Lottery game card and method for conducting a lottery game

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.

Description

[0001] This Application is a Continuation Application of commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 596,008, filed Jun. 16, 2000 in the name of Walker et al. and entitled LOTTERY GAME CARD AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING A LOTTERY GAME. The entirety of this prior Application is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention relates generally to a lottery game and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for playing a lottery game that incorporates player direction in determining the outcome of the game.[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art[0005] There are many different types of lottery games and many different forms of state-run and nationally-run lotteries that are conducted. Within a traditional lottery, in exchange for a comparatively small wager, typically one dollar, a customer can select lottery numbers and purchase a lottery ticket having a chance to win a jackpot or other prize. Although the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a continuation of a patent application that was filed in 2000 and is about a new type of lottery game card and method for playing it. The game card has multiple exposable elements that can be exposed by a player to determine the outcome of the game. The game card is designed to allow the player to direct the outcome of the game and make it more interesting and rewarding. The invention aims to provide a scratch-off type lottery game card that allows players to actively influence the game and have a greater chance of winning. The game card can be printed or electronically produced and can be used in traditional lottery games or scratch-off games. The method for playing the game involves providing a signal indicative of the card and allowing the player to expose the elements on the card. The player can then decide which elements to expose to determine the outcome of the game. Overall, the invention provides a new and improved way to play lottery games that allows players to have more control and influence over the outcome."

Problems solved by technology

Although the number of lottery tickets sold to customers may ultimately determine an amount of a jackpot, players currently only have limited ways in which to directly influence a game's outcome or their likelihood of winning during any one particular contest.

This infrequency of opportunity can sometimes lead to a lapse in lottery ticket sales, particularly during extended times when jackpots fail to exceed certain thresholds, and consequently do not motivate sales among people who typically would not play.

Although such game cards offer increased accessibility to games of chance, players currently have only limited means for actively affecting the eventual outcome associated with any particular card.

In many instances, players feel that the outcomes associated with scratch-off games are "fixed" or purposely designed to result in an unfavorable outcome, and therefore, that pure luck makes the only difference between winning and losing.

As a result, would-be players often abstain from participation in such lottery games.

In addition, many players view the act of playing such lottery games as a passive and boring experience.

Simply purchasing a card, and revealing a predetermined outcome does not appeal to every potential player.

Images