Internet scratch-off game

Abstract

A classical scratch-off game card image is presented on web pages of participating sites in the form of a superimposed dual image responsive to a browser's cursor movement such that when a browser is appropriately authorized, movement of the cursor over the dual image causes the dominant image to dissolve and reveal the secondary image which contains the numbers or symbols used by the scratch-off game to indicate that the particular displayed scratch-off card includes a winning combination of symbols. When a scratch-off card contains a winning combination of symbols, the act of the browser scratching off the covering image to reveal the secondary image automatically advances the browser through routines which enable the browser to receive the prize or credits awarded based on the secondary image of the game card.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for providing a scratch-off game via an electronic communications network, including the steps of: 
 generating a random set of gaming symbols;    merging said random set of gaming symbols into an image file of a scratch-off game card to create a game card image file;    inserting said game card image file into a scratch-off game web page;    inserting a cover image file into said web page at the same location as said game card image whereby said cover image masks said game card image when said scratch-off game web page is displayed; and    erasing said cover image to expose said game card image by dragging a terminal display cursor over said web page display of said superimposed game card and cove images.    
     
     
         2 . A method for providing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 1 , including the further steps of: 
 determining if a player is an authorized player by matching player provided data with a previously collected data file;    evaluating said random set of gaming symbols according to a previously determined criterion; and    awarding a prize when said criterion are met.    
     
     
         3 . A method for providing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 2 , wherein said step of determining if a player is an authorized player by matching player provided data with a previously collected data file includes the step of determining if said player has completed a transaction with a participating supplier.  
     
     
         4 . A method for providing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 2 , wherein said step of determining if a player is an authorized player by matching player provided data with a previously collected data file includes the step of determining if said player has been forwarded to said scratch-off game web page by a participating supplier.  
     
     
         5 . A method for providing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 4 , wherein said step of determining if said player has been forwarded to said scratch-off game web page by a participating supplier includes the step of comparing player provided transaction data with participating supplier transaction data.  
     
     
         6 . A method for providing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 2 , wherein said step of awarding a prize includes posting a prize credit to said players account.  
     
     
         7 . A method for providing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 2 , wherein said step of awarding a prize includes shipping a prize premium to said player.  
     
     
         8 . A method for providing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 3 , wherein said step of awarding a prize includes posting a prize credit to said players account.  
     
     
         9 . A method for providing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 3 , wherein said step of awarding a prize includes shipping a prize premium to said player.  
     
     
         10 . A method for playing a scratch-off game via an interactive communications network, including the steps of: 
 signaling a game provider of a player's intent to participate in a scratch-off game:    generating a random set of gaming symbols;    merging said random set of gaming symbols into an image file of a scratch-off game card to create a game card image file;    inserting said game card image file into a scratch-off game web page;    inserting a cover image file into said web page at the same location as said game card image whereby said cover image masks said game card image when said scratch-off game web page is displayed; and    erasing said cover image to expose said game card image by dragging a terminal display cursor over said web page display of said superimposed game card and cove images.    
     
     
         11 . A method for playing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 10 , including the further steps of: 
 determining if said player is an authorized player by matching player provided data with a previously collected data file;    evaluating said random set of gaming symbols according to a previously determined criterion; and    awarding a prize when said criterion are met.    
     
     
         12 . A method for playing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 11 , wherein said step of determining if a player is an authorized player by matching player provided data with a previously collected data file includes the step of determining if said player has completed a transaction with a participating supplier.  
     
     
         13 . A method for playing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 11 , wherein said step of determining if a player is an authorized player by matching player provided data with a previously collected data file includes the step of determining if said player has been forwarded to said scratch-off game web page by a participating supplier.  
     
     
         14 . A method for playing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 13 , wherein said step of determining if said player has been forwarded to said scratch-off game web page by a participating supplier includes the step of comparing player provided transaction data with participating supplier transaction data.  
     
     
         15 . A method for playing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 11 , wherein said step of awarding a prize includes posting a prize credit to said players account.  
     
     
         16 . A method for playing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 11 , wherein said step of awarding a prize includes shipping a prize premium to said player.  
     
     
         17 . A method for playing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 12 , wherein said step of awarding a prize includes posting a prize credit to said players account.  
     
     
         18 . A method for playing a scratch-off game as defined by  claim 12 , wherein said step of awarding a prize includes shipping a prize premium to said player.