Illinois Lottery Introduces a Summer Raffle Game

CHICAGO, May 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois Lottery launched its July 4^th Millionaire Raffle game this week at more than 8,100 retailers statewide.  Raffle tickets for the first time cost only $10 and will remain on sale until July 4^th or until tickets sell out.  This is the lottery's first raffle game that includes $500,000 weekly prizes to ticket holders leading up to the grand prize drawing for two $1,000,000 prizes on Independence Day. Weekly drawings will take place each Thursday in June; allowing ticket purchasers multiple chances at substantial raffle prizes.

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Once a $10 4th of July Raffle ticket is purchased, it will be eligible for all drawings held subsequent to purchase.  For instance, a raffle ticket purchased before the first drawing on June 6 will be entered into all five raffle drawings.  Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 172. Odds of winning a $1,000,000 prize are 1 in 500,000 based on 1 million tickets sold. Odds will vary based on the number of tickets sold prior to each drawing.

The weekly raffle drawings will take place on June 6, June 13, June 20 and June 27 and will award the following prizes to those who bought raffle tickets:
One (1) – $500,000 prize
Ten (10) – $10,000 prizes
1,000 – $100 prizes

The 4^th of July Raffle Grand Prize drawing will take place on July 4^th and will award the following prizes to ticket holders:
Two (2) – $1 million prizes
Ten (10) – $10,000 prizes
1,764 – $100 prizes

The 4^th of July Millionaire Raffle is played like a typical raffle game with a finite number of tickets and prizes. Each raffle ticket, available at all of the lottery's 8100 lottery retailers, contains a unique number generated by the Lottery terminal. Raffle tickets are sold in sequential order throughout the state beginning on May 27 with ticket number 0000001 and ending with ticket number 1000000. To win one of the 1,776 prizes, a player's raffle ticket must exactly match one of the 1,776 winning numbers selected.

Winning raffle numbers will be available on the Illinois Lottery's website at www.illinoislottery.com after each drawing. Any adult in Illinois can stay on top of weekly winning numbers and get reminders and results notification delivered to their cellular phone; text "Raffles" to 4-6-7-8-6 (Mobile carrier fee may apply).  The Illinois Lottery's website offers additional information on drawings, including a how to play video and updates on raffle sales.  The Illinois Lottery will be at various fairs and festivals throughout the state promoting the 4^th of July Millionaire Raffle ticket. Be on the lookout for Uncle Sam at select Lottery promotions.  For a detailed list please contact Chanele Newton at 312-368-5814.                                 

About Illinois Lottery
Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $17.5 billion to the state's Common School Fund to assist K-12 public schools, as well as millions to the Capital Projects Fund. The Lottery encourages responsible play. All players must be at least 18 years old.

Contact: Mike Lang (217) 524-5158
Chanele Newton (312) 368-5814

SOURCE Illinois Lottery