Baltimore, June 17, 2009 – The Maryland Lottery and Baltimore Ravens will unveil an exclusive Ravens-themed scratch-off ticket at a noon press conference today, June 17, in the Senate Meeting Room at the Annapolis State House. This new ticket, with a $1 million top prize, will be launched in time for the Aug. 13 preseason home opener at M&T Bank Stadium against the Washington Redskins.
The new $5 scratch-off, Ravens CASH Fantasy, will offer a wide variety of cash prizes ranging from $5 to a grand prize of $1 million. Each ticket will also feature a perforated portion with a special "EXTRA YARDS" code that players can enter on www.mdlottery.com/ravens. Players who enter their "EXTRA YARDS" codes on the Maryland Lottery's Web site will have the opportunity to win season tickets, game-day premium seats, game-worn jerseys and numerous other experiential prizes. Ravens CASH Fantasy, which will generate net revenue of $3 million for the state, will be sold at every Baltimore Ravens home game and will be available at the more than 4,000 Maryland Lottery retail locations.
Buddy Roogow, director of the Maryland Lottery stated, "I'm thrilled about this unprecedented partnership linking two Maryland icons. This is an excellent affiliation for the Maryland Lottery, and I'm looking forward to collaborating with one of the most beloved teams in the NFL."
"We are very pleased that the Maryland Lottery will be selling a Ravens lottery ticket throughout Maryland," Ravens president **Dick Cass** said. "The Lottery generates funds that benefit so many people in Maryland, and we are proud to have this direct association with the Lottery. We will work hard with the Lottery to make this effort a success."
The partnership is a new endeavor for the National Football League following a decades-long, no-gambling policy that was recently overturned by NFL owners. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said lottery proceeds could generate money for "many important public purposes." State lotteries across the country have been discussing NFL opportunities, and new partnerships have recently been formed with the New England Patriots and Redskins. The NFL agreed to let lotteries across the country use team logos and marks directly on lottery games.
The Maryland Lottery, which is experiencing its 12th year of record-breaking sales, is also the 12th-largest lottery in the country. Revenues from Lottery sales, which were more than $529 million last fiscal year alone, are deposited into the State's General Fund and used to support such services and programs as education, public health, human resources and public safety.
In 2008, the Ravens posted an 11-5 regular season record and advanced to the AFC Championship game, where they fell to the eventual Super Bowl champions. Led by **John Harbaugh**, Baltimore produced 13 total victories, which set an NFL record for most wins by a first-year head coach (Harbaugh) and rookie quarterback (Joe Flacco). Baltimore's stifling defense – ranked No. 2 in the NFL – set several franchise records, while the Ravens also had five players earn Pro Bowl honors: LB Ray Lewis, S Ed Reed, ST Brendon Ayanbadejo, LB Terrell Suggs and FB **Le’Ron McClain**.
For more information about the Maryland Lottery and the Ravens, visit www.mdlottery.com and www.baltimoreravens.com, respectively.
