METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A LOTTERY PRIZE STRUCTURE

• US 20090131139A1
• Filed: 07/17/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Integrated Group Assets Inc.
• Original Assignee: Integrated Group Assets Inc.
• Inventors: Davis, Mark, Frick, Michael D., Wright, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US12/175,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20090131139A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

A process is provided. The process provides a lottery game. Further, the process indicates a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket. In addition, the process indicates a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers. The process also indicates a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers.

Claims

19. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first partial match association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second partial match association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first partial match association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second partial match association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second partial match association and the first partial match association;

indicating a first subset partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a subset partial match of the predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers, the subset partial match of the predetermined quantity of numbers being less than the predetermined quantity of numbers;

indicating a second subset partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first subset partial match association between the first subset partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a constant ratio with a second subset partial match association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first subset partial match association being the first subset partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second subset partial match association being the second subset partial match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second subset partial match association and the first subset partial match association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player having a partial match with the predetermined quantity of numbers based on price category.

20. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first partial match association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a constant ratio with a second partial match association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first partial match association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second partial match association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second partial match association and the first partial match association;

indicating a first subset partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a subset partial match of the predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers, the subset partial match of the predetermined quantity of numbers being less than the predetermined quantity of numbers;

indicating a second subset partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a subset partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first subset partial match association between the first subset partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second subset partial match association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first subset partial match association being the first subset partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second subset partial match association being the second subset partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second subset partial match association and the first subset partial match association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player having a partial match with the predetermined quantity of numbers based on price category.

21. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a price category independent jackpot prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket having a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket and a randomly selected set of numbers irrespective of whether the lottery player purchases the lottery ticket from the first price category or the second price category;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on (i) a type of match and (ii) price category if the type of match is a partial match.

22. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a price category independent jackpot prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket having a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket and a randomly selected set of numbers irrespective of whether the lottery player purchases the lottery ticket from the first price category or the second price category;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a constant ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on (i) a type of match and (ii) price category if the type of match is a partial match.

23. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a price category independent jackpot prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket having a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket and a randomly selected set of numbers irrespective of whether the lottery player purchases the lottery ticket from the first price category or the second price category;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first partial match association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a constant ratio with a second partial match association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first partial match association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second partial match association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second partial match association and the first partial match association;

indicating a first subset partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a subset partial match of the predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers, the subset partial match of the predetermined quantity of numbers being less than the predetermined quantity of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first subset partial match association between the first subset partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second subset partial match association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first subset partial match association being the first subset partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second subset partial match association being the second subset partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second subset partial match association and the first subset partial match association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on (i) a type of match and (ii) price category if the type of match is a partial match.

24. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a price category independent jackpot prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket having a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket and a randomly selected set of numbers irrespective of whether the lottery player purchases the lottery ticket from the first price category or the second price category;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first partial match association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second partial match association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first partial match association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second partial match association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second partial match association and the first partial match association;

indicating a first subset partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a subset partial match of the predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers, the subset partial match of the predetermined quantity of numbers being less than the predetermined quantity of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first subset partial match association between the first subset partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a constant ratio with a second subset partial match association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first subset partial match association being the first subset partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second subset partial match association being the second subset partial match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second subset partial match association and the first subset partial match association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on (i) a type of match and (ii) price category if the type of match is a partial match.

25. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first full match association between the first full match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second full match association between the second full match prize distribution and the second price category, the first full match association being the first full match prize divided by the first price category, the second full match association being the second full match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second full match association and the first full match association;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on (i) a type of match and (ii) price category.

26. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first full match association between the first full match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second full match association between the second full match prize distribution and the second price category, the first full match association being the first full match prize divided by the first price category, the second full match association being the second full match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second full match association and the first full match association;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on (i) a type of match and (ii) price category.

27. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first full match association between the first full match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second full match association between the second full match prize distribution and the second price category, the first full match association being the first full match prize divided by the first price category, the second full match association being the second full match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second full match association and the first full match association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on price category.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein payment of the first full match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein payment of the second full match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

30. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers, payment of the first full match prize distribution being guaranteed by a third party entity;

indicating a second full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first full match association between the first full match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second full match association between the second full match prize distribution and the second price category, the first full match association being the first full match prize divided by the first price category, the second full match association being the second full match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second full match association and the first full match association, payment of the second full match prize distribution being guaranteed by the third party entity;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on price category.

31. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first full match association between the first full match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second full match association between the second full match prize distribution and the second price category, the first full match association being the first full match prize divided by the first price category, the second full match association being the second full match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second full match association and the first full match association;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a constant ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on (i) a type of match and (ii) price category.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein payment of the first full match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein payment of the second full match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein payment of the first partial match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein payment of the second partial match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

36. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers, payment of the first full match prize distribution being guaranteed by a third party entity;

indicating a second full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first full match association between the first full match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second full match association between the second full match prize distribution and the second price category, the first full match association being the first full match prize divided by the first price category, the second full match association being the second full match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second full match association and the first full match association, payment of the second full match prize distribution being guaranteed by the third party entity;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers, payment of the first partial match prize distribution being guaranteed by a third party entity;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a constant ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the constant ratio being a zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association, payment of the second partial match prize distribution being guaranteed by the third party entity;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player based on (i) a type of match and (ii) price category.

52. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first partial match prize distribution is a fixed prize.

37. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second full match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a full match between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first full match association between the first full match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second full match association between the second full match prize distribution and the second price category, the first full match association being the first full match prize divided by the first price category, the second full match association being the second full match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second full match association and the first full match association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a first predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold;

indicating a second predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold; and

providing at least one distribution to a player based on price category.

38. A lottery ticket dispensing apparatus comprising:

a payment module that receives payment for purchase of a lottery ticket that provides participation in a lottery game, the lottery game indicating (i) a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category, (ii) a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers, (iii) a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association; and

a ticket printer that prints a lottery ticket for the lottery game.

1. A method comprising:

providing a lottery game;

indicating a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category;

indicating a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers;

indicating a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association;

generating the randomly selected set of numbers; and

providing a distribution to a player having a partial match with the predetermined quantity of numbers based on price category.

2. The method of claim 1, further indicating a first predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is in addition to any prize distribution that a player can win based on match type.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and the second price category.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from a plurality of price categories.

7. The method of claim 1, further indicating a second predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is in addition to any prize distribution that a player can win based on match type.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a number of lottery tickets purchased from the second price category.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and the second price category.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from a plurality of price categories.

12. The method of claim 1, further indicating a first predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a second predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution and the second predetermined number prize distribution are equal.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the second predetermined number prize is greater than the first predetermined number prize distribution.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first partial match prize distribution is a fixed prize.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the second partial match prize distribution is a fixed prize.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein payment of the first partial match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein payment of the second partial match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

39. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 38, wherein the lottery game also indicates a first predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

40. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is in addition to any prize distribution that a player can win based on match type.

41. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category.

42. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and the second price category.

43. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from a plurality of price categories.

44. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the lottery game also indicates a second predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

45. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is in addition to any prize distribution that a player can win based on match type.

46. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a number of lottery tickets purchased from the second price category.

47. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and the second price category.

48. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from a plurality of price categories.

49. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the lottery game also indicates a first predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a second predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

50. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 49, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution and the second predetermined number prize distribution are equal.

51. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 50, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is greater than the first predetermined number prize distribution.

53. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein payment of the first full match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

54. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein payment of the second full match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

55. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein payment of the first partial match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

56. The method of claim 39, wherein payment of the second partial match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

51-1. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second partial match prize distribution is a fixed prize.

57. An electronic lottery game apparatus comprising:

a display module that indicates prize categories for an electronic lottery game, the electronic lottery game indicating (i) a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase an electronic lottery ticket, the second price category having a second price that is greater than a first price in the first price category, (ii) a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with an electronic lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the electronic lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers, (iii) a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with an electronic lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the electronic lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers such that a first association between the first partial match prize distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second association between the second partial match prize distribution and the second price category, the first association being the first partial match prize divided by the first price category, the second association being the second partial match prize divided by the second price category, the variable ratio being a non-zero value that results from the difference between the second association and the first association;

a payment module that receives payment from a lottery player for the electronic lottery ticket; and

a processor that compares the set of player numbers to the set of drawn numbers to determine a potential match and a potential match type.

58. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 57, wherein the lottery game also indicates a first predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

59. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 58, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is in addition to any prize distribution that a player can win based on match type.

60. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 58, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category.

61. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 58, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and the second price category.

62. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 58, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from a plurality of price categories.

63. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 57, wherein the lottery game also indicates a second predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

64. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 63, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is in addition to any prize distribution that a player can win based on match type.

65. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 63, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a number of lottery tickets purchased from the second price category.

66. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 63, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from the first price category and the second price category.

67. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 63, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution is determined based on a total number of lottery tickets purchased from a plurality of price categories.

68. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 63, wherein the lottery game also indicates a first predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a second predetermined number prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category after a predetermined number of other lottery tickets have been sold.

69. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 57, wherein the first predetermined number prize distribution and the second predetermined number prize distribution are equal.

70. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 69, wherein the second predetermined number prize distribution and the first predetermined number prize distribution are equal.

71. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 57, wherein the first partial match prize distribution is a fixed prize.

72. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 57, wherein the second partial match prize distribution is a fixed prize.

73. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 57, wherein payment of the first full match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

74. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 57, wherein payment of the second full match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

75. The lottery ticket dispensing apparatus of claim 57, wherein payment of the first partial match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.

76. The electronic lottery game apparatus of claim 57, wherein payment of the second partial match prize distribution is guaranteed by a third party entity.