COLUMBIA, SC (December 30, 2009) – A day after the South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) ended its MegaMatch 6® game executives applauded players for their support.
"We appreciate each and every one of our loyal MegaMatch 6® players who purchased MegaMatch 6® tickets, and in turn, helped support education in our state," said Executive Director Paula Harper Bethea. "Our players are vitally important. The decision to end MegaMatch 6® did not come lightly," she added. "We are a business and we operate as a business, therefore we had to make a proactive change to our lineup of games," Bethea said.
In November, the Lottery notified its extensive network of retail partners MegaMatch 6® sales would cease by year's end. Messages concerning the last drawing and the number of drawings left were sent repeatedly to the 3,500 plus retailers as the game wound down and were displayed on their lottery terminals up until the final December 29 drawing. SCEL also conducted focus groups with players and retailers who confirmed MegaMatch 6® was not a game they play consistently.
Beginning in early December, SCEL initiated a communication plan that involved a news release, ticket messaging and draw announcements informing players as the end of MegaMatch 6® approached.
The Lottery is adding a new game with greater opportunity to raise funds to be appropriated to education. Mega Millions®, a big jackpot multi-state game, is launching in South Carolina on Sunday, January 31.
Mega Millions® is expected to bring an additional $15 – $22 million each year in transfers to the Education Lottery Account.
In the meantime, MegaMatch 6® players holding winning tickets from yesterday's final drawing have 180 days to claim their prizes. After all valid winning tickets have been claimed and paid, any remaining funds from the MegaMatch 6® game will be transferred to the Education Lottery Account and used to support educational initiatives in the Palmetto State.
"We appreciate each and every one of our loyal MegaMatch 6® players who purchased MegaMatch 6® tickets, and in turn, helped support education in our state," said Executive Director Paula Harper Bethea. "Our players are vitally important. The decision to end MegaMatch 6® did not come lightly," she added. "We are a business and we operate as a business, therefore we had to make a proactive change to our lineup of games," Bethea said.
In November, the Lottery notified its extensive network of retail partners MegaMatch 6® sales would cease by year's end. Messages concerning the last drawing and the number of drawings left were sent repeatedly to the 3,500 plus retailers as the game wound down and were displayed on their lottery terminals up until the final December 29 drawing. SCEL also conducted focus groups with players and retailers who confirmed MegaMatch 6® was not a game they play consistently.
Beginning in early December, SCEL initiated a communication plan that involved a news release, ticket messaging and draw announcements informing players as the end of MegaMatch 6® approached.
The Lottery is adding a new game with greater opportunity to raise funds to be appropriated to education. Mega Millions®, a big jackpot multi-state game, is launching in South Carolina on Sunday, January 31.
Mega Millions® is expected to bring an additional $15 – $22 million each year in transfers to the Education Lottery Account.
In the meantime, MegaMatch 6® players holding winning tickets from yesterday's final drawing have 180 days to claim their prizes. After all valid winning tickets have been claimed and paid, any remaining funds from the MegaMatch 6® game will be transferred to the Education Lottery Account and used to support educational initiatives in the Palmetto State.
1307