Gift scratch-off tickets only to adults and school supplies to teachers
RALEIGH N.C. (November 25, 2024) – Lottery tickets can make great last-minute holiday gifts for the adults in your life, but not for children or teens, so this holiday season join an effort to gift tools to teachers instead and get a chance to win scratch-offs.
This year’s Play Smart, Gift Smart effort introduces a new promotion to support schools and education groups all across our state. North Carolinians can participate in a school supply drive by bringing school supplies to a regional office and entering to win one of five packs of scratch-off tickets in their region.
“Buying scratch-offs as holiday gifts is a part of North Carolina culture,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “We want to keep that tradition alive, but remind everyone that when it comes to gifting scratch-off ticket that the lottery is not a kid’s game. Instead, join us in supporting students and teachers through our holiday school supply drive because when teachers win, we all win.”
The lottery joins more than 150 lotteries and organizations around the world in an annual holiday prevention campaign – Gift Responsibly 2024 – organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the International Center for Youth Gambling and High-Risk Behaviors.
To help raise awareness, the lottery shares ‘Play Smart Gift Smart’ messaging” on social media posts, on point-of-sale and multi-media monitors in stores that sell lottery tickets, in a media release, and on its popular website, nclottery.com. it even prints the message on lottery tickets for draw games such as Powerball.
Donations dropped off at lottery offices across the state will benefit the following organizations:
Asheville Regional Office and Claims Center: Eblen Charities
Charlotte Regional Office and Claims Center Classroom Central
Greensboro Regional Office and Claims Center Guilford Education Alliance
Raleigh Regional Office and Claims Center WakeEd Partnerships, Tools 4 Schools initiative
Greenville Regional Office and Claims Center Jones County Schools
Wilmington Regional Office and Claims Center Sunset Park Elementary School
The school supply drive begins today and runs through Dec. 31. A drawing for the scratch-off prizes is scheduled for Jan. 8. Each drawing will have five winners.
For more information on the campaign, visit Play Smart. Gift Smart. - NCEL Play Smart
If you or someone you care about has a problem with gambling, visit morethanagame.nc.gov.