New Lotto bets on larger jackpots
By Karen Adler
San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted : 05/04/2003 12:00 AM
Lotto Texas players will try their luck at a game that's easier — and harder — to win, beginning today.
Players now will choose five numbers from a pool of 44 numbers and then choose a bonus ball number from a second pool of 44 numbers, similar to the Texas Two Step game.
Until today, Lotto players chose six numbers from a field of 54.
Officials with the Texas Lottery Commission hope the longer odds will result in three to four big jackpots a year of between $65 million and $100 million.
The move caters to players who buy tickets only when the jackpots get high and at the same time could boost state coffers by $50 million, said Reagan Greer, executive director of the commission.
"People through the years are speaking with their dollars," he said. "It gets our attention when the jackpots get up there."
When the jackpot reaches $35 million, it takes one day to sell about 7 million tickets, Greer said. When the jackpot is at it lowest, $4 million, it takes four to five days to sell that many tickets, he said.
"That kind of tells you sales are driven ... by the higher jackpots," he said.
Although it will be more difficult to win the big jackpot, it will be easier to win smaller prizes. Instead of four levels, lotto players will have eight ways to win.
"Because of the bonus ball structure, we'll be able to offer more opportunities (to win)," Greer said.
Tickets still will cost $1 and drawings will be held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:12 p.m. Players still can choose whether to take the jackpot in 25 annual payments or a lump sum.
Many other states, including California and New York, have opted for a bonus ball or powerball structure to increase jackpots.
It's like professional basketball, said Timothy Drayden, manager at Lucky's Food Mart on Commerce, San Antonio's top Lotto ticket seller.
"Once you get into the playoffs, people have a lot of interest in a team," he said.
"History has shown anytime you have a larger jackpot, more people have interest."
Middle- and upper-class players tend to gamble only on the larger jackpots, and when they do, they often buy multiple tickets individually or as part of an office pool, Drayden said.
"Once you get over $10 million, you get a conversation going," he said. "Once you get over $30 million, everybody's talking about it. It crosses class lines."
Customers at the downtown convenience store Friday said they weren't aware of the new rules but they'll continue to play.
"When it comes to lotto, I usually buy one on payday," said Roque Carranco, 30, an employee at Marble Productions. "If I hit, great, if not, oh, well."
This isn't the first time the lottery commission has tried to change the odds to get bigger jackpots.
In July 2000, the number of balls was increased from 50 to 54. Though the change spurred the biggest jackpot in Lotto Texas history — $85 million in March 2001 — the large pots weren't frequent enough, said Kristina Tirloni, a spokeswoman for the commission.