Method for verifying the age or location of a player before initiating play of an internet-based game

A server-implemented method for verifying age or geographic location of a player of an Internet-based lottery game, the method comprising:

• providing, via a terminal, lottery tickets for purchase by a player at an authorized retail location, the lottery tickets having a game authorization code;
• receiving, via an Internet enabled device (IDE), the game authorization code from the player so as to initiate play of the Internet-based lottery game;
• the terminal of the authorized retail location in communication with a lottery system central computer that is in further communication with an Internet game server for implementing the Internet-based lottery game via a web site;
• verifying the age of the player at the authorized retail location and, for verified players, generating a separate verification password via the terminal of the lottery system central computer, the verification password linked to the game authorization code;
• after verifying the age of the player at the authorized retail location and generating the separate verification password, providing, via the terminal of the lottery system central computer, the verification password to the player;
• and
• upon initiating play of the Internet-based lottery game, requiring the player to enter the verification password separately from the game authorization code,
• wherein the Internet game server communicates with the lottery system central computer to ensure that the entered verification password corresponds to the linked verification password prior to permitting the player to proceed with play of the Internet-based lottery game.