Gambling News from http://atlanta.about.com/
While the State of Georgia bans all other forms of gambling, including casinos and video poker machines, the State is enthusiastic about the Georgia Lottery. The lottery started in Georgia 9 years ago, following the lead of many other states who found a loophole in their laws, allowing a form of gambling that also helps fund public education initiatives. The Georgia lottery is extremely popular- more than 2 billion dollars was spent over the past year alone.
THE GAMES
The Change Game: This is the newest lottery game in Georgia, and the first of its kind in the country. The game allows users to bet with as little as 25 cents, all the way up to 99 cents. The player will receive a quik pick ticket made up of a combination of 6 letters and numbers. Each day, one drawing is held, and 3 winners are guaranteed daily. Payouts of course are variable, depending upon how much the player bet, and the total amount played.
Cash 3: With the Cash 3 game, the player chooses a 3 digit combination ranging from 000-999, and can bet 50 cents or a dollar, with a payout up to $500.
Cash 4: Bet 50 cents or a $1.00, and pick a 4 digit combination, ranging from 0000-9999. Match all 4 numbers, and win up to $5000.
Fantasy 5: Choose 5 numbers between 1-39, and if 3, 4, or all 5 of those numbers match the ones drawn, then the player receives a pari-mutal payout.
Lotto South: Georgia's standard lottery game, this requires players to choose 6 numbers between 1-49, and if 3,4,5, or all 6 numbers match those drawn, then the player receives a variable payout, depending on the amount played. One can choose the cash option payout or the annual payout if they hit the ultimate jackpot.
Quick Cash: This is the Georgia Lottery's version of the popular casino game Keno. Players bet $1 per game, and choose up to 10 numbers, from a field of 1-80. Numbers are drawn every 4 minutes. The highest payout is $100,000.
Mega Millions: Formerly called "The Big Game," this is the game that several states play in conjunction with one another. Payouts on this game sometimes make national news, exceeding 200 million dollars. The game costs $1 per ticket, and players pick 5 numbers from 1-52, and 1 mega ball number. There are 9 ways to win, and again, one can choose the cash option or annual payout for the big prize.
Instant Games: These are Georgia's scratch off tickets. There over 70 different game varieties, including such Georgia themed games as "Magnolia Money", "Kudzu Cash" and "Lucky Peaches." Payouts can run as high as $500,000. Tickets vary in price, from $1-10.
So how much money is going to public education in Georgia, and what is that money doing for children? According to the Georgia Lottery corporation, this past year was the lottery's most successful, and over 700 million dollars was placed in the education fund. The money goes to support the HOPE scholarship program for college students, the pre-kindergarten program, and much needed technology upgrades in the public school system.
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