As the New Orleans Saints gear up for their 50th season, the Louisiana Lottery joins in the celebration by launching  $5 SAINTS GOLD — its eighth consecutive Saints-branded scratch-off game on sale today. SAINTS GOLD features three anniversary-themed scenes emblazoned in shiny gold metallic ink. Players have the chance to win cash prizes, including one of four top prizes of $100,000, plus the opportunity to enter nonwinning tickets into a series of second-chance drawings to win unique game-day prize experiences or official autographed Saints merchandise.

“In 2016, the Louisiana Lottery marks its 25th year of operations,” explained Lottery President Rose Hudson. “To commemorate this anniversary doubleheader with the Saints, we have beefed up second-chance prizes to provide more VIP experiences and winners than ever!”  

Four second-chance drawings will involve a total of 34 winners and the type of experience to be given away depends upon the entry period.

During the first drawings, one winner will receive a Saints Fly Away Prize package to the Nov. 6 game against San Francisco, including two tickets, round-trip airfare, pregame field passes, two nights’ hotel accommodations and $500 spending cash. In addition three more winners will receive a Saints Suite Access Prize Package including a set of four suite level tickets to the Nov. 13 game against Denver. The deadline entry for the first drawing is Sept. 19.

Entries received from Sept. 20 to Oct. 17 will be eligible to win the 2016 Tunnel Team Prize Package including four Plaza Club Sideline tickets, four pregame field passes to be on the field as the Saints come marching in ahead of the Nov. 13 game against Denver, one night hotel accommodation (two rooms), a parking pass and $500 spending cash. Nine additional drawing winners will receive an official autographed Saints jersey, football or helmet.

Entries received from Oct. 18 to Nov. 14 give participants a chance to win the 2016 Deluxe Prize Package, including a set of four Plaza Club Sideline tickets and limousine transportation to and from the Dec. 4 game against Detroit, plus four pregame field passes, four authentic Saints jerseys, one night hotel accommodation (two rooms) and $500 spending cash. Nine additional drawing winners will receive an official autographed Saints jersey, football or helmet.

Entries received after Nov. 14 until the to-be-announced deadline will be eligible to win a Saints 2017 Season Prize Package, including four Plaza Sideline tickets for the 2017 football season, four pregame field passes for every home game, a 2017 parking pass and a VIP tour of the Saints practice facility. The winner and three guests will receive round-trip limo service to the facility in Metairie (or overnight accommodations if the distance exceeds 75 miles) where they will also view a team practice and have lunch in the team cafeteria.  Nine additional drawing winners will receive an official autographed Saints jersey, football or helmet.

 “The New Orleans Saints and the Louisiana Lottery have enjoyed a golden partnership giving fans a reason to smile through exciting scratch-off games and experience prizes,” said New Orleans Saints President Dennis Lauscha. “SAINTS GOLD is the perfect way to commemorate our joint anniversary years.”

To enter the second-chance drawings, players should complete the information on the back of nonwinning $5 SAINTS GOLD scratch-off tickets and mail one ticket per envelope (no larger than 4.5" by 9.5") to the drawing address printed on the back of the ticket. Players can enter as many times as they wish, but each entry should be mailed in a separate envelope.

The Lottery printed 1.2 million tickets, and approximate overall odds of winning an instant prize on the game are 1 in 3.96. Complete game and second-chance drawing entry rules can be found on the Lottery's website, www.louisianalottery.com/saints-gold. Lottery ticket purchasers and second-chance drawing entrants must be at least 21 years of age. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available by calling 1-877-770-7867. For security purposes, the Lottery encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.