Method and apparatus for providing advertising

Abstract

A play ticket for use in a game of chance including a sheet of paper, a first graphical image and at least one advertising graphical image. The sheet of paper has a front facing surface and aback facing surface. The sheet of paper is weakened along at least one predetermined line to define at least a first portion and a second portion. The first graphical image includes required indicia for playing the game of chance and is at least partially imprinted on the first portion. The at least one advertising graphical image includes indicia identifying a product of an advertiser and is imprinted on the second portion. The first graphical image is imprinted on the front facing surface. The sheet of paper may include a readable data form containing coded data. The sheet of paper may also include a coupon detailing a product discount.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A play ticket for use in a game of chance comprising: 
 a) a sheet of paper, wherein said sheet has a front facing surface and a back facing surface and is weakened along at least one predetermined line to define at least a first portion and a second portion;    b) a first graphical image, wherein said first graphical image comprises required indicia for playing said game of chance and is at least partially imprinted on said first portion; and    c) at least one advertising graphical image, wherein said at least one advertising graphical image comprises indicia identifying a product of an advertiser and is imprinted on said second portion;    d) wherein said first graphical image is imprinted on said front facing surface.    
     
     
         2 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said at least one advertising graphical image is imprinted on said back facing surface.  
     
     
         3 . The play ticket of  claim 1  further including a plurality of advertising graphical images, wherein each image identifies a product of an advertiser.  
     
     
         4 . The play ticket of  claim 1  further including a plurality of advertising graphical images, wherein at least one image is imprinted on said front facing surface and at least one image is imprinted on said back facing surface.  
     
     
         5 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said at least one advertising graphical image includes a readable data form, wherein said data form comprises coded data.  
     
     
         6 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said at least one advertising graphical image includes a readable data form, wherein said data form comprises coded data, said data including information identifying said play ticket of said game of chance as an advertising vehicle source.  
     
     
         7 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said at least one advertising graphical image is a coupon, said coupon detailing a product discount offered to a play ticket holder.  
     
     
         8 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said at least one predetermined line is weakened by scoring to facilitate folding.  
     
     
         9 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said at least one predetermined line is weakened by perforation to facilitate tearing.  
     
     
         10 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said back facing surface comprises a plurality of advertising graphical images.  
     
     
         11 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said game of chance is a state lottery.  
     
     
         12 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said first graphical image is generated by an automated printing system at a point-of-sale location.  
     
     
         13 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said at least one advertising graphical image is generated by an automated printing system at a point-of-sale location.  
     
     
         14 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said at least one predetermined line is perforated to allow a play ticket holder to separate said play ticket into said first portion and said second portion, wherein said second portion comprises said at least one advertising graphical image and may he retained by said play ticket holder separately from said first portion.  
     
     
         15 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said back facing surface is imprinted with information indicia, wherein said indicia is directed toward cash award information and game of chance instructions.  
     
     
         16 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said front facing surface includes a perforation that defines a supplemental information portion, wherein said supplemental portion includes fanciful information for the enjoyment of a play ticket holder.  
     
     
         17 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said front facing surface includes a perforation that defines a supplemental information portion, wherein said supplemental portion includes a second game of chance for the enjoyment of a play ticket holder, said second game of chance being a scratch-off game.  
     
     
         18 . The play ticket of  claim 1  wherein said front facing surface includes a perforation that defines a supplemental information portion, wherein said supplemental portion includes indicia for providing a method for selecting a number to be played in said game of chance.  
     
     
         19 . A play ticket for use in a game of chance comprising: 
 a) a sheet of paper, wherein said sheet has a front facing surface and a back facing surface and is weakened along a plurality of predetermined lines to define at least a first portion and a second portion;    b) a first graphical image, wherein said first graphical image comprises required indicia for playing said game of chance and is at least partially imprinted on said first portion; and    c) a plurality of advertising graphical images, wherein each of said advertising graphical images comprises indicia identifying a product of an advertiser, at least one advertising graphical images is imprinted on said second portion, at least one advertising graphical image includes a readable data form, wherein said data form comprises coded data, and at least one advertising graphical image is a coupon, said coupon detailing a product discount offered to a play ticket holder;    d) wherein said first graphical image is imprinted on said front facing surface;    e) wherein at least one of said predetermined lines is perforated to allow a play ticket holder to separate said play ticket into said first portion and said second portion, wherein said second portion comprises said at least one advertising graphical image and may be retained by said play ticket holder separately from said first portion.    
     
     
         20 . A method of providing advertising comprising the steps of: 
 a) obtaining a first graphical image, wherein said first graphical image comprises required indicia for playing a game of chance;    b) providing at least one advertising graphical image, wherein said at least one advertising graphical image comprises indicia identifying a product of an advertiser;    c) producing a game of chance play ticket on a sheet of paper, said play ticket having said first graphical image imprinted on a front facing surface of said ticket and said at least one advertising graphical image imprinted on a surface of said ticket; and    d) weakening said sheet of paper along at least one predetermined line, wherein said at least one predetermined line is perforated and defines at least a first portion and a second portion;    e) wherein said second portion includes said at least one advertising graphical image, said image being a coupon, said coupon detailing a product discount offered to a play ticket holder.