2010 Press Releases

January 29, 2010

Delaware State Lottery Launches Mega Millions Game
Introduction of super jackpot game gives players two more chances each week to fulfill their wildest dreams

Dover, DE -The Delaware State Lottery will begin selling tickets this Sunday for Mega Millions, one of the country's biggest jackpot games. With jackpots starting at $12 million and other prizes ranging up to $250,000, Mega Millions® will sit alongside Powerball® in the Delaware Lottery's expanding menu of game types and price points.

"The Delaware Lottery is very pleased to offer players another exciting game to play both for the fun of it and for the major jackpots," said Delaware Lottery Director Wayne Lemons. "While it's important that players always enjoy these games responsibly and within their means, there are now two more drawings each week that players will be looking forward to."

Similar to Powerball, Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play and players select five different numbers from 1 to 56 from one pool of numbers, and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 46 - or select Quick Pick. Delaware Lottery players also have the option to activate the Megaplier option for an additional $1, which could double, triple or quadruple their non-jackpot prize. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing. Drawings are conducted on Tuesday and Friday nights at 11 p.m., and Tuesday, Feb. 2 marks the first drawing for which Delaware Lottery players can purchase tickets.

The Mega Millions game offers jackpots starting at $12 million and awards other prizes from $2 to $250,000. The game produced the largest lottery payout in the world on March 6, 2007, when a jackpot worth $390 million was split by two tickets, one each from Georgia and New Jersey.

The Powerball game will remain unchanged, and continue offering $1 tickets for Wednesday night and Saturday night drawings, with players picking five numbers between 1 and 59, and an additional Powerball number from 1 to 39. Jackpot odds for Powerball are 1 in 195 million; overall odds of winning any prize are 1:35. Jackpot odds for Mega Millions are 1 in 175 million; overall odds of winning any prize are 1:40.

"Our players and retailers have reacted very favorably to the opportunity to buy and sell tickets for both games and we expect to see enthusiasm for both right out of the gate," said Lemons. "We are pleased to make the Mega Millions game more convenient for local players, while increasing revenues that support state services."

Following an October 7, 2009 announcement, states that currently sell Powerball and other lottery products now have the opportunity to begin offering Mega Millions tickets to their players. The 12 Mega Millions states sold more than $2.5 billion in tickets last fiscal year, while the 33 Powerball jurisdictions sold $2.1 billion in tickets.

An overview of all Delaware Lottery games is available at www.delottery.com.

Since the start of operations in 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed more than $3 billion to the state's General Fund to help finance needed state services that benefit everyone in Delaware. The Lottery offers a variety of games: POWERBALL®, MEGA MILLIONS®, HOT LOTTO®, FAST PLAY®, MULTI-WIN LOTTO, PLAY 3, PLAY 4, and assorted Instant Games. Delaware Lottery game and promotional details are available at delottery.com, at licensed retailers, and from the Lottery's office in Dover.

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