Multistate Lotteries Blurring Lines

URBANDALE, Iowa – Starting in January, the state lines currently separating the country into Powerball states and Mega Millions states will be further eroded as the two games enter a cross-selling arrangement, the Lottery Post reports.

For 13 years, Powerball, run by the independent Multi-State Lottery Association, and Mega Millions have been rivals, with states having to pick between the two multi-state lottery games. But in early 2009, the faltering economy had some Northeast state lawmakers looking for new ways to raise revenue. As Mega Millions states saw players lining up for huge Powerball jackpots, legislators began thinking about getting into that game as well.

Last month, Powerball and Mega Millions revealed a cross-selling agreement that would let states sell tickets for both games. This agreement does not automatically mean states would be offering both Mega Millions and Powerball, only that they could now do so.

Some states will add the opposing game quickly, while other states will consider their options more slowly. It seems likely that every state will have both games sometime in the future.

States that have indicated a definite intention to offer both games include Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.