Lottery game, ticket and interactive method of play

Abstract

A lottery gaming system and associated method utilizes the internet along with an instant game lottery. The need to maintain jurisdictional and age control for the sale of lottery tickets is maintained while limiting the payment options, since most lottery jurisdictions do not permit payment for lottery tickets on credit. Additionally, the frequency and excitement typically offered by pair-mutuel type play is offered in an internet-based system. Instant game lottery tickets are sold from a standard ITVM or the like. Each lottery ticket includes a unique serial number in a bar code or other format. Upon the purchase of the ticket, the ticket's bar code is read by the ticket dispensing terminal and transmitted to a central computer system for recording and access to remaining play data. In addition to the instant game available on the lottery ticket, the ticket includes an access code or internet address for subsequent interactive internet-based play. The interactive play may be utilized from one's own personal computer or an online terminal incorporated into the ITVM.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A lottery gaming system comprising: 
 a lottery ticket having a removable portion concealing instant game information, a bar code and an interactive game information portion;    a lottery ticket dispenser having a bar code reader for reading the bar code on the lottery ticket prior to the lottery ticket being dispensed from the dispenser;    a central computer system in communication with the lottery ticket dispenser;    wherein transmittal of the bar code from the lottery ticket dispenser to the central computer system initiates interactive game information represented on the lottery ticket in the interactive game information portion; and    a computer remote from and in communication with the central computer system, the computer being utilized by a player to play an interactive game with the central computer system based on the interactive game information.    
     
     
         2 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the lottery ticket dispenser further comprises: 
 a printer for printing the interactive game information on the lottery ticket in the interactive game information portion.  
 
     
     
         3 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the computer is in communication with the central computer system via the internet.  
     
     
         4 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 3  wherein the interactive game information further comprises: 
 an access code to be utilized by the player for playing the interactive game; and  
 an address to be utilized by the player for accessing the central computer system.  
 
     
     
         5 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the computer is remote from the lottery ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         6 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the computer is incorporated into the lottery ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         7 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the interactive game information is pre-printed on the lottery ticket and activated when the bar code is transmitted to the central computer system.  
     
     
         8 . A lottery ticket comprising: 
 a removable portion to reveal instant game information for determining whether the lottery ticket is an instant game winner;    a bar code; and    an interactive game information portion for displaying interactive game information required by a player in playing an interactive game.    
     
     
         9 . The lottery ticket of  claim 8  wherein the interactive game information further comprises: 
 an access code to be utilized by the player for playing the interactive game; and  
 an address to be utilized by the player for accessing the interactive game.  
 
     
     
         10 . The lottery ticket of  claim 8  wherein the removable portion is a scratch off layer.  
     
     
         11 . The lottery ticket of  claim 8  wherein the lottery ticket is releasably coupled by lines of weakness to additional lottery tickets in a fan fold stack of lottery tickets.  
     
     
         12 . A method of conducting a lottery comprising the steps of: 
 accepting payment from a player;    processing a selection by the player for a lottery ticket;    wherein the lottery ticket includes a removable portion concealing instant game information, a bar code, and an interactive game information portion for displaying interactive game information required by a player in playing an interactive game;    reading the bar code from the lottery ticket;    generating interactive game information associated with the bar code;    initiating the interactive game information on the lottery ticket;    dispensing the lottery ticket to the player;    removing the removable portion from the lottery ticket;    determining if the lottery ticket is an instant game winner;    redeeming a prize if the lottery ticket is the instant game winner;    accessing the internet with the interactive game information; and    playing the interactive game via the internet.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 transmitting bar code information of the bar code to a central computer system.  
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the generating step is performed by the central computer system.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the accepting, processing, reading and dispensing steps are performed at least in part by an automated ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 providing a communication link between the automated ticket dispenser and a central computer system located remotely from the automated ticket dispenser.  
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 transmitting bar code information of the bar code from the automated ticket dispenser to the central computer system.  
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the removing, accessing and playing steps are performed at least in part by the player.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 printing at least a portion of the interactive game information on the lottery ticket in the interactive game information portion.  
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the printing, accepting, processing, reading and dispensing steps are performed at least in part by an automated ticket dispenser.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the accessing and playing steps are performed at a location remote from the dispensing step.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 crediting an account of the player if the player wins the interactive game.