mege_millions_logoThe Missouri Lottery is gearing up for the launch of its newest big jackpot game, Mega Millions, which is currently operating in a dozen states. In Missouri, Mega Millions will join Powerball, the nation’s other huge jackpot game, on January 31st.

Missouri Lottery Executive Director May Scheve Reardon expects the two big bucks games to work well in tandem.

“I think it’s going to be very simple for these two games to work together and be the dream team of the jackpot games,” said Scheve Reardon in an interview with the Missourinet. “They’re going to be drawing four nights a week – the Mega Millions on Tuesday and Fridays and Powerball will be on Wednesdays and Saturdays.”

Missouri will eventually join a growing number of states selling both Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, with the huge jackpots attracting many people who join with co-workers to pool their chances.

“I think that’s what gets people really excited,” said Scheve Reardon. “People pool their money when the jackpots get high. Well, they’re going to be now looking at two jackpots to possibly double their chances at winning and winning higher amounts of money.”

In advance of next month’s launch the Missouri Lottery is now preparing a publicity push.

“We do have some additional resources that were approved by the leaders in the General Assembly,” said the Executive Director. “What we hope to do is put together, which we have, and we’re just putting the final touches on how we go about making sure that the citizens of the State of Missouri know that there’s a new game and how it works – it works very similar to Powerball and it’s available two additional nights.”

While the first Missouri drawing is January 31st, a Sunday, that is a special drawing designed to welcome Missouri to the growing list of states offering Mega Millions tickets. Regular drawings will be held that week, as well, on Tuesday and Friday.