(Powerball) The jackpot in America’s favorite lottery game is growing. Even though the grand prize was not awarded Saturday evening, 2 lucky tickets in Indiana (1), and Wisconsin (1) matched all 5 white numbers with the Power Play and won $600,000 cash each. Two other lucky tickets in New Mexico (1), and Pennsylvania (1) matched all 5 white ball numbers for a sensational $200,000 cash win on both. In addition, 555,468 tickets across the nation won a total of $5,448,039 in prizes.  

ALBUQUERQUE − The New Mexico Lottery announced today that Powerball®, the world’s best-known jackpot lottery game, will change to create bigger jackpots, a $1 million-prize level and more overall winners.*
Changes taking effect Jan. 4 for the Jan. 7 drawing include:
• A $20 million starting jackpot, up from $15 million;
• $1 million lump-sum cash prize for players who add the $1 Power Play® prize multiplier to their wager and match the five white numbered balls;
• Lower overall odds of one in 35.1, creating an additional 3 million non-jackpot prizes each year; and
• Increased jackpot odds of one in 195 million, creating a greater likelihood of jackpot run ups.

ALBUQUERQUE – Warren Roberts is the perfect gentleman to Frances Beal. Not only did Roberts purchase a New Mexico Lottery Scratcher for his girlfriend as a treat for New Year’s Eve, he steadied Beal when she unveiled a $30,000 top prize and he escorted the Elephant Butte woman to collect the cash winnings at lottery headquarters in Albuquerque Friday. “I thought she might pass out,” Roberts said, recalling Beal’s reaction to unveiling first eight, then nine and ultimately 10 prize-winning words on the “Bonus Word Crossword” ticket.