MO Lottery Blog

I've got game!

A new feature was just added to the Missouri Lottery mobile apps. You can now play "Captain Lotto Crunch" on the Missouri Lottery mobile apps for iPhone and Android. This retro-style game features yours truly. Just search for "Missouri Lottery" on the Android Market or Apple's App Store. In addition to this fun game, you'll be able to check winning numbers or search for retailers through our mobile apps. If you're a smart phone user, here's an easy way to stay on top of the latest Lottery numbers.

TIP:  The game control arrows may be difficult to see at the bottom of the screen for Android users. Up, down and side to side arrows are slightly embossed in the play area. 

Happy Birthday America!

State offices, including the Missouri Lottery, will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. There will be festivities in cities across the state all weekend in celebration of our nation's birthday. Here's hoping you get a chance to celebrate.

Drawings will be conducted as normal, and thousands of Missouri Lottery retail locations statewide will be open for business should you get the itch. With several great games celebrating the Missouri Lottery's 25th anniversary, we say, "Go ahead. Scratch it!"

Cash Bam Boom

Got that Independence Day spirit? How about winning some cash playing a holiday-themed Missouri Lottery Scratchers game? Celebrate freedom by picking up a $2 "Cash Bam Boom" Scratchers ticket. One top prize of $20,000 remains in the game, and it's likely to be gone after the holiday. There are a number of smaller prizes still available in the game, including nine prizes of $1,000. But you could also win $100, which would go a long way at the fireworks stand.

Look for a "Cash Bam Boom" Scratchers ticket at your favorite Missouri Lottery retail location.

Heroes in the Classroom

The Missouri Lottery has partnered with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals to recognize outstanding teachers. The following video introduces a few of the classroom heroes we've celebrated so far this season. Find a list of all of the teachers selected for this honor on the promotion page.

 

$4 Billion

On June 17, the Missouri Lottery transferred $20.9 million to public education. The transfer brought Lottery proceeds for Fiscal Year 2011 to more than $259 million, our goal for the year. For 25 years, the Lottery has been generating proceeds for the state and public education. With this latest transfer to the Lottery Proceeds Fund, the Missouri Lottery passed the $4 billion mark.

We’re proud of that figure. While the Lottery can’t solely fund all of the public education needs of our state, that contribution of $4 billion is money that otherwise wouldn’t have been available, requiring higher taxes or other sources of funding.

The Missouri Lottery wants to thank the players, vendors, retailers and employees who help support public education in Missouri. We couldn’t have done it without you. We’ll keep working hard to provide fun and entertaining games for you to enjoy, while generating funds for public education.

Happy Father's Day

A big Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. If you still need something to show your appreciation, consider picking up an “American Muscle” Scratchers ticket. I’m sure he’d be thrilled to win any of the four muscle cars available in the game. Maybe he’ll even share the story about how he courted your mother in his '57 Chevy muscle car, or some other happy memory. Without a doubt, there’s no better way to get him talking than asking about his first ride.

Thank your dad with the chance to win $75,000 instantly, or a car of his dreams. American Muscle Scratchers tickets are available at thousands of retail locations statewide, making it easy to get one on the way to the barbecue. Have fun!

What's up next?

A winning Powerball jackpot ticket was sold in New York. Players in Connecticut and North Carolina won $1 million with Power Play. Saturday's jackpot resets to $20 million, which still sounds good to me.

Friday's Mega Millions jackpot is $15 million, and Saturday's Lotto jackpot is $1.3 million. Wouldn't winning one of those jackpots make for a fun year?

And don't forget Show Me Cash. Tonight's jackpot is $94,000!

We all get excited at the idea of $100 million, but there are lots of different ways to win life-changing money from the Missouri Lottery. Try out a different dream for $1.

Happy Memorial Day!

State offices, including the Missouri Lottery, will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. The Lottery salutes all members of our armed forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Here's hoping that you get time to pay respect to our nation's heroes and spend time with family. Even though our offices will be closed, thousands of retail locations statewide will be open for business if you get the itch.

Thinking of Joplin

I've been impressed with the outpouring of support for our fellow citizens in Joplin. A powerful EF5 tornado hit the area on Sunday night and destroyed about a third of the city. Several Missouri Lottery retail locations were wiped out, like this pile of rubble that was once Frank's Lounge.

As citizens around our state rally to help with the rescue and recovery, we at the Missouri Lottery also want to pitch in. Since Lottery proceeds benefit public education, and schools in the area were damaged, we will be collecting funds through June to be donated to the Joplin Public School District.

We will be collecting donations at all of the Lottery offices in St. Louis, Springfield, Kansas City and Jefferson City. Lottery employees, retailers and players can all help Joplin rebuild following this terrible tragedy by making sure the school children of Joplin have every opportunity to continue their education. 

If you would like to donate, deposit cash into one of the containers before the end of June, or write a check to the ALF Fund. Checks made out to the ALF Fund can be mailed to:

Missouri Lottery
Joplin Schools Relief Fund
PO BO 1603
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1603

Thank you for helping us support public education in Missouri.

Happy Birthday, Harry!

State offices, including the Lottery, will be closed Monday, May 9, in observance of Harry S Truman's birthday. While we salute Missouri's greatest statesman, thousands of retail locations statewide will remain open to fulfill all of your Lottery needs.

Lottery offices will return to regular business on Tuesday.