Vaccine Lottery by State and How to Enter
As the U.S. COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, several states are holding vaccine lotteries that award cash and other prizes to those who receive the vaccine in a bid to encourage more vaccinations.
For most states, residents aged 18 or older who received at least one dose of the vaccine are automatically entered in the lotteries, while in some you may need to register to enter the drawing.
Here we look at some states offering COVID-19 vaccine lotteries. Eligibility as well as other terms and conditions may differ, depending on the state. See the respective state government websites for full details on the lotteries listed below.
New York
Vaccinated individuals in New York State have the chance to win up to $5 million as part of the state's "Vax and Scratch" program, which was extended on May 28.
How to enter: Those who receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by June 4 at one of 10 participating vaccination sites will be given a free $20 lottery ticket. There are 13 different cash prize levels, ranging in value from $20 to $5 million.
See the New York state government website for more details.
California
California is giving away a grand prize of $1.5 million to 10 individuals who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as part of its "Vax for the Win" vaccine incentive program. The winners will be announced on June 15.
Thirty people who have had their first dose will also each be eligible to receive $50,000 . Half of the winners will be selected on June 4, while the remaining 15 will be announced on June 11.
In addition, the first 2 million residents to "start and complete their COVID-19 vaccination" will each receive a $50 gift card.
How to enter: Entry for the cash prizes is automatic upon receiving at least one dose of the vaccine. Gift cards will be available while supplies last.
See the California government website for details.
Ohio
Until June 23, every Wednesday one vaccinated individual in Ohio will be selected to receive $1 million, while another will receive a full scholarship to a four-year university in the state as part of its "Vax-a-Million" lottery program.
How to enter: Ohio residents who have had at least one dose of the vaccine can enter the lottery by filling out a form at the website Ohiovaxamillion.com or by calling the Ohio Department of Health at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
See the Ohio government website for more information.
Maryland
Maryland will award a total of $2 million in cash prizes to 41 Maryland residents who have been vaccinated, giving away $40,000 a day for 40 days and $400,000 on July 4.
Since May 25, one winner has been randomly drawn each day to win the $40,000 prize, while the winner of the grand prize of $400,000 will be announced on July 4.
How to enter: Residents who received at least one dose of the vaccine in Maryland are automatically entered into the prize drawings. No registration is required.
See the Maryland state government website for more information.
Oregon
Oregon is offering $1 million to one vaccinated individual and $10,000 to 36 others (one person in each county) as well as five $100,000 education scholarships as part of its "Take Your Shot, Oregon" vaccination initiative. The drawing of the winning names will take place on June 28.
How to enter: All residents who received at least one dose of the vaccine are automatically entered into the drawing. "All vaccinations registered through June 27 will be eligible," the Oregon state government website says.
See the state government website for more information.
Colorado
Vaccinated residents in Colorado have a chance at bagging $1 million or $50,000 toward post-secondary education as part of the "Colorado Comeback Cash" vaccine incentive program.
The drawings for the $1 million prize will be held weekly for five weeks, starting on June 4, followed by June 11, 18, 25 and ending on July 7.
How to enter: All residents who received at least one dose of a vaccine are automatically entered in the lottery. The drawings are based on the vaccine records in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS). "It can take a few days for information to be entered into CIIS, so you should try to get vaccinated as far in advance of the drawing as possible. The last day to qualify is June 30," the Colorado state government website advises.
See the state government website for more information.
Washington
On Thursday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced new incentives to encourage residents to get vaccinated.
"The Washington State Lottery will be conducting a 'Shot of a Lifetime' giveaway series during the month of June, working with state agencies, technology companies, sports teams and higher education institutions across the state to offer a myriad of different prizes to vaccinated individuals," the governor's office said in a statement.
The incentives include lottery cash drawings, with prizes amounting to a total of $2 million, as well as assistance with higher education tuition and expenses.
How to enter: The governor's office says "The only action that Washingtonians need to take to win any of the prizes is to get vaccinated. All individuals who have been previously vaccinated are eligible."
