Scientific Games Corporation announced the launch of a multi-state scratch-ticket game that offers a chance to win an annuity worth billion.
The scratch game offers players the chance to win prizes instantly plus a bonus second-chance opportunity to win trips to Las Vegas where lucky second-chance players will take part in “Willy Wonka Golden Ticket Billion-Dollar Challenge” to win cash prizes from $1,000 up to $1 billion.
The Texas Lottery was first to launch the Golden Ticket game in March, followed by the Georgia Lottery.
In addition to the 11 lotteries set to offer the game to their players in 2017-18, a number of other lotteries are considering adding the game to their portfolio.
“We are thrilled that one lucky player is going to get a shot at winning up to a $1 billion in the Billion-Dollar Challenge,” said Jim Kennedy, group chief executive, lottery for Scientific Games. “We have been exploring the $1 billion prize concept for some time, and we believe the wonderful world of Willy Wonka ties in perfectly to this large prize opportunity.
“The Willy Wonka Golden Ticket game has two great elements—a Golden Ticket and the Billion-Dollar Challenge. Like the iconic film, the game emphasizes life-changing opportunities. The game has been extremely well-received by both state lotteries and players here in North America.”
The Willy Wonka game offers players a chance to win cash prizes at retail locations instantly for winning tickets.
Eligible non-winning tickets can be entered into an online second-chance drawing for the opportunity to win a four-day/three-night trip to Las Vegas (player plus guest), including airfare, deluxe accommodations, ground transportation, spending money, and participation in the Billion-Dollar Challenge for the opportunity to win up to a $1 billion annuity. The Billion-Dollar Challenge event is planned for May 2018.
Scientific Games offers a full media package for the Willy Wonka Golden Challenge game, including TV and radio ads, retail point-of-sale materials and websites. Lotteries can select from several styles of branded game art, and have the flexibility to offer the game at the $5-$20 price point. The majority of participating lotteries plan to launch the game at $10.
The Texas Lottery opted to offer their game as a $10 super-sized ticket (12 by 18 inches) featuring three separate games.
“Super-sized tickets are very popular with Texas players, and we knew they would enjoy the possibility of finding a Golden Ticket and the potential of winning up to a $1 billion prize,” said Gary Grief, executive director of the Texas Lottery. “More than 2 million tickets were sold in just the first few weeks, supporting our continued mission to generate revenue for Texas education and veterans.”
The $1 billion prize will be paid as an annuity over 40 years.
