Abstract: In a row of lottery tickets each ticket has variable image printing game data printed onto a base layer on a substrate and a series of covering layers including at least one sealing layer and at least one scratch-off layer. Onto the scratch-off layer is a multi-color digital image for each ticket using a variable image printing system. At least part of the scratch-off layer can be left free from printed overlay graphics and the multi-color digital image can be printed subsequently at a different location from the ticket manufacturing location. The graphics can indicate different values for different ones of the tickets. The tickets in the row can be of different lengths and the graphics can be different for different length ones of the tickets.

Abstract: A lottery ticket has printed thereon a matrix of nine rows and nine columns defining eighty one locations some of which are pre-marked with numbers from 1 to 9 and is arranged such that the player can select and enter the numbers in open locations to provide an arrangement of the numbers in which the marked locations and the open locations contain a number selected from the numbers 1 to 9 where all columns and all rows have the nine locations thereof each containing one of the numbers 1 to 9 with each number appearing once only. Prizes are awarded, according to a set of rules relating to the lottery ticket, depending on the appearance of at least one of the numbers in at least one of the locations or depending on the total number of correct rows or columns or other matrix shape of nine locations.

Abstract: A game ticket construction is formed by laminating two substrate sheets by a band of adhesive between the sheets across a center line so as to form an initially flat construction which can be folded into a four page eight surface booklet. A plurality of different games, each defined by game indicia some or all of which are covered by a scratch-off layer are printed, one onto each of the six surfaces except the first and last which carry promotional material.

Abstract: A lottery ticket having a substrate layer with game data printed in a game area and which is arranged to prevent access to the game data from a rear surface of the substrate and has at least one fixing layer applied over the game data in the game area so as to prevent release of the printed game data from the substrate layer and at least one opaque scratch-off layer applied over the sealing layer, the scratch-off layer being arranged such that it separates from the sealing layer and breaks down into fragments when scratched by a player, is modified by the addition of an adhesive layer applied over at least a part of the opaque scratch-off layer and a metal layer attached to the adhesive layer. The metal layer and the adhesive layer are arranged such that they break down into fragments with the scratch-off layer when scratched by the player and may provide both enhanced security and an improved appearance.

Abstract: A lottery ticket has printed thereon a matrix of nine rows and nine columns defining eighty one locations some of which are pre-marked with numbers from 1 to 9 and is arranged such that the player can select and enter the numbers in open locations to provide an arrangement of the numbers in which the marked locations and the open locations contain a number selected from the numbers 1 to 9 where all columns and all rows have the nine locations thereof each containing one of the numbers 1 to 9 with each number appearing once only. Prizes are awarded, according to a set of rules relating to the lottery ticket, depending on the appearance of at least one of the numbers in at least one of the locations or depending on the total number of correct rows or columns or other matrix shape of nine locations.

Abstract: A lottery ticket has printed thereon a matrix of nine rows and nine columns defining eighty one locations some of which are pre-marked with numbers from 1 to 9 and is arranged such that the player can select and enter the numbers in open locations to provide an arrangement of the numbers in which the marked locations and the open locations contain a number selected from the numbers 1 to 9 where all columns and all rows have the nine locations thereof each containing one of the numbers 1 to 9 with each number appearing once only. Prizes are awarded, according to a set of rules relating to the lottery ticket, depending on the appearance of at least one of the numbers in at least one of the locations or depending on the total number of correct rows or columns or other matrix shape of nine locations.

Abstract: In a row of lottery tickets each ticket has variable image printing game data printed onto a base layer on a substrate and a series of covering layers including at least one sealing layer and at least one scratch-off layer. Onto the scratch-off layer is a multi-color digital image for each ticket using a variable image printing system. At least part of the scratch-off layer can be left free from printed overlay graphics and the multi-color digital image can be printed subsequently at a different location from the ticket manufacturing location. The graphics can indicate different values for different ones of the tickets. The tickets in the row can be of different lengths and the graphics can be different for different length ones of the tickets.

Abstract: A lottery ticket has a covering scratch-off coating applied over at least part of a game area, including game data applied over an ink layer including a lily pad. A detectable taggant additive material is admixed in an ink of the ink layer having the characteristic of being detectable by a detection scanner when applied over the substrate where the covering scratch-off coating masks the ability of the detection scanner to detect the detectable taggant additive material through the covering scratch-off coating. The scanning of the game area is used to detect areas where the scratch is removed in order to confirm that the game has been played or to detect patterns of removal in a probability type game.

Abstract: A lottery ticket is printed onto a conventional paper, card or similar substrate to provide game information printed on the substrate and game data printed on the substrate where some or all of the game data is covered by a removable covering which can be removed by the player generally by scratching a latex covering layer to expose the covered data for playing the game. In addition, a battery is printed on the substrate together with printed conductive paths, a powered element such lights or sound or a changeable ink formed on the substrate and a switch responsive to an action on the substrate by the player, generally scratching of the covering layer for conducting power from the battery to the powered element.

Abstract: A packaging material is provided in a continuous roll for forming into a channel shaped receptacle for receiving and supporting a structure such as a food product to be packaged by an over-wrap material. The packaging material is formed from two substrate sheets connected together along side edges to form a coextensive laminate defining a center portion and two side strip portions where the center portion has a width arranged to form the bottom wall and the two side strip portions each have a width arranged to form a respective one of the upstanding side walls. The center portions can be separated and exposed by tearing away the side and end portions and the inside surface of the center portions carries printed indicia providing a remanent value therefor, such as a scratch-off type lottery game or a collectible card.

Abstract: Described herein is a break-open lottery ticket where the ticket is formed by laminating two substrate sheets. The lottery ticket includes variable imaged lottery indicia printed directly onto the inside surface of both sheets the ticket and covered by a layer of scratch-off material. The indicia and the scratch-off material are enclosed within the sheets allowing the outside surfaces to be used for game and promotional information. Either just the first substrate sheet or both sheets are perforated to define a perforated tear line thereon arranged to define a portion of the first substrate sheet which can be opened relative to the second substrate sheet, by the player tearing through the perforated tear line, to expose game data. The perforated tear line defining the portion extends only part way around the periphery of the portion of the first substrate sheet so that when the perforation lines are torn the portion of the first substrate sheet remains attached to the second substrate sheet.

Abstract: The input of information into the control unit of a lottery ticket dispensing machine, for filling of dispensing containers of the machine with different game tickets, defining a game number for a game provided on the tickets, a price of the ticket, a total number of the tickets making up the quantity of tickets and a length of the tickets from a leading edge of each ticket to a trailing edge thereof is simplified so as to avoid requiring the service person to enter the information on a key pad as numerical values. This is effected by providing the information in machine readable form on the tickets themselves or on a game set up card associated with the tickets so that the information can be scanned into the control unit by a reader. Alternatively, the information can be provided in a simplified coded form for simple input by the service person into a key pad of the control unit.

Abstract: The validation of an allegedly winning ticket from a series of instant win lottery tickets includes providing on each ticket of the series a validation number or VIRN unique to the ticket which is printed on the ticket in machine readable format, preferably a bar code format and covered by a scratch-off layer. The VIRN is read by a scanner of a validation terminal operated by an agent and is compared at a data source with a list of the validation numbers of the winning tickets in association with a predetermined prize value of the associated ticket. The validation process is enhanced by causing a display screen of the terminal to communicate the requirement to the agent for input into a key pad of required information from the alleged winning ticket including a confirmation of inspection of the validity of the ticket and a game number read from the ticket.

Abstract: The input of information into the control unit of a lottery ticket dispensing machine, for filling of dispensing containers of the machine with different game tickets, defining a game number for a game provided on the tickets, a price of the ticket, a total number of the tickets making up the quantity of tickets and a length of the tickets from a leading edge of each ticket to a trailing edge thereof is simplified so as to avoid requiring the service person to enter the information on a key pad as numerical values. This is effected by providing the information in machine readable form on the tickets themselves or on a game set up card associated with the tickets so that the information can be scanned into the control unit by a reader. Alternatively, the information can be provided in a simplified coded form for simple input by the service person into a key pad of the control unit.

Abstract: Described herein is a lottery ticket comprising a front surface having lottery indicia covered by a scratch-off layer printed thereon and a rear surface having a plurality of break-open windows for viewing the variable image printed lottery indicia beneath the windows. The ticket is one of a row of such tickets each connected to the next at a line of weakness allowing the tickets to be stacked in a dispenser in fan folded arrangement for dispensing. The game data is applied by variable imaging techniques allowing the use of fully variable games and validation bar codes.

Abstract: Described herein is a lottery ticket comprising a front surface having lottery indicia covered by a scratch-off layer printed thereon and a rear surface having a plurality of break-open windows for viewing the variable image printed lottery indicia beneath the windows. The ticket is one of a row of such tickets each connected to the next at a line of weakness allowing the tickets to be stacked in a dispenser in fan folded arrangement for dispensing. The game data is applied by variable imaging techniques allowing the use of fully variable games and validation bar codes.

Abstract: Described herein is a lottery ticket composed of two ticket portions, each having a rear surface and a front surface. The front surfaces include promotional graphics and lottery information whereas the rear surfaces include lottery indicia, some of which are covered with a scratch-off layer. The lottery ticket is formed by connecting the rear surfaces together such that the lottery indicia are facing one another and are not visible without separating the lottery ticket into its two portions. The ticket assembly thus forms in effect a pouch enveloping the lottery indicia but without the wastefulness of a separate pouch material.

Abstract: Described herein is a break-open lottery ticket and a method of producing same. The lottery ticket includes variable imaged lottery indicia printed directly onto the ticket, meaning that bar codes and other similar features can be added for increased security and facilitated redemption. The indicia are covered by a break open window allowing the indicia to be exposed for playing the game. The indicia are printed onto a white lily pad in two or more colors allowing a high quality graphic image to be provided to attract the player.