Method and apparatus for operating lotteries and for generating and processing lottery entries
View Patent ↗In accordance with some embodiments, methods, media, and apparatus are described for processing lottery entries. One embodiment provides for receiving a request to purchase a lottery entry, receiving with the request an indicator that the lottery entry is to be entered into at least one lottery drawing until a lottery drawing identifies the lottery entry as a winner, and storing the lottery entry.
1. A method for processing lottery entries, comprising the steps of:
receiving, via a terminal, a request to purchase a lottery entry;
receiving with said request an indicator that said lottery entry is to be entered into at least one lottery drawing until a lottery drawing identifies said lottery entry as a winner;
storing, by a lottery server, said lottery entry;
determining that the lottery entry is not a winning entry in a first lottery drawing;
automatically entering the lottery entry in a second lottery drawing;
determining that the lottery entry is not a winning entry in the second lottery drawing; and
automatically entering the lottery entry in a subsequent lottery drawing.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 and further including the step of charging a fee for said lottery entry, said fee based at least in part on said indicator.
3. A method in accordance with claim 1 and further including the steps of:
associating with said lottery entry a lottery ticket number; and
storing said lottery ticket number with said lottery entry.
4. Apparatus for processing lottery entries, comprising:
a processor;
a memory connected to said processor;
said processor operative to
receive a lottery entry, and
receive with said lottery entry an indicator that said lottery entry is to be entered into at least one lottery drawing until a lottery drawing identifies said lottery entry as a winner,
store said lottery entry in said memory;
determine that the lottery entry is not a winning entry in a first lottery drawing;
automatically enter the lottery entry in a second lottery drawing;
determine that the lottery entry is not a winning entry in the second lottery drawing; and
automatically enter the lottery entry in a subsequent lottery drawing.
5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 , said processor further operative to calculate a fee for said lottery entry, said fee based at least in part on said indicator.
6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 , said processor further operative to:
associate with said lottery entry a lottery ticket number; and
store said lottery ticket number with said lottery entry in said memory.
7. A computer readable memory storing instructions configured to direct a computing device to perform a method, the method comprising:
receiving a request to purchase a lottery entry;
receiving with said request an indicator that said lottery entry is to be entered into at least one lottery drawing until a lottery drawing identifies said lottery entry as a winner;
storing said lottery entry;
determining, by a lottery server, that the lottery entry is not a winning entry in a first lottery drawing;
automatically entering the lottery entry in a second lottery drawing;
determining, by the lottery server, that the lottery entry is not a winning entry in the second lottery drawing; and
automatically entering the lottery entry in a subsequent lottery drawing.
8. The computer readable memory of claim 7 , the instructions being configured further to direct the computing device to perform:
charging a fee for said lottery entry, said fee based at least in part on said indicator.
9. The computer readable memory of claim 7 , the instructions being configured further to direct the computing device to perform:
associating with said lottery entry a lottery ticket number; and
storing said lottery ticket number with said lottery entry.