BOISE, Idaho ÔÇô The next couple of days could be the last chance for Idaho Lottery players to purchase a chance at winning $1,000,000 before the New Year! Currently, ticket sales for the Idaho Lottery's annual Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle are scheduled to end at 12 p.m. (Noon) Mountain Time, on Friday, December 30, 2011. With only two days of sales left the game is almost 75% sold through meaning there are less than about 63,000 tickets still available.

"There are Raffle tickets left, so if you're interested in having the best chance ever of winning $1,000,000 from the Idaho Lottery, today is the day you need to get a ticket to get in the game," said Jeff Anderson, Idaho Lottery Director. "Like the holiday season itself, it only comes around once a year. And when the deadline to purchase a ticket passes, players will have to wait for the next one to become a millionaire."

One of this year's official game rules for Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle allows for a sales deadline extension if the game does not sell out. Over the past several days the Idaho Lottery has been receiving numerous calls and e-mails from players asking if the deadline to purchase tickets will be extended, even if the game has not sold out.

"If the game doesn't sell out, then my odds of winning $1,000,000 will get a lot better," said Lottery player Jeanne Phillips of Boise in a call to Lottery Offices Wednesday morning. "I would be disappointed if the deadline were extended."

According to Anderson, a sales extension will not occur. The Idaho Lottery will close sales and hold the draw on schedule on December 30, 2011, even if the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle does not sell out prior to the end of sales. Any tickets not sold prior to the close of sales will be excluded from consideration for all prizes, meaning the odds of winning any of the prizes will improve.

"To maintain public confidence in our games, our integrity, and the spirit of the Lottery, we will honor the draw date and time to announce this year's winners," added Anderson. "We publicized the date and time of the draw from the beginning of this year's Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle and we will stick by that agreement with all of our players who have purchased tickets."

Over the past week, Idaho Lottery retailers have seen an increase in player participation as sales have jumped for the Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle by 63% when compared to the week prior. More than 20% of the game has sold in the last seven days.

This year's Raffle features over 2,500 prizes. In addition to the top prize of $1,000,000, there are four $25,000 prizes, two hundred and fifty $250 prizes, five hundred $100 prizes, and one-thousand seven hundred and fifty $50 prizes.

As excitement for the game increases, Anderson encouraged players to play responsibly. He also recommended that players sign the back of their ticket once it has been purchased and to keep it in a safe place until the Lottery announces the winning numbers at 9:00 p.m. Mountain Time on December 30, 2011.

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