Florida Lottery’s $500 Raffle promotion nears its end. Here is what it is and how to enter.
Whether it is Mega Millions or Powerball, everyone know just how hard it is to pick the right lottery numbers.
But for the last month, players have had the opportunity to enter a raffle promotion for perhaps a slightly better chance at winning at least some money, even if it's nowhere near the big prize.
Since the Florida Lottery’s $500 Raffle promotion began last month, 600 tickets have won the extra prize, for a total of $300,000 in winnings.
With the first three drawings complete, another three remain until the end of October — that is if the number of raffle tickets issued does not reach the limit set by the lottery.
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But what is that limit? And what do you have to do to have a chance to win the $500 prize? Here is what to know:
What is the Florida Lottery’s $500 Raffle promotion?
The $500 raffle is a limited time promotion that gives lottery players “who purchase a single ticket for any Cash Pop, Florida Lotto, Mega Millions or Powerball draw game for a $10 or greater purchase price” to win the bonus prize, according to the Florida Lottery.
Six drawings were scheduled for every Monday between Sept. 18 and Oct. 30, with 100 players rewarded at each drawing. The drawing entry periods are the seven days prior to each drawing date.
But there is an additional rule that can change the schedule: “Upon the issuance of the 9,999,999th raffle ticket, raffle tickets will no longer be issued,” according to the lottery.
As of Wednesday, 8,810,803 had been issued, according to the Florida Lottery’s website.
However, if the limit is reached before the next scheduled drawing, “all non-winning raffle tickets issued throughout the promotion period (less raffle tickets previously drawn as winner) will be entered into an upcoming drawing, if any, and subsequent promotion drawings, if any remain.”
How does the Florida Lottery Raffle work?
The purchase of a valid lottery ticket “will trigger a terminal or vending machine, as applicable, to automatically print one raffle ticket,” according to the lottery.
“A ‘Winning Alert’ will sound when a raffle ticket is generated. A prize alert symbol will print on qualifying draw game tickets,” the lottery website says. “Each raffle ticket will contain a unique number that will automatically be entered into the next available promotion drawing. Players shall keep their original raffle ticket/s throughout the promotion period, which will be needed for determining if a prize has been won and for redeeming a prize won, if any.”
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The next three drawings are scheduled for Oct. 16, 23 and 30.
How to check Florida Lottery Raffle tickets
The winning raffle numbers will be posted on the lottery's website at www.flalottery.com.
Other than publishing the winning number on its website, the lottery “will not attempt to further notify any prize winner.”
“A player may also check his/her raffle ticket at any lottery retailer or lottery office or by scanning the raffle ticket via ‘Check My Ticket’ on the Florida Lottery's app,” according to the lottery.
Players can redeem winning tickets at any lottery retailer or lottery office or may mail it to the Florida Lottery at Claims Processing, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32301.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida Lottery Raffle promotion ends soon. Here's how to enter.
