‘Cash Explosion’ remains wildly popular

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Twenty-nine years after it launched, the Ohio Lottery’s “Cash Explosion” show remains must-see TV for thousands of Ohioans who turn in every Saturday evening to watch ordinary folks jump, cry and scream over winning tens of thousands of dollars.

The attraction is easy; it takes no skill to be chosen to appear on the slightly corny show or to win – just a lot of luck. Every contestant walks away with about $10,000.

Like Cindy Feasel, who always wanted to swim with dolphins. Now, with a $50,000 win, she can afford to.

“I’m numb. I almost fell backward out of my chair,” said Feasel, of Grove City, as other contestants congratulated her after a show that aired Feb. 6.

State lottery TV shows used to be as common as TV dinners; now “Cash Explosion” is the only state lottery game show in the country.

Contestants play the lottery’s scratch-off Cash Explosion instant ticket. If the word “Entry” appears three times on a $2 ticket, they can mail the ticket in or enter it online for a weekly drawing to appear on the show.

The show has endured because ticket sales support the costs, said executive producer Barry Riley. And although the lottery cannot quantify the number of viewers, they know it’s popular.

“The lottery does see it at as the best promotion vehicle that they have,” Riley said. “Part of the appeal is that it is the only time people actually get a chance to see someone winning the lottery. And it is mostly life-changing money for a lot of our players.”