DELAWARE LOTTERY STEPS UP DELAWARE STATE FAIR SPONSORSHIP

DOVER, DE -The Delaware Lottery is teaming up with the Delaware State Fair in a partnership that will deliver excitement to Lottery players as well as visitors to this year's fairgrounds. The Lottery will sponsor a grandstand concert and a booth and, starting today, brings back its popular DELAWARE STATE FAIR Instant Game which offers players free weekday admission to the Fair, a top cash prize of $500, or other cash prizes. The Fair takes place from July 18 through 27, 2002 in Harrington, Del.

"We're excited to work with the Delaware State Fair and serve as one of its major sponsors," said Wayne Lemons, Director, Delaware Lottery. "We're always looking for unique ways to raise awareness about our games as well as the Lottery's contribution to Delaware. Having a strong presence at the Fair provides us with a tremendous opportunity to meet those goals."

Visitors at the Fair can enjoy the latest country music hits from Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton during the Lottery-sponsored grandstand concert on Thursday, July 25. Since 1999, Paisley has become one of country music's most successful male recording stars. His hits "He Didn't Have to Be" and "We Danced" earned him the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association and Top New Male award from the Academy of Country Music. Shelton's smash hit "Austin" got him recognition from country fans worldwide.

There are 23,400 free weekday passes available to be won in the $1 DELAWARE STATE FAIR Instant Game. Tickets displaying "Free Weekday Pass" must be presented at the Fair's main entrance (Gate 3); the pass is not valid for Saturday or Sunday admission. Players also have a chance to win one of ten top cash prizes worth $500 each, plus seven other cash prizes ranging from $1 to $100. In addition to the 23,400 free weekday passes, DELAWARE STATE FAIR offers 52,450 cash prizes with a value of $137,000. The average odds of winning a cash prize are 1 in 4.58, based on the sale of all 240,000 tickets ordered for this game. The new Instant Game goes on sale this week at more than 450 Delaware Lottery Retailers throughout the state.

The Lottery also will host a booth at the Fair. Visitors who visit the booth will receive various Lottery items as well as information on Lottery games and activities. Delaware Lottery Games also will be on sale at the booth.

Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed more than $1.3 billion to the state's General Fund to help finance needed state services that benefit everyone in Delaware. The Lottery offers a variety of games: POWERBALL®, LOTTO, PLAY 3, PLAY 4, and assorted Instant Games.