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Changes In Powerball Lottery To Take Effect On January 15

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, PA (CBS) -- Changes are coming to the Powerball lottery game later this month, including a hike in ticket prices.

As of January 15th, the cost of a Powerball ticket will double from one-dollar to two-dollars, while the cost to add the Power Play multiplier will remain an extra one-dollar per play.

Pennsylvania Lottery spokeswoman Elizabeth Brassell said the increased price will help pay for some enhancements to the Powerball game. After the jackpot has been won, the next jackpot will be reset at $40-million instead of $20-million. And the second match-five prize will go from $200-thousand to one-million dollars.

Plus, Brassell said your odds of winning will increase slightly…

"Players in the newly designed game will still choose the first five numbers from a pool of 59 numbers," said Brassell. "But then the Powerball pool of numbers will shrink from 39 balls to 35 balls. And that's where we're producing the better overall odds."

And if you think all that doesn't justify doubling the price of a Powerball ticket, you can still opt for Mega Millions at a dollar a play.

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