The Washington state Senate has passed a bill that would let the state join the multi-state Powerball lottery game.
The bill passed on a 35-12 vote Tuesday and now goes to the House for consideration.
Washington state already participates in the "Mega Millions" multistate lottery game. Currently, 30 other states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have Powerball.
State lottery officials estimate that sales from the Powerball game would be $13 million in 2010, $28.2 million in 2011 and $35.3 million in 2015.
Powerball states get to keep half of the ticket sale revenues generated for the game in their state. The other half goes toward prize money, including the top jackpot, which starts at $15 million but goes up with each drawing without a winner.
Thanks to chasingadream for the tip.