Patent ID: 6454650
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
In a computer network comprised of a plurality of computers capable of exchanging digital information between at least two of said plurality of computers, at least one of said plurality of computers being associated with at least one lottery participant and at least one of said plurality of computers being associated with a central host system of a lottery authority, a free lottery gaming system comprising:a) means for connecting at least one of said plurality of computers being associated with at least one lottery participant to at least one of said plurality of computers being associated with said central host system of the lottery authority; b) means for exchanging digital information between at least one of said plurality of computers being associated with at least one lottery participant to at least one of said plurality of computers being associated with said central host system of the lottery authority; c) means for identifying each lottery participant connected to at least one of said plurality of computers being associated with said central host system of the lottery authority; d) means for enabling each identified lottery participant to select a set of indicia by choosing a plurality of characters; e) means for enabling said lottery participant identified by said central host system to receive information about one or more specific products or services advertized by said lottery authority by clicking on at least one hyperlink associated with at least one of said advertised products or services, said clicking on said hyperlink by said lottery participant being required of said lottery participant in order to participate in the lottery; f) means for submitting said set of indicia from said computer system of each said lottery participant to at least one of said plurality of computers being associated with said central host system of the lottery authority; and g) means for verifying said submission of each said lottery participant by said central host system of the lottery authority; and h) means for selecting an official winning set of indicia from a plurality of characters during an official lottery drawing, conducted or reported by said lottery authority; whereby the lottery participant who selects a set of indicia that either fully or partially matches said official winning set of indicia receives a prize, without wagering any money or purchasing tickets in order to participate in said official lottery drawing and qualify for a prize.