ASSINIBOIA — If you haven’t heard of Chase the Ace, then you might be considered out of touch. The lottery has continued to gain popularity since 2013.
The Assiniboia Kinsmen have successfully run this lottery for six years, generating more than $328,000 in that time period.
The jackpot accumulates from week to week until it is won, with participants paying in to chase the ace of spades in a deck of cards. The jackpot rolls over each week until won, often generating significant amounts — as in the recent case of an Assiniboia winner taking home $49,900.
In 2013, the community of Nova Scotia initiated Chase the Ace to raise money to install floodlights at their ball field and eventually gave away a jackpot of $209,752.50.
Howard Ellis, spokesperson for the Assiniboia Kinsmen, says they first started the idea of Chase the Ace in 2017 and have been running it ever since, excluding periods during pandemic-related restrictions.
The Assiniboia Kinsmen have used funds raised to donate to local communities, purchase AEDs, and maintain the Kin Hut. In 2022, proceeds were used to update equipment and monitors at Assiniboia Union Hospital, according to a SASKTODAY.ca story. In 2023, the club posted on Facebook that $25,000 from the lottery was distributed to ACHS Rockets football, the Southern Jr. B Rebels, STARS Lottery, and 11 other groups and organizations.
Ellis said, “The June conclusion to this lottery actually had five jackpot winners — the 1st on the 4th draw, 2nd on the 25th draw, 3rd on the 38th draw, 4th on the 44th draw, and the last was on draw 50.”
Ellis also confirmed that Aileen Pilsner won $7,650 on Draw 11, and the grand prize winner, on Draw 43, was Tanya Kasper, who picked up just shy of $50,000.
The Kinsmen say their partnership with 121 Steakhouse has been great, as it provides a regular location for the event. Additionally, the weekly lottery, when in operation, generates added weekly patronage for the local business.
The Assiniboia service club says they will be back with the Chase the Ace lotto, citing its remarkable success and continued community support. In fact, Ellis affirms, “A dedicated base of loyal community members who want to help our community grow and purchase tickets regularly are a big key to this success story.”
The Kinsmen Club will be on a summer break but affirm that their 40-plus-year tradition of selling live Christmas trees will be their next project on tap.
The current club membership is 11, and there is always room for more members to join. Food, fun and fellowship are all part of the membership benefits, in addition to being part of an eight-decade-long community service club. Kinsmen membership puts you in an exceptional group and provides the opportunity to be part of the province’s 50-year success story with Saskatchewan’s only telethon, Telemiracle.
