Forget chocolates; Illinois couples bet on love for Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day, Illinoisans may want to rethink their go-to gifts. A recent Illinois Lottery survey reveals that scratch-off tickets are a highly desired Valentine's Day gift.

The survey examined gifting habits among 18- to 65-year-olds in Illinois. It found that most see lottery scratch-off tickets as a fun and exciting Valentine's Day gift. Specifically, 82% of men and 86% of women feel this way.

Other findings include:

• 99% of men and 92% of women who gave scratch-off tickets as presents for Valentine's Day reported that their partner appreciated the gift.
• One in four respondents ranked a scratch-off ticket in their top three most preferred Valentine's Day gifts.
• Despite their popularity, only about a third of people have actually received a scratch-off ticket for Valentine's Day (38% of men and 37% of women).

The Illinois Lottery conducted a quantitative survey from January 24, 2025 – January 31, 2025. The survey explored Valentine's Day gifting behaviors. Participants included 500 Illinois residents (250 men and 250 women) ages 18-65+ who were in a relationship and planned to participate in Valentine's Day.

Roses wilt. Chocolates melt.

The thrill of a potential win lasts far beyond February 14. For those scrambling for a fun and unique alternative to traditional Valentine's Day gifts, an Illinois Lottery Instant Ticket might be the perfect solution.

Men are nearly twice as likely as women to shop last minute on Valentine's Day (15% vs. 8%). A scratch-off ticket offers a clever, convenient way to make the day extra special. Tuck it into a heartfelt card. Arrange them in a unique “ticket bouquet.” Present it over a romantic dinner.

The Illinois Lottery offers a range of instant ticket games. Prices range from $1 to $50. They are available at approximately 7,000 retail locations across Illinois.

Creative Valentine's gift ideas with lottery tickets

Looking for inspiration? Here are a few unique ways to gift lottery tickets this Valentine's Day:

• Scratcher Bouquet: Create a floral arrangement using scratch-off tickets instead of flowers.  You can use skewers or sticks to attach the tickets to a base and add filler like shredded paper or tissue paper. Consider including some candy.  The New Mexico Lottery even offers printable Valentine's Day cards to complete the bouquet.
• Mystery Gift Box: Wrap a tissue box and fill it with a roll of scratch-off tickets. Leave the end of the roll sticking out so your Valentine can pull them out one by one.  Add a "Pull Here" label for a fun touch.
• Love-Themed Games: Some lotteries offer special Valentine's Day-themed scratch-off games. Look for these in your local area. For example, the Rhode Island Lottery offers a game called "Love Fever".
• Powerball Surprise: Include a Powerball Quick Pick ticket with your Valentine's Day gift. Powerball is played in 45 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.

This Valentine's season, you can give your partner the gift of possibility. After all, the right ticket could make this holiday unforgettable.