ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Lottery’s latest Scratcher is based on “Deal or No Deal*,” the popular TV game show that challenges contestants to pick the briefcase holding the most cash while they contemplate offers to quit the contest in exchange for other cash prizes.

The launch of the “Deal or No Deal” Scratcher coincides with the Sept. 8 premiere of the TV show’s syndicated daytime program. Like its TV counterpart, the “Deal or No Deal” Scratcher is an elimination-style game. Players must scratch away18 briefcases to reveal dollar amounts or “No Deal” symbols. Then they must scratch away all corresponding matches from a table of 19 boxes listing dollar amounts and “No Deal” symbols. If the last remaining unmatched box contains a dollar amount, the player would win that sum.

Available now at 1,100 lottery retailers statewide, the “Deal or No Deal” Scratcher features top instant prizes of $30,000.

Players with non-winning “Deal or No Deal” tickets will have second-chance opportunities to win other prizes.

In a drawing scheduled for Feb. 24, 2009, two New Mexico Lottery players will win at least $5,000 and a trip for two to Hollywood. While in Hollywood, they will have a chance to play a non-broadcast version of the daytime “Deal or No Deal” show with host Howie Mandel as well as a chance to be selected to play a broadcast version that will air later in 2009 during a “Lottery Week” edition of the program.

In another drawing, two New Mexico Lottery players will have a chance to win a cash prize ranging between $250,000 and $2.5 million. The drawing will be held on or about Sept. 15, 2009.