmitted as a function of this minimum total prize amount of the lottery tickets in all of the bins in the array, with the message being displayed to consumers at the retail establishment.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for activating and dispensing lottery tickets at a retail establishment. For each pack of lottery tickets delivered to the retail establishment, a pack code unique to the pack is scanned and transmitted to a central lottery server that activates the lottery tickets within the ticket pack to a ready for sale status in a database. At the retail establishment, a unique ticket code provided on each lottery ticket is scanned at a time of sale of the ticket and transmitted to the central server that confirms that the ticket as previously flagged as ready for sale and, if so, the ticket is flagged as sold in the database. At defined time intervals, accountability and billing information is provided from the central server to a central retail server based on individual lottery tickets flagged as activated and sold during the defined time periods.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for producing a perforation line between adjacent lottery tickets in an automated production line wherein a substrate having lottery tickets printed thereon is conveyed through a perforation station in the production line prior to being folded into a Z-fold pattern for subsequent packaging. A perforation machine in the line is controlled by a controller for defining the perforation lines, wherein the control process includes determining the perforation lines that correspond to fold lines in the Z-fold pattern and, for these perforation lines, programming the perforation machine to generate a second perforation profile that is different from a first perforation profile of non-fold perforation lines that lie between the fold lines in the Z-fold pattern. The second perforation profile is specifically tailored to produce a stronger perforation line to compensate for weakness induced in the perforation line from being folded.

Abstract: A method and associated system are provided for producing a perforation line between adjacent lottery tickets in an automated production line wherein a substrate having lottery tickets printed thereon is conveyed through a perforation station in the production line. A perforation machine in the line is controlled to define a perforation line between the adjacent lottery tickets. The controlling process includes inputting control variables into a controller associated with the perforation machine, the control variables relating to conditions that determine a desired perforation profile of the perforation line. The controller programs the perforation machine with a specific perforation profile for the perforation line that is generated based on the entered control variables, and changes the perforation profile upon inputting of different values for the control variables.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for play of a game of chance wherein players in a primary game collect credit or value for losing primary game tickets. A plurality of physical locations are designated as authorized communication-enabled locations and are configured with a transmitter device that broadcasts an ID signal unique to the location or a receiver that receives an ID signal unique to a particular player. The identity and location of the locations is published to the players. The players are provided with capability to receive the unique ID signals emitted by the transmitter devices within the locations on a mobile smart device, or to broadcast the ID signal unique to the player for receipt by the receiver in locations. A game server automatically identifies the player and the particular location upon receipt of a transmission that includes the ID signal unique to the location or the ID signal unique to the player.

Abstract: A method is provided wherein players are automatically detected at a physical location and invited by an electronic component within the location to play a game of chance or perform other game related activities. The players have the capability to receive unique ID signals emitted by a transmitter device within the locations on a mobile smart device, or to broadcast an ID signal unique to the player for receipt by a receiver in the locations. When the player is at a first distance from the transmitter device or the receiver in the location, a game server generates a first personalized message to the player that invites the player to move to a game console within the location. When the player is at a second distance from the transmitter device or the receiver indicating the player has moved towards the game console, the game server generates a second personalized message instructing the player how to play a game or perform other game-related activities at the game console.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes individual ticket bins defined by a respective housing for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. Each bin has an electronic drive mechanism that dispenses the lottery tickets through a slot is defined in a back side of each bin housing. A separation device is adjacent the slot. A calibration slot is defined through a member internal to the housing and is located such that the lottery tickets pass alongside the calibration field in a travel path through the slot. A receiver is disposed internal to the housing opposite to the calibration slot to receive light that passes through the slot. The receiver and the drive mechanism are in communication with a control system.

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 a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. Each bin has an electronic ticket drive mechanism a control system in communication with the drive mechanism to initiate a dispense sequence upon receipt of a ticket dispense command. The control system is furthered configured to generate a bin ID signal upon a lottery ticket being dispensed from the bin. A central lottery server receives the bin ID signals and is configured to randomly determine a select one of the bins within the dispenser array to associate with a bonus prize and, for each dispense sequence, to compare the received bin ID signal to the select bin to determine if the bin associated with the dispense cycle corresponds to the selected bonus bin.

Abstract: A system and associated method are provided for dispensing lottery tickets at retail establishments, the lottery tickets authorized for sale in a given jurisdiction by a lottery authority. The lottery tickets are formatted for sale at the retail establishment with a ticket purchase code and a separate ticket data code. For each ticket sale, the ticket purchase code is input into a point-of-sale (POS) system of the retail establishment such that purchase of the lottery ticket mimics purchase of a non-lottery product in the POS system. For each ticket sold, a ticket data packet is transmitted from the retail establishment to a host lottery system, the data packet identifying the particular lottery ticket sold from the ticket data code and the particular retail establishment at which the lottery ticket was sold.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser array includes ticket bins, with each bin defined by a housing for receipt of a supply of interconnected lottery tickets. Each bin has an electronic drive mechanism that dispenses the lottery tickets therefrom. A slot is defined in the back side of each bin housing through which the lottery tickets are dispensed from the internal space, and a separation device is adjacent the slot. A calibration field is located relative to the slot such that the lottery tickets pass alongside the calibration filed in a travel path of the lottery tickets through the slot. An optical scanner is disposed internal to the housing at a location to read the marks in calibration field. Based on a position of a forward edge of a ticket in the calibration field, a control system determines an adjustment to a predefined length of the leading ticket to advance in a subsequent dispense cycle.

Abstract: A scratch-off lottery ticket and associated production method are provided wherein a primer material is applied as a dried layer to a front face of a ticket substrate. Game play indicia is printed on the primer layer in a designated game play area, and a scratch-off layer is applied over the game play indicia. The primer layer includes a particulate luminescent material homogeneously dispersed throughout, wherein the particulate luminescent material has a particle size and additive amount relative to the primer layer such that the particulate luminescent material does not add processing or material drying time to application of the primer layer. Fraudulent attempts to remove the scratch-off layer to reveal the underlying play indicia are rendered optically apparent by luminescence of the particulate luminescent material upon subsequent excitation of the play area with an excitation source.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser bin includes a pivotal door configured on a housing and movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position relative to the housing. The pivotal door includes a back wall and a bottom frame mounted to the housing. One or more spring-loaded, elongated tabs are pivotally mounted to the bottom frame and extend transversely from the bottom frame and are biased against the back wall of the door. The tabs have a length so as to be continuously engaged against the back wall as the pivotal door moves between the fully open and fully closed positions to define a bridge that prevents the lottery tickets from moving into a hinge area between the housing and the pivotal door.