Social media competition coincides with pet-themed scratch ticket game offering
$12 million in cash prizes
AUSTIN (May 15, 2024) – The votes are in and we have a winner! Luka, a nine-month-old standard poodle mix from Gregory, near Corpus Christi, has earned the title of “Luckiest Dog in Texas” after leaping past fellow lucky dogs around the state in the dog division of the Lucky Dog/Cool Cat Photo Challenge, that was conducted by the Texas Lottery on its Facebook page from March 20-27.
“Texas is home to a lot of lucky dogs, but our Facebook followers have spoken, and we’re proud to celebrate Luka as the luckiest of them all,” said Ryan Mindell, executive director of the Texas Lottery Commission. “While our photo contest may be over, thousands of Texans can still be winners when they play the Lucky Dog/Cool Cat scratch ticket game.”
Highlighting its Texas veterans-supporting Lucky Dog/Cool Cat scratch ticket game, which offers players who purchase a $2 ticket the chance to win cash prizes of up to $30,000, the Lucky Dog/Cool Cat Photo Challenge featured separate entries for ‘lucky dogs’ and ‘cool cats.’ Pet owners were invited to post a selfie with their pet in the comment section of the contest post. The owner whose selfie photo received the most Facebook ‘likes’ in each section was awarded a custom pet photoshoot with their furry friend. The competition attracted hundreds of submissions and votes from across the state.
“Luka is a very fun, loving dog with a great personality,” said Lorena Lara, Luka’s owner. “Everyone he meets, he loves – and everyone who sees him is immediately attracted to him. I’m lucky to own him, and Luka is also lucky to live in such a great community. As a veteran myself, I am very happy to support a game that helps Texas veterans!”
While Luka won in the dog category, the cool cat section was won by Miss Kiddy Kitty from Flower Mound, entered by owner Judy Gregg.
Launched in March of this year, the Lucky Dog/Cool Cat scratch ticket game has been dedicated to supporting Texas veterans, with sales from the game being generated for the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. As of May 13, seven top prizes of $30,000 remain to be claimed, with thousands of other prizes ranging from $2 to $1,000 still up for grabs. In total, the game offers more than $12 million in cash prizes.
About the Texas Lottery
Beginning with the first ticket sold in 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $38 billion in revenue for the state and distributed more than $86 billion in prizes to lottery players. Since 1997, the Texas Lottery has contributed $32.8 billion to the Foundation School Fund, which supports public education in Texas. As authorized by the Texas Legislature, certain Texas Lottery revenues benefit state programs including the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. Since the first veterans’ themed scratch ticket game was launched in 2009, the Texas Lottery has contributed more than $237 million for programs supporting Texas veterans.
The Texas Lottery provides several entertaining games for lottery players including Powerball®, Mega Millions®, Lotto Texas®, All or Nothing™, Texas Two Step®, Pick 3™, Daily 4™, Cash Five® and scratch ticket games. For more information visit us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube or at texaslottery.com. PLAY RESPONSIBLY.