System and method for anonymously servicing lottery players

• US 8,219,497 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2008
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crucs Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Crucs Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Crucs, Kevin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): OBEID, MAMON A
• Application Number:
  US12/171,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20100009739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,460 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/17, 463/29, 705/64, 705/77
• US Class Current: 705/78
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0855 involving a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

A system and method for servicing at least one lottery player while protecting an identity of the at least one lottery player. The system includes a server platform of a third party organization that facilitates the method. The method includes receiving a client request at the server platform via a communications network. The method further includes the third party organization obtaining at least one lottery ticket in response to the client request, and securely holding the at least one lottery ticket for the at least one lottery player specified in the client request. The method also includes the third party organization determining a status of the at least one lottery ticket via the server platform and the communications network. The method further includes the third party organization transforming the at least one lottery ticket into a monetary amount if a status of the at least one lottery ticket is or changes to a winning status. The method also includes the third party organization securely transferring at least a first portion of the monetary amount to at least one account or trust.

Claims

1. A method of servicing at least one lottery player while protecting an identity of said at least one lottery player, said method comprising:

receiving a client request, from a client, at a server platform of a third party organization via a communications network;

said server platform obtaining, from an authorized lottery agency, at least one lottery ticket in response to said client request and securely holding said at least one lottery ticket for at least one lottery player specified in said client request while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous;

said server platform determining, via the authorized lottery agency, a status of said at least one lottery ticket via said communications network;

said server platform transforming said at least one lottery ticket into a monetary amount, while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous, in response to a status of said at least one lottery ticket being determined to be a winning status,

wherein said transforming is accomplished by said server platform redeeming said at least one lottery ticket from said authorized lottery agency, while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous; and

said server platform securely transferring at least a first portion of said monetary amount to at least one account or trust while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising said server platform confirming to said client, via said communications network, receipt of said client request.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said obtaining of said at least one lottery ticket is accomplished by said server platform purchasing said at least one lottery ticket from an authorized distributor of lottery tickets.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising said server platform reporting to said client, via said communications network, said purchasing of said at least one lottery ticket.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising said server platform reporting to said client, via said communications network, a change of status of said at least one lottery ticket to a winning status.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising said server platform insuring said winning lottery ticket, while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous, if a status of said lottery ticket is a winning status.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising said server platform reporting to said client, via said communications network, said transforming of said at least one lottery ticket into said monetary amount.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising said server platform arranging to pay all applicable taxes and fees due on said monetary amount while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising said server platform keeping a second portion of said monetary amount as payment for servicing said client request.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said transferring is performed electronically using said server platform and said communications network.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein playable numbers associated with said at least one lottery ticket are specified in said client request.

12. The method of claim 3 wherein playable numbers associated with said at least one lottery ticket are chosen randomly upon purchasing of said at least one lottery ticket by said server platform.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one account or trust is specified in said client request.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising said server platform setting up said at least one account or trust based on an identity of said at least one lottery player.

29. The method of claim 1 further comprising said server platform arranging to pay any of assessments, liens, back child support, back taxes, penalties, and interest owed by said at least one lottery player while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous.

15. A server platform of a third party organization for protecting the identity of at least one lottery player, said server platform programmed to facilitate the method comprising:

receiving a client request, from a client, at said server platform of said third party organization via a communications network;

said server platform obtaining, from an authorized lottery agency, at least one lottery ticket in response to said client request and securely holding said at least one lottery ticket for at least one lottery player specified in said client request while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous;

said server platform determining, via the authorized lottery agency, a status of said at least one lottery ticket via said communications network;

said server platform transforming said at least one lottery ticket into a monetary amount, while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous, in response to a status of said at least one lottery ticket being determined to be a winning status,

wherein said transforming is accomplished by said server platform redeeming said at least one lottery ticket from said authorized lottery agency, while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous; and

said server platform securely transferring at least a first portion of said monetary amount to at least one account or trust while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous.

16. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said facilitated method further comprises said server platform confirming to said client, via said communications network, receipt of said client request.

17. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said obtaining of said at least one lottery ticket is accomplished by said server platform purchasing said at least one lottery ticket from an authorized distributor of lottery tickets.

18. The server platform of claim 17 wherein said facilitated method further comprises said server platform reporting to said client, via said communications network, said purchasing of said at least one lottery ticket.

19. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said facilitated method further comprises said server platform reporting to said client, via said communications network, a change of status of said at least one lottery ticket to a winning status.

20. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said facilitated method further comprises said server platform arranging to insure said winning lottery ticket, while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous, if a status of said lottery ticket is a winning status.

21. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said facilitated method further comprises said server platform reporting to said client, via said communications network, said transforming of said at least one lottery ticket into said monetary amount.

22. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said facilitated method further comprises said server platform arranging to pay all applicable taxes and fees due on said monetary amount while keeping an identity of said at least one lottery player anonymous.

23. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said facilitated method further comprises said server platform keeping a second portion of said monetary amount as payment for servicing said client request.

24. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said transferring is performed electronically using said server platform and said communications network.

25. The server platform of claim 15 wherein playable numbers associated with said at least one lottery ticket are specified in said client request.

26. The server platform of claim 17 wherein playable numbers associated with said at least one lottery ticket are chosen randomly upon purchasing of said at least one lottery ticket by said server platform.

27. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said at least one account or trust is specified in said client request.

28. The server platform of claim 15 wherein said facilitated method further comprises said server platform setting up said at least one account or trust based on an identity of said at least one lottery player.