BOISE -- Idahoans may soon get the chance to play another multi-million dollar jackpot game.
The Idaho State Lottery Commission announced Tuesday that Mega Millions, the nation’s other big jackpot, multi-state draw game could start selling tickets in Idaho early as Jan. 31, 2010.
The five-member Lottery Commission unanimously approved offering Mega Millions with Megaplier tickets in Idaho.
Powerball with PowerPlay, Idaho’s other big jackpot game, will also continue to be sold in Idaho.
Pending final agreements and approval between the Mega Millions consortium and the Multi-State Lottery Association (the group that operates Powerball), Idaho could begin selling both games by the end of January.
“Adding Mega Millions with Megaplier to our product lineup means our players will now have the chance to play for two, “always big” multi-million jackpots, four times a week,” said Idaho Lottery Director Jeff Anderson.
Mega Millions with Megaplier, with Tuesday and Friday night draws, will join the Wednesday and Saturday night draw games of Powerball with PowerPlay, Hot Lotto Sizzler, and Wild Card in the Idaho Lottery line-up. The Idaho Lottery will also continue to offer daily games Idaho Pick3 and Double Play Daily.
“This game addition is a win for Idaho,” added Anderson. “It’s a win for our players who enjoy big jackpot games; it’s a win for Idaho businesses who offer Lottery products; and it’s a win for the Idaho Lottery’s primary beneficiaries - public schools and the permanent building fund. Both will realize an increase in dividends from the game.”
Idaho is one of 33 U.S. jurisdictions that participates in Powerball.
Mega Millions is the other large, multi-state multi-million dollar game that is currently played in 12 jurisdictions in the U.S.
Tickets cost $1 and players select five white balls from 1 to 56 and one “Mega Ball” from 1 to 46.
Mega Millions jackpots begin at $12 million and grow until the jackpot is won.
The Idaho version of Mega Millions will feature a “Megaplier” which will multiply non-jackpot winnings by 2, 3, or 4 times for $1 more per play at the time of purchase.
