Powerball Article Source:http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com
Powerball rolls out Tuesday across North Carolina
MIKE BAKER
Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. - When William Croom's work takes him through other states - maybe South Carolina or Florida - he usually grabs a Powerball ticket along the way.
"If you're not in it, you can't win it," Croom said.
Starting early Tuesday, the 61-year-old Raleigh truck driver, along with North Carolina lottery enthusiasts who have been spending $300 million a year on lotteries in neighboring states, will no longer have to travel the Southeast to play Powerball. North Carolina will join 28 other states in the country's most lucrative lotto, one that gives its players a shot at the occasional nine-digit payoff.
"The people of North Carolina indicated that they want a large jackpot game," said North Carolina lottery director Tom Shaheen. "So, here it is."
Wednesday's prize, the first after ticket sales begin in North Carolina, is estimated to reach $38 million.
And with that kind of money regularly at stake, state officials believe the game will mean a healthy profit. Lottery proceeds, earmarked for education spending, are projected to reach about $400 million for the first fiscal year. That includes money from Powerball and scratch-off tickets.
In South Carolina, Powerball spending accounts for about 20 percent of the state's lottery revenues since the game went online in October of 2002. Instant-ticket proceeds have brought in the most - $2.4 billion over four years. Smaller pick-em games brought in the remainder - about 13 percent.
Powerball revenue is erratic, as a state's net gain can be cut in half after a few major payouts. Participation is inconsistent, too, with more players joining as the jackpots climb into nine figures. However, the player base doesn't seem to grow over time, officials said.
"It's a good game to add to your product mix, and attracts a new group of players," said Ernie Passailaigue, South Carolina lottery chief. "But you're not going to see Powerball grow substantially unless there's jackpot of $200 million or more, and even then it's just temporary."
Powerball joins North Carolina's lottery mix two months after scratch-off tickets were first sold in the state. Already, after a solid first week of $28.7 million in sales, participation has tapered, even as new games have cycled in.
Brandon Moore, a Raleigh gas station attendant, said customers have been asking for weeks about Powerball.
"People want to see the big figures," said Moore, 20, who plans to be the first person to buy a Powerball ticket after the 5 a.m. opening Tuesday morning.
The drawing Wednesday is scheduled for 10:59 p.m., and will be aired on television stations WRAL in Raleigh, WCNC in Charlotte and WITN in Greenville. Officials are eyeing future coverage in Wilmington, Greensboro and Asheville.
About 5,700 retail outlets have workers trained to sell Powerball tickets. Players purchase a $1 slip and select five white numbers and a red Powerball digit. The correct Powerball number earns a $3 prize, and eight other combinations pay out larger awards, working up to the grand prize. Buyers can also pay an additional $1 for a Power Play to multiply winnings up to five times.
The odds of taking the pot are one in 146 million. Earlier this year, eight Nebraska co-workers split a record $365 million prize.
"With that kind of money, I could help a lot of people," Moore said. "The problem is that some people put a lot a money into it that they can't afford."
Worried about such troublesome spending, North Carolina lawmakers stubbornly refused to approve a lottery for years and was the last state on the East Coast without a game. That only drove its residents to spend millions on lotteries in other states.
The lottery stumbled early in North Carolina, bringing the kind of attention opponents warned of. Hand-picked lottery commissioner Kevin Geddings was found to have worked for Scientific Games International, a leading supplier of scratch-off lottery tickets that was seeking the state's $19.2 million a year lottery contract.
Geddings stepped down, but was indicted last week on federal mail and wire fraud charges for work tied to the lottery commission. He is also charged with state lobbying violations, along with a former aide to House Speaker Jim Black and a former vice president for Scientific Games.
But Shaheen says he has heard only favorable feedback since Geddings was replaced on the commission. He expects that his biggest undertaking to date - getting the state ready for Powerball - will reward both players and students.
Which is exactly what prospective players want to hear.
"You can spend a dollar and make millions," said Croom, with a scratch ticket in hand. "It's a bonus that you're helping out the kids and education."
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