N.D. Lottery director discusses new game possibilities

Feb 28, 2006, 8:13 am (18 comments)

Mega Millions / Powerball

Possible joint venture between Mega Millions and Powerball could produce massive new game

North Dakota's four lottery games have been more profitable than expected, and the state's gambling market could handle another two games before it is saturated, lottery director Chuck Keller believes.

Some North Dakotans, who believed Powerball would be the only game introduced by voters' approval of a November 2002 lottery initiative, are wondering when the steady introduction of new gambling varieties will end, a state lawmaker says.

"The question I'm raising, and that others are raising to me ... is, 'Is this really what we bargained for?'" said Rep. Kim Koppelman, R-West Fargo. "At least some folks in our state, and some legislators, are saying, 'You know, we have to draw a line in the sand somewhere.' So when is enough enough?"

Koppelman is a member of the Legislature's interim Judicial Process Committee, which was briefed on the lottery's finances Monday.

The North Dakota Lottery has forecast $38.5 million in sales for the state's two-year budget period, and demand has been strong enough so far to meet that projection, Keller said. North Dakota's treasury expects to collect $10 million during the biennium, which began July 1, 2005, and ends June 30, 2007.

Keller compared the lottery's financial benefits to those of other state businesses, such as the Bank of North Dakota and the state Mill and Elevator in Grand Forks.

"I don't think we should be ashamed of the North Dakota Lottery. It is a very highly visible, very growth-oriented industry," Keller said. "As the director for the lottery, I don't think I would have a long-term tenure ... if I did not intend to promote sales of lottery tickets."

Since Powerball's introduction in March 2004, the North Dakota Lottery has rolled out three other multistate games administered by the Multistate Lottery Association, an organization based in Urbandale, Iowa.

The games are called Hot Lotto, Wild Card 2 and 2 by 2. They each have different jackpot sizes and odds, and are played in different groups of states.

The 2 by 2 game, which made its North Dakota debut on Feb. 2, has already racked up almost $500,000 in ticket sales, Keller said. Using sales data from Kansas and Nebraska, the other two states where 2 by 2 is played, Keller had estimated the game would sell $950,000 worth of tickets over 12 months.

Although the Multistate Lottery Association only has four multistate games at present, it is continually researching and developing new ones, Keller said. He expects North Dakota to explore offering any new games developed by the MUSL, he said.

Keller said there have been informal talks among officials for MUSL and Mega Millions, a lottery organization that runs its game in 12 states, for a joint game. Powerball is played in 28 states.

He is not sure whether a cooperative game will be established, Keller said, but if one is, it would be bigger than Powerball, he said. The game has a minimum jackpot of $15 million. A group of Nebraska meatpacking plant workers recently won a record Powerball prize of $365 million.

AP

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mylollipop's avatarmylollipop

 Okay, okay, okay!!!  Here comes my USA Lottery.  The idea has to catch on.  A BIG ONE!

Hyper

Lovies LoviesLovies I just love it, ya'll.  It is coming.  I feel it! LoviesLoviesLovies

 Believe it! 

Crazy

Big Lottery come on down.  Hurray!

You are the next lottery in towns!

acme

Yes, A Big One. With no annuity, no taxes, no BS.

weshar75's avatarweshar75

I would like to see a new game that is played in powerball and Mega millions jurisdictions then we could see a $500 million jackpot.  I would definitely play the new game.-weshar75

Just6ntlc

It would be happy if Mega Millions and Powerball join together in a new game. I think they should have 5 numbers out of 65 plus one bonus ball out of 52. The minimum jackpot will be 15 million.

Todd's avatarTodd

Yes, A Big One. With no annuity, no taxes, no BS.

Any USA lottery jackpot game will most certainly be based on annuity, and prizes will absolutely be taxed.  That's just the way it is in the USA, and I hate to say it, but if you spend a lot of time wishing against either of those two things, you going to be unhappy for a long time.

mylollipop's avatarmylollipop

Well, a private lottery, Todd?

Todd's avatarTodd

I don't think private companies could run their own lotteries in the USA, and even if they could they would still be taxed the same.

DoubleDown

And let us not forget that with higher matrixes comes ridiculous odds.

 

weshar75's avatarweshar75

The odds would be some where above 1 in 321,830,000.

libra926

Happy "SHROVE TUESDAY"...Everyone......2/28/2006

Hey.....MegaMillion + Powerball.........count me in.....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Hyper

DoubleDown

Happy "SHROVE TUESDAY"...Everyone......2/28/2006

Hey.....MegaMillion + Powerball.........count me in.....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Hyper

Hi Libra !!

Well, today is FAT Tuesday, so lets all wish for  fat bank accounts after tonight's drawing !!! 

Banana 

DD

NoCompLotto!

It would be happy if Mega Millions and Powerball join together in a new game. I think they should have 5 numbers out of 65 plus one bonus ball out of 52. The minimum jackpot will be 15 million.

I think if the odds are over 300 million : 1, the starting jackpot would have to be at least $25-$50M to at least get some sort of attention. Think about it: 42 jurisdictions, a minimum of $1M in sales per jurisdiction per drawing, and ridiculously high odds... Hmmm.

And the most important part of it: it MUST be drawn with balls. I wouldn't even consider playing it if a computer is involved.

LckyLary

Just what we need, more balls.. I guess 140-million to one is too easy. But I did say more than once that they should join, just because I won't have to do a road trip for the Powerball. The whole thing should be called "Powerball" if they merge, I like that name a little better.

The minimum jackpot should be 25 million, not 15.

You should get 50 dollars if you get 2+1, and 20 if you get 1+1, and 5 for 0+1.

The 2nd level should always have a roll-down and the PowerPlay should still be used.

and nj should get rid of those pink tickets because they're hard to read. Put the pink just in the margin like years ago.. and make sure the terminals have new ribbons. My mega tickets could be invalid because you can't read them!

JimmySand9

Hmm, looks like I have a game to create. Not that I have to, seeing this will never come to fruition. But it's fun to dream.

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