BARRINGTON, Ill. – While visiting a Lottery retail location to play one of his favorite games, James Tousey discovered that he could mail in $30 in non-winning tickets for the chance at $1 million. Little did the 61-year-old retiree know that he was about to go on the ride of his life, thanks to the Lottery’s “Replay for Riches” summer promotion.

“I play the Lotto, Little Lotto, Mega Millions and instants all the time,” James said. “I stopped by for a Lotto ticket and learned about ‘Replay for Riches.’” Not long after mailing in his non-winning tickets, James received a letter from the Lottery, informing him that he would get his chance to spin the “Replay for Riches” wheel.

Between now and August 29, 2008, the Lottery will select one weekly “Replay for Riches” winner. Each winner will attend a special qualifying event and spin the “Replay for Riches” wheel, which features prize amounts varying from $25,000 to $150,000. Each contestant will then decide whether to receive a prize check for the amount shown on the wheel or to place the amount won on the “Replay for Riches” leader board, with a chance to be one of the six finalists to participate in the summer promotion’s finale.

After James spun the wheel, he faced a tough decision. Should he walk away with $40,000 or put his money on the leader board for the chance at $1 million? Accompanied onstage by his brother and a friend, James decided to put his winnings up on the leader board for the chance to attend the finale.

Now James plays a waiting game. The six contestants with the highest amounts on the leader board at the end of the promotion will attend the “Replay for Riches” finale, where one lucky winner will go home with $1 million and the remaining five finalists will walk away with $100,000.