DES MOINES, Iowa — Officials with the Iowa Lottery say those playing holiday scratch-off games shouldn't throw away their tickets if they lose.
Terry Rich, the chief executive of the Iowa Lottery, says for the first time this year, holiday tickets that aren't winners are eligible for other prizes. Rich says players can enter the ticket serial number online to play a bonus game.
The lottery is calling the promotion "Tech the Halls" and Rich says electronics and cash prizes are available.
Players can enter the serial numbers at the Iowa Lottery Web site through Jan. 4. The lottery will hold a prize drawing on Jan. 5 and then post the winning numbers online.
TN already has the same thing where you can register losing scratchers for a 2nd chance drawing. Though I rarely play scratchers I find that I have the same luck on 2nd chance drawings as I do on the original scratchers - none. I think it's a good idea for Iowa or any other state to do it though.
The one bad aspect with TN though is you don't have to show a ticket for the 2nd chance drawing if you win. I think that unnecessarily leaves a window open for possible corruption.
I don't like the idea of Iowa giving electronics for prizes. Give the people what they want - money. They can then buy electronics if they want to. It's the same with these tickets that award football season passes and football paraphernalia and such. People are playing to win money. The lottery director might love football but that doesn't mean everybody does. Luckily he's not a golfer I guess or they'd be awarding a set of golf clubs.
Iowa does have a St. Pat raffle and 10xPowerplay Powerball promotion coming up too.
10X Powerplay option?
Wow, that sounds good. I wonder if it'll be more than a dollar extra.