Rolling raffle game, prize method and distribution method

Abstract

For a premium wager, a raffle game is added to a lottery game play. All players of the base game (who purchased the add-on game or not) who achieve a pre-determined outcome receive a raffle game play which is entered into a raffle drawing at no additional cost. The raffle drawing is held, and the winning raffle outcome is identified. Winning raffle ticket recipients submit their tickets to the lottery authority for their prize. A determination is made if the add-on game was purchased with the base game play associated to the winning raffle ticket. If the add-on game was purchased with the base game play, the player receives the raffle prize. If the add-on game was not purchased with the base game play associated to the winning raffle ticket the player receives a free QP lottery ticket in lieu of receiving the raffle prize and the unpaid raffle prize (or a percentage thereof) rolls over to a subsequent raffle drawing. Improvements to a base lottery game are presented which offer players enhanced odds of a winning outcome and qualification to participate in the add-on raffle game of the present invention. The raffle pari-mutuel prize pool consists of a percentage of raffle game sales over a drawing period plus unpaid prize money carried forward from previous draws. In one embodiment, 50% of the pari-mutual prize pool plus any unpaid fixed prize monies carried forward from previous draws is allocated to a fixed prize pool in a drawing period. The fixed prize pool is allocated to a number of different fixed prize units, defined by a method herein. In one embodiment, a pari-mutual grand prize payout does not influence unpaid fixed prize monies carried forward to subsequent drawings and a fixed prize payout does not influence unpaid pari-mutuel grand prize monies carried forward to subsequent drawings, which provides a host with a consistent offering of prizes, drawing period after drawing period; building “prize momentum” regardless of poor weekly game play sales after a grand prize payout. Lastly, an express means for facilitating the lottery game plays of the present invention in an electronic lottery game network is taught. The use of a dispensing terminal interface, which when combined with the methods herein provides quicker transaction periods and assists players in express “impulse game-play” transactions when strategically positioned.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates generally to games of chance, such as state or nationally sponsored lotto / lottery games, but can be applied to other games of chance as well, such as bingo games, casino games, or any other type of venue which contains an unpredictable outcome that a player participates in. More specifically, the invention is a progressive raffle add-on game that is added to a base game of chance where the prize for a winning outcome is influenced by the wager a player placed upon playing the base game play. Also, an improved method of allocating game prize pools to prize payouts is presented which will enhance player momentum while limiting the risk assumed by gaming hosts. For conceptual purposes, the present invention will be described as applied to state lottery games hereunder, but shall not be viewed as fixed or limited to such application.BACKGROUND ART[0002]While each national / state lottery has its own rules which vary slightly and are usual...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Industry research shows lottery games with higher overall payouts and payout chances create more “winning experiences” for players, and sell better. Almost 10 years ago, many states began to introduce premium variations of traditional scratch-off, instant win lottery tickets. For a higher price such as $2.00-$10.00 instead of the traditional $1.00, players could experience multiple winning opportunities or better odds with higher payouts, which enhanced their overall chances and playing experience. As a result, scratch-off, instant win lottery ticket revenues have surpassed traditional lotto revenues in many states, and continue to thrive while traditional lotto revenues remain stagnant, and in some states are consistently declining.

[0036]FIG. 3 is a table depicting the relationship between the average jackpot size and the corresponding amount of ticket sales based on 2006 data published by the Florida Lotto game. As depicted, an incrementing jackpot breeds excitement and player interest, with play activity up over 500% 300 when larger jackpots are offered.

[0063]FIGS. 10 and 11 depict improvements to existing lottery games which can be offered to players for a premium wager which increases revenues for a lottery authority. These improvements, when applied to a base lottery game to which the add-on raffle game of the present invention is added to, provide an increased opportunity for players to experience a winning outcome, which allows more players to participate in the add-on raffle game of the present invention.

[0071]FIG. 12. Depicts a ticket dispensing terminal interface 1200 for an express means for facilitating or distributing lottery game plays of the present invention and other on-line game plays hosted by the lottery authority through the use of an electronic lottery game network. The ticket dispensing terminal interface 1200 is provided as an automated game play dispensing apparatus which when combined with the methods herein, provides quicker transaction periods and assists players in “impulse game-play” transactions when strategically positioned, i.e. alongside a grocery store checkout line.

[0079]The ticket dispensing terminal interface 1200 is the primary interface between the central processing system 1302 and the registered player, and is responsible for receiving unique identifying information from a player, transmitting signals associated to the information to a central processing system 1302, displaying game play information 1316, including game preferences or favorites from a player's record 1310 transmitted by the central processing system 1302, receiving game play commands from a player, confirming game play actions, and marking and issuing game play tickets. In one embodiment, the ticket dispensing terminal interface 1200 provides for receiving a player registration or a modification of a player record 1310 and transmitting such data to a central processing system 1302. In one embodiment, the terminal interface is fitted with a payment receiving means and receives wagers associated to requested game plays. In the preferred embodiment, there is a plurality of terminal interfaces 1200 strategically placed throughout the domain of the lottery authority for easy player access.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, scratch-off, instant win lottery ticket revenues have surpassed traditional lotto revenues in many states, and continue to thrive while traditional lotto revenues remain stagnant, and in some states are consistently declining.

This puts the burden on game designers to constantly create new, innovative gaming ideas or a means for consistently repackaging existing games to appear fresh.

Efforts to raise traditional lotto sales, such as increasing drawings from 1× week to 2× a week, have been implemented, but due to the already high payout expectation in the minds of consumers, lottery authorities have been challenged to provide a fresh lotto innovation that would demand a ticket price higher than the traditional $1.00 per ticket.

As successful as state raffle drawings have been however, the very nature & structure of a raffle drawing offers several limitations to the sponsoring state's efforts in increasing revenues.

(4) Promoting the typical raffle game is time consuming, often requiring a 6-8 week sales period for a single raffle drawing, and (5) the very nature of a raffle dictates that all prizes are paid out in a single drawing which prevents the typical raffle game from utilizing the most influential factor in increasing game sales known to date; the rolling jackpot.

While a novel means of incorporating a raffle to an on-line lottery game, there are disadvantages which may limit the commercialization of such a game.

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