A lotto game having a jackpot prize level and at least one subordinate prize level and which is played simultaneously in a plurality of jurisdictions or countries. A fixed amount from each ticket sold in all partner countries/jurisdictions is accumulated in a super prize pool that is split by winners in more than one prize level. The amount of the jackpot prize, the subordinate prizes, and the ticket prices can be different in each participating jurisdiction. These prizes are made pari-mutuel and are gauged relative to a fictional or reference currency. A determination made of each prize level for each jurisdiction as per the rules set by that jurisdiction is made in the reference currency, adjustments are made to normalize the prize back to a local currency, and prizes are awarded on a pari-mutuel basis for each prize level.
1. In a lottery game to be played among a plurality of groups, the lottery game requiring payment of an entry fee by a player and a method of paying prizes, the prizes consisting of a jackpot and first and second subordinate prizes, the method comprising the steps of:
accumulating an individual group prize pool for each group participating in the lottery game from a first portion of the entry fee;
accumulating a super prize pool from a second portion of the entry fee;
paying the first subordinate prizes from individual group prize pools;
paying the jackpot and the second subordinate prizes from the super prize pool in one or more groups having a jackpot winner; and
creating a jackpot prize limit in one or more of the groups such that money in the super prize pool in excess of the jackpot prize limit is awarded as second subordinate prizes.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
adding the second subordinate prizes to the first subordinate prizes in the one or more groups having a jackpot winner.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the jackpot prize is subject to a maximum limit that is different in one group from at least one other group.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each group is a jurisdiction.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of accumulating the super prize pool further comprises the steps of:
accumulating funds from a first jurisdiction in the currency of the first jurisdiction into a first individual pool;
accumulating funds from a second jurisdiction in the currency of the second jurisdiction into a second individual pool, said currency different from the currency accumulated in the first individual pool;
converting the funds from each individual pool into a reference currency; and
allocating a fixed amount in the reference currency per entry fee from each individual pool to the super prize pool.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the currency of one jurisdiction fluctuates relative to the currency of at least one other jurisdiction.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of accumulating the super prize pool further comprises the steps of:
setting the amount of the entry fee in each group, wherein the entry fee of one group is different from the entry fee of at least one other group;
accumulating the super prize pool from a first portion of each entry fee, wherein the percentage of each entry fee accumulated in the super prize pool is the same for each group; and
accumulating individual pools for each group from the remainder of the entry fee associated with that group.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein each group is a jurisdiction, and the currency of one jurisdiction is different from the currency of at least one other jurisdiction.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the currency of one jurisdiction fluctuates relative to the currency of at least one other jurisdiction.