AU2001236891A1

AU2001236891A1 - Fractional denomination gaming system and method of playing

Info

Publication number: AU2001236891A1
Application number: AU2001236891A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Phillip Congello Jr.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-18
Filing date: 2001-02-12
Publication date: 2001-08-27
Also published as: SE523051C2; EP1311328A1; MXPA02008017A; SE0202444D0; EP1311328A4; JP2003523034A; US6296569B1; PL358524A1; CZ20023071A3; CN1400914A; NZ520768A; DE10195721T1; NO20023886L; CA2394866A1; GB0214154D0; CN1145510C; GB2373740A; HUP0300380A2; KR20020086546A; NO20023886D0

Description

FRACTIONAL DENOMINATION

GAMING SYSTEM

AND METHOD OF PLAYING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent relates to the field of gaming systems, and more

particularly, to a system that creates a new on-line game and method of

playing that allows consumers to purchase fractional denomination shares of

full unit game tickets, in amounts equal to the change (coins) customers

would have received back from their purchases of goods and services from

retailers authorized to offer the game. Upon a player's request, the gaming

system exchanges his/her change from any purchase, for a fractional

denomination game ticket in any amount up to $.99 for a chance at winning a

prize on a pro-rata basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many states and countries currently sponsor on-line lottery and lottery-

type games. Typically, the larger jackpot games are LOTTO and multi-state

POWERBALL, whereby consumers have a chance of winning a jackpot by

matching six or seven numbers out of a possible set of 40 or 50 numbers

drawn by the lottery sponsor on a weekly or biweekly basis. Smaller jackpot

games include PICK 3 and PICK 4, and involve matching three or four

numbers from a set of 1 0 numbers drawn daily. State-run on-line games are

sold to consumers in full unit, fixed-denomination tickets (usually $ 1 ), play at

equal odds, and share jackpots equally across all winning tickets. There has

been no experimentation, however, with methods that allow consumers to purchase on-line game tickets in fractional denominations of any amount up to

$ .99, and that share jackpots on a pro-rata basis.

Although state-sponsored games of chance have become more popular

over the years, there are periods of stagnation in their revenue growth, which

can be directly attributable to the level of public interest and enthusiasm for

the games at any particular point in time. In order to maintain the public's

enthusiasm for lottery-type games, the states must constantly search for new

methods of play to entice consumers to play on-line games.

Most efforts to increase enthusiasm for lotteries have centered on creating

games that feature bigger jackpots, vary the number matching combinations

or update the promotion "themes". No experimentation has been done with

methods that achieve "gaming excitement" by offering players the prospect

of conveniently wagering their "small change" for a chance at winning a big

jackpot worth thousands of dollars.

Because this method allows consumers to exchange their change for game

tickets in an amount they find most convenient at the time of purchase, the

game described herein will capture new players, re-capture lapsed players and

increase revenues for state-sponsored lotteries.

In addition, potential players will appreciate the game's convenience of

converting change into fractional game tickets because research shows that

most Americans genuinely dislike handling and counting loose coins.

In fact, most Americans would rather accept a lesser amount of money in

bills than more money in loose change; 68% would choose a $50 bill over $55 in coins. Seventy five percent stockpile their loose coins at home, rather

than make the effort to handle change during transactions. Over 54% of

consumers don't take the time to count their change after a purchase.

American's dislike for their own change has now carried over to dislike for

other people's loose change. Nearly 1 in 4 report annoyance when someone

holds up the checkout line in order to search for, and pay with exact change.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that there is a need for a new on¬

line game that will appeal to players and increase state revenues with a

method that is convenient, easy to understand, and can be incorporated

within the current state-sponsored on-line terminal and infrastructure systems.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an on-line gaming system and

a method of playing that allows consumers to purchase fractional

denomination shares of full unit game tickets, in amounts equal to the change

(coins) customers would have received back from their purchases of goods

and services from retailers authorized to offer the game.

It is another object of this invention to integrate with existing on-line

technology so that consumers can conveniently exchange their change (coins)

from any purchase for a fractional denomination share of a full unit game

ticket (up to $.99) for a chance to win a prize.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a game that offers

fractional denomination ticket holders equal odds of winning a particular prize. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a game whereby

winning ticket holders share prizes proportionately based upon the winning

tickets' relative fractional values.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a game, which plays

on the lottery sponsor's existing on-line equipment, and with proprietary or

open architecture software systems, whether mainframe or PC based, thereby

simplifying implementation and day-to-day operations.

In summary, this invention relates to the field of gaming systems, and

is directed to an on-line game of chance and a method of playing for use in all

lottery applications, commercial game applications, and promotional and other

game applications. The method of playing allows a consumer to purchase a

fractional denomination share of a full unit game ticket, in an amount equal to

the change the customer would have received back from any purchase of

goods or services from a retailer authorized to offer the game. Upon a

player's request, the gaming system exchanges his/her change (coins) for a

fractional denomination game ticket in any amount up to $ .99 for a chance at

winning a prize on a pro-rata basis. In one method of play, if a consumer

buys a newspaper for $.25 from an authorized retailer and pays for the paper

with $ 1 , this invention will allow the consumer the option of purchasing a

fractional denomination share of a full unit game ticket in the amount of the

$ .75 that would have been returned in change (coins) . The lottery retailer

processes the request and issues a quick-pick, 75/1 00^th fractional share of a

full unit game ticket. Fractional denomination game tickets may play at equal odds of winning a prize or at weighted odds based on the fractional

denomination share of a full unit game ticket entry. The lottery sponsor will

randomly draw the winning numbers. Game winners share prizes

proportionately based upon the winning tickets' relative fractional values. For

example, players holding winning tickets will each receive a proportion of the

overall prize based on the value of their wager relative to the total amount

wagered by all winning tickets. The game can incorporate the existing

equipment of the lottery sponsor for selecting quick-pick numbers, printing

tickets, drawing winners and requires proprietary software programs, or the

modification of existing software for recording, processing and determining

prizes. The ticket is printed in a format that facilitates a fractional

denomination ticket game, and includes a randomly generated quick-pick

number, amount wagered, play date and security codes. The invention and

method of play can be adapted for use in other games of chance, games of

skill and other related gaming categories.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 sample fractional denomination game ticket;

FIGURE 2 flow chart depicting game steps

FIGURE 3 flow chart depicting computing blocks

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an on-line game in which players' wages

are placed in a common pool and divided among the selected winners and the

lottery sponsor in accordance with the rules of the game. In this game, players purchase fractional denomination shares of full unit game tickets in an

amount equal to the change the customer would have received back from the

purchase of goods or services from a retailer authorized to offer the game.

The gaming system can accept a player's change from any retail purchase in

exchange for a fractional denomination game ticket in any amount up to $ .99,

for a chance at winning a prize on a pro-rata basis. For example, if a player

buys a newspaper for $.25 from an authorized retailer and pays for it with a

dollar bill, this invention will allow the player the option of accepting a

75/1 00^th fractional share of a full unit game ticket instead of $ .75 in coins.

This game can work with the existing equipment used by lottery sponsors.

The invention will be further described with reference to the drawing

figures. FIGURE 1 shows a sample ticket (1 ) having the ticket's randomly

generated, quick-pick 8-digit number (2), fractional wager (3), and date of

game (4). The bar codes (5) provide security measures against counterfeiting

and allows for machine reading and validation of tickets. Preferably, winning

of prizes using the ticket in FIGURE 1 is accomplished by matching the ticket

selected by the lottery sponsor, all eight numbers in the exact order drawn.

The lottery sponsor will draw from the pool of all tickets sold for a particular

game to guarantee winners. Winning criteria is not limited to matching all

numbers in the order drawn, nor to drawing from the pool of tickets sold for a

particular game, but can be modified at the discretion of the lottery sponsor. In an alternative format to guaranteeing winners, the lottery sponsor

can randomly choose a set of numbers for each game. This could result in

having one, two or more or no winners for a particular game.

This invention uses a quick-pick, random number generator for creating

the ticket shown in FIGURE 1 , but can offer the option of allowing players to

select their own numbers by marking play slips.

FIGURE 2 shows a flow chart depicting the method of playing starting

with the first step of the consumer requesting a fractional denomination game

ticket by exchanging his/her change after a typical purchase at an authorized

retailer (1 ), and the subsequent steps of the retailer entering the amount of

change that would have been returned, as the ticket's purchase price, either

directly or remotely into the online terminal to issue ticket (2), and lottery

sponsors' central computers processing and generating an 8-digit fractional

ticket (3). After game stops selling tickets and "closes" to draw winners, the

central computers begin back-end processing and fulfillment (4), including

prize computing, winner selection and proportional share calculations. Lottery

sponsors may draw winners from the pool of all tickets sold for a particular

game or from a random number generator. (SEE FIGURE 3). Players match

ticket with winning numbers drawn by lottery sponsor (5) . The invention is

not limited to manned on-line terminal operations, but can be modified to

include self-service ticketing equipment.

FIGURE 3 shows a detailed view of the prize-computing block (1 ),

winner-selection block (2) and proportional-share computing block (3). In this instance, if a game's sales receipts determine a $750,000 jackpot, and the

lottery sponsor selects three winners, the proportional-share computing block

will calculate how the prize will be awarded among the winning ticket holders

on a pro-rata basis. This is accomplished first by the proportional-share

computing block adding the fractional denomination amounts of each of the

winning tickets to determine the total sum wagered (i.e. $ .80 + $.75 + $ .50

equals $2.05) .

The next step is to determine the percent values of the individual

winning tickets by dividing their fractional denominations by the total sum

wagered. In this example, the percent values equal 39.0%, 36.6% and

24.4% respectively.

Then, the proportional-share computing block will determine prize

distribution among the winners by multiplying the $750,000 jackpot by each

of the winning tickets' percent values. The pro-rata dollar shares of this

sample jackpot are equal to $292,500, $274,500, and $ 1 83,000

respectively.

The invention is capable of being incorporated within existing

equipment currently in use with state-sponsored lotteries. This equipment

includes for example, a secure network of on-line terminals, proprietary and

open architecture software systems, random number generating equipment,

and ticket printing mechanisms. Software modifications are required for the

invention's computing blocks and for an optional remote keypad input device

that can be located near retailers' cash registers for convenience. The precise manner in which the winner numbers are selected can be tailored to meet the

objectives of the lottery sponsor.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it

is understood that the invention is capable of further modifications, uses

and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and

including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the

known or customary practice in the art to which it pertains and as may be

applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope

of the invention or the limits of the claims appended hereto.

For example, the invention is not limited to a stand-alone game

application as described herein, but is capable of being incorporated within

existing lottery and lottery-type games, such as LOTTO and multi-state games

such as POWERBALL, so that players of these games are provided the

additional option of purchasing fractional denomination game tickets along

with the current option of purchasing fixed denomination, full unit tickets

(usually in $ 1 increments). In the case of a single, fractional ticket winner,

the proportional sharing of a jackpot is then based on the winning ticket's

fractional denomination as a percent of a full ticket unit. For example, a single

winner holding an $.80 fractional ticket is entitled to an 80% share of the

game's jackpot.

Yet another modification of this invention for either stand-alone or

existing games, is to provide consumers the option of buying fractional denomination game tickets outright, rather than tying their purchase to the

amount of change being returned from a retail transaction.

This would allow a player to deliberately purchase a $.65 game ticket,

or a $ 1 .65 game ticket. The $ 1 .65 game ticket is an example of an

application that adds a fractional denomination to a fixed denomination, full

unit ticket.

The invention can be applied to other games of chance besides on-line

lotteries and raffles, and could include "instant win" lottery tickets, video

lottery terminals, video poker games, slot machines, BINGO and KENO.

Still, the invention can be modified for Internet retail commerce so that

after an electronic purchase is made, a consumer can "round-up" the

purchase amount to the next whole dollar and buy an electronic fractional

game ticket in the amount equal to the difference between the original

purchase price and the next whole dollar. In this example, the method of play

would accommodate payments by use of credit cards and debits cards.

The invention is also capable of further adaptations for games of skill

and related pari-mutuel wagering, including thoroughbred, harness and dog

racing and sports betting.

Having described this invention with regard to specific embodiments, it

is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation since

further variations or modifications may be apparent or may suggest

themselves to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the present application cover such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of

the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

(1 ) A gaming system for games of chance and other games comprising:

a plurality of players with each wagering an amount that is any fractional

denomination of the amount required to purchase a fixed denomination, full

unit game entry,

means to provide a fractional denomination entry record to each of said

plurality of players who wager fractional amounts,

and means to determine the prizes paid according to the fractional

denomination wagered if the player is qualified as a winner.

(2) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said game is limited to

wagers comprising fractional denominations of full unit game entry.

(3) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said game includes

both fixed denomination full unit game entries.

(4) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said system comprises

means for recording the player's entry, such as a game ticket, which means

are connected to a point of purchase location whereby a customer can

purchase a fractional denomination share of a full unit game entry equal to the

change the customer would have received from the purchase of goods or

services from a retailer authorized to offer the game. (5) A gaming system according to claim 2, wherein said system comprises

means for recording the player's entry, such as a game ticket, which means

are connected to a point of purchase location whereby a customer can

purchase a fractional denomination share of a full unit game.

(6) A gaming system according to claim 3, wherein said system comprises

means for recording the player's entry, such as a game ticket, which means

are connected to a point of purchase location whereby a customer can

purchase a fractional denomination share of a full unit game entry.

(7) A gaming system according to claim 5, wherein said fractional

denomination share of a full unit game entry is equal to the change the

customer would have received from the purchase of goods or services from a

retailer authorized to offer the game.

(8) A gaming system according to claim 6, wherein said fractional

denomination share of a full unit game entry is equal to the change the

customer would have received from the purchase of goods or services from a

retailer authorized to offer the game.

(9) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the fractional

denomination game entry plays at equal odds and has the same chance of

winning a prize as a full unit game entry. (1 0) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the fractional

denomination game entry plays at weighted odds of winning a prize based on

the fractional denomination share of a full game entry.

(1 1 ) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of the

prize awarded to a single prize winner is in the same proportion to the full

prize amount as the prize winner's fractional denomination game entry is to a

full unit game entry.

(1 2) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the multiple prize

winners each receive a proportion of the overall prize equal to the relative

fractional value of their wager to the total amount wagered by all prize

winners.

(1 3) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said gaming system is

conducted via an on-line terminal network.

(1 4) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said gaming system is

conducted via a PC-based network.

(1 5) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said gaming system is

conducted through a data transmission system. (1 6) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said gaming system is

conducted via the Internet.

(1 7) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said gaming system

comprises means to record a player's fractional denomination game entry

purchase by use of his/her credit/debit card, or other accepted method of

payment.

(1 8) A gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein said gaming system

comprises means to record a player's fractional denomination game entry

purchase by use of his/her accepted non-cash method of payment.