US20090247255A1

US20090247255A1 - Separate prizes in a lottery game

Info

Publication number: US20090247255A1
Application number: US12/055,292
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward Batoff; Mark Davis; Stan Pade; Robert J. Wright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Integrated Group Assets Inc
Priority date: 2008-03-25
Filing date: 2008-03-25
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Also published as: WO2009120422A2; WO2009120422A3

Abstract

A process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game. The first prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game. The second prize is distinct from the first prize. In addition, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The process also indicates a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the second prize is at least the multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first prize.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field
This disclosure generally relates to the field of gaming. More particularly, the disclosure relates to lotteries.
2. General Background
A lottery is generally a distribution of tokens such that a subset of the distributed tokens may win a prize. The token can be in the form of a ticket. One of the most popular forms of lottery involves the distribution of lottery tickets. Each lottery ticket includes a lottery number. After the lottery tickets have been distributed to the lottery ticket holders, the winning lottery number is chosen. The usual method of selecting the winning lottery number generally involves a drawing. The drawing may be a random selection of the winning number. A random number generator can be used to randomly select the winning number. Some lottery configurations require the ticket to have the entire number that is randomly selected while other lottery configurations require the ticket to have a subset of an ordered sequence of numbers that are randomly selected.
Lotteries as normally utilized by jurisdictions reflect a pari-mutuel model in which the prize is funded by a portion of the ticket sales. One potential problem with the pari-mutuel model is that a sufficient number of tickets need to be sold in order to provide a reasonable lottery prize. However, interest in purchasing lottery tickets is generally stimulated only when the prize becomes substantial. For instance, a large number of lottery tickets are purchased in ten million dollar lottery, but a disproportionately large number of lottery tickets are purchased in a fifty million dollar lottery.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game. The first prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game. The second prize is distinct from the first prize. In addition, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The process also indicates a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the second prize is at least the multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first prize. Further, the process determines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first prize and the distribution of the second prize. In addition, the process provides the distribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. The process also provides the distribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.
In another aspect of the disclosure, the process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first progressive jackpot prize in a lottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize in the lottery game. The second progressive jackpot prize is distinct from the first progressive jackpot prize. In addition, the second progressive jackpot prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The process also indicates a predetermined percentage such that a potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize is at most the predetermined percentage of a potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize. Further, the process maintains, upon the potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize becoming greater than the predetermined percentage of the potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize, the potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize. In addition, the process increments, after the potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize becomes less than the predetermined percentage of the potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize, the potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize based on the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The process also determines a winning lottery number that is utilized for both the first progressive jackpot prize and the second progressive jackpot prize. Further, the process provides a distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. Finally, the process provides a distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first progressive jackpot prize in a lottery game. The first progressive jackpot prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The process also establishes a second price category corresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize in the lottery game such that a variable ratio is provided between the first price category and the second price category. The second progressive jackpot prize is distinct from the first progressive jackpot prize. Further, the second progressive jackpot prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. In addition, the process indicates a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize is at least the predetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize. The process also determines a winning lottery number that is utilized for both the first progressive jackpot prize and the second progressive jackpot prize. Further, the process provides a distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. In addition, the process provides a distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first fixed prize in a lottery game, The first fixed prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second fixed prize in the lottery game. Further, the second fixed prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. In addition, the second fixed prize is greater in value than the first fixed prize. The process also determines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first fixed prize and the distribution of the second fixed prize. Further, the process provides the distribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. Finally, the process provides the distribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game. In addition, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The second prize is greater in value than the first prize. The process also determines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first prize and the distribution of the second prize. Further, the process provides the distribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. Finally, the process provides the distribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game. In addition, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category. The second prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the second prize is greater in value than the first prize. In addition, the process determines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first fixed prize and the distribution of the second fixed prize. The process also provides the distribution of the first prize to one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. The distribution of the first prize is an intra-shared distribution of the first prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category includes multiple players. The process also provides the distribution of the second prize to one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category. The distribution of the second prize is an intra-shared distribution of the second prize if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category includes multiple players.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first progressive jackpot prize in a lottery game. The first progressive jackpot prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize in a lottery game such that a constant ratio is provided between the first price category and the second price category. The second progressive jackpot prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the second price category. Further, the second progressive jackpot prize is distinct from the first progressive jackpot prize. In addition, the process establishes a third price category corresponding to a third progressive jackpot prize in the lottery game such that a variable ratio is provided between the second price category and the third price category. The third progressive jackpot prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the third price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the third progressive jackpot prize being distinct from the first progressive jackpot prize and the second progressive jackpot prize. In addition, the process determines a winning lottery number that is utilized for the first progressive jackpot prize, the second progressive jackpot prize, and the third progressive jackpot prize. Further, the process provides a distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. In addition, the process provides a distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category. Finally, the process provides a distribution of the third progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the third price category.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category without funding from lottery ticket sales from a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game. The process also establishes the second price category. Further, the second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the second prize being greater in value than the first prize. In addition, the process determines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first prize and the distribution of the second prize. The process provides the distribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. Finally, the process provides the distribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes a first price category corresponding to a first main prize and a first secondary prize in a lottery game. The first main prize and the first secondary prize are funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The first main prize is greater than the first secondary prize. Further, the process establishes a second price category corresponding to a second prize main prize and a second secondary prize in the lottery game. The second main prize and the second secondary prize are funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. The second main prize is greater in value than the second secondary prize. The second main prize is greater in value than the first main prize. The second secondary prize is greater in value than the first secondary prize. Further, the process determines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine a distribution of the first main prize, a distribution of the first secondary prize, a distribution of the second main prize, and a distribution of the second secondary prize. In addition, the process provides the distribution of the first main prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a full match of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. The process also provides the distribution of the first secondary prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a partial match of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. Further, the process provides the distribution of the second main prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a full match of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category. In addition, the process provides the distribution of the second secondary prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a partial match of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a lottery prize structure that utilizes separate prizes.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a variety of configurations in which the prizes associated with the price categories may be funded.

FIG. 2A illustrates a bidirectional funding independence configuration between the one dollar prize and the two dollar prize shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 2B illustrates a unidirectional funding independence configuration between the one dollar prize and the two dollar prize shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C illustrates an alternative unidirectional funding independence configuration from that shown in FIG. 2B.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate configurations in which one or more conditions may be utilized to ensure that the one dollar prize is less than the two dollar prize.

FIG. 3A illustrates a lottery prize configuration in which a predetermined multiple is indicated.

FIG. 3B illustrates the lottery prize configuration of FIG. 3B in which the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize with respect to a two dollar prize that is a fixed prize.

FIG. 3C illustrates the lottery prize configuration of FIG. 3B in which the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize with respect to a two dollar prize that is a progressive prize.

FIG. 3D illustrates the lottery prize configuration of FIG. 3B in which the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize that is a rollover with respect to a two dollar prize that is a progressive prize.

FIG. 4 illustrates a lottery prize structure with both a constant ratio and a variable ratio.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process that may be utilized to provide the separate prizes for the lottery game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Configurations are disclosed to provide separate prizes for a lottery game. The separate prizes may be provided for a single lottery drawing. Further, each of the separate prizes may be associated with a distinct price category. In one embodiment, a higher price category ensures that the player has the ability to win a higher potential jackpot prize distribution than a lower price category. Without this assurance, a lower price category may potentially result in a higher jackpot prize than a higher price category. For example, if one hundred thousand lottery players purchase a one dollar lottery ticket and only five thousand lottery players purchase a two dollar lottery ticket, the prize distribution in a pari-mutuel lottery may be greater for the one dollar lottery ticket, e.g., at least a portion of revenue of one hundred thousand dollars, than for the two dollar lottery ticket, e.g., at least a portion of revenue of ten thousand dollars. As a result, this assurance helps incentivize lottery players to purchase the higher priced lottery tickets. By increasing sales of the higher price lottery tickets, the lottery operator can provide much larger lottery prizes than would otherwise be possible and, thereby, increase more overall interest in the lottery.
FIG. 1 illustrates a lottery prize structure 100 that utilizes separate prizes. In one embodiment, the prizes are separate in that ticket sales revenue from one price category does not fund the prize for a separate price category. For example, the lottery prize structure 100 may have a price category indicator 102 and a prize indicator 104. Accordingly, a particular prize may be associated with a particular price category. As an example, a one dollar price category 106 may be associated with a one dollar prize 110, and a two dollar prize category may be associated with a two dollar prize 112. The one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 may be a variety of different types of prizes such as fixed prizes, jackpot, and/or progressive prizes. Further, the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 may each have a different type of prize. For example, the one dollar prize 110 may be a progressive jackpot prize while the two dollar prize 112 is a fixed prize. In the illustrated example, the one dollar prize 110 is a fixed prize with a value of one million dollars while the two dollar prize 112 is a fixed prize with a higher value of three million dollars. By providing a higher prize for the higher priced ticket, a player may be incentivized to purchase the higher priced lottery ticket. The number of price categories and corresponding prizes is not limited to the two illustrated in FIG. 1, which is provided merely as an example.
FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a variety of configurations in which the prizes associated with the price categories may be funded. Accordingly, FIG. 2A illustrates a bidirectional funding independence configuration 200 between the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the one dollar prize 110 may be funded by all, or a portion, of one dollar ticket sales 202 for a lottery game. However, the one dollar prize 110 may not be funded by any portion of two dollar ticket sales 204 for the same lottery game. Further, the two dollar prize 112 may be funded by all, or a portion, of the two dollar ticket sales 204 for the lottery game. However, the two dollar prize 112 may not be funded by any portion of the one dollar ticket sales 202 for the same lottery game.
The bidirectional funding independence does not prevent external funding from other sources, or potentially additional price categories. For example, a portion of revenue generated from a different game, e.g., a raffle game, may be utilized to help fund the one dollar prize 110 and/or the two dollar prize 112. Further, an additional three dollar price category may be utilized to fund the one dollar prize 110 and/or the two dollar prize 112.
In one embodiment, the bidirectional funding independence also applies to rollover from previous lottery games. For example, if in a previous lottery game the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 have not been won, the respective tickets sales, or a portion thereof, from each of those prizes may be utilized to help fund the corresponding prize. However, a portion of the rollover may not be utilized to help fund a prize that does not correspond to the price category from which ticket sales revenue was generated. For example, ticket sales revenue, or a portion thereof, from a rollover of the one dollar prize 110 in a previous lottery game may be utilized to fund the one dollar prize 110, but not the two dollar prize 112, in a current lottery game. Further, ticket sales revenue, or a portion thereof, from a rollover of the two dollar prize 112 in a previous lottery game may be utilized to fund the two dollar prize 112, but not the one dollar prize 110, in a current lottery game.
In an alternative embodiment, the bidirectional funding independence may be applicable to a current lottery game, but not to rollover from previous lottery games. For example, the one dollar prize 110 may be funded by all, or a portion, of one dollar ticket sales 202 for a current lottery game, but not any portion of two dollar ticket sales 204 for the same lottery game, and vice versa for the two dollar prize 112. However, a portion of the rollover may be utilized to help fund a prize that does not correspond to the price category from which ticket sales revenue was generated. For example, ticket sales revenue, or a portion thereof, from a rollover of the one dollar prize 110 in a previous lottery game may be utilized to fund the one dollar prize 110 and/or the two dollar prize 112 in a current lottery game. Further, ticket sales revenue, or a portion thereof, from a rollover of the two dollar prize 112 in a previous lottery game may be utilized to fund the two dollar prize 112 and/or the one dollar prize 110 in a current lottery game.
In one embodiment, a single lottery drawing is provided to determine a winning lottery number. For example, one lottery number may be randomly generated, e.g., utilizing a ball hopper, and may be utilized to determine both the distribution of the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112. If a lottery ticket having the winning lottery number thereon was purchased from the one dollar price category 106, the lottery player wins the one dollar prize 110. If the lottery ticket having the winning lottery number thereon was purchased from the two dollar price category 108, the lottery player wins the two dollar prize 112.
In one configuration, the lottery player may purchase a lottery ticket with a single lottery number from multiple price categories. For example, the lottery player may purchase a lottery ticket for a total of three dollars so that he or she may win both the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 if the lottery number on the lottery ticket is drawn in the lottery drawing. In an alternative configuration, the lottery player may purchase the lottery ticket from only one price category and, thereby, have the possibility of winning only the prize, or prizes, corresponding to that price category. In an alternative configuration, a lottery number may be drawn in the same lottery game for each of the price categories. For example, one lottery number may be drawn for the one dollar price category 106 and another lottery number may be drawn for the two dollar price category 108. In yet another configuration, a single lottery number may be drawn for a group of price categories and another single lottery number may be drawn for another group of price categories. Each group may include one or more price categories. For example, a single lottery number may be drawn for the one dollar price category 106 and the two dollar price category 108, but a different lottery number may be drawn for a three dollar price category. In another configuration, separate lottery numbers may be drawn for each of the price categories.
In another embodiment, multiple players may potentially have the same lottery number that is drawn. In this instance, an intra-sharing distribution may be utilized to distribute the prize corresponding to a price category to multiple winners that purchased lottery tickets with the winning lottery number from that particular price category. As an example, if one winner purchased a lottery ticket from the one dollar price category 106 and another winner purchased a lottery ticket from the two dollar price category 108, no sharing is utilized as the winner that purchased the lottery ticket from the one dollar price category 106 wins the one dollar prize 110, e.g., one million dollars, and the winner that purchased the lottery ticket form the two dollar price category 108 wins the two dollar prize 112, e.g., three million dollars. However, if the two winners both purchased their lottery tickets from the one dollar price category 106, the two winners would share the one million dollars. In one configuration, the intra-sharing is an equal distribution. For instance, the two winners would each receive half of the one dollar prize 110, e.g., five hundred thousand dollars each. In another configuration, the intra-sharing is an unequal distribution. The unequal distribution may be determined by one or more factors. An example of a factor is time of purchase of the lottery ticket. In other words, the lottery player that purchases the lottery ticket earlier in time receives the larger portion of the prize. These factors may be utilized to incentivize potential lottery players to purchase lottery tickers earlier than otherwise. As a result, a lottery may be able to better increase the size of a lottery prize. For example, the winner that purchased the earlier ticket may receive seventy five percent of the one dollar prize 110, e.g., seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, in contrast to the winner that purchased the later ticket that may receive only twenty five percent of the one dollar prize 110, e.g., two hundred fifty thousand dollars.
A lottery may choose not to utilize an intra-sharing distribution. For example, the lottery may decide to pay out the same prize amount multiple times to different winners. If an intra-sharing distribution is not utilized, the lottery may impose a limit on the number of players that may win at the same time to avoid multiple payouts that are excessive. In one embodiment, the limit may allow for a sharing formula for all winners. In another embodiment, the limit prevents additional winners over the limit from winning a prize or portion of a prize.
FIG. 2B illustrates a unidirectional funding independence configuration 210 between the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the one dollar prize 110 may be funded by all, or a portion, of one dollar ticket sales 202 for a lottery game and all, or a portion, of two dollar ticket sales 204 for the same lottery game. However, the two dollar prize 112 may be funded by all, or a portion, of the two dollar ticket sales 204 for the lottery game, but may not be funded by any portion of the one dollar ticket sales 202 for the same lottery game. In one embodiment, other resources such as additional price categories or revenues from different games may be utilized to fund the one dollar prize 110 and/or the two dollar prize 112. The rollover configurations discussed may also be utilized in conjunction with the funding independence configuration 210. Accordingly, a rollover configuration may allow for bidirectional independence, unidirectional independence, or neither even though the configuration for the current lottery game may be unidirectional independence.
FIG. 2C illustrates an alternative unidirectional funding independence configuration 220 from that shown in FIG. 2B. For example, the two dollar prize 112 may be funded by all, or a portion, of two dollar ticket sales 204 for a lottery game and all, or a portion, of one dollar ticket sales 202 for the same lottery game. However, the one dollar prize 110 may be funded by all, or a portion, of the one dollar ticket sales 202 for the lottery game, but may not be funded by any portion of the two dollar ticket sales 204 for the same lottery game. In one embodiment, other resources such as additional price categories or revenues from different games may be utilized to fund the one dollar prize 110 and/or the two dollar prize 112. The rollover configurations discussed may also be utilized in conjunction with the funding independence configuration 220. Accordingly, a rollover configuration may allow for bidirectional independence, unidirectional independence, or neither even though the configuration for the current lottery game may be unidirectional independence.
FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate configurations in which one or more conditions may be utilized to ensure that the one dollar prize 110 is less than the two dollar prize 112. FIG. 3A illustrates a lottery prize configuration 300 in which a predetermined multiple is indicated. The predetermined multiple is utilized such that the two dollar prize is at least a multiple of the one dollar prize 110. A predetermined percentage may also be utilized to express the predetermined multiple. In other words, a predetermined percentage may be indicated such that the one dollar prize 110 is at most a percentage of the two dollar prize 112. For example, a predetermined percentage of thirty three and one third percent may be established. Accordingly, the one dollar prize 110 can at most be thirty three and one third percent of the two dollar prize 112. If the one dollar prize 110 and the two dollar prize 112 are both fixed prizes, the predetermined percentage may be established at the outset and will be maintained thereafter because the fixed prize does not change in value. As an example, the predetermined percentage may be indicated to be thirty three and one third percent so that if a two dollar prize 112 is a fixed prize in the amount of three million dollars, a one dollar prize 110 may be at most one million dollars. The one dollar prize 110 may be provided as a fixed prize in an amount such as one million dollars. Alternatively, the one dollar prize 110 may be provided as a progressive prize that can increase up to a maximum of one million dollars. In the illustrated example in FIG. 3A, the one dollar prize 110 is a progressive prize that is currently at five hundred thousand dollars, which is less than thirty three and one third percent of the two dollar prize 112, which is a fixed prize having a value of one million dollars.
FIG. 3B illustrates the lottery prize configuration 300 of FIG. 3B in which the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize 110 with respect to a two dollar prize 112 that is a fixed prize. In the example discussed above, the one dollar prize 110 may increase from five hundred thousand dollars to one million dollars. Since the two dollar prize 112 is a fixed prize of three million dollars in the example, the one dollar prize 110 may reach one million dollars, but may not be incremented above the one million dollars. Since the two dollar prize 112 is a fixed prize of three million dollars, the two dollar prize 112 in the current lottery does not increase above a three million dollar prize. Accordingly, one million dollars is the maximum prize for the one dollar prize 110 in this configuration. Any additional funds from lottery ticket sales may be utilized in whole, or in part, to help fund the one dollar prize 110 and/or the two dollar prize 112 in whole, or in part.
In one configuration, the one dollar prize 110 value is maintained once the one dollar prize 110 value reaches the predetermined percentage. In another configuration, the one dollar prize 110 value is maintained once the one dollar prize 110 value surpasses the predetermine percentage. In yet another configuration, either reaching or surpassing the predetermined percentage triggers the maintenance of the one dollar prize 110. For example, depending on the lottery systems, the sales data may be received in groups of tickets sold. Therefore, sales data indicating that nine hundred ninety thousand dollars of tickets were sold may be received, and the next batch of sales data may indicate that one million five dollars of tickets were sold. An automatic triggering system may be utilized to detect the reaching and/or surpassing of the predetermined percentage. Further, a maintenance system, which may be the same as or distinct from the automatic trigger system, maintains the one dollar prize 110 value if the predetermined percentage is detected to be reached and/or surpassed.
Further, FIG. 3C illustrates the lottery prize configuration 300 of FIG. 3B in which the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize 110 with respect to a two dollar prize 112 that is a progressive prize. In the example discussed above, the prize value of the predetermined percentage may change if the two dollar prize 112 is a progressive prize. For instance, if the two dollar prize 112 increases (as a result of ticket sales depending on bidirectional funding independence, unidirectional funding independence, or neither as discussed above) to a value of four hundred fifty thousand dollars, the predetermined percentage of thirty three and one third percent allows the one dollar prize 110 that is a progressive prize to increase to one million five hundred thousand dollars. As the two dollar prize 112 increases, the resulting monetary value allowed for the one dollar prize 110 also increases. Further, the value of the one dollar prize 110 may be maintained at the maximum value until the two dollar prize 112 increases to a sufficient amount that allows the one dollar prize 110 to be increased within the predetermined percentage.
An example of the lottery prize configuration 300 illustrated in FIG. 3B involves the one dollar prize 110 having a value of five hundred thousand dollars and the two dollar prize 112 having a value of three million dollars. If the one dollar prize 110 increases up to one million dollars while the two dollar prize 112 has not changed in value, the one dollar prize 110 is maintained for a time period. For example, the time period may be the time it takes the two dollar prize 112 to large enough so that the one dollar prize 110 is less than or equal to thirty three and one third percent of the two dollar prize 112. In another embodiment, the time period is a predetermined time period for which the one dollar prize 110 value is maintained to give the two dollar prize 112 sufficient time to accumulate so that the one dollar prize 110 value does not go through a series of numerous iterations in which it must be maintained as opposed to being allowed to increment. For example, the one dollar prize 110 may be maintained for a predetermined time period of one hour when the one dollar prize value 110 reaches or surpasses the predetermined percentage.
Further, FIG. 3D illustrates the lottery prize configuration 300 of FIG. 3B in which the predetermined percentage is reached for a one dollar prize 110 that is a rollover with respect to a two dollar prize 112 that is a progressive prize. If in a previous lottery game, the two dollar prize 112 was won by a player, the two dollar prize 112 may start off in a current lottery game with no value or with a value that is less than the one dollar prize 110, which may receive a rollover from the previous lottery game. Accordingly, the one dollar prize 110 value may be maintained from the very beginning of a current lottery game to allow the two dollar prize 112 to accumulate sufficiently so that the one dollar prize 110 value is less than the predetermine percentage. Alternatively, the one dollar prize 110 may be won in a previous lottery game. In that event, the two dollar prize 112 may have a rollover, and no maintenance of the one dollar prize 110 is needed at the beginning of ticket sales for the current lottery game.
The lottery prize structure 100 in FIG. 1 may be implemented with a variable ratio based system or a constant ratio based system. As illustrated, the lottery prize structure 100 utilizes a variable ratio based system. For example, a lottery ticket that has a winning lottery number thereon and that is purchased from the one dollar price category 106 may allow a lottery player to win the one dollar prize 110 of one million dollars. However, a lottery ticket that has a winning lottery number thereon and that is purchased from the two dollar price category 108 may allow a lottery player to win the two dollar prize 112 of three million dollars. A first association between the one dollar price category 106 and the one dollar prize 110 of one million dollars can be the quotient of one million divided by one, which equals one million. Further, a second association between the two dollar price category 108 and the two dollar prize 112 of three million dollars can be the quotient of three million divided by two, which equals one million five hundred thousand. A variable ratio exists because the first association does not equal the second association. In one embodiment, this variable ratio provides the lottery player with incentive to purchase a two dollar lottery ticket. In one embodiment, the lottery player can purchase the two dollar ticket as opposed to two one dollar lottery tickets because the potential distribution is greater by purchasing the two dollar lottery ticket as opposed to the two one dollar lottery tickets. As a result, the variable ratio configuration induces purchase of a higher priced lottery ticket.
Alternatively, the lottery prize structure 100 may utilize a constant ratio based system. For example, the one dollar prize 110 may allow a potential prize distribution of one million dollars whereas the two dollar prize 112 may allow a potential prize distribution of two million dollars. Accordingly, a lottery ticket that has a winning lottery number thereon and that is purchased from the one dollar price category 106 may allow a lottery player to win the one dollar prize 110 of one million dollars. Further, a lottery ticket that has a winning lottery number thereon and that is purchased from the two dollar price category 108 may allow a lottery player to win the two dollar prize 112 of two million dollars. A first association between the one dollar price category 106 and the one dollar prize 110 of one million dollars can be the quotient of one million divided by one, which equals one million. Similarly, a second association between the two dollar price category 108 and the two dollar prize 112 of two million dollars can be the quotient of two million divided by two, which equals one million. A constant ratio exists when the first association equals the second association. In one embodiment, a lottery player can purchase one two dollar lottery ticket as opposed to two one dollar lottery tickets to avoid having to purchase multiple tickets.
A lottery prize structure may also be implemented with both constant and variable ratios. FIG. 4 illustrates a lottery prize structure 400 with both a constant ratio and a variable ratio. As an example, the lottery prize structure 400 may have a price category indicator 402 for a one dollar price category 406, a two dollar price category 408, and a three dollar prize category 410. Further, the lottery prize structure 400 may have a prize indicator for a one dollar prize 412 that corresponds to the one dollar price category 406 and has a value of one million dollars, a two dollar prize 414 that corresponds to the two dollar price category 408 and has a value of two million dollars, and a three dollar prize 416 that corresponds to the three dollar price category 410 and has a value of six million dollars. A constant ratio exists between the first price category 406 and the second price category 408 because a first association between the one dollar price category 406 and the one dollar prize 412 of one million (one million divided by one) equals a second association between the two dollar price category 408 and the two dollar price category 408 of one million (one million divided by one). Further, a variable ratio exists between the second price category 408 and the third price category 410 because the second association of one million does not equal a third association between the three dollar price category 410 and the three dollar price category 410 of two million (six million divided by three). In addition, a variable ratio exists between the first price category 406 and the third price category 410 because the first association of one million does not equal the third association of two million.
FIG. 5 illustrates a process 500 that may be utilized to provide the separate prizes for the lottery game. At a process block 502, the process 500 establishes a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game. The first prize is funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category. Further, at a process block 504, the process 500 establishes a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game, the second prize distinct from the first prize. The second prize is funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category. In addition, at a process block 506, the process 500 indicates a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the second prize is at least the multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first prize. The process 500 also determines a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first prize and the distribution of the second prize. Further, the process 500 provides the distribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category. In addition, the process 500 provides the distribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.
In one embodiment, a lottery operator may receive a guarantee from a prize guarantor. In other words, the prize guarantor assumes the risk for paying a prize if the allocable prize portion of ticket sales is not sufficient for prize payout. The guarantee may be received prior to ticket sales in the lottery.
In one embodiment, the prize guarantor may provide the guarantee in exchange for a stipulation. In one embodiment, the stipulation can include an obligation by the lottery operator to provide a percentage of revenue generated from future ticket sales in exchange for the guarantee. In another embodiment, the stipulation includes an obligation by the lottery operator to provide a fee in exchange for the guarantee. The fee may be a predetermined percentage of ticket sales or a predetermined amount.
In another embodiment, the lottery operator may provide itself with a guarantee. In other words, the lottery operator may also be the prize guarantor. In yet another embodiment, the lottery operator may provide its own guarantee for one prize, e.g., the one dollar prize 110, and obtain a guarantee from a third party prize guarantor for another prize, e.g., the two dollar prize 112.
The guarantee may be based on the sufficiency of the portion of lottery tickets sales allocated for prize payout with respect to the size of the prize at the time of the payout. The portion of lottery ticket sales may depend on the type of configuration, e.g., bidirectional funding independence, unidirectional funding independence, or neither, that is utilized. For example, a bidirectional funding independence would allow a guarantee for the one dollar prize 110 based only on ticket sales from the one dollar price category 104. However, a unidirectional funding independence may allow for a guarantee for the one dollar prize based on both ticket sales from the one dollar price category 104 and the two dollar price category 106 if the unidirectional funding independence allows the one dollar prize 110 to be funded by the two dollar price category 106. If neither bidirectional funding independence or unidirectional funding independence is utilized, then the guarantee may based on tickets sales from both price categories.
In yet another embodiment, the prize configurations described herein may be utilized with games that have both a main prize and a secondary prize. A main prize may be associated with a full match whereas a secondary prize, which is of a lesser value, may be associated with a partial match. For example, a player with a lottery ticket having a full match for seven of seven digits may win a main prize whereas a play with a lottery ticket have a partial match, e.g., six of seven digits, may win a secondary prize. Accordingly, the value of the main prizes and secondary prizes may be established according to the price categories as described herein. For example, a one dollar price category may allow for a main prize that is less than the main prize for a two dollar price category, but more than the secondary prize for the one dollar price category. The main prizes and/or secondary prizes may be pari-mutuel based, fixed, jackpot, progressive, etc.
Intra-sharing may or may not be utilized in conjunction with the secondary prize distributions. If a lottery determines not to utilize intra-sharing for secondary prizes, a limit as discussed above may be imposed by the lottery.
The principles discussed above may be utilized in the format of a multiple, percentage, monetary value, or any other format to ensure that the size of the one dollar prize 110 is constrained with respect to the size of the two dollar prize 112. Further, the number of price categories is not intended to be limited to two or three price categories. The number of price categories described herein is provided merely for illustrative purposes. Accordingly, larger number of price categories may be utilized. Further, a variety of partial matches and associated secondary prizes may be utilized for a given price category.
It is understood that the processes described herein may also be applied in other types of systems. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of the processes described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present method and system. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present method and apparatus may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

establishing a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game, the first prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category;

establishing a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game, the second prize distinct from the first prize, the second prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category;

indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the second prize is at least the multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first prize;

determining a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first prize and the distribution of the second prize;

providing the distribution of the first prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category; and

providing the distribution of the second prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first prize is a jackpot prize.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second prize is a jackpot prize.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first prize is a progressive prize.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second prize is a progressive prize.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first prize is a fixed prize.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second prize is a fixed prize.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first prize at the time of prize payout.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second prize at the time of prize payout.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the distribution of the first prize is an intra-shared distribution of the first prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category includes multiple players.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the first prize.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the first prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the distribution of the second prize is an intra-shared distribution of the second prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category includes multiple players.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the second prize.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the second prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

18. A method comprising:

establishing a first price category corresponding to a first progressive jackpot prize in a lottery game, the first prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category;

establishing a second price category corresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize in the lottery game, the second progressive jackpot prize distinct from the first progressive jackpot prize, the second progressive jackpot prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category;

indicating a predetermined percentage such that a potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize is at most the predetermined percentage of a potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize;

maintaining, upon the potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize becoming greater than the predetermined percentage of the potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize, the potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize;

incrementing, after the potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize becomes less than the predetermined percentage of the potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize, the potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize based on the lottery ticket sales from the first price category;

determining a winning lottery number that is utilized for both the first progressive jackpot prize and the second progressive jackpot prize; and

providing a distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category; and

providing a distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first progressive jackpot prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first progressive jackpot prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first progressive jackpot prize at the time of prize payout.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second progressive jackpot prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second progressive jackpot prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second progressive jackpot prize at the time of prize payout.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize is an intra-shared distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category includes multiple players.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize is an intra-shared distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category includes multiple players.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

29. A method comprising:

establishing a first price category corresponding to a first progressive jackpot prize in a lottery game, the first progressive jackpot prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category;

establishing a second price category corresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize in the lottery game such that a variable ratio is provided between the first price category and the second price category, the second progressive jackpot prize being distinct from the first progressive jackpot prize, the second progressive jackpot prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category;

indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize is at least the predetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize;

determining a winning lottery number that is utilized for both the first progressive jackpot prize and the second progressive jackpot prize;

30. The method of claim 29, wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first progressive jackpot prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first progressive jackpot prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first progressive jackpot prize at the time of prize payout.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second progressive jackpot prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second progressive jackpot prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second progressive jackpot prize at the time of prize payout.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize is an intra-shared distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category includes multiple players.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize is an intra-shared distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category includes multiple players.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

40. A method comprising:

establishing a first price category corresponding to a first fixed prize in a lottery game, the first fixed prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category;

establishing a second price category corresponding to a second fixed prize in the lottery game, the second fixed prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the second fixed prize being greater in value than the first fixed prize;

determining a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first fixed prize and the distribution of the second fixed prize; and

41. The method of claim 40, wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first fixed prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first fixed prize at the time of prize payout.

44. The method of claim 40, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second fixed prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second fixed prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second fixed prize at the time of prize payout.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the distribution of the first fixed prize is an intra-shared distribution of the first fixed prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category includes multiple players.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the first fixed prize.

47. The method of claim 40, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the first fixed prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the distribution of the second prize is an intra-shared distribution of the second fixed prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category includes multiple players.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the second fixed prize.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the second fixed prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

51. A method comprising:

establishing a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game, the second prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the second prize being greater in value than the first prize;

determining a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first prize and the distribution of the second prize; and

52. The method of claim 51, wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the first prize is a jackpot prize.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein the second prize is a jackpot prize.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein the first prize is a progressive prize.

57. The method of claim 51, wherein the second prize is a progressive prize.

58. The method of claim 51, wherein the first prize is a fixed prize.

59. The method of claim 51, wherein the second prize is a fixed prize.

60. The method of claim 51, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first prize at the time of prize payout.

61. The method of claim 51, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second prize at the time of prize payout.

62. The method of claim 51, wherein the distribution of the first prize is an intra-shared distribution of the first prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category includes multiple players.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the first prize.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the first prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

65. The method of claim 51, wherein the distribution of the second prize is an intra-shared distribution of the second prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category includes multiple players.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the second prize.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the second prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

68. A method comprising:

establishing a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game, the second prize funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category, the second prize not being funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the second prize being greater in value than the first prize;

determining a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine both the distribution of the first fixed prize and the distribution of the second fixed prize;

providing the distribution of the first prize to one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category, the distribution of the first prize being an intra-shared distribution of the first prize if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category includes multiple players; and

providing the distribution of the second prize to one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category, the distribution of the second prize being an intra-shared distribution of the second prize if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category includes multiple players.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein the first prize is a jackpot prize.

72. The method of claim 68, wherein the second prize is a jackpot prize.

73. The method of claim 68, wherein the first prize is a progressive prize.

74. The method of claim 68, wherein the second prize is a progressive prize.

75. The method of claim 68, wherein the first prize is a fixed prize.

76. The method of claim 68, wherein the second prize is a fixed prize.

77. The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first prize at the time of prize payout.

78. The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second prize at the time of prize payout.

79. A method comprising:

establishing a second price category corresponding to a second progressive jackpot prize in a lottery game such that a constant ratio is provided between the first price category and the second price category, the second progressive jackpot prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the second progressive jackpot prize being distinct from the first progressive jackpot prize;

establishing a third price category corresponding to a third progressive jackpot prize in the lottery game such that a variable ratio is provided between the second price category and the third price category, the third progressive jackpot prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the third price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the third progressive jackpot prize being distinct from the first progressive jackpot prize and the second progressive jackpot prize;

determining a winning lottery number that is utilized for the first progressive jackpot prize, the second progressive jackpot prize, and the third progressive jackpot prize;

providing a distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category;

providing a distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category; and

providing a distribution of the third progressive jackpot prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the third price category.

80. The method of claim 79, further comprising indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize is at least the predetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize.

81. The method of claim 79, further comprising indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the third progressive jackpot prize is at least the predetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of the second progressive jackpot prize.

82. The method of claim 79, further comprising indicating a predetermined multiple such that a potential prize distribution of the third progressive jackpot prize is at least the predetermined multiple of a potential prize distribution of the first progressive jackpot prize.

83. The method of claim 79, wherein a variable ratio is also provided between the second price category and the third price category.

84. A method comprising:

establishing a first price category corresponding to a first prize in a lottery game, the first prize funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category without funding from lottery ticket sales from a second price category corresponding to a second prize in the lottery game;

establishing the second price category, the second prize distinct from the first prize, the second prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the second prize being greater in value than the first prize;

85. The method of claim 84, wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category.

87. The method of claim 84, wherein the first prize is a jackpot prize.

88. The method of claim 84, wherein the second prize is a jackpot prize.

89. The method of claim 84, wherein the first prize is a progressive prize.

90. The method of claim 84, wherein the second prize is a progressive prize.

91. The method of claim 84, wherein the first prize is a fixed prize.

92. The method of claim 84, wherein the second prize is a fixed prize.

93. The method of claim 84, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first prize at the time of prize payout.

94. The method of claim 84, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the second price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the second price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second prize at the time of prize payout.

95. The method of claim 84, wherein the distribution of the first prize is an intra-shared distribution of the first prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category includes multiple players.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the first prize.

97. The method of claim 95, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the first prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

98. The method of claim 84, wherein the distribution of the second prize is an intra-shared distribution of the second prize if the one or more players having a lottery ticket with the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category includes multiple players.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an equal distribution of the second prize.

100. The method of claim 98, wherein the intra-shared distribution is an unequal distribution of the second prize such that a higher distribution is provided to a player with an earlier purchase of the lottery ticket.

101. A method comprising:

establishing a first price category corresponding to a first main prize and a first secondary prize in a lottery game, the first main prize and the first secondary prize being funded from lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the first main prize being greater than the first secondary prize;

establishing a second price category corresponding to a second prize main prize and a second secondary prize in the lottery game, the second main prize and the second secondary prize being funded from lottery tickets sales from the second price category without funding from the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the second main prize being greater in value than the second secondary prize, the second main prize being greater in value than the first main prize, the second secondary prize being greater in value than the first secondary prize;

determining a winning lottery number that is utilized to determine a distribution of the first main prize, a distribution of the first secondary prize, a distribution of the second main prize, and a distribution of the second secondary prize;

providing the distribution of the first main prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a full match of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category;

providing the distribution of the first secondary prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a partial match of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the first price category;

providing the distribution of the second main prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a full match of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category; and

providing the distribution of the second secondary prize to one or more players if the one or more players have a lottery ticket with a partial match of the winning lottery number that is purchased from the second price category.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein the first main prize is a pari-mutuel based prize.

103. The method of claim 101, wherein the first secondary prize is a pari-mutuel based prize.

104. The method of claim 101, wherein the second main prize is a pari-mutuel based prize.

105. The method of claim 101, wherein the second secondary prize is a pari-mutuel based prize.

106. The method of claim 101, wherein the first main prize is a fixed prize.

107. The method of claim 101, wherein the first secondary prize is a fixed prize.

108. The method of claim 101, wherein the second main prize is a fixed prize.

109. The method of claim 101, wherein the second secondary prize is a fixed prize.

110. The method of claim 101, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first main prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first main prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first main prize at the time of prize payout.

111. The method of claim 101, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the first secondary prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the first secondary prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the first secondary prize at the time of prize payout.

112. The method of claim 101, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second main prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second main prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second main prize at the time of prize payout.

113. The method of claim 101, further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment for the second secondary prize prior to the lottery ticket sales from the first price category, the guarantee ensuring that the second secondary prize will be paid even if a portion of the lottery ticket sales from the first price category allocated for prize payment is less than the second secondary prize at the time of prize payout.