Bigger jackpots, better odds coming to Powerball

June 27, 2011 Posted by NC Lottery at 3:05 PM

A new version of the Powerball game scheduled to begin in January will start with a bigger jackpot and better odds of winning it.

The new $2 game launches on Jan. 15, 2012. You’ll hear more about the changes as the launch date gets closer, but here are some of the biggest ones.

A bigger starting jackpot. The Powerball jackpot will start at $40 million, rolling at least $10 million each time it isn’t hit. Currently, the jackpot starts at $20 million.
A larger second prize. Players who match the five white balls but not the Powerball will win $1 million, up from $200,000, and those who buy Power Play tickets for an extra dollar, a $3 buy, will win $2 million, up from $1 million.
Better odds at winning. The odds of winning a jackpot will be one in 175 million, as opposed to the current odds of 1 in 195 million. The odds of winning a prize in the overall game will also get better, moving to 1 in 31.8, down from 1 in 35.

The bigger jackpots result from the change in price, from $1 to $2. The better odds result from a change in the numbers that can be drawn in the game. The numbers available for the Powerball will be reduced from 1 to 39 to 1 to 35. Powerball players will still choose their first five numbers from a pool of 1 to 59.

The N.C. Education Lottery is part of the Multi-State Lottery Association, the nonprofit that owns and operates the Powerball game. Alice Garland, executive director of the NCEL, worked with other state lottery directors in designing the new game.

“We believe those who play Powerball in North Carolina will like the bigger jackpots and enjoy the better odds at winning them in the new version of the game,” Garland said. “Powerball is our most popular jackpot game. The result of these changes should be more winners winning bigger prizes and a better return for education in North Carolina.”

With the change, our jackpot games will offer players different price points just like our collection of instant games do.

For instance, a player who prefers a $1 ticket could continue buying a $1 Mega Million ticket or a $1 Carolina Cash 5 ticket. Those who like a $2 ticket with the chance at bigger prizes could choose either a $2 Powerball ticket or a $2 Megaplier ticket in the Mega Millions game. And finally those who want to win the biggest Powerball prizes could buy a $3 Power Play ticket.

Powerball turns 20 in April 2012. It currently is played in 42 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

107 COMMENTS

11/28/2011 12:40 - SANDON E.

how about adding a bouns ball to the cash 5

11/22/2011 11:06 - NC Lottery

@SCRATCHHAPPY : self-scanners are something that we hope to roll out to a store near you in the future :-)

11/22/2011 01:30 - Sonya R.

It would be super nice to have scanners in stores or the availability to check our scratchoffs online. I sometimes get a winner when I enter the second chance drawing. Thank you for the entertainment and a "chance for more"...

11/16/2011 09:31 - NC Lottery

@ SANDON - No raffles on the horizon right now. We keep hearing from folks that they'd like another one though, so at some point we will likely have another raffle.

11/16/2011 04:18 - SANDON E.

any holiday raffle this season or a raffle of any kind

11/14/2011 09:41 - NC Lottery

@ SANDON - There are not plans for NC to join in a pick 6 game with any other states right now.

11/09/2011 02:13 - SANDON E.

any chance of starting a pick 6 game for nc only or joining some other states games.

10/27/2011 11:21 - NC Lottery

@ 122574 - No matter what, you have to beat the odds to win a lottery prize, big or small. This is true with all games of chance.. we don't want your experience to be depressing, we want you to enjoy having a chance to win. Lottery games are in no way a "tax" - nobody has to play a particular game. Although Powerball is changing, Mega Millions and Cash 5 are still $1 jackpot game options, so if you'd rather play a $1 game, we've still got options for you!

10/27/2011 10:03 - telly s.

well i don't like the point of somewhat being forced to pay $2.00. i know people say you play at your own will...true!..but is this a slick way to raise taxes...before you comment think about it!!!!!!!!! yeah your odds being better....i was buying tickets in VA. before the lottery came to NC. And the most i have won is $150. now the instant win tickets in NC. IS JUST DEPRESSING!!!!i bought 10 $1 tickets yesterday & today and i only won three dollars between yesterday & today!!!!!!!! VA.'s instant wins are better than NC.!!!!!...SHOW the NC LOTTERY PLAYERS A CHANGE IN THE INSTANT WIN WE CAN SEE!!!....THANX!!!!

10/24/2011 08:38 - NC Lottery

@ AUSTIN - We're still a fairly "young" lottery; the closest thing we have to what you're describing is Carolina Cash 5, with jackpots that can roll to larger amounts fairly quickly. What you are likely to see as time goes on is that we're able to introduce more games. Stay tuned! :-)

10/23/2011 07:40 - deborah k.

nc state lottery should start a new pick 6 starting at 1 million like other states do so we don't always have to play power ball or mega millions.

10/22/2011 11:28 - NC Lottery

@SUENVERN - We understand not everyone likes the new features coming for Powerball. Your group might want to switch to Mega Millions, which is similar to Powerball, because it will remain a $1/$2 multimillion dollar jackpot game. As for scratch-offs, the odds of winning have to be what they are in order for there to be money to pay out the big prizes. That's the way lottery games work anywhere you play them. As to your point about education, its very important to us - more than $2 billion in education lottery funds have paid for teachers' salaries, school construction, prekindergarten and need-based college scholarships in all 100 counties of the state. What county are you in? Monday morning, we can share some exact figures with you about what lottery funds have done for education in your area.

10/21/2011 03:46 - wilma s.

I think that you are making too much money as it is now and you want to raise the price of the tickets!! Their are 17 of us that pay $2 on wednesday and saturday and have yet to hit anything. We will not be playing when you raise the prices. I am so disgusted with the scratch offs, you can't even win your $ back on a $ ticket. There should be more winning tickets that losing ones!!!! I thought we were playing the lottery for the schools, but the schools are not getting the money so why play anyway....WE ARE NEVER GONNA WIN!!! The lottery is a losing game!!!

10/21/2011 09:37 - NC Lottery

@ CMATISSE - We've done raffles before, some were more popular than others - but it's likely we'll do another one again sometime in the future :-)

10/21/2011 06:43 - Catherine G.

I would like to see a lottery in which the winning number is chosen from only the sold tickets. The prize might be set to $1 million so that the NCEL makes money too. Don't you think several million people would buy a $1 ticket to play a fair lottery?

10/20/2011 05:15 - NC Lottery

@ DAVID - We just responded to your comment in the other blog about the Powerball stepdown. We respect and appreciate the citizens and players of North Carolina in every region and corner of the state. The odds are the same for everyone. We wish y'all the very best.

10/20/2011 05:02 - David L.

Talking about the scratch ticket,,,Here in the Western part of the state,Raleigh got it set up that the as they call poor county`s should not have the same as the Eastern part has,,,so if you like buying tickets just to have fun scratching the stuff off them and getting nothing but a lap full of what ever they call it,,come out here!! We get the left overs after the big ones been won,But remember we are poor out here, until tax time! and then Raleigh thinks we all hit oil here,,,,MAKE IT FAR FOR ALL 100 COUNTY'S!!NOT JUST A SELECT FEW.,,,,

10/20/2011 04:01 - NC Lottery

@ TIREDOFNOPRIZEDUE - Well, we hope that there are games that have features, prizes and prices that you like. Even though Powerball is changing, Mega Millions and Cash 5 are still $1 jackpot games. Winning a lot or a little is all about luck, and playing games of chance should be all about fun, so we hope you'll play for fun. And good luck!

10/20/2011 12:43 - Mimi B.

I'm for smaller jackpots and more winners ! One million dollars is more than what I have right now so any winnings would be good. I'm also for "self ticket scanners" because I dont trust a lot of store clerks. I have been playing the lotto since it came to NC in 2006 and the most I have won at one time is $60.00. I just know that I'm sooo tired of seeing the "No Prize Due" on the comupter screen. It is very discouraging and does tend to make me stop playing sometimes for a few weeks at a time. And I really dont know how many more powerball tickets I will be buying since the price is going up. That's like paying more money to continue to lose.

10/20/2011 11:00 - NC Lottery

@ BRIAN - $10 and $20 tickets typically offer better odds, a higher possibility of winning a prize in exchange for the higher ticket price. Our payouts are higher today than they were when we started in 2006, because we know people enjoy playing for a chance to win. Thank you for taking time to comment, we wish you luck whether you're playing in North Carolina or anywhere else! :-)

10/20/2011 12:34 - brian v.

I too have to comment about the scratch off tickets. I have played scratch tickets in Virginia, NC, and SC. I have played ALOT of tickets in NC, and I must say that some improvements need to be made. I dont buy scratch tickets everyday or anything, but when I do buy them, I always buy at least 10 to 15 or more in a row. If I do that in SC, I can practically guarantee that I will profit some on top of getting my original investment back. However, in NC, I have played as many as 12 tickets in a row before with NO wins. The sad part is that no matter whether it is a $20 ticket or a $1 ticket, it seems that the bad luck is the same. So, my suggestion is to put more winners out there at least on your higher priced scratch tickets. If I buy 5 $20 tickets in a row, I should at least win something. Too many times, I have won absolutely nothing.$100 gone with the win. That is why I dont play them much anymore at all.

10/18/2011 08:58 - NC Lottery

@ NINA - We are always listening to feedback from players - it helps us offer a range of games that people like. Decisions about how lottery games are managed, however, are not based on democratic representation like we expect from the government when making public policy. In terms of your personal preferences, please keep in mind that Mega Millions remains a $1/$2 multistate jackpot game that you can play if the new Powerball features aren't your cup of tea :-)

10/18/2011 07:08 - Nina W.

Since we are the players, it would've been "considerate" of the decision-makers to have allowed us to "vote" on the changes to Powerball. Whatever happened to democracy?

10/17/2011 04:42 - NC Lottery

@ WINR - It's interesting, we have lots of winners from Charlotte, but the media is not always interested in the story. What is also interesting, if you look at our blog entries and the comments other users leave, some people say that it seems that big places like Charlotte have too many winners, or that places from small towns get all the wins. Of course, its all random. The odds tend to pan out the same everywhere, give or take the huge wins. Mecklenburg winners have won more than $215.5 million in prizes. This year alone, Charlotte players have won three instant prizes of $100,000 and a $500,000 prize, claimed Friday, Oct. 7

10/17/2011 04:22 - NC Lottery

@ MARYBARNES - If the $1/$2 price point suits you better, Mega Millions isn't changing.. but if the bigger jackpots, etc with the new Powerball appeal to you, maybe the $2/$3 will grow on you :-) As for Monopoly. It's not on the calendar right now, but it is very likely that we'll bring it back at some point.

10/17/2011 04:07 - NC Lottery

@ CWDAVIS - Every day we talk to players, we remind everyone that its of ultimate importance to only play lottery games for fun - not as a way to make up for previous losses. The games are fair to everyone, but they are games of chance, with no guarantee of winning. Like we said, we talk about this with players every day, so we hope you will only play for fun or decide not to play.

10/17/2011 04:00 - NC Lottery

@SAVANNAH02 - We appreciate you taking time to leave a comment about the Powerball changes. We couldn't publish your comment, however. We welcome all kinds of opinions, but remarks directed at other players have to be considerate. :-)

10/17/2011 03:53 - NC Lottery

@ BUN - It's all just luck. Many tickets will not be winning tickets. Some will win smaller prizes, a few will win really big prizes! :-)

10/17/2011 02:41 - Jolynn M.

I'm okay with the PB change. It's all a gamble regardless which way it goes. My only concern is the scratch offs. It seems to me that there are more non winners in Charlotte than in other areas (especially near Raleigh) throughout the state. It is rare to see anyone from Charlotte winning big.

10/17/2011 02:40 - mary b.

i will still powerplay no matter what,but i am not happy about the increase in price.Any plans to bring back monopoly?

10/17/2011 01:38 - Clarence D.

I have to keep playing, I'm in it so deep I have to win big just to break even, I do wish they had a million dollar draw for just N.C. residents, that would help the odds.

10/17/2011 10:44 - henrietta m.

I have bought a lot of carolina gold tickets did not win nothin, ZIP, ZERO, along with the last new 2.00 ticket I purchased six at one time,.... nothin.... I purchase most of my tickets at food lion in Oxford. What up with that????????

10/03/2011 09:11 - NC Lottery

@ DRIFTER - We've awarded more in scratch-off prizes every year, but hey, luck works that way sometimes! Just had someone on Twitter @ us that her friend won $1 million on Carolina Gold. We can't confirm it, but we'll try whenever the winner comes in!

10/03/2011 08:04 - Paige H.

I like the change to the Powerball. If you need to change something, it is the scratchoff tickets. Anywhere else that you go, most of the time, if you buy a scratch off, you will win something. For NC, most of the time, NOTHING!!!! I will have better luck with scratchoffs in Virginia. I talked to a guy who was here from SC and he said he had better luck with scratchoffs in SC than here in NC. I agreed.

9/19/2011 01:03 - SANDON E.

i love the new changes coming, i think when the new changes take affect people who dont play the new powerball will play the cash 5 more its in state and odds are better and proce still a $1.00

9/18/2011 09:17 - NC Lottery

@ DCLIASON - Thanks for your follow-up, too :-) We appreciate that changes to any game, especially one that's been around as long as Powerball, will take time for some folks to get used to. Mega Millions will remain an option for anyone who wants a $1/$2 multi-million jackpot game.

9/17/2011 11:33 - Debbie C.

Thanks for your reply LUCKE-ZONE. I understood about the 40 million and the changes being nationwide before I left the comment. If the odds could be lowered more than 10% and keep the ticket price the same, I wouldn't mind if the jacpot started at 5 million, I still believe that this big price increase will not go over well with Powerball players. The odds are just too great for the money. Time will tell. P.S. I like the bingo games. It takes a little time to play them.

9/16/2011 09:37 - NC Lottery

@ DCLIASON - You're not taking into account the fact that the jackpots start at $40 million instead of $20 million, and the payouts on 5# matches go from $200,000 to $1 million ($2 million if you Power Play). Because Powerball is a multi-state game, the Powerball changes are going into effect for players nationwide, not just in North Carolina.

9/16/2011 07:50 - Debbie C.

If the lottery wants to double the price of a ticket then cut the odds in half. Fair is fair. From 195 million to 175 million is about a 10% drop. Do the math people, it's not worth it. No more powerball for me. About the scratch ticket comments. I agree. Not enough winners.

8/29/2011 10:22 - NC Lottery

@ SANDON - We encourage retailers to cash prizes when they have enough funds on hand, but as the lottery we can't require them to do it. When it comes to the service retailers provide to players, we take those issues very seriously and work to educate and train retailers about providing quality service for lottery customers. We suggest you give your business to stores that treat you with respect, and maybe to try grocery stores who have more cash on hand to pay out the larger prize amounts under $600.

8/28/2011 10:48 - SANDON E.

this is about retailers they like to sell the tickets but some and a lot won't cash them out by money order ,cash or check how about letting the retailers know that they have to pay out the ones under $599 if their going to sell them its no fair that they get to see them and we have to tun all over town to cash them in. or at leats let then know that they have to post how they pay out winners and to let them know they have to pay out abything under $599

8/20/2011 09:06 - NC Lottery

@ SANDON - Thanks for the suggestions on Cash 5. We'll pass your idea along.

8/20/2011 04:45 - SANDON E.

cash 5 shoud be like this starting jackpot 100,000 4 number's at least 5000 3 number's 100 2 number automatic ticket that will it more fun and people will play the instate game more often so lets make a change soon.

8/17/2011 11:27 - NC Lottery

@ SANDON - We appreciate your comments about Cash 5. We share suggestions with other folks in the organization. Right now, there are not any changes to the game on the horizon, but you never know in the future.

8/17/2011 06:09 - SANDON E.

How about a change to the Cash 5 increase the payouts at all levels. more people would play and its getting old i know i playmore and def keep money in state :) my suggestions below starting jackpot 100,000 4 numbers $ 5,000 3 numbers $100 0r $200 2 numbere automatic free ticket cmon lets make it a fun and exciting more often. And people dont really start playing till its at least 100,000 grand anyway. people i work with and that are reg lottery players dont even think about the cash 5 till it get up to at least 100k.

8/01/2011 11:15 - NC Lottery

@ DEE50 - First of all, different machines and ball sets are selected at random for every drawing. Also, an auditor from outside the lottery is present for every drawing and numerous tests are done to make sure the machines are functioning properly before and after each drawing. We take extensive care to ensure the integrity and fairness of every lottery game. The results of one drawing do not depend on the results of previous drawings, the results are random every time.

7/31/2011 05:59 - Deanna R.

I am beginning to think that the daytime and evening pick 3 drawings are being tampered with. It appeared that after the July 26th pick three numbers of 111 and the payout exceeded over 2million dollars, each daytime and evening drawings have been a combination of the same sequence of numbers and always starting with a zero. How can we tell if all the balls are being added to the machine daily?

7/20/2011 09:39 - eduardo p.

sounds really good to me!

7/09/2011 12:48 - Tracy C.

I was glad to see you posted my first comment. I would like to see a higher payout for 2, 3, and 4 matching numbers in the Cash 5 game. But that is all that needs to be worked on in this game. Thank you. :)

7/08/2011 09:39 - NC Lottery

@ TRACY - We agree that your comment was not rude or vulgar. We were just explaining why comments do not appear immediately, especially at night, over the weekend, or during holidays. The price of a Powerball ticket increasing to $2 is just one change coming to the game - the jackpots and prizes will be larger and the odds will be better. We understand not everyone likes changes to games they're familiar with, so we hope that Mega Millions being a $1 multi-million jackpot game option will still be a game choice you like having.

7/08/2011 08:00 - Tracy C.

The comment I wrote was neither rude or vulgar, it was the simple truth. Rasing the price 100% more for a powerball ticket is simply an outrage.

7/07/2011 11:22 - NC Lottery

@ KKWONG - Thank you for taking time to comment about this topic. Our security and gaming systems people are continuously examining equipment and procedures to ensure we're doing everything we can in terms of integrity and fairness for players.

7/07/2011 11:20 - NC Lottery

@ SBG2006 The Powerball changes will be the same in every state. The odds of winning getting better are one of the changes that is coming, but because the games are random and no way of knowing what the winning numbers will be, there will never be a guarantee of a $1 million winner in every drawing. We hope that you and other players like the changes to the game, but if not, Mega Millions will still be a $1/$2 option for a multi-state jackpot game.

7/07/2011 08:12 - Amy J.

For a $3.00 buy....there should be a $1 million NC winner EVERY drawing. That would help NC more than anything. Let NC be one for other states to drive to NC to buy tickets, for a change. Otherwise, the $3.00 buy is a little much for NC unemployment.

7/07/2011 03:40 - Kevin K.

I recommend NCEL to introduce ticket checking machine just like the one I saw in South Carolina or Georgia. This allows more self-check and reduce the chance that the shop keeper steal the potential prizes. Stealing large prizes may be recorded but stealing lower prizes (those not over $600) can be rarely detected.

7/06/2011 02:36 - NC Lottery

@ ICELENE - First and foremost, we have to repeat our message to all players that, regardless of your level of income, it is important to only play lottery games with money set aside for entertainment. Money for bills or other necessities should always come first. Now, onto your question: there are not restrictions like the ones you describe on who is allowed to play, or who can claim a prize. All prizes of $600 and more do have applicable taxes withheld, and this would be no different for someone receiving assistance. Prize money can affect a person's tax obligation a little bit or significantly depending on the size of the prize and their unique financial situation. A person's status for receiving benefits could therefore be changed by a large one time prize or annuity. The NCEL has a debt setoff program in place to collect on debts owed to the state, but again, this is the same for anyone who collects a lottery prize. Thanks for the question, hope this answer helps!

7/06/2011 10:36 - NC Lottery

@ TUFFNUFF1 - You might be surprised to know that we've had three Powerball Jackpot winners (and one Mega Millions jackpot winner) in North Carolina. Also, nobody at the lottery is getting pay raises. Our new executive director took a pay cut when she accepted her position in order to keep our expenses down. And, yes Powerball will go to $2 per ticket in January, with bigger jackpots and bigger prizes to go with it. But Mega Millions will still be a $1 jackpot game option for anyone who wants to play a $1 game like this.

7/06/2011 09:49 - Claude B.

Prices go up- Prices go up !! The American way. I guess the CEO's need a raise, huh. Supposed to be a NC Lottery for North Carolinians, not 42 other states. NO north carolinian has ever won the big one, that I am aware of. Why not call it WORLD POWERBALL...Put it in the Carolinas and keep it in the Carolinas.. Alittle less millions but a whole lot more winners in the Carolinas..

7/06/2011 09:32 - NC Lottery

@ SANDON - A subscription service is not something that's in the works for North Carolina right now. But we definitely appreciate the suggestion and your other comments/questions here in the Lucke-Zone.

7/05/2011 09:15 - SANDON E.

how about a lottery Subscription like other states so we can pay and you play our number for us or quickpicks and at the end of the Subscription you send us a prize check i think that would help and since new powerball going up people here would like this also. i would anyway

7/05/2011 06:04 - Isalene J.

Question. I heard some people talking at a gas station. Something I have not read or heard. But I told the guys I would put the question to the lucke zone .And get back to them. But I am sure its in the rules some where if it true. Ok question If you are on SSD or SSI or And you win you can not claim the win. Is this true ,I can understand if you are getten ssi as in welfare and you can`t claim it Because if you are on welfare you should not be playing. But SSD or reg SS I would not understand that. You payed this money in as you work right. I am sure it don`t work like this dose it . I am sure alot of people would like to no the ansewer to this question. Thank NCL Icelene

7/05/2011 11:04 - NC Lottery

@ TRACY - we only delete comments if they contain vulgar language or rude remarks. it takes time for us to review all the comments that are posted. you may see that the comment you wrote is now online.

7/05/2011 10:04 - Tracy C.

I wrote a comment the other day, the lottery did not like it so it was not posted. What happened to freedom of speech?

7/05/2011 07:53 - Steven W.

I believe that the more millionaire winners would create more sales than than one multi, multi millionaire. Example: One draw for each $20 Million accumulated for Power Ball and one draw for each $12 Million accumulated for Mega Million

7/04/2011 06:21 - Isalene J.

If it will help me win I will be all for change. But again like everything else in life You play to win but just not everyone wins.So you will have to play in order to win So if you loss it was not meant to be. But again if you are taken away from your family in order to play I think you are wrong there. Because you could lose a lot not just money Your family your Dream

7/04/2011 05:43 - Sonya R.

Thank you Sailfish. I finally understand, the odds are not what you read on the back of a ticket like I thought,duh... The odds are based on how many tickets are printed to begin with for the game. Slow learner...It really is luck of the draw!!!

7/04/2011 02:54 - Isalene J.

May you can put out a game called Help someone in need

7/04/2011 02:50 - Isalene J.

Thanks Nc Lucky -Zone for the good luck and thats what it is is luck.I I too hope he get well I was just talking to his wife my sister tell her I got 1 # right . And told her what would be the first thing I would do if I won would be to give her husban money so he could stop work. Now to me I found to be a little funny in away. She said that would be all good . But why do you think he would think about you if he won. I told her thats not the point of why I would help him. I love people and would try to help someone become Happy. I would say thats what LUCK is would you not say that.

7/04/2011 10:24 - Ryan K.

@MICHAEL1966 - We're constantly looking at new game opportunities and appreciate your suggestions. The new price point will bring more winners and bigger jackpots, but that certainly doesn't diminish the value of the Mega Millions game. We love when folks in North Carolina win prizes, no matter what game they play.

7/04/2011 10:17 - Ryan K.

@ICELENE - Wow, that sounds like a terrific way to spend a big win. Best of luck and we hope your brother-in-law feels better soon.

7/04/2011 09:58 - Ryan K.

@SAILFISH - We certainly understand your position. The odds of winning a scratch-off ticket are based on the overall printing of the game, not individual rolls. Thank you for playing and we wish you the best of luck.

7/03/2011 04:51 - Barbara S.

I am really sick of the scratch tickets. When I first started, I could win occasionally, but not now. I think you could get more people to buy them if you would have more winning tickets. I suppose I'll have to go back to Virginia.

7/03/2011 11:34 - Michael B.

This sounds okay but why don't you guys just add the win for life pick 6 game like they have in Virginia and about 2 or 3 other states. The odds are pretty good on that game and the max prize is a quick 500,000 bucks. 2 bucks is a little steep for the new powerball game but I will just buy a few less tickets in the end. Probably will also stick with Mega Millions a little more. I also don't think they will change because their jackpots grow faster than powerball most of the time so why risk messing up sales in this economy with 2 dollar tickets. Though I really like powerball a lot with the higher odds I haven't really hit much of anything at all since the increase. Good luck though to powerball though in their quest to produce more winners. Have a nice day fellow players/winners.

7/03/2011 11:20 - CHANDRA B.

I can't wait.

7/03/2011 08:22 - Tracy C.

WOW!, North Carolina Rocks!, not only do we get to pay a 35 cent gas tax hike, but now we have the honor of paying 100% more for a powerball ticket! What is next? Oh, I know, they need to make a new 10 dollar scratch ticket called " The Pirates of The Carolinas!!!!!" Happy 4th of July people of NC. As of Jan 1, 2012, the American dream will cost you an extra dollar.Now I truly understand why people cringe when I tell them I am from North Carolina.

7/02/2011 08:06 - Isalene J.

I found a penny today heads up hope its lucky It would be a great Anniversary gift To my husband and I .We will be married 40 years Sunday 3 20011 Weee and have never been on a honeymoon But the first thing I would give my brother in law money so he could quit work because he is sick and needs to enjoy life some But I don`t never here him complain. What a guy.

7/02/2011 03:38 - Jacquelyn M.

This is all good! But how about payout for one or two numbers! Especially on the Pick 3 or Pick 4! Example: If I play 135 and the number for day or evening drawing is 137, let's give the player at least a dollar! Same for all the games! Thanks

7/01/2011 05:40 - Linda D.

Change is good. I like the lottery for cheap entertainment, not my retirement fund. I hope the schools are benefiting from all of this.

7/01/2011 06:08 - Terry G.

People, I wrote about 4 weeks ago I had had it with this Joke, The Lottery. I took what I was spending a week and put it in a box.I now have $220.00 to buy something nice.A friend of mine bought 10 scratch tickets yesterday all the same EZ Grand. Not one dime. 10 Tickets in a row and nothing. 50 Bucks Shot. Save your Money

7/01/2011 02:41 - SANDON E.

time for some changes for the cash 5 now cmon

7/01/2011 02:41 - SANDON E.

time for some changes for the cash 5 now cmon

6/29/2011 08:17 - Rebecca T.

If they decide to reduce the number of white balls, instead of JUST the bonus ball, I might play again. Still the odds are too great. I've lost way more than I've gained playing the powerball. The most I've ever won was $4. Lost about $100. Haven't played since last yr. I'll stick to the Cash 5. At least in the cash 5 I've managed to break even!

6/29/2011 05:22 - shirley h.

Wow a better chance at winning sounds good to me..........bigger jackpot and bigger non-jackpot prizes........

6/29/2011 03:32 - NC Lottery

To JEFF, MYRNAK, ANDYZ, ALICE, SONYA, SNOW40, KJ, DANIELTUCKERJR, thank you for the positive feedback. And to everyone who is NOT excited about the changes, we hope that Mega Millions remaining a $1 jackpot game is an option that you will enjoy. We want to offer a variety of games for folks to choose from.

6/29/2011 03:29 - NC Lottery

@ NISA - please see our earlier reply. The change from $1 to $2 is also going to lead to larger prizes at the non-jackpot levels, and larger starting jackpots. If you would like to play a $1 jackpot game, Mega Millions will still be an option for you. Also, please remember that instead of earning a profit, the lottery returns revenues beyond expenses in the form of prizes to players and funds for education. If Powerball is more popular at $2, that will mean more in prizes and education funds.

6/29/2011 02:39 - Daniel T.

that's great a better chance to win.

6/29/2011 01:06 - William J.

So that is what that poll was about. I am glad that I participated in the poll that actually decided some of the things that are taking place in Powerball.

6/29/2011 09:56 - Derek E.

For all the people who made negative comments no one is forcing you to play; if you play you have a chance to win if you don't play you have NO chance to win its just that SIMPLE!

6/29/2011 08:25 - Gary R.

As I stated earlier in this post, increase the number of 2, 3, and 4 digit wins. The current system will only discourage potential new players, and turn-off many long-term players.

6/29/2011 02:23 - Brenda W.

I think that I will like the changes.

6/29/2011 02:13 - Konisa R.

This is ridiculous. I think the lottery people are taking advavtage. "Players will enjoy their odds being greater." Hogwash! Winning anything significant is still going to be rare, yet the lottery commission will make a killing off of people that don't know any better. #Notplayingin2012

6/29/2011 12:24 - Rita W.

I want be playing!!!!!!

6/28/2011 07:43 - Sonya R.

I play every Thursday with my 85 yr young neighbors after we go out to dinner, we buy several tickets and go home,eat cake and scratch. This week we played 3$ tickets and he would hold his hand over the last # in each colum and we would laugh and laugh, I would tell him I know you won and he would say ,maybe!!! Its just plain fun, win or lose. Thanks for 5 yrs of great entertainment!

6/28/2011 06:34 - jerry s.

So the odds go from 195,000,000 to 175,000,000 which is what Mega millions odds are now, for $1. My usual 10.00 Powerplay ticket will be 15.00, but I can still play the Megaplier for 10.00. Bye-bye Powerball!

6/28/2011 05:00 - NC Lottery

@MANOFNOMEANZ @RENEE The changes to Powerball that are coming in January are designed to give players options. Just as with scratch-off games, the lottery offers a variety of games, at various prices, for a range of preferences. For example, the Mega Millions game will still be a $1 game where players have a chance to win multi-million jackpots. The price point change from $1 to $2 in Powerball will allow for the odds to improve and for the prizes to get bigger, faster. We know that not everyone likes changes, but we think many players will enjoy playing Powerball with the new features. We'll continue to listen to your feedback and work to offer more game options for players.

6/28/2011 03:35 - linda m.

i agree with the others, i won't be playing either.

6/28/2011 12:41 - alice h.

It's okay to increase the price to pay, I'm going to win it before January anyway.

6/28/2011 12:12 - Renee L.

I think that is pure greed. I can't believe with all the money that is already being made, and the economy being the way it is, the lottery would go up on their pricing. I don't care how big the jackpot gets up to, I will not buy a powerball ticket in 2012! You can say what you like, but this is just another way to make more money!

6/28/2011 11:52 - Gary R.

I won't be playing this anyway. The odds of winning the big prize are still less than the odds of being struck by lightning. If the lottery would like more people to play, then they should greatly increase the chances of 2,3, and 4 digit wins. I've played Cash 5 every single day since the first day, and I did manage one 3 digit win (about $200). This made me feel that playing Cash 5 was at least worthwhile. On the other hand, if all my wins to this point had been single digit ($9 or less), I might have quit by now. What I'm saying is: increase the number of smaller wins

6/28/2011 10:48 - jerry h.

i can;t win now,i;m not spending more to lose

6/28/2011 10:08 - Andrew Z.

I think it is great.

6/28/2011 09:36 - m. earl b.

you need to do something about those scratch off games. to many empty cards for the money. each card should pay the cost of the card if you don't win the big prize.buy three to five of the same s/f games and get "NOTHING" something needs to be done, I think people need to stop buying them until we get better games with better odds. and at lest a"DOLLAR" on each card

6/28/2011 09:08 - myrna w.

that would be nice, better chances of winning

6/27/2011 10:09 - Ricky W.

I won't be playing Powerball @ $2.00 and $3.00 just for better odds.

6/27/2011 10:07 - charlotte g.

I can't wait to play the new powerball,but i think that there should be a little chang in cash 5.

6/27/2011 09:01 - ralph b.

with the economy as it is , i think raising the cost of a ticket is purely due to GREED. Raising the payout is fine, because the state is making a killing from present sales.

6/27/2011 07:59 - jeff l.

looks like more fun, more chances at retiring early

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Bigger jackpots, better odds coming to Powerball

June 27, 2011 Posted by NC Lottery at 3:05 PM

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