PREMIUMS FOR EARLY REDEMPTION OF LOTTERY ENTRIES
Described are methods, systems and apparatus for providing an enhanced lottery payout to players who redeem winning lottery entries in accordance with predefined conditions. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a request to redeem a lottery entry, determining that the lottery entry is a winning entry, determining a time associated with the request to redeem, and determining which one of a first payout or a second payout to authorize. The determination is made based on whether the time associated with the request to redeem is greater than a predetermined value. In some embodiments, the second payout is authorized if the time associated with the request to redeem is not greater than the predetermined value.
1 . A method, comprising:
receiving a request to redeem a lottery entry;
determining that the lottery entry is a winning entry;
determining a time associated with the request to redeem; and
determining which one of a first payout or a second payout to authorize for the winning lottery entry, based on whether the time associated with the request to redeem is greater than a predetermined value.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising authorizing the second payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is not greater than the predetermined value.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising authorizing the first payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is greater than the predetermined value.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second payout is greater than the first payout.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first payout comprises a base amount and the second payout comprises a value equal to the base amount plus a premium.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the premium comprises at least one of a cash value, a non-cash prize, a percentage of the base amount, a credit, a store credit, a discount coupon, frequent flyer miles, a lottery game entry, and a rebate.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, subsequent to receiving the request to redeem a lottery entry, voiding the lottery entry if the time corresponds to a date greater than a lottery game expiration date.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing payment to at least one of a player and a player account.
9 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises receiving the request to redeem a lottery entry via at least one of a retailer terminal, a personal computer, a kiosk, a telephone, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant device, and an electronic device.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising authorizing the second payout based on at least one factor.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one factor comprises at least one of a predetermined number of redemptions made by a player, a purchase made by the player, purchases made by other players, a total number of lottery entries purchased by the player, a total number of losing lottery entries purchased by the player, and a random value.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one factor comprises at least one of a predetermined maximum number of matching lottery selections on a lottery entry and a predefined low value for a lottery entry.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one factor comprises at least one of a number of redemptions processed by at least one retailer, and a predefined amount of winning entries redeemed by at least one retailer.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the time associated with the request to redeem comprises calculating a period of time between a time the lottery entry was purchased and a time the request to redeem the lottery entry is received.
15 . The method of claim 14 , which further comprises increasing the value of the second payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is less than a second predetermined time limit.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the time associated with the request to redeem comprises calculating a period of time between a time of a lottery drawing associated with the lottery entry and a time the request to redeem the lottery entry is received.
17 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises authorizing the second payout according to at least one rule.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the at least one rule comprises a requirement to present the winning lottery entry prior to at least one of:
an award of a predetermined threshold number of prizes;
an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize money;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a start date of the lottery game;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the purchase date of the lottery entry;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a drawing date of the lottery; and
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a date of an award of a lottery jackpot prize.
19 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising notifying a player of at least one redemption condition associated with receiving the second payout.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one redemption condition comprises presenting winning lottery entries for redemption before at least one of a deadline, and an occurrence of a predefined event.
21 . The method of claim 19 , which further comprises notifying the player of the redemption condition by providing at least one message via at least one of printed matter on the lottery entry, email, telephone, a kiosk, cell phone, set-top device, PDA, and mail.
22 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising reminding a player to redeem the lottery entry.
23 . The method of claim 22 , which further comprises notifying the player by utilizing at least one of email, telephone, cell phone, set-top device, PDA, and mail.
24 . The method of claim 22 , which further comprises an indication of at least one of a benefit, a deadline for collecting the first payout, a value of the first payout, a deadline for collecting a second payout, and a value of the second payout.
25 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the lottery entry comprises at least one of a drawing-style lottery ticket, an instant lottery ticket, a scratch-off lottery ticket, and an on-line lottery ticket.
26 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising authorizing the first payout if at least one termination event occurs.
27 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the termination event comprises at least one of expiration of a second payout deadline, redemption of a lottery grand prize, payouts of a predetermined number of winning lottery entries, and a predetermined total payout value of winning lottery entries.
28 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing lottery data in a memory.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the lottery data comprises at least one of a final redemption status and a final payout value, wherein the final payout value corresponds to at least one of the first payout and the second payout.
30 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the lottery data comprises at least one of first payout value data, second payout value data, lottery game data, a lottery entry purchase time and date, a lottery entry redemption time and date, a lottery entry identifier, a first payout deadline, retailer data, and player data.
31 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
retrieving second payout data from a lottery database; and
transmitting the second payout data to at least one of a retailer terminal and a player device.
32 . A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 1 .
33 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to authorize the second payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is not greater than the predetermined value.
34 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to authorize the first payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is greater than the predetermined value.
35 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to, subsequent to receiving the request to redeem a lottery entry, void the lottery entry if the time associated with the request to redeem corresponds to a date greater than a lottery game expiration date.
36 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to provide payment to at least one of a player and a player account.
37 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to receive the request to redeem a lottery entry via at least one of a retailer terminal, a personal computer, a kiosk, a telephone, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant device, and an electronic device.
38 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to determine the time associated with the request to redeem by calculating a period of time using a time the lottery entry was purchased and a time the request to redeem the lottery entry is received.
39 . The computer readable medium of claim 38 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to calculate an increased value for the second payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is equal to or less than a second predetermined value.
40 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to determine the time associated with the request to redeem by calculating a period of time using a time of a lottery drawing associated with the lottery entry and a time the request to redeem the lottery entry is received.
41 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to notify a player of at least one redemption condition associated with receiving the first payout.
42 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to remind a player to redeem a lottery entry.
43 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to authorize the first payout if at least one termination event occurs.
44 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to store lottery data in a memory.
45 . The computer readable medium of claim 32 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to:
retrieve second payout data from a lottery database; and
transmit the second payout data to at least one of a retailer terminal and a player device.
46 . A method, comprising:
receiving a request to redeem an eligible lottery entry;
determining that the lottery entry is a winning entry; and
determining whether to authorize a first payout or a second payout, wherein the second payout is authorized if a predefined event has not yet occurred.
47 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the second payout is greater than the first payout.
48 . The method of claim 47 , wherein the second payout comprises a value equal to the first payout plus a premium.
49 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the premium comprises at least one of a cash value, a non-cash prize, a percentage of the first payout, a credit, a store credit, a discount coupon, frequent flyer miles, a lottery game entry, and a rebate.
50 . The method of claim 46 , further comprising providing payment to at least one of a player and a player account.
51 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the predefined event comprises at least one of:
an award of a predetermined threshold number of prizes;
an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize money;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a start date of the lottery game;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the purchase date of the lottery entry;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a drawing date of the lottery; and
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the date of an award of a lottery jackpot prize.
52 . The method of claim 46 , which further comprises receiving the request to redeem the eligible lottery entry via at least one of a retailer terminal, a personal computer, a kiosk, a telephone, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant device, and an electronic device.
53 . The method of claim 46 , which further comprises determining the second payout value based on at least one factor.
54 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the at least one factor comprises at least one of a predetermined number of redemptions made by a player, a purchase made by the player, purchases made by other players, a total number of lottery entries purchased by the player, a total number of losing lottery entries purchased by the player, and a random value.
55 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the at least one factor comprises at least one of a predetermined maximum number of matching lottery selections on a lottery entry and a predefined low value for a lottery entry.
56 . The method of claim 53 , wherein the at least one factor comprises at least one of a number of redemptions processed by at least one retailer, and a predefined amount of winning entries redeemed by at least one retailer.
57 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the predefined event comprises at least one of:
an award of a predetermined threshold number of prizes;
an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize money;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a start date of the lottery game;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the purchase date of the lottery entry;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a drawing date of the lottery; and
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a date of an award of a lottery jackpot prize.
58 . The method of claim 46 , further comprising notifying a player of the predefined event associated with receiving the first payout.
59 . The method of claim 58 , which further comprises notifying the player of predefined event by providing at least one message via at least one of printed matter on the lottery entry, email, telephone, a kiosk, cell phone, set-top device, PDA, and mail.
60 . The method of claim 58 , which further comprises notifying the player of at least one of a benefit, a deadline for collecting the first payout, a value of the first payout, a deadline for collecting a second payout, and a value of the second payout.
61 . The method of claim 46 , wherein the lottery entry comprises at least one of a drawing-style lottery ticket, an instant lottery ticket, a scratch-off lottery ticket, and an on-line lottery ticket.
62 . The method of claim 46 , further comprising storing lottery data in a memory.
63 . The method of claim 62 , wherein the lottery data comprises at least one of a final redemption status and a final payout value, wherein the final payout value corresponds to at least one of the first payout and the second payout.
64 . The method of claim 62 , wherein the lottery data comprises at least one of first payout value data, second payout value data, lottery game data, a lottery entry purchase time and date, a lottery entry redemption time and date, a lottery entry identifier, at least one first payout deadline, retailer data, and player data.
65 . The method of claim 46 , further comprising;
retrieving second payout data from a lottery database; and
transmitting the second payout data to at least one of a retailer terminal and a player device.
66 . A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 46 .
67 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to provide payment to at least one of a player and a player account.
68 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to authorize the second payout if at least one of the following predetermined events has not yet occurred:
an award of a predetermined threshold number of prizes;
an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize money;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a start date of the lottery game;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the purchase date of the lottery entry;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a drawing date of the lottery; and
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the date of an award of a lottery jackpot prize.
69 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to determine the second payout value based on at least one of a predetermined number of redemptions made by a player, a purchase made by the player, purchases made by other players, a total number of lottery entries purchased by the player, a total number of losing lottery entries purchased by the player, and a random value.
70 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to determine the second payout value based on at least one of a predetermined maximum number of matching lottery selections on a lottery entry and a predefined low value for a lottery entry.
71 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to determine the second payout value based on at least one of a number of redemptions processed by at least one retailer, and a predefined amount of winning entries redeemed by at least one retailer.
72 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to notify a player of the predefined event associated with receiving the second payout.
73 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to notify the player of at least one of a benefit, a deadline for collecting the first payout, a value of the first payout, a deadline for collecting a second payout, and a value of the second payout.
74 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to store lottery data in a memory.
75 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to store at least one of a final redemption status and a final payout value, wherein the final payout value corresponds to at least one of the first payout and the second payout.
76 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to store at least one of first payout value data, second payout value data, lottery game data, a lottery entry purchase time and date, a lottery entry redemption time and date, a lottery entry identifier, a first payout deadline, retailer data, and player data.
77 . The computer readable medium of claim 66 , which further comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to authorize the second payout by retrieving second payout data from a lottery database, and by transmitting the second payout data to at least one of a retailer terminal and a player device.
78 . A method, comprising:
receiving a redemption request for a winning lottery entry; and
determining whether to authorize a base payout or an enhanced payout, wherein the enhanced payout is authorized if the redemption request occurred prior to an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize money.
79 . The method of claim 78 , which further comprises authorizing the base payout if the lottery entry is presented for redemption subsequent to at least one of:
an award of a predetermined threshold number of prizes;
an award of the grand prize for the lottery game;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the start date of the lottery game;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the purchase date of the lottery entry;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a drawing date of the lottery game; and
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a date of an award of a lottery jackpot prize.
80 . A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 78 .
81 . A method, comprising:
receiving a redemption request for a lottery entry;
determining that the lottery entry is a winning entry; and
determining whether to authorize a base payout or an enhanced payout, wherein the enhanced payout is greater than the base payout and is authorized if the redemption request occurred prior to the expiration of a deadline calculated from the purchase date of the lottery entry.
82 . The method of claim 81 , which further comprises authorizing the base payout if the lottery entry is presented for redemption subsequent to at least one of:
an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize money;
an award of a predetermined threshold number of prizes;
an award of the grand prize for the lottery game;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from the start date of the lottery game;
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a drawing date of the lottery game; and
the expiration of a deadline calculated from a date of an award of a lottery jackpot prize.
83 . A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 81 .