2009 Press Releases

July 20, 2009

HOT LOTTO® JACKPOT NEARS RECORD HIGH
Delaware Lottery urges responsible play as payout and excitement mount

Dover, DE -- As this Wednesday's HOT LOTTO® jackpot grows towards an estimated annuity prize of more than $12.9 million, the Delaware Lottery reminds players to enjoy all games responsibly and within their means. The current top prize would represent the second largest Hot Lotto jackpot since the game's national launch more than seven years ago.

"While larger jackpots are always tempting, it's important to remember that it takes only one ticket to win," Lottery Director Wayne Lemons reminded excited players. "Every game ticket offers the same chance of winning the top prize, and the Lottery urges players to spend only what they can comfortably afford."

The current Hot Lotto jackpot run started March 4 and there have already been 38 draws in the run. The July 18th draw set a new sales record in Delaware with $58,960. The largest Hot Lotto jackpot ever claimed dates from Jan. 13, 2007, when an Iowa winner took home $19.82 million. The first Hot Lotto drawing was held April 10, 2002.

There have been more than 70,867 winners of all prizes in this run, with approximately $416,962 already handed out. Two local players hit for $10,000 in the July 1 and July 8 drawings, but neither has yet come forward to claim their winnings. For an additional $1, players can triple their payout if they win a set cash prize by adding the Hot Lotto Sizzler.

"Sizzler is easy to add, but less than a quarter of players have been using it so far this run," said Lemons. "For a chance to triple your winnings, simply mark the Sizzler option on your play slip or ask your Retailer to add it to your Hot Lotto play."

The Delaware Lottery reminds players that prizes must be claimed within one year from the date of the drawing.

Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed more than $3 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.

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