Multi-State Lottery Association

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Map of U.S. states and territories which are part of the Multi-State Lottery Association Multi-State Lottery Association members map.svg
Map of U.S. states and territories which are part of the Multi-State Lottery Association

The Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) is an American non-profit, government-benefit association owned and operated by agreement of its 34-member lotteries. MUSL was created to facilitate the operation of multi-jurisdictional lottery games, most notably Powerball.

Contents

MUSL was formed in December 1987, by seven U.S. lotteries. Its first game was launched in February 1988, Lotto America . That game was changed to Powerball; its first drawing was in April 1992. Powerball was a unique game using two drums, suggested to MUSL by Steve Caputo of the Oregon Lottery.

Powerball/Mega Millions cross-selling

On October 13, 2009, MUSL signed an agreement with the consortium of states that operated the similar Mega Millions lottery, which allowed MUSL members to sell Mega Millions tickets and consortium members to sell Powerball tickets. On January 31, 2010, all but 2 of the 12 Mega Millions consortium lotteries began selling Powerball tickets. The consortium members did not join MUSL; [1] they were licensed by MUSL to sell Powerball, and the consortium coordinates their Powerball participation with MUSL. [2] Likewise, MUSL members may offer Mega Millions through a special MUSL product group that coordinates with the Mega Millions consortium. [3]

Before the agreement, the only places that sold both Mega Millions and Powerball tickets were retailers that sat on state lines and offered multiple lotteries; one retailer on U.S. Route 62 straddling Sharon, Pennsylvania and Masury, Ohio sold both Mega Millions (via the Ohio Lottery) and Powerball (via the Pennsylvania Lottery) before the agreement and continues to be the only retailer to sell tickets for both states' lotteries. [4]

As of 2016, Powerball and Mega Millions were both offered in 46 jurisdictions, including the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball is also offered in Puerto Rico, where Mega Millions is not currently offered.

Other games

Besides Powerball, MUSL has operated the Hot Lotto and 2by2 draw games, and the Monopoly Millionaires' Club scratch-game series, including the MMC television game show; the game show aired its final episode in April 2016. (Wild Card held its final drawing on February 24, 2016).

Since MUSL games are multi-jurisdictional, these games need unanimous approval before one is changed. In other words, game changes for Mega Millions (46 members) or 2by2 (three members) must be approved by all lotteries offering that game before a new format is implemented. Game changes often are made in hopes of increasing a game's membership.

MUSL has retired several games, including 2by2, Ca$hola (video lottery), Daily Millions, Lotto*America, Rolldown, and the Powerball scratchcard game; the latter was tied to a weekly television game show produced for two years in Hollywood, California called Powerball: The Game Show (hosted by Bob Eubanks); then for two years from the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, called Powerball Instant Millionaire (hosted by Todd Newton. 2by2 was played in a similar fashion as Daily Millions was, but with a smaller top prize. The Hot Lotto game was be retired on October 28, 2017, with a new version of Lotto*America replacing it on November 12.

In September 2007, MUSL launched Midwest Millions, a scratch ticket game, in Iowa and Kansas; it was the country's first multi-jurisdictional scratch game since the Powerball television game shows. Midwest Millions returned in 2008 and 2009.

Ca$hola was retired on May 15, 2011, when its 37th jackpot was won. A replacement multi-jurisdictional video lottery game, MegaHits , began on July 15, 2011, in Delaware, Rhode Island, and West Virginia, the three lotteries which offered Ca$hola; MegaHits was then added in Maryland and Ohio. MegaHits ended on July 31, 2018.

Services

MUSL provides a variety of services for lotteries, including game design, management of game finances, production and up-linking of drawings, the development of common minimum information technology and security standards and inspections of lottery vendor sites; the building of a quantum-based random number generator (RNG), coordination of common promotions and advertisements, coordination of public relations, and emergency back-drawing sites for lottery games. MUSL also hosts the Powerball website and the websites for more than a dozen U.S. lotteries. The Powerball website averages over 350,000 pageviews per day (over 10.5 million monthly.) MUSL provides these services to the lotteries at no cost. MUSL earns its income from non-game sources such as earnings on its accounts, bond swaps, and licensing of its trademarks. MUSL owns the patents and trademarks involved in its operations, holding them for the benefit of its members.

MUSL's former director is Chuck Strutt, who was the association's first employee in 1987. Strutt directly responded to players and writes MUSL's unusual FAQ, which elicits strong responses from readers who may find it humorous or insulting. [5]

MUSL games operate under the same core game rules in each jurisdiction; however, each lottery is free to vary rules pertaining to such things as purchase age, the claim period, and some validation processes.

Hot Lotto fraud scandal

In December 2010, a jackpot-winning ticket for the Hot Lotto jackpot was purchased near MUSL headquarters. However, the ticket was not claimed until just before the Iowa Lottery's one-year deadline. At that time, an attorney from New York state attempted to claim the jackpot on behalf of a Belize trust. The trust later decided not to pursue the claim, to avoid revealing the purchaser's identity. [6]

In January 2015, Edward Tipton, MUSL's Director of Information Security, was arrested. Authorities determined that he was the purchaser by reviewing a convenience store's video footage. [7] In March 2015, a second man, Robert Rhodes, from Texas, was arrested in connection to the fraud. [8]

Tipton was convicted in July 2015 of two counts of fraud and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He posted $10,000 bond and was released pending appeal. [9] Authorities suspected that Tipton rigged drawings in at least four states, and as a result of their investigation he was charged in October 2015 for crimes in 2005 and 2007. [6] [10]

Eddie Tipton was sentenced to 25 years in an Iowa court in 2017 for gaming multiple lotteries by installing a rootkit in the computer running the RNG used by MUSL for the drawings. The rootkit changed the behavior of the RNG, allowing Tipton to predict the numbers that would be drawn. The MUSL gaming software had been approved by Gaming Laboratories International. [11]

Members

MUSL's membership consists of 38 lotteries (including those of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) [1] which offered Powerball prior to the January 31, 2010 beginning of cross-selling with the 12 lotteries operating Mega Millions. Mississippi became the 35th state to join in 2019, with ticket sales planned for 2020. [12]

The 38 MUSL members, alphabetically (and when joined):

Related Research Articles

In the United States, lotteries are run by 48 jurisdictions: 45 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mega Millions</span> American multi-jurisdictional lottery game

Mega Millions is an American multijurisdictional lottery game; as of June 30, 2023, it is offered in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The first Mega Millions drawing was in 2002. What is now Mega Millions initially was offered in six states; the logo for all versions of the game following the retirement of The Big Game name featured a gold-colored ball with six stars to represent the game's initial membership, although some lotteries insert their respective logos in the ball.

Powerball is an American lottery game offered by 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is overseen by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which also manages other large jackpot games such as the Mega Millions. From 1992 to 2021, Powerball drawings were held biweekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Monday drawings were added to help boost sales and increase jackpot amounts. Powerball drawings are held at 10:59p.m. Eastern Time, at the Florida Lottery's headquarters in Tallahassee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Lotto</span> American lottery game

Hot Lotto was a multi-state lottery game administered by the Iowa-based Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which is best known for operating the Mega Millions and Powerball games.

Tri-State Lottery is the terminal-generated game series offered by the Maine, New Hampshire, and/or Vermont lotteries. It was the first multi-jurisdictional lottery. Its first multi-state game came in September 1985. The compact includes five games: Megabucks ; Pick 3 and Pick 4, Gimme 5, and Fast Play ; the latter are games that differ among the three states.

The Oklahoma Lottery is an American lottery that is operated by that state's government. The Lottery, which began ticket sales on October 12, 2005, is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL).

The Iowa Lottery Authority is run by the state of Iowa. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), which administers games on behalf of the member lotteries. The Iowa Lottery portfolio includes Powerball, Mega Millions, Lotto America, Lucky for Life, Pick 3, Pick 4, plus numerous instant scratch ticket, InstaPlay and pull-tab games.

The Maine Lottery is run by the government of Maine. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), whose flagship game is Powerball. It was founded in 1974 after being approved through a voter referendum.

The New Hampshire Lottery was established in 1964, making it the third-oldest lottery in the United States, and the oldest in the contiguous United States. New Hampshire's lottery games include Lucky for Life, Mega Millions, Powerball, Tri-State Megabucks Plus, and numerous scratch tickets. All New Hampshire Lottery games require players to be at least 18 years old.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idaho Lottery</span>

The Idaho Lottery began play on July 19, 1989, and is run by the government of the state of Idaho. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Fifty percent of all net funds is given to public schools, while the remainder is pledged to the Permanent Building Fund, which is used as a financial resource for the state's colleges and universities.

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.

The South Dakota Lottery is run by the government of South Dakota. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). The Lottery is headquartered in Pierre; it is a self-funded endeavor. The minimum age to buy tickets is 18; however, video lottery players must be at least 21.

The West Virginia Lottery is run by the government of West Virginia. It was established in 1984 via a voter referendum. It is a charter member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). The Lottery offers games such as Lotto America, Powerball, Mega Millions, and scratch tickets. West Virginia has reinterpreted the amendment to its Constitution that permitted its lottery to include casinos, and thus the West Virginia Lottery Commission also regulates slot machines, which are marketed as "video lottery" and available at several hundred businesses; and five "lottery table games" casinos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee Lottery</span>

The Tennessee Lottery is run by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC), which was created on June 11, 2003, by the Tennessee General Assembly. TELC derives its legal authority from the Tennessee Education Lottery Implementation Law, which the General Assembly passed following a November 2002 amendment to the state constitution establishing the lottery and approved by 58 percent of the voters.

The Arizona Lottery is a state agency of Arizona in the southwest United States. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). Lottery draw games include Mega Millions, Powerball, The Pick, Triple TwistFantasy 5, and Pick 3. A variety of instant scratch tickets, or Scratchers, are also offered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delaware Lottery</span>

The Delaware Lottery is run by the government of Delaware. Its creation was authorized by the state legislature on May 31, 1974. Its "traditional" games include Play 3, Play 4, Multi-Win Lotto, Lucky For Life, Lotto America, Mega Millions, and Powerball. Delaware also offers Keno, sports betting, and video lottery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoosier Lottery</span> Official state lottery of Indiana

The Hoosier Lottery is the official state lottery of Indiana, and is the only US lottery that uses the state's nickname as its official name. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). The Hoosier Lottery sells scratch-off tickets; its draw games include Mega Millions, Hoosier Lotto, Powerball, Cash 5, and Poker Lotto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio Lottery</span> Lottery run by the state of Ohio

The Ohio Lottery is a state lottery run by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Its games consist of scratch tickets; Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5 ; Rolling Cash 5, Classic Lotto, Keno, Lucky for Life, Mega Millions, and Powerball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Lottery</span> U.S. state lottery

The Colorado Lottery is run by the state government of Colorado. It is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association(MUSL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotto America</span> American Lottery

Lotto America is an American multi-state lottery game that began in 2017. It is operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). It takes its name from the original Lotto America, offered from 1988 to 1992. Lotto America was re-launched by 13 state lotteries on November 12, 2017, as a replacement for the scandal-tarred Hot Lotto game; each of the 13 members of Lotto America offered Hot Lotto when it ended on October 28, 2017.

References

  1. 1 2 "MUSL - Home" . Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  2. ↑ MUSL Powerball Group Rules, January 2010 (per Arkansas Scholarship Lottery)
  3. ↑ MUSL Mega Millions Product Group Rules, December 2009 (per Arkansas Scholarship Lottery)
  4. ↑ "Penn Ohio Lottery & Deli in Sharon, PA 16146 - (724) 347-5506". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  5. ↑ "Ex-Lottery Official Received Severance Amid Jackpot Scandal". 10 January 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Jackpot-fixing investigation expands to more state lotteries". Chicago Tribune. December 18, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Lottery vendor employee charged in Hot Lotto fraud case". Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  8. ↑ Maricle, Kelly (March 21, 2015). "Second Arrest Made in HotLotto Jackpot Mystery". WHOtv.com. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  9. ↑ Rodgers, Grant (September 9, 2015). "Hot Lotto rigger seentenced to 10 years". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  10. ↑ Rodgers, Grant (October 9, 2015). "Hot Lotto scammer accused of rigging other lotteries". Des Moines Register. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  11. ↑ Forgrave, Reid (May 3, 2018). "The man who cracked the lottery". New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  12. ↑ Annison, Meg. "Powerball and Mega Millions Coming to Mississippi in 2020!" (PDF). Mississippi Lottery Corporation. Mississippi Lottery Corporation. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  13. ↑ Markle, Terri (2019-06-28). "New York Lottery to Join Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL)" (Press release). MUSL. The transition for the New York Lottery to join MUSL is scheduled to begin June 30, 2019.
  14. ↑ Northrop, Todd (2014-10-01). "Puerto Rico joins Powerball today". Lottery Post.
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