Do any (U.S.) states participate in both Powerball and MegaMillions lotteries?

Powerball is played in 31 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mega Millions is played in 12 states, including Ohio. The consortium behind Mega Millions and the Urbandale, Iowa-based Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs Powerball, have agreed in principle to cross-sell tickets for both games beginning next year, officials said.

"It's a way to increase sales and reach out to more players," said Tom Shaheen, the president of the lottery association's board of directors and executive director of the North Carolina Education Lottery. The idea surfaced last year after officials noticed that when the jackpots grew, players who live in states offering Powerball would cross the border to buy tickets in another state selling Mega Millions and visa versa, Shaheen said. Cross-selling would give players the chance to buy whatever ticket they want in their home state, said Andi Brancato, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Lottery, which is a member of Mega Millions.

"Why don't we see if we can sell both games in all states and keep those people in their respective states and give those people who don't live on borders the opportunity to play the other large jackpot game," Shaheen said. Shaheen said a national lottery is also in the works that would be in addition to Powerball and Mega Millions. "If we develop a national game, it will probably be at a different price point.

It might to $2.