Mega Millions and Powerball Lotteries join

An agreement between two lottery companies in the US has changed the way lottery players from 33 states but their lottery tickets. The tie up between the Powerball Lottery and Mega Millions lottery means that lottery tickets for the two lotteries can be sold interstate in the US and people will not have to cross state boarders to purchase them.

The partnership means that a population 199 million can not participate in lotteries by buying tickets at any one of over 147,000 retail outlets. Additionally, the players can now look forward to four draws a week instead of the previous two.

The partnership between the Powerball lottery and the Mega Millions lottery has seen the creation of the single largest market for lotteries in the United States. The country, at present, does not have a nation-wide lottery. Potentially, the tie-up between the two companies could cover 45 jurisdictions representing 291 million people and 182,000 retail outlets.

Rebecca Paul Hargrove, Chairman for the Powerball Group and President and Chief Executive Officer for the Tennessee Education Lottery said, “Previously, individual state jurisdictions could only sell either Powerball or Mega Millions but not both. “With this historic agreement, more jackpot games are available each week, benefitting players, retailers and good causes.”

“The joint initiative between the members of Powerball and Mega Millions has proven to be a well orchestrated collaborative effort that will serve as a benchmark for implementing future joint games,” said Tom Shaheen, President for the Multi-State Lottery Association and Executive Director for the North Carolina Education Lottery.

Between the two giant lotteries, the games have generated over $17.6 billion for good causes that have benefited educational institutions, senior programmes and the environment.

“Players have asked for more options to participate in large jackpots. We’re excited to deliver this opportunity to create more winners and also to provide more opportunities to raise additional revenues for respected state programmes,” said Margaret DeFrancisco, Co-Chair for the Joint Powerball Mega Millions Working Committee.

Written by Anna Richards for Online Keno – bringing you news from the world of lotteries.