West Virginia Lottery launches Halloween-themed PAC-MAN scratch-off game

The West Virginia Lottery has launched a Halloween-themed PAC-MAN scratch-off game, designed collaboratively by the Lottery and Pollard Banknote. The game, described as the first Halloween-inspired PAC-MAN scratch-off in the lottery industry, was developed under license from Bandai Namco Entertainment America.

Released on August 29, the $5 ticket features a top prize of $30,000. Pollard Banknote describes it as featuring "dazzling colors and instantly recognizable imagery" set against a black backdrop of purple-hued bats, tombstones, spiderwebs, and trees.

The game features a simple "key number match" playstyle, and bonus elements designed to appeal to all player demographics. Part of the Lottery’s suite of five Halloween-inspired games, the PAC-MAN ghosts are highlighted via the entire lineup’s tagline: “Get them, before they ghost you!”

The game seeks to capitalize on the appeal of the ’80s arcade icon. The West Virginia Lottery supported the launch with a host of marketing collateral to boost awareness, including point-of-sale posters, digital and social media ads, and radio spots.

Ongoing promotions include co-branded PAC-MAN merchandise for giveaways and a social media contest that includes t-shirts, PAC-MAN candies, PAC-MAN speakers/charger, and ghost lights. The Lottery also produced a TV commercial that transforms a grocery store shopper into a pixelated PAC-MAN intent on avoiding unnecessary delays/ghosts within the animated store’s maze of aisles.

Available exclusively from Pollard Banknote as part of its arcade classics collection, PAC-MAN will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2025. Widely considered the most successful coin-operated game ever created, it’s estimated the game has been played more than 10 billion times. To date, 21 North American lotteries have launched 26 PAC-MAN-themed scratch-off games and two PAC-MAN-themed e-Instant games.

“Launching our third PAC-MAN ticket since 2006, this time with a Halloween theme, was an easy decision for us,” said Michael Thaxton, Traditional Lottery Marketing Supervisor, West Virginia Lottery.

“We knew an eerie twist on this legendary arcade character would have wide-reaching appeal, and we’re encouraged by the response received so far. Collaborating with Pollard Banknote on this game has been a fantastic experience, and we’re looking forward to releasing our follow-up holiday-themed PAC-MAN scratch-off game in the coming months.”

“We’re thrilled with how the Lottery’s Halloween-themed PAC-MAN game turned out,” said Brad Thompson, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Pollard Banknote. “Although many North American lotteries have enjoyed great success with PAC-MAN scratch-offs and other games available from our arcade classics collection, the West Virginia Lottery was the first to take PAC-MAN in a frighteningly fantastic new direction."

"The Lottery’s belief in the PAC-MAN brand was evident from the start, and we’re delighted to see their hard work pay off in ways that will help generate money for the good causes they support.”

The West Virginia Lottery commenced operations in January 1986. Since then, the Lottery has contributed nearly $11.9 billion in gaming revenue to the State of West Virginia, with proceeds supporting education, seniors, and tourism. Lottery operations have generated over $3.7 billion for education, over $1.5 billion for senior services, and over $1.3 billion for tourism.