Method and apparatus for providing multiple levels of participation in a lottery

Abstract

A process provides a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased. The first price category indicates a first known distribution that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number. Further, the process provides a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased. The second price category ticket indicates a second known distribution, distinct from the first known distribution, that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets having the winning number. The second known distribution includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the first price category indicates a first known distribution that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number;   providing a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the second price category ticket indicates a second known distribution, distinct from the first known distribution, that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets having the winning number, wherein the second known distribution includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets;   randomly selecting the winning lottery number;   providing a first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known distribution if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein the first price category is the only price category having a winning ticket, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known distribution according to a first price category intra-sharing distribution formula;   providing a second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known distribution if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein the second price category is the only price category having a winning ticket, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known distribution according to a second price category intra-sharing distribution formula; and   providing a divided first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known distribution, a divided second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known distribution, and an inter-shared distribution of the first known distribution if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number and if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known distribution according to the divided first price category intra-sharing distribution formula, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known distribution according to the divided second price category intra-sharing distribution formula, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets shares the first known distribution with each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets according to an inter-sharing distribution formula.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first known distribution also includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second known distribution is larger than the first known distribution. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inter-sharing formula is a weighted distribution that provides a larger portion of the first known distribution to winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the first known distribution. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the second known distribution. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the first known distribution. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the second known distribution. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 providing a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the first price category indicates a first known distribution that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number;   providing a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the second price category ticket indicates a second known distribution, distinct from the first known distribution, that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets having the winning number, wherein the second known distribution includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets;   randomly selecting the winning lottery number;   providing a first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known distribution if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein the first price category is the only price category having a winning ticket, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known distribution according to a first price category intra-sharing distribution formula; and   providing a second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known distribution if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein the second price category is the only price category having a winning ticket, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known distribution according to a second price category intra-sharing distribution formula.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first known distribution also includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second known distribution is larger than the first known distribution. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the first known distribution. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the second known distribution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the first known distribution. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the second known distribution. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing an inter-shared distribution of the first known distribution if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number and if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets shares the first known distribution with each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets according to an inter-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a divided first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known distribution, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known distribution according to the divided first price category intra-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a divided second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known distribution, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known distribution according to the divided second price category intra-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 providing a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the first price category indicates a first known distribution that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number;   providing a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the second price category ticket indicates a second known distribution, distinct from the first known distribution, that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets having the winning number, wherein the second known distribution includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets;   randomly selecting the winning lottery number; and   providing an inter-shared distribution of the first known distribution if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number and if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets shares the first known distribution with each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets according to an inter-sharing distribution formula.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing a divided first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known distribution, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known distribution according to the divided first price category intra-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing a divided second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known distribution, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known distribution according to the divided second price category intra-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first known distribution also includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the second known distribution is larger than the first known distribution. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the inter-sharing formula is a weighted distribution that provides a larger portion of the first known distribution to winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the first known distribution. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the second known distribution. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the first known distribution. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the second known distribution. 
     
     
         29 . A method comprising:
 providing a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the first price category indicates a first known prize that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number;   providing a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the second price category ticket indicates a second known prize, distinct from the first known prize, that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets having the winning number, wherein the second known prize includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets;   randomly selecting the winning lottery number;   providing a first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein the first price category is the only price category having a winning ticket, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known prize according to a first price category intra-sharing distribution formula;   providing a second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein the second price category is the only price category having a winning ticket, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known prize according to a second price category intra-sharing distribution formula; and   providing a divided first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known prize, a divided second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known prize, and an inter-shared distribution of the first known prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number and if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known prize according to the divided first price category intra-sharing distribution formula, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known prize according to the divided second price category intra-sharing distribution formula, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets shares the first known prize with each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets according to an inter-sharing distribution formula.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first known prize also includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the second known prize is larger than the first known prize. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the inter-sharing formula is a weighted distribution that provides a larger portion of the first known prize to winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the first known prize. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the second known prize. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the first known prize. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the second known prize. 
     
     
         37 . A method comprising:
 providing a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the first price category indicates a first known prize that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number;   providing a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the second price category ticket indicates a second known prize, distinct from the first known prize, that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets having the winning number, wherein the second known prize includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets;   randomly selecting the winning lottery number;   providing a first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein the first price category is the only price category having a winning ticket, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known prize according to a first price category intra-sharing distribution formula; and   providing a second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein the second price category is the only price category having a winning ticket, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known prize according to a second price category intra-sharing distribution formula.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the first known prize also includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the second known prize is larger than the first known prize. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the first known prize. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the second known prize. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the first known prize. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the second known prize. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising providing an inter-shared distribution of the first known prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number and if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets shares the first known prize with each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets according to an inter-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising providing a divided first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known prize, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known prize according to the divided first price category intra-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising providing a divided second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known prize, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known prize according to the divided second price category intra-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         47 . A method comprising:
 providing a first price category in which a plurality of first price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the first price category indicates a first known prize that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets having a winning lottery number;   providing a second price category in which a plurality of second price category lottery tickets can be purchased, wherein the second price category ticket indicates a second known prize, distinct from the first known prize, that can be won with lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets having the winning number, wherein the second known prize includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets;   randomly selecting the winning lottery number; and   providing an inter-shared distribution of the first known prize if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets has a winning number and if at least one of the lottery tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets has a winning number, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets shares the first known prize with each of the winning tickets in the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets according to an inter-sharing distribution formula.   
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising providing a divided first price category intra-shared distribution of the first known prize, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of first price category lottery tickets shares the first known prize according to the divided first price category intra-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising providing a divided second price category intra-shared distribution of the second known prize, wherein each of the winning tickets in the plurality of second price category lottery tickets shares the second known prize according to the divided second price category intra-sharing distribution formula. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the first known prize also includes at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the first price category lottery tickets and at least a portion of the revenue provided from the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the second known prize is larger than the first known prize. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the inter-sharing formula is a weighted distribution that provides a larger portion of the first known prize to winning tickets in the plurality of the second price category lottery tickets. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the first known prize. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising providing a guarantee of payment of the second known prize. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the first known prize. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising receiving a guarantee of payment of the second known prize.