DATE: December 18, 2007
Kansas Lottery to Discontinue eScratch Game
TOPEKA, KAN. – The Kansas Lottery will discontinue its eScratch game at the end of the year. Providing an “extended play” option for players, eScratch was the first interactive Internet game of its kind in the world. The Kansas Lottery launched the game in May 2004 and re-launched it a year later with modifications.
“While the game is popular with a few of our players, eScratch sales have continued to be somewhat disappointing overall,” said Lottery Executive Director Ed Van Petten. “Our online vendor GTECH is in the process of installing new terminals for all of our retailers, so this is the logical time to make a change.”
The last day for players to purchase eScratch tickets will be Dec. 29, 2007. Dec. 29 is also the last day players will be able to access eScratch games on the Internet. Players will still have 365 days from the date of the ticket purchase to claim their eScratch prizes.
Other changes in Kansas Lottery games for next year will bring bigger prizes in two of the Lottery’s most popular games, Hot Lotto and 2by2.
Hot Lotto players will have a chance to triple their winnings if they spend an extra dollar when they buy their ticket. It’s called Hot Lotto Sizzler, and it will take effect Jan. 3. Similar to the Power Play option in the Powerball game, the Sizzler triple prize option applies to all Hot Lotto prizes, except for the jackpot.
The 2by2 game will start having drawings seven days a week on Feb. 22. Right now, drawings are Monday through Saturday. The top 2by2 prize will go up from $20,000 to $22,000. The game will also have “Tuesday Doubler” drawings. A player who purchases a ticket for 7, 14, 21 or 28 consecutive draws and wins on Tuesday will have his prize doubled, even if it’s the grand prize.
www.needto.net
