A computer based lottery which allows entries to be sold over the
telephone, by ATM or POS machines, by email, or via kiosks, in which
participants are invited to choose at least one unique number from a
defined range of numbers, e.g. between one and one million which
hopefully no-one else has or will select before the end of the
competition. The participant can register their selection with an
entry-logging engine (which can be an automated call answering system
allowing the user to key in the number chosen by using the telephone
keypad). This records the identity or contact details of the participant
(for example telephone number or email address), the number selected by
the participant, and the date and time of the entry, the entry-logging
engine giving the participant an optional receipt number.