California Lottery’s $212K Ellen Show Giveaway Sparks Financial Scrutiny
The California State Lottery (CSL) handed out $500 bundles of scratch-off tickets to every audience member at a December recording of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The move was part of a promotional stunt aimed at boosting holiday sales. But questions have since arisen over missing tickets and the lottery’s financial accountability.
On 2 December, 425 guests at the show’s taping each received a $500 pack of scratch-offs, costing the CSL $212,500 in total. The lottery claimed the media exposure was worth around $1.6 million. YouTube personality Colleen Ballinger also got a bundle, courtesy of a friend linked to the programme.
The CSL’s promotional stunt has put its spending under fresh scrutiny. With unaccounted-for tickets and ongoing questions about education finance, lawmakers are pressing for clearer accountability. The lottery’s financial decisions—and their impact on public schools—remain a point of contention.
