Patent ID: 7168616

Claim:
A method of purchasing goods and services in combination with a gaming feature, said method comprising providing consumers with a bank card, said bank card being issued to the consumers as a means of identifying the consumers and for extending credit to the consumers for a purchase of said goods and services, establishing a centralized location for receiving purchasing data each time consumers make use of said bank card, establishing a pool of funds, the size of which is related to the use of said bank card by said consumers, periodically conducting a lottery for distributing prizes to consumers by distributing proceeds from the pool of funds, said lottery being conducted periodically at regular intervals wherein odds of winning said lottery are in direct relation to the extent of said bank card usage during a regular interval immediately proceeding said lottery wherein said consumers are notified during said regular interval of the number of chances attributable to them with respect to the next lottery drawing in direct relation to the extent of purchases made during said interval wherein said consumers are so notified by enabling them to access a website operated from said centralized location.