Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a lottery and checking lottery tickets to determine that they are winning or losing tickets is provided. This method provides an effective technique for players to store and play their favorite numbers, to check the status of their lottery tickets in a direct and convenient way, and to keep record of winning and losing tickets. The method for checking winning lottery tickets may comprise receiving a user request to check a winning lottery ticket, with the user request comprising a ticket number, verifying the lottery ticket number with a lottery managing system to determine whether the lottery ticket is the winning lottery ticket, and providing the lottery results to the user. The method may further comprise determining user location and providing nearby lottery dealer information based on the determined user location. The method may further comprise storing and recalling favorite numbers and keeping records of the winning and losing tickets of the user.

Abstract: A method for integrated profile and payment exchange, in one example embodiment, comprises receiving, via an interface with a member merchant, universal credentials to be provided by a member customer, based on the universal credentials, authenticating the member customer, each member customer having a pre-established customer account, receiving a further request to process a payment for one or more items purchased by the merchant customer from the member merchant, processing the payment by charging one or more payment instruments associated with the pre-established customer account, generating a payment record related to the payment, associating the payment record with the member merchant, selectively aggregating the payment with further payments associated with the member merchant into an aggregated payment, and making the aggregated payment into an account associated with the member merchant.