FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2013 — The estimated jackpot for tomorrow night’s Powerball drawing has reached a new record of $600 million. The estimated cash option jackpot is $376.9 million. This jackpot surpasses the $587 million jackpot won on Nov. 28, 2012.

“The game changes made in January 2012 and the addition of California in April have helped jackpots reach higher levels more quickly,” said Lottery Executive Director Ed Van Petten. “There is an incredible level of excitement surrounding this jackpot throughout Minnesota. But we do want to take this opportunity to remind players that while we share in their excitement about winning big, they should set limits and play within their means.”

If the jackpot is won on a single ticket in Minnesota and the winner chooses the cash option, he or she will receive a check for $255.3 million after required withholding. Jackpot winners have 60 days after claiming the prize to decide between the cash or annuity option.

If the winner selects the annuity payment, the first payment is estimated to be $10.6 million, with an estimated payment of $18.5 million in year 15 and a payment worth an estimated $33.3 million in year 30. (A final payment schedule will be determined after the annuity is actually purchased.)

Tickets can be purchased for this drawing until 9 p.m. tomorrow.

Since Jan. 2012, players in Minnesota have won nine $1 million prizes and one $2 million prize by matching all five white balls without the Powerball.

Powerball is the multi-state lotto game that offers players nine ways to win. Players select five numbers from 1 to 59 and a Powerball, from 1 to 35. The jackpot is won by matching all five numbers plus the Powerball. Approximate odds of winning a cash prize are 1 in 31.8 and approximately 1 in 175.2 million to win the jackpot.

For an extra $1 per Powerball play, players can purchase the Power Play® option to increase their prizes (except the jackpot). Players can win up to $2 million with Power Play.

Hot Lotto Getting Even Hotter!

With All-Cash Jackpot

On May 12, Hot Lotto® will become an all cash jackpot! The entire jackpot will be paid to the winner(s).

There will no longer be annuity and cash options to choose from. For example, if the Hot Lotto jackpot is $10 million, the required withholding taxes (currently 25 percent Federal and 7.25 percent State) will be paid so that the winner gets the entire $10 million jackpot. The first drawing offering the new all-cash jackpot will be held on May 15.

“This is something that players have been asking for,” explained Lottery Executive Director Ed Van Petten. “We’ve had 10 Hot Lotto jackpot winners in Minnesota since the game launched in 2002 and I’m looking forward to having one of our players win one of the new all-cash jackpots,” he added.

This is the only makeover that Hot Lotto has had in more than a decade. The only change to the game was the addition of the Sizzler® tripler option in 2008.

Six of the prize levels will increase, including the second prize, won by matching the five white ball numbers without the Hot Ball® number, which will increase from $10,000 to $30,000 ($90,000 with the Sizzler option).

These changes, along with the fact that Tennessee will be joining the game on May 12, are expected to create bigger jackpots.

With the addition of Tennessee, Minnesota will be one of 16 member lotteries: Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia.

From May 12 – June 8, 2013, players who make a minimum $5 Hot Lotto purchase (on a single ticket) receive a free $1 Hot Lotto ticket. The free ticket will print automatically after a qualifying ticket prints.

Game rules, odds and prize structure are available on www.mnlottery.com. 

Minnesota Benefits from Powerball Jackpot

Tickets worth $1 million sold in Hennepin and McLeod Counties

The $338.3 million Powerball® jackpot run, which started on Feb. 9 and ended on March 23 with one winning jackpot ticket sold in New Jersey, generated $3,145,238 in prizes for Minnesota players and earned $5,488,069 for the state of Minnesota.

During the run, two tickets won $1 million (the winning ticket for the March 6 drawing was sold in McLeod County and the winning ticket for the drawing on March 23 was sold in Hennepin County), six tickets won $10,000 and thousands of tickets won smaller prizes.

“These big jackpots raise extra dollars for our great state, generate additional commissions for our retailers and provide low-cost entertainment for our players,” said Lottery Executive Director Ed Van Petten. “During this jackpot run, Minnesota players won more than $3.1 million, retailers earned $813,000 in commissions from Powerball ticket sales and more than $5.4 million will be transferred to the state. We hope our players had a fun and entertaining experience and we look forward to the next big jackpot run.”

The $5.4 million was directed to the state as follows:

$3 million — General Fund: The General Fund supports state services, including public education, local government assistance, transportation, public safety and environmental protection.

$1.4 million — Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund:  The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund preserves, restores and enhances Minnesota’s natural resources, including improvements to state parks, the construction of state trails, enhanced hunting and fishing habitat and research to improve Minnesota’s environment.

$496,450 — Game and Fish Fund: Money from the Game and Fish Fund is spent on activities that improve, enhance and protect fish and wildlife resources, including conservation, restoration and enhancement of land, water and other natural resources of the state.

$496,450 — Natural Resources Fund:  Parks and trails and the Duluth, Como and Minnesota zoos benefit from the Natural Resources Fund.

Proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery benefit all Minnesotans. Since 1990, the Lottery has raised more than $2.2 billion for state programs. The General Fund has received over $1.3 billion to help fund important functions such as education, public safety and health and human services. More than $875 million has funded critical environmental programs. 

Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance and Minnesota State Lottery Recognize National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, March 3-9, 2013

Annual Awareness Campaign Draws Attention to Community Effects of Problem Gambling 

MARCH 3, 2013 — Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance and the Minnesota State Lottery have teamed up with the National Council on Problem Gambling to recognize National Problem Gambling Awareness Week (NPGAW), which will take place March 3–9, 2013. The campaign theme, “Problem Gambling: A Community Concern,” will inform the public about the warning signs of problem gambling and provide resources available for treatment, including resources available to Minnesotans. To raise awareness, Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance will extend its outreach efforts through a media campaign and public service announcements. It will also advertise the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline.

“‘Problem Gambling: A Community Concern’ emphasizes that problem gambling can affect anyone in any community,” said Cathie Perrault, executive director of the Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance, the Minnesota affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling. “From March 3 to March 9, we ask the Minnesota community to help us raise awareness about this important cause.”

Gambling addictions are often difficult to detect, because the outward signs may not be obvious. However, it is estimated that there are 6–8 million Americans who are compulsive gamblers, and their addictions also affect the lives of their family, friends, employers and community. Most gamblers struggle in silence until job, family problems or even legal issues finally bring the addiction into the open.

Resources and Assistance for Minnesotans

As with the rest of the country, gambling addiction impacts Minnesota. “We estimate that anywhere from 160,000 to 214,000 Minnesotans struggle with gambling addictions,” said Perrault. “Most struggle in silence due to the shame in their inability to stop gambling, and they live in fear as they go further and further into debt.”

In Minnesota, Problem Gambling Awareness Week will draw attention to the local resources available. According to a recent poll conducted by Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance, 67 percent of Minnesotans do not know that the state of Minnesota pays for treatment of individuals with a gambling problem (Source: NPGA survey, Fall 2011).

One of the roles of the Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance is to help Minnesotans understand problem gambling and encourage gamblers and family members to seek help early, before an addiction gets out of hand. “We want people to learn that there is treatment available locally and that treatment works,” said Perrault.

Locally, there are a number of helpful resources for Minnesotans dealing with problem gambling:

• (1-800-333-HOPE): Available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Resource for both those struggling with gambling problems, but also those who know someone who is struggling. Helpline counselors will discuss options and provide referrals to treatment providers in the area.
• Minnesota Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon (1-888-HELP1MN and 1-888-GA-HELPS): Offer free Twelve Step support meetings and other resources.
• Treatment Works (1-866-690-7241): From the Minnesota Department of Human Services, this site explores treatment and what options are available.
• Department of Human Services: Lists of Minnesota State Problem Gambling Treatment Network / Counselors, therapists, support groups, and inpatient and outpatient treatment programs.
• Minnesota Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance: This site includes educational information for numerous audiences and provides links to other resources, research, and newsletters that deal with gambling issues in Minnesota.
• Minnesota State Lottery: Additional information on local resources; includes contact information.

For additional information about the “Problem Gambling: A Community Concern” National Problem Gambling Awareness Week campaign, visit www.npgaw.org. For additional information on the Minnesota Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance, visit www.northstarproblemgambling.org.

About Minnesota State Lottery

Proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery benefit all Minnesotans. Since 1990, the Lottery has raised more than $2.2 billion for state programs. The General Fund has received over $1.3 billion to help fund important functions, such as education, public safety, and health and human services. Another $875 million has funded critical environmental programs. Lottery players must be 18 years of age or older. Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know needs help with a gambling problem, call 1-800-333-HOPE.

About Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance

The Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance (NPGA) is a nonprofit, gambling-neutral organization dedicated to improving the lives of Minnesotans affected by problem gambling. Staff, board members and general members speak to community groups and engage in advocacy at the state and federal level for funding to support problem-gambling prevention and treatment. NPGA is the Minnesota Affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling and works with the National Council and other affiliates across the country to help prevent and treat problem gambling. NPGA represents an alliance of individuals and organizations with one common belief: that problem gambling is a serious public health issue that is both preventable and treatable.

CONTACT:
Cathie Perrault
Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance
612-424-8595
cp@northstarproblemgambling.org