Abstract: Described is a player activated game system, particularly adapted for playing instant lottery type games, that includes a game device having a computer containing at least one game, an electronic display and a card interface adapted to receive a game card having data that represents a particular game outcome such that connection of the card to the interface can result the game being played by the device with the particular outcome displayed on the display. Also described are lottery tickets or game cards that are adapted use with the game devices along with methods of manufacturing the game cards.

Abstract: A method of embedding an optical signature in a document and document produced therefrom. The optical signature is an optical pattern generated from a known value, such as a mathematical, geometric, trigonometric, size, phase, and the like, and the same value can be generated from examination of a document having the embedded optical pattern. The document can be validated, authenticated, or the determination of a valid copy of an original document with the embedded optical signature made through comparison of the known value and the value generated from the optical pattern on the document. The optical pattern can also be generated from other identification codes on the document.

Abstract: A system and method of playing an extension game to a lottery game is disclosed. A lottery game player enters a base game and receives a base game entry, and may elect to play a second lottery game in addition to the base game, and if so, selects or has selected for them game indicia therefor. A winning entry for the base game is selected, whereupon the winning game indicia for the second game is selected to be the game indicia selected for the second game on the winning base game entry. Lottery players who won the base game receive a prize, and those lottery players who did not win the base game but that have the winning game indicia for the second game, as well as those lottery players that won the base game and have the have the winning game indicia for the second game, receive a prize.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for awarding at least a portion of a jackpot amount in a lottery game for a plurality of players. The method may include accepting an entry from each of the plurality of players for an occurrence of the lottery game, wherein each entry may include a first subset of numbers selected from a predetermined range of numbers, and determining an outcome for the occurrence of the lottery game, wherein the outcome for the occurrence of the lottery game may include a second subset of numbers selected from the predetermined range of numbers. The method may also include comparing the first subset of numbers for each of the entries to the second subset of numbers for the outcome of the lottery game, and determining the number of matched numbers for each entry between the first subset of numbers for the entry and the second subset of numbers.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for providing a lottery game for a plurality of players. The method may include accepting an entry from each of the plurality of players for an occurrence of the lottery game, and each entry may include a predetermined number of multi-digit entry numbers. The method may further include determining an outcome for the occurrence of the lottery game, and the outcome for the occurrence of the lottery game may include selecting a predetermined number of multi-digit drawing numbers. Still further, the method may include comparing the multi-digit entry numbers for each entry to the multi-digit drawing numbers for the occurrence of the lottery game, and determining whether each entry is a winning entry based on the level of correspondence between entry numbers and the drawing numbers.

Abstract: A group wagering game is provided in which all entrants win or lose simultaneously as a group. The method of playing the game includes forming a group consisting of all entrants who have made a first wager on a first game and a second wager on the outcome of second group game. The outcome of the second group game is determined first, but is only applied if the first game is a winner. As such, a “bonus” round of play is provided which generates group interest and excitement in the gaming experience.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may comprise a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the value input device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for metered, raffle-style gaming implemented over a distributed network of locations and suitable for use in lottery and casino gaming environments. Potential winning numbers are issued in an order determined by relative time of a request for a number as received by a central controller, in comparison to the timing of other requests received by the controller, and matched to one or more known or predictable winning numbers. Time entries placed by players and compared to one or more target times may also be used to determine winning outcomes.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for processing lottery sales data comprises the steps of causing display of a table on a computer, the table containing data representing lottery game attributes and lottery ticket sales for a plurality of lottery game types; enabling a user of the computer to query the data in the table based on at least one criterion from a predetermined list of criteria; and forecasting sales of a new lottery game based on results of the query.

Abstract: A system and method of playing a lottery-type game are provided. The game comprises obtaining at least one player-selected combination, or concatenated indicia string, such as from a series of one or more columns on a game play slip. A first random combination, or concatenated indicia string, is generated by a gaming administrator and it is determined whether at least one of the player-selected combinations matches the gaming administrator generated combination. Regardless of whether any player-selected combinations match the first gaming administrator generated combination, at least a second gaming administrator generated combination, or more, may be provided for a player to determine whether at least one of the player-selected combinations matches the second gaming administrator generated combination. A payout amount may be awarded based upon the number of player-selected combinations and gaming administrator generated combinations matched.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for interactively playing a lottery-type game among a number of players. In one embodiment, this is accomplished on a network of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. An objective of the game is for a player to select the number closest to the randomly selected number that represents the winning number for the lottery game. This is a significant departure from the prior art, in that the game of the present invention does not require an exact match to produce a win and in that the game results in a win for every drawing. Thus, the lottery-type game of the present invention improves the gaming experience for the player, which will result in prolonged and more frequent play, thereby maximizing revenues for the operator of the game.