System And Method For Enabling Lottery Game Entry

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for a player to enter a lottery game using a computing device from any location having an available connection to a data communication network. The systems and methods include a lottery entry service provider operating a networked platform that is accessible from the computing device connected to the data communication network for the player to submit a lottery ticket purchase request. A lottery agent prints an actual lottery slip from a virtual lottery slip generated by the lottery entry service provider in accordance with the player selected lottery numbers. The lottery agent submits the actual lottery slip to the lottery commission using a lottery terminal of the lottery commission and receives a printed official lottery ticket. The lottery agent retains the office lottery ticket for pickup by the player.

1 . A method for entering a lottery, the method comprising the steps of:
 communicating selected lottery numbers to a remote processing engine using a computing device connected to a communication network;   generating a virtual lottery slip including at least said selected lottery numbers;   communicating a transaction request to a designated lottery agent via a communication network, said transaction request including information identifying said virtual lottery slip;   printing an actual lottery slip from said virtual lottery slip on physical media that is readable by a lottery terminal used to submit a lottery ticket purchase request to a lottery commission;   processing said actual lottery slip by a lottery terminal during a lottery ticket purchase request to the lottery commission;   printing an official lottery ticket by said lottery terminal; and   retaining said official lottery ticket by designated lottery agent.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during the generating step, the virtual lottery slip is generated at by said processing engine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said virtual lottery slip is a digital image comprising discreet marks that are arranged to correspond to said selected lottery number fill-in blanks on a preprinted lottery slip so as to permit printing of said virtual lottery slip on physical media comprising preprinted lottery slips. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said virtual lottery slip is a digital image comprising a lottery slip including filled-in blanks corresponding to said selected lottery numbers so as to permit printing of said virtual lottery slip on blank physical media. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said computing device is a mobile computing device and said communication network is the internet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said mobile computing device comprises a mobile phone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said mobile computing device comprises a computer tablet device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said mobile computing device comprises a personal digital assistant. 
     
     
         9 . A method for entering a state lottery, the method comprising the steps of:
 accessing a lottery entry service provider website via a web browser operating on a mobile computing device connected to a wireless communication network providing access to the internet by a user/player;   designating a lottery draw by a user/player;   selecting lottery numbers for entry into the designated lottery draw by the user/player;   generating a virtual lottery slip in accordance with the designated lottery draw and the selected lottery numbers;   designating a lottery agent;   printing an actual lottery slip from the virtual lottery slip on physical media that is readable by a lottery terminal used to submit a lottery ticket purchase request to a lottery commission by the designated lottery agent;   processing said actual lottery slip by a lottery terminal during a lottery ticket purchase request to the lottery commission;   printing an official lottery ticket by said lottery terminal; and   retaining said official lottery ticket by designated lottery agent.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said virtual lottery slip is a digital image comprising discreet marks that are arranged to correspond to said selected lottery number fill-in blanks on a preprinted lottery slip so as to permit printing of said virtual lottery slip on physical media comprising preprinted lottery slips. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said virtual lottery slip is a digital image comprising a lottery slip including filled-in blanks corresponding to said selected lottery numbers so as to permit printing of said virtual lottery slip on blank physical media. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said mobile computing device comprises a mobile phone. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said mobile computing device comprises a computer tablet device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said mobile computing device comprises a personal digital assistant. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein during the designating step, the lottery agent is designated automatically according to user/player stored preference. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein during the designation step, the lottery agent is designated geographically in relating to user/player.