U.S. governor unrolls $1 million lottery prizes to encourage COVID-19 vaccination

Beginning May 26, adults who have received at least one vaccine dose may enter a lottery that will provide a $1 million prize each Wednesday for five weeks.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is offering big lottery incentives — including a $1 million prize and college scholarships — in a last-ditch effort to get people vaccinated before the State’s mask mandate and most other -related State orders end on June 2, he announced on Wednesday. All Ohio’s COVID-19 orders except those applying to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities will end, the Republican said during a primetime address. However, Mr. DeWine noted that stores and businesses still may require customers to be masked. With three weeks to go before restrictions lift, Mr. DeWine rolled out big-ticket motivators. Beginning May 26, adults who have received at least one vaccine dose may enter a lottery that will provide a $1 million prize each Wednesday for five weeks. In random drawings, the State will also provide five full four-year scholarships to an Ohio public university — including tuition, room-and-board, and books — to vaccinated Ohioans under 18.