We know that Holiday sales are usually good, and we are ecstatic that this year was no different. Our instant ticket sales for the week of 12/25/2010 - $38,081,595 - eclipsed the prior record of $37,950,128, which was set back on 2006. Our combined instant and draw sales for last week totaled $62,287,589. This was the highest weekly total since the record week of $70,584,715.50 set on 4/13/02 more than 8 ½ years ago! Thank you!

Holiday-themed scratch-off tickets are a popular gift this time of year because they are affordable and easy to purchase. We'd be remiss, though, if we didn't send along this reminder - the Lottery is an activity for those adults over 18 who enjoy playing our games.  The children in the State of Ohio win from the purchase of lottery tickets because all Ohio Lottery profits help support K-12 education in our state. Last year, the Ohio Lottery transferred more than $728 million dollars to education in Ohio. But putting Lottery tickets in the hands of children is not only irresponsible but also unlawful.   The Ohio Lottery is committed to responsible gaming and urges adult responsibility when considering gifts and stocking stuffers. Please, by all means, feel free to buy Ohio Lottery holiday instant tickets for the other adults on your list.  But remember, you must be 18 to purchase and play Ohio Lottery games. So please ... enjoy the holiday season and please ... play responsibly. If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem, help is available. For help call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966.

We already know that people love Cash Explosion. We know it’s the top-rated Ohio show in its time slot - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. People watch for a variety of reasons – living vicariously through our contestants, for example, and dreaming of what they’d do with all that prize money. And there’s the moment when the new crop of contestants is revealed - 16 folks who will be on the next month’s worth of shows. Thousands of people who have sent in their entry tickets watch for that moment alone.  We also know that people who attend the monthly taping at Mills James Productions in Columbus have a great time cheering on family and friends who are lucky enough to be contestants. Some people attend the taping even if they don’t know anybody playing, just because it’s a fun and potentially profitable experience – most people walk away with Cash Explosion merchandise and a considerably more positive outlook on their day.  It’s always a neat experience to be at a taping, but sometimes something especially cool happens. Like, for example, today. Today we taped the show that will air on Christmas Day, and when the future contestants were announced, one of them was actually in the studio! How cool is that? One minute, you’re having a great time sitting in the audience wishing it was you up there playing, and the next minute, you realize it WILL be you up there in just a few short weeks! Want to witness that moment? Check it out on Christmas Day at 7:30 p.m. Check your local listings to find the station in your area.

Congrats to the Tobacco Company in North Olmsted! For the very same draw date - Dec. 3 - this store sold a Mega Millions 5/5 ticket, which was good for $250,000 ... and one of the Rolling Cash 5 jackpot tickets! The Rolling Cash 5 jackpot was worth $317,000 and was won by three players, one of whom purchased their ticket at Tobacco Company. The retailer will receive a total of $1,500 in sales bonuses for selling these winning tickets. Way to go!

If you’re anything like me, music makes the world a lot more fun. Not just more fun… more everything. I can get charged up, settled down, filled with joy, dancing in my chair or quietly sentimental, depending on the tune. Plus, I’ll sing most anywhere. The car, kitchen, office, shower, walking, I’ll even do karaoke on occasion (hint, hint). That’s the point of today’s entry – singing. Specifically, holiday singing, because this is the season more people sing out loud than any other. (I don’t actually have stats for that, but it seems like it should be true.) Anyway, the Ohio Lottery is giving anyone (18 years old and up, thank you) who thinks they can carry a tune the opportunity to come out and sing some holiday songs with us. Holiday Karaoke, in front of people at a mall, on a stage, for a free gift and chances to win an iPod Shuffle and Simon Mall gift cards or a bunch of other prizes. We’ll have traditional songs to sing and some familiar holiday tunes with lucky Lottery lyrics. All singers, in addition to getting a special holiday gift, will be video-recorded for posterity, our holiday Web site and, perhaps, stardom. (That’s how that Bieber kid got started, right?) Every performer will receive a video of their performance. Our first-ever Holiday Karaoke events will happen at three Simon Malls: Great Lakes Mall in Mentor on Saturday December 4 from noon to 3; Summit Mall in Akron on Sunday, December 5 from 1 to 4; and the Mall at Tuttle Crossing in Columbus on Saturday December 11 from noon to 3. Yes, there will be spin and wins (with Lottery purchase) at each event, which means lots of prizes. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop in, shop and sing a song or two. It’ll be a nice break from holiday shopping … and maybe the big break you’ve been waiting for. I have included a few lyrics to one of the tunes you’ll be singing. Go ahead, practice. It'll be fun. (And no one will know ... until you become a star at the mall!) "Winter Riches" (to the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas") We wish you’d give Winter Riches; We wish you’d give Winter Riches; We wish you’d give Winter Riches with payouts so dear. Good money I’ll make when I play and win; Good money and riches for a Happy New Year. Oh I’d like to win some money; Oh I’d like to win some money; Oh I’d like to win some money from the state lot-ter-y. See, how hard was that? Easy, right? See you Saturday at Great Lakes Mall; Sunday at Summit Mall; or next weekend at Tuttle Crossing!