DETROIT, MI -- (Marketwire) -- 06/03/09 -- Sales of the first Hitsville Venture Lotto Soul tickets are off the charts and breaking records.

Launched this month in Washington, D.C., Lotto Soul takes center stage as the top selling $2 game at the D.C. Lottery. Within the last two weeks, the instant scratcher game has reached record sales of $233,200 according to the D.C. Lottery.

The initial roll-out of tickets features four legendary artists from Motown: The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, The Dramatics and Freda Payne. The $2 special limited edition instant scratch tickets offer a cash prize of up to $4,500.

To help promote the successful launch, the Dramatics will give a free concert beginning at noon Thursday, June 18 in Washington's Woodrow Wilson Plaza. The vocal group will also visit Capitol Hill that morning to meet with Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) who has sponsored a Congressional Resolution honoring the Motown artists. The Dramatics are known for their iconic hit recording of "Whatcha See, Is Whatcha Get."

"The D.C. Lottery is honored to bring the joy, vitality, and history associated with the music of Motown to our players in the form of this exciting scratcher with soul," says Billy Parson, director of sales for the D.C. Lottery. "Lotto Soul gives our players a ride down memory lane and an opportunity to win cash prizes; it's a win for everyone."

According to lottery industry rankings compiled by LaFleur's, the D.C. Lottery's per capita instant sales ranks 29th out of the 140 lotteries worldwide that sell instant tickets.

The Lotto Soul series was launched by Hitsville Venture, L.L.C., an entertainment and gaming company based in Detroit, to commemorate 50 years of the world-renowned Motown Sound.

Lotto Soul is in negotiations to offer the unique concept to lotteries across the globe where interest in the former Motown artists remains at a fever pitch.

For additional information on Lotto Soul, please visit their website at http://lottosoul.com

You can also contact their offices at 313.446.6900 Ext. 122 or at info@lottosoul.com

About the D.C. Lottery

The D.C. Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board contributes to the quality of life of District of Columbia residents, is a responsible and committed community partner, and provides its players with great games and customer service.

Since its inception in 1982, D.C. Lottery players have won more than $2.3 billion in prizes and the agency has contributed more than $1.5 billion to the District of Columbia's General Fund, supporting services such as education, recreation and parks, public safety, housing, and senior and child services.

For more information about the D.C. Lottery, visit www.dclottery.com.