The Illinois Lottery launched its holiday scratcher lineup on October 4. There are five offered, ranging in price from $1 to $20.
Holiday Cash Doubler, $1 (Scientific Games)
National Lampoon’s Holiday Vacation, $2 (Scientific Games)
$500 Holiday Gold, $5 (Scientific Games)
Holiday Sparkle, $10 (Pollard Banknote)
Merry Money Multiplier, $20 (Scientific Games)
The $500 Holiday Gold ticket is expected to sell well. “Recent industry trends suggest that $5 games have become a more common entry point for new players. With that in mind, we attempted to enhance our $5 offerings appeal with gold Sparkle. Additionally, we increased the play value by adding two bonus spots and loaded the game with meaningful prizes that are cashable at retail to provide a strong winning experience, explicitly calling out that it’s loaded with $500 prizes,” said Meghan Powers, Communications Director, Illinois Lottery.
To ensure consistent inventory through the holiday season, the lottery launched three winter-themed games in November. They range in price from $2 to $3.
Winter Winnings, $2 (Scientific Games)
Peppermint Payday, $3 (Scientific Games)
Big Blizzard Blowout, $10 (Scientific Games)
To increase awareness at retail, the Illinois Lottery will run a decorating contest with Instant Ticket Voids. “Participating chain accounts will compete against other stores for best-decorated customer service or front-end of the store in the chain. The stores will submit pictures and the winning stores will receive gift cards and instant tickets as prizes,” said Powers.
The lottery will also be hosting a toy drive at a number of partner retailers during the holidays. “Members of the public are encouraged to drop off toys for the Boys and Girls Club Alliance (BGCA) of Illinois and will be thanked with a holiday instant ticket. Only those 18+ are eligible to participate. Last year’s drive collected over 1,000 presents for the BGCA,” said Powers.
The Lottery is also running the Wrap-Up Your Holiday Sweepstakes. It is open to those who are 18 years of age or older, are Illinois residents, and have an iLottery account.” Entrants will be able to enter through the sweepstakes entry page located on IllinoisLottery.com and the Illinois Lottery app. Entrants will have a chance to win a $5,000, $1,000, or one of two $500 gift cards. The sweepstakes will be promoted through digital channels such as owned social and email, and website placements, but also through holiday POS in our retail locations,” said Powers.