The Health and Wealth Raffle has long since expanded to defrauding Arizona consumers twice annually.  I have written several unpublished editorials, and made several calls to unconcerned officials, without success, at exposing this racket.  I do understand that St. Joseph's Hospital and Barrow's Neurological institute are the main benefactors of this effort, but it would not detract from the fundraiser to be open and honest about the chances of winning a prize. 

     As stated, there is a 1-in-18 chance of being a winner, as there is one prize for every eighteen tickets sold - and there are approximately 180,000 tickets sold(18,000 prizes).  However, statistically speaking, each ticket sold has a 1-in-180,000 chance of winning, and the chances do not get any better as a ticket is drawn for a prize, as all tickets drawn are re-submitted into the prize system.  If you check the prize list, you will see that many tickets win multiple prizes.  The cost of the ticket, and the fact that they are not tax deductible, tends to make this gamble prohibitive.  I also understand that $100(3-for-$250) is not much, compared to what you may win, but this is just another misguided, and technically illegally marketed lottery.  Sorry, Nick!