News Release

$77,777 Anniversary Present Will Be Hard to Top

Leonard Resident Wins $77,777 Lottery Prize on Gift Ticket

FEBRUARY 28, 2008 — Evalyn Cole of Leonard won $77,777 by playing the Lottery’s Red Hot 7s scratch game.

She claimed the prize at the Lottery’s headquarters in Roseville on Feb. 27.

Cole said that her husband gave her scratch tickets as an anniversary present. As she scratched the last ticket, she uncovered the $77,777 win. “It was the last one — and what a one it was!” she recalled. “But you don’t believe it even when you see it.” Since she couldn’t believe what she was seeing, Cole asked her husband to take a look at the ticket. “You tell me that I see what I know I see, but I know I can’t see,” she said.

As she waited for her prize check, Cole reflected on what a memorable anniversary present the scratch tickets had turned out to be. She smiled and said, “He didn’t know he was getting me a new car.”

Strand’s Store, located at 24624 Leonard Road in Leonard, sold the winning ticket.

Currently, three of six $77,777 top prizes remain in the game. Overall odds of winning a prize by playing Red Hot 7s are 1 in 3.46.

Red Hot 7s is a $5 ticket that offers 20 chances to win — and a top prize of $77,777!

Game 1: This is a tic-tac-toe game. Players win by uncovering three “Xs” or three “Os” in any row, column or diagonal line. Reveal three “7s” in any row, column or diagonal line and the prize is doubled.

Game 2: Match two like symbols and win a quick $77.

Game 3: Win the prize shown by matching any of “your amounts” to the “lucky amount.”

Game 4: In this slots-themed game, reveal three of the same symbols in the same “play” and win the prize shown in the prize legend.

Game 5: If any of “your numbers” match either “winning number” win the prize shown for that number. Uncover a “7” and win the prize shown instantly.

If you or someone you know needs help with a gambling problem, please call (800) 333-HOPE. Lottery players must be at least 18 years of age.

For Scratch and Online games information, winning numbers, unclaimed prizes, and lots more, you can call our Player Hotline 651-634-1111 or browse this Web site.

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling (651) 635-8273. TTY users should dial (651) 635-8268 or (800) 657-3833.