Powerball sales to begin Sunday in Massachusetts

Arrival of second multi-state game to raise $25 million for local aid

As part of the largest agreement in U.S. lottery history, the Massachusetts State Lottery will begin selling tickets for the multi-state high jackpot game Powerball at its 7,500 agents across the Commonwealth on Sunday.

Powerball will likely increase Massachusetts Lottery sales about $50 million annually and generate about $25 million in new profits each year. The arrival of the new game is also expected to bring in an additional $10 million to $12 million in Lottery profits this fiscal year.

“This is a significant boost for local aid and our 351 cities and towns,” said Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, who chairs the Lottery Commission. “After months of intense negotiations, we have been able to deliver new excitement for Lottery players and more revenue for our communities.”

Thirty-three state lotteries, representing a combined population of 199 million people and 147,000 agents, will be offering both Mega Millions and Powerball under the new agreement. The market for these games has the potential to expand to 45 state lotteries, representing 291 million Americans and 182,000 retail outlets.

Millions of additional Powerball and Mega Millions players are expected to dramatically increase the frequency of gigantic Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots. Those jackpots often exceed $100 million and have approached $400 million.(See chart below) Since the inception of the games, Powerball and Mega Millions have raised about $17.6 billion for education, public safety and other essential municipal services throughout the U.S.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring our players another opportunity to win huge jackpots,” Executive Director Mark Cavanagh said. “Players will have more chances to win and jackpots will grow more rapidly than ever before. With more people playing, there will be more winners and more prizes than ever before.”

Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. at Universal Studios in Orlando. The drawings will be aired locally by WCVB-TV Channel 5.

Teacher wins Patriots
Season Tickets for Life

First of five pairs of tickets won as Lottery game sells at near record pace

A Malden school teacher and lifelong New England Patriots fan became the first Massachusetts Lottery player to win Season Tickets for Life after her name was selected from nearly 300,000 second chance drawing entries.

Robin Colarusso of Everett won the fabulous prize in the New England Patriots instant game, the first NFL licensed Lottery game. The $5 instant game – which was introduced by Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill and Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group just two months ago – has already sold more than $40.8 million in tickets.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Colarusso said at Lottery headquarters. “I’ve never been to a game before and now I can go to every single one. This is fantastic.”

The New England Patriots instant game features 10 instant prizes of $1 million, 4,250 VIP ticket packages, and unique Patriots merchandise. As the game reaches five sales milestones, Season Tickets for Life will be awarded in separate second-chance drawings. (Visit www.masslottery.com for more details.)

“Patriots fans and Lottery players have made this game one of the top-selling tickets of all time,” said Treasurer Cahill, chairman of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “Best of all, we have already raised millions of dollars for local aid for our 351 cities and towns.”

The New England Patriots ticket follows in the tradition of the Lottery’s successful line of sports-themed tickets. Since 2006, the Massachusetts Lottery has sold more than $840 million in sports-themed tickets and raised more than $116 million for police officers, fire fighters, teachers and other essential municipal services.

“We would like to congratulate Robin Colarusso on becoming our newest season ticket holder and our first season ticket holder for life,” said Patriots President Jonathan Kraft. “Our goal was to create rewards that would make the Patriots instant ticket one of the most popular games ever and we’re happy to see the tremendous success the scratch ticket has already had in its first few months. The money raised as a result of its success will benefit communities throughout the Commonwealth.”

In another exciting game feature, two bonus drawing winners will have the chance to take home $1 million in the “Million Dollar Drive.” During two separate home games, a contestant will step onto the Gillette Stadium field to pick from 24 hidden prizes on larger-than-life instant tickets. Eight tickets will be worth $100,000; six will be worth $200,000; four others will be worth $300,000; two prizes will be worth $400,000; another two are valued at $500,000 and two grand prize tickets will be worth $1 million.

“The layers of prizes in this game are truly unique,” said Lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh. “The number and variety of winning experiences in this instant ticket is unparalleled in the industry.”

About the Massachusetts State Lottery

The Massachusetts State Lottery is dedicated to providing revenue for the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns. Since 2003, the Lottery has returned more than $6.3 billion to taxpayers. The Lottery, through our 7,500 agents, offers players exciting and entertaining games, a formula that has made us among the most successful lotteries in the nation. For more information, please visitwww.masslottery.com..

About the New England Patriots

The Patriots were named the eighth and final charter franchise of the American Football League (AFL) on Nov. 16, 1959 and are celebrating their 50th anniversary season this year. In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the franchise and vowed to bring New England its first league championship. The Patriots delivered on that promise at the end of the 2001 season and became just the second team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span after winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. Since 1994, the Patriots have won more games (178) and more often (.657 winning percentage) than any other NFL team. For more information, please visit www.patriots.com.

Lottery, Boston Bruins Team Up for Instant Ticket

Game will raise millions for taxpayers; award season tickets for a decade

Bottom picture, left to right, Marc Savard, Zdeno Chara, Jeremy Jacobs, John Bucyk, Treasurer Timothy P.Cahill, Cam Neely.

The Massachusetts State Lottery and the Boston Bruins have teamed up to create an exciting new instant game that will raise millions for Bay State communities while entertaining and exciting fans with incredible prizes, including Season Tickets for a Decade.

Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill and Boston Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs announced the partnership at a 3 p.m. press conference today at the New England Sports Museum. The Boston Bruins instant game is expected to sell more than $50 million in tickets and raise more than $9.6 million for Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns.

“We believe the Boston Bruins game is the perfect icing on our instant-ticket cake,” said Treasurer Cahill, chairman the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “Once again, a Boston sports franchise has stepped up to help raise revenue for police officers, fire fighters, teachers and other essential municipal services.”

The Boston Bruins instant game features never-before available prizes for New England hockey fans such as 300 Suite Experiences and 90 Bench Experiences during home games. The $2 game, which goes on sale tomorrow at 7,500 Lottery agents, also features authentic Bruins gear and collectibles.

“We are certainly pleased to be partnering with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on this instant ticket which is set to generate $9.6 million for Massachusetts's cities and towns,” said Jeremy Jacobs, Boston Bruins owner, Chairman and CEO, Delaware North Companies and Chairman of the NHL Board of Governors. “I would like to personally thank Treasurer Cahill for his diligence and foresight in bringing this partnership to life."

Lottery players will win more than $32 million in cash prizes over the life of the game, including 25 top prizes of $25,000. One lucky player will take home the incredible grand prize of Boston Bruins Season tickets for a decade.

“The unique prizes available in this game will create enormous excitement among our players and Bruins fans,” Lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh said. “We’re confident the Boston Bruins game will quickly become a favorite among our customers.”

Since creating the sports-themed Lottery game market in 2006, the Massachusetts State Lottery has sold $838 million in sports-themed tickets and raised $115 million for Massachusetts cities and towns. The Lottery expects to surpass the $1 billion mark in sports-themed ticket sales later this fiscal year.

Treasurer Cahill Announces Massachusetts State Lottery Powerball Agreement

State Treasurer Tim Cahill announced today that Massachusetts has reached an agreement in principle to join the multi-state Powerball lottery game. The state is part of a larger agreement allowing 45 lotteries across the nation, including Massachusetts, to offer both the popular Mega Millions and Powerball games.

"Our on-going discussions with Powerball states have culminated with a significant agreement that will have enormous benefits for Massachusetts," said Treasurer Cahill, who chairs the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. "The ability to sell both games in Massachusetts will enable us to raise millions more in needed revenue for our 351 cities and towns."

Once fully implemented, the new agreement with Powerball is expected to raise between $25 million and $40 million on an annual basis for Massachusetts cities and towns. Powerball is likely to begin in Massachusetts within the first six months of 2010, after details are finalized with participating states.

"Our perseverance and commitment to raising money for Massachusetts was a key component to getting this arrangement done," Treasurer Cahill said. "This, by definition, is a win-win for everyone involved, especially the taxpayers of Massachusetts."

The agreement comes after months of discussions between the 12 larger Mega Millions states www.megamillions.com. and the 33-member Multi-State Lottery Association that comprises Powerball www.powerball.com..

Mega Millions states, including Massachusetts, sold more than $2.5 billion in tickets last fiscal year, while Powerball states sold $2.1 billion in tickets. Jackpots in the two games have grown to levels approaching $400 million. The cross-selling agreement is expected to increase the frequency, size and scope of gigantic jackpots.

Red Sox $20 instant ticket crosses finish line

Limited Edition World Series ticket raised nearly $21 million for cities and towns

The Boston Red Sox Limited Edition World Series instant ticket has culminated its record-setting run with the awarding of the final $1 million grand prize in the historic game from the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Treasurer Tim Cahill and Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino announced the joint venture in March 2008 to commemorate the Red Sox second championship in three years and raise much-needed revenue for Massachusetts communities.

The Limited Edition World Series game sold more than $177 million in tickets, awarded $142 million in prizes and raised $20.8 million for taxpayers. Overall, the Lottery’s four Boston Red Sox games have sold more than $682 million in tickets and raised more than $91 million for local aid since 2006.

“When we joined forces with the Red Sox, no one imagined how successful we would be,” said Treasurer Cahill, chairman of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “Together we have raised record amounts of revenue for our communities and awarded more than a half a billion dollars in prizes to our fans.”

The Boston Red Sox Limited Edition World Series ticket, a $20 game, featured 20 instant grand prizes of $1 million and two grand prizes of $10 million, the largest instant prize ever awarded by an American lottery. The game – the third Red Sox Lottery ticket – also featured Red Sox road trips, unique memorabilia and a second World Series Trophy tour across the state.

The Lottery and the Boston Red Sox created the nation’s first sports-themed instant ticket in 2006 and released their fourth game earlier this year. A parade of sports-themed games across the country has since followed in those footsteps.

“The Red Sox organization is proud of our longstanding relationship with the Massachusetts State Lottery and the resulting benefits this collaboration has brought to the 351 towns and cities throughout the Commonwealth,” said President/CEO Larry Lucchino. “We congratulate the most recent $1million winner, and all those fans who received prizes through the Limited Edition World Series instant ticket.”

The winner of the 20th and final $1million grand prize is a visually-impaired Red Sox fan from Eastern Massachusetts. A lifelong fan, he requested that his name be withheld. He said he has hired a financial planner and he will use the prize to secure his financial future.

“Yaz (Carl Yastrzemski) was my favorite player, but I was a little young to remember the ’67 Impossible Dream Team. I do remember Carlton Fisk in ’75, waving it fair,” the winner recalled. “This entire experience has been incredible. I’m still planning what to do with the money and I’m taking it real slow.”

He bought the lucky ticket at Congress Card and Tobacco in Boston. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the prize.

The Lottery and Patriots Kick Off New Instant Ticket

Game will raise $22 million in local aid; award 5 pairs of Season Tickets for Life

From l to r: Jonathan Kraft, President and COO of the Kraft Group, Massachusetts State Lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, Massachusetts State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill and Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group.

FOXBORO, MA - The Massachusetts State Lottery and the New England Patriots today kicked off their new instant ticket that will raise millions for Bay State communities while entertaining and exciting fans with incredible prizes, including five pairs of Season Tickets for Life.

Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill and The Kraft Group Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft announced the historic partnership at a noon press conference today at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots instant game is the first licensed NFL lottery product and comes just weeks after the league owners voted to partner with lotteries around the country. The Lottery is also the presenting sponsor for the Patriots 50th Anniversary Season.

“This historic partnership brings together two organizations dedicated to winning and providing the best entertainment value for our fans,” Treasurer Cahill said. “Most importantly, the game will raise more than $22 million for our cities and towns.”

The New England Patriots ticket, a $5 instant game, is expected to generate more than $151 million in sales and reward players with more than $116 million in prizes. The game, which goes on sale today at 7,500 Lottery agents, features 10 instant prizes of $1 million, 4,250 VIP ticket packages, and unique Patriots merchandise. The marquee prizes in the game will be second-chance drawings for five pairs of New England Patriots Season Ticket for Life.

“I don’t think people realize how much the Lottery contributes to local communities annually,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “We are proud to team up with the Lottery in a partnership that will not only reward our game winners with cash and one-of-a-kind experiences, but will also benefit cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. We are happy to contribute some truly unique prizes to complement the many cash rewards offered. We are excited to see Patriots fans win these prizes throughout our 50th anniversary season.”

The New England Patriots’ ticket follows in the tradition of the Lottery’s successful line of sports-themed tickets. Since 2006, the Massachusetts Lottery has sold more than $777 million in sports-themed tickets and raised more than $106 million for Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns. The games have also awarded more than $610 million in prizes, including 35 prizes of at least $1 million.

“Lottery players and Patriots fans will enjoy this ticket as much as a Patriots win,” Executive Director Mark Cavanagh said. “The game is packed with great prizes for our players, especially the five pairs of Season Tickets for Life.”

In another exciting feature, two lucky Lottery players will have the chance to win $1 million in the “Million Dollar Drive.” During two separate home games, a contestant will step onto the Gillette Stadium field to pick from 24 hidden prizes on larger-than-life instant tickets. Eight tickets will be worth $100,000; six will be worth $200,000; four others will be worth $300,000; two prizes will be worth $400,000; another two are valued at $500,000 and two grand prize tickets will be worth $1 million.

About the Massachusetts State Lottery

The Massachusetts State Lottery is dedicated to providing revenue for the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns. Since 2003, the Lottery has returned more than $6.3 billion to taxpayers. The Lottery, through our 7,500 agents, offers players exciting and entertaining games, a formula that has made us among the most successful lotteries in the nation.

About the New England Patriots

The Patriots were named the eighth and final charter franchise of the American Football League (AFL) on Nov. 16, 1959 and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary season this year. In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the franchise and vowed to bring New England its first league championship. The Patriots delivered on that promise at the end of the 2001 season and became just the second team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span after winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. Since 1994, the Patriots have won more games (173) and more often (.655 winning percentage) than any other NFL team. For more information, please visit www.patriots.com.

Megabucks Doubler Season Ticket Winners!

Look at all the three month Megabucks Doubler Season Ticket winners who entered this months VIP CLUB drawing! To be eligible to enter into the next drawing join the VIP CLUB today and sign up to receive Lottery News Email Subscriptions!

THE LOTTERY AND THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ANNOUNCE A PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP A NEW INSTANT TICKET

The Massachusetts State Lottery and the New England Patriots announced today that they are developing the first licensed NFL instant ticket. The announcement comes just days after the NFL owners voted to allow teams to partner with lotteries throughout the country.

“This is an excellent opportunity for two successful brands to work together on behalf of the communities of Massachusetts,” said State Treasurer Tim Cahill, Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “During this economic downturn, cities and towns will benefit from this partnership.”

“This is going to be a hugely successful collaboration,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group. “We are looking forward to helping the Lottery generate much needed revenue for the cities and towns of Massachusetts.”

The Massachusetts State Lottery has a proven track record of creating successful instant ticket products with major sports franchises. These products have generated over $740 million in sales and $101 million in local aid for the cities and towns of Massachusetts.

“We know sports partnerships work,” said Mark Cavanagh, Executive Director of the Lottery. “This is a natural evolution and we look forward to taking our relationship with the New England Patriots to the next level.”

“We look forward to being the first NFL team to partner on an instant ticket,” said Jonathan Kraft, President and Chief Operating Officer for The Kraft Group. “We know it will be beneficial for the Patriots, the Massachusetts State Lottery and for local communities.”

The Patriots ticket is expected to go on sale before the start of the 2009 NFL season.

About the Massachusetts State Lottery

The Massachusetts State Lottery is dedicated to providing revenue for the Commonwealth's 351 communities and has returned more than $5 billion to taxpayers since 2003. The Lottery, through our 7,500 agents, offers players exciting and entertaining games, a formula that has made us among the most successful lotteries in the nation.

About the New England Patriots

The Patriots were named the eighth and final charter franchise of the American Football League (AFL) on Nov. 16, 1959 and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary season this year. In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the franchise and vowed to bring New England its first league championship. The Patriots delivered on that promise at the end of the 2001 season and became just the second team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span after winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. Since 1994, the Patriots have won more games (173) and more often (.655 winning percentage) than any other NFL team. For more information, please visit www.patriots.com.

North End mom wins $200,000 in Parquet Floor Challenge

Olivia Scimeca is surrounded by the master of ceremony “The Coach” and the Celtics dancers.

Olivia Scimeca of Boston stepped onto the historic hard wood at the TD Bank North Garden and walked away $200,000 richer in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s $1 Million Parquet Floor Challenge.

The sold out crowd at the Boston Celtic playoff cheered as the mother of two picked number “9” out of the 32 oversized Boston Celtics Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions instant tickets spread across the parquet floor.

“I’m thrilled,” said Scimeca with a full court smile. “I haven’t slept since Friday. It’s like a dream, it’s just not real. It would take me 10 years to earn this much money.”

Scimeca was randomly selected through the Lottery’s Second Chance Bonus Drawing sweepstakes to take part in the contest. An additional second chance drawing will be conducted for a second $1 Million Parquet Floor Challenge that will take place next season.

To enter the Second Chance Bonus Drawing, players must mail in two non-winning Celtics Instant tickets or follow the on-line entry instructions on masslottery.com.

The Lottery’s Boston Celtics Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions ticket is still available for $5 at 7,500 Lottery agents across the sate. In addition to being eligible for the $1 Million Parquet Floor Challenge, the Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions ticket gives fans the chance to win up to $200,000 instantly, as well as an official Celtics 2008 Championship ring. The Massachusetts State Lottery is also the presenting sponsor of the Celtics 2009 playoff run.

Before the drawing, Scimeca, a property manager in the North End, said she decided to pick number “9” because her sons’ birthdays add up to that number. Two important drawing dates in the contest also added up to “9,” she noted.

“Everybody has a number,” said Scimeca, an avid Lottery player. “The way I see it, I can’t lose.”

Lottery Launches Megabucks Doubler

Improved game promises to deliver higher jackpots and more winners

The Massachusetts State Lottery enters a new era on Saturday with the inaugural drawing for Megabucks Doubler, an exciting revamp of its oldest jackpot game. Designed in the image of Megabucks, the improved game will create much bigger jackpots and higher lower-tier prizes.

“Megabucks Doubler promises to create a great deal of excitement with higher jackpots and significantly more winners,” Executive Director Mark Cavanagh said. “The improved game represents a real opportunity for our players and a fun way to raise more revenue for our 351 cities and towns.”

Megabucks Doubler will be a far superior game with a number of new attributes:

• Jackpots on average will be twice as high in the new game
• Overall prize payout will grow from 50 percent to 55 percent
• Players will have the option to take a lump sum payout for jackpots
• Starting jackpots will be increased from $400,000 to $500,000
• One-in-10 tickets will be a “Doubler ticket” that would double non-jackpot prizes
• Doubler tickets are issued at no extra cost to players
• Lower-tier prizes for matching 3, 4, or 5 numbers all dramatically increase
• Match 5-of-6 jumps from $1,500 to $2,500, $5,000 with “Doubler ticket”
• Match 4-of-6 jumps from $75 to $100, $200 with “Doubler ticket”
• Match 3-of-6 jumps from free bet to $2, $4 with “Doubler ticket”

Megabucks, which began in 1982, had sales of $40.5 million last fiscal year or about 1 percent of total Lottery sales. But sales for Megabucks dwindled over the years as other games gained in popularity. In 1986 for example, Megabucks sold more than $473 million in tickets or about 43 percent of Lottery sales.

“Our players will enjoy this game more than the original,” Cavanagh said. “The game preserves the best of the old and adds a bold, freshness to our portfolio.”

Sales for Megabucks Doubler will begin Thursday, April 30 for the inaugural drawing on Saturday, May 2. Megabucks Doubler drawings will be held every Wednesday and Saturday and aired on WCVB-TV Channel 5 at 11:24 p.m.

Lottery and Red Sox team up
for new Instant Ticket

Boston Red Sox 2009 $5 game to raise $25 million in aid, award season tickets for life

From l to r: Lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, Boston Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino, State Treasurer Timothy Cahill, and Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice.

The Massachusetts State Lottery and the Boston Red Sox are teaming up again to release a new $5 Boston Red Sox Instant Ticket that will excite fans, reward players with millions of dollars in prizes and raise much-needed revenue for our 351 cities and towns.

State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill joined Boston Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino today at Fenway Park to introduce a new 2009 Boston Red Sox Instant game. The new game is modeled after the successful original $5 Boston Red Sox Instant Ticket, the first Major League Baseball instant ticket.

“Our partnership brings together two championship franchises that are equally dedicated to their fans and customers,” said Treasurer Cahill, chairman of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “We will be able to raise about $25 million for our communities through teaming up with the Red Sox.”

Boston Red Sox 2009, a $5 instant game, is expected to generate more than $151 million in sales and reward players with more than $114 million in prizes. The game, which goes on sale April 6 at 7,500 Lottery agents, also features 10 instant prizes of $1 million and another chance to win Season Tickets for Life.

“The Red Sox organization enjoys our longstanding relationship with the Massachusetts State Lottery,” said Boston Red Sox President/CEO Lucchino. “We are proud of the results our collaboration has delivered to the 351 communities of the Commonwealth.”

The new ticket follows the Lottery’s three previous Red Sox games that have combined ticket sales of $632 million. The games have raised more than $83 million for cities and towns and rewarded players with prizes of more than half a billion dollars. Players also won Red Sox road trips, gift packages to games, luxury Sox-themed cruises, unique memorabilia – and Thom Howland of Milton won Season Tickets for Life.

In March 2006, the Lottery introduced the original Red Sox game, which was one of the best selling $5 tickets in Lottery history. In 2007, a $10 Boston Red Sox Instant Ticket was introduced. The final top prize on the $10 instant game was claimed last month, successfully closing the game. The Boston Red Sox Limited Edition World Series game was introduced in March 2008 and the game is projected to sell out during this baseball season.

“The Massachusetts Lottery was the first to have a licensed ticket with Major League Baseball,” said Mark Cavanagh, Lottery Executive Director. “And over the years, Red Sox instant tickets have become an important part of our portfolio and provided a lot of fun for our players.”

Massachusetts State Lottery Commission to hold meeting

The five-member Massachusetts State Lottery Commission, which is chaired by State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, will hold a regular meeting on April 2nd.

Place: McCormack State Office Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston.
Location: 12th Floor Conference Room.
Date: Thursday, April 2nd
Time: 10:30 a.m.

LOTTERY LAUNCHES 'MASS CASH SUNDAYS'

Popular $100,000 Jackpot game to be held three times a week starting Jan. 18

The Massachusetts State Lottery has another big winner – “Mass Cash Sundays.” Starting January 18, Mass Cash drawings will be held Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays as Lottery players gain another chance to win a $100,000 jackpot.

“We were hearing from our players and agents that they wanted a Sunday night drawing,” Executive Director Mark Cavanagh said. “And we’re responding by rolling out a third drawing of our most popular game. It’s still your best chance to win $100,000.”

Last year, Massachusetts Lottery players bought more than $40 million in Mass Cash tickets and won more than $20 million in prizes. Those prizes included more than 100 jackpots of $100,000. “Mass Cash Sundays” is projected to increase sales for the game by 20 percent and raise millions more for Massachusetts cities and towns.

The Massachusetts State Lottery will now have high-jackpot drawings each night at 11:20 p.m. on WCVB-TV Channel 5. Massachusetts State Lottery jackpot games include: Cash Winfall (Monday and Thursday); Megabucks (Wednesday and Saturday); Mega Millions (Tuesday and Friday) and twice-daily Numbers game.

In Mass Cash, players select five numbers out of a field from 1 – 35. Players win $10 for matching three numbers; $250 for matching four numbers and a jackpot of $100,000 for matching all five. The odds of winning a jackpot on a $1 bet are 1-in-324,632. By comparison, the odds of hitting a Mega Millions jackpot are 1-in-175 million.

“Our players know that Mass Cash delivers the best chance of hitting a jackpot and we’re anticipating a big increase in winners,” Cavanagh said. “And the end result will mean more aid for cities and towns.”

Since 2003, the Massachusetts State Lottery has sold more than $26 billion in products and returned $5.5 billion in aid to Massachusetts 351 cities and towns for teachers, fire fighters, police officers and other essential municipal services.