TALLAHASSEE, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ — The Florida Lottery’s most successful family of Scratch-Off games is growing! On Tuesday, July 5, 2011, four new MONOPOLY(TM) games will launch with prices ranging from $1 to $10. The new games, along with the existing $20 game, $3,000,000 MONOPOLY, will make up the MONOPOLY(TM) family of Scratch-Off games.
“Over the years, our players have embraced this spin on America’s classic board game,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell. “Not only are these new MONOPOLY Scratch-Off games fun to play, but they offer players top prizes ranging from $5,000 to $1 million. And, players with non-winning tickets will have the opportunity to win Florida vacation getaways and cash prizes through a second chance promotion.”
Given that tourism is such a vital part of Florida’s economy, VISIT FLORIDA is proud to partner with The Florida Lottery to offer players a unique opportunity to discover just a few of the state’s four-star resorts. “Because a healthy travel and tourism industry is an important part of creating and sustaining jobs in Florida, VISIT FLORIDA was eager to participate in this collaborative effort,” said Christopher Thompson, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA.
During the second chance promotion, players have the opportunity to win one of 12 amazing Florida vacation getaway packages to the Oaseas Resort in Panama City Beach, Hawk’s Cay Island Resort on Duck Key, Reunion(r) Resort and Club in Orlando, and Hammock Beach Resort? in Palm Coast. “VISIT FLORIDA is always grateful to our dedicated partner businesses who continue to invest in programs that are focused on bolstering tourism and Florida’s economy,” said Thompson.
Players will be able to enter any non-winning Florida Lottery MONOPOLY(TM) ticket in the ADVANCE TO GO(TM) Second Chance promotion on the Lottery’s website. Players will have the opportunity to play the MONOPOLY(TM) Bonus Board Game and “earn” MONOPOLY(TM) Money for entries into the second chance drawings, which will be held on July 20, August 10, August 31, and September 21.
In each of the four drawings, one grand prize winner will be awarded $10,000 and a MONOPOLY(TM) Premier Edition board game. Three second prize winners will be awarded a Florida vacation getaway consisting of a minimum 3-day/2-night, four-star Florida hotel package and $1,000 spending cash; 15 players will “Advance to Go(TM)” and collect $200 plus a MONOPOLY(TM) Premier Edition board game; and 30 players will win a MONOPOLY(TM) Premier Edition board game.
The Florida Lottery introduced its first MONOPOLY(TM) -themed Scratch-Off game 15 years ago with the launch of $2 INSTANT MONOPOLY(TM). The game performed so well that additional price points were added to form the Lottery’s most successful and sustaining “family of games.” Today, MONOPOLY(TM) is the most popular licensed brand offered by the Florida Lottery with combined sales for all MONOPOLY(TM) games totaling more than $3 billion.
Florida voters, by a two-to-one margin, approved a constitutional amendment in 1986 authorizing the state to operate a lottery for the purpose of generating significant additional moneys for education. Today, Floridians continue to show their support by purchasing nearly $4 billion in Lottery products per year, resulting in contributions of more than $22 billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund since 1988.
Editor’s Note: low income families, out of work individuals, and those with financial issues should not play the lottery in lieu of using funds to pay normal living expenses. Any lottery is a game of chance, where the odds are against the player and the chances of winning are fairly low overall. Play cautiously if you can afford it, and spend wisely and with the expectation of loss, not a windfall.