Eager customers lined up for free gas at the Shell station in North Palm Springs to take advantage of a California Lottery giveaway Friday.

The deal was simple: the first 200 cars to pull up to a pump between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and buy $10 in Daily 4 tickets received $50 worth of free gas.

The giveaway, at 64200 20th Ave., was the CA Lottery’s, “way to say thank you to our customers,” CA Lottery Spokesman Eric Alborg said.

Thankful they were. As soon as the news got out, cars of hopeful customers arrived.

“My sister saw it on the news and I was like, ‘Come on, let’s go!’” said a laughing Tiffany Ervin Moore of Desert Hot Springs. She was crammed into a van with two other women and four equally enthusiastic toddlers.

“And just think - we might hit the Lotto!” she said.

Dave Porter of Palm Springs was quick to respond. First in line at the pumps, he said he believes the recent dip in gas prices will help stimulate business. In regards to the giveaway, “It’s like being handed $40,” he said.

There have been similar lottery giveaways in San Diego, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, Fresno and Sacramento this week, and more are planned, lottery officials said.