NEW SCRATCH TICKET TO OFFER FOOTBALL FANS CHANCES TO WIN CASH AND REDSKINS EXPERIENCES

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va., May 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Washington Redskins and the Virginia Lottery have reached agreement on a unique team-themed scratch-off ticket to be launched in concert with the 2009 professional football season, the two organizations announced today.

The partnership on this blockbuster game means Redskins-themed tickets will be offered at all lottery retailers throughout Virginia, but only in Virginia. This is the first time in the history of the Redskins and the Virginia Lottery that such a ticket will be offered. This strategic partnership also breaks new ground for the National Football League and the U.S. lottery industry.

"This is a great relationship for us," said Mitch Gershman, Chief Operating Officer of the Redskins. "We envision a game that will link Lottery fans with the Redskins in new and exciting ways."

"We'll be announcing a big ticket, with big prizes and lots of winners," said Paula Otto, Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery. "Not just cash prizes, but unique ties to the Redskins and incredible fan experiences that are available only from Virginia Lottery."

Details of the game will be announced June 8 in a joint press conference at Redskins Park.

Nearly 95 cents of each dollar spent on the Virginia Lottery by players goes back to the Commonwealth in the form of contributions to education, prizes and retailer commissions. Since 1999, all Virginia Lottery profits have been designated solely to K-12 public school education in the Commonwealth. In that time, the Lottery has turned over more than $4 billion for Virginia's public schools. The latest annual profits of $455 million currently represent about 6 percent of state funding for public education in Virginia. In 20 years, the Lottery has sold more than $20 billion in tickets, awarded more than $1 billion in retailer commissions and paid more than $10.9 billion in prizes to players.

For more information, visit www.valottery.com. Please play responsibly.

SOURCE Virginia Lottery