The CT Lottery Holds 11th Annual “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” Holiday Toy Drive

Wallingford, CT / December 9, 2024 – The Connecticut Lottery Corporation (CLC) is hosting its 11th Annual “Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket” Holiday Toy Drive to help bring joy to kids at Yale New Haven Health facilities, while also spreading the Responsible Gambling message that lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children. This year’s toy drive runs through January 3, 2025 and all toys collected will be donated to Yale New Haven’s Toy Closet, which provides age-appropriate toys to kids who
visit their facilities year-round.

“This holiday season, CLC is delighted to spread cheer through our Holiday Toy Drive, helping brighten the lives of children in our community,” said Frank Suarez, President and CEO of CLC. “As you plan your holiday giving, we’d like to remind everyone that, while lottery tickets make fun gifts for adults, they are not appropriate for kids.”

Over the last 10 years, CLC has donated more than 30,000 toys to programs such as the Toy Closet. 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.

“Yale New Haven Health and Yale New Haven Hospital would like to thank the Connecticut Lottery Corporation for its continued thoughtfulness and generosity,” said Beth Heinz, SVP Women’s & Children’s Services, Yale New Haven Hospital. “We are very appreciative and grateful for all of the acts of kindness and compassion afforded our families and patients through the 11th Annual ’Give a Child a Toy, Not a Ticket’ Holiday Toy Drive.”

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 committed to generating revenue for Connecticut in accordance with the highest standards of public policy and social responsibility.

In fiscal year 2025, CLC awarded more than $1.3 billion in prizes, paid $81.9 million in commissions and incentives to its network of more than 2,800 retail partners, and contributed approximately $362 million to the state’s General Fund. Through the General Fund, CT lottery dollars support services and programs that benefit Connecticut residents and communities, including education, public health, public safety, and libraries.

Since 1972, the Lottery has contributed nearly $12 billion for the State of Connecticut.

Lottery purchases are limited to adults age 18 or older. Players must be at least 21 to place sports wagers.Help is available for problem gambling. Call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org.