The Maryland Lottery will add a new and completely different type of game to its product mix on November 20th with the launch of Countdown to Millions, a $20 raffle-style game.
Unlike other lottery and jackpot games, Countdown to Millions offers a limited number of tickets designed to be sold in their entirety prior to awarding prizes.
The game differs from other lottery and jackpot games where the total number of possible combinations seldom, if ever, sells out. "As we move into the holiday season, we think a game styled after a raffle will be tremendously popular among players," said Lottery Director Buddy Roogow. "The game's specific start, finite number of tickets, and culmination on New Year's Eve will give players another new and exciting lottery experience."
Raffle-style games are new to the industry, at least in the United States, but are beginning to capture the interest of players across the country.
The Pennsylvania Lottery was the first lottery to introduce an online raffle-style game with its 2005 Millionaire Raffle ticket. The game sold out just 16 days after its launch and serves as a model for several lotteries that have designed similar games.
The oldest-running raffle-style game, and one of the most popular lotteries in the world, is El Gordo of Spain. Started in 1812, El Gordo pays out more than $2 billion in prize money each Christmas, and holds the attention of the entire country of Spain on the day of the drawing.
El Gordo pays out a whopping 70% of the total revenues of ticket sales, and is the basis of all the USA raffle-style games that have become popular in recent years.
Based on the popularity of raffle games and the success experienced by those state lotteries that have launched versions of the game, the Maryland Lottery anticipates its newest game will be well-received.
In total, 420,000 Countdown to Millions tickets will be available from which four separate grand prizes of $1 million will be awarded. The game provides players with the Lottery's best odds of winning $1 million and also offers eight $50,000 prizes and 800 prizes ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Still not all that great, but it's the best I've seen. Best chance at winning a million, and the best chance at winning something. And a 58% payout is not bad either.
I might get one if I pass through MD anytime soon.. but maybe they should call it "Copycat Millions"? Again, bear in mind, it's computer-generated so it's not systemable but the odds are worth trying anyway.
Definitely is lower then the amount PA is issuing. PA to dispense 600,000 tickets.
Lower tickets =somewhat better odds to win! :)
Dispite the extra taxes in MD, I may just whistle my way down to Dixie and get a ticket or two! :)
Interestingly enough, MD allows the drawing to be held earlier then Dec 31st. It can be contingent on how fast the tickets sell out. They reserve the right to announce the winning numbers though on Dec 31st.
I wonder if NY has/had been looking into a raffle (last year, it had King Kong Millions.) NY just hired a new lottery director, so that may have complicated things.
I whislted Dixie and got my ticket this evening. Sales must be weak. The ticket number was less then 20k numeric number. So for the first day of kick off sales, its not fairing like PA sales does. Last year on the first day, Within two hours of opening the game play, I was holding a ticket in the 50k marking. I seriously hope they can sell them all before the end date. I like to see winners and players in this game!
You might want to try the Delaware Raffle. The Grand Prize is $250,000 but it offers the best odds of any raffle in the North East and the price is only $10 not $20. 1 in 100,000 for the grand prize and 1 in 390 for a prize of at least $500. Only 100,000 tickets available and over 30% are already sold.
A million is nice, but $250,000 with those odds is a better bet. And in Delaware you can remain anonymous as a winner and there are no state taxes on gambling winnings. Think about it.
Quote: Originally posted by rwsmes on Nov 21, 2006
You might want to try the Delaware Raffle. The Grand Prize is $250,000 but it offers the best odds of any raffle in the North East and the price is only $10 not $20. 1 in 100,000 for the grand prize and 1 in 390 for a prize of at least $500. Only 100,000 tickets available and over 30% are already sold.
A million is nice, but $250,000 with those odds is a better bet. And in Delaware you can remain anonymous as a winner and there are no state taxes on gambling winnings. Think about it.
Agree. $250K is still a great prize and $10 is much more reasonable. I know the FL raffle is offering 10 $1 million prizes, but to many people spending $20 for each ticket is a lot of money. (5) of the $10 tickets is only $50 compared to $100. The odds for the FL raffle are still pretty good compared to most games - "only" 1:125,000 to win one of the million dollar prizes and they are limited the amount of tickets to 1,250,000. The lottery today said that over 50% were sold during the first 3 days. I'm guessing it's a combination of the population here, the amount of lottery players and also the number people with 'disposable' incomes. (never quite understood that expression. lol)
Georgia has a Game like this listed below. I got my ticket.
4 tickets will win $1 million each! 5 tickets will win $100,000 each! 500 tickets will win $1,000 each!
Odds of winning $1 million are 1 in 125,000
What is the Millionaire Raffle?
Millionaire Raffle is a new and exciting, limited-time game from the Georgia Lottery that creates four new Georgia millionaires in time for the New Year! With the best odds ever of winning $1 million from the Georgia Lottery, 1 in 125,000, Millionaire Raffle tickets are expected to be a hot ticket this holiday season
Still not all that great, but it's the best I've seen. Best chance at winning a million, and the best chance at winning something. And a 58% payout is not bad either.
I might get one if I pass through MD anytime soon.. but maybe they should call it "Copycat Millions"? Again, bear in mind, it's computer-generated so it's not systemable but the odds are worth trying anyway.
this game will sell out fast. we had a similar game where there were limited tickets sold and people were buying 20 tickets at a time.
limited ticket being dispensed: 420,000. (MD)
Definitely is lower then the amount PA is issuing. PA to dispense 600,000 tickets.
Lower tickets =somewhat better odds to win! :)
Dispite the extra taxes in MD, I may just whistle my way down to Dixie and get a ticket or two! :)
Interestingly enough, MD allows the drawing to be held earlier then Dec 31st. It can be contingent on how fast the tickets sell out. They reserve the right to announce the winning numbers though on Dec 31st.
Plus only ONE more top prize of a million. Oops I mean less than $750,000. But the lottery don't want you thinking that.
I wonder if NY has/had been looking into a raffle (last year, it had King Kong Millions.) NY just hired a new lottery director, so that may have complicated things.
I will be making the 7 mile trek to the MD border for one or two of these.
I whislted Dixie and got my ticket this evening. Sales must be weak. The ticket number was less then 20k numeric number. So for the first day of kick off sales, its not fairing like PA sales does. Last year on the first day, Within two hours of opening the game play, I was holding a ticket in the 50k marking. I seriously hope they can sell them all before the end date. I like to see winners and players in this game!
You might want to try the Delaware Raffle. The Grand Prize is $250,000 but it offers the best odds of any raffle in the North East and the price is only $10 not $20. 1 in 100,000 for the grand prize and 1 in 390 for a prize of at least $500. Only 100,000 tickets available and over 30% are already sold.
A million is nice, but $250,000 with those odds is a better bet. And in Delaware you can remain anonymous as a winner and there are no state taxes on gambling winnings. Think about it.
Agree. $250K is still a great prize and $10 is much more reasonable. I know the FL raffle is offering 10 $1 million prizes, but to many people spending $20 for each ticket is a lot of money. (5) of the $10 tickets is only $50 compared to $100. The odds for the FL raffle are still pretty good compared to most games - "only" 1:125,000 to win one of the million dollar prizes and they are limited the amount of tickets to 1,250,000. The lottery today said that over 50% were sold during the first 3 days. I'm guessing it's a combination of the population here, the amount of lottery players and also the number people with 'disposable' incomes. (never quite understood that expression. lol)
Happy Holiday's to All
Georgia has a Game like this listed below.
I got my ticket.
5 tickets will win $100,000 each!
500 tickets will win $1,000 each!
Odds of winning $1 million are 1 in 125,000
What is the Millionaire Raffle?
Millionaire Raffle is a new and exciting, limited-time game from the Georgia Lottery that creates four new Georgia millionaires in time for the New Year! With the best odds ever of winning $1 million from the Georgia Lottery, 1 in 125,000, Millionaire Raffle tickets are expected to be a hot ticket this holiday season