SACRAMENTO - The California Lottery is excited to announce that the one-millionth Raffle number was sold today for its newest game, Million Dollar Raffle. Sales began on Monday, February 5, and a mere four days later over one million Raffle numbers have already been purchased.
The Million Dollar Raffle offers the best odds of winning a million bucks ever offered by a California Lottery game and will make up to ten lucky players millionaires on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. There are a limited number of tickets available and for only a limited time. Sales end on St. Patrick’s Day or when all Raffle numbers are sold, whichever comes first. Get your Raffle numbers while you still can!
In addition to up to ten $1 million Grand Prizes, four preliminary draws for ten, $10,000 cash prizes in each draw will be held on the Saturdays leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. That means that players who purchase their Raffle tickets by February 17 will have five different chances to win! After every preliminary draw, previously purchased raffle numbers, even winning ones, will remain eligible for all subsequent draws and the Grand Prize drawing on March 17.
The Million Dollar Raffle is played just like other "raffle" style games. There are a maximum of five million unique seven digit Raffle numbers available for sale at $5 per number. Numbers are sold in sequence and when all five million are gone, they’re gone. A minimum of five Grand Prize winners of $1 million cash each will be drawn on St. Patrick’s Day. If all five million Raffle numbers are sold, ten $1 million Grand Prizes will be awarded. In addition to the Grand Prize drawing on St. Patrick’s Day, there will be four preliminary draws for ten, $10,000 cash prizes in each draw. The preliminary draws will be conducted on February 17, February 24, March 3 and March 10, 2007. Raffle numbers remain eligible for subsequent draws. Also, for every $20 spent on a ticket, the Lottery will give away another Raffle number free! That means that every $20 Raffle ticket will include five Raffle numbers.
Million Dollar Raffle tickets are available at all Lottery retailers. On draw days, tickets must be purchased before 6:00 p.m. to participate in that evening’s draw. Winning Raffle numbers will be announced on television at approximately 6:58 p.m. on draw nights on local Lottery stations (consult local listings). Winning numbers will also be available at Lottery retailers and on the Lottery’s website, www.calottery.com. Prizes will be paid at cash value (no annuitized prizes) and winning tickets must be claimed within 180 days of the draw in which the prize was won. Odds of winning a $1 million Grand Prize if all five million Raffle numbers are sold are 1 in 500,000.