I purchased one ticket on 11/22. It was in the 48K range. I purchased a second today (11/26). It was in the 79K range. So they sold 30K+ tickets from the 22nd through the 26th. Travelers for Thanksgiving probably helped boost sales I would imagine.
I decided to get off the interstate and see some "countryside". If anyone doesn't know, Florida countryside has pine trees. Lots and lots of pine trees. Pine tree farms, pine tree forests, pine tree lots, and pine tree woods. Did I mention the pine trees.
I digress... was out in the middle of nowhere and stopped at an old, mom and pop type, station that certainly was showing its age. I was surprised it was open on Thanksgiving day. I go in and ask for a Florida raffle ticket. The clerk looked confused, then starts looking at the scratch-offs. I tell her it is not a scratch-off, it is an online game. She still looks confused and stares at scratch-offs. I again said it is an online game like Powerball and Megamillions. She stares at her terminal. I told her there should be a button for it just like, again, Powerball and Megamillions. She timidly pushes a button and low and behold states "raffle". I said that is it. She gets me a ticket then confesses it was the first raffle ticket the store has sold! Beginners luck?! I certainly hope so!
I like your idea, SB, of how you plan to buy your raffle tickets. I doubt I will make it back to Florida before the draw, but at least have two tickets, and the latter one I really have a good gut feeling about. Good luck to you, as well!