Details of the game was posted recently in the PA Bulletin. Wild Ball is essentially another side-bet. However, it can't be played by itself; must always be paired with another wager, such as straight, box, etc. Assuming I'm calculating correctly, it appears the payback on Wild Ball is ~60-64% depending on the Pick game and wager type it's played with. If true, Wild Ball is a worthwhile wager for players.
For example, say one plays 500 in the Pick-3. Some possible outcomes:
Pick 3 Straight for $0.50 and box $0.50 pays $250 and/or $80 ... total: $330 or $80 (1 in 1000 and 1 in ~333 respectively).
Pick 3 Straight for $0.50 and Wild Ball for $0.50 pays $250 and/or $100 ... total: $350 or $100 (an extra $20 more for same odds as above).
The following snippets regarding Wild Ball for PA Pick 3 are from: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol46/46-36/1528.html
(c) If the Wild Ball number is the same as one of the three numbers drawn by the Lottery, and the player's numbers already match the numbers drawn for the player's play type, the player will be awarded the Wild Ball prize plus the PICK 3 prize as identified in section 7(a) (relating to prizes available to be won and determination of prize winners). The player will be awarded a Wild Ball prize for each winning combination created using the Wild Ball for that drawing, as determined by the player's play type and wager amount.
(Emphasis above mine; Wild Ball pays in addition to the wager it's paired with, which is a good thing)
(j) Probability of winning. The following table sets forth all possible ways that a Wild Ball prize can be won for a single play with the Wild Ball option selected; the probability of winning each prize for each $.50 wagered; and the corresponding prize won.
PA Pick 3 Wild Ball:
Win With The
Following Types
of Play: |
Probability Of
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In: |
Prize Won: |
Wild Ball Probability
Of Winning Per
Play Is 1 In: |
Wild Ball
Prize Won: |
Straight |
1000 |
$250 |
333.33 |
$100 |
3-Way Box |
333.33 |
$80 |
111.11 |
$36 |
6-Way Box |
166.67 |
$40 |
55.56 |
$18 |
Front Pair |
100 |
$25 |
50 |
$15 |
Back Pair |
100 |
$25 |
50 |
$15 |
Wild Ball is offered for all PA Pick games...
PA Pick 2 Wild Ball:
Win With The
Following
Types of Play: |
Probability Of
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In: |
Prize Won: |
Wild Ball Probability
Of Winning Per
Play Is 1 In: |
Wild Ball
Prize Won: |
Straight |
100 |
$50 |
50 |
$30 |
Box |
50 |
$25 |
25 |
$15 |
Front Digit |
10 |
$5 |
10 |
$6 |
Back Digit |
10 |
$5 |
10 |
$6 |
PA Pick 4 Wild Ball:
Win With The
Following Types
of Play: |
Probability Of
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In: |
Prize Won: |
Wild Ball Probability
Of Winning Per
Play Is 1 In: |
Wild Ball
Prize Won: |
Straight |
10,000 |
$2,500 |
2,500 |
$750 |
4-Way Box |
2,500 |
$600 |
625 |
$195 |
6-Way Box |
1,667 |
$400 |
416.67 |
$130 |
12-Way Box |
833.33 |
$200 |
208.33 |
$65 |
24-Way Box |
416.67 |
$100 |
104.17 |
$30 |
PA Pick 5 Wild Ball:
Win With The
Following
Types of Play: |
Probability Of
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In: |
Prize Won: |
Wild Ball
Probability Of
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In: |
Wild Ball
Prize Won: |
Straight |
100,000 |
$50,000 |
20,000 |
$12,000 |
5-Way Box |
20,000 |
$10,000 |
4,000 |
$2,400 |
10-Way Box |
10,000 |
$5,000 |
2,000 |
$1,200 |
20-Way Box |
5,000 |
$2,500 |
1,000 |
$600 |
30-Way Box |
3333 |
$1,700 |
666.67 |
$400 |
60-Way Box |
1667 |
$850 |
333.33 |
$200 |
120-Way Box |
833.33 |
$425 |
166.67 |
$100 |
Front Four |
10,000 |
$5,000 |
2,500 |
$1,500 |
Back Four |
10,000 |
$5,000 |
2,500 |
$1,500 |
Front Three |
1,000 |
$500 |
333.33 |
$200 |
Back Three |
1,000 |
$500 |
333.33 |
$200 |
Front Pair |
100 |
$50 |
50 |
$30 |
Back Pair |
100 |
$50 |
50 |
$30 |
All in all, PA Wild Ball appears to be an interesting new variation for the lottery, and worthwhile for players who like to side-bet; win more often.