New Mexico Lottery Adds Aerosmith Scratch Tickets to Promote Tour

by Jacob Zinn | March 17, 2010 at 01:23 pm

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The New Mexico Lottery has a released a series of three Aerosmith-themed scratch games with prizes that include concert tickets and backstage passes. And of course, cash prizes up to $50,000.

Depending on the ticket, players scratch off 20 Aerosmith speakers, song notes or stars and match their numbers with the winning numbers printed on the ticket. There will also be second-chance drawings for tickets to an exclusive Aerosmith party scheduled for September at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

Aerosmith Songs & Tickets Appeal to All Ages

The $5 scratchers are based on songs and albums by Aerosmith from the past 40 years: their first single, 1973’s Dream On; their 1987 album, Permanent Vacation; and their 2001 album and title track, Just Push Play.

The branded lotto tickets were organized through Aerosmith’s publisher, Primary Wave Music, and gaming technology company, GTECH. With wagering lyrics such as, “I'm bettin’ on the dice I'm tossin’,” Aerosmith seemed suited to marketing the tickets and might be less of a gamble than other bands because they are recognizable to several generations of fans.

“Aerosmith is the ideal band to try this with,” said Primary Wave chief marketing officer Adam Lowenberg. “The band is very much interested in establishing new precedents, whether it's ‘Guitar Hero’ or the Rock & Roll Roller Coaster or even, going back in history, to mixing rock and rap.”

Aerosmith Keeps Steven Tyler

In August, Tyler fell off the stage during a show at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, forcing the band to cancel the rest of their North American tour. Three months later, rumours surfaced that Tyler was planning on leaving Aerosmith, and in December, Tyler checked into rehab for a painkiller addiction.

In January, it was unclear if Aerosmith would keep lead singer Steven Tyler, who was scheduled to have leg surgery that would keep him from performing for 1.5 years. The rest of the band announced they were going to audition new singers, but Tyler’s attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter, requesting they discontinue their search for a singer.

Aerosmith, with Steven Tyler, are scheduled to tour South America and Europe from May to July.

Aerosmith and New Mexico Lottery Help Schools

While those who hit the jackpot will feel like winners, even the less fortunate will benefit from the lotto tickets. Since 1996, the New Mexico Lottery has given nearly $427 million for public education and helped more than 61,000 students afford college through their scholarships.

The overall odds in winning are 1 in 3.77, but the odds of taking the top prize of $50,000 is 1 in 150,000.