The Powerball game is being changed to, according to the Missouri Lottery, increase prize amounts and give players better odds of winning. The average jackpot will jump from $174 million to $310 million. The third-level prize, which was $10,000, is now $50,000. The overall odds of winning a prize will drop from roughly 1 in 32 to 1 in 25.
There will also be a higher multiplier for those who use Power Play. When the jackpot is between $40 and $150 million, the multiplier will go as high as 10 times for all prizes, not including the jackpot and $1 million match five prizes. The million-dollar prize will bump up to $2 million when the multiplier is matched.
Missouri Lottery Communications Manager Susan Goedde said the more winners there are in Missouri, the more likely people will play.
“Missouri has the second most jackpot winners of all the Powerball members. We’ve had 31 people hit the jackpot. Lightening has struck a lot here in Missouri,” said Goedde. “Missouri tends to be a pretty loyal Powerball state.”
Goedde says 38 cents out of every dollar from Powerball sales go to elementary, secondary and higher education in Missouri.
“Obviously the whole reason we are in business is to raise money for public education in Missouri. These changes should increase the jackpot amounts, which will also in turn increase sales,” said Goedde.
The ticket price is the same, $2 per play.