Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system and method includes a set of scratch-off lottery ticket blanks, each lottery ticket blank having a composition area and a separate game play area with play indicia that presents a pre-determined game outcome, the play indicia covered by a scratch-off coating (SOC). The set of lottery ticket blanks are housed within an automated dispenser. An interface is configured with the dispenser and is in communication with the printer, the interface configured to accept player input of personalized indicia for printing in the composition area. A printer is operably configured with the dispenser and is in communication with the interface via a controller. The printer prints the personalized indicia from the player in the composition area to generate a finished scratch-off lottery ticket prior to dispensing of the finished lottery ticket from the dispenser.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system includes a set of scratch-off lottery ticket blanks, each lottery ticket blank having a front face and a back face and a game play area on the front face with play indicia that presents a pre-determined game outcome, the play indicia covered by a scratch-off coating (SOC). A coating layer is applied over at least the game play area such that an entirety of the front face presents an empty composition area void of lottery ticket indicia. The set of lottery ticket blanks are housed within an automated dispenser. An interface is configured with the dispenser and is in communication with a printer associated with the dispenser and accepts input of composition indicia from a patron for printing on portions of or the entirety of the front face to generate a finished scratch-off lottery ticket prior to dispensing the finished lottery ticket.

Abstract: A method for providing scratch-off lottery tickets for sale remote from a POS location in a retail establishment includes configuring the tickets with a game play area having play characters covered by a scratch-off coating. A print characteristic is provided in the game play area that is optically scannable but not reproducible when photocopying the game play area. In a database, identification of the printed characteristic is linked to a computer file associated with the lottery ticket at a central lottery computer. An optically scannable random identifier is also provided in the game play area and is linked to the computer file. Upon presentation of the lottery ticket for purchase, the ticket or a scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the print characteristic is present in the game play area. The scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the random identifier assigned to the lottery ticket is present in the game play area of the scanned image.

Abstract: A scratch-off lottery ticket game system and method include lottery tickets contain a first set of play characters and instructions for receiving a second set of predetermined play characters assigned to the lottery ticket via a mobile smart device. At time of purchase of the lottery ticket, the system activates the ticket in a computer file at a central server. Upon receiving a request from the player that identifies the lottery ticket, the server verifies the activated status of the lottery ticket and downloads the second set of predetermined play characters to the mobile smart device. The player removes the scratch-off coating from the first set of play characters on the lottery ticket and compares them second set of play characters to reveal a predetermined outcome of the lottery ticket.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system and method wherein a master instant lottery tickets for a common game a game play area with variable game play indicia, and static game instruction indicia in a master language. Each master ticket includes a code thereon that links the master ticket to the common game. For the common game, one or more corresponding digital templates are provided that contain the static game instruction indicia in a different foreign language. A central server stores the digital templates and downloads the templates to a player's smart device. Via an application on their smart device, the player enters the code from the master instant lottery ticket and selects one of the digital templates to view the game instruction indicia in the foreign language of the digital template.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system and method wherein a set of master instant lottery tickets includes instruction indicia printed in a master language and a ticket-specific code. For each of the master tickets, corresponding digital lottery tickets are saved in a file and include the instruction indicia in a foreign language, wherein the ticket-specific code on each master ticket links to the file associated with the master ticket. A game server is in communication with the files and is configured for communication with a player's smart device via an application downloaded to the smart device. Via the application, the player enters the ticket-specific code from the master ticket and is presented with an option to receive one or more of the foreign language digital lottery tickets transmitted to their smart device.

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 validation file stored in a central host computer includes an individual base record for the winning tickets containing ticket identification data and the first prize value. A prize enhancement code on the winning ticket provides an option for the player to opt for the enhanced second prize value at a risk of reducing the first prize value. A sub-record in the validation file is maintained separate from the base record and includes the prize enhancement code and the value of the enhanced second, which may be less than the first prize value. A logic gate in the base record links the sub-record with the base record upon entry of the prize enhancement code by or for the player.

Abstract: A lottery ticket dispenser bin is configured for dispensing interconnected sealed ticket packs, and includes a housing having a front panel with a dispensing slot defined therein and a back panel. The housing has a bottom contour that includes a middle section on which the stack of ticket packs rest in an upright orientation, and a front wall that extends upwards towards the dispensing slot. A hump defines a transition surface between the middle section and the front wall, and an initial contact surface that retains a trailing ticket pack in the middle section as a leading ticket pack is pulled through the dispensing slot. The front wall defines a second contact surface against which the trailing ticket pack is pulled and bent as the leading ticket pack is pulled from the dispensing slot. An insert that defines the bottom contour is also provided for insertion into a ticket bin.

Abstract: A method for providing scratch-off lottery tickets for sale remote from a POS location in a retail establishment includes configuring the tickets with a game play area having play characters covered by a scratch-off coating. A print characteristic is provided in the game play area that is optically scannable but not reproducible when photocopying the game play area. In a database, identification of the printed characteristic is linked to a computer file associated with the lottery ticket at a central lottery computer. An optically scannable random identifier is also provided in the game play area and is linked to the computer file. Upon presentation of the lottery ticket for purchase, the ticket or a scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the print characteristic is present in the game play area. The scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the random identifier assigned to the lottery ticket is present in the game play area of the scanned image.

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 scratch-off lottery ticket game system and method include lottery tickets contain a first set of play characters and instructions for receiving a second set of predetermined play characters assigned to the lottery ticket via a mobile smart device. At time of purchase of the lottery ticket, the system activates the ticket in a computer file at a central server. Upon receiving a request from the player that identifies the lottery ticket, the server verifies the activated status of the lottery ticket and downloads the second set of predetermined play characters to the mobile smart device. The player removes the scratch-off coating from the first set of play characters on the lottery ticket and compares them second set of play characters to reveal a predetermined outcome of the lottery ticket.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system and method wherein a master instant lottery tickets for a common game a game play area with variable game play indicia, and static game instruction indicia in a master language. Each master ticket includes a ticket-specific code thereon that links the master instant lottery ticket to a ticket-specific computer file in a central server. For each master ticket, a digital game play area is generated corresponding to the game play area of the master ticket and stored in the ticket-specific computer file. The central server downloads the digital game play area to the smart device upon receipt of the ticket-specific code for a specific one of the master tickets. In the digital game play area, winning game play indicia therein is marked in a manner recognizable by an application on the smart device, wherein the application visually enhances the marked winning game play indicia.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system and method wherein a set of master instant lottery tickets includes instruction indicia printed in a master language and a ticket-specific code. For each of the master tickets, corresponding digital lottery tickets are saved in a file and include the instruction indicia in a foreign language, wherein the ticket-specific code on each master ticket links to the file associated with the master ticket. A game server is in communication with the files and is configured for communication with a player's smart device via an application downloaded to the smart device. Via the application, the player enters the ticket-specific code from the master ticket and is presented with an option to receive one or more of the foreign language digital lottery tickets transmitted to their smart device.

Abstract: An instant lottery ticket game system and method wherein a master instant lottery tickets for a common game a game play area with variable game play indicia, and static game instruction indicia in a master language. Each master ticket includes a code thereon that links the master ticket to the common game. For the common game, one or more corresponding digital templates are provided that contain the static game instruction indicia in a different foreign language. A central server stores the digital templates and downloads the templates to a player's smart device. Via an application on their smart device, the player enters the code from the master instant lottery ticket and selects one of the digital templates to view the game instruction indicia in the foreign language of the digital template.

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 validation file stored in a central host computer includes an individual base record for the winning tickets containing ticket identification data and the first prize value. A prize enhancement code on the winning ticket provides an option for the player to opt for the enhanced second prize value at a risk of reducing the first prize value. A sub-record in the validation file is maintained separate from the base record and includes the prize enhancement code and the value of the enhanced second, which may be less than the first prize value. A logic gate in the base record links the sub-record with the base record upon entry of the prize enhancement code by or for the player.

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 bin is configured for dispensing interconnected sealed ticket packs, and includes a housing having a front panel with a dispensing slot defined therein and a back panel. The housing has a bottom contour that includes a middle section on which the stack of ticket packs rest in an upright orientation, and a front wall that extends upwards towards the dispensing slot. A hump defines a transition surface between the middle section and the front wall, and an initial contact surface that retains a trailing ticket pack in the middle section as a leading ticket pack is pulled through the dispensing slot. The front wall defines a second contact surface against which the trailing ticket pack is pulled and bent as the leading ticket pack is pulled from the dispensing slot. An insert that defines the bottom contour is also provided for insertion into a ticket bin.

Abstract: A method for authenticating instant lottery tickets in a web-based program that links secondary activities to the tickets includes providing each lottery ticket with a validation code that links the lottery ticket to an electronic validation file in a database that contains a predetermined outcome and status of the lottery. Each lottery ticket is provided with a registration code separate from the validation code, wherein a player uses the registration code to register the lottery ticket in the web-based program. The registration code is an encrypted form of the validation code for each ticket. With a server and upon receipt of the registration code, the registration code is decrypted to determine the validation code. The validation file associated with the decrypted registration code is accessed and, from the validation file, the authenticity and status of the lottery ticket required for a valid entry into the web-based program is determined.

Abstract: A method for authenticating instant lottery tickets for entry into a lottery activity includes providing each lottery ticket with a validation code that links the lottery ticket to an electronic validation file in a database, wherein the validation file contains a predetermined outcome of the lottery ticket and a status of the lottery ticket. Each lottery ticket is provided with a registration code separate from the validation code, wherein the registration code is used to register the lottery ticket in the lottery activity. The registration code is generated as an encrypted form of the validation code for each respective ticket. With a server and upon receipt of the registration code for entry into the lottery activity, the registration code is decrypted to determine the validation code assigned to the lottery ticket. The validation file associated with the decrypted registration code is accessed and used to verify authenticity and status of the lottery ticket required for entry into the lottery activity.

Abstract: A method for authenticating instant lottery tickets in a web-based program that links secondary activities to the tickets includes providing each lottery ticket with a validation code that links the lottery ticket to an electronic validation file in a database that contains a predetermined outcome and status of the lottery. Each lottery ticket is provided with a registration code separate from the validation code, wherein a player uses the registration code to register the lottery ticket in the web-based program. The registration code is an encrypted form of the validation code for each ticket. With a server and upon receipt of the registration code, the registration code is decrypted to determine the validation code. The validation file associated with the decrypted registration code is accessed and, from the validation file, the authenticity and status of the lottery ticket required for a valid entry into the web-based program is determined.