Media Advisory: Iowa Lottery Marks 40 Years with Guinness World Records™ Title Attempt at Iowa State Fair
Fairgoers ages 21+ encouraged to participate in event Aug. 14
Click links for JPEG images of tickets in the Iowa Lottery's original Scratch, Match & Win game
and the 40th anniversary version of the game.
Three JPEG images from the Iowa State Fair kickoff celebration in 1985 for the first day of Iowa Lottery sales are available here.
WHAT: The Iowa Lottery is celebrating its 40th anniversary by attempting to break a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most people simultaneously scratching scratch tickets. Participants will scratch a throwback version of the Lottery's first-ever game, “Scratch Match & Win!”
WHEN: Thursday. Aug. 14, 2025
- Walk-up entry begins: 4:30 p.m.
- Record attempt: 5:15 p.m.
WHERE: Elwell Family Park, Iowa State Fairgrounds (Northwest corner of the fairgrounds, just inside of Gate 13, near Parking Lot A).
WHO:
- Open to fairgoers 21 and older.
- Participants from IA Lottery™ VIP Club, who signed up in advance, will also take part in the record attempt.
DETAILS:
- Participants will receive a free “Scratch, Match & Win!” ticket with prizes up to $50,000.
- A drawing after the record attempt will award one $40,000 prize and two $4,000 prizes.
- An official adjudicator from Guiness World Records will verify the record attempt.
WHY: This event celebrates 40 years of the Iowa Lottery's contribution to Iowa, including raising $2.5 billion for state programs. It highlights the Lottery's ongoing commitment to providing entertainment and prizes to players while supporting initiatives that benefit all Iowans. Scratch tickets, the Lottery's top-selling product, have been a cornerstone of its success, with nearly $300 million in sales last year alone.
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