Kentucky Lottery has announced a program that will give a free lottery ticket to anyone over the age of 18 who gets a first or second COVID-19 vaccination dose at a participating Kroger or Walmart store.
For the promotion, the Bluegrass state lottery is handing out 225,000 free Kentucky Cash Ball tickets, its nightly draw game that has a top prize of $225,000.
Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville said: “We hope that by literally injecting a little fun into the process, more people will get vaccinated. This is good for Kentucky’s businesses, it’s good for the Kentucky Lottery, and it’s good for Kentucky college students counting on us through the scholarship and grant programs funded by our proceeds.
“Through this effort, we can work to reach that crucial mark of two-point-five million Kentuckians vaccinated and re-open our state. When that happens and restrictions are lifted, I know businesses will welcome back customers – and customers will feel safer being out and about.”
The promotion began on May 10 and runs through to May 21 or until the free tickets run out. Customers have until June 1 to redeem their ticket.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear commented: “I hope this shot at $225,000 will be the incentive needed for more Kentuckians to get a vaccine.
“Helping keep our Kentucky communities safe and a free chance at winning hundreds of thousands of dollars is a win-win for everyone involved. Thank you, Kentucky Lottery, Walmart and Kroger, for this fantastic example of Team Kentucky spirit.”
Back in March, the Kentucky Lottery announced it had passed $1bn in annual sales in FY2021, 73 days ahead of when the milestone was passed last year.
