America’s Favorite Jackpot Games Compete For Player Excitement as Powerball Jackpot is Increased to

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Players have plenty to talk about as Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to climb.  The Mega Millions jackpot is at an estimated $170 million for tonight’s draw.  Powerball’s jackpot is being raised to an estimated $360 million for the Wednesday night draw due to strong sales across the country.

“Both Mega Millions and Powerball continue to create millionaires here in West Virginia,” West Virginia Lottery Director John C. Musgrave said. “The two games have produced eight West Virginia winning tickets of $1 million or more since January 2012. Both games have also reached recent record jackpots that have driven player interest and we could not be more excited.”

When the new Powerball game went on sale January 15, 2013, players responded to bigger jackpots, more $1 million and $2 million prizes, and better chances to win any prize.

“Everybody follows the bigger jackpot, but the real change in Powerball is more prizes, including a lot more million dollar prizes,” said Norman Lingle, Executive Director of the South Dakota Lottery and Chairman of the Powerball Game Group.  “Since the game change, Powerball has created 617 new millionaires created.  Powerball has been rolling out an average of nine millionaires every week, more than one per day, in the new game.”

Players are encouraged to sign the back of their tickets and to keep them in a safe place.  Winners should seek financial and legal advice to make plans to enjoy their new winning experience.  “Don’t forget to check your ticket for other prizes,” adds Lingle, “Powerball has eight other ways to win a cash prize, ranging from $4 to $2 million with Power Play.”

Powerball jackpots start at $40 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-59) and the red Powerball number (1-35). There are eight other ways to win non-jackpot prizes ranging from $4 to $1 million or up to $2 million if the ticket includes Power Play. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately 1 in 31.

Mega Millions jackpots start at $12 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-56) and the gold Mega Ball number (1-46). There are eight other ways to win non-jackpot prizes ranging from $2 to $250,000, or up to $1 million if the players adds the Megaplier option. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately 1 in 40. Both games have jackpot odds of 1 in 175 million.

Both Powerball and Mega Millions enjoyed their highest jackpots ever last year when Powerball reached $587.5 million and Mega Millions hit $656 million. While large jackpots generate excitement among players, the West Virginia Lottery reminds players to play responsibly and not spend beyond their means.  Players must be 18 years of age or older to purchase Powerball and Mega Millions tickets in West Virginia.

About Powerball®
Powerball is played in 45 U.S. lottery jurisdictions. Powerball is a state lottery game facilitate by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), a government-benefit, non-profit association owned and operated by 33 member U.S. lotteries. MUSL currently coordinates six multi-state games in the United States. Powerball® drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time, 9:59 p.m. Central Time, 8:59 p.m. Mountain Time and 7:59 p.m. Pacific Time. For more information about Powerball®, please visit www.powerball.com.

Powerball® and Power Play® are registered trademarks of the Multi-State Lottery Association.

About Mega Millions®
Mega Millions is played in 44 jurisdictions (42 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands).  Florida will join the game on May 15.  Drawings are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time; 10:00 p.m. Central Time; 9:00 p.m. Mountain Time and 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. For more information about Mega Millions, please visit www.megamillions.com.