Powerball players will have larger jackpots to dream of but lower chances of hitting the big one under new rules for the game.
Beginning Jan. 4, the minimum jackpot will start at $20 million, up from the current $15 million.
Powerball officials estimate that the average jackpot will grow from $95.5 million to $141 million.
But the odds of connecting at that level? Not exactly a sure bet. One big winner is expected to emerge in every 195 million tickets sold nationwide, compared with the current odds of one in 146 million.
The chances of winning any prizes improve slightly from one in 37 to one in 36.
The new odds and payouts are being rolled out in Colorado and 29 other states, plus Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Powerball is played.
Despite the worse jackpot odds, officials expect the higher purse to generate buzz and beef up ticket sales that have been hit this year by a weakening economy.
Revenue to the Colorado Lottery from Powerball and scratch-ticket sales is down 2.2 percent over the past six months compared with a year ago.
“We saw a dip in sales in August and September with $4 gas,” said Colorado Lottery director Jack Boehm. “People weren’t really quick to go in (to convenience stores) and buy tickets after they’d just gassed up at that price.”
Boehm said lottery-ticket sales in Colorado are expected to drop this year to about $490 million from $505.8 million last year.
After prize payouts and expenses, the Colorado Lottery gives its proceeds to parks, recreation, open space, conservation education and wildlife projects. Disbursements last year were $122.3 million.
Gambling-law expert I. Nelson Rose of Whittier College said casinos and lotteries historically have been immune to bad economic conditions but that this recession may hit them harder.
Colorado casino revenues are down 12 percent this year.
Rose said that nationwide, lotteries have not suffered as much as casinos, but sales may show a drop when fourth-quarter totals are reported.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com
