Powerball Changes Bring Bigger Rewards
By: Morgan Moore
Updated: March 22, 2013
It just takes two, dollars that is, for a chance to win millions.
Last year, Powerball ticket prices increased to $2 a ticket.
And while it means more money up front, the jackpot can be even more tempting.
"One of the biggest goals and the change that was made in the Powerball a year ago is to drive more excitement to the game," said Al Larson, spokesman for the Hoosier Lottery.
Starting jackpots were also changed from $20,000 to $40,000, and incentives to play other lotto games have been going on all year.
"It gives people a chance to just try again they may have never played before we do a lot of that just to introduce games to people that don't play," said Larson.
And when the grand prize reaches epic proportions, more people get in on the action.
And those increased ticket sales drive the jackpot even higher.
"100 million, 200 million, now we're at 320 million people start to get more and more excited in the days leading up to a draw like we are right now, you'll see a pretty big spike," said Larson.
But it's not just those holding a winning ticket who benefit from lottery sales.
"Once our profit is left at the end of the year that flows back out to taxpayers statewide so anything that we can do to make a little bit more money for Indiana that's a good thing," said Larson.
Helping to put money back into the pockets of some who play the game - and all who call Indiana home.
"It's been a good thing it really has, the goal is to bring more excitement and as a result some more people into the game and just refresh it. It was a 20-year-old game and it looks like it accomplish its goal," said Larson.
The $320 million Powerball drawing is Saturday night.
And by the way, Indiana leads the nation in Powerball wins with 38.
Last year, Powerball ticket prices increased to $2 a ticket.
And while it means more money up front, the jackpot can be even more tempting.
"One of the biggest goals and the change that was made in the Powerball a year ago is to drive more excitement to the game," said Al Larson, spokesman for the Hoosier Lottery.
Starting jackpots were also changed from $20,000 to $40,000, and incentives to play other lotto games have been going on all year.
"It gives people a chance to just try again they may have never played before we do a lot of that just to introduce games to people that don't play," said Larson.
And when the grand prize reaches epic proportions, more people get in on the action.
And those increased ticket sales drive the jackpot even higher.
"100 million, 200 million, now we're at 320 million people start to get more and more excited in the days leading up to a draw like we are right now, you'll see a pretty big spike," said Larson.
But it's not just those holding a winning ticket who benefit from lottery sales.
"Once our profit is left at the end of the year that flows back out to taxpayers statewide so anything that we can do to make a little bit more money for Indiana that's a good thing," said Larson.
Helping to put money back into the pockets of some who play the game - and all who call Indiana home.
"It's been a good thing it really has, the goal is to bring more excitement and as a result some more people into the game and just refresh it. It was a 20-year-old game and it looks like it accomplish its goal," said Larson.
The $320 million Powerball drawing is Saturday night.
And by the way, Indiana leads the nation in Powerball wins with 38.
