While a New York vaccination lottery incentive might be running on borrowed time, winners in the game may never have to borrow money again. For another week, New Yorkers can get free scratch-offs after getting COVID-19 vaccine shots.
10 different sites around the Empire State are giving away tickets for the $5 Million Mega Multiplier New York Lottery game after residents get stuck. It’s an incentive that could literally pay off for some New Yorkers in multiple ways.
New York vaccination lottery incentive will continue
To be clear, this isn’t a lottery attached to who gets the vaccine or when. New Yorkers who are eligible for the vaccine can visit any participating sites without an appointment to get the free injections. However, at 10 of those sites, unvaccinated NY residents can also get a free lottery ticket.
The 10 sites that also happen to be giving out $5 Million Mega Multiplier scratchers in addition to Johnson & Johnson and/or Pfizer shots include:
- Bay Eden Senior Center, 1220 E 229th St, Bronx
- Jones Beach, Field 3, 1 Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh
- Rochester Dome Arena, 2695 E Henrietta Rd, Henrietta
- Sears in the Queensbury Aviation Mall, 578 Aviation Rd, Queensbury
- Suffolk CCC, 1001 Crooked Hill Rd, Brentwood
- SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Pkwy, Oneonta
- SUNY Orange, 9 E Conkling Ave, Middletown
- SUNY Potsdam, 44 Pierrepont Ave, Potsdam
- Ulster Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Rd, New Paltz
- University at Buffalo South Campus, 3435 Main St, Buffalo
Naturally, lottery cards will only be distributed to vaccine receivers who are at least 18 years of age, while the vaccine is approved for those 12 years of age or older. The giveaway now runs through this week thanks to action by NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The program originally ended on May 28.
So, what are the odds of winning the top prize off such a card? Are any of those $5 million prizes still available? The details of the $20 instant-win game are no secret.
Details of the $5 Million Mega Multiplier game
According to the NY Lottery, two of the three $5 million prizes remain. The odds of finding that prize on a game card are 1 in 4,449,600. However, the overall odds of winning any prize in the game are 1 in 3.33. Prizes start at the retail cost of $20.
For vaccinated New Yorkers, these cards are available at most NY Lottery retailers. If you do hit one of the two remaining top prizes, there are several best practices when it comes to what to do afterward. Those include securing the ticket and contacting financial/legal professionals right away.
Whether it comes as a result of a free play after a vaccine or a purchase at a retailer, two more players stand to win $5 million off this game. Admittedly, it would be a little sweeter if it comes from a free game card, though.
