IOWANS CAN SAVE AND WIN CASH ALL SUMMER LONG

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• Lottery CEO Terry Rich at The Silver Ticket press conference
• The Silver Ticket instant-scratch ticket

'Silver Ticket' Promotion Partners Tourism, Local Events, Attractions And Iowa Lottery

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowans can have fun all summer long – and win cash prizes or receive discounts to many festivals, attractions and businesses – in a promotion announced Monday that partners the Iowa Tourism Office and the Iowa Lottery.

"This is the second year for a summer travel project from Tourism and the Lottery," said Nancy Landess, manager of the Iowa Tourism Office. "Last year's initiative really highlighted the entertainment possibilities in our state, especially during these tough economic times. We're going to build on that momentum this year."

This year's project is being called the "Silver Ticket Celebration" in honor of the lottery's 25th anniversary. And the lottery game that is the key to summer fun is "The Silver Ticket," a new $5 instant-scratch game that celebrates 25 years of lottery entertainment in Iowa.

Those who buy a ticket in The Silver Ticket game can win instant prizes ranging from $5 up to $25,000. And if you don't win a cash prize, there are a few different ways your ticket can be used for even more value:

• "Silver Ticket Savings." Iowa Lottery players can use nonwinning tickets like a coupon for savings at Iowa events, businesses and attractions. A complete list of the special discount offers available to Silver Ticket customers will be available on the Tourism Office Web site at www.traveliowa.com beginning April 26.



• "Silver Ticket Cash Stops." Lottery players can use nonwinning tickets in The Silver Ticket game for a chance to win cash prizes in contests the lottery will hold at 25 events across the state. Four cash prizes of up to $500 will be awarded during each contest for a total of $1,000 in prizes at each event.



• Finally, State Fairgoers can use their nonwinning ticket as an entry in the Silver Ticket Cash Stop festivities during the Tourism-Lottery project's finale event, the Iowa State Fair.

"In these tough economic times, we know people are putting even more emphasis on good value than ever before, so we decided to use the statewide promotional power of the Iowa Lottery to team with the great events and offers coordinated by Iowa Tourism," said Iowa Lottery CEO Terry Rich. "This fits the bill perfectly by offering savings opportunities at destinations across the state and the chance to win prizes at local fairs and festivals."

Legislation authorizing a lottery in Iowa was signed into law on April 18, 1985, and the Iowa Lottery sold its first tickets during a kick-off celebration on Aug. 22, 1985, at the Iowa State Fair. Tourism and lottery officials returned to where it all started by announcing this summer’s travel initiative on Monday at the State Fairgrounds.

Sales in The Silver Ticket game began Monday and tickets will be available statewide by Friday. The first of The Silver Ticket discount offers from businesses and attractions across the state will begin April 26. Special offers will continue to be available throughout the spring and summer to customers who present The Silver Ticket (remember to visit the Tourism Web site for more details).

A list of the 25 events that have been chosen as Silver Ticket Cash Stop contest locations is below. During each event, the lottery will hold a contest to give away prizes of $100, $150, $250 and $500 (a total of $1,000 at each event). Visitors to each event can enter the local contest with nonwinning tickets in The Silver Ticket game.

"We're offering folks another summer to get out and explore Iowa – and save money while they're doing it," Landess said.