LOCAL NEWS
Lottery celebrates its 40th anniversary with groovy 80s scratch off
Jul 15, 2022, 9:20 AM
FILE - A Mega Millions playslip for those players preferring to choose the numbers they want to play is among the stacks of other lottery game playslips displayed at a Smoker Friendly store in Cranberry Township, Pa., Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. State lotteries spend more than a half-billion dollars a year on pervasive marketing campaigns that deliver hopeful messages, designed to persuade people to play often, spend more and overlook the long odds of winning. But for every dollar players spend on the lottery, they will lose about 35 cents on average, according to an analysis of lottery data by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Washington State Lottery is celebrating its 40th Anniversary July 16, and with it are debuting a new game.
To celebrate, Lottery Director Marcus Glasper says they are releasing a new limited-edition game, to reflect its start in 1982. The scratch-off will be 80s themed with “neon, retro-electric design” and is coming to stores July 18.
Over the past 40 years, the lottery has had sales of over $17 billion and $10.5 billion in prizes awarded.
“We’re extremely excited to celebrate this momentous occasion today, as we reflect on all that Washington’s Lottery has done over the last 40 years and all we have to look forward to for the years to come,” said Marcus Glasper, director of Washington’s Lottery.
Along with that, they have returned $4.5 billion back to state programs, primarily educational programs.
“In its lifetime, Washington’s Lottery has provided a tremendous impact to communities across Washington, and truthfully none of these contributions would be possible without Lottery sales, which are all thanks to our players and retailer partners,” Glasper shared.
The organization is aware that some people may have gambling issues, so they’ve partnered with the Evergreen Council for Problem Gambling to provide resources to those in need.
