Multi-State Jackpot Game Mega Millions Debuts in Arizona

PHOENIX, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Arizona Lottery announced the addition of Mega Millions to its product roster. Starting at 4 a.m. on Sunday, April 18, Lottery players in Arizona can purchase a Mega Millions ticket at their favorite Lottery retailer. Starting this month the nation's two most popular jackpot games — Mega Millions and Powerball — are now both available to Arizonans, making it possible to participate in a high jackpot drawing four days a week.

"Introducing a game of this magnitude is a historic moment for our Lottery," said Jeff Hatch-Miller, executive director of the Arizona Lottery. "We're confident our players will enjoy Mega Millions; it is important to us that we continue to bring new products like a second multi-state jackpot game to Arizona."  

Mega Millions jackpots start at $12 million. For $1, players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 56 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 46. Players that match the five numbers and the Mega Ball win the jackpot. In addition to the jackpot, there are other cash prizes ranging from $2 to $250,000.

An added Mega Millions feature is the Megaplier option. For a total purchase of $2, players who choose "Mega Millions with Megaplier" can increase their non-jackpot prize winnings by 2, 3, or 4 times, meaning that a $250,000 prize becomes a $500,000 prize if the Megaplier for that particular drawing is 2.

Like Powerball, Mega Millions is expected to offer players the potential of new and more prizes, including the opportunity of a jackpot win; and contribute to Lottery sales and state revenues overall. Lottery retailers, from large-scale grocers to small mom-and-pop businesses, will all benefit from additional commission on Mega Millions sales.

Since Powerball first went on sale in Arizona more than 16 years ago, it has generated $1.6 billion in sales. Last fiscal year, the game had sales of $117.2 million; more than $25 million was awarded to Arizona winners, and retailers earned more than $7.5 million in commissions.

Further commenting about the launch of Mega Millions, Hatch-Miller said, "We are optimistic about the sales potential of Mega Millions in Arizona. Research indicates that our players want new products, and jackpot games like Mega Millions and Powerball appeal to a broad spectrum of players. Ultimately, players, retailers and critical state programs receiving Lottery dollars will all benefit."

The Arizona Lottery has paired Mega Millions and Powerball in an introductory campaign that literally brings the two games to life. "Powerball" and "Mega Millions" are depicted by two colorful, "well-rounded" walk-around "him" and "her" characters who are quickly realizing that they are the perfect match.  

In fact, "Powerball" went to the extent of greeting "Mega Millions" at Sky Harbor International Airport and will serve as "Mega Millions'" official Arizona "ambassador" until becoming fully acclimated to the state. The public can meet the "Powerball" and "Mega Millions" characters and follow their story at www.arizonalottery.com or on the Arizona Lottery Facebook Fan page (www.facebook.com/arizonalottery).  

Today, Arizona Lottery employees rolled out the red carpet and were among the first to meet the characters at the Arizona Lottery Phoenix office. The open house and the arrival at Sky Harbor International Airport are the first of many appearances scheduled through April and May, including an unprecedented event on April 19 at the Arizona Lottery billboard at Glendale Avenue and 16th Street—one of many billboards that will now permanently feature Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot information. On that day at that location, the characters will "pull the trigger" on a blank jackpot board, making their drawing amounts instantly appear.

Mega Millions drawings will occur on Tuesdays and Fridays—Powerball drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays—and results for both games can be seen on the 10 p.m. news on Channel 15 (ABC) in Phoenix, Channel 13 (CBS) in Tucson, and in Spanish on Univision Arizona.

You must be at least 21 to purchase or redeem tickets. The Arizona Lottery reminds everyone to please play responsibly.

For additional press materials contact Janelle Brannock at [email protected].

About the Arizona Lottery

The Arizona Lottery operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products; it receives no General Fund dollars from the State.  Proceeds from sales of Lottery tickets--nearly $3 million per week--fund a variety of state programs. Since July 1981, the Arizona Lottery has paid out over $3.9 billion in prizes to players, more than $2.3 billion in net profit to the state, and almost $500 million in commissions to retailers. Learn more at arizonalottery.com, or visit the Arizona Lottery Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/arizonalottery.

SOURCE Arizona Lottery