Capitalizing on fans' emotional connection to the New Orleans Saints, the Louisiana Lottery will launch its fourth team-branded scratch-off game on Aug. 27, aptly named I LOVE MY SAINTS.
The game features three ticket scenes, five top prizes of $100,000 and four second-chance drawings for game-day ticket packages and official autographed merchandise prizes.
"As football season gears up, our players look forward to seeing our Saints scratch-off in retailers' dispensers across the state," said Lottery President Rose Hudson. "We share the deep affinity our players have for their 'home team,' so we are adding extra value to their purchase by offering them the chance to win VIP fan prizes."
Four second-chance drawings will involve a total of 34 winners. During the first three drawings, one winner will each receive a 2012 Saints Prize Package to include four Plaza Club Sideline tickets to a designated Saints home game with access to the Plaza Bunker Club, a parking pass, four pregame field passes, one night hotel accommodation (two rooms), a $200 dinner allotment and $500 spending cash. Also in each of the first three drawings, 10 finalists will receive an official autographed Saints jersey, football, helmet or set of football gloves.
During the fourth and final drawing, one winner will receive a Saints 2013 Season Prize Package to include four Plaza Sideline 2013 season tickets, a 2013 season parking pass, four 2013 pregame field passes, a tour of the Saints practice facility and lunch with the Saints head coach for up to four people.
The Lottery renewed its sponsorship agreement with the Saints in May, and the second-chance drawing prizes were provided to the Lottery as part of that agreement.
"We're pleased to count the Louisiana Lottery among the New Orleans Saints' longtime partners," said New Orleans Saints President Dennis Lauscha. "Their support has been invaluable in adding another layer of excitement to our fans' experience."
To further involve players in the game, the Lottery held a "Casting Call" Facebook contest with winners appearing in its television commercial and radio commercial shouting the ticket name and mantra, "I love my Saints!" while decked out in their best Saints-fan attire.
The commercials air statewide beginning Aug. 27 and can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/IJLJIInHsbQ.
"The Lottery has enjoyed phenomenal success this past fiscal year by partnering with other well-known Louisiana brands, and our scratch-off sales were up over 6 percent," said Hudson. "Like the Saints, we're looking for another winning season!"
To enter the second-chance drawings, players should complete the information on the back of non-winning $5 I LOVE MY SAINTS scratch-off tickets and mail one ticket per envelope (no larger than 4.5" by 9.5") to the address printed on the back of the ticket. Players can enter as many times as they wish, but each entry should be mailed in separate envelopes.
Entry deadlines and associated game ticket prizes are as follows:
*Drawing 1 – Sept. 10, 2012 (2012 Saints Prize Package includes tickets to Saints vs. Kansas City game on Sept. 23)
*Drawing 2 – Oct. 15, 2012 (2012 Saints Prize Package includes tickets to Saints vs. Atlanta game on Nov. 11)
*Drawing 3 - Nov. 19, 2012 (2012 Saints Prize Package includes tickets to Saints vs. Tampa Bay game on Dec. 16)
The entry deadline for the fourth and final drawing for the Saints 2013 Season Prize Package will be announced on the Lottery's website once the game is closed. The Louisiana Lottery is solely responsible for conducting and administering the scratch-off game and related second-chance drawings. Complete game and second-chance drawing entry rules can be found on the Lottery's website, www.louisianalottery.com.
The Lottery printed 1.2 million tickets, and approximate overall odds of winning an instant prize on the game are 1 in 3.75. Lottery ticket purchasers and second-chance drawing entrants must be at least 21 years of age. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available by calling 1-877-770-7867. For security purposes, the Lottery encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.
