Abstract: A scratch layer transfer sheet comprising a substrate film and a transferable scratch layer disposed on one surface of the substrate film, the transferable scratch layer comprising a hiding layer, being able to be thermally transferred to the print surface of a transfer-receiving material and being able to be removed from the print surface by scratching it after it is transferred. The scratch layer transfer sheet is overlapped on a transfer-receiving material such that the transferable scratch layer faces the print surface of the transfer-receiving material to transfer said transferable scratch layer to the print surface by heating.

Abstract: A lottery ticket including at least one first play area and at least one second play area in which authenticating indicia is printed beneath the scratch-off layer in the second play area and on top of the scratch-off layer in the second play area. If the player decides not to play the second play area, the authenticating indicia on top of the scratch-off layer in the second play area authenticates the lottery ticket and the prize that is won. If the second play area is played, then the authenticating indicia printed below the scratch-off layer is employed as the authenticating indicia.

Abstract: Systems and methods of distributing, dispensing and validating game tickets provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDS). Game ticket consumables may also be tracked with RFIDS. Ticket data such as game numbers, void if removed numbers, theme descriptions, place styles, price points and player account information can be stored to a memory of a game ticket, where the ticket is capable of transmitting the ticket data as an RF signal. Approaches also provide for the use of RFIDS in game sponsor/ticket printer facilities, ticket warehouse facilities and ticket destruction facilities.

Abstract: A lottery ticket including at least one game area with at least one play area where each play area includes a plurality of play regions with each play region having a first indicia covered by an opaque scratch-off layer and a second indicia appearing above the scratch-off layer. The player removes at least one of the scratch-off layers and if the first indicia appearing in such activated play regions matches any one of the second indicia in a non-activated play region, a prize may be won.

Abstract: Game ticketing systems and methods provide for the use of radio frequency identifiers (RFIDs). Game tickets such as instant lottery tickets include a substrate having game data and a removable mask covering the game data. A transponder is coupled to the substrate where the transponder stores a ticket RFID that defines a validation code of the game ticket. Game tickets can therefore be dispensed to consumers, validated and tracked using the ticket RFIDs.

Abstract: A word-based lottery game wherein a player buys a ticket with a word or set of words and may win a prize if the outcome of a draw confers a win status to one or more words in the ticket. The draw is a random process for which an outcome is a concatenation of characters and may confer word a winner based upon a rule such as being able to compose the word with the drawn characters.

Abstract: A multiple ticket lottery system in which a player engages in one or more play actions on a first lottery ticket level in order to gain access to a second or higher ticket level in order to win a prize.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker-type scratch ticket game where a scratch ticket has a plurality of two-card, known, starter hands and five unrevealed community cards. A player reveals the community cards. Each starter hand is combined with the community cards to form complete hands. The player is paid a predetermined amount if any of the complete hands is found in a pay table. Optionally, the predetermined amount is based on the rank of the hand. Optionally, there is more than one set of community cards.

Abstract: A scratch-off lottery game card that simulates the rules of the game of Bingo. On the card, there is a first set of game indicia of a first type arranged in a grid that has at least one row of cells having a indicia of a second type with a unique one of the indicia of the second type defining a particular column of the grid. There is a second set of game indicia on the card, each a grouping of one of the first and second type of game indicia such that each defines a potential one of the first type of indicia in a column of cells of the grid of first set of game indicia. A set of prize indicators is adjacent the grid of the first set of game indicia thereby defining a row of the grid and indicating the prize for matching a defined row.

Abstract: In a gaming method, data indicative of a final outcome may be received, and an initial set of symbols indicative of the final outcome may be displayed if the data indicative of the final outcome indicates a winning outcome, the initial set of symbols including an initial winning subset of symbols and an initial non-winning subset of symbols. Player input data indicative of a subset of symbols in the initial set to be discarded may be received, and replacement symbols may be determined such that a final set of symbols is indicative of the final outcome if the subset of symbols to be discarded includes at least one symbol from the initial winning subset, wherein the final set of symbols includes the replacement symbols in place of the subset of symbols to be discarded. The final set of symbols may be displayed, and an award corresponding to the winning outcome may be provided.

Abstract: A lottery game card including a plurality of squares distributed in a matrix format, and a plurality of game indicia initially covered by a removable material. Each squares of the matrix are populated with a game symbol and some of the squares of the matrix are covered by the removable material, forming a Sudoku puzzle. A player may play the Sudoku puzzle using the matrix. The player may remove the removable material from the game indicia and covered squares. If the squares identified by the game indicia form a predefined pattern, a prize is awarded to the player.

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

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

Abstract: A scratch-ticket game card simulating a instant Texas Hold'Em Poker game card with multiple chances of winning for a player. The instant game card includes plurality sets of player hands and a set of opponent hands, a set of community cards, and at least two prizes. The player can combine the set of community cards with each set of player hands to form a strongest hand for that set of player hands. The strongest hand for each set of player hands is compared against the strongest hand for the opponent hand. If the player wins, the player wins the prize associated with the winning player hand.

Abstract: A lottery instant win game card simulating a Hold'Em Poker styled card game with multiple chances of winning for a player. The instant game card includes at least two sets of player hands and at least two sets of opponent hands, with at least two sets of community cards, and at least two prizes. The player can combine one set of the player hands with either set of community cards to form a strongest hand for that set of player hands. The strongest player hand is compared against the strongest opponent hand. If the player wins, the player wins the prize associated with that winning player hand.

Abstract: A lottery terminal apparatus and method of playing a word based lottery includes a value input device, a display unit and a lottery input unit for receiving alphabetical game play information wherein the display unit is adapted to visually display the received alphabetical game play information. The lottery terminal unit further includes a controller having a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the display unit and is programmed to receive wager data in response to a wager made by a person. The controller and method may assign a prize value to the alphabetical game play information received from the lottery input unit and randomly select an alphabetic sample based on a distribution of choices. The controller may further determine a correlation between the alphabetic sample and the alphanumeric game play information to determine a payout value based on a comparison of the alphabetic sample and the alphanumeric game play information to determine the prize value.

Abstract: A lottery terminal apparatus and method of playing a word based lottery includes a value input device, a display unit and a lottery input unit for receiving alphabetical game play information wherein the display unit is adapted to visually display the received alphabetical game play information. The lottery terminal unit further includes a controller having a memory and a processor, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the display unit and is programmed to receive wager data in response to a wager made by a person. The controller and method may assign a prize value to the alphabetical game play information received from the lottery input unit and randomly select an alphabetic sample based on a distribution of choices. The controller may further determine a correlation between the alphabetic sample and the alphanumeric game play information to determine a payout value based on a comparison of the alphabetic sample and the alphanumeric game play information to determine the prize value.

Abstract: The gaming system operates a lottery system for a single state, or includes multiple state systems, each having many different instant-winner ticket games and distributed ticket dispensers. A supervisory computer system is provided. A jackpot is provided which increases with the sale of each ticket in the system. The dispensers have code readers which are used to detect the sale of each ticket. The game is won when the code number detected by one of the code readers matches the code for a jackpot winner.

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

Abstract: A double-side game ticket or card with multiple windows on both sides of the ticket. Game symbols are printed on both sides of the ticket and are concealed by break-open windows until the tickets are purchased and played, at which time the windows are broken open to reveal the symbols. Two games may be provided on one ticket, with symbols for one game on each side of the ticket. The ticket may be constructed of three plies of material such as cardstock, with windows provided in the two outer plies and game symbols printed on both sides of the inner ply.

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

Abstract: A play slip chart for a lottery game, for example, includes at least one board having a plurality of numbers. The numbers are divided into a plurality of groups of numbers called positions and further divided into a plurality zones. Each zone is defined by one or more landmark lines. The play slip chart further includes a game number recording section and a correct digit recording section.

Abstract: An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a main gambling game and a bonus round game, and for dispensing value to the user at the conclusion of the bonus round game, may generally include a display unit capable of generating color images or other display mechanism capable of displaying symbols associated with the main gambling game and the bonus round game. The electronic gambling unit may further include an input device that allows the user to make a plurality of input selections, a currency-accepting mechanism capable of allowing the user to deposit a medium of currency, a value-dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing value to the user, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the currency-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor.

Abstract: A method for playing a game of chance and system for facilitating the play of the game are disclosed, in which an initial ticket containing initial game play information is received, a second ticket containing additional game play information is received, and the combination of the initial game play information and the additional game play information determines if the second ticket is a winning ticket.

Abstract: A lottery ticket including at least one first play area and at least one second play area in which authenticating indicia is printed beneath the scratch-off layer in the second play area and on top of the scratch-off layer in the second play area. If the player decides not to play the second play area, the authenticating indicia on top of the scratch-off layer in the second play area authenticates the lottery ticket and the prize that is won. If the second play area is played, then the authenticating indicia printed below the scratch-off layer is employed as the authenticating indicia.

Abstract: Security can be provided for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing items from a pack of items wherein the pack of items has parameters associated therewith such as pack size, an item dimension and an item price. The apparatus includes an item dispenser, a cash acceptor, input and output devices, and a controller. The controller has an item load table for storing data corresponding to the parameters associated with the pack of items. Thus, the parameters in the item load table can be displayed by the output device in lieu of the parameters being manually entered.

Abstract: A lottery ticket having a first game area having at least one row with each row containing a plurality of play indicia and a second game area adjacent each row of the first game area and containing a target indicia which if present may result in a prize being won.

Abstract: A book that is capable of displaying one or more coins related to its theme, including a front cover and a back cover. At least one book cover defines one or more apertures that are capable of receiving coins. The book theme is displayed on at least one of the book covers. The book may optionally include one or more caps that may be inserted into and removed from the coin-receivable apertures. These caps will preferably display images that are related to the theme of the book. The invention provides a coin specific display that stores and displays one or more coins in an appealing manner, and that also conveys or provides additional information about the theme displayed on the coin.

Abstract: A distributed manufacturing and distribution process for lottery tickets is disclosed. The manufacturing/vending system comprises a centralized ticket manufacturing controller located at a centralized location and one or more vending devices located at remote sites. Each vending device is operatively coupled for communication with the centralized ticket manufacturing controller, normally via a network connection. Each vending devices is further equipped with a printer and ticket media, so that a customer is able to purchase on-demand tickets from vending device in communication with the centralized ticket manufacturing controller. Additionally, the vending devices may be configured as electronic aid to display the results of the purchased lottery tickets in entertaining ways to the customer.

Abstract: A scratch layer transfer sheet comprising a substrate film and a transferable scratch layer disposed on one surface of the substrate film, the transferable scratch layer comprising a hiding layer, being able to be thermally transferred to the print surface of a transfer-receiving material and being able to be removed from the print surface by scratching it after it is transferred. The scratch layer transfer sheet is overlapped on a transfer-receiving material such that the transferable scratch layer faces the print surface of the transfer-receiving material to transfer said transferable scratch layer to the print surface by heating.

Abstract: Toilet paper, paper towel and facial tissue products (10) are presented. Information may be placed, through printing or embossing, on the toilet paper, paper towels and facial tissues. The information (62) may comprise advertisements, coupons, prizes (such as stickers and crossword puzzles), games or other promotional materials. In addition, information (62) may be placed on a sheet separate from the toilet paper and/or paper towels and/or facial tissues. The information sheet may be then be placed in conjunction with the toilet paper, paper towel or facial tissue by rolling or by interleaving (16) the information sheet with the toilet paper, paper towel or facial tissue. In another aspect, different information may be place on two or more sheets to convey a story (39) or other information. The information (72) may, for example, be used to help potty train children, or to teach children numbers or the alphabet.

Abstract: A seal card game having a number of play areas, with each play area having a hidden symbol. One of the hidden symbols on the ticket is a directional symbol. The other hidden symbols are end of game symbols. The player has one opportunity to uncover a hidden symbol in only one play area. Uncovering an end of game symbol ends the game. Uncovering the directional symbol entitles the player to uncover one or more authorized award areas within a topological area. Upon redeeming the ticket, the player receives the authorized awards in the topological area based performance of a mathematical operation on values revealed in the authorized award areas.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods involving producing and distributing chance tickets, such as pull-tab tickets, scratch-off tickets, and folded tickets which have symbol sets used to determine whether the ticket has a winning symbol set or sets versus non-winning symbol set or sets. The chance tickets are produced in sets which have advertising sections thereon which vary from ticket to ticket. The advertiser placing the advertising section on the tickets can choose the specific frequency of advertiser's message and the frequency may vary from advertiser to advertiser within a set. Also described are groups of chance tickets that each include at least one set of chance tickets. The advertising on chance tickets within one group vary from those of another group depending on the area of distribution.

Abstract: A system for use in playing a game of chance includes a plurality of playing cards (10, 10?, 10?, 10??). Optionally, at least some of the plurality of playing cards display a free ticket symbol (40) which entitles a holder of the playing card to receive at least one free ticket (12). A plurality of the free tickets is also included. Each of the free tickets displays at least one game symbol (30). At least some of the playing cards and at least some of the free tickets include at least one eligible game symbol displayed thereon (82, 110), selected from said game symbols. A master game card (14, 214, 216, 314, 414) is also included for use in conjunction with the playing cards and free tickets. The master game card includes means for identifying at least one of said eligible game symbols as a winning game symbol (112, 230).

Abstract: A play piece for a game of chance has a game portion and an identification portion. Multiple play combinations are printed on the game portion. The play piece can then be folded to conceal the multiple play combinations, and sealed in some fashion. Multiple play pieces may be manufactured concurrently by printing several on a single piece of paper. The pieces are folded by a folder and separated by a separator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lottery type game system, method and ticket, wherein the winning of a game is determined by the assignment of game images to a predetermined number of consecutive positions along a linear array. The value of the prize is determined by the precise position along the linear array at which this predetermined number of game images are assigned. The assignment of the position of a game image can be established by: a) matching a game image associated with a particular gaming piece with an identical image located at a predetermined position along the linear array; or b) receiving a game piece upon which both the game image and the assigned position of the game image along the array is indicated.

Abstract: A laminated construction that combines card stock with another card stock that has been printed with a dark pigmented coating, such as ink, to prevent the show through of information that appears beneath a scratch-off coating over the concealed information.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling the play of progressively operated lottery-type game systems wherein at least one selected player becomes eligible to play for a bonus award which if not awarded to or won by a player rolls over and is added to the bonus award for a subsequently played game, and specifically an apparatus for awarding an initial or an accumulated bonus award when the bonus award equals or exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Coin Boards and Seal Cards have been used in conjunction with the playing of Pull-Tab Gambling games in the market place for many years. However, we are not aware of the Coin Board or Seal Card games being combined and used in conjunction with the real-time play of a Pull-Tab game. The Action Board, is a combination Coin Board and Seal Card providing Player excitement, heretofore, not available. The real-time play and combination of Pull-Tab instant prizes, inter-acting and in conjunction with Coin Board and Seal Card instant prizes during the playing of the basic Pull-Tab game differentiate the invention from the typical Coin Board or Seal Card game. The typical Coin Board or Seal Card games are played separately from each other, after all the tickets that comprise the game are sold out, the Coin Board or Seal Card prize winners are identified and the prizes awarded.

Abstract: A “lottery-type” game of chance for a plurality of players employs break open playing cards (10), at least some of the playing cards having printed on them one or more instant win awards. The awards are covered, prior to play, with one or more removable cover members (32) such as flaps or scratch off seals. Some of the playing cards include an eligible game symbol (52) which entitles the playing card holder to enter a second round of play. An identifier (60) on a master game card (12) is revealed to identify which of the eligible second round players has the opportunity to select a bonus round ticket or “double win” ticket (70). The bonus round ticket, upon opening of cover members (80) reveals one of a set of predetermined instructions which provide for all or a portion of the bonus or “double win” round prize to go to the bonus round player, the remainder going to specified ones of the other eligible second round players.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is the entry ticket in the system of numerical games of chance and the method of completing the said ticket. The uniquely marked ticket is the element by which the player enters the game. The ticket layout features numerical date-time and astrological fields where date, numerology and astrology related events provide the inspiration to the player as to which numerical selections to make. The player thus creates the entry combination, which is subsequently matched against the randomly drawn combination oft eh organizer of the game of chance.

Abstract: Disclosed are a marketing lottery card and an online marketing method using the card. The lottery card includes a matrix of rows and columns, and characters or gift symbols printed on the matrix. The on-line marketing method using the lottery card includes the steps of connecting a customer to a free gift-offering site, identifying whether the customer is a member of the site, displaying a pop-up window with a bingo confirmation table and an identification number input area, inputting an identification number of the card on the identification number input area, verifying the winning or losing status of the card by overlapping the card on the bingo confirmation table, displaying a result of the winning or losing status and requesting the customer to confirm the result, and displaying the contents of the free gift on the window and simultaneously transmitting the contents to the customer in real-time through an e-mail.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods involving producing and distributing chance tickets, such as pull-tab tickets, scratch-off tickets, and folded tickets which have symbol sets used to determine whether the ticket has a winning symbol set or sets versus non-winning symbol set or sets. The chance tickets are produced in sets which have advertising sections thereon which vary from ticket to ticket. The advertiser placing the advertising section on the tickets can choose the specific frequency of advertiser's message and the frequency may vary from advertiser to advertiser within a set. Also described are groups of chance tickets that each include at least one set of chance tickets. The advertising on chance tickets within one group vary from those of another group depending on the area of distribution.

Abstract: Security can be provide for lottery tickets having data printed thereon in a bar code or other machine readable media by covering only a portion of the bar code with a scratch-off material. Removing the scratch-off material, or in some cases only a portion of the scratch-off material, can permit machine validation of the lottery tickets. For bar codes having a specified level of redundancy, it is desirable to cover at least enough of the bar code so as to prevent the machine reading of ticket validation data encoded in the bar code. Also, a lottery ticket can include a bar code printed on the ticket having both inventory and validation data along with a bar code printed on the front of the ticket including the validation data. All or part of the bar code printed on the front of the ticket can be covered by a scratch-off material.

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

Abstract: A lottery game card incorporates player direction in determining the outcome of the game and allows a player to reveal one or more elements on the card according to rules associated with the lottery game. According to one embodiment of the invention, all of the possible combinations of playable elements on the card may be known or knowable in advance to the player before the player begins to expose elements on the card and some or all of possible elements on the card that the player may expose may be known to the player before the player begins to expose elements on the card. The player's progression through a card is not predetermined such that the player has significant ability or flexibility to control or direct the play of the lottery game embodied by the card and to influence or direct the outcome of the lottery game embodied by the card.

Abstract: A perpetual seal card game in which players purchase individual play cards and reveal indicia covered by removable covers. Indicia on the individual play cards indicate whether the player is an instant winner, continues playing as a challenging player or has lost the game. If the player is an instant winner, he receives a prize and is finished playing the game. If the player is a challenging player, he has an opportunity to challenge the prior game's winner. The challenging players identify themselves on a seal card containing a challenging player identification area and predetermined challenger indicia concealed by a removable cover. Once all of the challenging players have identified themselves, the predetermined challenger indicia is disclosed identifying the player who will challenge the prior game's winner. A second seal card, containing concealed indicia identifying the winner of the game, is used to determine the winner of the game.

Abstract: A game material set is provided for playing a game of chance for monetary prizes and includes a plurality of individual playing cards each having one or more groups of game symbols printed thereon and selectively concealed under break-open windows. The game symbol groups provide a first level of game play whereby players with winning game symbol groups can receive instant prize awards. A master game card is provided which includes a sign-up area for players having contingent money-match bonus prize qualifier symbols printed on their individual play cards. A master card window selectively conceals a winning bonus prize symbol list comprising a subset of the contingent money-match bonus prize qualifier symbols. Opening the master game card window to expose the winning bonus prize symbol list identifies the players who receive prizes in the bonus level of play.