New York offering free lottery tickets to those who receive COVID vaccine

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that next week, the state will hand out free lottery tickets to people who receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that next week, the state will hand out free lottery tickets to people who receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

From May 24 until May 28 in the Empire State, anyone 18 years old or above getting a COVID vaccine from one of the state’s 10 clinics will receive a free $20 Mega Multiplier scratch-off New York Lottery ticket, which offers a one in nine chance of winning a prize varying from $20 to $5m.

The program will initially include 10 vaccination sites in the New York City, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley and Western New York regions.

Cuomo said on his website: “We know that vaccinations are the vital piece of the puzzle we need to crush COVID once and for all. We’re doing everything we can to make getting a vaccine as quick and easy as possible, but as vaccination rates slow across the state, we’re going to have to get creative to put even more shots in arms.

“This new pilot program will offer a greater incentive for New Yorkers to get vaccinated by offering a free scratch-off ticket for a chance to win up to $5m. The more New Yorkers we can get vaccinated, the better our situation and the faster we can return to a new normal, so I encourage everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet to go to your nearest site and get the shot.”

The Kentucky Lottery announced a similar program recently, saying it 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.