Missouri Lottery
The Missouri Lottery is run by the government of Missouri. It is a charter member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), whose first drawing was held in 1988.
History
The Lottery began selling tickets January 20, 1986. An executive director oversees the organization and reports to a five-member commission that is appointed by the governor. May Scheve Reardon took over as Missouri Lottery executive director in December, 2009.
In the beginning, Lottery proceeds were directed to Missouri's General Revenue fund. In 1992, voters approved Amendment 11, which earmarked proceeds for public education. All monies since July 1993 have gone to education programs. Proceeds are appropriated by the Legislature.
The Lottery offers Scratchers tickets, plus the online games Missouri Lotto, Club Keno, Pick 3, Pick 4, Show Me Cash, and Powerball. Powerball's former rival, Mega Millions, came to Missouri on January 31, 2010. The $250,000 Scratcher card generated much publicity when unemployed couple Robert Russell and Tracie Rogers won the jackpot in July 2010.[1]
The Lottery's mission: "The Missouri Lottery generates funds to provide educational opportunities for Missouri students, support Missouri businesses and entertain millions."
The minimum age to purchase a Missouri Lottery ticket is 18.
Lottery games
Current in-house games
Club Keno/Keno To Go
Club Keno has drawings every four minutes. Traditionally sold in age-controlled environments (often where alcoholic beverages are served), the game is now available at any Missouri Lottery retailer as Keno To Go. Options and prizes vary.
Pick 3
Pick 3 is drawn twice daily, seven days a week. Prices, options, and prizes vary.
Pick 4
Pick 4 is almost identical to Pick 3, except that a four-digit number is drawn.
Show Me Cash
Show Me Cash is played daily, drawing five numbers from 1 through 39. Games cost $1 each. Jackpots begin at $50,000, increasing by at least $5,000 until there is a game matching all five numbers.
Missouri Lotto
Missouri Lotto is drawn Wednesdays and Saturdays. Six numbers from 1 through 44 are chosen. Players get two games for each $1 wager (games must be played in multiples of two.) The progressive jackpot begins at $1,000,000 (annuitized with a cash option); players win cash by matching at least four of the six numbers in any game. A free $1 play is won by matching three numbers. The game's monetary prizes are paid on a pari-mutuel basis.
Beginning November 4, 2012, randomly selected Missouri Lotto tickets are printed with the word "Doubler". Any money prize (except a jackpot, or jackpot share) won on a Doubler ticket wins twice the normal amount; a three-number match wins a $2 free play (four games.)
Multi-jurisdictional games
Mega Millions
On October 13, 2009, the Mega Millions consortium (then with 12 lotteries) and MUSL (with 33) reached an agreement to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball. Missouri joined Mega Millions on January 31, 2010, the cross-sell expansion date.
Mega Millions is drawn Tuesdays and Fridays. Players choose five white balls numbered 1 through 75, and a gold-colored "Mega Ball" numbered 1 through 15. Games are $1 each, or $2 if the Megaplier is chosen. Jackpots begin at $15 million, payable in 30 graduated yearly installments unless the cash option is chosen.
Monopoly Millionaires′ Club
Monopoly Millionaires′ Club (MMC) was launched on October 19, 2014 by 23 lotteries (22 states and the District of Columbia.) Games are $5 each; players choose five numbers from 01 through 52; the lottery terminal automatically selects one of the 28 properties represented on a standard U.S. Monopoly game board. Jackpots begin at $15 million; it is capped at $25 million. When a jackpot is won, there are a minimum of 10 "Millionaires′ Club" drawings for $1 million (cash) each. In 2015, a television game show will begin production in Las Vegas; MMC players can enter tickets online to become eligible to win a trip for two (and $500 "spending money") in be in the show's audience.
An additional nine lotteries are expected to join MMC in 2015.
Powerball
Powerball began in 1992. Its jackpots begin $40 million, with drawings on Wednesday and Saturday nights.
Lucky for Life (future)
Connecticut's game Lucky for Life began in 2009. Currently a regional game, it will expand from 6 lotteries to 21 (including Missouri and the District of Columbia) in January 2015.
Former games
Fun & Fortune
For several years in the 1990s, the Lottery aired a television game show called Fun & Fortune, hosted by Rick Tamblyn. (Nationally known Geoff Edwards hosted the pilot.)
References
- ↑ "Lottery Winner! Groom Gives Bride Ticket of $250K as Early Wedding Gift". National Ledger. July 18, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2010.