Volume pricing and retailer incentives in a lottery game

Abstract

A process establishes a gross wholesale value for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. Further, the process establishes a net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. A ratio of a sub-target lot size to a sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of a target lot size to a target price. The process also receives, from a retailer, the net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value is a commission for the retailer.

1 . A method comprising:
 establishing a gross wholesale value for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   establishing a net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   indicating a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;   indicating a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;   providing the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;   receiving, from a retailer, the net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value is a commission for the retailer; and   providing a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the target lot size to the target price is greater than the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a minimum standard retailer commission is also part of the commission. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the commission is offered without a minimum standard retailer commission. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prize distribution is a fixed prize. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 establishing a gross wholesale value for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   establishing a net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   indicating a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;   indicating a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;   indicating an additional sub-target price for each of a plurality of additional sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of additional sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having an additional sub-target lot size, a ratio of the additional sub-target lot size to the additional sub-target price being in a linear proportion with a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price;   providing the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;   receiving, from a retailer, the net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value is a commission for the retailer; and   providing a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the non-linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the target lot size to the target price is greater than the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is equal to the ratio of the additional sub-target lot size to the additional sub-target price. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a minimum standard retailer commission is also part of the commission. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the commission is offered without a minimum standard retailer commission. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the prize distribution is a fixed prize. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity. 
     
     
         20 . A system comprising:
 an establishment module that establishes a gross wholesale value for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game ticket and a net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   a display module that indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players and a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;   a ticket distribution module that provides the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;   a reception module that receives, from a retailer, the net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value is a commission for the retailer; and   a prize distribution module that provides a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the non-linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the target lot size to the target price is greater than the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein a minimum standard retailer commission is also part of the commission. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the commission is offered without a minimum standard retailer commission. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the prize distribution is a fixed prize. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity. 
     
     
         29 . A system comprising:
 an establishment module that establishes a gross wholesale value for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game ticket and a net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   a display module that indicates a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, and an additional sub-target price for each of a plurality of additional sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price, each of the plurality of additional sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having an additional sub-target lot size, a ratio of the additional sub-target lot size to the additional sub-target price being in a linear proportion with a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price;   a ticket distribution module that provides the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;   a reception module that receives, from a retailer, the net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value is a commission for the retailer; and   a prize distribution module that provides a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of a an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the non-linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the target lot size to the target price is greater than the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is equal to the ratio of the additional sub-target lot size to the additional sub-target price. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein a minimum standard retailer commission is also part of the commission. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the commission is offered without a minimum standard retailer commission. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the prize distribution is a fixed prize. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity. 
     
     
         39 . 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 a gross wholesale value for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   establish a net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   indicate a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;   indicate a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;   provide the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;   receive, from a retailer, the net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value is a commission for the retailer; and   provide a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.   
     
     
         40 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein the non-linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the target lot size to the target price is greater than the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price. 
     
     
         41 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game. 
     
     
         42 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game. 
     
     
         43 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game. 
     
     
         44 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein a minimum standard retailer commission is also part of the commission. 
     
     
         45 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein the commission is offered without a minimum standard retailer commission. 
     
     
         46 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein the prize distribution is a fixed prize. 
     
     
         47 . The computer program product of  claim 39 , wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity. 
     
     
         48 . 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 a gross wholesale value for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   establish a net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the gross wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets;   indicate a target price for each of a plurality of target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a target lot size;   indicate a sub-target price for each of a plurality of sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having a sub-target lot size, a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price being in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of the target lot size to the target price;   indicate an additional sub-target price for each of a plurality of additional sub-target lots of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to be sold by the retailer to instant lottery game players, each of the plurality of additional sub-target lots being a subset of the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets and having an additional sub-target lot size, a ratio of the additional sub-target lot size to the additional sub-target price being in a linear proportion with a ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price;   provide the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets to a retailer for distribution to a plurality of instant lottery game players to play an instant lottery game;   receive, from a retailer, the net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value is a commission for the retailer; and   provide a prize distribution to one of the plurality of instant lottery game players upon receipt of an instant lottery game ticket with a winning match.   
     
     
         49 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein the non-linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the target lot size to the target price is greater than the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price. 
     
     
         50 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein the linear proportion is configured such that the ratio of the sub-target lot size to the sub-target price is equal to the ratio of the additional sub-target lot size to the additional sub-target price. 
     
     
         51 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein the instant lottery game is a scratch-off lottery game. 
     
     
         52 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein the instant lottery game is a pull-tab lottery game. 
     
     
         53 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein the instant lottery game is a single fixed liability lottery game. 
     
     
         54 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein a minimum standard retailer commission is also part of the commission. 
     
     
         55 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein the commission is offered without a minimum standard retailer commission. 
     
     
         56 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein the prize distribution is a fixed prize. 
     
     
         57 . The computer program product of  claim 48 , wherein payout of the prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.