FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, October 30, 2009

CONTACT: David Workman         

209-334-2600

Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle Tickets on Sale at Midnight Tonight

Boise – Midnight tonight.  The witching hour. A waxing Hunter’s Moon. Halloween begins. What could be luckier?

Shortly after midnight tonight at 12:01 a.m. on Halloween, Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle tickets will go on sale to the public where Idaho Lottery products are sold. Just like the two previous editions of this popular game, tickets will cost $10 each and the Idaho Lottery will only issue 250,000. One winning ticket will be worth a guaranteed $1,000,000.  

“This is the third edition of our Holiday Raffle and what could be a luckier way to start it off than on Halloween?” said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. “It’s trick or treat for grown ups.”

This year’s Raffle features over 3,000 prizes, more than the two previous years prizes combined.  In addition to the top prize of $1,000,000, there are four $10,000 prizes, sixty $1,000, one thousand $100 prizes, and two thousand $50 prizes.

The first Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle in 2007 sold out in just 36 days and last year’s sold out in 53 days.  The winning ticket in 2007 was purchased by Bob Chester, Boise, who bought his ticket in the 11^th minute of sales on the first day.  Last year’s winner, Greg and Cathie Owen of Buhl, bought their million dollar winner the day before Thanksgiving.

“This game always sells out early. When the tickets are gone, they’re gone,” added Anderson. “Once players purchase their tickets, we strongly encourage them to sign it and keep it in a safe place until the winning numbers announcement in December.”

Idaho Lottery retailers are gearing up for the launch of the game.  There have been reports of stores taking orders for tickets from players who don’t want to make the midnight trek to buy tickets, but still want to make sure they get one.

“With the excitement of this year’s Raffle, we are recommending players play responsibly and within their means,” added Anderson.

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ABOUT THE IDAHO LOTTERY

The Idaho Lottery responsibly provides a variety of entertaining games featuring Powerball, Scratch™ tickets, and PullTabs with a high degree of integrity to maximize the dividend for Idaho public schools and the permanent building fund. Since it’s inception in 1989, the Idaho Lottery has sold more than $1.8 billion in products, awarded over $1.1 billion in prizes to players, returned more than $108 million in retail commissions, and distributed more than $437 million in Lottery dividends to state public schools and buildings. To learn more, please visit www.idaholottery.com.