Lottery News

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation Hosts 10th Annual “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” Virtual Holiday Toy Drive to Benefit Connecticut Children’s, November 20 – December 31Wallingford, CT / November 17, 2023 – The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) will host its 10th Annual “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” Holiday Toy Drive from November 20, through December 31, 2023, to help bring joy to kids spending the holidays at Connecticut Children’s, while also spreading the Responsible Gambling message that lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children. This year’s partners include Connecticut Children’s, iHeartRadio, and FOX61/CW20. 

“Research shows that early gambling experiences are a risk factor for later problem gambling, and Connecticut Lottery’s goal each year is to use the holidays to highlight that while lottery tickets make great gifts for adults, they are not suitable for those under 18,” said Greg Smith, President & CEO, CLC. “We thank all of our partners for helping us to spread this message and assisting us with the virtual toy drive that will help bring comfort to Connecticut Children’s patients during the holidays and all year long.”

Your donation in support of the virtual toy drive will help purchase gifts for patients, stock play rooms and provide activities to celebrate winter holidays. When you support our Virtual Toy Drive with a monetary gift, you give Connecticut Children’s the flexibility to purchase items based on the ages and interests of current patients. To make a donation to the “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” holiday toy drive for Connecticut Children’s visit give.connecticutchildrens.org/ctlottery.

Over the last 10 years, the CLC donated more than 30,000 toys to Connecticut Children’s. The hospital uses toys to engage, distract and motivate patients, so having the right items is critically important. In total, the yearly need for donated toys is great—upwards of 80,000—ranging from a simple deck of cards or matchbox car, to the more substantial, tablets and video games. 

“The Connecticut Lottery Virtual Toy Drive helps make spirits bright at Connecticut Children’s,” said David Kinahan, President of Connecticut Children’s Foundation. “We are grateful for the way they inspire generosity from the community, which benefits our patients all year long.”

Since 2008, the CLC has partnered with the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) during the holidays to promote the message that lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children.

If you or someone you know is affected by a gambling problem, please call the CT Council on Problem Gambling’s Helpline at 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org for more information.

About the Connecticut Lottery Corporation:

The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) is a quasi-public state agency with the mission to generate revenue for Connecticut consistent with the highest standards of good public policy and social responsibility. In fiscal year 2023, players won more than $1.1 billion in prize money and retailers earned more than $80 million in commissions. At the same time, the CLC provided more than $404 million to support the valuable services and programs funded by the state’s General Fund including public health, libraries, public safety, education and more.  Since the Lottery began in 1972, its contributions to the General Fund have exceeded $11.5 billion.*

*Based on unaudited FY 2023 financial statements.

The CLC reminds the public that Lottery purchasers must be 18 or older, and players must be at least 21 to place sports wagers. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org.

For information about the CT Lottery, stop by any CT Lottery retailer, visit ctlottery.org, join us on Facebook (facebook.com/ctlottery), Instagram (Instagram.com/ctlottery), Twitter (twitter.com/ctlottery), or call (860) 713-2700.

About Connecticut Children's:

Connecticut Children's the only health system in Connecticut dedicated to children, providing more than 30 pediatric specialties along with community-based programs. We’re known for exceptional care that kids and parents love, conveniently delivered at locations close to home and by Video Visit. Our experts lead breakthrough research and innovative partnerships, and have won awards for everything from nursing excellence to patient-friendly technology. U.S. News & World Report named us a best children’s hospital in the nation.

Connecticut Children’s is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve access to health care for all children.

About iHeartMedia Hartford and New Haven:

iHeartMedia Hartford owns and operates Top 40 WKSS-FM, Adult Hits WHCN-FM, News-Talk WPOP-AM-W265EB, Sports WUCS-FM and Country WWYZ-FM iHeartMedia New Haven owns and operates Top 40 WKCI-FM, Urban WKCI-HD2-W265DB, News-Talk WELI-AM and WELI-FM, and Sports WAVZ-AM and is part of iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) is the number one audio company in the United States, reaching nine out of 10 Americans every month – and with its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, has a greater reach than any other media company in the U.S. The company’s leadership position in audio extends across multiple platforms, including more than 850 live broadcast stations in over 160 markets nationwide; through its iHeartRadio digital service available across more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices; through its influencers; social; branded iconic live music events; other digital products and newsletters; and podcasts as the #1 commercial podcast publisher. iHeartMedia also leads the audio industry in analytics, targeting and attribution for its marketing partners with its SmartAudio product, using data from its massive consumer base. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

About FOX61 and CW20

FOX61 is one of the nation's most highly rated FOX Network affiliates, providing Connecticut viewers with outstanding entertainment, news, sports, and local event programming. FOX61 News is the market leader in news, producing more news and winning more awards than any station in Connecticut. FOX61 now airs more than 61 live hours of local news and public affairs programming each week, more than any other market station. 

CW20, one of the top performing CW network affiliates in the U.S., delivers the best in off network and first-run syndicated programming, movies, and sports. The station is home to the Connecticut Lottery drawings and broadcasts major community events and sports including New York Mets Baseball, UConn Men’s Ice Hockey, Football and Baseball.

FOX61 and CW20 are owned by TEGNA Inc., an innovative media company that owns and operates 64 television stations in 51 markets. For more information, please visit www.fox61.com.

- #  #  # -