COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- State lotteries are fueling ticket sales with fuel sales. The Iowa Lottery has partnered with Darrah's, the No. 2-selling store in the state for raffle tickets, to promote a new game called "Iowa's Million Dollar Raffle." The first 100 customers to buy a $20 raffle ticket and $10 minimum of gasoline received $5 off of their gasoline purchase, according to a report by The Daily Nonpareil.
Only 120,000 tickets will be sold, the Iowa Lottery said.
"The Iowa Lottery asked us to help promote the new game because we sell many raffle tickets," [image-nocss] Saundra Darrah, who has owned the station for 23 years, told the newspaper. "At one time we were the highest retailer for winners in the state."
Darrah's has had four $100,000 winners and at one time was the second highest retailer in the Iowa to sell $20 raffle tickets. "I love selling lottery tickets," Darrah said. "Customers are always happy. It gives them a chance."
In Washington state in late May, meanwhile, drivers fueled up for a dollar a gallon if they purchased a lottery ticket, reported KING5-TV. The Washington State Lottery offered the deal at three Safeway gas stations.
Motorists could get 10 gallons of gasoline if they bought a $10 Mega Millions quick pick lottery ticket at the same location. The deal started at 6:00 a.m. and only the first 200 noncommercial vehicles at each location were eligible to participate. The promotion ended at 9:00 a.m. Motorists could only fill up once.
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