New game, more drawings, built-in multiplier, upgrade to Powerball

By Kate Northrop

To celebrate 45 years, the Arizona Lottery is giving a $4.5 million boost to The Pick jackpot, among other exciting updates and additions to both its in-state and multi-state draw games.

Arizona lottery players are being treated to several new upgrades to their local draw games, including a chance at winning The Pick jackpot boosted by $4.5 million.

The boost was added to the rolling jackpot for the June 17 drawing, which occurred without a winner. That means the enhanced $9 million jackpot is still waiting for someone to win this Saturday and beyond.

"For 45 years, Arizona Lottery players have been at the heart of our mission," Lottery Executive Director Alec Thomson said in a press release. "This $4.5 million jackpot boost is our way of saying thank you and offer players a chance to celebrate 45 years of investing in a stronger Arizona. The Pick has been a favorite for generations of Arizonans, and adding to the jackpot is a fitting way to mark this milestone and get players excited about the updated game."

The Pick has also gotten a new built-in multiplier of up to 5X on non-jackpot prizes, as well as improved odds of 1 in 30 from 1 in 39 after reducing the number matrix from 6/44 to 6/40. However, the ticket price was increased from $1 per play to $2 per play.

"These changes pave the way for bigger payouts and faster-rolling jackpots on Arizona's flagship game," the Lottery said.

The Pick also has a new add-on feature called The Pick Plus. It's an instant-style game that is played separately from The Pick's nightly drawing. It prints on a separate ticket and gives players a chance to win cash prizes at the time of purchase.

Arizona players are also getting a new draw game: Pick 4. For $1 per play, players choose four numbers between zero and nine, with six different play options: Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Front Pair, Mid Pair, and Back Pair.

Drawings for Pick 4 take place twice a day, once at 12:05 p.m. and then at 7:05 p.m.

And that being said, Pick 3 is getting a second daily draw added to the schedule to run in line with Pick 4's draw times. Pick 3 will now draw at 12:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.

The last exciting change is the debut of Powerball Double Play. Arizona is joining the 27 other jurisdictions that offer the multi-state draw game feature, which enters existing Powerball numbers from one play into a secondary draw held immediately after the main Powerball drawing. Players have a chance to win a $10 million top prize in the Double Play drawing, as well as other prizes ranging from $7 to $500,000 for an extra $1 per play.

"Together, the $4.5 million jackpot boost, upgraded favorites, new games, improved odds and added play options mark one of the Arizona Lottery's most significant Draw Games updates in recent history," the Lottery said.

The Pick jackpot currently stands at $9 million for the next drawing on Saturday, June 20. The Pick drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Arizona Time. All The Pick winning numbers, prizes, and odds are published on Lottery Post's Arizona Lottery Results page right after each drawing.