Minnesota State Lottery's Gopher 5(R) Game Offers Bigger Jackpots, More Chances to Win

Minnesota State Lottery's Gopher 5(R) Game Offers Bigger Jackpots, More Chances to Win ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2005--The Minnesota State Lottery is launching a newly revamped Gopher 5 game that will offer players better odds of winning a prize and, ultimately, bigger jackpots. Starting Wednesday, September 21, Gopher 5 players will choose from an expanded pool of numbers but can now win by matching as few as two numbers. Approximate overall odds of winning a cash prize have improved to 1 in 12 from the previous odds of 1 in 65. The minimum Gopher 5 jackpot will remain at $100,000. "Gopher 5 has been a popular game for a long time," said Lottery Executive Director Clint Harris. "This game is only played in Minnesota, so we generally get over 20 big winners a year. The new Gopher 5 gives us an opportunity to re-introduce the fun to Minnesotans with exciting new odds and faster growing, bigger jackpots." In the new Gopher 5, players pick five numbers from 1 to 47. Players win by matching only two numbers, as opposed to a minimum of three numbers required in the original version. There will no longer be a bonus ball feature, making the game easier to understand. Harris said the revamp is the first promotional push for Gopher 5 since it was changed in 1998. Improving Minnesota's own cash lotto game is part of the Lottery's marketing effort to surpass the record 2005 fiscal year, which generated $106 million for State projects and programs. Sales for the new Gopher 5 game begin at 6 a.m. on September 21, with the current game ending at 6:10 p.m. on September 20. The first drawing featuring the new matrix will be held at 6:25 p.m. on September 23. The Gopher 5 drawings can be seen on select television stations on Tuesdays and Fridays in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Mankato and Rochester. A large consumer promotion is scheduled to help introduce Minnesotans to the new game. From September 21 through October 21, every $5 or more Gopher 5 purchase on a single ticket will include an entry for the chance to win a Ford Mustang and other cash prizes at a special Gopher 5 event at the Mall of America on November 12. For more information about the new game and the Mall of America event, visit the Minnesota State Lottery's Web site at www.mnlottery.com.

Contacts Exponent PR Peggy Snook, 952-852-7592 Peggy.snook@collemcvoy.com or Minnesota State Lottery Debbie Hoffmann, 651-635-8226 Debbie_H@mnlottery.com