Patent Publication Number: US-2003227134-A1

Title: Method of playing a lottery game of chance that has a guarantee jackpot winner every game

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/387799 filed Jun. 10, 2002 entitled “A METHOD OF PLAYING A LOTTERY GAME OF CHANCE THAT HAS A GUARANTEE JACKPOT WINNER EVERY GAME”.  
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Lotteries in the United States currently generate close to $40 billion in sales. More than forty states in the U.S. offer some form of government-sponsored lottery. Much of the revenue generated from the games is used to fund state funded tax programs such as education.  
       [0003] Lottery is a game of chance in which the player must correctly pick a pre-set of numbers that are drawn from a larger pool of numbers. For example, a player may be required to select six numbers from a pool of sixty numbers (i.e., 1-60). Typically, the cost of each ticket is between $1 and $2 per ticket. In most lottery games, the player fills out computer coded cards with his selected numbers. The cards are then presented to a authorized lottery dealer or administrator. Lottery tickets containing the one or more selected sets of numbers are then generated by a computerized ticket generator and purchased by the player. Lottery ticket generators typically contain random number generators. These random number generators randomly select number sets for players who do not choose to pick their own numbers.  
       [0004] As stated, Lottery tickets are typically purchased in two ways. Initially, players can code up a computer readable card with their number selections. Alternatively, lottery tickets are purchased by players who permits the random ticket generator to generate their tickets and select their numbers. The selected numbers are then transmitted to a central computerized system which stores the selected numbers (as well as those coded up by the players), each of which correspond to a purchased ticket. At a specified time period (typically once per week), the lottery administrator randomly selects the winning numbers for that game. The winning combination of numbers is then published in the local newspaper and announced on the local radio and TV stations. Even though currently most Lotteries administrators can tell whether any winning tickets were purchased, it is left up to the individual who purchased the winning ticket to come forward and claim his prize. If no winner is identified, then the game ends and the jackpot gets rolled over into the next game (e.g., the following weeks game). However, the tickets purchased for that week&#39;s game become void and new tickets must be purchased in order to be eligible for the next drawing.  
       [0005] A particular problem which has faced numerous jurisdictions which sponsor lottery games is that of declining revenues and profits. There are a number of state lottery agencies which are running deficits due to increased competition for players. With the proliferation of lotteries, states and Canadian provinces have aggressively campaigned to receive a larger share of static lotto revenues. In addition, it is common for lotto jackpots to accumulate over many weeks or even months. Accordingly, players frequently wait until a jackpot has grown to a substantial level before beginning to purchase tickets. Thus, the size of the jackpot is directly proportional to the demand for tickets. This phenomenon tends to create an inconsistent cash-flow for the lottery authority and frequently leads to frenzied buying at the last minute as the jackpot accumulates. This situation can result in people waiting in line for many hours to purchase tickets, disrupts the business of the ticket vendor, and discourages the elderly and infirm from purchasing tickets. Additionally, the fact that it may take months for a winner to be identified, many people get discouraged and don&#39;t play since they have to repurchase a ticket every time a new drawing is going to be conducted.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention has been created in order to establish a more efficient and exciting lottery game and help solve many of the problems current lottery games have around the United States.  
       [0007] It&#39;s an object of the present invention to establish a lottery game of chance that has a guarantee jackpot winner for each game.  
       [0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a lottery game wherein entries are accepted for consideration in all lottery drawings until at least one winner is identified and wins the jackpot.  
       [0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a lottery game wherein the winners are notified by the lottery administrator that they have won the jackpot.  
       [0010] Another object of the present invention is to establish a method of storing a player&#39;s ticket purchasing identification information.  
       [0011] Another object of the present invention is to randomly draw a winning lottery ticket from a pool of stored tickets purchased for that lottery game. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a lottery system of the present invention.  
     [0013]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lottery ticket purchase form for the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0014]FIG. 1 represents a flow diagram for playing a lottery game of chance that has a guarantee jackpot winner every game (hereinafter “System”). A player purchases a lottery ticket by filling out a game card similar to that shown in FIG. 2, and giving it to the lottery system dealer or administrator along with the required ticket fee (typically $1.00). The player either selects his own numbers or has the lottery system computer select his numbers for him  10 . The data is inputted into the Lottery System computer database, which stores the players contact information and selected lottery numbers. Upon purchasing a Lottery Ticket  20 , the lottery system generates a receipt or ticket, which is given to the player  30 . The ticket contains the players selected numbers, contact information and a unique game identification number. At a given time, typically once a week, the lottery administrator closes all betting on that game  40 . The lottery administrator then through the use of a ball draw, blower or random number generator, draws the winning lottery numbers for that game  50 . The winning numbers are then published and also inputted into the lottery computer to identify any matching tickets  60 . If no winners are identified  70 , then the lottery administrator redraws new winning numbers, publishes the new winning numbers and inputs the new winning numbers into the computer to identify any player who has an exact match (i.e., winners)  60 . This process is repeated until at least one winner is identified  80 .  
     [0015] Once a winner is identified, the lottery administrator will contact all winners and notify them to bring in their winning ticket or show proof of identification  90 . All winners have a specified period of time to claim their portion of the jackpot  100 . Each winner splits equally the jackpot between them  110 . The jackpot is a percentage of the sales generated from the number of tickets purchased for that game.  
     [0016] In an alternative embodiment, the lottery administrator has the computer randomly select one winner from the database of tickets purchased for that particular game. All tickets, which have the same numbers that are on the randomly chosen ticket, are identified by the lottery system and are considered winners of that game.  
     [0017] Conclusion, Ramification and Scope of Invention  
     [0018] Thus the reader will see that the Lottery game invention provides additional and significant features that the current prior art is lacking. The invention allows that at least one player will win every Lottery game that is played. This is very attractive to players since it gives them an incentive to play since some one will win every game that is played.