The Lotto Matrix: Large Jackpots, Large-State Legislative Doings

First things first

How much is Friday’s Mega Million jackpot drawing worth? It’s getting interesting with a jackpot of $189 million — or cash option of $82.7 million for those seeking immediate gratification. There have been 11 rollovers since someone in Ohio matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball for the $112 million drawing April 18. That is the lone jackpot win since the $5 price point was introduced April 8.

There have now been five consecutive drawings without a top second-tier prize after no one matched all five non-Mega numbers last Friday or Tuesday. There were nine tickets from those two drawings matching four numbers and the Mega Ball, resulting in $230,000 worth of payouts.

How much is Saturday’s Powerball jackpot drawing worth? The Powerball jackpot is still outpacing Mega Millions with a grand prize of $207 million available. Those seeking their riches straightaway would receive $91 million via cash option. Three more drawings without a jackpot made it 14 rollovers since James Shannon Farthing and Linda Grizzle won the $167.3 million drawing April 26 in Kentucky.

It was a case of “West Coast, best coast” when it came to seven-figure payouts. All four tickets matching the five non-Powerball numbers spanning the last three drawings were purchased in the Pacific time zone.

There were two $1 million tickets sold in California on Wednesday night, and a third in Washington. On Monday, an Oregon-originated ticket paid out $2 million thanks to the 2x multiplier.

As the Texas Lottery turns, yet again

Our long Lone Star State nightmare may finally have an end game.

SB 3070, which would shutter the embattled Texas Lottery Commission and move lottery functions to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, passed by a 112-27 vote in the House on Monday. The two key pillars of Sen. Bob Hall’s bill are: No online lottery ticket sales, and retailers being limited to five lottery ticket machines.

The Texas Legislature provides a journal in its bill history allowing lawmakers to explain their votes if desired. Rep. Terri Leo Wilson changed her vote from yes on second reading to no, citing the amendment submitted by Rep. Charlie Geren that “fundamentally alters the bill by prohibiting the abolition of the Texas Lottery Commission and instead merely transfers its responsibilities to another agency.”

Wilson, whose 23rd district includes much of Galveston, called the amendment “inconsistent with my legislative priorities and the original objective I supported.”

Rep. Wes Virdell, who was away from his desk when the vote was taken, went more scorched earth. His 53rd district spans a wide area west of San Antonio and south of San Angelo.

“The lottery system needs to be killed now,” he submitted to the journal. “Government-sponsored gambling serves no purpose. It’s a real shame that our government targeted low-income areas to separate people from their money. Anyone who played a role in that should never serve in government.”

P.S.: This is awkward

Illinois online lottery ticket sales set to continue

Back in March, the question of the legality of online ticket sales by the Illinois Lottery was brought up by state Sen. Cristina Castro in contentious fashion with Lottery Director Harold Mays during an informational committee hearing.

The back-and-forth brought forward a provision in current Illinois Lottery Law that “Any draw game tickets that are approved for sale by lottery licensees are automatically approved for sale through the Internet program.” That provision is scheduled to sunset July 1.

There is no lottery-specific bill addressing the provision heading into the final weekend of the Illinois legislative session, but language to continue the status quo exists through a House amendment to SB 2456 submitted by Rep. Bob Morgan.

The amendment to the bill unanimously passed through the House Executive Committee on Friday morning containing the following text:

“The Department may offer Lotto, Lucky Day Lotto, Mega Millions, Powerball, Pick 3, Pick 4, and other draw games that are offered at retail locations through the Internet program. … Any draw game tickets that are approved for sale by lottery licensees are automatically approved for sale through the Internet program.”

The bill was listed on second reading for Friday’s House Calendar, but lawmakers are expected to work right up to midnight Saturday night into Sunday.

Missouri Lottery re-ups with IGT

The Missouri Lottery announced last week it reached an agreement on a new eight-year contract with IGT effective July 1, extending a partnership that dates back to 1991. The deal calls for IGT to modernize the state’s lottery system through hardware, software, and telecommunications networks. IGT will also create a new player loyalty program, mobile app, and website for the Show Me State.

“IGT has provided our gaming system services at the Missouri Lottery for many years,” said Lester Elder, executive director of the Missouri Lottery. “We look forward to our continued partnership, and we are eager to get started on this new contract that will allow us to take advantage of IGT’s newest and most advanced technologies. Together, we will work to grow sales and proceeds, while also providing a better player experience and retailer satisfaction.”

The two sides previously extended their partnership with a three-year contract signed in March 2022.

Newsworthy Nuggets

Definitely for richer, not poorer: A Michigan couple celebrated their anniversary in grand fashion, claiming the second of three $2 million top prizes available in the Diamonds & Gold scratch-off game. The 44-year-old woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told Michigan Lottery officials she bought the $20 ticket at the Opdyke Featherstone Mobil in Auburn Hills.

She and her husband played the scratcher together, and he noticed the $2 million top prize, prompting talk of visiting the store to have it scanned.

“A message came up to file a claim at the Lottery office, so we asked a friend to scan it on her Lottery app,” she recounted. “I started shaking and was in total shock when $2 million came up on the screen. It was so exciting and the best surprise on our anniversary!”

The woman opted for a $1.3 million lump-sum payment and said the couple plans to buy a house, invest, and set aside some money for their children’s college funds.

Shine on, you crazy (Illinois) diamond: The Illinois Lottery reported Thursday someone online won a $1.7 million payout playing Ultimate Diamond Jackpot, a FastPlay progressive jackpot game. It was the ninth seven-figure payout since the game launched in May 2024. The jackpot starts at $75,000 and grows with each ticket sale both retail and online.

Million(s) of peaches, peaches for me: The Georgia Lottery reported a Sparta resident claimed one of the seven $1 million second-tier prizes from the Georgia Lottery’s 2nd Edition Billionaire Club. The winning $30 ticket was purchased at the Texaco Food Mart in Milledgeville, and the winner opted for the lump-sum cash payment of $535,398.06. The 2nd Edition Billionaire Club has a top prize of $7 million.

Who has the biggest active individual state lotto jackpot in the land? For the time being, everything remains bigger in Texas. Saturday’s drawing leads all individual state drawings with a $24.25 million jackpot, and the $13.1 million cash option would also top all amounts.

The twice-weekly California Lotto+ is up to $12 million for Saturday night’s drawing, and New York rounds out the podium spots with $11.8 million up for grabs. Illinois ranks fourth at $9.05 million, and Florida completes this weekend’s top five with $5.25 million available.

The multi-state Lotto America had another week come and go without a winner, raising the number of rollovers to an astounding 168 since the last jackpot was won April 24, 2024. The jackpot for Saturday night’s 15-state drawing is $37.22 million with a cash option of $16.36 million.

Until next week, dream big, check your numbers, and play responsibly!