Sales of Powerball lottery tickets begin today in California -- and the first drawing is scheduled for Wednesday.
The California Lottery Commission voted to adopt the multi-state game in November. Lottery officials said that the game was okayed by commissioners after much research and demand from lottery players.
Time will tell if the game will add to money that goes to California schools or
simply draw away plays from two other games -- SuperLotto Plus and Mega
Millions. Those two games will continue.
Lottery Director Robert T. O'Neill was convinced that the new game will be boon
to providing funding for schools.
"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," O'Neill said in a press release at the time of the game's adoption by
the commission. "Plus, our customers were pretty clear that they wanted us to
bring Powerball to California."
Powerball jackpots start at $40 million. If nobody wins, the jackpot increases a
minimum of $10 million after every drawing without a winner.
Each play of Powerball costs $2. Players choose five numbers from 1 to 59 and
one red Powerball number from 1 to 35.
Players can make their own number choices or use a quick pick option. Powerball
sales are closed at 7 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday.
