US20130150140A1

US20130150140A1 - Point based lottery game configuration

Info

Publication number: US20130150140A1
Application number: US13/325,048
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael D. Frick; David Richard Mizeur; Stan Pade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Integrated Group Assets Inc
Priority date: 2011-12-13
Filing date: 2011-12-13
Publication date: 2013-06-13

Abstract

An instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game are established. Further, the instant lottery game is configured such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value. In addition, the draw based lottery game is configured such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value. A random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia is also performed concurrently with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. Further, a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia is generated subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. In addition, an instant lottery game prize distribution is provided if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value. A draw based lottery game prize distribution is provided if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field
This disclosure generally relates to the field of gaming. More particularly, the disclosure relates to games of chance.
2. General Background
An instant lottery game typically allows a player to determine if he or she has won the lottery game instantly and the exact amount of the prize won instantly. The instant lottery game may be operated through a terminal at a lottery vendor. For example, the lottery vendor may have an instant lottery ticket dispensing machine that communicates with a central server. The instant lottery ticket dispensing machine may determine the assortment of indicia on the instant lottery game ticket at the time the instant lottery game ticket is purchased.
However, the sale of terminal generated instant lottery game tickets may involve a phenomenon called palming. When a player orders an instant lottery ticket at a point-of-sale location, the vendor may be able to quickly look at certain types of instant lottery game tickets and quickly determine if the instant lottery game ticket is a winning ticket prior to and/or during sale of the instant lottery game ticket. The vendor may then surreptitiously take that winning lottery game ticket for himself or herself and quickly provide the purchaser with another instant lottery ticket that may not be a winning instant lottery ticket. As a result, players may unfairly not receive their prizes. Further, potential instant lottery game players may be discouraged from purchasing instant lottery game tickets. Consequently, palming has functioned as a constraint on the sale of many terminal generated instant lottery games.
In addition, draw based games are often offered by lotteries. A player may purchase a ticket having thereon a set of numbers or symbols. At a subsequent time after the player purchases the lottery ticket, the lottery may perform a drawing. The drawing is a selection of a set of game winning numbers or symbols. Accordingly, the player may compare the set of numbers or symbols on his or her purchased lottery ticket with the set of subsequently drawn game winning numbers or symbols to determine if a prize winning match results after the comparison. Many of the current draw based games simply lack excitement for the player as the player has nothing else to do to play the game other than make a comparison.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process establishes an instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game. Further, the process configures the instant lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value. In addition, the process configures the draw based lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value. The process also generates a random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia concurrent with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. Further, the process generates a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. In addition, the process provides an instant lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value. The process also provides a draw based lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product includes a computer useable medium having a computer readable program. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to establish an instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game. The computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to configure the instant lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to configure the draw based lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to generate a random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia concurrent with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. The computer readable program when executed on the computer also causes the computer to generate a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. Further, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to provide an instant lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value. In addition, the computer readable program when executed on the computer causes the computer to provide a draw based lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value.
In yet another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a processor that establishes an instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game, configures the instant lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value, and configures the draw based lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value. Further, the apparatus includes an instant lottery game random number generator that generates a random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia concurrent with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. In addition, the apparatus includes a draw based lottery game random number generator that generates a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. In addition, the apparatus includes an instant lottery game distribution module that provides an instant lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value. The apparatus includes a draw based lottery game distribution module that provides a draw based lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value.

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 an example of a point based lottery game ticket that is based upon a set of blackjack rules.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prize configuration that may be utilized to provide prize distributions for outcomes of a point based lottery game.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process that may be utilized to provide the point based lottery game.

FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic interactive device that may be utilized to play a point based lottery game.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a station or system that provides a point based lottery game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method, apparatus, and computer program product may be utilized to provide a point based lottery game configuration. In one embodiment, the point based lottery game configuration has an instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game are established.
[0017]Examples of playing card games include blackjack, poker, or the like. The playing card game of blackjack is utilized herein solely for illustrative purposes. In one embodiment, both the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game are based upon the same set of rules of the playing card game. In an alternative embodiment, the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game are based upon different sets of rules of the playing card game or different sets of rules of different playing card games. The instant lottery game provides a player with a set of player numbers at the time of purchase of the instant lottery game. The player may then utilize that set of player numbers to find a playing card hand within a randomly generated subset of a deck of cards that is printed on the ticket. After the player determines the hand of cards, he or she may instantly determine whether or not he or she wins a prize according to a set of rules of the playing card game. In another embodiment, the playing card hand is simply provided to the player.
Further, the instant lottery game is configured such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value. In addition, the draw based lottery game is configured such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value. A random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia is also performed concurrently with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. Further, a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia is generated subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. In addition, an instant lottery game prize distribution is provided if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value. A draw based lottery game prize distribution is provided if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value.
Further, any of the configurations provided for herein may utilize a single price for the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game or multiple prices for the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. For example, a player may be able to purchase entry into both the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game for one dollar, two dollars, or five dollars. The prize that the player may win may depend not only on the point value accumulated by the player, but also the price category from which the lottery entry was purchased.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a point based lottery game ticket 100 that is based upon a set of blackjack rules. A player may purchase the point based lottery game ticket 100 for a purchase price 102 of two dollars. The point based lottery game ticket 100 has a set of player indicia 102 that is randomly generated and designated by numerical indicia. As an example, the set of player indicia 102 may be three, ace, nine, six, four, jack, two, queen, ten, five, king, eight, and seven that are respectively designated by the numerical indicia one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, and thirteen. Further, the point based lottery game ticket 100 may provide one or more instant lottery game hands based upon the player indicia 102 and the corresponding numerical indicia. For example, a player may receive a plurality of instant lottery game hands such as a first instant lottery game hand 104, a second instant lottery game hand 106, a third instant lottery game 108, and a fourth instant lottery game hand 110. Each hand may include the number of cards that a blackjack hand includes, i.e., two cards. Further, a random selection of a subset of the set of player indicia 102 may be performed. For example, as the plurality of instant lottery game hands includes eight cards, eight numerical indicia may be randomly selected from the thirteen numerical indicia. In one embodiment, duplicates may be randomly selected in the same and/or different hands. The player may then insert the corresponding player indicia that are associated with the numerical indicia. Further, the player may determine a point value for a particular hand. In particular, each hand adds up to a certain value according to the rules of the playing card game, e.g., blackjack rules. The player then compares that value with a predetermined value to determine a point value for the hand. As an example, a player may win three points if the value of a hand equals blackjack, i.e., twenty-one, two points if the value of the hand is less than twenty-one and greater than seventeen, and three points if the value of the hand equals seventeen.
For example, the first instant lottery game hand 104 includes the numerical indicia of two and seven, which respectively correspond to the player indicia of ace and two. Accordingly, the player has a total point value for the first instant lottery game hand 104 of zero as eleven plus two equals thirteen, which is less than seventeen. Further, as an example, the second instant lottery game hand 106 includes the numerical indicia of thirteen and six, which respectively correspond to seven and jack. Accordingly, the player has a total point value for the second instant lottery game hand 106 of one point as seven plus ten equals seventeen, which is a tie with the predetermined value of seventeen. In addition, as an example, the third instant lottery game hand 108 includes the numerical indicia of eight and two, which respectively correspond to queen and ace. Accordingly, the player has a total point value for the third instant lottery game hand 108 of three points as ten plus eleven equals twenty-one, which is black jack. As yet another example, the fourth instant lottery game hand 110 includes the numerical indicia of ten and five, which respectively correspond to five and four. Accordingly, the player has a total point value for the fourth instant lottery game hand 110 of zero as five plus four equals nine, which is less than seventeen. Therefore, the player has a total accumulated point value of four points from the instant lottery game.
In an alternative embodiment, the player indicia may be displayed without the numerical indicia. For example, the playing card indicia may be displayed directly on the instant lottery game playing card hands without the player having to insert the playing card indicia. Further, in yet another embodiment, the playing card indicia may randomly generated from a full deck of playing card indicia rather than being generated from a subset of playing card indicia. A random number generator, ball hopper, or the like may be utilized to perform any of the instant random selections for any of the configurations provided for herein.
Further, the point based lottery game ticket 100 has at least one drawing based hand. Points may be accumulated based on a comparison of the drawing based hand with the corresponding instant based hand. For example, the point based lottery game ticket 100 may have a first drawing based hand 112, a second drawing based hand 114, a third drawing based hand 116, and a fourth drawing based hand 118. In contrast with the instant hands for which outcomes are determined at a time of purchase, the drawing based hands have outcomes that are determined at a time subsequent to the time of purchase. As an example, a lottery may utilize a random number generator, ball hopper, or the like to randomly generate a set of draw numbers. All players may then see and/or hear about the set of draw numbers, which are utilized as numerical indicia, and insert the player indicia corresponding to the numerical indicia on the player's particular ticket. A comparison may then be performed between the first drawing based hand 112 and the first instant hand 104, the second drawing based hand 114 and the second instant hand 106, the third drawing based hand 116 and the third instant hand 108, and the fourth drawing based hand 118 and the instant hand 110. Points may also be awarded based on the player's own drawing based hand beating the player's own instant hand. For example, if the player's drawing based hand beats the player's instant hand with twenty-one, the player may win three points, if the player's drawing based hand beats the player's instant hand with less than twenty-one, the player may win two points, and if the player's drawing based hand ties the player's instant hand, the player may win one point. The total points won by the player for the drawing based game may then be calculated.
The comparison may initially be performed by a player to determine point values. Alternatively or in addition, the comparison may be performed by a computer processor. For example, the computer processor may perform the comparison for verification.
In one embodiment, the instant prize may be based on the instant accumulated point value that is added from each instant hand on the point based lottery game ticket 100. In another embodiment, the draw based prize may be based on the drawing based accumulated point value. The instant prize and draw based prize may be a variety of different prizes such as jackpot, secondary, progressive, or the like prizes. In one embodiment, the instant prize and the draw based prize are secondary prizes to a jackpot prize that is won based on having at least a predetermined number of hands meeting a predetermined criterion. As an example, the predetermined criterion may be a twenty-one point value. Further, as an example, the predetermined number of hands having a twenty-one point value may be six. Accordingly, as four instant hands and four drawing based hands are illustrated, a player has to have both instant hands and drawing based hands that have a twenty-one point value to win the jackpot prize.
In one embodiment, a deck other than a standard deck of cards is utilized to ensure that the probabilities allow for a high enough frequency of wins for the player. For example, a deck that utilizes an extra ace may be utilized. Further, in another embodiment, an nth ticket configuration may be utilized so that predetermined outcomes rather than random outcomes may be utilized for the instant game.
In one embodiment, no duplicates are utilized in the subset of playing card indicia. Accordingly, every card in every suit is represented once.
In another embodiment, the comparison may be performed between the instant game and the draw based game such that points are provided based on the instant hand beating the draw based hand.
FIG. 2 illustrates a prize configuration 200 that may be utilized to provide prize distributions for outcomes of a point based lottery game. Different prizes may be awarded based on the points accumulated in each of the drawing based game and the instant game. With respect to the drawing based game, as an example, if a player accumulates at least twelve points in the drawing based lottery game, which involves a comparison with the instant lottery game, the player may win a drawing based prize of ten thousand dollars for a one dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of twenty thousand dollars for a two dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of fifty thousand dollars for a five dollar price entry, and a drawing based prize of one hundred thousand dollars for a ten dollar price entry. Further, as an example, if a player accumulates eleven points in the drawing based lottery game, the player may win a drawing based prize of two hundred fifty dollars for a one dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of five hundred dollars for a two dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of one thousand two hundred fifty dollars for a five dollar price entry, and a drawing based prize of two thousand five hundred dollars for a ten dollar price entry. In addition, as an example, if a player accumulates ten points in the drawing based lottery game, the player may win a drawing based prize of twenty dollars for a one dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of forty dollars for a two dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of one hundred dollars for a five dollar price entry, and a drawing based prize of two hundred dollars for a ten dollar price entry. As another example, if a player accumulates nine points in the drawing based lottery game, the player may win a drawing based prize of five dollars for a one dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of ten dollars for a two dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of twenty-five dollars for a five dollar price entry, and a drawing based prize of fifty dollars for a ten dollar price entry. As yet another example, if a player accumulates eight points in the drawing based lottery game, the player may win a drawing based prize of three dollars for a one dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of ten dollars for a six dollar price entry, a drawing based prize of fifteen dollars for a five dollar price entry, and a drawing based prize of thirty dollars for a ten dollar price entry.
With respect to the instant game, as an example, if a player accumulates at least twelve points in the instant lottery game, the player may win an instant prize of five thousand dollars for a one dollar price entry, an instant prize of ten thousand dollars for a two dollar price entry, an instant prize of twenty-five thousand dollars for a five dollar price entry, and an instant prize of fifty thousand dollars for a twenty dollar price entry. Further, as an example, if a player accumulates eleven points in the instant lottery game, the player may win an instant prize of one hundred dollars for a one dollar price entry, an instant prize of two hundred dollars for a two dollar price entry, an instant prize of four hundred dollars for a five dollar price entry, and an instant prize of one thousand dollars for a twenty dollar price entry. In addition, as an example, if a player accumulates ten points in the instant lottery game, the player may win an instant prize of ten dollars for a one dollar price entry, an instant prize of twenty dollars for a two dollar price entry, an instant prize of fifty dollars for a five dollar price entry, and an instant prize of one hundred dollars for a twenty dollar price entry. As another example, if a player accumulates nine points in the instant lottery game, the player may win an instant prize of four dollars for a one dollar price entry, an instant prize of eight dollars for a two dollar price entry, an instant prize of ten dollars for a five dollar price entry, and an instant prize of twenty dollars for a twenty dollar price entry. As yet another example, if a player accumulates seven points in the instant lottery game, the player may win an instant prize of a free ticket equal to the price entry of original play.
Further, a player may win a jackpot prize if the player has at least six hands on any given point based lottery game ticket that equal blackjack. For example, if the player purchased the ticket with at least six hands equaling blackjack from a one dollar price category, the player, may win a fifty thousand dollar jackpot prize. As another example, if the player purchased the ticket with at least six hands equaling blackjack from a two dollar price category, the player may win a one hundred fifty thousand dollar jackpot prize. As yet another example, if the player purchased the ticket with at least six hands equaling blackjack from a five dollar price category, the player may win a four hundred thousand dollar jackpot prize. Further, as an example, if the player purchased the ticket with at least six hands equaling blackjack from a ten dollar price category, the player may win a one million dollar jackpot prize.
The various components to the point based lottery game and prize configurations may vary from the illustrated examples. For example, the prize structure may involve only prizes for the instant game and/or the draw based game as compared with the instant game. Further, the prize structure may not involve any prizes based on the total number of blackjack hands. For example, a jackpot prize may be provided based on an aggregate value points from both the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. Alternatively, the prize structure may only involve prizes based on the total number of blackjack hands.
FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 that may be utilized to provide the point based lottery game. At a process block 302, the process 300 establishes an instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game. Further, at a process block 304, the process 300 configures the instant lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value. In addition, at a process block 306, the process 300 configures the draw based lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value. At a process block 308, the process 300 also generates a random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia concurrent with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. Further, at a process block 310 the process 300 generates a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. In addition, at a process block 312, the process 300 provides an instant lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value. At a process block 314, the process 300 also provides a draw based lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value. A processor may be utilized to perform any portion of the process 300. Further, in one embodiment, a ticket printer may be utilized to print out the point based lottery ticket 100. In another embodiment, a virtual point based lottery ticket may be utilized.
In one configuration, the virtual point based lottery ticket may be displayed and played by utilizing an electronic device. FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic interactive device 400 that may be utilized to play a point based lottery game. The electronic interactive device 400 includes a display 402 in which play of the base game can be viewed. The display 402 may be an electronic display, a graphical user interface, an assortment of mechanical reels, or the like. Further, the electronic interactive device 400 may have a plurality of buttons 204 that may be utilized to select a wager category, initiate play of the point based lottery game, or provide other inputs for game play. In an alternative embodiment, the display 402 is touch enabled so that touch inputs may be provided directly to the display 402. Further, in one configuration, the electronic interactive device 400 has a wager acceptor 404, e.g., a bill acceptor, coin acceptor, promotional voucher acceptor, credit card acceptor, debit card acceptor, electronic wallet such as a smart card, etc., that accepts a wager from the player. In an alternative embodiment, wagers may be accepted electronically by receiving electronic payment information, e.g., credit card information, debit card information, or the like, through touch inputs via the display 402, voice communication, or the like. In another embodiment, a ticket printer 408 may print a copy of the virtual lottery ticket, a redemption voucher, or the like. However, the ticket printer 408 is not necessary for implementation of the electronic interactive device 400, which may be utilized in a paperless manner.
The electronic interactive device 400 is herein intended to include any device that has a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor as described above. For example, the electronic interactive device 400 may be a lottery terminal, a kiosk, a vending machine, a set top box (“STB”), cell phone, portable media player, or the like.
In yet another embodiment, either the instant lottery game or the draw based lottery game may be implemented as a stand-alone game without the other game. For example, the instant lottery game may be implemented as an instant lottery game according to the instant lottery game configuration described herein without the draw based lottery game. Further, as an example, the draw based lottery game may be implemented as a draw based lottery game according to the draw based lottery game configuration described herein without the instant lottery game.
The prizes provided for herein may be a variety of prizes. For example, the prizes may include fixed prizes, pari-mutuel prizes, progressive prizes, probabilities-based prizes, or the like.
The processes described herein may be implemented in a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor. Such a processor will execute instructions, either at the assembly, compiled or machine-level, to perform the processes. Those instructions can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art following the description of the figures corresponding to the processes and stored or transmitted on a computer readable medium. The instructions may also be created using source code or any other known computer-aided design tool. A computer readable medium may be any medium capable of carrying those instructions and include a CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic or other optical disc, tape, silicon memory (e.g., removable, non-removable, volatile or non-volatile), packetized or non-packetized data through wireline or wireless transmissions locally or remotely through a network.
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a station or system 500 that provides a point based lottery game. In one embodiment, the station or system 500 is implemented utilizing a general purpose computer or any other hardware equivalents. Thus, the station or system 500 comprises a processor 502, a memory 508, e.g., random access memory (“RAM”) and/or read only memory (ROM), a point based lottery game module 506, and various input/output devices 504, (e.g., audio/video outputs and audio/video inputs, storage devices, including but not limited to, a tape drive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, a receiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, an image capturing sensor, e.g., those used in a digital still camera or digital video camera, a clock, an output port, a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, and the like, or a microphone for capturing speech commands)).
It should be understood that the point based lottery game module 506 may be implemented as one or more physical devices that are coupled to the processor 502. For example, the point based lottery game module 506 may include a plurality of modules. Alternatively, the point based lottery game module 506 may be represented by one or more software applications (or even a combination of software and hardware, e.g., using application specific integrated circuits (ASIC)), where the software is loaded from a storage medium, (e.g., a magnetic or optical drive, diskette, or non-volatile memory) and operated by the processor in the memory 508 of the computer. As such, the instant lottery game and draw based lottery game module 506 (including associated data structures) of the present disclosure may be stored on a computer readable medium, e.g., RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive or diskette and the like.
The station or system 500 may be utilized to implement any of the configurations herein. For example, the processor 502 may be utilized to establish a game, operate a game, perform calculations, or the like.
A virtual device may be utilized to provide any of the games provided herein. For example, a virtual lottery ticket may be sold rather than a paper ticket. For instance, a player may be able to purchase an electronic version of a ticket through a computing device such as a computer, laptop, kiosk, cell phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant, or the like.
A variety of prizes may be utilized. The illustrated prize structures are utilized only as examples.
Different types of playing card games may be utilized for the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. As an example, Blackjack may be utilized for the instant lottery game and Poker may be utilized for the draw based lottery game. Further, different quantities of cards may be utilized for the same game or different games. As an example, the instant lottery game may be based on a set of rules for a five card poker game whereas the draw based lottery game may be based on a set of rules for a seven card poker game. Alternatively, the same quantity of cards may be utilized for the same game or different games. As an example, the instant lottery game may be based on a set of rules for a five card poker game and the draw based lottery game may be based on a set of rules for a five card poker game.
Other types of sets of rules of other games besides card playing games may be utilized. For example, a set of rules based on casino-based games other than card games such as a set of rules for a game that includes at least one flip of a coin, at least one dice roll, at least one roulette spin, and/or at least one of spin of a wheel may be utilized. In one embodiment, a prize distribution may be based on one set of rules of one type of game and a prize distribution may be based on another set of rules of another type of game. For example, a first prize distribution may be based on a dice roll and a second prize distribution may be based on a playing card game. In another embodiment, a prize distribution may be based on one set of rules of one type of game and a prize distribution may be based on the same set of rules of that game. In yet another embodiment, the same set of rules for the same game may be utilized, but different quantities may be utilized in different prize distributions. For example, a first prize distribution may be based on a single flip of a coin whereas a second prize distribution may be based on two flips of a coin. In another embodiment, the same set of rules for the same game may be utilized with the same quantity. For example, a first prize distribution may be based on a single flip of a coin and a second prize distribution may be based on a second flip a coin. The instant and/or draw based formats may be utilized for the same or different games. Further, in one embodiment, an additional prize level may be utilized that is based on a combination of outcomes in the games.
It is understood that the processes, computer products, apparatuses, and systems described herein may also be applied in other types of processes, computer products, apparatuses, and systems. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of the processes, computer products, apparatuses, and systems described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present processes, computer products, apparatuses, and systems. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present processes, computer products, apparatuses, and systems may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

We claim:

1. A method comprising:

establishing an instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game;

configuring the instant lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value;

configuring the draw based lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value;

generating a random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia concurrent with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game;

generating a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game;

providing an instant lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value; and

providing a draw based lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the playing card game is blackjack.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a jackpot prize distribution if the entry has a predetermined quantity of outcomes according to an instant lottery game criteria and a predetermined quantity of outcomes according to a draw based lottery game criteria.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the instant lottery game criteria is a highest potential outcome for the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game criteria is a highest potential outcome for the draw based lottery game.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the instant lottery game prize distribution is less than the jackpot prize distribution and the draw based lottery game prize distribution is less than the jackpot prize distribution.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the entry on a lottery ticket.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying, with a graphical user interface, the entry on a virtual lottery ticket.

8. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

establish an instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game;

configure the instant lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value;

configure the draw based lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value;

generate a random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia concurrent with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game;

generate a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game;

provide an instant lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value; and

provide a draw based lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the playing card game is blackjack.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the computer is further caused to provide a jackpot prize distribution if the entry has a predetermined quantity of outcomes according to an instant lottery game criteria and a predetermined quantity of outcomes according to a draw based lottery game criteria.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the instant lottery game criteria is a highest potential outcome for the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game criteria is a highest potential outcome for the draw based lottery game.

12. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the instant lottery game prize distribution is less than the jackpot prize distribution and the draw based lottery game prize distribution is less than the jackpot prize distribution.

13. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the computer is further caused to print, with a lottery ticket printer, the entry on a lottery ticket.

14. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the computer is further caused to display, with a graphical user interface, the entry on a virtual lottery ticket.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a processor that establishes an instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game, configures the instant lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding instant lottery game point value, and configures the draw based lottery game such that each of a plurality of potential outcomes of the draw based lottery game in comparison with the plurality of potential outcomes of the instant lottery game has a corresponding draw based lottery game point value;

an instant lottery game random number generator that generates a random selection of instant lottery game playing card indicia concurrent with a time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game;

a draw based lottery game random number generator that generates a random selection of draw based lottery game playing card indicia subsequent to the time of purchase of entry into the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game;

an instant lottery game distribution module that provides an instant lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated instant lottery game point value; and

a draw based lottery game distribution module that provides a draw based lottery game prize distribution if the entry has at least an accumulated draw based lottery game point value.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the playing card game is blackjack.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a jackpot prize distribution module that provides a jackpot prize distribution if the entry has a predetermined quantity of outcomes according to an instant lottery game criteria and a predetermined quantity of outcomes according to a draw based lottery game criteria.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instant lottery game criteria is a highest potential outcome for the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game criteria is a highest potential outcome for the draw based lottery game.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the instant lottery game prize distribution is less than the jackpot prize distribution and the draw based lottery game prize distribution is less than the jackpot prize distribution.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the entry on a lottery ticket.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising displaying, with a graphical user interface, the entry on a virtual lottery ticket.