Florida Lottery Features Royal Caribbean International in New 'CRUISE FOR CASH' Game

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Florida Lottery today announced an exciting new Royal Caribbean International® themed Scratch-Off game: CRUISE FOR CASH. With ticket sales beginning today, the $5 game offers Lottery players the chance to win up to $200,000 instantly! And, a second chance promotion on the Lottery's Web site offers players the chance to win a 7-night Caribbean cruise vacation for two aboard one of Royal Caribbean's newest, and world's most innovative, cruise ships – Oasis of the Seas® or Allure of the Seas®.* The new game is available at Florida Lottery retailers statewide.

"Tourism is a vital part of Florida's economy, and this partnership between the Florida Lottery and Royal Caribbean International is a unique opportunity to bring together Florida's public and private sectors to promote one of the state's greatest tourist industries – cruising," said Florida Lottery Secretary Leo DiBenigno.

Florida continues to serve as the epicenter of the cruise industry nationwide and is home to the top three cruise ports in the country: Port of Miami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, the North American cruise industry generated $35.1 billion in 2009, with Florida port embarkations growing by nearly 3 percent – making up 59 percent of the U.S. total.

"We are pleased to be working with the Florida Lottery on the CRUISE FOR CASH game, which helps raise additional funds for education," said Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President Sales and Trade Support & Services, Royal Caribbean International.

"We expect CRUISE FOR CASH to have a wide appeal among Floridians and visitors to our great state, helping us maximize sales for the enhancement of public education," added Secretary DiBenigno.

In addition to four $200,000 top prizes, CRUISE FOR CASH also features more than 1.6 million cash prizes ranging from $5 to $2,500. The game's overall odds of winning are one in 3.87. The game is the latest themed Scratch-Off in the Lottery's game portfolio, offering players instant cash prizes and additional chances to win via a second chance promotion on the Lottery's Web site.

Beginning today, players may enter their non-winning CRUISE FOR CASH tickets in five Royal Caribbean International® Cruise Package Second Chance drawings to be held from October 6 to December 15, 2010. Each cruise packages include seven nights aboard the Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas or another Royal Caribbean cruise ship sailing select itineraries.* Winners of the second chance drawings will tour their respective Caribbean destinations in a beautiful balcony stateroom, with an ocean view for two. Cruise winners also will receive $1,000 in ship credit and premium accommodations for two at a deluxe hotel prior to departure. There will be a total of 112 cruise packages awarded with this game.

The Florida Lottery offers more than 50 Scratch-Off games at any given time through instant ticket vending machines (ITVMs) or on-counter displays at more than 13,000 retailers statewide. Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery's portfolio of games, making up approximately 53 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $396 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2009-10.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and one under construction.  The line also offers unique cruisetour land packages in Alaska, Dubai, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and South America. 

Florida voters, by a two-to-one margin, approved a constitutional amendment in 1986 authorizing the state to operate a lottery for the purpose of generating significant additional moneys for education. Today, Floridians continue to show their support by purchasing nearly $4 billion in Lottery products per year, resulting in contributions of more than $21 billion to the EETF since 1988. For more information regarding the Florida Lottery, its games and its contributions to education, visit www.flalottery.com.

When you play, we all win.

"$21 Billion for Florida's Students"

* Cruise winners will have the option of selecting from various Royal Caribbean International cruise vacations, subject to availability and the terms of the CRUISE FOR CASH game.  Release approved by RCCL and the Florida Lottery.

SOURCE Florida Lottery