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Microsoft Word Document of Karis Ratcliff News Release

DATE: June 27, 2008
CONTACT: Karie Lowe (785) 296-5744, karie.lowe@kslottery.net

Salina Resident Almost Threw Away Ticket Worth $10,000

TOPEKA, KAN. – Like many players, Karis Ratcliff had the misconception that the 3-letter validation codes on instant scratch tickets would “spell” whether or not they had a winning ticket. As Ratcliff quickly found out, this simply is not true. The Salina resident purchased 10 $2 Kitty Cash/Doggy Dough instant scratch tickets, winning a $10,000 top prize on one.

“A friend of mine was looking at all the tickets I had scratched,” said Ratcliff. “I thought they were all non-winners because the codes didn’t spell anything. Thank goodness he checked them, because one of them was a $10,000 winner!”

The Kansas Lottery prints 3-letter validation codes on instant scratch tickets and pull tabs for the sole purpose of helping retailers “sight” validate winning tickets up to $599. For example, a $1 winner would have a 3-letter code of O-N-E, displayed somewhere in the scratch area of the game. The 3-letter validation codes on winners of $600 or more, however, do not spell anything. They are meaningless.

“When he showed me the winning ticket, I started screaming,” said Ratcliff. “I almost threw away $10,000.”

After sharing the good news with all her family and a few friends, Ratcliff placed her winning ticket into a large envelope for safe keeping.

“My grandpa was a big part of this,” said Ratcliff. “When he was alive, he would buy lottery tickets and give them to us grandkids. He’s looking over me and would be very happy that I won.”

Ratcliff plans to save her winnings.

The winning ticket was purchased at Kwik Shop 739, located at 1600 S. 9th St. in Salina.