System and method for selling lottery game tickets

• US 20020119817A1
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scientific Games Corporation
• Original Assignee: Scientific Games Corporation
• Inventors: Kennedy, James C., Wahler, Edward W., Mitchell, Benjamin Eric, Behm, William F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,899,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0625 Devices for filling-in or checking
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0645 Electric lottos or bingo games
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

Abstract

A system and method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets, on-line lottery game tickets, or a combination of pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets in a retail store is disclosed. At least one lottery game token is provided bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at a POS terminal provided as a part of an in-store POS network. The scanned identification code is detected by a POS monitor in communication with the POS terminal, the POS monitor determining from the scanned code the type of lottery game to be played. The POS monitor, or a separate ticket controller in communication with the POS monitor, will then issue a dispense ticket command to a ticket dispenser located at the POS terminal for each pre-printed lottery game to be played. For each on-line lottery game to be played, the detection of the game identification code will result in the generation of a random series of lottery play numbers, whereupon the POS monitor or the ticket controller will instruct a lottery ticket printer located at the POS terminal to print at least one lottery ticket thereat bearing the lottery play numbers thereon.

Claims

1. A method of selling and dispensing pre-printed lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

the game player picking up at least one lottery game token from within the store, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

the game player taking the at least one token to a POS terminal and scanning the at least one token thereat;

detecting the scanned game identification code with a POS monitor in communication with the POS system;

the POS monitor determining from the scanned game identification code the type of lottery game to be played;

the POS monitor communicating with a ticket dispenser controller; and

the ticket dispenser controller sending a dispense ticket command to a ticket dispenser such that the desired number and type of lottery game tickets are dispensed therefrom;

whereby a sales clerk collects payment for, and delivers the lottery game tickets to the game player.

2. The method of claim 1, the POS monitor accumulating the scanned game identification codes and forwarding the accumulated game identification codes to the ticket dispenser controller.

3. The method of claim 1, the ticket dispenser controller identifying the ticket dispenser at the POS station, and polling the identified ticket dispenser to determine if the desired number and type of lottery game tickets are available therein.

4. The method of claim 1, the ticket dispenser controller notifying the POS monitor that the lottery game tickets have been dispensed.

5. The method of claim 1, the at least one POS terminal looking up through the POS system the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, the POS monitor then detecting the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

6. The method of claim 1, the POS monitor recording the sale of each lottery game ticket so dispensed.

7. The method of claim 1, the POS monitor logging the sales transaction for each lottery game ticket that is sold.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of the POS monitor reporting the logged sales transactions to an off-site lottery computer.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of the POS monitor selectively preparing a transaction report of all of the lottery game tickets dispensed and sold at the at least one POS terminal

10. The method of claim 1, the POS monitor looking up the scanned game identification code on a stored lottery game database to determine which type of lottery game to be played.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets from a supply of lottery game tickets stored within the ticket dispenser.

13. The method of claim 12, the at least one POS terminal looking up through the POS system the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, the POS monitor then detecting the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

14. The method of claim 12, the POS monitor polling the ticket dispenser to determine if the desired number and type of lottery game tickets are available therein.

15. The method of claim 12, the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets comprising the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets from a supply thereof within said ticket dispenser.

16. The method of claim 12, the POS monitor logging each lottery game ticket sales transaction conducted at the at least one POS terminal.

17. The method of claim 12, the POS monitor communicating with an off-site lottery computer and reporting the logged sales transactions thereto.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of the POS monitor selectively preparing a transaction report of all of the lottery game tickets dispensed and sold at the at least one POS terminal

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of said lottery game tokens at locations throughout the store.

20. The method of claim 12, the lottery game player selecting the type and number of lottery games to be played by taking selected ones of the plurality of lottery game tokens from within the store to the at least one POS terminal.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of the lottery game player presenting the selected ones of the lottery game tokens to the sales clerk for scanning at the at least one POS terminal.

22. The method of claim 12, the lottery game player verbally instructing a sales clerk to change the desired number or type of lottery game tickets to be purchased, the sales clerk manually entering the game player'"'"'s instructions into the at least one POS terminal.

23. The method of claim 12, the POS monitor looking up the scanned game identification code on a stored lottery game ticket database to determine which type of lottery game is to be played.

24. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of accumulating all of the scanned game identification codes for each sales transaction in the POS monitor, the POS monitor forwarding the accumulated game identification codes to the ticket dispenser.

25. The method of claim 12, the POS monitor communicating with a ticket dispenser controller in communication with the ticket dispenser.

26. The method of claim 25, the ticket dispenser controller identifying the ticket dispenser at the POS station.

27. The method of claim 25, the ticket dispenser controller looking up the identity of the ticket dispenser at the POS station on a stored database of ticket dispensers located within the store.

28. The method of claim 25, the ticket dispenser controller polling the ticket dispenser to determine if the desired number and type of lottery game tickets are available therein.

29. The method of claim 25, the ticket dispenser controller instructing the ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of lottery game tickets therefrom.

30. The method of claim 25, the ticket dispenser controller communicating the number and type of lottery game tickets dispensed by the ticket dispenser to the POS monitor.

12. A method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system comprised of at least one POS terminal positioned having a bar code reader adapted to scan and identify product codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

scanning at least one lottery game token at the at least one POS terminal, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

detecting the scanned game identification code with a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

the POS monitor determining from the scanned game identification code which type of lottery game ticket is to be dispensed; and

the POS monitor instructing a ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of lottery game tickets therefrom.

31. A method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system comprised of at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of lottery game tokens at locations throughout the store;

the lottery game player selecting the lottery games they wish to play by taking selected ones of the plurality of lottery game tokens from within the store to the at least one POS terminal;

scanning the selected ones of the lottery game tokens at the at least one POS terminal, each said token bearing a separate game identification code thereon;

detecting the scanned game identification codes with a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal; and

the POS monitor instructing a ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of lottery game tickets in response to the detection of the game identification codes.

32. The method of claim 31, the at least one POS terminal looking up through the POS system the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, the POS monitor then detecting the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

33. The method of claim 31, the game player verbally instructing a sales clerk to change the desired number or type of lottery game tickets to be purchased, the sales clerk manually entering the game player'"'"'s instructions into the at least one POS terminal.

34. The method of claim 31, the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets comprising the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets from a supply of said tickets held within the ticket dispenser.

35. The method of claim 31, the POS monitor determining from the scanned game identification code which type of lottery game is to be played.

36. The method of claim 31, the POS monitor looking up the scanned game identification code on a stored lottery game ticket database to determine which type of lottery game is to be played.

37. The method of claim 31, the POS monitor communicating with a ticket dispenser controller in communication with the ticket dispenser.

38. The method of claim 37, the ticket dispenser controller instructing the ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of lottery game tickets therefrom.

40. The method of claim 39, the ticket dispenser controller polling the ticket dispenser to determine if the desired number and type of lottery game tickets are available therein.

41. The method of claim 39, the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets comprising the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets from a supply of said tickets held within the ticket dispenser.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of said lottery game tokens at locations throughout the store.

43. The method of claim 42, the lottery game player selecting the type of lottery games to be played by taking selected ones of the plurality of lottery game tokens from within the store to the at least one POS terminal.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising the step of the game player presenting the selected ones of the lottery game tokens to a sales clerk for scanning at the at least one POS terminal.

45. The method of claim 39, the game player verbally instructing a sales clerk to change the number or type of lottery game tickets to be purchased, the sales clerk manually entering the game player'"'"'s instructions into the at least one POS terminal.

46. The method of claim 39, the POS monitor determining from the scanned game identification code which type of lottery game is to be played.

47. The method of claim 39, the ticket dispenser controller identifying the ticket dispenser at the at least one POS terminal.

48. The method of claim 47, the ticket dispenser controller polling the ticket dispenser to determine if the desired number and type of lottery game tickets are available therein.

50. The method of claim 49, the at least one POS terminal looking up through the POS system the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, the POS monitor then detecting the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

51. The method of claim 49, the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets comprising the step of dispensing the lottery game tickets from a supply of said tickets held within the ticket dispenser.

52. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of logging each lottery game ticket sales transaction conducted at the at least one POS terminal.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of communicating with an off-site lottery computer and reporting the logged sales transactions thereto.

54. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of selectively preparing a transaction report of all of the lottery game tickets dispensed and sold at the at least one POS terminal

55. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of said lottery game tokens at locations throughout the store.

56. The method of claim 55, the lottery game player selecting the lottery games to be played by taking selected ones of the plurality of lottery game tokens from within the store to the at least one POS terminal.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of the game player presenting the selected ones of the lottery game tokens to a sales clerk for scanning at the at least one POS terminal.

58. The method of claim 49, the game player verbally instructing a sales clerk to change the desired number or type of lottery game tickets to be purchased, the sales clerk manually entering the game player'"'"'s instructions into the at least one POS terminal.

59. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of looking up the scanned game identification code on a stored lottery game database to determine the desired type of lottery game to be played.

60. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of accumulating all of the scanned game identification codes for each sales transaction and communicating the accumulated game identification codes to the ticket dispenser.

61. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of communicating with a ticket dispenser controller in communication with the ticket dispenser.

62. The method of claim 61, the ticket dispenser controller identifying the ticket dispenser at the at least one POS terminal.

63. The method of claim 62, the ticket dispenser controller looking up the identity of the ticket dispenser at the at least one POS terminal on a stored database of ticket dispensers located within the store.

64. The method of claim 61, the ticket dispenser controller polling the ticket dispenser to determine if the desired number and type of lottery game tickets are available therein.

65. The method of claim 61, the ticket dispenser controller instructing the ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of lottery game tickets therefrom.

66. The method of claim 61, the ticket dispenser controller communicating the desired number and type of lottery game tickets dispensed by the ticket dispenser to the POS monitor.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein the at least one POS terminal communicates with the POS system to determine the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, and the POS monitor detects the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

69. The system of claim 67, said game identification code comprising a UPC code.

70. The system of claim 67, said ticket dispenser comprising an automated pre-printed lottery game ticket dispenser.

71. The system of claim 67, said POS monitor comprising a computer.

72. The system of claim 67, wherein the POS monitor comprises the ticket dispenser controller.

73. The system of claim 67, said ticket dispenser controller comprising a computer.

74. The system of claim 67, further comprising a network connecting the POS monitor to the ticket dispenser controller.

75. The system of claim 74, said network comprising an Ethernet network.

76. The system of claim 67, further comprising a network connecting the ticket dispenser controller to the at least one ticket printer.

77. The system of claim 76, said network comprising a wireless network.

80. The system of claim 79, the POS monitor being in communication with a ticket dispenser controller, said ticket dispenser controller being in communication with the at least one ticket dispenser.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the ticket dispenser controller is constructed and arranged to poll the at least one ticket dispenser to determine if the ticket dispenser has the desired number and type of lottery game tickets to be dispensed therefrom.

82. The system of claim 80, wherein the ticket dispenser controller communicates the number and type of lottery game tickets dispensed from the at least one ticket dispenser to the POS monitor.

83. The system of claim 80, wherein the ticket dispenser controller identifies the at least one ticket dispenser at the at least one POS terminal at which said at least one token has been scanned

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the ticket dispenser controller looks up the at least one ticket dispenser at the at least one POS terminal from a stored database of ticket dispensers located within the store.

85. The system of claim 79, wherein the POS monitor logs each lottery game ticket sales transaction completed at the at the at least one POS terminal.

86. The method of claim 79, wherein the POS monitor is constructed and arranged to selectively prepare a transaction report of all of the lottery game tickets dispensed and sold at the at least one POS terminal

87. The system of claim 79, wherein the POS monitor determines the type of lottery game to be played from the game identification code scanned into the POS system.

88. The system of claim 79, wherein the POS monitor looks up the desired type of lottery game to be played from the game identification code in a stored database of lottery games.

89. The system of claim 79, wherein the POS monitor accumulates all of the scanned game identification codes from the at least one POS terminal and forwards the accumulated game identification codes to a ticket dispenser controller.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the ticket dispenser controller determines from the forwarded game identification codes the number and type of lottery game tickets to be dispensed from the at least one ticket dispenser.

39. A method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system comprised of at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

scanning at least one lottery game token at the at least one POS terminal, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

detecting the scanned game identification code with a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

the POS monitor communicating with a ticket dispenser controller in communication with a ticket dispenser;

the ticket dispenser controller instructing the ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of lottery game tickets therefrom; and

the ticket dispenser controller communicating the number and type of lottery game tickets so dispensed to the POS monitor.

49. A method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a POS system comprised of at least one POS terminal positioned at a POS station, the POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

scanning at least one lottery game token at the at least one POS terminal, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

detecting the scanned game identification code and determining from the scanned game identification code the type of lottery game tickets to be dispensed; and

instructing an automated ticket dispenser to dispense the desired type of lottery game tickets therefrom.

67. A system for selling pre-printed lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system including a at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader constructed and arranged to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said system comprising:

at least one lottery game token for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal, the lottery game token bearing a game identification code thereon;

a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

at least one ticket dispenser;

a ticket dispenser controller in communication with the POS monitor and the at lest one ticket dispenser; and

a supply of pre-printed lottery game tickets held within the ticket dispenser;

wherein the POS monitor detects the game identification code scanned into the POS system and determines therefrom the number and type of lottery games to be played, and instructs the ticket dispenser controller of the number and type of lottery game tickets to be dispensed;

and wherein the ticket dispenser controller signals the at least one ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of lottery game tickets therefrom and communicates to the POS monitor the number and type of lottery game tickets so dispensed.

78. A system for selling pre-printed lottery game tickets within a store, the store having a POS system comprised of at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said system comprising:

at least one lottery game token bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal;

a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal, the POS monitor being constructed and arranged to detect the scanned game identification code of said at least one token within the POS system, and to determine the type of lottery game to be played thereby;

at least one ticket dispenser having a supply of pre-printed lottery game tickets held therein; and

a ticket dispenser controller in communication with the POS monitor and the at least one ticket dispenser controller;

the ticket dispenser controller being constructed and arranged to identify the at least one ticket dispenser located at the at least one POS terminal, and to poll the at least one ticket dispenser to determine if the ticket dispenser is supplied with the desired number and type of lottery game tickets to be dispensed therefrom.

79. A system for selling pre-printed lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system comprised of at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said system comprising:

at least one lottery game token bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal;

a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal; and

at least one ticket dispenser having a supply of pre-printed instant lottery game tickets held therein;

the POS monitor being in communication with the at least one ticket dispenser, and being constructed and arranged to detect the scanned game identification code and in response thereto to instruct the at least one ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of lottery game tickets therefrom.

91. A method of selling an on-line lottery game ticket to a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

the game player picking up at least one lottery game token from within the store, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

the game player taking the at least one token to the at least one POS terminal where the token is scanned;

detecting the scanned game identification code with a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

generating a random series of lottery play numbers in response to the detection of the game identification code;

the POS monitor forwarding the lottery play numbers to a ticket printer controller;

the ticket printer controller instructing a ticket printer to print at least one lottery game ticket bearing the selected lottery play numbers thereon, the ticket printer printing the at least one lottery game ticket;

the ticket printer controller communicating to the POS monitor that the at least one lottery game ticket has been printed and dispensed; and

the POS monitor instructing the at least one POS terminal of the amount to be charged for the at least one lottery game ticket;

whereby a sales clerk collects payment for, and delivers the at least one lottery game ticket to the game player.

92. The method of claim 91, the POS monitor generating the lottery play numbers and communicating the lottery play numbers to an off-site lottery computer.

93. The method of claim 92, the lottery computer receiving the lottery play numbers from the POS monitor, and authorizing the lottery game ticket to be printed.

94. The method of claim 91, the at least one POS terminal looking up through the POS system the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, the POS monitor then detecting the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

95. A method of selling an on-line lottery game ticket to a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

the game player picking up at least one lottery game token from within the store, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

the game player taking the at least one token to the at least one POS terminal where the at least one token is scanned;

detecting the scanned game identification code with a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

generating a random series of lottery play numbers in response to the detection of the scanned game identification code;

forwarding the lottery play numbers to a ticket printer and printing the lottery game ticket thereon; and

instructing the at least one POS terminal of the amount to be charged for the lottery game ticket.

96. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of the POS monitor detecting the scanned game identification code.

97. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of the POS monitor recording the sale of the lottery game tickets.

98. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of the POS monitor logging the lottery game ticket sales transaction.

99. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of selectively preparing a transaction report of all of the lottery game tickets printed and sold at the at least one POS terminal

100. The method of claim 95, the step of generating the lottery play numbers further comprising the step of the POS monitor generating the lottery play numbers.

101. The method of claim 100, further comprising the steps of the POS monitor communicating the lottery play numbers so selected to an off-site lottery computer, and the lottery computer returning an acknowledgement thereof to the POS monitor.

102. The method of claim 95, further comprising the steps of the POS monitor communicating with an off-site lottery computer, the lottery computer generating the lottery play numbers and communicating the numbers so selected to the POS monitor.

103. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of using the scanned game identification code to determine the type of lottery game to be played.

104. The method of claim 103, the POS monitor looking up the scanned game identification code on a stored lottery game database to determine which type of lottery game is to be played.

105. The method of claim 95, further comprising a ticket printer controller in communication with the POS monitor, the ticket printer controller identifying the ticket printer at the at least one POS terminal prior to instructing the ticket printer to print the lottery game ticket.

106. The method of claim 105, the ticket printer controller looking up the identity of the ticket printer at the at least one POS terminal on a stored database of ticket printers located within the store.

107. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of said lottery game tokens at locations throughout the store.

108. The method of claim 107, the lottery game player selecting the lottery games to be played by taking selected ones of the plurality of lottery game tokens from within the store to the at least one POS terminal.

109. The method of claim 108, further comprising the step of the game player presenting the selected ones of the lottery game tokens to a sales clerk for scanning at the at least one POS terminal.

110. The method of claim 95, the game player verbally instructing a sales clerk to change the desired number or type of lottery game tickets to be purchased, the sales clerk manually entering the game player'"'"'s instructions into the at least one POS terminal.

111. A method of selling an on-line lottery game ticket to a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

the game player picking up at least one lottery game token from within the store, the at least one token bearing a predetermined game identification code thereon;

scanning the at least one token at the least one POS terminal;

detecting the scanned game identification code;

generating a random series of lottery play numbers in response to the detection of the scanned game identification code; and

printing a lottery game ticket bearing the lottery play numbers thereon on a lottery game ticket printer.

113. The system of claim 112, wherein the ticket printer controller communicates to the POS monitor that the at least one lottery game ticket has been printed and dispensed.

114. The system of claim 112, wherein the at least one POS terminal communicates with the POS system to determine the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, and the POS monitor detects the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

115. The system of claim 112, the POS monitor comprising a computer, said means for generating a random series of lottery play numbers comprising a random number generator program stored within and executed by the POS monitor.

116. The system of claim 115, further comprising an off-site lottery computer, the POS monitor being in communication with the lottery computer and communicating the lottery play numbers so selected to the lottery computer, the lottery computer recording the lottery game play numbers therein and returning an acknowledgement thereof to the POS monitor.

117. The system of claim 112, further comprising an off-site lottery computer, said means for generating a random series of lottery play numbers comprising a random number generator program stored within and executed by the lottery computer, wherein the lottery computer generates the lottery play numbers and communicates the numbers so selected to the POS monitor.

118. The system of claim 112, said POS monitor comprising a computer.

119. The system of claim 118, said POS monitor comprising said ticket printer controller.

120. The system of claim 118, wherein the POS monitor looks up the type of lottery game to be played on a stored database of lottery games to determine which type of lottery game is to be played.

121. The system of claim 112, said ticket printer controller comprising a computer.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the ticket printer controller looks up the lottery game ticket printer at the at least one POS terminal on a stored database of lottery game ticket printers located within the store.

123. The system of claim 112, wherein the POS monitor is networked with the store POS system.

124. The system of claim 112, wherein the ticket printer controller is networked with the POS Monitor.

125. The system of claim 124, wherein the ticket printer controller is networked with the POS Monitor through an Ethernet network.

126. The system of claim 112, wherein the ticket printer controller is networked with the ticket printer.

127. The system of claim 126, wherein the ticket printer controller is networked with the ticket printer through a wireless network.

129. The method of claim 128, further comprising the steps of the at least one POS terminal looking up through the POS system the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, the POS monitor then detecting the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

130. The method of claim 128, further comprising the step of accumulating all of the scanned game identification codes and forwarding the codes to the at least one ticket printer and the at least one ticket dispenser, respectively.

131. The method of claim 128, further comprising the step of the POS monitor communicating with a ticket controller.

132. The method of claim 131, the ticket controller identifying the at least one ticket printer prior to instructing the printer to print the lottery game ticket.

133. The method of claim 132, the ticket controller looking up the identity of the at least one ticket printer on a stored database of ticket printers located within the store.

134. The method of claim 131, the ticket controller identifying the at least one ticket dispenser at the POS station, and polling the at least one ticket dispenser to determine if the desired number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets are available therein.

135. The method of claim 131, the ticket controller notifying the POS monitor of the number and type of lottery game tickets that have been printed and dispensed, respectively.

136. The method of claim 135, further comprising the step of looking up the scanned game identification code on a stored lottery game database to determine which type of lottery game is to be played.

137. The method of claim 128, further comprising the step of recording the sale of the lottery game tickets, and logging all such sales transactions.

138. The method of claim 128, further comprising the step of selectively preparing a transaction report of all of the lottery game tickets sold at the at least one POS terminal

139. The method of claim 128, the POS monitor communicating with a ticket controller, the ticket controller communicating with each of the at least one ticket printer and the at least one ticket dispenser, respectively, and communicating to the POS monitor the number and type of lottery game tickets printed and dispensed, respectively.

140. The method of claim 128, the POS monitor communicating the lottery play numbers to an off-site lottery computer, the lottery computer returning an acknowledgement thereof to the POS monitor.

141. The method of claim 128, the POS monitor communicating with an off-site lottery computer, the lottery computer generating the lottery play numbers and communicating the numbers so selected to the POS monitor.

142. The method of claim 128, further comprising the step of using the scanned game identification code to determine the type of lottery game to be played.

144. The method of claim 143, further comprising the step of instructing the POS terminal of the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed and printed, respectively;

145. The method of claim 143, further comprising the steps of the POS monitor generating a series of random lottery play numbers in response to the detection of the scanned on-line lottery game identification code for each on-line lottery game to be played.

146. The method of claim 145, the POS monitor communicating the lottery play numbers to an off-site lottery computer, the lottery computer returning an acknowledgement thereof to the POS monitor.

147. The method of claim 143, the POS monitor communicating with an off-site lottery computer, the lottery computer generating a series of random lottery play numbers for each on-line lottery game identification code detected by the POS monitor and communicating the numbers so selected to the POS monitor, the POS monitor forwarding the lottery play numbers to the at least one lottery game ticket printer.

148. The method of claim 143, the POS monitor communicating with a ticket controller, the ticket controller communicating with each of the at least one ticket printer and the at least one ticket dispenser, respectively, and communicating to the POS monitor the number and type of lottery game tickets printed and dispensed, therefrom, respectively.

149. The method of claim 148, the ticket controller instructing the printer to print the desired number of on-line lottery game tickets.

150. The method of claim 148, the ticket controller instructing the at least one ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets therefrom.

151. The method of claim 148, the ticket controller communicating to the POS monitor that the desired number and type of lottery game tickets have been printed and dispensed

152. The method of claim 143, further comprising the steps of providing a plurality of lottery game tokens of differing types of lottery games throughout the store, each game token bearing a game identification code specific to a predetermined type of lottery game.

153. The method of claim 152, the lottery game player selecting the type and number of lottery games to be played by taking selected ones of the plurality of lottery game tokens from within the store to the at least one POS terminal.

154. The method of claim 153, further comprising the step of the lottery game player presenting the selected ones of the lottery game tokens to a sales clerk for scanning at the at least one POS terminal.

155. The method of claim 153, the lottery game player verbally instructing the sales clerk to change the desired number or type of lottery game tickets to be purchased, the sales clerk manually entering the game player'"'"'s instructions into the at least one POS terminal.

156. The method of claim 143, further comprising the step of selectively preparing a transaction report of all of the lottery game tickets sold at the at least one POS terminal

159. The system of claim 158, wherein the at least one POS terminal communicates with the POS system to determine the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, and the POS monitor detects the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

160. The system of claim 158, further comprising a supply of pre-printed lottery game tickets held within the at least one ticket dispenser.

161. The system of claim 158, further comprising an off-site lottery computer in communication with the POS monitor.

162. The system of claim 161, wherein the POS monitor is constructed and arranged to generate a series of random numbers for each on-line lottery game to be played and to communicate the lottery play numbers to the lottery computer, the lottery computer being constructed and arranged to send a confirmation thereof to the POS monitor authorizing the lottery game ticket to be printed.

163. The system of claim 161, wherein the lottery computer generates a series of random numbers for each on-line lottery game to be played, transmits the lottery play numbers to the POS monitor, and authorizes the lottery game ticket to be printed.

164. The system of claim 158, wherein said game identification code on the at least one game token is for a predetermined type of lottery game.

165. The system of claim 158, said game identification code comprising a UPC code.

166. The system of claim 158, said at least one ticket dispenser comprising an automated pre-printed lottery game ticket dispenser.

167. The system of claim 158, wherein the POS monitor looks up the scanned game identification code on a stored lottery game database to determine which type of lottery game is to be played.

168. The system of claim 158, wherein the ticket controller looks up the at least one ticket dispenser, and the at least one ticket printer at the POS station at the at least one POS terminal, respectively, on a stored database of the ticket dispensers and ticket printers located within the store.

169. The system of claim 168, wherein the ticket controller polls the at least one ticket dispenser to determine if the desired number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets are available for being dispensed.

170. The system of claim 158, wherein the POS monitor accumulates all of the scanned game identification codes and forwards the accumulated game identification codes to the ticket controller.

171. The system of claim 158, wherein the ticket controller determines the number and type of lottery game tickets to be dispensed from the at least one ticket dispenser and the number of on-line lottery game tickets to be printed.

172. The method of claim 158, wherein the POS monitor is constructed and arranged to selectively prepare a transaction report of all of the lottery game tickets sold at the at least one POS terminal.

174. The system of claim 173, wherein the at least one POS terminal communicates with the POS system to determine the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed and printed, respectively, and the POS monitor detects the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system

175. The system of claim 173, said game identification code identifying a single predetermined type of lottery game.

176. The system of claim 175, said predetermined type of lottery game being one of the lottery games selected from the group of lottery games consisting of an pre-printed lottery game and an on-line lottery game.

177. The system of claim 173, the POS monitor comprising a computer.

178. The system of claim 177, the POS monitor having a random number generator program stored therein and executed thereby to generate a random series of lottery play numbers for each on-line lottery game to be played.

179. The system of claim 173, further comprising a ticket controller in communication with the POS monitor, the ticket controller being in communication with the at least one ticket dispenser and the at least one ticket printer at the at least one POS terminal.

180. The system of claim 179, wherein the ticket controller instructs the at least one ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number of pre-printed lottery game tickets therefrom, and the at least one ticket printer to print the desired number of on-line lottery game tickets therefrom.

182. The system of claim 181, said control means communicating to the at least one POS terminal the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed and printed, respectively.

184. The method of claim 183, further comprising the steps of the at least one POS terminal looking up through the POS system the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, the POS monitor then detecting the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

185. The method of claim 183, further comprising the step of determining from the scanned product identification code the monetary value type of item to be dispensed.

186. The method of claim 183, further comprising the step of looking up the scanned product identification code on a stored product identification code database to determine which type of item is to be dispensed.

187. The method of claim 183, further comprising the step of accumulating all of the scanned product identification codes for each sales transaction and communicating the accumulated game identification codes to the item dispenser.

188. The method of claim 183, the step of dispensing the item including the step of dispensing one of the items selected from the group of items consisting of postage stamps, telephone calling cards, gift certificates, debit cards, and money orders of a predetermined monetary value.

190. The method of claim 189, further comprising the steps of the at least one POS terminal looking up through the POS system the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets so dispensed, the POS monitor then detecting the amount to be charged for the lottery game tickets through the POS system.

191. The method of claim 189, further comprising the step of determining from the scanned product identification code the monetary value of item to be sold.

192. The method of claim 189, further comprising the step of looking up the scanned game product identification code on a stored product identification code database to determine the type of item to be sold.

193. The method of claim 189, further comprising the step of accumulating all of the scanned product identification codes for each sales transaction and communicating the accumulated game identification codes to the printer.

194. The method of claim 189, the step of printing the item including the step of printing a negotiable document of a monetary value determined by the product identification code.

195. The method of claim 189, the items of monetary value to be printed by the item printer comprising one of the items selected from the group of items consisting of a money order, a rebate check, and a gift certificate.

196. The method of claim 189, the step of printing the item including the step of a purchaser verbally instructing a sales clerk at the at least one POS terminal of the monetary value of a negotiable document to be printed thereat, the sales clerk manually entering the monetary value into the at least one POS terminal.

198. The system of claim 197, the POS monitor being constructed and arranged to determine the value of the item to be sold from the product identification code.

199. The system of claim 197, the POS monitor comprising a computer, said computer having a stored product identification code database therein, the POS monitor looking up the type of the item to be sold in said database.

200. The system of claim 197, the item of monetary value to be dispensed from the item dispenser comprising one of the items selected from the group of items consisting of postage stamps, telephone calling cards, gift certificates, debit cards, and money orders of a predetermined monetary value.

112. A system for use in selling an on-line lottery game ticket to a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

at least one lottery game token bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal;

a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal, the POS monitor being constructed and arranged to detect the scanned game identification code;

means for generating a random series of lottery play numbers in response to the detection of the game identification code by the POS monitor;

a lottery game ticket printer;

a ticket printer controller in communication with the POS monitor and the ticket printer, the ticket printer controller being constructed and arranged to instruct the ticket printer to print at least one lottery game ticket bearing the lottery play numbers thereon

128. A method of selling pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

the game player picking up at least one lottery game token from within the store, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

the game player taking the at least one token to the at least one POS terminal where the token is scanned;

detecting the scanned game identification code of the at least one token with a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

the POS monitor determining from the scanned game identification code whether an on-line or an pre-printed type of lottery game is to be played;

generating a series of random lottery play numbers for each on-line lottery game to be played and forwarding the lottery play numbers to at least one lottery game ticket printer, the at least one ticket printer printing at least one lottery game ticket bearing the lottery play numbers thereon; and

sending a dispense ticket command to at least one lottery game ticket dispenser for each pre-printed type of lottery game to be played, the at least one ticket dispenser dispensing the desired number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets therefrom.

143. A method of selling pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one lottery game token within the store, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

scanning the at least one token at the at least one POS terminal;

detecting the scanned game identification code with a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal, the POS monitor determining from the scanned game identification code the type of lottery game to be played;

the POS monitor sending a dispense ticket command to at least one lottery game ticket dispenser for dispensing the desired number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets therefrom;

the POS monitor sending a print ticket command to at least one ticket printer for printing the desired number of on-line lottery game tickets therefrom.

157. A method of selling pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one lottery game token within the store, the at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

scanning the at least one token at the at least one POS terminal;

detecting the game identification code scanned into the POS system;

determining from the scanned game identification code the type of lottery game to be played;

sending a dispense ticket command to at least one ticket dispenser for dispensing the desired number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets therefrom; and

sending a print ticket command to at least one ticket printer for printing the desired number of on-line lottery game tickets therefrom.

158. A system for selling pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said system comprising:

at least one lottery game token bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal;

a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

at least one lottery game ticket dispenser;

at least one lottery game ticket printer;

a ticket controller in communication with the POS monitor, the at least one ticket dispenser, and the at least one ticket printer;

wherein said POS monitor is constructed and arranged to detect the scanned game identification code and in response thereto to instruct the ticket dispenser controller of the number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets to be dispensed and the number of on-line lottery game tickets to be printed, respectively; and

said ticket controller being constructed and arranged to signal the at least one ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets therefrom, to signal the at least one ticket printer to print the desired number of on-line lottery game tickets therefrom, and to communicate to the POS monitor the number and type of lottery game tickets dispensed from the at least one ticket dispenser and printed by the at least one ticket printer, respectively.

173. A system for selling pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets for purchase by a lottery game player within a store, the store having a networked POS system therein, in communication with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader constructed and arranged to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said system comprising:

at least one lottery game token for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal, said at least one token bearing a game identification code thereon;

a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

at least one lottery game ticket dispenser; and

at least one lottery game ticket printer;

the POS monitor being constructed and arranged to detect the game identification code scanned through the at least one POS terminal and the type of lottery game to be played thereby, and to signal the at least one ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number of pre-printed type lottery game tickets therefrom, and the at least one ticket printer to print the desired number of on-line lottery game tickets therefrom.

181. A system for selling pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets within a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said system comprising:

at least one lottery game token bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal;

at least one lottery game ticket dispenser;

at least one lottery game ticket printer;

a control means, in communication with the at least one POS terminal, for detecting the scanned game identification code and in response thereto determining the type of lottery game to be played thereby;

said control means being in communication with the at least one ticket dispenser and the at least one ticket printer, said control means instructing the at least one ticket dispenser to dispense the desired number and type of pre-printed lottery game tickets therefrom and instructing the at least one ticket printer to print the desired number of on-line game tickets therefrom.

183. A method of selling and dispensing an item having monetary value in a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising:

providing, within the store, at least one token bearing a predetermined product identification code thereon for the item to be purchased;

scanning the at least one token at the at least one POS terminal;

detecting the scanned product identification code and determining from the scanned product identification code the type of item to be dispensed; and

instructing an item dispenser to dispense the items selected for purchase.

189. A method of selling and printing an item having monetary value in a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising:

providing, within the store, at least one token bearing a predetermined product identification code thereon for the item to be purchased;

scanning the at least one token at the at least one POS terminal;

detecting the scanned product identification code and determining from the scanned product identification code the type of item to be sold; and

instructing a printer at the at least one POS terminal to print and dispense the item selected for purchase.

197. A system for selling and dispensing an item having monetary value for use in a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising:

at least one token bearing a predetermined product identification code thereon for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal;

a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

the POS monitor being constructed and arranged to detect the scanned product identification code and to determine therefrom the type of item to be sold and to determine therefrom the identity of the item to be sold; and

an item dispenser at the at least one POS terminal having a supply of the items to be dispensed housed therein;

wherein the POS monitor instructs the item dispenser to dispense the item selected for purchase, the POS monitor informing the at least one POS terminal of the amount to be charged for the item so dispensed.

201. A system for selling an item having monetary value for use in a store, the store having a networked POS system with at least one POS terminal, the at least one POS terminal having a bar code reader adapted to scan product identification codes of items offered for sale, said method comprising:

at least one token bearing a predetermined product identification code thereon for being scanned at the at least one POS terminal;

a POS monitor in communication with the at least one POS terminal;

the POS monitor being constructed and arranged to detect the scanned product identification code and to determine therefrom the type of item to be sold and to determine therefrom the identity of the item to be sold;

an item dispenser having a supply of the items to be dispensed housed therein; and

an item printer;

wherein the POS monitor instructs the item dispenser to dispense and the item printer to print, respectively, the items selected for purchase, the POS monitor informing the at least one POS terminal of the amount to be charged for the item so dispensed and printed, respectively.

202. The system of claim 201, the items of monetary value to be dispensed from the item dispenser comprising one of the items selected from the group of items consisting of postage stamps, telephone calling cards, gift certificates, debit cards, and money orders of a predetermined monetary value.

203. The system of claim 201, the items of monetary value to be printed by the item printer including a negotiable document of a monetary value determined by the product identification code.