WO2012094071A1 - Lottery game and method of playing - Google Patents

Abstract

A lottery game system includes a number of play slips, a playing area disposed on each play slips, the playing area having seven sets of ten numbers, zero through nine. The object is for the player to select one number from each set, forming a sequence of numbers that includes at least two digits and at most seven digits. A drawing is then conducted by the lottery authority in which a seven-digit number sequence is generated, and the player wins if the chosen sequence, whether two digits through all seven digits, is included anywhere in the drawn sequence. To increase odds of winning, the player may choose to enter his ticket into multiple drawings. In the event that a player's ticket is entered into multiple consecutive draws and wins on any of the draws, it will still be eligible to win further in the following draws in which it was entered.

Description

LOTTERY GAME AND METHOD OF PLAYING

[0001 ] This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.

61/417,914, filed November 30, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background of the Invention

[0002 ] This invention generally relates to a lottery game, and more

particularly, to a lottery game where the player determines his or her choices in a fixed odds game.

[0003 ] There are many "instant-win" lottery games which players can buy and subsequently play at point-of-sale lottery locations. Many of the instant-win lottery games in the prior art are embodied in a ticket having a surface which the player must "scratch-off in order to play the game. Moreover, many instant-win lottery games are meant to play electronically on a computer via the internet. Although many of the games in the prior art require active participation by the user, such as scratching off the surface, playing the games in the prior art does not require a player to exercise play choices. These games are based on chance; players are required only to guess as to the correct portions of a ticket to "scratch-off," for example, in order to reveal winning indicia.

[0004 ] Moreover, the games in the prior art typically involve a fixed stake amount. The lottery game tickets in the prior art may be sold at a fixed price, for example, two dollars, and have a predetermined winning amount, known as fixed odds. Players may not increase their wagers in order to raise the potential winning amount. Furthermore, players typically may not participate if less than all of the required game selections are made or the game selections are not made in a predefined format and order. Finally, games in the prior art do not have time limits. Players typically may take as much time as is desired in order to complete the game on the lottery ticket or electronic medium such as a computer.

Summary of the Invention

[0005 ] It is an object of this invention to provide a lottery game system and method for conducting a lottery game. This invention relates to a lottery game system and method meant to be played at point-of-sale locations using lottery tickets or play slips.

[0006 ] The invention in various aspects is embodied in a play slip for indicating a player's selections, a lottery ticket or receipt and an associated lottery game. A prospective player may participate in the lottery game by purchasing a lottery ticket from a retailer. The player selects various play indicia with which he wishes to participate and advises the retailer on the stake amount he desires. The retailer then prints a ticket fulfilling the player's choices and informs the player about his potential winnings. The player in one embodiment of the invention starts the game by using a special purpose lottery terminal on a playing area of the play slip. The special purpose lottery terminal may be a STYLOT^™, manufactured by Intralot (www.Intralot.com). The game is a lottery game that is played out on a printed play slip, which in one embodiment includes seven sets each with ten numbers (0-9). The player selects one number from the sets (at least two sets and at most all seven sets), forming a sequence of numbers that includes at least two digits and at most seven digits. A drawing is then conducted by the lottery authority in which a seven-digit number sequence is generated, and the player wins if the sequence which he chose, whether two digits through all seven digits, is included anywhere in the drawn sequence.

[0007 ] The game's objective in one aspect is that the player matches successfully all his chosen numbers or game indicia to the drawn ones in the exact order they are drawn in order to win the top prize. The winning numbers of all game types are defined by one single draw of a seven-digit number. The game according to one aspect of this invention is a fixed odds game that will be sold via on-line lottery terminals at retailers' location.

[0008 ] In various aspects of this invention, the game offers ease of play. The rules of the game are simple to understand and follow. The player may choose a minimum of two numbers to match to the drawn ones in the exact order to win, in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the exact order of the drawn numbers is not a requisite for winning.

[0009 ] Another aspect is the game may offer predefined winnings in which the game offers the opportunity for players to know in advance their potential winnings (i.e., fixed odds). An added aspect of a game according to various embodiments of this invention is the point of sale at which the invention is implemented and the game played. The game could be played in a wide sales network, which would include all stable points of sale in a given lottery jurisdiction. It may also be played using a special purpose lottery terminal, thus limiting the queues and waiting time for the players.

[0010 ] To greatly increase the odds of winning, the player may choose to enter his ticket into multiple drawings, as many as forty-eight drawings in one

embodiment. In the event that a player's ticket is entered into multiple consecutive draws and the ticket wins on any of the draws, it will still be eligible to win further in the following draws in which it is entered. In addition, the player may raise the potential winning amount by selecting a stake on the ticket, which multiplies both the potential winnings and the cost of the ticket.

[0011 ] A lottery play slip is also provided in one aspect of this invention, which includes a playing area in which the player identifies their selections.

[0012 ] A method for playing a lottery game includes supplying a player with at least one lottery ticket reflecting the player's selections from a play slip including a playing area having a number of play indicia arranged in a plurality of sets.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013 ] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014 ] FIG. 1 is a front planar view of an embodiment of a lottery play slip according to one embodiment of this invention;

[0015 ] FIG. lA is a view similar to FIG. 1 with certain play indicia selected to demonstrate features of this invention;

[0016 ] FIG. 2 is a front planar view of an embodiment of a lottery ticket according to one embodiment of this invention; and

[0017 ] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the steps according to one embodiment of this invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0018 ] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a play slip 10 as part of a lottery game system according to this invention is shown. The play slip 10 includes a playing field 12 with a number of sets a, b, c, d, e, f, g of play indicia 14 such as seven sets of numbers with each set a, b, c, d, e, f, g containing the integer numbers zero through nine. This invention in one embodiment is a game that offers a number of player selected options. The player is given the choice to select his/her preferred play indicia 14 among the available sets a, b, c, d, e, f, g of play indicia 14 of two to seven digits. The player may select a minimum of two numbers, one from each of the first two sets a, b and a maximum of seven numbers, one from each of the seven sets a, b, c, d, e, f, g.

[0019 ] The play slip 10 as depicted in FIG. 1 contains a number of fields, including the playing field 12 or board in which the player circles, crosses or indicates his/her selection of play indicia 14 or numbers. The numbers 14 selected may range from two up to seven, according to the game of choice. The player can participate in the game according to one embodiment of this invention by circling, crossing or otherwise indicating his/her preferred numbers 14 on the play slip 10 which may be obtained from a retailer's shop. The play slip 10 as shown in FIG. 1 includes a game title field 16 and in FIG. 1 the game title is "Froggy".

[0020 ] Another field on the play slip 10 may be a multiplier selection or stake field 18 in which the player selects the multiplier for the play slip 10, thus effectively marking the amount he/she wants to play. This field 18 contains the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 15 and 30, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, although other and/or different stake amounts may be included. Multiple selections from the multiplier field 18 may be allowed to thereby increase the effect of the multiplier beyond the highest single number in the field 18.

[0021 ] A further area on the play slip 10 of FIG. 1 is a consecutive draw field 20 in which the player may indicate the number of consecutive draws he/she wants to play with the particular play slip selections. This field 20 contains the numbers 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 15, in one embodiment; although other and/or different consecutive draw numbers may be included. Multiple selections from this field 20 may be allowed. The default value, when no other mark is made, is one (1), which means that this play slip 10 participates in the very next draw only.

[0022 ] A still further area on the play slip 10 of FIG. 1 is referred to as a combination field or "C button" field 22, in which the player may select participation in the game with a permutation of selected game indicia or numbers 14. In one embodiment, when this feature is selected the player participates with each combination of numbers 14 selected in the associated set a, b, c, d, e, f, g of numbers. One example of the operation of this feature is shown in FIG. lA. Note that a C button 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22g is associated with each of the seven sets of numbers or play indicia 14. A selection of the C button is useful when the player selects more than one number in the associated set of numbers 14 as shown in the second and fifth sets b, e of FIG. lA. Selection of the C button when more than one number 14 is selected in the associated set indicates that the multiple selections were done intentionally. Multiple selected numbers 14 in a set with the C button selected indicates the player's desire to play every combination resulting from the selected numbers 14 for participation in the draw with equal probability of winning. For the selections shown in FIG. lA, the following numbers 14 would be entered into the draw: 03579; 04579; 03578 and 04578. In other words, the C button is an easy and fast way to participate in a draw with more selections without having to complete different play slips 10. The C button feature can be easily removed or left unused by the player without sacrificing any of the remaining functionality of the game. If a set of play indicia 14 has multiple selections without the C button selected, the play slip 10 would be deemed invalid.

[0023 ] On the reverse side of the play slip (not shown in FIG. 1), instructions may be printed to guide the player how to place a valid bet.

[0024 ] In an alternative embodiment, use of a "dedicated terminal" or dedicated lottery terminal for the facilitation of playing lottery games and the avoidance of any queues with the point of sale is possible according to this invention. A player may start the game by placing a tool, instrument or special purpose lottery terminal wand 26 on the playing field 12 of the play slip 10 to make their game selections. To start the game, in one embodiment the player may place a special purpose lottery terminal stylus or wand 26, one example of which is a STYLOT™ offered by Intralot (www. Intr alot. com) on the playing field 12. The player may use the special purpose lottery wand 26 on the play slip 10 to make game selections. Otherwise, the game selections may be indicated in any known manner on the play slip 10.

[0025 ] The play slip 10 may be printed with any appropriate printer of lottery ticket paper, including a laser or other printer, although a thermal printer may not be compatible with the wand 26. Certain rules of various embodiments of this invention may require the player to begin the game in a specified time frame after receiving the play slip 10 and also finish the game in a specified time frame after starting and before the next draw. These time frames are determined by the applicable lottery jurisdiction. The period of time in which the player must finish the game selections preferably does not exceed two minutes. This amount of time may be adjusted to exceed two minutes in order to adjust the difficulty of the lottery games upon the finding that two minutes is too difficult for players, for example.

[0026 ] A player may participate in a draw or game by using the play slip 10 or instructing the retailer verbally. When using the play slip 10, it may be scanned by a lottery terminal such as that shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.

2010/0091109, which is hereby incorporated entirely by reference. If valid, the play slip selections are entered into the next active draw and any future draws instructed by the player. In the case the play slip 10 is invalid, corrective actions may be suggested by the terminal and passed on from the retailer to the player to carry out.

[0027 ] A ticket 30 as a receipt is issued for the player where the play slip's selected numbers 14, stake and draw information are valid. One embodiment of an issued ticket 30 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The following types of information may be printed on the ticket 30: (1) graphical presentation of the ticket bar-code 32; (2) numerical presentation of the ticket bar-code 34; (3) agency identification number, terminal operator number, terminal number, coupon number, and transaction number 36; (4) date and time 38 of placed wager in the system; (5) currency denomination or ticket value 40; (6) the ticket prognostics 42 described as game type and the selected play indicia 14, of which the total number represents the game selected (in the case the Quick Pick option was preferred, the letters QP will be printed next to the numbers); (7) the result of the bet amount marked at the Stake Selection Area 44; (8) first draw, last draw and the total draw number in which the ticket participates (near the number of the first draw, the date is printed) 46; and (9) the validation line 48, which includes the information if the ticket was validated or not (i.e., cancelled), the transaction date and ticket CRC.

[0028 ] The method of participation according to one embodiment of a game according to this invention is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 3. Initially, the player may select 50 the game he/she wishes to participate in. The choices may range from two to seven play indicia or numbers according to one embodiment. [0029 ] Then, the player can mark, in the stake selection field, the number of times 52 the column value he/she wishes to bet for a specific number of draws, which makes the total cost of the ticket played increase. The minimum price (equal to the basic price for participation) will be accounted in each local currency. The player can mark more than a single multiplier (for example 2 and 5, etc), with which the column value (which is fixed and parametric) is multiplied. The player is offered the following choices: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 15 and 30, or their combinations, in one embodiment. In the latter case, the total multiplier will be their price for the game participation.

[0030 ] Next, the player has an option to participate in multiple games from one completed play slip. The maximum number of multiple draws 54 that a player can participate with the same play slip 10 is forty-eight, in one embodiment. The player may select one or more of the following choices: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 15 for multiple plays.

[0031 ] One alternative to a written play slip as in FIG. 1 is for the player to verbally (without using a play slip) tell the retailer his/her selected game, numbers, bet or stake amount and participating or consecutive draws which will be manually inserted into a central system through a terminal or the like. Either way, the terminal prints 56 a ticket applying the selections from the verbal or the non-verbal play mode.

[0032 ] The selling period for tickets or entry of play slips according to one embodiment of this invention may be from 09:00am up to 09:00pm of the local jurisdiction, Monday through Saturday, according to each area's legal restrictions. The player can participate in a draw up to a specific closing sales time specified by the system. The new sales period for the next draw begins immediately or in a parametrical offset after the close of the current draw.

[0033 ] The price paid by the player 58 for each play slip entry is determined based on each column of the play slip and may be defined in each country's monetary system. In one embodiment, the total cost of the play slip is calculated as follows: Participation Value = [Present Column Value x Stake Selected] x Number of Draws.

[0034 ] Shortly after the close of the participation time period, one draw 60 for seven numbers is conducted by the lottery or other authority according to one embodiment of this invention. These numbers will be valid for all the various available games. For instance, the first two drawn numbers will be the winning numbers for the 2-digit game, the first three for the 3-digit game and so on up to the 7-digit game according to the play slip embodiment of FIG. 1. A player's selection of less than the maximum number of play indicia (i.e., less than seven numbers for the embodiment of FIG. 1), may be a winning ticket if the sequence of selected numbers is embedded anywhere in the drawn seven digit number. Other variations of the game according to this invention allow for a winning ticket if all selected numbers are found in the drawn numbers in any order and/or arrangement.

[0035 ] Ticket cancellation may take place only at the retailer where the valid ticket was issued. Cancellations are allowed near the end of the betting period that is active at the time of the wager's submission (i.e., up to 15 seconds). Cancellation time can be set parametrically in the system. For the operation of ticket cancellation, the following conditions may apply: (1) cancellations can occur until 15 seconds before the end of betting period; and (2) in case of a ticket participating with multiple draws, the cancellation can only occur before the first game's draw in which the ticket participates in.

[0036 ] When a winning ticket is presented 62 while it is still eligible for future draws, the retailer may pay out the winning amount as defined from the prize structure and the terminal or retail check may then issue a receipt for the collected winnings. The original ticket 30 will then be valid for the remaining future participating draws. Winning ticket holders may claim their prizes within a specific period of time, parametrically defined in the system, from the day of the draw in which the ticket wins. A multiple tier hierarchy is supported in the system so that different winning amounts are paid through different terminals or retailers located in various premises.

[0037 ] For every game played according to one embodiment of this invention, the play slip 10 has its own winning structure in the context of game rules. Additional advantages according to various aspects of this invention are the existence of many winning categories derived from the players' particular selections on the play slip 10 and the excitement of choosing the preferred game with the corresponding level of difficulty, bet and winnings.

[0038 ] This invention presents a fixed payout game, as all the prizes are predefined, in one embodiment. Each type of game is considered independent from the rest, sharing only a single draw. In the following tables, the potential winning categories and the probability of winning (odds) for each of the games, calculated based on mathematical formula are presented according to one embodiments of this game as represented in FIGS. 1-3.

Matched Numbers Odds

7 numbers 1:10.000.000

6 numbers (first & last) 1:555,556

5 numbers (first & last) 1:61,728

4 numbers (first & last) 1:6,859

3 numbers (first & last) 1:762

2 numbers (first & last) 1:85

1 number (first & last) 1:9

Table 1: 7-digit Odds

Matched Numbers Odds

6 numbers 1:1,000,000

5 numbers (first & last) i:55,556

4 numbers (first & last) 1:6,173

3 numbers (first & last) 1:686

2 numbers (first & last) 1:76

1 number (first & last) 1:8

Table 2: 6-digit Odds

Table 3: 5-digit Odds Spot Matched Numbers Odds

l 4 numbers 1:10,000

2 3 numbers (first & last) i:556

3 2 numbers (first & last) 1:62

4 l number (first & last) 1:7

Table 4: 4-digit Odds

Spot Matched Numbers Odds

1 3 numbers 1:1,000

2 2 numbers (first & last) 1:56

3 1 number (first & last) 1:6

Table 5: 3-digit Odds

Matched Numbers Odds

2 numbers 1:100

1 number (first & last) 1:6

Table 6: 2-digit Odds

[0039 ] In one embodiment of this invention, the winning amount for each winner in every category is fixed, regardless of the actual participations and number of winners of each draw. The winning amounts may be determined according to each jurisdiction's legal framework. As an example, if a payout of 60% of total sales is allocated back to the winners of the 7-digit game, the top prize could reach 1,500,000 times the minimum participation value. In various embodiments of this invention, a winner that has participated in the game with the minimum participation value can win up to one winning category (the one with the highest prize and is allowed to collect the amount related to this winning category only). The total winning amount for one ticket is fixed per draw. Winnings may be paid in accordance with the officially published pay-table. If the winning play is a part of an advance play ticket the player may be paid all winnings accruing until the day his receipt is being validated and a receipt ticket will be issued. For the remaining participating games the same ticket will be valid in order to collect future winnings. Winners may claim their prizes within a predefined period of days. After the end of this period, any unclaimed prizes may be purged according to the existing rules.

[0040 ] The selling period of the ticket will depend on the legal restrictions of the appropriate state or governmental entity. The player may participate in the game up to a specified closing sales time specified by the lottery authority of the appropriate state or governmental entity. The total cost of a ticket, or the

participation value, is calculated by multiplying the single game value of the ticket times the stake selected. If the player wins as described in this specification, winnings will be paid in accordance with a published pay-table. Winners may claim their prizes within a predefined period of time. After the end of this period, any unclaimed prizes will be purged according to the existing rules of the lottery authority.

[0041 ] The lottery game is defined as "fixed odds," wherein a player knows in advance his or her potential winnings. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the winning amount for each winner of every game is fixed, regardless of the actual participants and number of winners of each draw.

[0042 ] From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.

[0043 ] I claim:

Claims

1. A lottery game system, comprising:

a plurality of lottery play slips;

a plurality of playing fields each disposed on one of said lottery play slips, said playing fields each having a plurality of sets of play indicia such that a user selects at least one play indicia from each of at least two of the plurality of sets;

a plurality of lottery tickets each generated in response to the play indicia selected by the user on one of the lottery play slips; and

a winning set of play indicia which results from a drawing and which is compared with each of the plurality of lottery tickets to determine whether each of the plurality of lottery tickets is a winning ticket.

2. The lottery game system of claim l further comprising:

at least one lottery terminal, wherein said lottery terminal is operative to receive data from said lottery play slips and to print an associated said lottery ticket.

3. The lottery game system of claim 1 further comprising:

a multiplier field on each of the lottery play slips by which a user may multiply a stake of the lottery play slip.

4. The lottery game system of claim 1 further comprising:

a consecutive draw field on each of the lottery play slips by which a user may select multiple draws for which the lottery play slip is entered.

5. The lottery game system of claim 1 wherein the playing field of each lottery play slip includes seven sets of play indicia with the play indicia of each set being identical to each other set of play indicia.

6. The lottery game system of claim 1 wherein the play indicia of each set consists of the integer numbers zero through nine.

7. The lottery game system of claim 1 further comprising:

a combination field associated with each set of play indicia wherein when multiple play indicia in the set associated with a selected combination field are selected, each of the selected play indicia are entered into the drawing.

8. A lottery game system, comprising:

a plurality of lottery play slips;

a plurality of playing fields each disposed on one of said lottery play slips, said playing fields each having a plurality of sets of play indicia such that a user selects at least one play indicia from each of at least two of the plurality of sets;

a multiplier field on each of the lottery play slips by which a user may multiply a stake of the lottery play slip;

a consecutive draw field on each of the lottery play slips by which a user may select multiple draws for which the lottery play slip is entered;

a combination field associated with each set of play indicia wherein when multiple play indicia in the set associated with a selected combination field are selected, each of the selected play indicia are entered into a drawing;

a plurality of lottery tickets each generated in response to the play indicia selected by the user on one of the lottery play slips;

a winning set of play indicia which results from the drawing and which is compared with each of the plurality of lottery tickets to determine whether each of the plurality of lottery tickets is a winning ticket; and

at least one lottery terminal is operative to receive data from said lottery play slips and to print an associated said lottery ticket.

9. The lottery game system of claim 8 wherein the playing field of each lottery play slip includes seven sets of play indicia with the play indicia of each set being identical to each other set of play indicia and the play indicia of each set consists of the integer numbers zero through nine.

10. A lottery play slip comprising :

a playing field having a plurality of sets of play indicia such that a user selects at least one play indicia from each of at least two of the plurality of sets;

wherein a lottery ticket is generated in response to the play indicia selected by the user on the lottery play slip and a winning set of play indicia which results from a drawing is compared with the lottery ticket to determine whether the lottery ticket is a winning ticket

11. The lottery play slip of claim 10 further comprising:

a multiplier field by which a user may multiply a stake of the lottery play slip.

12. The lottery play slip of claim 10 further comprising:

a consecutive draw field by which a user may select multiple draws for which the lottery play slip is entered in the drawing.

13. The lottery play slip of claim 10 wherein the playing field includes seven sets of play indicia with the play indicia of each set being identical to each other set of play indicia.

14. The lottery play slip of claim 13 wherein the play indicia of each set consists of the integer numbers zero through nine.

15. The lottery play slip of claim 10 further comprising:

a combination field associated with each set of play indicia wherein when multiple play indicia in the set associated with a selected combination field are selected, each of the selected play indicia are entered into the drawing.

16. A method for playing a lottery game comprising the steps of: supplying a player with at least one lottery play slip including a playing field having a plurality of sets of play indicia;

allowing the player to select at least one play indicia from each of at least two of the sets of play indicia;

generating a lottery ticket based on the player's selections of play indicia on the play slip;

drawing a winning set of play indicia of a quantity equal to the number of plurality of sets of play indicia; and

comparing the lottery ticket with the winning set of play indicia to determine if the lottery ticket is a winning ticket.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the player may select play indicia from less than each of the plurality of sets of play indicia and result in the winning ticket.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

allowing the player to select a multiplier by which the player may multiply a stake of the lottery play slip.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

consecutively repeating the drawing step; and

allowing the player to select a consecutive number of the drawing steps for which the lottery ticket is entered.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

paying the player for the winning ticket prior to completion of the consecutive number of drawing steps.

21. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

allowing the player to select a combination feature in which each of multiple selections of play indicia from an associated set of play indicia is included on the lottery ticket.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the playing field includes seven sets of play indicia with the play indicia of each set being identical to each other set of play indicia and the play indicia of each set consists of the integer numbers zero through nine.

23. A method for playing a lottery game, comprising the steps of:

supplying a player with at least one lottery play slip including a playing field having a plurality of sets of play indicia;

allowing the player to select at least one play indicia from each of at least two of the sets of play indicia;

allowing the player to select a multiplier by which the player may multiply a stake of the lottery play slip;

allowing the player to select a combination feature in which each of multiple selections of play indicia from an associated set of play indicia is included on the lottery ticket;

generating a lottery ticket based on the player's selections of play indicia on the play slip;

drawing a winning set of play indicia having a quantity equal to the number of plurality of sets of play indicia; and

comparing the lottery ticket with the winning set of play indicia to determine if the lottery ticket is a winning ticket;

wherein the player may select play indicia from less than each of the plurality of sets of play indicia and result in the winning ticket;

wherein the playing field includes seven sets of play indicia with the play indicia of each set being identical to each other set of play indicia and the play indicia of each set consists of the integer numbers zero through nine.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

consecutively repeating the drawing step; and

allowing the player to select a consecutive number of the drawing steps for which the lottery ticket is entered.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

paying the player for the winning ticket prior to completion of the consecutive number of drawing steps.