Microsoft Word document of news release

Media-ready jpg of Holiday Millionaire Raffle artwork

DATE: October 9, 2009
CONTACT: Sally Lunsford (785) 296-5708, sally.lunsford@kslottery.net

Raffle Excitement Spreading in Kansas;
Tickets Go on Sale Oct. 18

TOPEKA, KAN. – Word is spreading quickly about the Kansas Lottery’s first-ever raffle, and excitement among players is high. Tickets for the Holiday Millionaire Raffle go on sale at 5:00 a.m. Sunday, October 18.

“We open at 6:00 a.m. that day, and I have a whole list of people who want me to print their tickets the minute I get to work,” said Carol Klema, owner of Lakeside Convenience in Glen Elder. “They’re afraid all the tickets will be gone before they have a chance to buy one.”

The Lottery will sell just 150,000 tickets. When they’re gone, they’re gone. Each ticket costs $20. The tickets will be sold through lottery terminals, with the first one purchased bearing serial number 000001, all the way to the last one with serial number 150000.

“I definitely think they’re going to go fast,” said Tammy Bonnett, owner of Tammy’s on the Go in Topeka. “The odds are so good.”

The Holiday Millionaire Raffle comes with the best chances the Lottery has ever offered of winning a million dollars at 1 in 150,000. There are also other amounts available to win in this Kansas-only game, including five $50,000 prizes and five hundred $500 prizes.

“Our customers are waiting anxiously for the raffle,” said Trudy Julius, manager of Heritage Restaurant in Wichita. “They like new things and they’re really excited about the chance to win a million dollars!”

Sales for the Holiday Millionaire Raffle will end on December 30, 2009, if the game is not already sold out by then. The raffle drawing will occur on December 31, 2009. Players must retain their original Holiday Millionaire Raffle tickets to claim a prize!

Lottery offices have answered numerous calls and e-mails since the Holiday Millionaire Raffle was announced. The Lottery has received many inquiries from out-of-state residents wanting to know how to purchase tickets. Players do not have to be Kansas residents to play or win. However, Internet and mail purchases are prohibited by federal law. Tickets are only available at officially licensed Kansas Lottery retailers.

“A guy from Alabama called today,” said Lottery Customer Liaison Karie Lowe. “He has a brother who lives here in Kansas, and he’s going to send him money to buy him some raffle tickets. We’ve had a lot of calls like that.”

The Lottery has also received calls from several individuals who are organizing groups of friends, family or co-workers to purchase tickets and play as a “pool.”

“We have no idea how long it will take to sell out the raffle,” said Communications Director Sally Lunsford. “Our best advice? If you want a ticket and the chance to win a million bucks before the end of the year, get your ticket or tickets right away when sales start on October 18.”

As with any lottery game, the Kansas Lottery reminds players to play responsibly, sign their tickets and keep them in a safe place until the drawing.

For more information on the Holiday Millionaire Raffle, click here.