Colorado Lottery reviewing partnership with Mega Millions

Apr 17, 2009, 12:09 am (5 comments)

Mega Millions / Powerball

Denver, Co. — The Colorado Lottery, along with other members of the Multi State Lottery Association (MUSL), is reviewing the option of selling tickets for the multi-state Mega Millions lottery game.

Started in 1996 as the Big Game, Mega Millions has a starting jackpot of $12 million and other prizes ranging from $2 to $250,000. The game would supplement, rather than replace Powerball (operated through MUSL), the mega jackpot game currently offered in Colorado.

"In these tough economic times, lotteries nationwide have to be focused on finding ways to continue supporting the beneficiaries who depend on us," said Colorado Lottery Director Jack Boehm. "If adding a new game can drive sales and increase revenue for the state's parks, trails, recreation centers and open space projects, then we have to be diligent about exploring that option."

The lotteries that sell either Powerball or Mega Millions are evaluating the legal, marketing, security systems and financial issues involved in cross-selling both games. Each game is drawn on a different night; funds the jackpot a bit differently; and has a different process of estimating and guaranteeing the jackpots. In addition, any agreement to sell Mega Millions in Colorado would require authorization by the Lottery Commission, which approves all games offered by the Colorado Lottery.

While there is no specific deadline for deciding whether to cross-sell, the lotteries reviewing the possibility of offering both games would like to move as quickly as practicable. As many as 42 states could offer both games, if an agreement is reached.

The Colorado Lottery has offered Powerball since 2001. In January, the game was re-tooled to increase the starting jackpot from $15 million to $20 million and improve the average jackpot to roughly $141 million from $95.5 million. A group of Nebraska meatpacking plant workers won the largest jackpot on record — $365 million — in 2006. Colorado claimed its first Powerball jackpot winners in October 2007, when SEEP Financial Group won $20 million. The odds of winning any prize in Powerball are one in 36. The odds of winning any prize in Mega Millions are one in 40.

Proceeds from Powerball and the Colorado Lottery's other games — Lotto, Cash 5 and Scratch — stay in Colorado to improve the quality of life in the state. Through Great Outdoors Colorado, the Conservation Trust Fund and Colorado State Parks, the Lottery has provided more than $2 billion in funding since 1983 to build new trails, preserve open space, construct recreation centers and protect wildlife habitat.

Press Release, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

MaddMike51

I'd like to see every state offer both Powerball and Mega Millions.This way people can choose which game they'd prefer to play.I'd play both.

awwcrap's avatarawwcrap

Colorado-I love ColoradoLovies  If I ever hit the big one-I'll move to Colorado.  I wish ky has the same thought of having  megamillions in the near future.

DC81's avatarDC81

I still say this would be a bad idea, not only would the odds get even worse than the are now but with two games competing with each other in this way it'll do more IMO to hurt sales of both as well as hurt the jackpots since many people will only focus on which ever one is higher anyway. Also with the odds being raised not only through the roof, not only through the stratosphere but completely out of our orbit a lot of people will just quit. Of course some might go back to the state games....

OldSchoolPa's avatarOldSchoolPa

Quote: Originally posted by DC81 on Apr 17, 2009

I still say this would be a bad idea, not only would the odds get even worse than the are now but with two games competing with each other in this way it'll do more IMO to hurt sales of both as well as hurt the jackpots since many people will only focus on which ever one is higher anyway. Also with the odds being raised not only through the roof, not only through the stratosphere but completely out of our orbit a lot of people will just quit. Of course some might go back to the state games....

Actually I think this is an excellent idea.  I also keep a play in for every draw for both Powerball and MegaMillions.  I just would not have to drive to Wisconsin or Indiana to buy my powerball ticket.  So Powerball will still get my dollar for every drawing, and I think each lottery will make more if each member Powerball/Megamillions states offered both. 

Because, there have been times when I had picked numbers to play and played them for Mega but didn't play them for Powerball because of the drive, and had I played those numbers, I would have won some good money.  So I imagine people will just budget to play at a minimum $4 per week for the mega jackpot games if that is their inclination to play them in the first place.

So come on Illinois...join the dual mega jackpot game fray!!!

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

I think it's a great idea also. We already see that Washington and New York are looking into this, and now it appears that other states are wanting to do the same thing. I hope my state looks into this as well.

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