FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2009
Hoosier Lottery Kicks-off
20th Anniversary Celebration
INDIANAPOLIS– The Hoosier Lottery celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. The platinum celebration, which will run through the end of the year, kicks-off today with the release of a series of
commemorative scratch-off games.
The tickets, which range in price from $1 to $10, celebrate 20 years of winners. Since the first ticket was sold on October 13, 1989, Hoosier Lottery players have won more than $7.2 billion in prizes. (Yes, that's "billion" with a "b".)
The 20th Anniversary commemorative tickets will add another $25 million to that $7.2 billion figure. The series boasts more than $25 million in total prizes.
"With these 20th Anniversary games we are celebrating twenty great years of winners,” said Executive Director
Kathryn A. Densborn. “That includes our players, our retailers and the citizens of Indiana.”
Citizens of Indiana have a lot to celebrate. Since 1989, the Lottery has turned over more than
$3.4 billion to the State of Indiana to reduce citizens' license plate costs and fund retired firefighters', police officers' and teachers' pension plans.
Each year:
$30 million of Lottery profits goes to the Teachers' Retirement Fund;
$30 million of Lottery profits goes to Pension Relief Fund to help pay for the retirement benefits of police officers and fire fighters;
The remainder ($157 million in Fiscal Year 2008) goes to the
Build Indiana Fund where it is used to reduce automobile excise taxes and keep Hoosier's license plate costs down.
"Sure, it’s fun to play, but it's good for Indiana, too!" said Sales Director Mark Thacker.
The Hoosier Lottery began with a $6 million investment from the state in 1989, after approval of a voter referendum the previous year. That seed money was repaid with interest in less than a year. Net proceeds of the Hoosier Lottery are transferred annually to the Indiana State Treasurer, who in turn deposits a set amount into the Indiana State Teachers’ Retirement Fund and the Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Pension and Disability Fund. The remaining balance goes to the Build Indiana Fund.
The Indiana General Assembly determines where Hoosier Lottery net income goes and which fund will benefit from Hoosier Lottery profits.
The Hoosier Lottery reminds all players to always play responsibly.
###
Photos: Hoosier Lottery 20th Anniversary commemorative scratch-off tickets