There are changes coming to Powerball on Jan. 15, 2012. A regular Powerball ticket will then cost $2, and the change will mean bigger jackpots, more winners and better chances. There are a few numbers being removed from the Powerball matrix, giving you better odds of winning. The increase in price will generate bigger jackpots more quickly. The starting jackpot amount will double to $40 million. If you match all five white-ball numbers, you will win $1 million, five times what you win now ($200,000). Missouri averages 24 of these second-level winners each year, so that will mean 24 more millionaires annually!
And you can still add Power Play for another $1 and get the chance to win double - $2 million, rather than $1 million - for matching all five white-ball numbers.
The change won't take effect for several months, but be aware that Powerball will be More, Bigger and Better early next year. What are your thoughts on the change?
In Canada, Lotto 6/49 went from $1 to $2, probably about ten years ago. People went nuts over the price increase, but eventually things settled down. Now, people don't even remember that it used to cost just a dollar for a ticket.
I suspect the same will happen with the Powerball ticket increase.
Posted by: Tino | August 26, 2011 at 03:27 PM
The price increase shouldn't cause any problems, with the benefits supposedly being greater.
I have always questioned the lottery, for to me it isn't a true lottery. We see no drawing of numbers, so we know of any way to tell in the lottery is truly honest, or biased in favor of certain locations or people.
The scratch off tickets depend only on whether the preparers make it a winner or not. They can arrange the numbers to suit the lottery, not basing them on some drawing that can be seen by participnts.
Posted by: Lloyd Revalee | August 30, 2011 at 08:42 AM
I have been playing the same 5 sets of p.b. #'s for 8+ years. So now I have to spend $20 a week instead of $10? AND some of my #'s may be taken away? Not sure I like this...BTW when is the next blog contest!!?!?
Posted by: Sarah | September 01, 2011 at 11:04 AM
I sympathize. Price increases are tough to swallow. There are some benefits to the change. We have about 24 second-level winners in Missouri each year. If you are one of those, you'll win $1 million.
The next big contest will be late October. Be thinking about your Halloween costume!
Posted by: Captain Lotto | September 02, 2011 at 06:22 AM