It's a great time to be a lottery player in Florida: Powerball is at $360 million and rising, the highest it has been since last year's record $587 million. Meanwhile, at 6 a.m. this morning, Mega Millions tickets went on sale in Florida for the first time. The multi-state jackpot is approaching $200 million.
Mega Millions tickets are now available at the same outlets that sell other Florida lottery products. There are more than 13,000 such venues statewide. Drawings are held at 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
In Mega Millions, players select five of 56 white balls and one of 46 gold balls. The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately one in 175 million, similar to Powerball.
Last year, the Florida Lottery set a sales record of $4.45 billion, and Mega Millions is expected to add about $200 million during its first year. Nonetheless, lottery officials expect drops in Powerball and Florida Lotto sales.
Floridians' cry for Mega Millions accelerated in March 2012, when the jackpot rose to a record $656 million. Three players, in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland, split the prize.
Powerball tickets cost $2. Mega Millions tickets cost $1.
"In all likelihood, the Mega Millions jackpot will be greater than $200 million [if no one hit Tuesday]," said Todd Northrop, of LotteryPost.com, which covers lotteries nationwide. "The main difference between the games is the price point, so Mega Millions may attract a certain player base that is grateful to have a big-jackpot game with a $1 ticket price.
"The fact that the Mega Millions drawings occur on different days than Powerball makes the game compatible to the point that players don't need to play one or the other," Northrop said, "but can instead participate in both, without the need to wait so long between drawings."
He said having two big jackpot games will lead to more-predictable annual revenues, because huge jackpots drive ticket sales.
"It is rare for both games to have 'down' years in the same year, and for players it means more opportunities to play for big jackpots and not feeling left out of playing for a big jackpot that the rest of the country can play — or not putting hundreds of miles on the car by driving to another state for tickets," Northrop said.
In addition to the large jackpot prize, Powerball players win $1 million if they match five of five white balls but miss on the Powerball, and $2 million if they bought the Power Play option. Mega Millions' second-place prize is $250,000.
And if chasing those huge jackpots isn't your thing, there's still our little Florida Lotto, the game played just in this state. That jackpot for Wednesday night? Only nine million... you'll just have to find a way to make do.
The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling notes that the lottery is the third most-cited primary gambling problem among callers to its hotline, behind slot machines and card games. The number to call for help is 1-888-ADMIT-IT.
It's finally here
Now florida is In with the rest of the states
That is what am talking about l can win mega on friday and power on sat and retire sunday great. Lol
Someone will win the powerball tonight. Usually when the jackpot start jumping every day ( 350 to 360) it means someone will win. I don't think this thing will roll over.
Today is a good day for Florida Lottery players. Two huge jackpots up for grabs. Good Luck everyone.
The return of A Dollar and A Dream!
Welcome to the Mega Frenzy Florida
Now Florida has a chance to be in it to win it. Maybe the jackpot will get much bigger with the additional Florida players. I want it to keep rolling to new heights.
Roll Baby, Roll!
This should boost sales. GL Florida.
Welcome to the game.
Where do Floridians move to when they win the big one? Canada?
Good luck to my future neighbors!
I disagree with your theory . There are two factors playing in today. One is that today is Wednesday people gamble more on Friday after payday or Saturday after drinking Friday night. And two mega million is up at same time meaning people will split there quick picks between two games meaning less numbers per game so I think we will have a double roll over till Saturday to half a billion dollars on powerball and quater of a billion on megaball like one snake with two heads hard to kill. Lol
about time!
That's funny but true lol.
Hello Joe I'm new here, I've been playing power ball, mega million, and suppor lotto for a few months now, but haven't won lol, you seem very smart have you won before?
Wow l guess am right on the money powerball is now 475million and will easilly exceed half a billion by Saturday night and megamillion is on its way to quater of a billion dollars so expect few winners this weekend goodluck to all my lottery post buddies if I win we all be celebrating with beer on my new yatch lol.