Abstract:
A method and system for providing a game of chance agent and/or a game of chance operator an opportunity for increased revenue, includes the following steps: placing a bet slip a game agent&#39;s retail location and offering the bets slip to a prospective player at no charge. The bet slip includes an area for the prospective player to record bet information for a game of chance and a coupon or other promotional message on a consumer item or service.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 10/295,434 filed Nov. 15, 2002, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 60/336,124, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Advertising,” filed on Nov. 15, 2001, and Ser. No. 60/340,871, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Advertising,” filed on Dec. 7, 2001. Each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Games of chance continue to be very popular in our culture. Games of chance include the following conventional games: instant ticket games, pull tab ticket games, bingo, lotteries and the like. To play many of the aforementioned games betting slips are provided to a prospective player at no charge. The prospective player enters bet information onto the bet slip and gives the bet slip to a game of chance agent or operator who enters the bet information. In these cases, a prospective player only pays when placing his or her bet.  
         [0003]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a known game of chance bet slip  10  is shown. In the example depicted in  FIG. 1 , the game of chance is a lottery. A front facing surface  12  of the bet slip  10  as illustrated does not include any promotional messages, e.g. advertising or coupons for goods or services. The back facing surface (not shown) of this bet slip  10  is blank. The bet slip includes imprinted graphical grids  14  that create areas  16  for a bet slip holder to record bet information, e.g. day(s) desired, type of bet, amount of bet and numbers to be played.  
         [0004]     Many games of chance are played with play tickets that are purchased prior to the player placing, e.g. writing, any information on the ticket. If these tickets are not “winners,” i.e. nothing of value is due to the holder, they are typically discarded soon after completion of the game. Because most holders of the play tickets are not ultimately winners in these games, the holders are sometimes left with a feeling disappointment or sorrow regarding the particular game of chance. To counteract this affect, some games of chance include “second chance” options to compensate certain losing players. For example, some lottery tickets include promotions offering discounts on products or services if the tickets do not win a drawing-based prize.  
         [0005]     These second chance tickets do not provide an incentive for a lottery game player to increase the revenue of the lottery game agent, e.g. a store owner, by making an incremental sale, e.g. a sale that typically would not have occurred, because the lottery game player typically realizes that he is the holder of a losing ticket only after he has left the store. Once he has left the store it is difficult to entice him back into the store to redeem the discount provided on his losing lottery ticket. Additionally, these second chance tickets do not provide the proper incentive to entice more individuals to play the lottery. Many times one can not know the promotional offering provided as a second chance until after the ticket is shown to be a losing ticket.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is generally directed toward a method and system for providing a game of chance agent and/or a game of chance operator an opportunity for increased revenue. Such a method includes the following steps: placing a bet slip in a game agent&#39;s retail location and offering the bets slip to a prospective player at no charge. The bet slip includes an area for the prospective player to record bet information for a game of chance and a coupon for a discount on a consumer item or service.  
         [0007]     A system for supplying a lottery game agent with additional revenue includes a retail location, a lottery bet slip, a lottery terminal disposed at the lottery retail location, and consumer items or services offered for sale at the retail location. The lottery bet slip includes an area for the lottery player to record bet information for a lottery game and a promotional message for a consumer item or service. The lottery bet slip is offered to prospective lottery play at no charge. The lottery terminal is configured to allow for the entry of the bet information recorded on the lottery bet slip.  
         [0008]     A method of operating a lottery includes the following steps: having printed a plurality of bet slips for a lottery game, having distributed a plurality of bet slips to a plurality of retail locations, receiving bets for the lottery game, and drawing lottery numbers for the lottery game. Each bet slip includes an area upon which bet information is recorded by a prospective lottery player prior to the prospective lottery player paying any money to place a bet and a coupon for a discount on a product or service. The retail locations are where the bets are placed for the lottery game. The retail locations are where or adjacent where products or services are offered for sale that correspond to at least one of the coupons. Bets are received in response to the bet information recorded on one of the bet slips. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a prior art game of chance bet slip.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a bet slip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the bet slip illustrated in  FIG. 2 , showing a back facing surface.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4   a  is a front view of a bet slip ticket constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4   b  is a back view of the bet slip illustrated in  FIG. 4   a , showing a back facing surface.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5   a  is a front view of a bet slip constructed in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5   b  is a back view of the bet slip illustrated in  FIG. 5   a , showing a back facing surface.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6   a  is a front view of a bet slip constructed in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6   b  is a back view of the bet slip illustrated in  FIG. 6   a , showing a back facing surface.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a bet slip in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a front facing surface. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a front view of a bet slip  20  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, showing a front facing surface  22 . A portion of the bet slip may be pre-printed at another location and a portion may be printed at a point-of-sale location. The bet slip  20  includes a sheet of paper, a first graphical image  26  and at least one advertising graphical image  40   a.    
         [0020]     As illustrated, the bet slip  20  is designed for use as a bet slip in a conventional lottery. It should be apparent to others with ordinary skill in the art that bet slips for use in other games of chance, i.e. bingo, may be constructed in accordance with the present invention in view of this disclosure.  
         [0021]     The bet slip  20  includes a sheet of paper. The bet slip  20  may be constructed from paper, chip board, or any other suitable medium. In a preferred embodiment, 60 lb. paper is used. The sheet has a front facing surface  22  and a back facing surface  24 . The back facing surface  24  is best shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]     The bet slip  20  is weakened along at least one predetermined line  30   a . The predetermined lines  30   a  may be scored to facilitate folding or perforated to facilitate tearing. As illustrated, the bet slip  20  includes three perforated lines  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c . Only one line  30   a  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , however all three  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c  are illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The line  30   a  acts to separate the bet slip into two portions  32   a ,  32   b . A top portion  32   a  includes printing directed to the game of chance and a bottom portion  32   b  includes printing directed to advertising. The perforation  30   a  allows a player to tear off the advertising portion  32   b  and retain for future reference after the top portion  32   a  is discarded. The player may do so before or after the game is played.  
         [0023]     In an alternative embodiment, the line  30   a  is scored and allows a game operator to fold a bet slip  20  in half to facilitate insertion into a computer ticket entry opening.  
         [0024]     In yet another alternative embodiment, a bottom portion  32   b  includes printing directed to the game of chance and a top portion  32   a  includes printing directed to advertising.  
         [0025]     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the bet slip  20  includes a first graphical image  26 . The first graphical image  26  is imprinted on the front facing surface  22 . The first graphical image  26  includes required indicia for playing a game of chance. As discussed, the indicia may be pre-printed, or generated by a computer at a point-of-sale location. The indicia may include imprinted graphical grids for player use, instructions to players, and general game of chance information.  
         [0026]     The bet slip  20  also includes at least one advertising graphical image  40   a . The at least one advertising graphical image  40   a  is imprinted on the front facing surface  22 . The at least one advertising graphical image  40   a  includes indicia identifying an advertiser&#39;s products or services. The image  40   a  may be imprinted in black ink, by a four color printing process, or by any other conventional method.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a back view of the bet slip  20  illustrated in  FIG. 2  showing a back facing surface  24  is illustrated. The back facing surface  24  of the bet slip  20  is divided into four portions  41   a ,  41   b ,  41   c ,  41   d  by three perforations  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c . As illustrated, the bet slip  20  further includes four advertising graphical images  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d ,  40   e  imprinted on the back facing surface  24 . Alternatively, one or more of the images  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d ,  40   e  could be replaced with game of chance instructions  50  imprinted on the back facing surface  24 .  
         [0028]     As illustrated, the advertising graphical image  40   e  imprinted on the bottom portion  41   d  includes a readable data form  42 . The readable data form may be one of several known systems that utilize coded data, including bar coding. In one embodiment, the coded data includes information identifying a product and a product discount. In other words, after the portion  41   d  is separated by the play ticket holder from the bet slip  20 , the portion  41   d  may act as a conventional coupon. In a preferred embodiment, the coded data of the present invention the code data includes information identifying the bet slip of the game of chance as an advertising vehicle source. Therefore, after the portion  41   d  with the bar code is utilized by a consumer as a coupon, an advertiser could identify the bet slip of the game of chance as the source of the coupon.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 4   a , a front view of a bet slip  50  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A front facing surface  52  is shown in  FIG. 4   a . A back facing surface  54  of the ticket  50  is illustrated in  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0030]     Again to  FIG. 4   a , the bet slip  50  includes perforations  60   a ,  60   b . The bet slip  50  includes a perforation  60   a  that defines a supplemental information portion  61   e . As illustrated, the supplemental portion  61   e  includes imprinted fanciful information  64  for the enjoyment of a bet slip holder.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 4   b , the back facing surface of the bet slip  50  is divided into five portions  61   a ,  61   b ,  61   c ,  61   d ,  61   e  by four perforations  60   a ,  60   b ,  60   c ,  60   d . As illustrated, the ticket portion  61   e  has been separated from the bet slip  50 .  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , a bet slip  70  in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in the two referenced figures, a front facing surface  72  and a back facing surface  74  is illustrated. The general physical construction of the bet slip  70  is essentially the same as the bet slip  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b.    
         [0033]     The bet slip  70  includes perforations  80   a ,  80   b . The bet slip  70  includes a perforation  80   a  that defines a supplemental information portion  81   e . As illustrated, the supplemental portion  81   e  includes a second game of chance  84  for the enjoyment of a bet slip holder for the enjoyment of a play ticket holder. In the embodiment illustrated, the player does not pay any money to play the scratch-off game. In fact, in certain applications, no purchase is required of any kind. As illustrated, the second game of chance is a scratch-off game  84 .  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , a bet slip  90  in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in the two figures, a front facing surface  92  and a back facing surface  94  is illustrated. The general physical construction of the bet slip  70  is essentially the same as the bet slip  50  illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , as well as the bet slip  90  illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b.    
         [0035]     The bet slip  90  includes perforations  100   a ,  100   b . The bet slip  90  includes a perforation  100   a  that defines a supplemental information portion  101   e . As illustrated, the supplemental portion  101   e  includes indicia  104  for providing a method for selecting a number to be played in the game of chance by the holder of the bet slip  90 .  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a front view of a bet slip  110  in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The bet slip  110  includes a front facing surface  112 . The bet slip  110  includes a perforation  114  defining a first portion  116   a  and a second portion  116   b . As illustrated, the second portion  116   b  includes at least one advertising graphical image  120 . As shown, the image is an imprinted coupon  120 . The coupon  120  details a product discount offered to a bet slip holder. The exemplary coupon shown details a “buy one, get one free” offer. It should be understood by others with ordinary skill in the art that other promotional strategies could be used in the practice of the present invention.  
         [0037]     Each of the above described bet slips  20 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90  and  110  can be offered to a prospective game of chance player at no charge. By providing promotional material e.g. coupons, advertisements, and the like, prospective lottery players may purchase an item that is promoted or discounted on the bet slip. Accordingly, the retailer who owns the lottery agent may make an incremental sale, or a sale that would not otherwise had been made other than the fact the promotional material was provided on the bet slip. Additionally, the promotional material on the bet slip may induce one who has an affinity for of coupons to play the game of chance. This would provide and incremental sale to the lottery agency, which many times is a government agency such as the state government.  
         [0038]     The lottery agent, which as mentioned above, typically is a retailer or service provider, can allow the redemption of the coupon at the retail locations. Furthermore, since the bet slips are typically offered at no charge the lottery game agent can allow the redemption of the coupon without requiring the prospective lottery player to purchase a lottery ticket. This differentiates the above-described bet slips from the “second chance” lottery tickets. The coupons that are provided on the bet slips will typically correspond with a consumer item or service that is offered at the lottery game agent&#39;s retail location. For example, if the lottery game agent provides a dry cleaning service, then one of the coupons can be for the dry cleaning service. Furthermore, promotional material may be provided that advertises services or goods provided at the retail location. For example, promotional material may advertise a certain price for a consumer item, for example potato chips, and the like.  
         [0039]     The lottery bet slips  20 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90  and  110  typically will be placed adjacent a lottery terminal, an example which is the device in which the bet information is input and transmitted to the central lottery authority, for example the state lottery commission. The central authority processes the bet request by storing the selected numbers and assigning a ticket identifier to the bet for the lottery player to hold. Alternatively, lottery bet slips may be placed away from the lottery terminal and near products and/or services that are advertised using the bet slip. Accordingly, a consumer who is in the market for a product that is being advertised on the lottery bet slip may be induced to play the lottery because the coupon or other promotional material provided on the lottery bet slip.  
         [0040]     The lottery bet slip may include a plurality of coupons, as shown above, with some of the coupons on the lottery bet slip adding up to a percentage of the minimum bet required to play the lottery game. For example fifty cents worth of coupons may be provided on a bet slip for a game of chance where the minimum bet is one dollar. Accordingly, some or a percentage of the price to pay the game of chance can be defrayed by redeeming the coupons for products and/or services that are advertised on the bet slip. Also, the discounts offered by the coupons can be at least as great as the minimum bet required to play the game of chance. Accordingly, the entire cost of playing the game of chance can be defrayed when redeeming the coupons or items that are advertised on the bet slip. The coupons can offer a discount on a product at a certain retail location, i.e. a first provider, and coupons can be provided on a discount from a second retail location, i.e. a second provider. For example, a coupon can be provided on the bet slip for a service that is provided by a retailer and/or service provider that is located down the street from the game of chance agent.  
         [0041]     To operate the lottery game and/or game of chance using one of the above-described bet slips, a game operator has a plurality bet slips printed for the game of chance. Each bet slip includes an area upon which bet information is recorded by a prospective player prior to the prospective player paying any money to place a bet. Each bet slip also includes at least one coupon and/or promotional message. The game of chance operator has distributed the plurality of bet slips to a plurality of the retail locations. The retail locations are where the bets are placed for the game of chance. The retail locations are also where or adjacent to where products or services are offered for sale that correspond to at least one of the coupons. The operator then receives bets for the game in response to the bet information recorded on one of the bet slips. The operator then draws numbers for the game. The exact order of these steps need not be followed. The operator can distribute the bet slips according to the coupon on the bet slip. For example, some coupons may be better suited for convenience stores while other coupons may be better suited for grocery stores. The operator can provide different bet slips to different retail locations. Furthermore the operator can print lottery tickets in response to the bet information received.  
         [0042]     Many variations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above detailed description. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically shown and described.