No more crossing state lines to for a chance to win the mega bucks.
Beginning Sunday, Illinois will sell Powerball tickets along with Mega Millions at official lottery stores. Lottery officials are calling the partnership the largest deal in U.S. history.
Powerball and Mega Millions have generated $17.6 billion since their inception. State lottery officials predict the new game will bring an additional $54 million a year for state, schools and capital projects, according to an Illinois Lottery release.
“Here in Illinois, we are estimating an additional $54 million annually in net proceeds from the sale of this game to benefit Illinois,” acting Lottery Superintendent Jodie Winnett told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Plus, retailers will have the potential for even more sales commissions.”
Drawings for Powerball will be held every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. Central Time, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, with a starting jackpot of $20 million. Tickets may be purchased until 8:30 p.m. on the night of the drawing.
