Governor Larry Hogan announced the new $2 Million VaxCash Promotion today. He was joined by (from left) Lottery Director Gordon Medenica, Lottery Public Affairs Associate Brandon Powell and Maryland Secretary of Health Dennis Schrader.
Lottery to Award $40,000 A Day For 40 Days, $400,000 For The Fourth of July
Partnership With Maryland Department of Health to Thank Marylanders for Getting Vaccinated, Incentivize New Vaccinations
As the State of Maryland continues its effort to administer COVID-19 vaccines and end the pandemic, Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland Lottery, and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) today announced the launch of the $2 Million VaxCash Promotion, which will award $2 million in cash prizes to a total of 41 Maryland residents who have been vaccinated.
Daily drawings will be held from Tuesday, May 25 through Sunday, July 4. Maryland residents 18 and older who have received a COVID-19 vaccination in Maryland at any time are eligible to win. No registration or entry is needed.
Each day from May 25 through July 3, one winner will be randomly drawn to win a $40,000 prize. The $2 Million VaxCash Promotion wraps up on the Fourth of July when a final drawing will award one winner a grand prize of $400,000.
Watch today’s press conference.
“Go out and get vaccinated to protect yourself, your family, your friends, and your fellow Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “And if you needed one more good reason, then go out and get vaccinated for your chance to win a share of this $2 million. So remember Maryland—get your shot for a shot to win.”
As part of an unprecedented partnership, the Lottery will work in close collaboration with MDH on the $2 Million VaxCash Promotion. Each Maryland resident age 18 or older who has been vaccinated in Maryland will be randomly assigned a number in a secure system maintained by MDH, which serves as the custodian of Maryland’s vaccination records. Separately, the Lottery will use a random number generator to select a winning number each day from the total number of people who have been vaccinated.
“Getting more people vaccinated is good for Maryland, and this is a promotion the Lottery is especially proud to be part of,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director Gordon Medenica. “And most importantly, putting COVID-19 in the rearview mirror is great for Maryland’s businesses. We know everyone is eager for a fun-filled summer where the pandemic is a distant memory.”
MDH will notify the winners, who must provide written consent of their willingness to accept the prize. Then, the Lottery will contact the winners with instructions on how to claim. Winners will be permitted to remain anonymous, but will certainly be encouraged to share their stories.
“I am beyond proud of every single vaccinated Marylander who has stepped up to protect themselves and keep Maryland safe and healthy.” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “We need every eligible Marylander vaccinated, and this lottery is a further incentive to get a life-saving vaccination to ensure we leave no arm behind in our fight to put this pandemic behind us.”
Prizes will be paid directly from the Lottery’s marketing budget, and will not at all diminish the Lottery’s contribution to the Maryland General Fund. Since its inception in 1973, the Maryland Lottery has awarded more than $28.2 billion in prizes to players and contributed nearly $17.3 billion to the State of Maryland. One of Maryland’s largest revenue sources, the Lottery supports important state programs and services including education, public safety and health, human resources, and the environment.
For more information, including a detailed list of frequently asked questions about the VaxCash Promotion, go to mdlottery.com/promotion/2-million-vaxcash-promotion.
