Powerball tickets could be sold in Georgia

By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia lottery players could soon have a chance to buy Powerball tickets at their local retailer if an agreement announced Tuesday is implemented.

The Mega Millions consortium of 12 state lotteries, including Georgia, has reached an "agreement in principal" with the Multi-State Lottery Association, which operates the Powerball game, to "cross-sell" tickets in all U.S. lottery jurisdictions, Mega Millions officials said.

"The agreement means that lotteries from across the United States, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will be able to choose to offer their lottery players both jackpot games via their respective retailers," according to a press release posted Tuesday on the Mega Millions Web site.

"No firm date has been set for implementation, although it is hoped that it could be in early 2010," the release said.

Powerball is currently available in 31 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.