VOLUME PRICING AND ENHANCED RETAILER INCENTIVES IN A LOTTERY GAME
A process establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/234,575, filed on Sep. 19, 2008 and entitled VOLUME PRICING AND RETAILER INCENTIVES IN A LOTTERY GAME, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND1. Field
This disclosure generally relates to the field of gaming. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a lottery game.
2. General Background
A lottery is generally a distribution of tokens such that a subset of the distributed tokens may win a prize. The token can be in the form of a ticket. One of the most popular forms of lottery involves the distribution of lottery tickets. Each lottery ticket includes a lottery number. After the lottery tickets have been distributed to the lottery ticket holders, the winning number is chosen. The usual method of selecting the winning number involves a random selection of the winning number. A random number generator can be used to randomly select the winning number. Some lottery systems require the ticket to have the entire number that is randomly selected while other lottery systems require the ticket to have a subset of an ordered sequence of numbers that are randomly selected.
Traditional instant games, such as peel-off or scratch-off-style games, involve pre-determined results reflected by pre-printed tickets. A peel-off game may be implemented as a pull-tab game. Generally, the results are concealed and the player must scratch off material or pull tabs to reveal the results of the instant game. A traditional instant game is generally offered at a single price, with each game having its own price and independent fixed prize structure. Players seeking higher prizes must choose a different game; typically, a single game does not provide the player with prize and price options.
Over the past 15 years, many lotteries have experienced an erosion of net profit margins primarily as the result of sales shifts from higher margin product segments like numbers and lotto games to lower margin product segments like instant games. In 1992, for example, higher margin games made up approximately two thirds of total U.S. lottery sales and instant games represented less than a third of total U.S. lottery sales. By 2007, traditional higher margin games represented slightly more than one third of total U.S. lottery sales while instant sales had grown to over one half of total U.S. lottery sales. Typical instant games currently carry prize costs that are approximately thirty percent greater than corresponding traditional numbers, lotto and raffle games.
The result of this shift in sales to lower margin products has allowed sales to grow, but at the expense of net profit margins. Since 2005, several lotteries have suffered year-over-year declines in net profits despite having achieved record or near-record annual sales levels.
In addition, several lotteries have been mired in litigation over grand prize offerings for scratch tickets. The player in a scratch ticket game is typically aware of the total number of grand prizes available for win. However, the lotteries currently have no system for informing the players when a grand prize is won so that the player is aware that the total number of grand prizes has been reduced. One problem is that a player may win a top prize, but may not redeem that grand prize for some period of time after the purchase of a ticket. As a result, other players think that the total number of grand prizes has not been reduced. Another problem is that the retailers selling the tickets cannot be realistically expected to update the total number of grand prizes. The infrastructure is not in place for such communication, and even if such infrastructure was in place, an enormous burden would be placed on the retailers.
SUMMARYIn one aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the process determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price. In addition the process adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game. The process also calculates with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. Further, the process prints, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets. In addition, the process provides the set of tickets to the retailer for sale. The process also receives, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. Finally, the process provides a prize distribution of the prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket from the set of tickets with a winning match.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer useable medium having a computer readable program. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to establish a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot having a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the process determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to add the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets. The quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also provides play eligibility in the instant lottery game. The computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to calculate with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to print, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to provide the set of tickets to the retailer for sale. The computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to receive, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to provide a prize distribution of the prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket from the set of tickets with a winning match. In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a system is provided. The system includes an establishment module that establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the system includes a processor that (i) determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, (ii) adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets, and (iii) calculates, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game. In addition, the system includes a ticket printer that prints the set of tickets. The system also includes a reception module that receives, from the retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. Further, system includes a prize distribution module that provides a prize distribution of the prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket from the set of tickets with a winning match.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize from a predetermined number of raffle prizes (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the process determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price. The quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also provides play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game. In addition, the process adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets. The process also calculates with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. Further, the process prints, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets. In addition the process provides the set of tickets to the retailer for sale. In addition, the process receives, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. The process also provides an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match. Further, the process performs a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win. The process also provides a raffle prize distribution of at least one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer useable medium having a computer readable program. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to establish a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize from a predetermined number of raffle prizes (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to determine a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game. In addition, computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to add the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets. The computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to calculate with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to print, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to provide the set of tickets to the retailer for sale. The computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to receive, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. Further, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to provide an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win. The computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to provide a raffle prize distribution of at least one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a system is provided. The system includes an establishment module that establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize from a predetermined number of raffle prizes (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the system includes a processor that (i) determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game, (ii) adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets, and (iii) calculates, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. In addition, the system includes a ticket printer the set of tickets. The system also includes a reception module that receives, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. Further, the system includes an instant prize distribution module that provides an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match. In addition, the system includes a raffle drawing machine that performs a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win. The system also includes a raffle prize distribution module that provides a raffle prize distribution of at least one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets that each provides play eligibility for a lottery game and a raffle game. Further, the process establishes a net wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets. In addition, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size. The process also indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. The process also provides the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of lottery game players to play a lottery game. Further, the process receives, from a retailer, the net wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value per ticket is a compensation for the retailer. In addition, the process provides an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match. The process also performs a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win. The process also provides a raffle prize distribution of at least one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the process determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that that is completely dividable into at least one target lot. In addition, the process adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased. The quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also provides play eligibility in the instant lottery game. In addition, the process calculates with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. The process also prints, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets. Further, the process provides the set of tickets to the retailer for sale. In addition, the process receives, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. The process also provides a prize distribution of the prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket from the set of tickets with a winning match.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. Further, the process establishes a net wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. In addition, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size. Further, the process indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. In addition, the process provides the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game. The process also receives, from a retailer, the net wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer. Further, the process provides a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. Further, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size. The process also indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players. Each of the plurality of sub-target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. The process also provides the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game. Further, the process receives, from a retailer, the wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer. In addition, the process provides a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the process determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game. In addition, the process adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets. The process also calculates with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. Further, the process prints, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets. In addition, the process provides the set of tickets to the retailer for sale. The process also receives, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. Further, the process provides an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match. In addition, the process performs a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize. The process also provides a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the process determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game. In addition, the process adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased. The process also calculates with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. Further, the process prints, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets. In addition, the process provides the set of tickets to the retailer for sale. The process also receives, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. Further, the process provides an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match. In addition, the process performs a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize. The process also provides a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets that each provides play eligibility for a lottery game and a raffle game. Further, the process establishes a net wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets. In addition, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size. Further, the process indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players. Each of the plurality of sub-target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. In addition, the process provides the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of lottery game players to play a lottery game. The process also receives, from a retailer, the net wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value per ticket is a compensation for the retailer. Further, the process provides an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match. In addition, the process performs a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize. The process also provides a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In another aspect, a process is provided. The process establishes a wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that each provides play eligibility for a lottery game and a raffle game. Further, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size. In addition, the process indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. The process also provides the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game. Further, the process receives, from a retailer, the wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer. The process also provides a prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match. Further, the process performs a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize. The process also provides a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a wholesale value per lottery game entry for a variable quantity of lottery game entries. Further, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by a retailer to lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a target lot size. In addition, the process indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players. Each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. The target price is greater than the sub-target price. The target lot size being greater than the sub-target lot size. Further, the process receives, from the retailer, the wholesale value per lottery game entry such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per lottery game entry is compensation for the retailer. In addition, the process provides a prize distribution of a prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a lottery game entry with a winning match.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer useable medium having a computer readable program. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to establish a wholesale value per lottery game entry for a variable quantity of lottery game entries. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to indicate a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by a retailer to lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots is a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a target lot size. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to indicate a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players. Each of the plurality of sub-target lots is a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. The target price is greater than the sub-target price. The target lot size is greater than the sub-target lot size. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to receive, from the retailer, the wholesale value per lottery game entry such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per lottery game entry is compensation for the retailer. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to provide a prize distribution of a prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a lottery game entry with a winning match.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a system is provided. The system includes an establishment module that establishes a wholesale value per lottery game entry for a variable quantity of lottery game entries. Further, the system includes a display that indicates (i) a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by a retailer to lottery game players and (ii) a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players. Each of the plurality of sub-target lots is a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and has a target lot size. Each of the plurality of target lots is a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and has a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. The target price is greater than the sub-target price. The target lot size is greater than the sub-target lot size. The system also includes a reception module that receives, from the retailer, the wholesale value per lottery game entry such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per lottery game entry is compensation for the retailer. The system also includes a prize distribution module that provides a prize distribution of a prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a lottery game entry with a winning match.
The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:
A method and apparatus are disclosed that provide a volume price discount and retailer incentive in a lottery game. In one embodiment, the lottery game is an instant lottery game such a scratch-off lottery game. Further, in one embodiment, the lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game. In an alternative embodiment, tickets from a plurality of fixed liability lottery games with similar pricing structures may be purchased by a player in a single transaction. The pricing structures do not have to be identical. The method and apparatus offer a strategic supplement to the instant product segment that will allow lotteries to offer instant lottery games at higher price points with significantly more attractive profit margins.
The sub-target price 108 is a price that is lower than the target price 106. However, instant lottery game players receive greater value from the target price 106 than the sub-target purchase price 108.
At the target price 106, instant lottery game players receive more chances to win than at the sub-target price 108. Further, in one embodiment, a non-linear proportion is configured between a ratio of the sub-target lot size 112 to the sub-target price 108 and a ratio of the target lot size 110 to the target price 106. The non-linear proportion allows the number of tickets to increase in greater proportion than the increase in purchase price.
In one embodiment, the same prize distribution is played for irrespective of price point. In other words, whether a player purchases a target lot size of tickets or a sub-target lot size of tickets, the player can still win the same prize. The price point only affects the number of tickets that the player receives, i.e., the chances of winning that prize. In one embodiment, the prize distribution is a fixed prize. In another embodiment, the prize distribution is a variable prize such as a jackpot prize.
Instant lottery game players deciding to purchase instant lottery game tickets at lower price points will do so with an awareness that they are not receiving the same value as players who purchase instant lottery game tickets at the target purchase price, but simply may not wish to spend the target purchase price. In one embodiment, the instant lottery game players deciding to purchase instant lottery game tickets at lower price points may wish to play at a lower price point for a unique prize such as a non-cash prize that is being offered as a prize distribution at the lower price point.
In another embodiment, a linear proportion and a non-linear proportion may be utilized. For example, the proportion between the ratio of the sub-target lot 112 to the sub-target price 108 and the ratio of the sub-target lot 404 to the sub-target price 402 may be a linear proportion, the proportion between the ratio of the target lot 110 to the target price 106 and the ratio of the sub-target lot 404 to the sub-target price 402 may be a non-linear proportion, and the proportion between the ratio of the target lot 110 to the target price 106 and the ratio of the sub-target lot 112 to the sub-target price 108 may be a non-linear proportion.
By utilizing the processes and apparatuses provided herein, a lottery may effectively offer lottery players more ticket units at higher price points without discounting the lottery's products or further reducing the lottery's profit margins. The lottery will actually be able to achieve sales at higher price points at substantially greater gross profit margins.
In addition to implementing the instant lottery game volume price-discount structure, the lottery may also implement an instant lottery game retailer incentive structure.
For retailer compensation purposes, the ticket sales are not limited to sales of the entire predetermined quantity of tickets. For example, the values described herein can be based on per ticket sales so that a retailer may receive compensation for partial and/or full book sales. In one embodiment, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. Further, the process establishes a net wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. In addition, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size. Further, the process indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. In addition, the process provides the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game. The process also receives, from a retailer, the net wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer. Further, the process provides a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match. A computer program product having a computer readable medium may be utilized to implement this process. Further, a system having a processor to perform calculations, an establishment module to perform the establishment tasks, a reception module that receives the net wholesale value, and a prize distribution module that distributes the prize may be utilized.
In one embodiment, the prize liability does not increase. Accordingly, whether a partial book is sold or a full book is sold, the prize liability of the lottery does not increase.
A number of lots field 602 may indicate the number of lots for a given price and lot size. For example, a number of target lots 604 may be nine, and a number of sub-target lots 606 may be forty nine. Further, a sales field 608 may indicate the sales for a given price, lot size, and number of lots. For example, the sales of all tickets at the target price 106 is a target sales amount 610 of ninety dollars, and the sales of all tickets at the sub-target price 108 is a sub-target sales amount 612 of two hundred forty five dollars. If all the tickets are sold, the total sales equal three hundred thirty five dollars. Since all the tickets at the target price have been sold, the retailer only has to provide a net wholesale value two hundred eighty five dollars, not three hundred dollars, to the lottery. The retailer then gets to keep fifty dollars as a retailer compensation. This retailer compensation is more than three times the typical industry standard compensation.
For retailer compensation purposes when no minimum standard retailer compensation is utilized, the ticket sales are not limited to sales of the entire predetermined quantity of tickets. For example, the values described herein can be based on per ticket sales so that a retailer may receive compensation for partial and/or full book sales. In one embodiment, a process is provided. The process establishes a wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. Further, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size. The process also indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players. Each of the plurality of sub-target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. The process also provides the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game. Further, the process receives, from a retailer, the wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer. In addition, the process provides a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match. A computer program product having a computer readable medium may be utilized to implement this process. Further, a system having a processor to perform calculations, an establishment module to perform the establishment tasks, a reception module that receives the net wholesale value, and a prize distribution module that distributes the prize may be utilized.
In one embodiment, the prize liability does not increase when a standard minimum retailer compensation is not utilized. Accordingly, whether a partial book is sold or a full book is sold, the prize liability of the lottery does not increase.
In one embodiment, the prize liabilities illustrated in
Prize structures may be further enhanced without increasing the lottery's total prize liability via strategic alliances and co-promotions offering the addition of non-cash prizes including, but not limited to goods, services, discount coupons, gift cards, shopping sprees, merchandise points, merchandise redemption programs, gift certificates, and other offerings of a like or similar nature. The effective cash return percentages described above are exclusive of non-cash prizes offered in any given game. However, the additional non-cash prizes may increase the perceived value of a ticket or group of tickets purchased from a non-target price lot. For example, a non-cash prize in addition to the effective cash return percentage may increase the perceived value for players purchasing a sub-target lot. The perceived value may be equal to or greater than typical lottery industry payouts at comparable price points. The additional non-cash prizes may be offered irrespective of which price ticket or group of tickets is purchased. Accordingly, the addition of a non-cash prize may increase the perceived value across price points.
The processes described herein may be implemented in a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor. Such a processor will execute instructions, either at the assembly, compiled or machine-level, to perform the processes. Those instructions can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art following the description of the figures corresponding to the processes and stored or transmitted on a computer readable medium. The instructions may also be created using source code or any other known computer-aided design tool. A computer readable medium may be any medium capable of carrying those instructions and include a CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic or other optical disc, tape, silicon memory (e.g., removable, non-removable, volatile or non-volatile), packetized or non-packetized data through wireline or wireless transmissions locally or remotely through a network.
A computer is herein intended to include any device that has a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor as described above. For example, a computer may be a lottery terminal, a kiosk, a vending machine, a set top box (“STB”), cell phone, portable media player, or the like.
It should be understood that the volume price discount and retailer incentive module 1240 may be implemented as one or more physical devices that are coupled to the processor 410. For example, the probabilities-based raffle prize module 440 may include a plurality of modules. Alternatively, the volume price discount and retailer incentive module 1240 may be represented by one or more software applications (or even a combination of software and hardware, e.g., using application specific integrated circuits (ASIC)), where the software is loaded from a storage medium, (e.g., a magnetic or optical drive, diskette, or non-volatile memory) and operated by the processor in the memory 420 of the computer. As such, the volume price discount and retailer incentive module 1240 (including associated data structures) of the present disclosure may be stored on a computer readable medium, e.g., RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive or diskette and the like.
The station or system 1200 may be utilized to implement any of the configurations herein. For example, the processor 1210 may be utilized to perform calculations.
The configurations provided in
In one embodiment, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price. In other words, an additional amount of tickets is added to the base number of tickets in each book to ensure that extra tickets cannot completely be purchased at the target price. For example, ten extra tickets can be provided in a book of tickets. Accordingly, a player cannot purchase all ten tickets for seven for ten dollars as a remainder has to exist at a sub-target price. For example, if the player purchases seven of the ten tickets for seven dollars, a remainder of three tickets exists. The player cannot purchase the remainder for seven dollars as only three tickets remain. Accordingly, the player has to purchase the remaining three tickets for five dollars. In this example, the retailer would have a compensation of fifteen dollars for the book as the retailer compensation is ten dollars for the seven tickets in addition to five dollars for the three remaining tickets. This result is the same as the minimum standard retailer compensation of fifteen dollars, i.e., five percent of three hundred dollars. By mandating that every ticket in the book cannot be purchased for seven for ten dollars, the lottery ensures that the retailer has a retailer compensation greater than zero. As a result, both the lottery and the retailer profit if a full book of tickets is purchased by a player. In one embodiment, a number of additional tickets are selected such that the effective retailer compensation is at a minimum equal to the standard minimum retailer. For example, with ten extra tickets, the minimum retailer compensation is fifteen dollars for the sale of those ten extra tickets because the player can at most purchase a target lot of seven tickets for ten dollars and the remaining three tickets would have to be sold in a sub-target lot for five dollars. Accordingly, a retailer compensation of fifteen dollars may equal a standard minimum retailer compensation of five percent, which equals fifteen dollars. In another embodiment, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is completely dividable into at least one target lot. In yet another embodiment, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets may or may not be completely dividable into at least one target lot.
In another embodiment, a registration process may be utilized for the raffle. After a player wins an instant prize, the player provides the ticket to the retailer for instant prize redemption. The player may register for the raffle game prior to the retailer prize redemption to be part of the raffle. In one embodiment, the registration process involves the user entering information from the ticket on to a web site so that the lottery has the player's ticket information for the subsequent raffle drawing. In another embodiment, the player registers with the retailer at the time of the instant prize redemption for the raffle drawing. The retailer may then communicate the player's information to the lottery operator.
With respect to any of the instant game configurations described herein, a random generation may be performed, with a random generation apparatus, to determine the winning match. For example, a ball drawing machine or a random number generator may be utilized to perform the random generation. Alternatively, a winning match may be determined according to a parameter based outcome. The term parameter based outcome is intended to describe an occurrence where a prize is won according to a parameter associated with ticket sales. For example, the parameter may be a specific number of tickets sold. For instance, a prize may be won after every one thousand tickets are sold. The parameter based tickets have to be preprinted tickets rather than tickets generated at the terminal of a retailer so that the outcome can be predetermined.
Any of the instant prizes described herein may be fixed, variable, pari-mutuel, or parameter based. The term parameter based prize is intended to describe a prize that is won according to a parameter associated with ticket sales.
In another embodiment, a process is provided. The process establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot. The target lot has a target lot size. The sub-target lot has a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size. A ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. Further, the process determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game. In addition, the process adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased. The process also calculates with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets. Further, the process prints, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets. In addition, the process provides the set of tickets to the retailer for sale. The process also receives, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer. Further, the process provides an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match. In addition, the process performs a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize. The process also provides a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
In any of the configurations provided herein that have one or more instant prizes and one or more raffle prizes, a player may win both an instant prize and a raffle prize. In one embodiment, the player can win an instant prize and a raffle prize from a single ticket or a single ticket that is purchased from a lot of tickets. In one embodiment, a raffle game is part of the same lottery game as the instant game. In yet another embodiment, the raffle drawing is a separate game from the instant game.
In yet another embodiment, a process is provided. The process establishes a wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that each provides play eligibility for a lottery game and a raffle game. Further, the process indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players. Each of the plurality of target lots is a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size. In addition, the process indicates a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price. The process also provides the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game. Further, the process receives, from a retailer, the wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer. The process also provides a prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match. Further, the process performs a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize. The process also provides a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players. In one embodiment, the play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the play eligibility in the raffle game provide a potential prize distribution of both the instant prize distribution and the raffle prize distribution. A computer program product having a computer readable medium may be utilized to implement this process. Further, a system having a processor to perform calculations, an establishment module to perform the establishment tasks, a reception module that receives the lottery target unit value per ticket, and prize distribution modules that distributes the prizes may be utilized.
In one embodiment, the process 2200 may also provide a raffle prize in addition to the lottery game prize. The process 2200 may perform a raffle drawing to determine the winner of the raffle prize. Alternatively, the process 2200 may provide a predetermined number of raffle prizes and perform a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win.
The lottery game may be a fixed liability lottery game. For instance, a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game will not be increased.
The term variable quantity of lottery game tickets is intended to indicate a quantity of lottery game tickets that is not predetermined. In other words, the quantity of lottery game tickets may be a quantity that changes in number instead of a constant quantity that does not change in number. A variable quantity of lottery game tickets may be utilized for any of the configurations provided herein.
In one embodiment, the lottery game tickets are generated at a terminal. For example, the lottery game tickets may be printed by the retailer with a terminal having a ticket printer associated therewith instead of being preprinted to be provided to the retailer.
In another embodiment, the process performs a random generation, with a random generation apparatus, to determine the winning match. For example, a ball drawing machine or a random number generator may be utilized to perform the random generation. Any of the non-instant prizes described herein may be fixed, variable, pari-mutuel, or parameter based.
A virtual device may be utilized to provide any of the games provided herein. For example, a virtual lottery ticket may be sold rather than a paper ticket. For instance, a player may be able to purchase an electronic version of a ticket through a computing device such as a computer, laptop, kiosk, cell phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant, or the like.
In any of the configurations provided herein, the payout for the prize that is utilized for both the target price and the sub-target price may be guaranteed by a third party entity. As a result, a lottery provider may be able to provide a larger lottery prize than might otherwise be the case. Further, any of the configurations provided herein may be utilized as a part of a stand alone lottery game, an add-on lottery game, or both. In addition, any of the configurations provided herein may have tickets with a retail bar code to allow retailers to account for the sale of every ticket.
Although an instant lottery game is utilized as an example, the volume price discount structure and the retailer incentive structure may be utilized with other types of lottery games. For example, the volume price discount structure and the retailer incentive structure may be utilized for a game that has a drawing rather than an instant game with pre-printed tickets.
Any of the terminal generated configurations provided herein may utilize a two way communications system between a centralized system operated by a lottery and a terminal at a retailer location. Further, a one-way communication system may be utilized to communication from the retailer to the centralized system. In addition, a one-way communication system may be utilized to communication from the centralized system to the retailer. Alternatively, the terminal at the retail location may operate without communicating such a centralized system. Retailer sales data may be stored in a repository.
Any of the configurations provided herein may be utilized with or without non-cash prizes. In one embodiment, a player may win a cash prize, a non-cash prize, or a combination of a cash prize and a non-cash prize.
It is understood that the processes and systems described herein may also be applied in other types of processes and systems. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of the processes and systems described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present processes and systems. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present processes and systems may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.
Claims
1. A method comprising:
- establishing a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- determining a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price;
- adding the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game;
- calculating with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets,
- printing, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets;
- providing the set of tickets to the retailer for sale;
- receiving, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- providing a prize distribution of the prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket from the set of tickets with a winning match.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ticket printer prints the set of tickets in a book of tickets.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the prize is a fixed prize.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the prize is a variable prize.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the prize is a pari-mutuel prize.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the prize is a parameter based prize.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the winning match according to a parameter of the parameter based prize such that the parameter is predetermined.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a random generation, with a random generation apparatus, to determine the winning match.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.
13. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
- establish a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- determine a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price;
- add the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game;
- calculate with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets;
- print, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets;
- provide the set of tickets to the retailer for sale;
- receive, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- provide a prize distribution of the prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket from the set of tickets with a winning match.
14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the ticket printer prints the set of tickets in a book of tickets.
15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game.
16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game.
17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game.
16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the prize is a fixed prize.
17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the prize is a variable prize.
18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the prize is a pari-mutuel prize.
19. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the prize is a parameter based prize.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining the winning match according to a parameter of the parameter based prize such that the parameter is predetermined.
21. The method of claim 13, further comprising performing a random generation, with a random generation apparatus, to determine the winning match.
22. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.
23. A system comprising:
- an establishment module that establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- a processor that (i) determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, (ii) adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets, and (iii) calculates, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game;
- a ticket printer that prints the set of tickets;
- a reception module that receives, from the retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- a prize distribution module that provides a prize distribution of the prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket from the set of tickets with a winning match.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein the ticket printer prints the set of tickets in a book of tickets.
25. The system of claim 23, wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game.
26. The system of claim 23, wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game.
27. The system of claim 23, wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game.
28. The system of claim 23, wherein the prize is a fixed prize.
29. The system of claim 23, wherein the prize is a variable prize.
30. The system of claim 23, wherein the prize is a pari-mutuel prize.
31. The system of claim 23, wherein the prize is a parameter based prize.
32. The system of claim 31, further comprising determining the winning match according to a parameter of the parameter based prize such that the parameter is predetermined.
33. The system of claim 23, further comprising performing a random generation, with a random generation apparatus, to determine the winning match.
34. The system of claim 21, wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.
35. A method comprising:
- establishing a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize from a predetermined number of raffle prizes (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- determining a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game;
- adding the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets;
- calculating with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets,
- printing, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets;
- providing the set of tickets to the retailer for sale;
- receiving, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- providing an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match;
- performing a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win; and
- providing a raffle prize distribution of at least one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of raffle drawings are performed from tickets that have been sold such that only a sold ticket can be a winning ticket for the raffle game.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein the plurality of raffle drawings are performed from all printed tickets.
38. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
- establish a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize from a predetermined number of raffle prizes (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- determine a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game;
- add the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets;
- calculate with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets,
- print, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets;
- provide the set of tickets to the retailer for sale;
- receive, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- provide an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match;
- perform a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win; and
- provide a raffle prize distribution of at least one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
39. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the plurality of raffle drawings are performed from tickets that have been sold such that only a sold ticket can be a winning ticket for the raffle game.
40. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the plurality of raffle drawings are performed from all printed tickets.
41. A system comprising:
- an establishment module that establishes a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize from a predetermined number of raffle prizes (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- a processor that (i) determines a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game, (ii) adds the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets, and (iii) calculates, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets;
- a ticket printer the set of tickets;
- a reception module that receives, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- an instant prize distribution module that provides an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match;
- a raffle drawing machine that performs a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win; and
- a raffle prize distribution module that provides a raffle prize distribution of at least one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
42. The system of claim 41, wherein the plurality of raffle drawings are performed from tickets that have been sold such that only a sold ticket can be a winning ticket for the raffle game.
43. The system of claim 41, wherein the plurality of raffle drawings are performed from all printed tickets.
44. A method comprising:
- establishing a gross wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets that each provide play eligibility for a lottery game and a raffle game;
- establishing a net wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets;
- indicating a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;
- indicating a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- providing the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of lottery game players to play a lottery game;
- receiving, from a retailer, the net wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value per ticket is a compensation for the retailer;
- providing an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match;
- performing a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of ticket sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win; and
- providing a raffle prize distribution of at least one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
45. A method comprising:
- establishing a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- determining a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that that is completely dividable into at least one target lot;
- adding the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game;
- calculating with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets,
- printing, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets;
- providing the set of tickets to the retailer for sale;
- receiving, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- providing a prize distribution of the prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket from the set of tickets with a winning match.
46. A method comprising:
- establishing a gross wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;
- establishing a net wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;
- indicating a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;
- indicating a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- providing the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;
- receiving, from a retailer, the net wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer; and
- providing a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.
47. A method comprising:
- establishing a wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;
- indicating a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;
- indicating a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- providing the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;
- receiving, from a retailer, the wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer; and
- providing a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.
48. A method comprising:
- establishing a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- determining a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game;
- adding the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased and the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets is prevented from being completely sold at the target price to ensure that a retailer has a compensation that is greater than zero if the gross receipts for the set of tickets are greater than the gross receipts target for a lottery per set of tickets;
- calculating with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets,
- printing, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets;
- providing the set of tickets to the retailer for sale;
- receiving, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- providing an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match;
- performing a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize; and
- providing a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the play eligibility in the raffle game provide a potential prize distribution of both the instant prize distribution and the raffle prize distribution.
50. A method comprising:
- establishing a gross receipts target for a lottery for a predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets for an instant lottery game such that (i) each base instant lottery game ticket provides an instant lottery game player with play eligibility in an instant lottery game to win a prize and play eligibility in a raffle game to win a raffle prize (ii) each base instant lottery game ticket is sold by a retailer in either a target lot for a target price associated with the target lot or a sub-target lot for a sub-target price associated with the sub-target lot, the target lot having a target lot size, the sub-target lot having a sub-target lot size that is less than the target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- determining a quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets that is not completely dividable into target lots such that a division of the additional instant lottery game tickets results in a remainder that includes at least one sub-target lot associated with the sub-target price, the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets also providing play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the raffle game;
- adding the quantity of additional instant lottery game tickets to the predetermined quantity of base instant lottery game tickets to compose a set of tickets such that that a prize liability of a lottery operating the instant lottery game is not increased;
- calculating with a processor, for each ticket in the set of tickets, a lottery target unit value per ticket by dividing the gross receipts target for a lottery by a quantity of tickets in the set of tickets,
- printing, with a ticket printer, the set of tickets;
- providing the set of tickets to the retailer for sale;
- receiving, from a retailer, the lottery target unit value per ticket for each ticket sold in the set of tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the lottery target unit value per ticket is the compensation for the retailer; and
- providing an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a ticket with a winning match;
- performing a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize; and
- providing a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein the play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the play eligibility in the raffle game provide a potential prize distribution of both the instant prize distribution and the raffle prize distribution.
52. A method comprising:
- establishing a gross wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets that each provide play eligibility for a lottery game and a raffle game;
- establishing a net wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value per ticket for the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets;
- indicating a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;
- indicating a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- providing the predetermined quantity of lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of lottery game players to play a lottery game;
- receiving, from a retailer, the net wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value per ticket is a compensation for the retailer;
- providing an instant prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match;
- performing a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize; and
- providing a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the play eligibility in the raffle game provide a potential prize distribution of both the instant prize distribution and the raffle prize distribution.
54. A method comprising:
- establishing a wholesale value per ticket for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that each provide play eligibility for a lottery game and a raffle game;
- indicating a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;
- indicating a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;
- providing the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;
- receiving, from a retailer, the wholesale value per ticket for each ticket sold in the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per ticket is compensation for the retailer;
- providing a prize distribution of the instant prize to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match;
- performing a raffle drawing, after a predetermined time period of ticket sales, for the raffle prize such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of availability of the raffle prize; and
- providing a raffle prize distribution of the raffle prize to at least one of the plurality of lottery game players.
55. The method of claim 54, wherein the play eligibility in the instant lottery game and the play eligibility in the raffle game provide a potential prize distribution of both the instant prize distribution and the raffle prize distribution.
56. A method comprising:
- establishing a wholesale value per lottery game entry for a variable quantity of lottery game entries;
- indicating a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by a retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a target lot size;
- indicating a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price, the target price being greater than the sub-target price, the target lot size being greater than the sub-target lot size;
- receiving, from the retailer, the wholesale value per lottery game entry such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per lottery game entry is compensation for the retailer; and
- providing a prize distribution of a prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a lottery game entry with a winning match.
57. The method of claim 56, further comprising generating, at a terminal, at least a portion of the variable quantity of lottery game entries.
58. The method of claim 56, further comprising performing a random generation, with a random generation apparatus, to determine the winning match.
59. The method of claim 56, further comprising providing a raffle prize in addition to the prize.
60. The method of claim 59, further comprising performing a raffle drawing to determine the winner of the raffle prize.
61. The method of claim 56, further comprising providing a predetermined number of raffle prizes in addition to the prize.
62. The method of claim 61, further comprising performing a plurality of raffle drawings after a predetermined time period of lottery game entry sales for more than one of the predetermined number of raffle prizes such that the plurality of lottery game players have a real time update of the remainder of the predetermined number of raffle prizes available for a win.
63. The method of claim 56, wherein a lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game.
64. The method of claim 56, wherein the prize is a fixed prize.
65. The method of claim 56, wherein the prize is a variable prize.
66. The method of claim 56, wherein the prize is a pari-mutuel prize.
67. The method of claim 56, wherein the prize is a parameter based prize.
68. The method of claim 67, further comprising determining the winning match according to a parameter of the parameter based prize such that the parameter is predetermined.
69. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
- establish a wholesale value per lottery game entry for a variable quantity of lottery game entries;
- indicate a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by a retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a target lot size;
- indicate a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price, the target price being greater than the sub-target price, the target lot size being greater than the sub-target lot size;
- receive, from the retailer, the wholesale value per lottery game entry such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per lottery game entry is compensation for the retailer; and
- provide a prize distribution of a prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a lottery game entry with a winning match.
70. The computer program product of claim 69, wherein the computer is further caused to generate, at a terminal, at least a portion of the variable quantity of lottery game entries.
71. The computer program product of claim 69, wherein the computer is further caused to perform a random generation, with a random generation apparatus, to determine the winning match.
72. A system comprising:
- an establishment module that establishes a wholesale value per lottery game entry for a variable quantity of lottery game entries;
- a display that indicates (i) a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by a retailer to lottery game players and (ii) a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the variable quantity of lottery game entries to be sold by the retailer to lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a target lot size, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the variable quantity of lottery game entries and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price, the target price being greater than the sub-target price, the target lot size being greater than the sub-target lot size;
- a reception module that receives, from the retailer, the wholesale value per lottery game entry such that a remainder that exceeds the wholesale value per lottery game entry is compensation for the retailer; and
- a prize distribution module that provides a prize distribution of a prize to one of the plurality of lottery game players upon receipt of a lottery game entry with a winning match.
73. The system of claim 72, wherein the computer is further caused to generate, at a terminal, at least a portion of the variable quantity of lottery game entries.
74. The system of claim 72, wherein the computer is further caused to perform a random generation, with a random generation apparatus, to determine the winning match.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 11, 2010
Publication Date: Jul 8, 2010
Inventors: Michael D. Frick (Crawfordville, FL), Mark Davis (San Juan, PR)
Application Number: 12/685,402
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);
