Willy Wonka Golden Ticket game offers players a chance to win up to $1bn

ntific Games Corporation today announced that it has created a multi-state linked game with the largest prize opportunity for a linked lottery instant game in U.S. history.

The Willy Wonka Golden Ticket game is launching initially in 11 U.S. states. The "scratch" game offers players the chance to win prizes instantly plus a bonus second-chance opportunity to win trips to Las Vegas where second-chance players will take part in the Willy Wonka Billion Dollar Challenge event to win cash prize from $1,000 up to $1 bn.

With sales off to a strong start, the Texas Lottery was first to launch the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket game in March, followed by the Georgia Lottery and Kentucky Lottery in April, and the Colorado Lottery and Maine State Lottery in May. In addition to the 11 lotteries set to offer the game to their players in 2017-18, a number of other lotteries are considering adding the game to their portfolio.

Jim Kennedy, Group Chief Executive of Scientific Games Lottery, said: "We are thrilled that one lucky player is going to get a shot at winning up to a $1 billion in the Billion Dollar Challenge. We have been exploring the billion dollar prize concept for some time, and we believe the wonderful world of Willy Wonka ties in perfectly to this large prize opportunity.

"The Willy Wonka Golden Ticket game has two great elements – a Golden Ticket and the Billion Dollar Challenge. Like the iconic film, the game emphasises life-changing opportunities," Kennedy added. "The game has been extremely well received by both state lotteries and players here in North America."

The Willy Wonka Golden Ticket game offers players a chance to win cash prizes at retail locations for winning tickets. Eligible non-winning tickets can be entered into an online second-chance drawing for the opportunity to win a four-day/three-night trip to Las Vegas, and participation in the Billion Dollar Challenge for the opportunity to win up to a $1 billion annuity. The Billion Dollar Challenge event is planned for May 2018.

Scientific Games offers a full media package for the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket game, including TV and radio ads, retail point-of-sale materials, and websites. Lotteries can select from several styles of branded game art, and have the flexibility to offer the game at the $5-$20 price point. The majority of participating lotteries plan to launch the game at $10.

The Texas Lottery opted to offer their game as a $10 super-sized ticket (12" x 8") featuring three separate games. Gary Grief, Executive Director of the Texas Lottery, said: “Super-sized tickets are very popular with Texas players, and we knew they would enjoy the possibility of finding a Golden Ticket and the potential of winning up to a $1 billion prize. More than two million tickets were sold in just the first few weeks, supporting our continued mission to generate revenue for Texas education and veterans."

The $1 billion prize would be paid as an annuity over 40 years. At the individual lottery's discretion, players may choose a lump sum payment. For rules, regulations, and additional details on the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket and Billion Dollar Challenge, visit the participating lotteries’ official websites.