California launched a $116.5 million lottery to incentivize residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine

California launched a $116.5 million lottery to incentivize residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine

California launched a $116.5 million lottery on Thursday to incentivize state residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. California joins a offering cash prizes to residents to encourage them to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the program, dubbed " ," on Thursday. The Golden State currently offers the largest jackpot out of all states that have employed such a program. "It's our biggest 'thank you' yet to Californians who have received their COVID-19 vaccine," the program's website reads. Residents of California ages 12 and older and who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for the lottery. According to the program's website, 10 winners will be chosen on June 15 to receive a $1.5 million jackpot each. Another 30 residents will be selected to win a $50,000 cash prize “” with 15 residents chosen on Friday, June 4, and another 15 winners will win on Friday, June 11. On top of the larger cash prizes, the program also includes $50 cards “” given in the form of a virtual card or grocery gift card “” to the first two million Californians who start and complete their COVID-19 vaccination upon the lottery's launch date