In the largest lottery agreement in U.S. history, Powerball and Mega Millions have launched a partnership, creating the largest market ever for jackpot games. As of Sunday, players in 33 jurisdictions were able to purchase tickets for both Powerball and Mega Millions at official lottery retail locations. With this partnership in place, state lotteries can now offer players both jackpot games.

Thirty-three jurisdictions, representing a combined population of 199 million people and 147,000 retail outlets, now offer two multi-jurisdiction jackpot games with four drawings a week, instead of one multi-jurisdiction game with two drawings a week. The market for these games has the potential to expand to 45 jurisdictions representing 291 million people and 182,000 retail outlets.

“Previously, individual state jurisdictions could only sell either Powerball or Mega Millions but not both,” said Rebecca Paul Hargrove, chairman, Powerball Group and president and chief executive officer, Tennessee Education Lottery. “With this historic agreement, more jackpot games are available each week, benefitting players, retailers and good causes.”

“Players have asked for more options to participate in large jackpots,” said Margaret DeFrancisco, co- chair of the Joint Powerball Mega Millions Working Committee, and president and chief executive officer, Georgia Lottery Corporation. “We’re excited to deliver this opportunity to create more winners and also to provide more opportunities to raise additional revenue for respected state programs.”

Since Powerball’s inception on February 10, 1988, and Mega Millions’ inception on August 31, 1996, the games have generated an astonishing $17.6 billion for good causes, such as education, senior programs, local towns and the environment. With two large multi-state games, participating jurisdictions are expected to generate substantially more money for these 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 MUSL’s President, Tom Shaheen, Executive Director of the North Carolina Education Lottery, who has been instrumental in this process.

To mark the historical significance of this partnership, Grand Central Station in New York will be buzzing today with activity. Lottery directors from across the country will be gathering for a press conference. Additionally, lottery directors and passers-by will celebrate with festivities including the “World’s Largest JackPIT, ” in which Human Mega Millions balls and Powerballs will be jumping into a giant ball pit to mark this momentous occasion. (E-02.01.10)

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