Powerball changing in October to generate bigger jackpots

Jul 8, 2015, 10:30 am (96 comments)

Powerball

By Todd Northrop

The multi-state Powerball game will be changing in October, making it harder to win the jackpot, while at the same time making it easier to win a smaller prize.

With the state lotteries becoming reliant upon big multi-state jackpot games driving ticket sales, the long streak of Powerball jackpots being won before reaching historic levels has crimped state budgets.  The October changes are designed to fix that problem by forcing the jackpot to be won less often.

After the changes are enacted, the odds of winning the jackpot — which was a record $590.5 million in 2013 — will increase to 1 in 292,201,338, up from 1 in 175,223,510.

The odds of winning $4? That will improve from 1 in 111 to 1 in 92. The new rules will take effect with tickets purchased starting Oct. 4 for the Oct. 7 drawing.

"The rules change is intended to increase the odds of winning any prize, while making it more difficult to win the jackpot prize," the state Gaming Commission said in a memo to board members.

At its board meeting Monday, the state Gaming Commission approved the changes, saying the modifications will make the game more sustainable. The percentage of money that goes to the jackpot will drop from 68% to 64%, while the percentage going to smaller prizes will increase.

"The proposed rule is intended to increase the odds of winning any prize while decreasing the odds to win the jackpot," said Robert Williams, executive director of the state Gaming Commission.

The move is aimed at boosting jackpots as sales have slumped since 2013, the last huge payout. Overall, the chances of winning a prize will improve from about 1 in 32 to 1 in 25.

"Without these rules changes, the (Lottery) Division would need to remove the Powerball game from its portfolio of offerings and aid to education would be negatively affected," the Gaming Commission memo said.

In Powerball, players purchase tickets for $2 each, and on each ticket players select five numbers from one set and one number from a second set.

The rules change will increase the first set of numbers from 59 to 69, while decreasing the size of the second set of numbers from 35 to 26. The set prize amount for the third-level prize will increase from $10,000 to $50,000.

Powerball sales declined nationally by 19% last year because there was no huge jackpot. The same was true for the drop in Mega Millions sales, the other multi-state lottery, New York officials said.

In New York last year, Powerball sales plummeted 44%, a decline of $217 million.

In February, the state Gaming Commission said the fluctuations in the multi-state games have prompted the state to focus on games with more consistent jackpots.

New York's lottery is "focused on developing and promoting non-jackpot driven games to reduce future dependence on more mature jackpot games and multi-state jackpot games," the lottery said.

Last year, the state launched a Cash 4 Life draw game, which generated more than $100 million in sales in its first six months.

But the state has had some busts over the past year: It ended the New York-only Sweet Millions game because of poor sales and, along with 22 other state lotteries, dropped the multi-state Monopoly Millionaires' Club game after only two months.

Lottery Post Staff, Detroit Free Press

Comments

JADELottery's avatarJADELottery

Oooo, this is gonna be Great.

We get to test our Power Mega Balls with Three Sum Math on a new matrix.

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

0 IN 292,201,338 VERSUS 1 IN 292,201,338 TO WIN THE JACKPOT.

"I play only to win the big jackpot, regardless of the odds. I only buy a ticket or two. There is not much difference between 1 or 100 in 292,201,338 but there is a huge difference between those odds and 0 in 292,201,338. In other words not much reason to buy several tickets, just one." RAY

Size of the USA population is 300 Million.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

I didn't play much as it is and this doesn't really make me want to play more. I hope people get those big jackpots that they want though. Clown

RedStang's avatarRedStang

 How do the chances of winning improve by increasing the numbers.

Gleno's avatarGleno

If the Powerball  sales  plummeted by 19%  before the changes ,

they are betting that we bite on the smaller prize increases ,

which do look attractive, will pick up the slack.

It might work.

Hope they don't kill the goose that lays their golden egg.

What?

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Jul 8, 2015

 How do the chances of winning improve by increasing the numbers.

They reduced the number of powerballs which improved your overall chances of winning a prize, that's how.

Coin Toss's avatarCoin Toss

Quote: Originally posted by RedStang on Jul 8, 2015

 How do the chances of winning improve by increasing the numbers.

RedStamg,

The article states easier to win smaller prizes.

BellasBMWLucki

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Jul 8, 2015

They reduced the number of powerballs which improved your overall chances of winning a prize, that's how.

I thank you for sharing what i knew as well. So time will tell. I hope for more who play often win sooner than later.

Let's see first how it all works out. I am going to continue to procure uno... o dos...(one or two)if that. I am winning more doing what i do now with mi pick 3 and or pick 4 regularly at times. I spend more on P-Ball then i realize, only procure 1 sometimes even 2. However, MEGA is only a dollar so i will still play Mega mas en vida! lol adios. i hope you all enjoy your day and be bless with good winnings soon $ and good health most importante adios.

HAPPY WINNING !!!Smile

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by Gleno on Jul 8, 2015

If the Powerball  sales  plummeted by 19%  before the changes ,

they are betting that we bite on the smaller prize increases ,

which do look attractive, will pick up the slack.

It might work.

Hope they don't kill the goose that lays their golden egg.

What?

"Hope they don't kill the goose that lays their golden egg."

What?

That was the point, the goose had stopped laying golden eggs, hopefully big jackpots will return with this change.Party

jarasan's avatarjarasan

Can't wait,  how exciting,  incredible,  amazing,  tremendous, etc. etc.,  NOT.

Green laugh

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by jarasan on Jul 8, 2015

Can't wait,  how exciting,  incredible,  amazing,  tremendous, etc. etc.,  NOT.

Green laugh

I take it you're not trying to win a PB jackpot before it gets hard. Wink

THRIFTY's avatarTHRIFTY

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Jul 8, 2015

0 IN 292,201,338 VERSUS 1 IN 292,201,338 TO WIN THE JACKPOT.

"I play only to win the big jackpot, regardless of the odds. I only buy a ticket or two. There is not much difference between 1 or 100 in 292,201,338 but there is a huge difference between those odds and 0 in 292,201,338. In other words not much reason to buy several tickets, just one." RAY

Size of the USA population is 300 Million.

YOU WILL NEVER WIN A LOTTERY JACKPOT IN YOUR LIFETIME.

 

 

Green laughGreen laughGreen laugh

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by jarasan on Jul 8, 2015

Can't wait,  how exciting,  incredible,  amazing,  tremendous, etc. etc.,  NOT.

Green laugh

I Agree!

Raven62's avatarRaven62

Quote: Originally posted by THRIFTY on Jul 8, 2015

YOU WILL NEVER WIN A LOTTERY JACKPOT IN YOUR LIFETIME.

 

 

Green laughGreen laughGreen laugh

I Agree!

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