DELAWARE LOTTERY CONFIRMS NEW YEAR'S EVE RAFFLE DRAWING
Sales lag may improve prize odds for ticket holders if no game sell-out

Dover, DE -- As ticket sales for the DELAWARE RAFFLE game mirror sluggish sales trends in the national lottery industry, general retailing, and the overall economy, the Delaware Lottery has confirmed it will hold the 2008 Delaware Raffle drawing on New Year's Eve as originally planned. As advertised, all Delaware Raffle prizes-including the $250,000 cash top prize-will be awarded to winning ticket holders even if some of the 100,000 originally offered tickets remain unsold. Ticket sales will end at 3:00 p.m. on December 31, 2008.

"Players have asked Lottery officials and our retail partners whether we're going to postpone the drawing until more tickets are sold, as other states have done," said Delaware Lottery Director, Wayne Lemons. "We remain committed to our originally planned New Year's Eve drawing and are excited to award the quarter-million-dollar prize and 255 great prizes to lucky ticket holders that night. It's a great way for us and our players to usher in 2009 with style."

Ticket sales for the $10 Delaware Raffle game have steadily increased in recent days, just as most retail segments typically enjoy a spike during the final two weeks of December. However, this year could mark the first year the Delaware Lottery game will not sell out in its three-year run. "Many raffle games run by other U.S. Lotteries this year have experienced the same sales conditions," said Lemons. "We're very pleased with the response of our players over the years and we're pleased to be able to deliver the excitement they expected when they decided to purchase their Delaware Raffle tickets again this year."

Many retailers say customers have already purchased tickets as holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for friends, family and co-workers, and may return to pick up last-minute Raffle tickets as in years past.

The winning Raffle numbers will be drawn at Delaware Lottery headquarters on Dec. 31. Players are encouraged to check their potentially winning numbers at www.delottery.com, call the Delaware Lottery hotline at 1-800-338-6200 or check their tickets at any Delaware Lottery Retailer.

The Delaware Lottery reminds players to immediately sign their tickets after purchase and store them in a safe place.

Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed more than $2.8 billion to the state's General Fund to help finance needed state services that benefit everyone in Delaware. The Lottery offers a variety of games: POWERBALL®, HOT LOTTO®, MULTI-WIN LOTTO, PLAY 3, PLAY 4, and assorted Instant Games. Delaware Lottery game and promotional details are available at delottery.com, at licensed retailers, and from the Lottery's office in Dover.

Winner Privacy is our Policy.
The Delaware Lottery only publishes winner names with their consent.

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