Lottery Suspends Multidraw Option for Draw-Style Games in Preparation for June System Conversion
The last day to purchase a multidraw ticket for Powerball, Lotto and Easy 5 will be April 17 before the games' draw breaks, which is 9 p.m. for Powerball and 9:30 p.m. for Lotto and Easy 5. The multidraw option for these games allows players to purchase plays for 20, 10, five, four, three or two advance, consecutive drawings.
The last day to purchase a multidraw ticket for Pick 3 and Pick 4 will be June 11 prior to the 9:30 p.m. draw break. The multidraw option for these games, allows players to purchase plays for 14, seven, six, five, four, three or two advance, consecutive drawings.
The multidraw option on all games will be available again once the Lottery converts to its new gaming system on June 27.
As part of the conversion, all of the Lottery's nearly 2,800 retailers will receive new touch screen terminals to generate draw-style game tickets and validate winning tickets. Because of differences in the patented bar coding technology between the old and new system, the Lottery felt that suspending the multidraw option on its games would ensure a smoother transition to its new system. The last time the Lottery underwent a full-scale hardware and software system conversion was 10 years ago.
"Our new gaming system will feature many technological improvements for both players and retailers, including more flexible, user-friendly ticket terminals as well as enhanced player communications at the point of purchase," explained Lottery President Rose Hudson.
Players must be at least 21 years old to purchase a Lottery ticket. The Lottery encourages anyone who has a gambling problem or friends and family of anyone with a gambling problem to call toll-free 1-877-770-7867 for help. For security purposes, the Lottery also encourages players to sign the back of their tickets immediately after purchasing.
