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Florida Lottery To Add Powerball In January

Tribune photo by COLIN HACKLEY

Florida Lottery Secretary Leo DiBenigno talks about the sunshine state joining Powerball during a news conference Wednesday at Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

TAMPA - The Florida Lottery will add Powerball® to its list of games, beginning in January.

Powerball®, a multi-state lottery game, is offered in 29 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"Powerball sales in Florida are expected to raise millions of additional dollars for education and increase commissions to the Lottery's 13,500 retailers, the majority of which are small, independently-owned businesses," a Florida Lottery release states.

Powerball® drawings are held twice a week and broadcast to nearly 100 television stations nationwide from West Des Moines, Iowa.

"I applaud the Florida Lottery for continuing its mission of maximizing sales for the state's education system – benefiting Florida students in all grade levels," Gov. Charlie Crist said in the Florida Lottery release. "Joining Powerball will help ensure that the promise made to Floridians 22 years ago continues to be fulfilled."

The Florida Lottery celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Right now, the Florida Lottery is the lone state lottery not participating in a multi-state lottery game.

"A key to any business' success is making a habit of being responsive to its customers. Florida Lottery players and retailers have been asking for Powerball for many years," Florida Lottery Secretary Leo DiBenigno said in the news release. "While some players like to spend a dollar for a Scratch-Off ticket, others would rather take a chance on a mega jackpot – and it doesn't get any bigger than Powerball! In addition, the fact that each year millions of tourists visit Florida from states that currently have a multi-state game could give Powerball an extra advantage in our state. Now they'll be able to buy their tickets here."

For more information on the Florida Lottery, go to www.flalottery.com.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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