Jackpot Considerations: This Or That? Mix and Match? One Of Each?

Update at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2: Neither jackpot was hit on Wednesday, so they'll keep growing for at least one more drawing! Saturday's Powerball jackpot stands at an estimated $700 million, while the Lotto America drawing on Saturday will feature an estimated jackpot worth $34.57 million.

Knowing that lottery jackpots are always dependent on the results of the next drawing, two big prizes in particular are creating a study in contrasts for tonight!

The Powerball® jackpot for tonight’s drawing has climbed to an estimated $653 million annuity, $350.5 million cash option. That’s the 8th-largest jackpot in the history of that game.

Not to be left out, the Lotto America® jackpot for tonight is an estimated $34.52 million annuity, $18.52 million cash option. That’s a record for the Lotto America game.

We sometimes hear from folks who say that “one person doesn’t need all that money” when it comes to the really giant prizes. (Sales would disagree with that statement, given that sales climb higher as the jackpot grows, and higher sales in turn push the jackpot higher.)

But with these two jackpots tonight contrasting with each other, the question is: Do you want this or that? Mix and match? Maybe one of each?

The odds of winning both jackpots are long (to determine that number, take the odds of winning Powerball and multiply them by the odds of winning Lotto America), but we are saying there’s a chance. :)

Good luck with your tickets in tonight’s drawings! 

Comments

[Bob]

I have stuck with Lotto America because there are less states and it gives players in Iowa a better chance at winning a nice jackpot! Wher as Powerball jackpots always seem to get won in the big states anymore.

[Kevin Pidima]

I agree with Rod 100% . If smaller payouts were better on Lotto America it would increase sales. The current payout is pretty stingy compared to other Lotto games. I realize that Lotto America is only $1 per play but slightly better payouts increasing sales would create a larger payout dollar base and Jackpot could increase slightly less to cover the payouts.
Below is the current payouts and a proposal for a better payout plan...

Current = 2 & 0 = $0 ------ Proposed= 2 & 0 = Free Play- New Win Chance
0 & 1 = $2 ---------------= 0 & 1 = $2 ---- No Change
1 & 1 = $2 ---------------= 1 & 1 = $4 ---- Up $2
2 & 1 = $5 ---------------= 2 & 1 = $7 ---- Up $2
3 & 0 = $5 ---------------= 3 & 0 = $10 --- Up $5
3 & 1 = $20 --------------= 3 & 1 = $100 -- Up $80
4 & 0 = $100 -------------= 4 & 0 = $250 -- Up $150
4 & 1 = $1000 ------------= 4 & 1 = $5000-- Up $4000
5 & 0 = $20,000 ----------= 5 & 0 = $50,000-Up $30,000

The "New Win Chance" for a 2 ball match would keep players in the game for a future draw and most likely they would buy additional plays and increase sales.

[Kenneth Burger]

I think it is better to win the smaller amounts so our live won't change. Thank You

[Mary Neubauer]

Hi, Mark. Lotto America is sold by 13 lotteries. You can see a map of the states involved in the game here: https://www.powerball.com/games/lotto-america

[Rod Davis]

I believe if the odds to winning were greater for smaller jackpots and winners were more frequent you would see a climb in sales in a short time. I see people constantly buying batches of scratch tickets for smaller amounts in the hopes of winning smaller payouts and feel this would occur with these lottery jackpots as well.