FOUR-DIGIT DE LICENSE PLATES TOP PRIZE IN NEW INSTANT GAME

DOVER, DE - LICENSE TO WIN, the newest $1 Instant Game from the Delaware Lottery, offers players the chance to win one of 12 four-digit Delaware automobile license plates.

Developed in conjunction with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Delaware Tourism Office (DTO), the game ticket features the state brand button with the slogan: "Delaware: It's Good Being First." The button was introduced in October 2001 as part of a comprehensive brand image campaign touting Delaware's offerings as a travel destination and a place to do business.

Delaware Lottery Director Wayne Lemons said that the Lottery always seeks out opportunities to partner with other state agencies. "When we discovered DMV could make a dozen of the very popular four digit license plates available, we knew a game developed around them would be a hit," he said. "And when DTO came on board, we knew we had a home-run on our hands. This game meets current objectives for all three agencies and will generate revenue for the State through Lottery ticket sales."

The four-digit license plate numbers in the game are: 4013, 5890, 6278, 6659, 7208, 7683, 8057, 8215, 9637, 9759, 9791 and 9857. They will be awarded to winners on a "first claimed/first choice" basis. Players can find out which four-digit license plate numbers are unclaimed by calling the Player Information Line at 800-338-6200 (in Delaware) or 302-736-1436 (out of state) or by visiting delottery.com.

All license plate winners will receive a Winner Certificate and a letter describing the procedures required for registering the license plate number with DMV. They also will receive a $50 cash prize that may be applied toward registration, documentation or transfer fees associated with titling a motor vehicle with the tag prize. Lottery officials point out that the cash prize may not cover all fees and costs incurred by the winner.

Eight of the four-digit Delaware license plates will be awarded instantly; the other four will be awarded in a second chance drawing to be held October 11, 2002. To enter the second chance drawing, players must complete the back of a non-winning LICENSE TO WIN ticket. Entries must be received by the Lottery Office in Dover by 4:30 p.m. on September 27, 2002.

In addition to the 12 four-digit Delaware license plates, LICENSE TO WIN offers 107,884 cash prizes with a value of $312,600, including 272 top cash prizes each worth $100. The average odds of winning a cash prize are 1 in 4.45, based on the sale of all 480,000 tickets ordered for this game. The new Instant Game goes on sale this week at more than 450 Delaware Lottery Retailers throughout the state.

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.