Like New Haven Apizza Itself, CT Lottery Celebrates One-Of-A-Kind Collab with Pepe’s, Sally’s and Modern

NEW HAVEN, CT — This October, for National Pizza Month, the CT Lottery is giving adult fans a new way to celebrate that tradition with "Connecticut Apizza," a limited-run scratch game showcasing pies from New Haven's Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally's Apizza, and Modern Apizza—the apizza trinity.

The ticket brings "three iconic pizzerias together in one uniquely Connecticut experience," with a top prize of $50,000, as noted in a CT Lottery news release.

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"Being voted Connecticut's #1 pizzeria by the people is an incredible honor," said Bill Pustari, owner of Modern Apizza. "To see New Haven's pizza culture celebrated on a statewide lottery ticket is something special. This is bigger than pizza—it's about the pride, tradition, and community that make Connecticut the Pizza Capital of America."

Modern Apizza received the most votes in CTVisit's 2025 public poll to help select pizzerias for the Connecticut Pizza Trail.

Meanwhile, on Wooster Street ...

Friday, a "first taste" launch included a ceremonial "first scratch" beneath the Wooster Street Archway.

"As The Original New Haven Apizza Since 1925, we are amazed and grateful to see what apizza has come to mean for the people of Connecticut these past 100-plus years," said Jennifer Kelly-Bimonte, granddaughter of Frank Pepe and co-owner of Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana.

"The pride Grandpop had in making every pie is something that we now see being honored outside of New Haven, stretching all across Connecticut and beyond," she said. "Having apizza be recognized as a revered statewide cuisine via the CT Lottery's offering is a new and honestly humbling experience for us, and we are flattered to be a part of it."

Pronounced "ah-beetz," apizza has grown from its roots in New Haven's Italian-American community into a defining part of Connecticut's identity. The new ticket honors that heritage through three institutions whose craftsmanship and devoted fans have helped make New Haven a destination for pizza lovers.

"Apizza is such an important part of Connecticut's identity, and we're honored to be part of a celebration that brings three of New Haven's iconic pizzerias together," said Christian Bonaventura, brand advisor for Sally's Apizza. "For generations, 'ah-beetz' has been about bringing people together around the table, and we're excited to share that tradition in a different way."

The CT Lottery worked directly with each restaurant on the design, incorporating photographs of the actual pies into the ticket. The play area features Sally's apizzas in the top row, Modern's apizzas in the middle row, and Pepe's apizzas in the bottom row. Additional images of Sally's and Pepe's pies appear above the play area, bringing some of Connecticut's most beloved apizzas together in a first-of-its-kind design.

CT Lottery teams were set to sell tickets exclusively at Sally's and Modern's New Haven locations from noon to 4 p.m., with promotional giveaways while supplies last.

The $5 ticket offers a $50,000 top prize, 15 chances to win in the main play area, and a "Bonus Slice" feature that awards $100 instantly when a pizza cutter symbol is revealed.

"Few things inspire as much pride and as much friendly debate in Connecticut as apizza," Connecticut Lottery Corporation CEO Frank Suarez said. "We're proud to partner with Pepe's, Sally's, and Modern to celebrate this uniquely Connecticut tradition in a fun new way, while generating revenue for the public programs and services that benefit communities across our state."