BOISE, Idaho ÔÇô The Idaho Lottery is commemorating twenty-five years of success with the debut of their special edition, commemorative 25th Anniversary ticket, a new Scratch GameTM that features a top prize of $250,000. Today's announcement starts a five-month long campaign to celebrate the Idaho Lottery's twenty-fifth year of operations.

"The success of the Lottery over the past two-and-a-half decades has been truly remarkable," stated Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. "To be approaching two-thirds of a billion dollars in returned dividends to the public schools and permanent buildings of Idaho in just twenty-five years has certainly exceeded the expectations of those who created the Lottery back in 1989."

The Idaho Lottery sold their first $1 Scratch ticket, Idaho Match 3, to Idaho billionaire J.R. Simplot during a ceremony on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol on July 19, 1989. Since that time, the Idaho Lottery has generated over $2.5 billion in revenue through an extensive network of 1,150 retail locations statewide.

In twenty-five years, the Idaho Lottery has awarded more than $1.5 billion in player prizes, paid over $148.2 million in retailer commissions, and returned over $600.5 million in dividends to the Idaho Public School Building account and the Idaho State Permanent Building Fund.

"Our 25th Anniversary game is all about the 25s" described Anderson. "In addition to the two top prizes worth $250,000 each, this game features a lot of $250 and $2,500 prizes, plus a second chance prize worth $25,000. It's really a thank you to our players, our retail partners, and our beneficiaries."

For a limited edition print run of only 600,000 tickets, the new $25, 25th Anniversary Scratch Game goes on sale Wednesday and carries two top prizes of $250,000. The game, printed on shiny, holographic paper, has over $11 million in prizes.

To further enhance this year's celebration, beginning on March 25, 2014, and the 25th of each month thereafter until shortly after the Lottery's celebration date on July 19, 2014, the Lottery will be awarding a monthly lucky player with a prize of $2,500. Players wishing to participate in the second chance draw may enter their alphanumeric code from the front of their 25th Anniversary ticket on the Idaho Lottery's website at www.idaholottery.com. When the game officially ends, the Lottery will hold a second chance draw for all the entries and award one lucky player $25,000.

"To all our players and all our retail partners, thank you. I hope all of Idaho will take a moment to join us in celebrating twenty-five great years of entertainment from your Idaho Lottery," added Anderson. "And please, when you play, please do so responsibly."

# # #