Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky lotteries to cancel Decades of Dollars

Aug 8, 2014, 1:23 pm (19 comments)

Decades of Dollars

Making room for upcoming national Monopoly game

By Todd Northrop

There are just twenty remaining chances to play and win the multi-state Decades of Dollars game in Arkansas, Georgia, and Kentucky.

The first drawing of Decades of Dollars was on Feb. 3, 2011, in the states of Georgia, Kentucky, and Virginia.  Arkansas later joined the game starting with the drawing on May 5, 2011.

Arkansas, Georgia, and Kentucky will not be participating in any drawings after October 16, 2014.  After that date, Decades of Dollars will become a Virginia-only game.

Decades of Dollars is a $2 multi-state draw game.  Drawings will continue to be held at 11 p.m. Eastern Time (10 p.m. Central) on Monday and Thursday, until the final drawing on Thursday October 16, 2014.

In the Decades of Dollars game, six numbered balls are drawn from 1 to 47.  If all your numbers match those that are drawn, you win $250,000 per year for 30 years, or $4 million cash.

Secondary prizes range from $2, for matching two of the six numbers drawn all the way to the $10,000 prize, for matching five of the six numbers drawn.

Starting after the drawing on Monday, August 11, 2014 a countdown to end the game will begin, and players purchasing multi-draw tickets for Decades of Dollars will see a limited amount of draws available, starting from nineteen (19) and showing one less with each draw that takes place thereafter.

As Decades of Dollars ends in the three states, a new game will begin.  The states will offer players a new national game, with a familiar name and theme that everyone will recognize.  Starting on October 19th, 2014, Monopoly Millionaires' Club will kick off.

The new national multi-state draw game (5 of 52 plus 1 of 28 Monopoly properties), will have a drawing every Friday at 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time (10:15 p.m. Central). The game has a top prize that ranges from $15 million to $25 million, along with guaranteed $1 million Millionaires' Club cash prizes nationwide whenever the top prize is won.

Additional information about the new multi-state game will be published as the October game launch gets closer.

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Lottery Post Staff

Comments

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

Any cogent reason why those games cannot coexist together?.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by mypiemaster on Aug 8, 2014

Any cogent reason why those games cannot coexist together?.

It doesn't make sense to me either, considering that Decades of Dollars is drawn on Mondays and Thursdays, so the draw days do not conflict with any other multi-state game offered in the states, including the upcoming Monopoly game.  I'm sure they have their reasons, but heck if I can understand it.

LottoMetro's avatarLottoMetro

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Aug 8, 2014

It doesn't make sense to me either, considering that Decades of Dollars is drawn on Mondays and Thursdays, so the draw days do not conflict with any other multi-state game offered in the states, including the upcoming Monopoly game.  I'm sure they have their reasons, but heck if I can understand it.

I'm almost 100% sure it has to do with the higher per-capita revenues that the organizers of the new Monopoly game have 'promised' (better than PB). Lotteries will want to funnel as many players as possible towards such a game. $5 price point with national branding...can't go wrong there, they say.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by LottoMetro on Aug 8, 2014

I'm almost 100% sure it has to do with the higher per-capita revenues that the organizers of the new Monopoly game have 'promised' (better than PB). Lotteries will want to funnel as many players as possible towards such a game. $5 price point with national branding...can't go wrong there, they say.

Right, I get that, but there is not really a high cost factor for the Decades of Dollars game, as the cost is shared among four states.  So even if the game is not producing the revenue numbers of a high-profile national game, it is relatively easy money for the four states.  I have to believe the margins are high and that it wouldn't cannibalize sales of the new Monopoly game.

LottoMetro's avatarLottoMetro

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Aug 8, 2014

Right, I get that, but there is not really a high cost factor for the Decades of Dollars game, as the cost is shared among four states.  So even if the game is not producing the revenue numbers of a high-profile national game, it is relatively easy money for the four states.  I have to believe the margins are high and that it wouldn't cannibalize sales of the new Monopoly game.

I don't have access to Decades of Dollars sales figures, but perhaps they have diminished to the point that this decision was made. According to Wiki, since the game's launch, there have only been jackpot winners in 2012....none in 2011, 2013, or this year (so far). That's bound to affect its popularity.

Edit: 

Arkansas is replacing Decades of Dollars with Lucky for Life in January. Reason given during June meeting: "The game has thus far underperformed and ALC intends to withdraw in October 2014."

I imagine the situation is similar in Georgia and Kentucky.

Artist77's avatarArtist77

This is interesting since Virginia never had their own state game then the other states got out of Win for Life and now Decades of Dollars. They are my favorite 2 games and I can get 3 of 6 often and 3 plus that floating bonus ball in win for life. I never understood why more people don't win the Jackpot in Decades of Dollars.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Change is always a good thingDance

Marilyn222's avatarMarilyn222

Quote: Originally posted by helpmewin on Aug 8, 2014

Change is always a good thingDance

Best of luck to you!Smile

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

According to a rumor on Wikipedia, VA lottery is supposed to join NY and NJ's Cash4Life and Arkansas lottery will join the 6 New England states in their Lucky 4 Life game. But Wikipedia is as reliable as a Chrysler LOL

Artist77's avatarArtist77

Quote: Originally posted by maringoman on Aug 9, 2014

According to a rumor on Wikipedia, VA lottery is supposed to join NY and NJ's Cash4Life and Arkansas lottery will join the 6 New England states in their Lucky 4 Life game. But Wikipedia is as reliable as a Chrysler LOL

That is interesting. I hope they don't get out of decades of dollars and win for life. They bragged on their website how Win for life (after the other states got out of it) was now a game only for VA.

maringoman's avatarmaringoman

Quote: Originally posted by Artist77 on Aug 9, 2014

That is interesting. I hope they don't get out of decades of dollars and win for life. They bragged on their website how Win for life (after the other states got out of it) was now a game only for VA.

he Cash 4 Life has long odds but the payout is good. Good luck in the games your choose to play Thumbs Up

LiLSpeedy's avatarLiLSpeedy

Good riddance to DOD. It never really caught on in Georgia. I may have played it about 6 times. I won't miss it. We have more than enough games of chance to take our money.

I Agree!

Jrez55's avatarJrez55

That's a bummer, I like Decades of Dollars.

helpmewin's avatarhelpmewin

Quote: Originally posted by Marilyn222 on Aug 9, 2014

Best of luck to you!Smile

Thanks and Good Luck to you also * Win BIG *Lep

TNPATL

I used to play Decades of Dollars when I lived in Georgia.  Never won, but sure tried.  LOL 

Oh well guess the game did not do as well as they thought it would, and decided to go in a different direction.

OrangeCrush

VA Lottery has a  new game starting next month. $2 per ticket. Wonder if they are getting rid of Decades of Dollars or Win for Life.

$1,000,000 Money Ball is one of your best chances to become a millionaire!  With two chances to become a millionaire each week, this exciting Virginia-only game is fun and easy to play.  You pick five (5) numbers, the Lottery will then select five (5) numbered balls, and if the Gold Million Dollar Money Ball is drawn before all five (5) numbers have been selected, the top prize jumps to $1,000,000.  $1,000,000 Money Ball - it's just for you, Virginia!

luckyladie

It sucked no matter what state you're in. How can you have a game out for so long and go years without a jackpot winner?? Even if you have one or two, it happens so sparingly nobody even notices it except the jackpot winners. Doh

Scratch$'s avatarScratch$

The game was appropriately named - it took decades to win the dollars!  Jester

tkr333's avatartkr333

Quote: Originally posted by Scratch$ on Sep 16, 2014

The game was appropriately named - it took decades to win the dollars!  Jester

Amen to that ! LOL !!!

Looking foward to the new monoply game, i will probally give up the p/3 & p/4 and just play the new game !!

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