1/28/2008 - 4:19 PM

New Millionaire Raffle Sales Set to Start Feb. 18

The odds of winning $1 million have never been better for Louisiana Lottery players starting Monday, Feb. 18. That's when sales begin for the Lottery's first-ever $10 raffle game, Millionaire Raffle.

Like a traditional raffle game, only a limited number of tickets will be available - 300,000 to be exact - and when they're gone, they're gone. On April 15, one $1 million winning raffle number will be drawn from those sold, along with five numbers worth $50,000 and another 500 numbers worth $500. In all, 506 players will win $1,500,000 in cash prizes.

"With its large top prize and mounting anticipation, Millionaire Raffle is the perfect game for friends and co-workers to play together and share in the excitement," said Lottery President Rose Hudson.

Based on the excitement of its retailers and the popularity of lottery raffles across the country, the Lottery is expecting the game to sell out well in advance of the April 15 drawing. In fact, results from a recent online Lottery player survey suggest the likelihood for a quick sell out is high with 91 percent of respondents saying they would purchase a raffle ticket.

Raffle numbers will be generated in sequential order from 000001 to 300000. Players can purchase more than one raffle ticket at $10 each, but each number will print on a separate ticket.

"For security purposes, we strongly suggest that players sign the back of their ticket immediately after purchasing and treat the ticket as cash, securing it until the drawing," advised Hudson. Players must present their original winning ticket by Oct. 12, 2008, in order to claim any raffle prize.

Odds of winning the $1 million prize are 1 in 300,000. Odds of winning any prize are 1 in 593.

Millionaire Raffle tickets may be purchased legally only from an authorized Louisiana Lottery retailer and only by those age 21 and older.

Complete game rules are available on the Lottery's Web site, and Millionaire Raffle drawing results, including a listing of all 506 winning raffle numbers for all three prize tiers, will be available on the site after 3 p.m. on April 15 following the drawing.

As with all of its games, the Lottery reminds players to play responsibly and help is available to those who may have a gambling problem by calling toll-free, 1-877-770-7867.

Here's what some of our retailers had to say: