Powerball Comes to California
Today marks a point where California lottery players once again have the chance to strike rich. On Thursday, the California Lottery Commission voted to adopt Powerball, the multi-state mega-jackpot lottery.
Unlike other lotteries, Powerball begins at $40 million and increases by $10 million every roll. Each powerball ticket cost $2.
Players then choose five numbers from 1 to 59 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 35. The players can do a Quick Pick or choose their own numbers. Winners are called every Wednesday and Saturday night at 7:59 p.m. PT.
State Lottery Director, Robert T. O'Neill, said in a prepared statement, "I expect Powerball to add anywhere between 50 to 100 million additional dollars to supplement public education funding, which is our one and only mission."
Plus," O'Neill added, "our customers were pretty clear that they wanted us to bring Powerball to California.”
At the 7-Eleven convenience store on Figueroa St. just a few minutes off campus, avid lottery players filled out tickets with high hopes that they would be the next Powerball winner.
Talina Linkuminato, went with her two children to fill out her first Powerball ticket. She was full of excitement about "something new and a lot of money... $60 million."
Linkuminato said she frequently enters the lottery but has never won more than $40.
"I've won tickets off scratchers before," she said, "but I'm feeling really lucky."
Ne Sandjoz also went to the 7-11 to go and buy his first ticket. Sandjoz has no job, but is keen on being the next Powerball winner.
"It's an American dream," he said.
The first drawing will take place on April 10, 2013.
It's nice to see how happy the introduction of the Powerball has made Californians, it's clearly something that a lot of people are interested in playing, and as the main aim of introducing it was to increase the money going to schools and education then I think it's a great move. This article does say that the jackpot increases by $10 million every roll, which isn't always the case, once the jackpot starts to get large, increased ticket sales can push it up further. Good Luck with the first draw tomorrow everyone!