SACRAMENTO (CA) – April 12, 2005 – The California Lottery Commission today moved the Lottery one step closer to launching the multi-state Mega Millions lotto game in California by approving the game’s rules and regulations during a Lottery Commission meeting in Sacramento.
The Commission approval opened the door for a Lottery task force to receive the Mega Millions lotto game software in mid-May. Once received, the task force will put the software through a series of rigorous tests to ensure that it meets the highest level of security and reliability in accordance with the California Lottery Act’s mandated standards and law, said Chon Gutierrez, Acting Director of the California State Lottery.
Lottery officials estimate that the Mega Millions game testing could take a minimum of 4 weeks. If all goes smoothly, and the game software meets California’s standards, the Lottery will then announce the official Mega Millions launch date.
“We’re working hard to bring Mega Millions to California as quickly as we can,” said Gutierrez. “We know that players are excited – and that the other 11 states are waiting for California to join, but we cannot introduce the game until its software has met California’s stringent standards for integrity.”
Adding Mega Millions to the Lottery’s slate of games gives players the chance to play a lotto-type game four days a week – adding a new level of excitement to the lotto games because of the increased number of big jackpots. In the first year, Lottery officials project more than 18 “mega” jackpots of $100 million or more, four of which will be of $200 million-plus.
In addition, although the odds of winning a mega jackpot are 1 in 176 million, the overall odds of winning any prize in Mega Millions are 1 in 40, with second-tier 5 of 5 prizes yielding a projected average of $200,000 each.
“With California joining Mega Millions, we project that 25 percent of all Mega Millions prizes could be won by Californians,” said Gutierrez.
Lottery officials also estimate that Mega Millions could increase overall Lottery revenue over the next few years. There could be a net increase of from $300 million to $500 million in the first year.
“It’s important to stress that Mega Millions is a California Lottery game,” said Gutierrez. “And as with all California Lottery games, over time all proceeds stay in California.”
The California Lottery is having its best sales year ever with approximately $3.25 billion in sales projected this fiscal year, with proceeds to education expected to top $1 billion.