SEVEN HILLS, Ohio — Those hoping to hit it big with the New Year will have to pay more to do it.
On Jan. 15, the Powerball lottery will double the cost of tickets from $1 to $2 each.
“I don’t think it’ll enhance anybody to buy more tickets,” said Rick Calabrese of Parma. “They’re going to buy that one ticket to buy that big money. I’d rather see them keep the same and try to get more payouts for everybody.”
While the price of the ticket is increasing, so do the chances of winning. Powerball numbers selected will decrease from 39 to 35 draws. Odds of winning will increase from 1 out of 192 million to 1 out of 175 million.
Dan Kenny, owner of The Store in Seven Hills, says the move could pay off, as customers are drawn to larger jackpots.
“I think when it comes out, they’ll see how fast the game grows, and there’ll be a lot more winners,” he said. “I think it’s a good idea.”
Kenny admits customers have expressed mixed opinions in recent weeks, but he said he experienced the same thing with scratch-off lottery tickets.
When prices have increased in the past, it did not hurt sales.
“Our biggest sellers are probably the $10 and the $20 instant scratch-offs,” he said. “The $1 and the $2 are a lot slower than the 5, 10s, and the 20s. I don’t think the higher price point is going to hurt at all.
Even with the bigger payouts, for some gamblers, it’ll take a lot more convincing to get them to try their luck with the multi-state ticket.
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea because the economy is as tough as it is,” said Ross Restifo of Seven Hills. “It will make me think twice, and I won’t play as much. I’ll probably stick to the $1 games when I do play.”