Deal signed last week by 33 jurisdictions has created the largest single market for jackpot games in the United States.
Thursday 18th February 2010
In America, the signing of a historic agreement last week means that lottery players from 33 states can now purchase tickets for both the Powerball and Mega Millions draws at official retail locations around the country.
The deal has seen the creation of the largest single market for jackpot games in the United States and gives participating states additional funds while players are set to benefit from increased chances to hit bigger jackpots.
The partnership means that a population of 199 million people can now take part in the multi-jurisdictional games by buying tickets at any one of over 147,000 retail outlets. In addition, these players can now enjoy four draws a week instead of the two offered previous.
“Previously, individual state jurisdictions could only sell either Powerball or Mega Millions but not both,” said Rebecca Paul Hargrove, Chairman for the Powerball Group and President and Chief Executive Officer for the Tennessee Education Lottery.
“With this historic agreement, more jackpot games are available each week, benefitting players, retailers and good causes.”
Since Powerball’s inception in 1988 and Mega Millions’ birth in 1996, the games have generated $17.6 billion for good causes benefitting education, senior programmes and the environment. However, by being able to offer two large multi-state games, participating jurisdictions are expected to generate substantially more money for good causes.
“The joint initiative between the members of Powerball and Mega Millions has proven to be a well orchestrated collaborative effort that will serve as a benchmark for implementing future joint games,” said Tom Shaheen, President for the Multi-State Lottery Association and Executive Director for the North Carolina Education Lottery.
The market for these games also has the potential to expand even further to cover 45 jurisdictions representing 291 million people and 182,000 retail outlets.
“Players have asked for more options to participate in large jackpots,” said Margaret DeFrancisco, Co-Chair for the Joint Powerball Mega Millions Working Committee and President and Chief Executive Officer for the Georgia Lottery Corporation.
“We’re excited to deliver this opportunity to create more winners and also to provide more opportunities to raise additional revenues for respected state programmes.”
