Idaho joins nation's 250th anniversary with the most patriotic lottery game ever

By Kate Northrop

The Idaho Lottery is joining America's quarter-millennium anniversary bash with a vibrant new scratch-off game that celebrates 250 years of independence.

The "America250" scratch-off game only comes around once, just like the United States' 250th birthday.

It's the most patriotic game the Idaho Lottery has ever released, and it's giving players a chance to win one of many prizes honoring the big quarter-millennial milestone.

The game launched on May 18, just in time for Memorial Day, and it has sold nearly 15% of all available tickets as of today.

At $5 per ticket, it offers two top prizes of $25,000 and four second-tier prizes of $1,000, none of which have been won yet. The game also boasted 66 third-tier prizes of $500, of which 59 remain.

Aside from that, players have a chance of winning one of thousands of other prizes, ranging from $5 to $250.

"America250 is a consequential and historic milestone for our nation, and for Idahoans to take part in this once-in-lifetime celebration is truly special," Lottery Director Andrew Arulanandam said in a press release. "The Idaho Lottery is honored to help commemorate America's 250th anniversary with this special patriotic scratch game."

States across the nation are part of a greater effort to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary, with each state taking ownership of its own commemoration efforts through a dedicated state commission. The Idaho Task Force worked with the Idaho Lottery to launch the new scratch-off ticket.

Idahoans can pick up the red, white, and blue tribute ticket at an officially licensed Idaho Lottery retailer.

The overall odds of winning any prize in the game are 1 in 3.84.

(Click to display full-size in gallery)The "America250" scratch-off game only comes around once, just like the United States' 250th birthday.