Overall 1 in 53.7 prize levels are estimates based on pari-mutuel calculations and will vary While the current odds of Lotto are shorter, the prizes are also smaller. Also with the introduction of the new Lotto Virginia, the lottery will eliminate the Kicker game, which was introduced in 1996 to play in conjunction with Lotto, for an extra dollar. Because of the complicated play style of the Kicker game, it proved not to be as popular with our players as our other on-line games. The changes that create Lotto Virginia are a trend being mirrored by many of the 38 U.S. Lotteries. This change is occurring after a year of careful consideration regarding declining sales that represent declining interest in the current Lotto game.
Many players participating in research also claim interest in larger jackpots.
With these mega jackpots, players seem to become immune to the lower jackpot levels. That combined with the difference in today's cost of living now versus that of ten years ago makes is difficult to get players excited about relatively smaller jackpots. Also, consumer prices during that same time period have increased 35 percent. In September when the Virginia Lottery premiers Lotto Virginia, players will likely see jackpots growing to higher levels. Higher jackpots yield higher sales and more money that will go to players, retailers and public education, K-12.