A wave of excitement is sweeping across the Empire State as the New York Lottery taps into bicentennial fever with its Erie Canal Million Dollar Raffle. Launched on August 4 to honor the 200th anniversary of the legendary waterway, the game is igniting a rush among players eager for some of the best odds the lottery has ever offered.
With only two million tickets available and sales set to close on October 25—or sooner if sold out—anticipation is building ahead of the October 26 drawing, which falls exactly 200 years after the canal’s grand opening in 1825. The prize pool reflects the milestone: 15 top prizes of $1 million, 15 prizes of $100,000, 15 prizes of $25,000, and 5,460 prizes of $200, all echoing the canal’s 200-year legacy. Even the odds—1 in 363—pay homage to the canal’s 363-mile stretch.
Officials say the frenzy isn’t just about the money. If all tickets sell, the raffle could deliver more than $21 million to New York’s public schools. “This is about history, community pride, and giving back,” said Brian O’Dwyer, Chair of the New York State Gaming Commission.
The raffle joins more than 35 events statewide marking the bicentennial, including festivals, concerts, and a recreation of the famed “Wedding of the Waters” voyage, making 2025 a landmark year for both New York’s history and its lottery players.
