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Lotto To Give Buyers Option That Increases Payoff

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 12, 2008

TAMPA - All the details have not been worked out, but the Florida Lottery is about to tweak the twice-a-week Lotto drawing, allowing players to spend more on a ticket for a chance to win bigger prizes.

Beginning March 2, Florida Lotto ticket buyers can spend $2 and $3 on tickets instead of just $1. The additional cost buys the possibility of a much bigger payoff than the announced jackpot, Lotto officials said.

Drawings are twice a week for prizes that are in the millions of dollars.

The new wrinkle to the old game works like this: Ticket holders still pick six numbers, hoping to match numbers drawn on Wednesday or Saturday nights.

The odds are the same with costlier tickets, but if all six are chosen and the winner holds a $2 ort $3 ticket, the winnings could be $10 million to $25 million more than the announced jackpot.

Lottery officials have not officially announced the changes but have been sending retailers information about the plans, said Donna Riordan, spokeswoman for the Florida Lottery. An announcement may come as early as this week, she said.

"We are planning a March 2 launch for players to be able to purchase tickets for the enhanced game," states the letter to retailers.

Players can check the Florida Lottery Web site at www.flalottery.com or call the customer service office at (850) 487-7787 for information.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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