Iowa was one of almost two dozen states to add a new lottery game to its offerings this week.
The multistate Mega Millions gives Iowans — and Nebraskans willing to cross the border — two more days a week to cross their fingers and dream of hitting the jackpot.
Mega Millions numbers are drawn every Tuesday and Friday; Powerball numbers are announced Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Iowa joins dozens of states adding Mega Millions to their lottery lineups, moving the United States a step closer to having a national lottery.
By the time all newly joining states have signed on this spring, tickets for the nation's two biggest lotteries will be sold in 43 states plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“We expect there will be larger jackpots faster. We expect there to be more winners,” said Margaret DeFrancisco, co-chairwoman of a committee for both lotteries and president and CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corp.
Powerball is played in 31 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Twenty-three of those places will sell tickets for Mega Millions beginning with today's drawing. Mega Millions is played in 12 states. Ten of them will sell tickets for Powerball starting with the Wednesday drawing.
Iowa Lottery officials haven't estimated the impact the new game could have on Powerball sales or on state revenue from lottery proceeds.
“It's kind of a watch and see,” said Kim Vore, Iowa Lottery spokeswoman.
It's possible, Vore said, that Powerball players will spend some of their lottery ticket money to play Mega Millions instead, but lottery officials won't know how the game has been received for at least a month.
The Iowa Lottery has begun to promote the new game through television and radio advertisements, as well as signs at convenience stores and other lottery retailers, said Vore.
Mega Millions will be offered by the Nebraska Lottery, but not until March 20.
The later start was a procedural delay, said Nebraska Lottery spokesman Neil Watson. The earliest that the lottery could hold a hearing on rules for the new game was Jan. 5, he said.
Lottery officials are hopeful that the new game could bring new revenue to the state, Watson said. “Our mission is to generate money for good causes across Nebraska.”
Tonight is the first Mega Millions drawing since the game was launched in Iowa. The jackpot is $12 million.
Iowa Lottery officials will be in Council Bluffs to promote the game Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lottery coupons will be given to the first 200 people to arrive at the Hy-Vee grocery store at 1745 Madison Ave.
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444-1310, elizabeth.ahlin@owh.com
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