Secure lottery ticket and method of operating raffle

Abstract

A security device is used to protect the number or numbers disposed on a raffle or pool ticket. The security device prevents the numbers from being viewed until the owner of the ticket or the operator of the game need to reveal the number. In one embodiment, a lottery ticket has first and second portions with related numbers printed on the portions. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a raffle using raffle tickets having security devices wherein the winning raffle tickets are drawn before the tickets are sold. Another embodiment of the invention provides a pool ticket having at least one number covered by a security device that prevents the number from being viewed until the security device is removed.

1 . A secure raffle ticket comprising: 
 a ticket body having first and second portions;    a first number printed on the first portion and a second number printed on the second portion; and    a security device connected to each of the first and second portions; the security device preventing the first and second numbers from being viewed until the security devices are removed.    
   
   
       2 . The ticket of  claim 1 , wherein the first number is the same as the second number.  
   
   
       3 . The ticket of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a perforated separation line to enable the separation of the first portion from the second portion.  
   
   
       4 . The ticket of  claim 1 , wherein the security device is removably attached to the body of the ticket.  
   
   
       5 . The ticket of  claim 4 , wherein the security device is not reattachable to the body of the ticket so that it may only be used once.  
   
   
       6 . The ticket of  claim 1 , wherein the security device is an opaque coating removably connected to the body over the numbers.  
   
   
       7 . The ticket of  claim 1 , wherein the security device is a cover connected to the body about the perimeter of the cover; the cover being opaque and preventing the number on the body of the ticket from being viewed.  
   
   
       8 . The ticket of  claim 1 , wherein the first number is related to the second number by a defined relationship.  
   
   
       9 . A secure pool ticket comprising: 
 a ticket body;    a number being printed on the ticket body; and    a security device connected to the ticket body; the security device preventing the number from being viewed until the security device is removed.    
   
   
       10 . The ticket of  claim 9 , wherein the security device is removably attached to the body of the ticket.  
   
   
       11 . The ticket of  claim 10 , wherein the security device is not reattachable to the body of the ticket so that it may only be used once.  
   
   
       12 . The ticket of  claim 9 , wherein the security device is an opaque coating removably connected to the body over the numbers.  
   
   
       13 . The ticket of  claim 9 , wherein the security device is a cover connected to the body about the perimeter of the cover; the cover being opaque and preventing the number on the body of the ticket from being viewed.  
   
   
       14 . The ticket of  claim 9 , wherein the ticket body has two numbers; each of the numbers being covered by a security device.  
   
   
       15 . A method of operating a raffle comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a group of raffle tickets having first and second portions with security features;    dividing each of the tickets in the group into first and second portions;    randomly mixing each of the first portions;    drawing at least one winning ticket from the randomly mixed first portions; and    selling the second portions to participants after the winning ticket is selected and announced to potential participants.