1,000 Extra Prizes to Celebrate 1,000th Draw

Media Release
23 July 2006

Lotto Offers All Players More Than 1,000 Extra Prizes to Celebrate 1,000th Draw

Lotto players across New Zealand will be in to win an amazing 1,100 extra prizes as NZ Lotteries celebrates the game's 1,000th draw on Saturday 5 August, says NZ Lotteries Chief Executive Todd McLeay.

"The 1,000th Lotto draw is a huge milestone for us and our loyal players, many of whom have been buying tickets since Lotto's first draw on Saturday 1 August 1987.

"What better way to reward them, and say a very big thank you, than by offering all of our players, regardless of the type of Lotto ticket they buy, the chance to win more than 1,000 extra prizes," says Todd.

In addition to our usual divisional prizes, all players who purchase a Lotto ticket between Sunday 23 July 2006 and Saturday 5 August will be in with the chance to win one of 1,100 extra prizes.

"This includes 100 major prizes ranging from $10,000 to a top prize of $1 million which will be drawn on 5 August, the night of the 1,000th draw.

The top 100 prizes comprise:

• 1 prize of $1 million
• 3 prizes of $100,000
• 5 prizes of $50,000
• 6 prizes of $25,000
• 85 prizes of $10,000

"If that's not enough, we'll be rewarding many, many more players by offering the remaining 1,000 prizes randomly to players in the two-week period leading up to the draw.

"When they buy their Lotto ticket winners of this prize will find out immediately that they have won $1,001 and will be assisted to fill in a Prize Claim Form to claim it.*

"Under our rules Lotto players who win $1,000 or less get paid in cash, but with the number of prizes on offer with this promotion we decided it would be easier for everyone if we co-ordinate payment from one point, which is why they will get the extra dollar," says Todd.

"Many of our players who took part in our first draw are still playing today, and it is the sales generated by those people and other players which has allowed NZ Lotteries to transfer more that $2 billion for the Lottery Grants Board for distribution to the community since our first draw in 1987.

"The 1,000th draw is all about saying thank you, as well as celebrating our past winners and the difference Lotto has made to New Zealand communities," says Mr McLeay.

ENDS

* A prize of $1000 and under will be paid directly to the winner as cash by a retailer, while a prize over $1000 is paid through NZ Lotteries Wellington's office directly into the winners bank account (or by cheque if requested)

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