On Jan. 25, lottery officials will present draft rules for Powerball to the Ohio Lottery Commission and there will be public hearings on any proposed changes, said Marie Kilbane, a spokeswoman for the lottery. If the commission OKs them, the proposed rules will go before the Joint Committee for Agency Rule Review, a state body that includes five state senators and five state representatives, for consideration, Kilbane said.
Ohio is one of a dozen states planning to add Powerball to their offerings this year. Plans call for all of those states — except Ohio and California — to join the Powerball game by Jan. 31, Kilbane said.
Kathleen Burke, the lottery’s director, said adding Powerball would benefit the state.
“We anticipate retailers will benefit with additional foot traffic to their stores as well,” Burke said. “In addition, we believe this move will provide additional dollars for the Lottery Profits Education Fund.”
Kilbane said consumers currently have to leave Ohio if they want to play Powerball.
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