North Dakota Lottery
The North Dakota Lottery is run by the government of North Dakota. The Lottery began in 2004, following voter approval of an initiative constitutional amendment in 2002, Measure 2, which amended Article XI, Section 25 of the North Dakota Constitution to allow for the state to join a multi-state lottery "for the benefit of the State of North Dakota." In-state games were not allowed; 63 percent of voters supported the measure.[1]
It is unique among US lotteries in that it is allowed only to offer multi-jurisdictional games, i.e., North Dakota-only games cannot be sold.[2] As a result, all of its games are part of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). North Dakota's games are: Mega Millions, Powerball, Hot Lotto, Wild Card 2, and 2by2. (The Sizzler option in Hot Lotto is called Triple Sizzler in North Dakota; it is similar to Mega Millions' Megaplier, and the previous version of Powerball's PowerPlay.)
North Dakota's lottery games require players to be at least 18 years old.
North Dakota Lottery games
2by2
2by2 is played in North Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska. It is drawn nightly. 2by2 draws two red numbers from 1 through 26, and two white numbers, also 1 through 26. Games cost $1 each. There are eight ways to win. The top prize usually is $22,000; however, a ticket good for seven drawings matching all four numbers in a Tuesday draw wins $44,000.
Wild Card
Wild Card is played in North Dakota, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota. It is drawn Wednesdays and Saturdays. Players get two games for each $1 wagered. Each game is played in a similar fashion as Mega Millions and Powerball; in each drawing, five numbers from 1 through 33 are selected. The sixth "number" is actually 1 of 16 playing cards: a Jack, Queen, King, or the Ace of any of the four suits (Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, or Spades).
Wild Card, known for much of its history as Wild Card 2, will hold its final drawing on February 24, 2016; North Dakota will then join Lucky for Life, which began in 2009 as a Connecticut-only game, Lucky4Life; the current version includes Montana and Idaho among its members.
Hot Lotto
Hot Lotto is offered by 15 lotteries; it is drawn Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hot Lotto draws five "white balls" numbered from 1 through 47, and an orange "Hot Ball", numbered 1 through 19. The jackpots begin at $1,000,000 (all-cash; and "taxes-paid"), increasing by at least $50,000 if there is no top prize winner. Hot Lotto also has an option, called Triple Sizzler (Sizzler elsewhere); non-jackpot prizes are tripled.
Hot Lotto changed its format on May 12, 2013; the annuity option for winners was eliminated. Eight "white balls" were added to the original 39.
Powerball
Powerball was North Dakota's first lottery game. Powerball's jackpots currently start at $40 million; it is drawn Wednesday and Saturday nights.
Mega Millions
On October 13, 2009, the Mega Millions consortium and MUSL reached an agreement in principle to cross-sell Mega Millions and Powerball in US lottery jurisdictions. The Lottery Advisory Commission voted unanimously on October 22, 2009 to bring Mega Millions to North Dakota, with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem eventually approving the game. The Lottery joined Mega Millions on January 31, 2010.
References
- ↑ http://www.lotteryinsider.com/lottery/ntdakota.htm
- ↑ http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t53c12-1.pdf?20130511023640