Method and kit for a constant value jackpot game of chance

[0002] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/198,991, filed Nov. 23, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,835. This application claims of the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/067,053, filed Dec. 1, 1997.

[0003] This invention is directed to a game of chance kit and, more particularly, to a game kit for use by charitable organizations, clubs and taverns and the like whereby members or customers can purchase a ticket and instantly win a prize if the ticket is a “winner”. These kits are sold through licensed distributors in states where such games are legal. Typically, the kit is purchased by the charitable organization, club or tavern, the tickets are sold and the instant prizes are paid by the kit purchaser. The nwnber of winners is precisely controlled so that the income from ticket sales will exceed the total cost of the instant prizes and so that the ticket purchasers will know in advance the payout if all tickets are purchased.

[0004] Game kits have been designed which give the impression of additional levels of play. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,737.

[0005] However, the additional levels of play permitting the customer to win a bonus or sweepstakes prize require the bonus or sweepstakes to be funded entirely by the charitable organization, club or tavern selling the sweepstakes winning ticket.

[0006] Briefly, according to this invention, there is provided a lottery game kit comprising a container for a set of game tickets of a preselected number which tickets can be purchased by game players. Each ticket has concealed indicia (symbols or numbers), some of which indicate entitlement to an instant prize and/or eligibility for a constant value jackpot. Each ticket contains indicia of a particular game set and indicia of a master game. A game set comprises all tickets in one container including both winners and losers and possibly one ticket indicating eligibility for the constant value jackpot. A master game comprises all game sets associated with a single constant value jackpot. The lottery game kit further comprises a prize board indicating the correspondence between ticket indicia and instant prizes. The game kit further includes a jackpot poster setting forth the jackpot and instructions for transmitting jackpot tickets to the jackpot sponsor. Each jackpot poster will include the final date for receipt of the name and address of a jackpot ticket purchaser and the winning ticket to the jackpot sponsor. The jackpot sponsor may, for example, be the manufacturer of the game sets. Thus, the jackpot sponsor provides the jackpot prize as an inducement to clubs or taverns to purchase game sets from the sponsor.

[0007] Further features and other objects and advantages of this invention will be made clear from the following detailed description made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a five window ticket;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a one window ticket;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a three row pull ticket;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a three window ticket;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a prize board;

[0013] FIG. 6 is a jackpot poster; and

[0014] FIG. 7 is a representative container for a plurality of lottery tickets.

[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, there are shown tickets which include a laminated upper layer 15 and lower layer 20 of material such that until torn apart by removing a tab 25, the indicia 30 (symbols or numbers) hidden therein are not visible. Alternately, the ticket 10 may be folded and sealed such the until the seal is unbroken and the ticket 10 unfolded, the hidden indicia 30 are not visible. The particular tickets illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 are referred to in the industry as pull-tabs. Other types of tickets are suitable for use in game kits according to this invention.

[0016] A plurality of lottery tickets may be packaged in a container 35 and a master game is comprised of lottery tickets from a plurality of containers.

[0017] The indicia 30 of the game set and master game of each sweepstakes eligible ticket enables an audit of the drawing to reduce the opportunity for fraudulent entries.

[0018] A prize board 40 sets forth the rules and the value of instant winning tickets. The prize board 40 displays a number of winners and the number of total tickets in each game set and any other information required by state laws.

[0019] A jackpot poster announces and advertises the jackpot prize, the sweepstakes drawing date and may, for example, include instructions for transmitting jackpot tickets to the drawing location.

[0020] It should be understood that the jackpot is a ticket that could appear at any time and in any game. There could be one game or many different games being played at any one time. The size of the various games (ticket count) does not matter nor does the name of the game matter. A winning player could receive the jackpot prize either as an instant winner or be required to send the game piece back to the game sponsor for redemption depending on the size of the jackpot being offered. The jackpot could be cash or merchandise. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the game pieces illustrated therein indicate the player is a jackpot winner. The jackpot has no bearing on how many tickets are sold nor does it increase in value as tickets are sold.

[0021] In an alternate embodiment, the same symbols, numbers or letters are covered by latex (scratch off) coatings to increase the excitement of playing the game.

[0022] Having thus described my invention with the detail and particularity required by the Patent Laws, what is desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims.