Powerball revenue is expected to rise in Delaware, due to a change in the Powerball algorithm in October that makes it harder to win the top prize.
Based on sales seen during recent mega jackpot drawings, the latest state revenue projections from the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) suggested a $1.5 million increase in state lottery revenue this fiscal year and next.
Powerball is expected to have more mega jackpots because of the change made in October.
“Mathematically, the matrix change was designed to grow the jackpot a little more rapidly and to create larger jackpots by increasing the odds." Delaware Lottery Director Vernon Kirk said.
The odds of hitting the jackpot winning numbers got a bit longer in October from 1 in 176 million to 1 in 293 million.
Kirk adds that the increased opportunities of "winning big" created by the new odds drive sales, which had been trending downward due to “jackpot fatigue.”
“To me, 40 million is a heck of a lot of money but to others, they become a little jaded and say well I’m not going to play until it’s $100 million," Kirk said. "But when $100 million becomes commonplace then I’m not going to play until it’s $150-$200 million, and then…it just travels in a progressive fashion.”
Kirk says last October’s change was the sixth Powerball rule change since 1992, and all were made in response to jackpot fatigue.
October’s rule changes also decreased Powerball players' chances of winning smaller prizes, but Kirk said this is not expected to effect the projected increases in Powerball sales accounted for by those bidders only looking to win a top prize amount.
